France

4 11 17

Dear Mac [Gordon Macauley, husband of Liz Balneaves] Just received your letter but cant get the guts of it at all, but by your description of the affair it does seem a bit fishy. What the deuce was the matter with her but of course as I said I don’t … it all you should get right in on that chap from Frisco. Play him a game or two of poker if he has so much brass. Say Mac guess he could get rid of some of it here as the (God Damned Yank says). These Canadians are just the same and talk through the nose and it is always some God Damned thing but could hardly write it all

here as Liz would go crook. So you want a revolver & a knife. Easily said Mac but if I ever mount the bags again will give it a good go. Had bad luck last time. Harry and I just missed four but of course we have no change till we get over & to tell you the truth once over you are not so keen for another trip but we are not here for fun. So perhaps. As for the knife don’t think there is a chance as we hardly ever see them. Did Liz get the Hun note I sent out. Bill and I had a good collection of Hun bayonets but could not get them away to you. It is jolly hard to get that stuff away. What do you think of Italy’s stunt but the cow can’t do that on this front. It is great Mac you have no idea of what it is like. No one could possibly

imagine it. How would you like to be blowing into London about Xmas. Will do this child as I expect to be there by then & then after that we get Paris leave so that is not so bad. I am not with the boys just now but at a Sig school & have had a pretty good time but going back shortly. Well think this is all this time. Thanks for choc have not received it yet but it will get here one of these days. Give my love to Liz and the kids. Saw Tom Dunlop the other day & passed him quite close & he did not know me so did not speak but for any sake don’t tell Nell as there will be Hell to pay. He blew in one day on Youngun & Bill and Youngun was not too pleased about something he said but forget what it was. He is what we call here a Backshee Lance Jack one stripe artist and if

he needs anything he would pull it off. Got no time for chaps who come here & think they can show the old chaps what to do. I shocked a new chap one day by pulling off my shirt and having my daily raid cough five (?) & you should have seen him but when I told that was nothing that I had landed 50 the other day before he cut this look toute suite. But a man would be lonely without them now. We must sign off now. Kindest Regards, Your Doie

Allen Craig is here but in hospital swinging it bad leg