cleaning and scouring myriads of pots and pans, keeping the fires up, carrying wood and water, sweeping the floor, stirring porridge and rice pots and a few other odds and ends. Of course we didn't work long hours, merely from 6 AM, to 6 p.M. with one hour off in the morning. Bill McD., Harold and I also served a night each from 6 to 10, so that made a straight stretch of 16 hours. Maybe the hard pan bed didn't feel fine that night.< /
Had a terrific wind and rain storm last night. Thought the tent was going over sure several times. Cold as bla2es this morning with snow on the hills. Can't get back to Victoria any too quick to suit me.
We fully expect to be starting back again on the 16th, but of course a hitch may ooour. If we have to put in the winter on the ooast I'd sure much rather put it in down there in fairly comfortable quarters than up in this burg under oanvas.
Inoculation didn't phase us a bit. Slightly sore arm next day that's all. Due for a second and larger dose this Friday with the final and largest one in ten days from then. Will be glad to get it over with too.
Nothing to do here at night exoept read or play oarda. Usually we go up to the I, tent and play there, Tnere is some mighty fine talent in the camp, and I have heard some good ooncerts etc, in the past week.
Am sitting on the sharp edge of a box writing this with a dull pencil so if the writing is not very legible don't blame me.
Annie sent us up two pairs of fine sox yesterday, We haven't our uniforms yet, in faot wouldn't be at all surprised if we didn't get them till we get back. The corps is consider* ably over strength at present, so uniforms are at a premium.
The oorps have been out for a route march this morning and are Just getting back so will have to cut this short.
Can't think of anything we need although a small cake or cookies would go mighty fine. No suoh things up here of course.
Will drop you a line next week to let you know for certain when we will be back. Both of us are feeling fit as a fiddle.
Best love to all from
FRED
P.S. Sinoe writing the abovd was in receipt of your letter. Needless to say it was very acceptable. We have all been put into different tents, but when the draft leaves next week hope
to have a tent by ourselves. My heel felt O.K. this afternoon, so went out on parade with our section. Was glad I did too as we had stretcher work, whioh is much more interesting than the 'form fours, form two deep' we had previously.
We have been very good recruits apparently, for they only kept us in the awkward squad for half a day, -whereas some of the hunch who came up before us were there for over two weeks.
In fact we four are the only ones who have come up in the last month who have been put on stretcher work, so we are rather proud of it,
Wi^l be glad on that account if we oan manage to get a tent by ourselves so that we can talk over different phases of our training. The chief occupation of the bunch in my tent at night seems to be swapping yarns till 'lights out'. While that is all right in its way, it is not the reason I am up here. Naturally the more proficient we become the faster we will be sent away. Of course I'll feiel as bad as you do about leaving, but it has to be done, and I'm anxious to get across there in the thick of it,
I am writing this in the Y. tent. It has writing accommo��dation for over 100, but there is always a man at your shoulder ready to take your place.
This pen takes up too much ink so you'll have to excuse writing.
Pretty cold again to-night, so am not looking forward to a very restful sleep. Have slept with all my clothes and a sweat��er on the past three nights, and even then feel cold at times. However a fellow has to expect such things, and put up with them without kicking.
Well, I've managed to add quite a long P,S. and as I have a few more 'notes' to dash off will dose again with best love to all
FEED
Vernon, B. 0.,
Oct, 13th,1915.
Dear Mother,-
You are going to be in luc&. A letter from each of your boys on the same day. Harold is sitting alongside of me scratching his head now and then, muttering to himself so I don't know just what sort of an epistle he is turning out.
When I first came up here I thought it would be an awful job writing, but so ' far I don't think you have any kick coming.
- 4 -
If you get half as much enjoyment out of my letters as I cet from yours I'll he satisfied,
iiuch obliged for that Thanksgiving treat. The four of us enjoyed it to the last orumb, Harold shared part of the boot box with his tent mates, who needless to say also enjoyed it My bunch got a bit from the other one you sent ut>. Cakes are a treat up here, especially yours,
a I suppose Harold has told you that we are in different tents Am glad to say though that he has a mighty fine bunch in with him* One of the boys is leaving on the draft which is scheduled to leave here to-morrow so I'm going to see if I can move in to take his place. My bunch are all right in their way, still as Paddy 0 ioole says, They don't weigh very much'. So I'll be glad to make the change,
_ ^ave located a reading room down town run especially for
the soldiers by the English Church, and the four of us have been frequenting it quite a bit lately. Last night we took a pack of cards and your cake down with us. Had two games of 500, then refreshments, consisting of cake, and pears from a yard located very conveniently just over the fence from the church. I'm sure
they won't miss the few we took, not that my conscience is troubling me any.
Had a washing fit today so washed my only towel and extra suit of underwear, then hung them up to dry. It has been raining nard since, so am afraid I'll have to borrow a towel tomorrow. Haven t had any underwear issued me yet, so will have to wear the suit I have on till the others dry. If I thought we were going to stay up here very muoh longer, I'd have you send uo
d^.h:rL:uiat\��my room- But 1 hope to be baok a*ain
Have had a great coat issued since I wrote last so have been fine and warm the last few nights. It is considerably warmer than two pair of the light blankets they issue.
Today was the day for assigning the fatigue duties but Harold and I escaped. I like the ward work all right, for it is line with what we will have to do, but the other duties are just plain frnm Of course when you are so employed you are exempt
mine. ' 9eems t0 tiokle 8om9 of the 'but not for
str.tlh^a^re ?;Ur*4ha;^''^k thi* corning on squad and
^ '���roIh ra1in5d *(ard this P.M. though so instead of
drill^ we had a practical leoture on bandaging by Cant. Davis who
seotion* 11 was very interesting work, and
fraf<\ne?Te8' Whi0h imP��rtant event is scheduled for tomorrow, W8 will haT6 & great deal more of such work.
5
By the way I want to warn you that beans are not to he served on the Game taole wnen we are present. Have had then every morning tor breaxTast since we*ve been up here, and no prospect for a change. I don't know whether Harold gave you our menu, hut here it is. Breakfast, heans. bacon (1 piece)
�� and coffee. Dinner, Beef (10 years old) arid potatoes, Supper,
more beef or hash (same thing) and potatoes, also tea. Some variety, eh* Will say one thing though and that is that they supply plenty of good, butter which makes up for a lot of bum grub. Believe me I'm sure looking forward more than I ever did before to a 1206 Yates St. meal. I can see those nears and peaches with cream cake in my minds eye now, and maybe my mouth isn't watering. I can. imagine it hits Harold even more so, as this is practically his first experience away from home and home cooking,
Hughes shared our box with us last night. He and Clough along with the two Maos send their best and then some. Mao's folks are coming across from Kamloops this Sunday to see them. They are sure two mighty fine, clean living boys, Neither of them smoke or drink, so you oan see the four of us are ideally matched.
Harold has disappeared, after borrowing 10 cents from me to buy stamps. He usually hits the hay earlier than I,
Haven't had our second inooulation yet, but expect to> do so before long. Am not worrying any over it though, for I came through the other one all right, and know this one can't hurt me.
Well I've done Just about enough writing for tonight so
I'll have to call it off with best love to all from
' - .... ��� *
Yours lovingly,'
��� FRED
�� P.S. Better not send those sox up, as I fanoy we can get along
on what we have till we get baok.
Vernon, B, C.,
Oct. 21st,1915.
Dear Mother,-
Am not feeling very much in a letter writing mood today on acoount of having been inoculated yesterday. Head feels prety heavy, and my arm is sore as blazes, but outside of that am O.K. No drill today on that account so am taking advantage of that fact to oatch up a wee bit on my correspondence.
The draft of 75 men left last Sunday nigt along with men from the 47th Bat. Our corps and the 47th were out in force to see them off, as well as the entire civilian population of Vernon. Another draft has Been selected hut we four had not Been up here long enough to 'be considered, Just when they will leave is not known at present hut the 20th of next month is the most talked-of date. We will he on the next draft for sure.
