Brest, France

Dear Mama,                                                    June 27, 1919

            Suppose you think it is a long time since I have written to you, but even if I had of written, the letter would not have reached you any sooner, we are expecting to pick the coast of France up any minute now, en route to Brest, France[1] where we have been sent to report for duty. Have no idea what we are to do or for how long we will be here, only know we are here and that my health is just about as poor as it can be at present, am afraid I am going to have to have another operation, as I didn’t seem to pick up the way I should, so perhap it is a good thing I am still in the Navy as one gets this medical treatment free.

            We have been eleven days in crossing and I have had the pleasure of being sea sick the whole distance, it is disgusting to be that way. But my stomach is one of those which never settles itself and becomes accustom to the Ocean. No the Ocean don’t like me, nor do I like the Ocean, we can not agree, and our company is only tolerated because I have to stay.

            How did papa’s wheat come out, I am anxious to hear how it turned out, per acre, and how much he received a br?

            Is Charles & Bess[2] at home now and what is everyone doing? Now please give me all of the news, because you have no idea how lonesome one feels over here in a foreign country.

                                    As ever the son

                                                Ford

                                    Same old address

 

[1] Brest is a port city in Brittany, in northwestern France. The U.S. Navy established a Naval Operating Base, with the French Navy, at Brest, France, in June 1917 to engage German submarines. The location became a landing point for U.S. Army troops.

[2] Charles and Bess were the brother and sister of Ford.