France 11/5/17

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My darling Hilda

I have been longing to get a minute to write to you via since you are so good as to send the papers to start the ? . I will do my best. As a matter of fact I was short of paper and it is a good idea to put a spare piece in your letters.

Today I received quite a bundle of mail from home. It took all the troubles off my mind as usual and gave me something to think about. We have just left Bapaume which, as you no doubt know by now was captured by the victorious troops, closely followed by us. We were in the place while it was still burning and we had the job of cleaning up the town the streets of which were half buried with fallen house and other debris. What few billets and cellars the Huns did leave were mined or in a filthy condition.

I was in Albert the other day and in fact I came down by train from Bapaume via Albert and Miraumont both scenes of stiff fighting. Albert is different now from when I was in it last July and the recommencement of the big push. Then it was a shell torn town and was not safe at any time.

It was like Bapaume is now all fallen buildings and debris. Now it carries a good number of French civilians who have opened shop to sell papers groceries clothing and iron mongering etc. The land around the town is being cultivated again also and in fact, except for a stray Taube plane or 2 no sign of war exists there.

In your last letter you said you were getting a rise. I am real glad this as I know you deserve it and it will be useful wont it. Ken Martin is still all right and has gone to a school of instruction (officers. I think) and missed the last big stunt like I did. He is a very decent chap and I like him. Gert wanted to know how I knew him. Well I just dug him up and asked him if he was Ken Martin and did have a brother named Eric and he said he was.

With love from Cpl Walter

11/5/17