Can* t say when we will he going hack to the coast. The rumor is going around that we will break camp next week, hut today they are installing stoves in all the hospital tents, 00 that does not seem to point to an early departure. The general belief though is that the draft will stay here, and the remain��der go hack to the coast. I think that will he the case for the reason that quite a few of the draft have obtained leave to visit their folks, and surely they would not he allowed to go if the entire corps were leaving. However if we go, all fine, if not will have to make the most of it.
There was a general rearrangement of tents after the draft left with the result that we four are together in the one tent along with two others. One of the "others' celebrated the oc��casion by ooming in drunk the first night. He hasn't repeated the offenoe again, for the senior man of the tent, Bred Paine, threatened to throw him out if he came in drunk again.
" Both of us grabbed a straw "mattress' after the draft left
and as we hunk together haven't complained of the cold at all. Two blankets under us and four over, with the addition of our great coats is a fine cold defier, A pair of shoes with pants rolled up on them serves as a pillow. To prevent either of us from getting more than his share of the blankets, six blanket pins are used, two on each side and two at the feet. No possi��ble ohanoe of waking up and finding only one blanket covering you.
While that heavy underwear of mine would go pretty good,
I fancy I can get along without it till I get back. Have had my khaki shirt off just four times since I've been up here, the historic occasions being when I braved the terrors of an open- air cold shower. Am going to get a hot bath tomorrow night down town at the Kalamalka Hotel, which will set me back two
bits. I guess I need it though as it is nearly amonth since I had a hot water wash, Vj<
The weather is glorious today, and would have liked to have taken a walk, but until 4.30 we are not allowed outside our lines except to oross the road to the Y.M. As long as the weather remains fine during the day, our chances of being sent baok are slim, so the most of us are praying for wet weather.
Had the punk luck to bet shoved on the kitchen fatigue again last Sunday, One of the boys cut his hand peeling spuds
so I was assigned to take his place. Three Sundays in a row, working twelve hours on two of them, and sixteen on the last* is rubbing it in for fair. However I never kicked but just buckled to, and did my work, Hope I am lucky enough to esoape this week though, Harold hasn't been on duties for twelve days now, so expect he will be selected tonight for some kind of work for the next three days.
We sure would appreciate some good things on my 26th, but I think you had better play it safe and not send any, wpiie we will be greatly disappointed if we are up here and have to eat the usual meals, as I said before we may be leaving before or shortly after that date,
Find it rather hard to collect my thoughts, as the 47th band is playing a stirring march just across the way, and that with my dopey head make a bad combination.
Cliff Wilson is on the next draft and is leaving for Victoria tomorrow. I am going to ask him to ring you up and give you first hand information re our (Oh shaw, that doesn't sound right but anyway I��m going to ask him to do it).
Haven't been issued uniforms yet and can't say just when we will have them. Hope to have them before we get baok. My grey sweater is turning a shade or two darker. Stumbled on a guy rope the other night and ripped two big holes in the knee of my pants. As a result of my home sewing one leg is several indies shorter than the other. My coat disappeared when one of my old tent mates obtained his discharge. So taken all round I'd be a bum looking soldier to wend my way up to 1206 Yates St.
Can't thin* of anything more to say just now. Harold isn't feeling just skookum but is alongside me ohewing candy and also writing, so I guess he will pull through all right. You'll have to excuse writing on both sides. Paper is scarce up here. Both of us send our very best love to all
FRED
P*S, Pictures are fine. Am sending them back as can't very well keep them here.
- 7 -
Vernon, B.C..
October 26th, 1915.
Dear Mother,-
Have just finished supper, and as it is blowing a regular AiCOld a�� *laj5e8�� didn't lose any time getting up here along��side tie stove. Your very welcome letter and parcels received Q,K.
this afternoon. Many thanks for your congratulations and for the cakes and candy. We sampled the latter after drill at 4.30 hut as supper starts at 5�� didn't break into the cake. Oan't say just what will happen to it tonight, hut can safely guar��antee that our tent will he closed against all intruders around 9 this evening. That chocolate icing sure looks mighty nice too and doubtless will meet the same fate as the cakes.
I had completely forgotten about today being my birthday until Harold reminded me of it this morning with a pound on my back. 3
The weather has sure been awful here for the past few days Raining all night and most of the day. Started drilling this morning at 8.45 'but were forced to quit in less than half an hour by a fierce rain storm. It cleared off this afternoon and we put in a good afternoon's work in spite of a heavy wind which is now rapidly assuming the proportions of a regular storm The ground up here is of a ' clayey" nature just how muddy they are when the rain hits it for a few hours. Our lines are not quite as bad as the battalions on account of less men to trample them. To get up to a canteen on a wet day requires some maneuvering resembling somewhat the progress of a man half seas over.
Both of us were vaccinated today, and was glad to get it over, although the ill effects if any, will not be felt for a week yet. It had to be done so the sooner the better. Have had no trouble with inoculation outside of the day immediately following same. Have only one more inoculation to go through with, and then that part of it will be finished. I guess it must do same good or they surely wouldn't go to all that trouble and expense.
Your friend Olough has just been given his corporal's stripes. He has steady work on the hospital wards, in fact I have never seen him on drill. He is a good men, and deserves his ��� promotion. There are vacancies on the N.G.O, staff for eigat corporals, and they are giving the men on drill a chance to obtain them. I have no desire to get them so haven't made any attempt, although I fancy I could do as well in issuing commands as some of the fellows who tried it today.
Can't say yet just when we will be back although the rumor is that the draft is to leave next week on the 2nd, and the re��mainder start for the coast the day after. I hope that this will be the case, as this is no place for camping out this time of year. The snow was all around us on the hills this morning, and it won't be long before the rain we are now having will be* turned into snow. Sleep fine now though, but it is practically impossible to do very much drilling and that is what we are paid
-nwee** rw * ns-" **r% v n w v w n ' i - . w ^ . - w ��� -- ..
for. Have had quite a few lectures lately and it is just pos��sible that they may keep us here for a series of lectures. The most of the fellows though ere expecting to be back some day next week,
�� Glad to hear that Cliff Wilson called in to see you. Hope
he didn't tell too many things aoout us. He is due back here on Thursday. Two of the other fellows in his tent who were also on leave came back today, and not in a very joyful mood, for four days at home is all too short, when they don't know when they will be back again.
Will have to get another sheet when I write Marjorie as I intend doing when I get through with this one. They consider two sheets ample enough for a letter here, and it usually is, except when I am writing home. I know that every little thing we do interests you, so you'll have no kick coming if I write on this sheet too. Still it is getting pretty late, 5.55, and Hughes just passed the word along that a five hundred game is in order.
Yes, I got my pair of sox si right. Trust me for that. Harold held out on the handkerchiefs though, but I copped two of them from him yesterday so we are even on that score.
Heard from a friend of mine the other day that lornnie Pascoe, Jim Stewart and Goldie McKenzie had been seen in kilts on Government Street. I expect they will transfer to our corps when we get back. I hope so for they are all mighty nice boys and just the kind who are needed in this corps. Don't exoeot they will be on the same draft as we are, although you never oan tell.
Well, if I write you any more will have nothing at all to say to Marjorie, so will have to close before that distressing accident occurs. While I enjoy writing (sometimes) I hope this will be the last one I'll have to send you from this burg.
^ Harold is across the table writing also, so I guess you'll
hear some news from him too.
With love to all from
Yours lovingly,
DEED *
- 9 -
- 10 -
Vernon, B. C.,
October 26th,1915,
My dear Marjorie,-
Your welcome letter to hand, also what I expect is the ad��vance guard of the biscuits. The samples are fine and hope you weren't 'spoofing' when you said you were sending up a parcel. Thanks for your congratulations and hope the cookies come to hand tomorrow. Didn't know that you were a cook.
Had a joint letter from Dolly and Della a few days ago which I lost no time in answering. They are both mighty nice girls, Della especially, and I'm sure I'll enjoy corresponding with them especially after we get aoross the pond.
