Corporal John William Smith
240781 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment
Lived at 9 Holme Street

Dear Mother

Just a few lines hoping you are keeping in the very best of Health
Well I am still batting but I am not myself. We are having some very hot weather almost like Egypt but a lot more Iron flying about well I am praying to have the same good luck that I have had all through but you get sick and tired of it all for we have lost a few chums since we came to France
Well Mother I do not as a rule talk like this but sometimes you get in the dumps. I am sending you a Photo we had taken it is not very good but it is what is left of me .
I have not had a letter from you for sometime will you address as Cpl J Smith C Coy 1/5th East Lancs Regt but do not mention the number of my Division as it is forbidden well I will now close hoping to hear from you again soon so Good Night

Your ever loving son Jack