France

October 31

Dear Mr Walters,

You see I am still here and I am in the best of health.  We are now in a quiet part of the fighting line, just as a rest after a month in a warm part.  We came out of the trenches yesterday after doing four days in, and I think we shall be in again about Saturday.  We have not had a church service now for a month and we shall not get one this week so you must think of me at your services.  I hope I will not be long before I am with you again.  I have seen quite enough of France.  I have seen parts where there is not so much as a wall standing for miles, where a year ago was nice villages.  There is a house near here, that has been hit by a shell and knocked it down all but one corner, and in that corner hang a picture of Christ, which as not been touched, not even the glass cracked.  I saw another sight, where a village once stood, now there is not a wall left over about two feet high, yet where the church was, there stood a fine statue of the Virgin Mary, without a mark on it, I would not like to see our place treated like these anyway.  I often wonder how you are getting on at home.  I guess you are beginning to feel the pressure of the war now, what with men being called up, and the high cost of living.  I hope it will soon be over and that everything normal again.  Everyone I meet has had enough, but we have to stay and finish it.  We are having some colder weather now.  I see some regiments have their fur coats, we shall soon have ours, it is a sure sign of winter.  Please remember me to all.  I hope you are in the best of health.  Well I must close now.  Wishing you the best wishes

From

Yours sincerely

J.W. Weston.

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

Letter postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 42.  2 NO 16.

PASSED BY CENSOR 1968 in hexagonal cachet in purple.