Do you know the one thing I miss up here outside of you folks and good home cooking, is some girls to talk, to. Have been up here four weeks now and haven't spoken a single word directly or indirectly to a female wosian. All the girls up here look mighty good to me, for as a rule I only see them when I am in town at night, and darkness hides a good many defects. Will have to make up for lost time when I get backj that's sure.
��� JaiBbusiness of getting up at 6 A.M. these mornings isn't
all it is cracked up to be. This morning I had to open the tent flap and let the moon shine in so as I could tie up my shoes. Dressing is a simple matter, consisting simply of changing my sox, putting on. my trousers and shoes, then my cap and alls well.
I wish you would send me Dorothea's address (I forgot it) so that I can send her 0ongratulatione on her newest acquisition. Or if you will do it for me, go ahead, but I suppose it would be appreciated the more if I sent it.
Have had quite a few route marches lately, so have seen quite a lot of the country around here. The last one we were on took us past the detention camp. There are about 400 men in the camp here, and judging from the ones we saw, some of them are pretty hard characters. They are guarded by the B.C,Horse, who are somewhat jokingly referred to here as 'The Home Guard'.
Still some one has to do that work, but shouldn't oare for it myself.
Had quite a concert at the Y. here on Sunday night. There is 80m�� splendid tslent in the lier��t &nd X spent a. very enjoy*
able evening. The only rotten turn was furnished by a nut from our corps, who endeavored to give a banjo solo. Judging from the
results he obtained, I should imagine that he had only taken about two lessons. At the end of the second selection, which he insisted on rendering and #iioh was the cause of great cheering, he calmly informed the chairman that he would be pleased to give a recitation later. Needless to say he wasn't called upon.
11
Don't worry about Harold getting sick on the cookies. I'm the official custodian (or hope to be) and he will have to take what I give him. Of course I can't stop him from helping himself when I'm not around,
Well really Marjorie I haven't any more news to relate this trip so I'll have to close.with best love from both of U3
SHED
Vernon, B.C,^
Sunday Evening,Nov, 1,1915,
Dear Mother,-
Had half an idea when I wrote my last letter that we would be starting for the coast in a few days, but apparently we are as far off as ever. Now we expect to leave some day between the 10th and ljth of November, but -whether we will or not remains to be seen. It is a certainty though that they can't keep us here very much longer as the weather conditions are fierce. It has been blowing almost a continual gale since Friday night, with no sign of a let up. It is a common sight to see a fellow's plate blown off the table into his lap at meal times. The meal tents are merely corered by a fly with no side walls so the wind has full sweep, and it sure takes advantage of it. We all wear our great coats at meal times and then almost freeze.
We all had to turn out for church parade with the 54th. today. They paraded in their great-coats but not us. They hold the services on the parade ground acroes the road from the camp. It is perfectly level for half a mile each way so you can imagine how the wind howled across the plain. We were lined up on the leeward side of the chaplain, oouldn't hear a word he said, had no hymn books, so all in all we had one lovely time, I don't think, I didn't lose any time getting across to the Y. after we were dismissed to thaw out.
The sun was out this afternoon so the four of us took a walk up to an orchard we happened to know about, and invested in twenty five cents worth of apples. On the way back we hit a big haystack, so buried ourselves in it on the sunny side away from the wind and had a fine time. Went over quite a bit of the work we have been having lately, such as first aid, anatomy, care of the sick etc., so put in a fine afternoon.
Am glad to say that we are going to get our uniforms tomor��row, Have waited a long time for them, and they will sure be welcome. Also will have a new addition in the shape of a growth on my upper lip, when I get back. Had a 'good' one when I first came up by letting it grow for three weeks but couldn't seem to
- 12
!
strain my soup very well so cut it off. The new S-Major is very strict on that score though, so am afraid it will have to stay on this time. Am giving you this warning in advance so you'll know who I am when I hit home again.
Cliff Wilson arrived back in camp again yesterday, and imme��diately wanted a piece of that cake. Heedless to say, the re��quest couldn't be granted, Pancy asking a fellow for a piece of cake which arrived in camp four days before.
The camp here is taking on a patchwork effect these days.
The 47th have gone to New Westminster, while the 62nd start their batoh for Vancouver tomorrow. The 54th are to remain here until they leave for England, The draft from our corps are going with them, but just when, as I said before, no one seems to know.
Por the love of Mike, its hot here. Am on the seat right next to the heater, with my sweater and great coat between me and it. Still it is better than moving away (if such were possible) and freezing.
Harold says he will write you later on in the week. He seems to think that our letters are too much alike when written on the same day,
A big bunch of recruits have been taken on our corps in the last week or so. Guess there must have been 25 or 30, a big majority of them having been transferred from other regi��ments. If we stay here much longer, the bunch down there will have a job getting on, as the corps will be up to strength.
Have exhausted all the news for this trip and Harold will furnish some later on in the week.
With best love to all from
Yours lovingly,
PEED
��� Vernon, B.C.,
November 7th,19l5.
Dear Mother,-
Well, another week has passed and we are no nearer the coast than before. Thought sure last Sunday would be the last one up here, but apparently the 'powers that be' have it other��wise.
The cake came to hand 0,K. and is well on the way tot total
destruction. It is regarded by Harold and me as merely a fore��runner of some good home cooking we expect to enjoy 'next week'. Our supper hour has been advanced to 4,30 now so I've not been eating very much lately. A little bread and jam with a cup of tea suits me.
It seems an awful long time from supper to bed time, for naturally there isn't very much to do up here. Harold and I took in the movie show for the first time last night and saw a much better show than I had anticipated. I intend going again some night this week. Have to do something to put in the time.
Am thankful to say that we are just about through with our vaccination and inoculation. Harold's vaccination took 'fine' and he isn't quite over it yet, but mine didn't. Had my first dose about two weeks ago but it failed to take. Was shot again lastTuesday (a double dose) but no symptoms have developed yet to indicate that it has taken. If not expect they will take another crack at me.
The weather has been pretty good here the past few days, i,e. during the day. The nights are fierce, and turning out at 6 A.M. with the snow coming down as it was yesterday is no cinch. Today it has been snowing and hailing every so often,
Hot enough to cover the ground but just so as to give a taste of what is in store for us if we are kept up here much longer.
If the higher ups who are responsible for us being here could be made to sleep a few nights here, the order transfering us to the coast wouldn't be long in coming.
You can stop worrying over the underwear proposition now, as we have had some issued to us. While it is very much on the itchy side, it is good and warm, and after being washed fanby a good deal of the itch will be taken out of it.
The entire corps attended church parade at the Presbyter��ian Church tnis morning, Harold and I wore our uniforms for the first time and needless to say felt very much self-conscious. Is Will be thoroughly accustomed to them by the time we are ready to start for the coast though, so have no doubt we will make some impression when we march up Government Street. Am sure looking forward to that time too. Bill Me. says that now he has seen himself in uniform he.can't start East too soon. He has an awfully big calf, and honestly his legs look larger be��low the knee than above. He very nearly laughed his head off when he first saw how he looked.
We had some job trying to match our uniforms too. Bill's pants changed hands four times in our tent, Harold finally landing them, I traded my pants with Bill, and he traded them in some other tent so cen't say who finally landed them. I have Harold's original pir. Hone of us obtained a perfect match, but
all of us are satisfied so that is the main thing. I had my tunic altered hy a tailor up here and it fits me just like the
paper on the wall. Expect it will be a little while before I
become used to having it buttoned so tight around my neck.
Also this rolling of puttees. Looks mighty easy when you see the other fellow doing it, but when you try it yourself, it is. another proposition. However X expect to be an expert at it before long, so that it will be only a small detail,
I Haven't written Annie F, for quite a time now, in fact have been neglecting quite a bit of my correspondence. Expect every week to be the last one so it is easy to put off such jobs. If Annie is over when this reaches you don't forget to
give her my best. Also hope that Aunt K. is on the mend again.
