Belgium

15.14.16

My dearest Mother

We are in the front line trenches & the hole in the ground in which I am writing is now only about 45 yards from the Germans.

This hole or dugout is built like an oven. It is so low that I can not even raise myself on my elbow but it is 6 feet long & 3 feet wide & is quite dry. Besides that it is a good protection again most kinds of bombs.

It seems extraordinary that under these conditions we get our letters every day & quite sufficient of good food and drink. We never take off our clothes or equipment nor can we wash or shave.

It sounds dreadful to think that the ground through which this trench runs & which is now only unsightly & hideous heaps, was before the war a beautiful & peaceful village with avenues of trees and a

BC Archives, MS-2879 Box 69 File 1 / CREASE FAMILY / Selected letters from Arthur Douglas Crease to his mother, Sarah Crease, 1916-1918.