C23 Gnr R.H. Francis
“A” Battery RCHA
1st Field Regt of Can.
CAAF
October 3, 1944
Dear Georgia-
Three days ago I returned from Rome where I spent 7 days leave. Actually I was there only three days as I hitch-hiked there. It was quite a distance and bad weather prevailed. I had my picture taken at the Canada Club and am enclosing one which I hope you like.
On my return there was a quite a bit of mail which I’ve been catching up on. Eight letters from Muriel, two from her sister, one from her Dad and Mother and one from Mrs. W.C. Simpson. To speak literally I’m standing on my head trying to get it answered but I thought I had better skip in a line to you and send a picture. It’s my just seven days since coming down here and I really enjoyed the change no end. I find hitch-hiking very toughening because out of the four days hitching I ate one meal.
We are going for a rest or stopping for a rest and I shall be able to do lots of writing.
I was rather hoping for Xmas at least in England but I guess it means one more winter here and I guess we’ll definitely make this the last. There is plenty of mud now but the natives say in three or four weeks things will freeze up(similar to home that is). The weather last winter was wet snow, sleet and mud and I daresay it’ll be something similar as mechanical movement cuts the ground to ribbons. I’m well and outside of a small sniffle that seems characteristic – I’m raring to go.
Give the others my regards and tell Alma she’ll have another letter coming soon. The days are short and one writes in spare time on lighting account. Be good and take care of yourselves. Muriel is well and is upset by a move. She was stationed at Hell-Five corner and never said a thing till it was all over and now she’s moving again. I hope the place is not similar.
Well times up and I’ll close,
Heaps of love,
Raymond