Had a fine route march on Friday morning, down to Okanagan Landing and back. Three hours fairly fast walking with two rests of about five minutes each. Would much rather have a march than squad drill even if it was snowing part of the way. As a general rule we manage to take our rests near an orchard, but this time we failed to make connections. Better luck next time.
Quite a few of the fellows who are waiting at the coast to be taken on the corps will be disappointed I'm afraid.
The roll call now numbers 196 men of whom 72 are leaving on the next draft. The normal strength is only 150 so you can see that with four orf five new men being taken on every day, the corps will be up to strength when we get back. If they work on the system of first come etc,, then the Y, boys will get on as they have been waiting for a long time, now.
The S.M. complimented our squad the other morning by say��ing that we were the best drill squad on the parade grounds.
We are fortunate in having the best Sergeant of the corps in charge of us, and can drill all around any of the other three squads, even including the draft who have been here from two weeks to four months ahead of us. By us I mean the fellows who have been taken on after September 1st,
Hoping to see you this week sure, with best love to all
from
t
Yours lovingly,
FRED
Somewhere in Ontario, Tuesday, 5.45 P.M.
March 12,1916.
Pear Mother, -
The train is buoking and 'bucking like a ship at sea so don't lalow what this letter will: look like when finished. How��ever I guess it is time I dropped you a few lines so here goes.
Had a pretty good sleep on the boat but sure was sore when they wouldn't let us off the .boat to see anybody. Did you write Annie that we were going to get leave? Remember I said that it was only rumored that we would be allowed leave, and a rumor in the army can be taken with a very big grain of salt.
Was sorry I missed her too not only on account of the eats either. Also sorry that I couldn't get up to see the McCormick's,
The trip through the Rookies was fine, the scenery from Golden to Banff being especially beautiful. Hot nearly as cold as on the prairies either. Three engines were needed to make the grade from Field to Banff and at that it was pretty tough going.
We hit Calgary Sunday afternoon and had a short march thru the business district. The town has some fine buildings. The Herald Bldg. Hudson's Bey, and Palliser Hotel being especially good. But Sunday in Calgary is worse from a sightseeing point of view than Victoria. Hardly anybody down at the train and very very few girls. *
We had a sing-song in our section Sunday evening with ban&o Violin and mandolin acconpaniment. This was interrupted by our arrival at Medicine Hat. We all marched up and down the station platform singing and cheering, in fact had a fine old rough house time. Don't know what the town thought of us, and can't say we oared. Hit the hay-about 10 o'clock and had a jake sleep.
Hopped off the train next morning at Moose Jaw but didn't get a chance to see much of the town. At Regina lorn Webster had a young lady down to see him, and we all hung around until he had to do the necessary. I knew her sister in Victoria.
Train running two hours late now on account of snow storm. Crossed into Saskatchewan around noon. Off at Brandon for a few moments but very few as it was 5�� below, and a fierce wind
Portage la Prairie last town we were and 10�� below here.
Train now three hours late, so instead of getting into Winni��peg at 9 o'dock, it was after midnight when we stopped. Didn't take the trouble to get out of bed, as we only stopped long enough
to 'be attached to 3 care of ammunition column men. Judging from the row made and remarks passed some of them roust have been under the influence.
To our regret also the cook oar we had from the coast left us, and the grub from then on has been nothing to boast of.
Our private supply, (I mean the bunch( has been holding out fine so we have been better off than the rest.
Nothing of importance has oooured since we left Y/innepeg, except that we had a route march at Port William, The more I see of this side of the Rookies, the better I like the other. Last night at a small town called Schreiber a fine bunch of girls were down to the train. We stayed there about 15 minutes and enjoyed every minute of it.
Since leaving Schreiber we have been ten hours going 120 miles, so now we are about 10 hours behind. Snow has stopped now though, so we may be able to make up a bit of time.
We may possibly lay over at Ottawa tomorrow to have a route march and be inspected by Sam Hughes. Hope so for such a change would be very welcome.
Now about that cable when we arrive in t* old country. A bunch of us are going to go in on it, so as to save expense. We are going to send our future address too as it will mean mail for us about a month earlier. The cable will be sent to Marjorie and I want her to turn it over to Witham, the Y.M, Secretary, so that he oan notify a^l the folks on a list we are going to send him. By this way the expense will be praotioally nil as there are twenty or so ooming in on it. Thought I*d let you know about it now, as I might not find enough news to write a letter to Marjorie. Nothing very muoh happens on a trip like this you know.
Harold is out having a wash, and as I am in for one too (8,30 A.m.) will olose. With best love to all froip
Yours lovingly,
FRED
Mid Atlantic,
March 21st, 1916,
Dear Mother, -
Have been going to start this letter for some time now, but have always put it off. Have nothing on my hands at present, am
tired of reading, not tired enough to lay down, so here I am. Don't know just how to begin either, for when you come right down to facts, very little has happened outside of the (to me) usual routine since I wrote last, I have my diary by me though and will refresh my memory from that. At any rate it will he news to you, even if it does seem commonplace to me.
If I recollect rightly my last letter was mailed from some��where around Fort Y/illiam, But if my memory is at fault and I overlap somewhat in my news, you'll have to excuse me.
We didn't hit Ottawa after all, hut passed to the south of it. At Smith Falls, Ontario we were stalled for over six hours, had to have three engines and a snow plough to clear the track. Bill and John Greig took some pictures here, and will send you some prints if they turn out all right. We landed in the out��skirts of Montreal on the afternoon of the 9th and had a route march there. Unfortunately we were in the old French quarter, so didn't get a view of the city proper. One of our Captain*'e who had preceded us, joined, the 'bunch here. He has a very poor opinion of the French-Canadians as a whole. He says they are to the East what the Chinamen are to the West. They are certainly ' a dull, stupid looking race, judging from the specimens we saw, and such a thing as patriotism they never think of.
Shortly after leaving Montreal we crossed a fine bridge over the St, Lawrence, if miles long. Must have cost a small fortune to build it. Just after this we changed from the C.P.R, to the Intercolonial Ry. It is run by the Government and all the railroads use it.
Travelling along the St. Lawrence when we rose in the morning. On picket duty for the day. Had to get off at every station to see that none of the bunch strayed from the train.
One of the fellows did though, and as a result the \diole corps were C.B.'d till 7 P.M., only the H.C.O.'s and pickets being allowed off the train. As a result I had a fine time talking to girls at every station, and there are lots of them in Hew Brunswick, while the rest of the bunch could only stick their heads out of the windows and talk at a distance.
At Newcastle, N.B. we saw the largest wireless station in Canada, built by Germans, and taken over by the Canadian Gov��ernment when war was declared. We got a fine reception at Moncton, and I had a fine time talking to the girls while the rest of the oorps were having a route march. Between Moncton and St. John we hit rain for the first time. Arrived in St.
John about 9 P.M. and slept on the train.
Transferred from the train to S.S.Metagama on Saturday the 11th at 9 A.M., and am still there, and likely to be there for another four or five days.
There is one thing certain though, and that Is to have no kick coming about our quarters. This ship only carries two classes, and we (the Medical Corps) have the same accommodations as the offioers, of which there are plenty on hoard. The ship is only about lo months old, and is fitted up pretty nice. Better than any of the Pacific Coast S.S,Co.'s boats.
So much for our quarters, but am sorry to say that I haven't anything good to say regarding the meals. There are 1000 Engineers and 600 Ammunition Columns on board in addition to our corps, which makes four sittings for meals a necessity, and we are on the fourth, We eat in the 'bear pit' as it is called, and after ten days of it, believe me, it requires an effort to go down for a meal. In fact the only reason I eat is because I'm hungry, and not that I have any appetite. At the fourth sitting I find I can colleot less dirt on my bread by 'margerining' it on the table instead of the plate. If the eating utensels were only clean I might enjoy a meal or so, but when you can't see through your glass for the grease and crumbs on it, well it is going a little too far. Still I guess I shouldn't kick, for it may be better than is in store for us. But can you beat tripe for breakfast on board a rolling ship?
