France Feb 15th 1918

Dear Lizir (?)

If I remember right I had a letter from you while you were with Kate. I also got a parcel of chocolate from Mataura and Bill got one from Mac at the same time. I wrote a letter to Kate and for her to send it on so you have it by the time this reaches you. I wrote about our bit of shooting. Well I heard quietly that I had topped the score for the 2nd Otago’s so that is not too bad all on service conditions. The way I heard of it was this. I was sitting in the corner of the hut and one of the other chaps started talking about one of the other chaps and another cove came to light with the information but could not say the name. He knew it was Bal something so someone supplied the rest and here we are. Tonight we all received a buckshee parcel from the Otago and Southland Womens Patriotic Assn. I had a tin of tobacco and a tin of lollies in mine and Bill a tin of tongues, a tin of sugar, and a tin of coffee. Of course as usual the parcels were all ratted before they got to us; As the chap at the pierrots says “Dear Mither the quarter-masters staff are having a busy time of it just now with the buckshee parcels extracting the socks and milk”. Comprie

I have just written to Aunt Jane and the last letter I had from her she was not too well but it is changeable weather just now so I expect she caught a cold. Harry is still at the signal school and we will not see him for a week or so yet. Bill and I are still enjoying (pardon) our bit of eyes right etc at this school. It is of course a long way better than being in the trenches but our time will come one of these days. I must tell you of a little joke we have all to ….. I wrote to Aunt Jane as soon as we got back from ….. and telling her of our trip over in the boat said that …. was rough and Bill lost his lunch or words to that effect …. and this last letter I had from her she was inquiring what it was that we lost and could she replace it. I …. told her what it was we lost and she should see the joke unless she is more Scotch than she seems. It is …. very hard tonight and just now Bill is away round … to get our usual packet of biscuits and a dix…. I hear Charlie Smith and a few more from Mataura … in Sling now so it will not be very long before (they) are over here. I have no more news to give you so will close with best love to you all.

Young Un

16522 A E Balneaves