Letter from Juhan Tuisk, serving in the 3rd European Rifle Regiment to his mother from the front.

Dear mother!

It’s me again, saying hello and wishing all the best in health and good fortunes. My life is on the shabby side, I was pretty close to the German boys in a trench for a few days, and now we’re away for a few days but soon, perhaps tonight, we will go and see them again. I received the two letters that sister and brother-in-law sent me and I am very thankful to hear something from home and I also got what was in the letters, tell Jüri thank you for the very entertaining letters. You promised to send me a package if you could, and if you haven’t yet you could send it as it’s hard to buy things here : tobacco, smoking paper and a small pipe, stationery, a few candles and if possible, a lighter without petrol as the situation with lighters is also poor here. I’m still in one piece but an Estonian comrade was killed by a bomb and another was wounded and who knows what the next blink of an eye could bring, but you have to hope for the best and that I’ll get to see my homeland and loved ones again. I have also received a few letters from Kaie but I can’t write a reply as my letter writing supplies are nearing an end, I have money but can’t buy them at all times. Mother, don’t worry about me or cry for me, too much worry doesn’t do any good or lessen the load but let’s just count on God taking good care of everything. I’ll start wrapping up this letter now and I hope you’ll often write to me, you have more writing supplies available and it lifts my spirits each time. I send you all the best and hope to see you soon back in Estonia.

Your son