Both of us have stood the rocky motion fine though. Harold couldn't hold his supper down the first day out of Halifax, and I followed suit a short time after. Since then, with the ex��ception of two or three meals we've bfeen able to toe the scratch.
I guess I've been jumping a little ahead of my schedule, so will fill in here. We sailed from St. John on Sunday the 12th at 5 P.M, with a big crowd, down at the dooks, partly to see us off, and partly owing to a big freighter being on fire at the adjoining dock. When we reached Halifax we heard that she had blowb up and sunk during the night.
Made pretty slow time getting around to Halifax, taking 24 hours to make the trip, Halifax is sure a strongly fortified town, and has a swell harbor. Prom the entrance of the harbor to the town, a distance of over two miles, we passed all kinds of freighters anchored in the harbor, waiting their turn to dock. Also passed the converted cruiser 'Calgarian' late of the Allen Line, lying at anchor and crowded with sailors. The S.S,Lapland also a troopship, left her dock and anchored near us shortly after we arrived.
That post card I sent from Halifax (or ft least I presume you received it) was lowered in a basket to a kid who was selling fruit from a small boat. We thought we might be taken ashore for a route march but no such luck.
Eire seems to pursue us, for a big dock was burned a few hundred yards from where we were anchored during the ea.rly hours of the morning after we arrived. There was a heavy snow storm
during the night, or the damage may have 'been greater.
Our convoy the cruiser 'Carnarvon' arrived on the morning of the 14th, a.nd the light cruiser 'Caesar' came in the next day.
On Thursday night, the l6th a concert was held in the first class saloon presumably for the men, but after the officers had draped themselves around the room there was very little room left. Bill and I managed to find a seat though, and passed a fairly pleasant evening. No refreshments though, and that put the blink on the whole affair from our viewpoint.
Sailed from Halifax at 7.30 A.m, on Friday the 17th, accom��panied by the 'Lapland' and convoyed by the 'Carnarvon', It was a raw cold day, and if anything kept getting colder as the day went on. Missed my dinner but went down to supper, though as I mentioned before couldn't keep it down.
Felt better next day though, but couldn't make the grade for the first two meals. Managed to make it for supper though, and had a good meal, and what is more important kept it down. (Have written enough for this sitting. Will resume some time later. Anyway it is supper time and I'm hungry).
Wednesday A.M.
Once more I pick up my pencil to continue the harrowing tale. Today is a general holiday, all kinds of snorting events going on. Have been out watching the boxing for some little while but thought I could ocoupy my time to more advantage writing.
On Sunday alL the port holes were covered over, and the order read out that no one was allowed to smoke or strike a light on deck after 6 o'clock, as from now on we may be considered as being in the danger 2one. We hit the Gulf Stream on this day, and there sure was a difference in the weather. The air feels just like a mild spring day in Victoria, Sun shining bright, and fine and warm too. Very little swell on the ocean, in fact have seen it rougher many times off Beacon Hill.
On Monday I had the misfortune to be picked for hospital orderly. The 'hospital' is located right at the stem and is the vilest smelling hole I have been in. How a sick man can stand it I don't know, for I had to get out in the fresh air erery few minutes. The hospital in our lines at Vernon was paradise com��pared to this one. Hope I never have the job again.
Lights out on board at 9.15 and had just dropped off to sleep on Monday night, when the emergency bugle oall sounded. Some scramble. Four of us in the room dressing at one time, putting our life belts on, and then parading on deck. Just practise you know, in case the real thing ever turns up. Hope it never does, needless to remark.
Thursday A.M.
Boat was rocking some considerable ^yesterday when I wqs writing and I began to feel the need of some fresh air. Have taken in enough for another sitting, so here goes.
Weather singly glorious on Tuesday. Quite a swell, but not at all rough. Just about 10 o'clock we sighted smoke, end half an hour later another cruiser came into sight. Most of our bunch were up in the bow watching her heliographing to our convoy. I don't know the Morse code very well but could pick up a few letters now and then. Apparently the signalling was to the effect that she would convoy us the rest of the voyage, for our convoy lay to and we passed her on the port side. It was certainly a grand send off she gave us too. The oruiser's band playing '0 Canada', and the crew crowding the rigging and decks. When the band reached the line '0 Canada, we stand on guard for thee', I think it would have thrilled any man to hear the cheer which went up from our ship. It was a sight I wouldn't have missed for worlds. After we passed her, she turned and in about two hours time was out of sight on her way to Halifax.
The cruiser convoying us now is a much faster one than the other. To see her flying around in all directions reminds one of a hen looking after her chicks. We expect to-pick up a few destroyers any time now as we are right in the danger zone.- ./
/' \
Saw the most beautiful moon rise on Tuesday night I have ever witnessed. Huge banks of clouds in the sky, and the rays from the moon, as yet below the horizon, lighting them up. Then she gradually came into sight, just like a great ball of fire, and lit up the ship almost like day, h:p port holes are supposed to be opened after 6 P.M., but I took a chance after lights out and kept mine open, while sitting up in bed for over an hour.
While reveille is at 6 A.M., we don't eat till $.30 and as a consequence stay in bed till at least 7.45 every morning, so I didn't begrudge the sleep I lost.
We passed a sailing vessel going our way on this day too, the first one since we left Halifax. Also bumped into; a huge school of porpoise, must have been thousands of them.
A big calamity happened yesterday, the bailee ran out of chocolate bars. You who live on shore can't imagine how serious an affair this is. If you don't feel like going down to the 'bear pit' a couple ofo chocolate bars will fill the bill (and the belly) to a nicety. Still we expect to sight lend early Saturday so I guess I'll survive.
Ran into some fairly rough seas last night. Becks all awash, and a fierce wind blowing. Fairly: rough yet, but sun fine and warm, so. can't kick at all.
Am getting to be a regular bear-cat with the English coin��age now. Can figure up now how much change is coming to me, and
- 20 -
such terms as two snd six etc. flow quite glibly from my tongue. Hank hasn't quite mastered it yet though. He sprang one today about going into the barber shop to buy some gum. 'I gave him a dime, and he handed me back a package of gum, two pennies, and a - and a -'hay' penny', was the way he expressed it. As a result he is now dubbed 'Hay-penny Hank'.
Have been spieling all these pages about my doings, and I guess you are a little tired of reading them, so I'll stop for a while and let you know how some of the others are faring. Bill still retains his 'pep' and voracious appetite. He is on regi��mental messenger duty just at present. Hank had the misfortune . to hurt his knee wrestling with Logan one day last week, and has been laid up since. He was on parade today though, and expects to be jake in a few days now, Goldie has been having an awful time. Hasn't been able to keep a meal down since we left Halifax. He says that all he can keep on his stomach is his undershirt, and life with him is just 'one damned vomit after the other'. Seeing a fellow run for the scuppers is an old story now. Tom YTebster is another who has been under the weather. He can get on deck though, which helps a lot. Goldie feels better when he is lying down.
Prank Gron^ton hurt his back playing leap frog on deck the other day, but aside from a few creaks when he bends over is all to the mustard. Jimmy Stewart, who is in my room, has been under the weather off and on, but today apparently is feeling
O.K.
Harold is on hospital duty today. Haven't seen him since early this morning (It is now 12.30), but he had been unable to hang onto his breakfast then. He had a scare the other day. By the way he isn't in my room but across the aisle with Prank G,
Tom Pascoe and Les Gordon. Thought he had lost his purse with L 3�� Us. lG^-d in it, or in Canadian money $17.25. 'Searched' all through his pockets but swore up and down he must have dropped it when he was up for'd the night before, While he was out re��tracing his steps of the night before, I thought I'd have a look through hie greatcoat pockets which he had. already emptied. The first thing I laid my hands on was his purse, I talked to him when he came back, and I think in future he will be more careful.
Pride,y Noon
H0thing of any importance has happened since I left off writing yesterday. Yesterday afternoon was another holiday for the purpose of finishing the sports. Played cards most of the afternoon and night.
