View from the front line:

“MY Dear Father,

“I am wondering if any of my mail has reached home as I have not received a letter from you yet. Very seldom we get letters owing to the difficulty of transportation. I like this place fine and have much amusement speaking French. The people are treating us very well though they haven’t much.

“The village is about as big as Duagh, where I am billeted. The most plentiful commodity here is dung heaps. All evening, the cows promenade on the village street, and our American boys can’t stand the smell so they stay indoors a great deal. Our regiment occupies many villages, so I go around a lot during the week.

“Yesterday, I heard confessions in three villages and said two Masses this morning. I was tired when I got through, but I have all afternoon to rest today. We don’t know when our boys will be called into action, so they are getting ready by going to Confession and Communion regularly.

“The weather is grand here now, and the farmers have all the grain crops harvested. Women do most of the work in the fields as the men are all at the front. They are rejoicing over the good news from the front in the past few weeks and feel very grateful to the Americans for the part they played. The Germans got a big surprise and it may bring them to their senses at last. Well, I won’t say any more on this subject for fear of breaking the censorship rules.

“I hope you had a good harvest and good crops. Did the conscription go into force yet in Ireland? England has certainly bungled things in Ireland while Irish brains and genius in America are doing so much to win this War.

“It is too bad that Ireland can’t send a volunteer army of its own to help France and Belgium because of the good feelings it would produce. If Pearse had led his volunteer army to France to fight there instead of in Dublin, more good might have come of it. But it is too late now.

“I suppose Maggie is home on vacation at present. I am hoping that I will reach home before she leaves, and if not I will call to see her in England on my way. I can’t definitely say when the leave of absence will be granted, though I have an idea. But I assure you I will go as soon as ever it is is possible. I want mother to have four pairs of good, woolen socks ready for me to take with me on my return.

“I am enclosing a small amount for pocket money for mother and rest at home. I hope it reaches you all right. I will conclude for the present reassuring you that I am perfectly well and hoping you are all likewise.

“Best wishes and love from your affectionate son, Jeremiah Galvan.”