49.018 - ALS to Fran

[postal stamps]

Mrs D. B. McMulkin. 122 Indian Road. Toronto. Canada.

[in pencil sideways M E...?]

On Active Service Y.M.C.A. WITH THE BRITISH Y.M.C.A. EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Somewhere in France. Saturday Afternoon August 19

Dear Fan. -

How is everything going in Toronto? I suppose that Toronto Exhibition is everything there now, but shouldn't imagine that it would be up to much this year.

I recieved yours and mother's letters day before yesterday and you cannot [unclear] how glad I was to get them. You seemed to be having a fine time at home It was a change from going up to Muskoka wasn't it!

I do not know when we will go to the trenches, but I gess it will be pretty soon. I believe this division is to relieve another division. Some of our fellows and officers have gone to the trenches to train before we go in as a unit. Our Colonel (Col. Frost.) [crossed out] looks something like Frank and has been to the front. He is a fine man and all the fellows like him.

On Active Service Y.M.C.A WITH THE BRITISH Y.M.C.A EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

We are only about ten miles behind the firing line now and can hear the guns quite plainly. The airships are flying overhead all the time and we can see the observation balloons. I was looking over in the direction of the firing line the other night and I could see the Star Shells. We had a very interesting lecture the other day by a staff Captain on "gases" and after the lecture we went through gas with our helmets on then we went through a place where weeping or tear shells had been placed. The tear shells make you weep so that you cannot see. I was down to the cemetery last night and saw Col [Becher's/Becker's?] and Capt. Buchanan's graves.

Address Pte E A Richardson ^ #126141 Sig Section 87th Battalion 4th Can. Division British Expeditionary Forces. Well Fan I think I will close for now. I will write again when I can. Best love to Frank and yourself and Aut and Bob and Stan and Louise and Boys and others in Toronto.

Your loving Brother. Ted.