WWI June 1918 Letter from Major of 14th ENGINEER Regt. in France GREAT CONTENT

Description

World War I soldier's letter, 2 pgs., approx. 5-1/4" x 8-1/4", dated
"France, June 5th, 1918"
, from Major Robert G. Henderson, 14th Engineer Regiment (Ry), to his sister-in-law, "Mabel", married to his brother, Harry P. Henderson.
Written on American Y.M.C.A. stationery, with "ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES" at top.
Includes the original envelope, addressed to Mrs. H.P. Henderson, at Burlington, Mass., with June 7  dated "ARMY POST OFFICE" postmark, purple British PASSED BY CENSOR handstamp, and with Major Henderson's self-censor signature at bottom left.
The 14th Engineer Regiment was recruited in New England, mostly from railroad men, and arrived in France in the fall of 1917. They did important work repairing railroads, building railroads and bridges, often under gun and artillery fire.
The writer of this letter, Robert G. Henderson, was born in Salem, Mass. in 1889; Graduated from Harvard University in 1910, and in 1911, he went to work for the Boston & Albany Railroad in the Office of the Superintendent.
Includes:
"Dear Mabel,
...
Time flies so fast now. Just one year I was commissioned and now look at me, fatter than ever and quite as lazy. I'm sending you a picture postal I had taken about a month ago. The expression, which makes the wearer look as if he had killed and eaten ten Boches, is due to the flashlight. The Napoleonic pose is due to an attempt to look military, which is impossible in such a peaceful and round-shouldered citizen as I am, except by a painful effort.
Well, after nine months at the front, here we are...in tents alongside a dusty and peaceful road, very much bored with railroad construction and with life in general.
About once a week we go into town and get a swell feed, generally followed by a tummy-ache. The rest of the time we build railroads, drill and go to school. It's a hell of a life at a base....
P.S. You will note the unfortunate subject of the photograph is wearing the Overseas cap. This has two advantages:
1. When the sun shines, your nose peels all the time.
2. When it rains, the water tumbles down to back of your neck and the color runs.
To conclude - it's a hell of a life.
Bob"
Very Fine.
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.
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