The Editor of the Chronicle has received the following letter from Private J. Francis and Private J. H. Williams, of Cameron Highlanders.
“Just a line to let you know the doings of two Ammanford boys somewhere in France .
We landed in France the beginning of June, and in a few days after we were in the thick of the fighting in the trenches, and I may tell you we felt it strange when we heard the first couple of ‘Jack Johnsons' coming over.
We soon got used to them, as they were sending over ‘coal boxes' by the dozen; but lucky for us, we would have been in a horrible mess. Well to cut a long story short, after we had been up in the firing line a month, my pal, Jack Williams, was sent down to the Base Hospital with blood-poison, and a fortnight later I was sent down with rheumatic fever. I am glad to say that we are now both quite well again.
We are in an Entrenching Battalion as miners, and I may tell you that it is a very risky job. But you know a British Tommy can always manage to keep happy and cheerful under the most trying circumstances. We always look forward for the mail that brings us the Amman Valley Chronicle , as it is the best paper for news of dear old Ammanford.
We read it every week, and it cheers us up a lot out here. Well, I have no more news this time, hoping you will put this letter in your paper.”
Private John Francis also writes to Mr. J.L. Williams, Maesyquarre : —
“Your letter to hand this morning, and am very glad to hear that you are in the best of health, and that you are in the best of health, and that you have had the crops in safe.
Were are still having fine weather out here, and I am enjoying myself all right. I saw a fine sight a few days ago. I saw a German aeroplane brought down by a British airman, and I can tell you it turned a few somersaults before he reached the ground.
That shows you we are their masters on land and sea and in the air. Well, Mr. Williams, anything you send me will always be thankfully received. You ought to see us coming from our work. We are like bakers, white as snow, as where we work underground is all chalk.”
