Ross Woods
France, 13 November, 1916
My darling Gertrude,
The situation here has become even more difficult. The snow has been bittlerly cold and mud penetrates everything. There are so many dead horses and they started to rot during the fine weather. We live with the stench all the time.
We had a hot meal yesterday, the first this week.
Do you remember the Uggleston family from Treston-on-Thames? I’m afraid that young Albert was caught in a gas attack last week and was taken to a field hospital. I am concerned that his mother will be inconsolable when she gets the news. However, he is at least in hospital. So many of the company did not survive.
I keep your photograph close by at all times and think of you in all my waking moments.
All my love,
Fred