Apl. 27/16
Dear Doris,
Needless to say I was very glad to get your letter which arrived a few days ago. – Was also glad to see the snaps. Wish I could send you a snap of my home so it is at present. I had many and various sorts of abodes since I left Montreal 15 months ago. – My last home was a dugout in the back of a canal, and was 15 feet under ground, fairly secure from anything under a 17” shell. – There isn't much doing along our front at present, that is, compared to the actions of a year ago. – It's just a matter of sitting tight in a ruined country and wearing down the other side. – There is usually considerable artillery activity. – Now and then we spring a mine under the enemy's trenches or the infantry have a bombing raid and go across and take a few boche prisoners. Outside of a few happenings like that, things keep fairly quiet. There is always lots of work for the Engineers and it is practically all done at night, so great a part of our area being under observation in daytime.
Continued May 6th 16.
My letter writing usually gets interrupted and it is sometimes quite a while before I get back to it again. – This time the interruption was a message saying that my chum had been killed and I went out to make enquiries. – He was hit by a rifle grenade while working up in the line. – Rather tough luck as it wasn't his turn for duty in the line. – By rights I should have been up there but having been given another job for a while, which took me away from the Company, he was sent up in my place.
Rather funny, but in the first part of this letter I was lamenting the fact that everything was so quiet. During the interval it has been anything but quiet in one or two spots. – Fritz has climbed over his parapet in one or two places but am glad to say he had to scramble back again in a hurry and all too Merry and bright.
Am looking forward to 7 days leave in a month or so, and then watch yours truly cut a large sized swath in Piccadilly. Believe me, London is the town for a time.
Well, here's hoping you will write again shortly. My love to all, especially Gordon's youngster.
Your cousin,
Murray
3rd F.C.C.E. – 1st Can. Divn. B.E.F.