Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-06-25
Letter fromiw. R. ManIey In France.

Il
The letter given below was writer
under date of April 6 by Will Manley Of
McMinnville, Oregon, and was published
10 the Telephone Register Of that town
Mr.. Manley is q grandson of G. Freeland
Penley OF South Paris. As. is indicated
by bis letter, he is serving with
Montreal unit In the war In France. Hs
has had long service, and has beer
twice wounded and sent to the hospital
"My Paris leave came through o. K
aud had splendid time there, thanks
to the interest the Y. NJ. @. A. are tax
ing towards helping US In the sight see
ing and furnishing information In gener
al. That may sound like very small
task, but Is greatly appreciated by III
fellows who can't 'parlez vous' Partisan
French, although we can manage up the
line or in the little villages where we
billet. will never be sorry I enlisted
If 1t was only to see Paris, but won'i
try to 90 into detail, for I never could dc
1t justice. I was little disappointed
however, for my leave was intended tc
be fourteen days, but this new drive up
set everything and ! was called back
By the way, the Huns must have known
I was on leave, for 1t was then they
started shelling Paris. saw where two
of the shells struck. One was abOu
500 yards from the hotel where I wat
staying. It didn't dc Q great deal ol
damage, but there was quite heavy re-
port, and of course that was enough tt
brighten the civilians, especially the
women. Fritz should be real proud oi
his new invention. He was also ovel
the city three nights on bombing raids
zone year ago tomorrow the Canadians
took Vimy ridge. Many of the British
drives cost more In men and munitiont
but don't think he will ever recapture
territory that will cost him as much. 80.
1--WE have been moving good deal and
writing at the best Of times is difficult
Il is hard to settle down and write after
doing 15 kilometers full marching order
60 you will have to excuse some OF these
long gaps In between my letters.
~ enjoyed the papers (Telephons
Register) Immensely. There isn't
column in any of them that I haven't
read advertising and all. Quite few
of the fellows I knew were mentioned II
different articles and just to see thejl
names In print and to read of their differ
ent occupations was nearly as good al
seeing one Of them.
"It has turned cold today, worse luck
for we have just been issued into kilt'
again, and they are built pretty much OF
the open air plan compared with trousers
This spell of weather won't last long a.
this time OF the year. The few frui
trees that are left are In bloom and tbs
wild flowers are plentiful.
"I received letter from Joe Eckman
tonight. he seems to be getting on hne
Ia q sergeant, and is anxious to be ir
line. II Fritz keeps on with his drive
they will most likely see ell Of the lint
they want. It IL hard to believe tha
any man would actually like to be in tn.
line after one has had bit OF experience
but It is sure the right and only spirit
Maybe some time We will run into eact
other, but at present the American
troops ere on an altogether different
front. I'd sure march 80 kilos to have Z
visit with some real sure enough Nom
i fellows. haven't seen soul knew II
OWL life yet, which isn't to be wondered
at, for the most of my friends are in th'
western states, and oil OF this brigade
Was recruited and 10 reinforced b!
Montreal men.
I'VE are in unique billet at present
THE village 10 under she'll FIRE, or
should say In range, but It has not beer
quite 90 badly wrecked ~ some OF th'
towns. We are in an old water mill tha
has been bit once, and that she'll jos
made rat hole in. the thick walls
The brook runs on both sides Of the mill
but could be turned into the channe
which carries the watsr for tho BIZ
wheel. There are two big stone grinder
In tho mill, the first ever saw Ike them
i The fellows have been throwing bomb
inSo tho pond Of the mill In hopes o
i getting fsh, but 80 far nothing NOR,
edible than . frog or two has beel
/ II an feeling ,flns and have only ON
care, end that 70 that hope the mex
Il flva yesrs Of the war 60 fasters than th'
lpa5tiour. Give my regards 70 oil N!
| old friends.