Today we had an inspection of all the troops by the O.C. this ship. Lot of ceremony for nothing to my way of thinking.
Prom now on we live in our clothes and life belts, never know wnen the alarm may sound, so hove to he rrerered. Making
pretty slow progress now, as all the boats are pursuing a zig- zig course. The cruiser is one side of us one minute and. the other side the next. The idea is to make it it more difficult for a submarine to torpedo us.
Expect you have been having your anxious moments wondering whether we will arrive safe, but the feeling on board ship is different. Nobody seems to pay much attention to what is going on although our stern chaser is all ready for action. Everybody apparently feels confident that we will hit England O.K. I guess there is no use feeling any different.
Prom what I can gather we are to land at Liverpool. Hope so for it is one of the biggest shipping centers in the world. Still any old spot will do just as it will enable us to get off the boat. Three weeks today since we left home, all of it being strictly G.B. A little bit of freedom and a good meal will sure be welcomed.
Just been looking out of the porthole for smoke some of the fellows declare they saw on the horizon, but can't locate it.
We are due to have a destroyer or two take us in charge just about now, so possibly that is what the smoke is from.
Hardly any swell on the ocean today, and the sun is shining bright, in fact taking it all around, a better trip across couldn't be expeoted even in midsummer. So I've almost amended my resolution made the first day out that! wouldn't return till they built a bridge across.
This is the longest letter I have ever written, but seeing as all this is something out of the ordinary, you'll have to pardon my loquaeity. Only hope t hat you will find it as inter��esting to read as it was to write.
Now a few requests. In a box file on the shelf in my room you'll find two or three Great West Perm, pocket books. Wish you would mail them as they will come in handy for keeping envelopes etc. in. Also three or four of those small bags you made for handkerchiefs would be acceptable. Make them a little larger though. Put in my fountain pen too if you can locate it. I don't know whether Harold is short anything, but I'll ask him so that when he writes you will be able to include his junk with mine.
Did we leave our regimental numbers? If not mine is 524511, and harold's 524512. It is imperative that they be placed on all letters as otherwise quite a delay in transmission can be expected. A lot of red tape, I know, but what can you do.
Just back from dinner and find three destroyers busily en��gaged running rings around us. There isn't much of a sea, but judging from the way they plough through it, with the spray dashing
all over, I'd hate to be on one in a gale. The ones with us now are of the D type and can make about 36 knots an hour. Some speed eh? The cruiser has drawn off quite a distance with one destroyer guarding it. Well I'll have to drop this again as we parade in five minutes for physical jerks. Kind of a hard job dbing them with a life belt on, but I guess it can be managed.
Au revoir for an hour or so,
4.30 P.M. same day.
Big exoitement on board as Ireland has been sighted on the port bow. Two lighthouses are in plain view, as well as what look from here like two mole hills. Cruiser right out of sight now, so guess all danger is over,
8.45 P.M.
Been for'd all evening feasting my eyes on land. All kinds of lights and-light houses around us, but no one seems to know definitely just where we are. Some say Ireland, some England, while Wales also has some backers. At any rate lights are on both sides of us, so we apparently are between two slices of land. Also no one knows where we are going to land, except the officers of the ship, and they won't tell.
The destroyers are chasing around every now and then signal��ing by lights to us. The Lapland has dropped out of sight com��pletely, not a hard job at thatf considering the darkness of the night.
Had a big row down at supper tonight when the orderly offi��cer came around asking if there were any complaints, I think every man in the room yelled at him judging from the row made and the way he jumped. We were served with bologna which, was I don't 3aiow how old, and had been in cold storage for so long that there was more ice than sausage to eat. We had been getting some pretty rotten grub all along, but this was the worst yet, so everybody: kicked. As a result those who cared to stay were served With breaded sole from the officers' mess, I got in on it you oan bet. First bite of decent grub I've had on the boat, so it tasted mighty good. 'Lights out'has just sounded so will have to quit. Will add a few more lines tomorrow and will then try and rake up enou^gi to pay for the postage. Fortunately it is their paper I'm writing on,
Saturday 8.30 A.M.
Just, sighted the English coast, so it looks as though the second stage of our voyage is nearly over. All the mail, and there is a hugh quantity of it, is on deck, ready to be put off when we reaoh Liverpool ,whioh will be some time this afternoon.
Have quite a bit of packing to do, so will have to close this long epistle. Will drop you another 'few" lines next week, giving you my first impressions of the old country. Am going to drop a
line to Mr. Brayne in the hopes that a few lines will reach me Before long.
Very Best love to all
man
Southgate, Kent,
March 51st,191&.
Bear Mother & Bad, -
Intended holding over this letter until this Sunday, But having just finished writing to Gus, thought I'd Better make a complete joB of the family. You'll notice my writing is getting smaller. Have a hunch this is going to Be another long letter so am going to economize on the stationery, I know Harold has written you telling of our trip down from Liverpool, But as I douBtless saw many things he didn't, and am a more experienced letter writer, I am going to tax your patience By having you fol��low me from the time we sighted Ireland, All right, here goes.
Early the next morning after sitting Ireland, Ht.' Snowden in Wales came into view. They say it is the highest mountain in Great Britain, But it is only a mole hill in comparison with the mountains we have out in B.C,
Prom here to Liverpool is aBout 8 hours run, and apparently they aren't trouBled with submarines judging from the ships which were runming around in all directions, ranging in size from a trawler, to Boats the size of the Princess Victoria,
We lay off the mouth of the Mersey for quite a time waiting for a pilot who finally arrived and we started our tortuious way through the Buoy marked channel to our dock, I had an idea that when you were in a river the wind couldn't Bother you very much. But say talk aBout a gale, why the wind whistled through the rig��ging and you couldn't face it at all.
The Mersey is aBout f of a mile wide at Liverpool. We docked about 5 o'clock. I always thought that San Francisco had some fine docks, But they are totally eclipsed By the ones at Liverpool, There were quite a few ocean liners in too. We docked near the Mauratania, which is now a hospital ship, as you can plainly tell By the four huge red crosses painted on the side. The MissanaBie, a sister ship of the Metagama pulled out of her dock Bound for St. John just as we tied up.
We paraded for our rations for next day about six o'clock and were handed a loaf of dry Bread, two slices of Bologna, and
some so-celled 'cheese', which more closely resembled gutta��percha. Some kicking you may be sure, at the prospects of only that to eat next day, but to no avail.
At seven o'clock we were told to put on all our equipment, great coats rolled, and be ready to fail in at a moments notice. How a moment in the army is naturally somewhat longer than in civic life, but when it stretches from seven o'clock in the even ing to four next morning, seems to me tha.t I'd hate to be ready at a minute's notice. By this- time, naturally we were pretty tired and cold, but we finally managed to get ashore, and were lined up on the dock with a bitter wind blowing, still with our great coats rolled. Then and not till then, did it dawn on our O.C. that we may be cold, and he gave the order to don great coats. Maybe they weren't welcome too.
Shortly after we marched into the station to board our train. Say talk about laugh when we saw the cars they call a coach over here. Reminded me for all the world of those little engines and oars we used to play with when we were kids. Thought Bill and Hank would have a fit when they saw them. Bill climbed into one of the 'compartments' and for a time resisted all at��tempts of any one trying to get in, saying that there was only room for him, but he was finally persuaded to let in five more. We travelled third class, but wili say that the seats were very comfortable even if you had to sit facing each other.
We finally started, and as it was pitch dark, with a regu��lation to the effect that it was a punishable offense to pull up the blinds other than in a station, tried to get some sleep, but wasn't very successful, in spite of the fact that the road bed was fine.'^k^'
Swell sunrise at $,30 and from then on was worry about the loss of a little sleep, Rugby was the first city of any size we passed through. Stopped there for ten minutes, long enough to dispose of a sandwich and a cup of tea kindly donated us by one of the patriotic societies, which are doing a mighty fine work over here.
, Struck the oanal around here, and followed it for miles. Passed quite a few barges on it too, and judging from the speed they were making, the consignees weren't in any hurry for their goods. Was told that the rate per ton is very much cheaper then on the trains, so it is used quite a bit. It was certainly pret ty along the sides of it.
What struck me most forcibly when going through this part of the country was the way in which the towns were built. Hot withstanding the faot that all kinds of land is available the houses are lumped together with absolutely no attempt at indivi��duality. Everything is built of brick over here, don't believe I have seen a dozen frame buildings, but they are very picture- esq ue, especially as quite a variety of coloring in the bricks
seems to be the custom. Even the 'shingles* are built of bricks. Every village and there sure was a bunch of them, looked almost the same as the last.
Talk about fine roads though, say Dad, you'd be in your element over here with a fine little 'cob'. All mace.damized or asphalted and running through the finest farming oountry imagin��able, They don't trouble to build fences over here on the farms, but grow hedges instead. Every inch of ground we passed was either in cultivation or occupied by a village or town. Nothing is all uwed to go to waste. Why they build tunnels a mile long with only about four feet of earth above the bricked in part, rather than run up a slight hill and spoil that much land for farming purposes.
As we drew near London the stations came about every two minutes, each with its little collections of brick houses on either side of the track, the village on the right hand side and that on the left another. We were hitting up-a 70 mile an hour clip around here,, and about noon hit the outskirts of London.
Three of us looking out one window (open of course) and three out of the other, and everybody yelling at once. Passed some huge manufacturing plants around here, including the Eastman Kodak Go., and ttee McVittie, Price Buscuit Works, Just after leaving the Ohelsea, Football grounds behind us, we crossed the Thames over Chelsea Bridge, and were in London nroper.
Densely populated is novword for it, as the yards we passed fairly poured forth kids arid grownups to give us a cheer as we passed. Caught a glimpse of Crystal Palace, a hugh glass cov��ered building. Passed such well known stations as Kensington, Clapham Jet,, Willesden Jet., all in London. Usual.ly stopped long enough for us to squander a few pennies on the slot mach��ines in exchange for small biscuits, candy and gum. They tasted good too as apart from what we had at Rugby, we had subsisted on dry bread and bologna all day.
Leaving London behind us now and fast approaching Shomcliffe Some fine residences at Buckley, and a hugh hospital (Canadian) at Orphington, to whioh a draft of 200' men were sent from here last week.
Arrived at Shomoliffe about 1,30 P.M, and marched from there to Sandgate about two miles. Pretty warm too but we didn't mind as we were very glad to think that at last we had reached a resting place. (I*m going to leave you here for this sitting as it is 'getting on' and have only time for my 'tea' and cakes be��fore 'retiring'.
Sunday April 2, 19l6.
I had my 'tea and cakes' whioh cost me four pence and also retired, and have been so busy since that I Haven't had time to resume my narrative until now.
Am writing this lying on my blankets in the garden back of 'Westlawn Villa', where we are quartered. The house in which we are staying must have been at one time a swell residence, as it is three stories high, and has a fine garden with the remains of a fountain in it. But the house at present is far from being a high class residence. There are eight of us in one room, no fur��niture (not even a chair), and we sleep on the floor. Have become accustomed again to having a good sleep without the help of a soft mattress so {don't mind it at all. Our room fronts right on the English Channel, so that we are always sure of a little breeze, even on the warmest days. The washing conveniences are fierce though. Have to go down into the basement to-perform our ablutionq and as there are about forty using the one wash basin you can see what difficulties we have to oontend with. So half the time I have to do my washing after breakfast. So much for our house.
We have to parade for our meals to what was formerly a music hall but is now used, as a dining room for the C.A.M.O, Talk about slow service, everybody in single file, end only one man dishing out the grub. It is a treat to watch him portioning out the bacon in the morning. Hank says he has all the pieces marked and has to hunt for the right one. He., sure is afraid that one man will get more than is .coming to him. The noon day meal is the big one over here, and for supper we only get bread and jam. As a consequence tea and cakes before 'retiring' are almost a necessity.
The first day we were here we saw a ship strike a mine, blow up and 8ink. Something like that happens nearly every day as there is a tremendous amount of shipping here. One Sgt, told me that 73 transports left from Folkstone to go over to Prance in one day, so it is not surprising that the Germans get a ship now and then.
Fortunately we have more than this little town to depend on for our amusements, as Folkstone is only 1-^ miles away. We had a . route march through its streets the second day we were here, and naturally saw many things of interest. The war is certainly brought mighty close when you see the streets crowded with Canadian, British, Belgian and French soldiers in all manners of dress. The French especially going in for bright hued colors. Hundreds of refugees and Folkstone too. Girls and women in practically all the stores, in fact even saw one driving a brewery wagon. The postmen have been superceded by the women too.
When night falls, everything is darkened. No lights in the shop windows or if any only show through blinds. In fact it is so dark that; even the baby carriages have red lights in front of them. This , is a faot. There is a heavy penalty for any light seen shining across the sea, so in our room we have to hang blankets aoross the two windows,
Folkstone is a well known (tosome people) summer resort with two mighty fine hotels, one of which is shown in a card I am mail��ing to Agnes. There are plenty of fine walks along the sea shore
with lots of benches, and these are fully occupied every night.
Seven of us had our first real meal since we left home in Folkstcne last Monday night. It was v/et and cold so we wandered into a restaurant to get out of the rain. After the waitress had informed us that she had only three muttons and ten porks left we were finally served. For dessert five of us managed to get some 'apple pie', but if, as Hank nut it 'we hadn't eaten the hide as well as the stuffing we would have been out of luck'. Harold ordered fruit salad and custard, and was presented with stewed dried apricots and milk. Some joint, never again for me. Since then we have found a nice little place in Sandgate, where you can get ham and eggs, fried potatoes, a not of tea, toast and all kinds of fine pastries for about two' shillings. Have'been there twice now,and may go again tonight.
Woke up on Wednesday morning after a terrific gale all day Tuesday, to find snow on the ground. It didn't last very long though, for the sun came out bright and warm. All of the midland counties, some of which we passed through on the way down were visited with the worst storm in fifty years. At Crewe, the snow drifted in places twenty feet deep. But as I said, it didn't stay long here. Had a field day on Wednesday, Full marching order, as we were when we left Victoria, and a hot sun at that.
Went about four miles, had our noon day meal there and then marched back again. All of us were sunburned Mien we got back. My feet felt rather sore so walked across the street and had a foot bath in the English Channel,
On Thursday we did our, first actual work in connection with the war. Twenty five men, including all the Y, boys marched to Shomcliffe to unload an ambulance train just arrived from France. There were fifty three cases cm board, of whom only eight could walk, the majority having to be carried off on stretchers. The ones who could walk really looked worse than the others. With their dirty torn uniforms, and atorful expressions on their faces, they certainly were a pitiful sight. Some hobbling along by them��selves, one helped along by two of his mates. We carried the others from the train to the ambulances, each of which have room for four patients. Before loading them into the ambulances, we laid themi on thefloor of the waiting room, and the ladies of the town gave them coooa or tea to drink, alsot cigarettes. It certain- ly cheered them up too. The war looked mighty close to us just at that time.
Now for, to me, the best news of all. But I am afraid it won't appeal to you in the same way. The 0.0. of this school is so pleased with this draft that we are to form the base company of the 11th Field Ambulance, and are to go into training as a field ambulance at once. Sixty men from the two or three hundred ahead of us are to be drafted into our bunch, and from what I can hear, they have to have a mighty good record before they are se��lected, Speaks pretty high for the B.C.boys, doesn't it? So I
I will not be in the bed-pan carrying business, and am personally mighty glad, as a hospital orderly has a rotten time of it. Twelve hours work a day, and seven days a week.
We are to go under oanvas on or before the 10th of this month and have from all accounts a pretty nice camping ground. Will seem like old times to get under canvas again. The birds are singing all around the garden and spring is sure in the air.
