POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST # 1 - WORLD WAR ONE (Transcription and translation by Tamsin Brincat and Baptiste Deschamps)

Birel, le 17 janvier 1918 

Cher Albert,

Reçu votre carte du 31 décembre.  Suis toujours en forme, j’ai espoir que tous les camarades le sont et

le resteront aussi. Je reçois des nouvelles de mon vieux Lucien (?). Que de choses ainsi (?) que tous les autres il aura (?) à vous raconter après cette guerre. Et le ballon alors ce n’est pas pour cette année le championnat de Basse Normandie ? Espérons que ce cauchemar se terminera bientôtet dans l’espérance. Recevez de votre grand, une cordiale poignée de main.

Birel 17th January 1918 

Dear Albert,

I have received your card of the 31st of December. I am still in good shape, and I’m hopeful that all of my comrades are and remain as well. I do hear from my old Lucien (? if it actually says “old”, it is usually used as an endearing term),  so many things, among other things (?), he has so much to tell you after this war. I guess the football Championship won’t take place this year in Lower Normandy? Let’s hope this nightmare ends soon and in hope (?). Please receive from me (he refers to himself as grand, something you would say to your family members but not necessarily to your parents) a cordial handshake. (this bit is speculation cause it’s not very clear)