TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MALVERN TIMES JOURNAL MAY 16, 1918 P. 1
April 19, 1918.
Mrs. S. Beerstecher, Heber Springs, Arkansas, U. S. A.
My Dear Grandmother:
I will write you a few lines tonight to let you know I am well and enjoying life very much in this country.
I arrived in this country about the middle of March and like France better each day I stay here. It is a very beautiful country, altho quite different from the dear old U. S.
It is rather cool tonight. There is snow on the ground now. It is the first time I ever saw snow on my birthday. It hasn’t seemed like a birthday to me, but maybe in a few more birthdays, I will be back in mother’s arms.
I had letters from Mama and papa and the girls yesterday. They were the first I received since my arrival in France, and I was surely glad to get them.
I am going to write to Uncle Louis and Aunt Adele Sunday. You know, Grandma, I am only about 25 miles from Aunt Adele’s home. If possible, I will visit her before I return to the States.
Altho Wm. and Ross have been in the service longer than I have, I crossed over ahead of them.
I enjoyed my sea voyage very much, although I was a little sick at times.
Our camp is near several small towns, and we all have a very good time, and I don’t think anyone gets very blue, altho we all long for home once more. I wont let my mind dwell on home very much for I would get homesick, and you know there is no use being that way, for home is a long way off.
I never did write and thank you for the helmet you sent me, grandma. I just neglected it, but I appreciate it none the less. It certainly has done me a world of good, and kept my ears from getting cold many a time.
I must close now, as its rather late, and I must work tomorrow,
Your loving grandson,
Edward.
Edward B. Holmes, Co. F. 8th Bu. 20th
Eng. 2nd Bt. A. E. F., via New York.
NOTES: Edward B. Holmes was from Amity, Arkansas in Clark County and was the nephew of the editor of the Malvern Times.
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN
April 19, 1918.
Mrs. S. Beerstecher, Heber Springs, Arkansas, U. S. A.
My Dear Grandmother:
I will write you a few lines tonight to let you know I am well and enjoying life very much in this country.
I arrived in this country about the middle of March and like France better each day I stay here. It is a very beautiful country, altho quite different from the dear old U. S.
It is rather cool tonight. There is snow on the ground now. It is the first time I ever saw snow on my birthday. It hasn’t seemed like a birthday to me, but maybe in a few more birthdays, I will be back in mother’s arms.
I had letters from Mama and papa and the girls yesterday. They were the first I received since my arrival in France, and I was surely glad to get them.
I am going to write to Uncle Louis and Aunt Adele Sunday. You know, Grandma, I am only about 25 miles from Aunt Adele’s home. If possible, I will visit her before I return to the States.
Altho Wm. and Ross have been in the service longer than I have, I crossed over ahead of them.
I enjoyed my sea voyage very much, although I was a little sick at times.
Our camp is near several small towns, and we all have a very good time, and I don’t think anyone gets very blue, altho we all long for home once more. I wont let my mind dwell on home very much for I would get homesick, and you know there is no use being that way, for home is a long way off.
I never did write and thank you for the helmet you sent me, grandma. I just neglected it, but I appreciate it none the less. It certainly has done me a world of good, and kept my ears from getting cold many a time.
I must close now, as its rather late, and I must work tomorrow,
Your loving grandson,
Edward.
Edward B. Holmes, Co. F. 8th Bu. 20th
Eng. 2nd Bt. A. E. F., via New York.
NOTES: Edward B. Holmes was from Amity, Arkansas in Clark County and was the nephew of the editor of the Malvern Times.
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN