France

29 July 16

My Dear Mr Walters,

            I got your most welcome yesterday (Friday) I am pleased to get a line from all who I know any time, and I do my best to answer all I can.  I am now attached to the 9^th Essex, in C Company and I am in the machine gun section.  I am getting on very well with my new work but I will be pleased to come back to the old life.  I am glad to think you still think of me at the Band of Hope + temperance Society meetings and I still have the pleasure of being a member of both.  You do not think far wrong, our batt is in reserve and we are lying just behind the line.  I am not with Jim now, the only Whitwick chap here is Albert Eagles from the gas works.  I see very little of him as we are in different sections. I believe he is a bomber.  I hope God will give me luck to get through safely, then I hope to do some service again to you and our church.  I have only been to one Church Parade in France that was last Sunday, it did seem strange to have a service with the guns and all the din of war (we were only about a hour’s walk from the firing line so I was told) after the quiet services we used to have in our old church.  Please remember me to all.  I am in the best of health and spirits, hoping you and your family the same.  Well I think this is all this time

From

Yours sincerely

J.W. Weston.

Pte J.W. Weston 25739

C Company L.M.G.S.

9 Essex

B.E.F.

In envelope addressed to Rev. T.W. Walters, Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.  England.

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 13.  30 JY16.

PASSED BY CENSOR 1968 in hexagonal cachet in red.