On Thursday, April 14, we moved through the famous town of Ypres. Although Ypres had been shelled, the civilians were still living there, stores were open and lighted up the night as we passed through, and it looked real home-like. The Seventh and Tenth Battalions of our Brigade went into the trenches that same night and we remained in reserve.

On April 15 we [5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade] relieved the tenth, and the 8th Battalion relieved the 7th. The trenches had been held by French troops and were in very bad condition.

The next morning at dawn, we had first view of our surroundings. Just over the parapet about 40 yards away lay over 300 dead Germans, who had been lying there since last October and when the sun rose, believe me, the stench was simply awful. Also in our trench there were hundreds of Germans and French just buried about a foot deep and you could not dig to improve [the] trench without striking a dead body.

The first two nights I slept on a grave containing a number of dead Germans and they were so near the surface that the ground would spring up and down like dough, and oh that smell.

That was the last sleep I had for seven days and nights. On the morning of April 22, as you know, the great German attack began. They turned the gas on the French [Algerian] troops, who held the trenches on our left, and they retired in disorder leaving 4,000 yards of the line open, and this left the Canadian division cut off. We extended at right angles to our line, and blocked the German advance. It was here that our boys were gassed badly, and it was here that 8,000 of us held 60,000 Germans for 22 hours without supports, and under the most terrific shellfire during this war. Just fancy shells of all kinds bursting over and around at 100 per minute and you will have some idea of it. Our artillery was put out of action, and it was in the charge to recover a battery that poor Joe Pinnette from Humboldt was killed. He was killed by a bullet through the brain within 20 yards of our trench. Poor Joe, he did not suffer though. Well, to make a long story short, we were there for five days and nights without food and when relieved some of the boys could hardly walk. Our losses were terrible, and the sights I saw I shall never forget.

We marched on to Wieltje, about three miles, and were given breakfast, then we were taken back in reserve in two days battle at Wieltje, where we were again cut up with artillery, but we advanced over two miles. To give you some idea of the slaughter, our brigade went in over 5,000 strong and came out 1,200 in number.

The war is still raging same as ever, and I think it will be at the very least one year before it is over. I expect to be into it again about September 1. Tell Mrs. Fournier not to worry about Ed, as prisoners are not treated as bad as they say in Canada. Tell Mr. Davis I am answering soon and think it very kind of him. I Will remember you when I am smoking those cigarettes.