1 Jan (1918) Dear Fr Provincial — P.C. I am enclosing
cheque for £30 as I think I have
at least that much to my credit.
This past six months has been
exceptionally expensive in the way
of donations of all kinds e.g. for
Xmas & several officers & men
in our unit got married to which
the officers subscribed rather lavishly
apart from the fact that I lost
the most valuable part of my
kit in the & col withdrawal before
Cambrai & I shall get more of it
back except whatever is on Army
list, so I have had to purchase
all kinds of things out here and
at exorbitant prices. Being at
the advanced aid post at the
time I shall find it hard to prove
that my belongins were not left
behind through carelessness,so I
may be at a loss for all. Then even
what I had with myself at the
aid post I had not time to collect
so they are also gone. However I have 2 to thank God that I am alive for
such a time I have never had
since I came out here. Twice
was I practically in the hands of
the Germans in fact on one
occasion we were certain
that we were prisoners but we
were fortunately released by a
counter attack. At present we are having
nothing but mud to tread on
and yesterday I had to be pulled
out of it, as my knee rubber boots
got stuck & I had to leave them
behind & rescue them later. My health is just fair at
present & since that attack,
but we hope to get a little
rest soon & I feel I shall quickly
recover. With best wishes dear Father Provincial
& hoping you are ever so well. I remain
Your obedient child in xt J. Fitzgibbon
s.j. P.S.
Would you mind telling
Father Farley I said 18 Masses
for him in December.