I give it just as it was written:-- "Somewhere in France, 3/4/17.
Dear Sir:-- I am going to ask you a question which has been a load to my little bit of mental capacity for a period of months.

Often have I woke up in the old dugout, my hair standing straight up and one eye looking straight into the eyeball of the other, trying to obtain an answer to this burning question.

I have kept my weary vigil over the parapet at night, with my rifle in one hand and a couple of bombs in the other, and two or three in each pocket, and still I am pondering over this burning question.

I will now ask you the question.

When do you think this God dam war will be over, eh ?" I never was so completely taken aback in all my life.