Yesterday morning we had a preliminary review in anticipa��tion of Sam Hughes* visit tomorrow. It is rumored that the King is going to be present too. We were up on the plains (yesterday) along with all the troops in this military area numbering in all about 20,000. It was some sight to see them all in motion. Also saw three dirigibles and eight aeroplanes maneuvering around.
Wish you would send along my light underwear. Have a hunch it is going to be welcomed before long. Also socks are beginning to wear out. Have had more;route marches in a week here than in four months in Victoria,
Wrote to Mr. Brayne but received reply MHo mail', Hope to get some before long.
With my best love to all from
Yours lovingly,
3RKD
Dibgate Oam?,
Kent, England.
April 9, 1916.
Bear Sis,-
Bon't know for the world what I am going to write about, but having made a 'start guess I'll be able to reel off a few pages before my fount runs dry; The sight of Bill across the table from me scribbling away at a fearful rate incites me on.
But on the other hand the efforts of a very amateurish and con��sequently noisy pianist have the opposite effect on me. Am writing this in the Y.M. rooms in Hythe, which is a small town on the coast, about two miles from camp. It is a little larger than Sandgate and its chief attraction is a very old church, through which Harold, John Greig and I wandered and wondered this afternoon. Although it was built in the 13th century it is still used. The furnishings in it are very quaint and interesting.
There are some very fine memorial tablets on the walls ranging^ in date from 1397 up to one in mem or i am of Lieut, Valentine V.G.who was killed at Ypres, The altar is a magnificent piece of work, as it is also the baptismal fountain. But the piece de resistance
30
of the whole works is the crypt, which contains over 1000 skulls all arranged on shelves. Also a hugh pile of thigh hones, over 8000 in number. None of these have been placed in the crypt dur��ing the last 500 years, so they are somewhat ancient. John Grieg took a snap of it and will try and send you a print if it turns out Q.K.
We also took in a picture show this afternoon. Could have
paid 3d for front seats, but thought the 6d stalls were more in our line. Rotten show,cheap American 14 ..-dy'' films which were
run so slow that we had to wake John up when it was time to leave.
This place (the Y.M.) was so crowded that we (eight of us) had to hunt through the town for a place to eat. Queer looking places they call tea rooms in this one horse town. All about the size of our dining room, and containing about four tables seating four at each. Naturally all of them were more or less filled so we finally landed in the tea and rest room run by the Church of England. Rather noisy there too, but managed to get a bite to eat. They charge for their writing material there, that being the rea��son we came back here.
Just glanced out of the window to see the boats and canoes on the canal. Can you imagine boating in a stream not more than sixty feet wide and certainly not over my depth anywhere, A lot of fellows seem to enjoy it though, and the boat house keeper is doing a land-office business.
Moved into camp at Eibgate, about two miles from Sandgate on Friday, and certainly will never forget it. In spite of the fact that the A.S.C, has all kinds of trucks running around, the powers that be made us carry our entire kit out to camp. No warn��ing beforehand so that we could, arrange it in the most convenient way either. My kit bag, blankets, haversack, greatcoat, water bottle (filled) and mess tin weighs at least 80 lbs, all of which .1 I had to sling across my shoulders on a thin piece of rone that just about cut me in two before we reached camp. About ten minutes rest then we had. to pitch tents. At noon we were given a big meal, consisting of a cup of tea minus milk or sugar. Worked hard all afternoon and at night dined sumptuously on bread, and cheese.
Pretty sore bunch by then, but commenced to see humor in it and A'ftir that didn't mind so much.
Say but maybe it wasn't cold sleeping that night. The kid and I doubled up but even that failed to keep us warm. The ground was damp and the night cold which didn't help matters any. Slept by myself last night with all my clothes on except my shoes, and had a good, nights sleep. Good bunch in our tent, the two Macs,
Tom Webster, Tom Bascoe, Goldie and Reg. Beckwith so we get along fine.
We are having beautiful weather at present so camp life will be fine when we get thoroughly brokeri in again. Just at present
31
the main work to be done is dodging work, of which there is f;n unlimited amount, ��11 of which of course has to be done by the poor privates. Talk about N.C.O.'s though, never saw so many in my life. Only about 35^ men aH told in camp and 42 of them are sergeants, and can't count the lesser lights, A small squad of us, 22 in all, did a little drill yesterday morning and 16 H.C.O.'s were detailed to put us through it. Wouldn't have stripes over here on a bet, A private can manage to dodge work once in a ntfiile, but an N.C.O. never.
Always had an idea that the English girls were very careless dressers, but have changed my mind. Seems to me that they put on as muoh 's^ank' as the girls do over there. Short skirts are in vogue here at present and as it is a windy district, hope my eye��sight is spared for a while yet. The way the benches axe taken up at night makes me feel homesick at times.
Went over to Eolkstone last night to have a bath and incident* ly a good meal which stood me two and four pence, I never get tired wandering through the tiny alleys they call streets. Pave��ments on both sides, and just enough roadway for a wagon to pass through. Of cotxse the two main streets are larger but they all look as though they had been built to follow a cowpath. Talk about Nanaimo having crooked streets. Little two by four stores carrying everything but what you want. All of them out to do the Canadian soldier too. This talk about living being twice as cheap over here as in Canada may have been true at one time, but it certainly does not apply now. They spot your Canada badge as soon as you enter, and then bang goes a sixpence. Glad I as��signed most of my pay, for if not, I'd spend it sure over here.
Your two letters readdressed and sent by registered mail from London were needless to say welcomed with open arms. Takes quite a time to start a correspondence when a fellow is so far away, but once it is set going, all is well. I wrote Annie about two days before I received Mother's letter, but will write her again and thank her for her kind offer, which needless to remark, will be taken up with alacrity.
I'm afraid I'll have to quit now as it is getting late, and I have two miles to walk back to can$>. Have to make my bed too and that is a very important matter these days. Harold wrote to Mother today so I'll hold off till next week.
Yours lovingly,
PEEL
32
Libgate Camp,
Kent, England.
April 14, 1916,
Tear Mother end Lad,-
I know I'm a little aheqd of my.biweekly schedule, but as the kid and I intend to take a trip up to Canterbury on Sunday, thought I*d better write while I had the chance, Canterbury is about,lp miles from here, and as you know, is the home of the famous Cathedral, If our passes go through, we intend taking the 9.30 train out of Shomcliffe, and getting back about*, eleven, Hope we get our passes, as I am looking forward to see��ing the Cathedral and town.
Since writing Marjorie last week, have done quite a bit of running around, as the post oards I mailed from Cambridge may have suggested, light of us, Jim Stewart, Prank C., Loni Pascoe, Reg, B,, Goldie, Bud Middleton, Everett Logan and yours truly were picked to act as an escort for 70 men being transferred from the Shomcliffe Military Hospital to an isolation hospital at Cambridge, After drawing a day's rations from the cookhouse, we left camp in charge of two sergeants and one officer. Walked down to the hospital, about two miles, and then rode with the patients in ambulances to Shomcliffe station. The patients (or prisoners as they really were) were locked into two carriages, and the eight of us piled into one compartment, then off for London. Arrived at the Cannon St, Station about 10,30, unloaded our natients, and then boarded the Underground for the Liverpool St, Station, The Underground trains run on a half minute schedule and sure do not lose any time between stations. The Liverpool St, station is one of the largest in London, and as we had to wait over an hour for our train had ample time to thoroughly explore it. It was here that I first saw the advantages of the compart��ment system on the railway carriages. They can empty a carriage of its passengers about ten times as fast as over in Canada, no high steps to. climb up or down, just step out of your compartment and you are on the platform. Trains coming and going every few minutes, and thousands of people running around. Also saw women baggage smashers, handling the big trucks, wheeling them around. Seemed to me that it would be pretty heavy work for them, but they seemed to like it judging from the way they talked'and carried on.
Pulled out at noon on our way up to Cambridge, Passed through * the east end of London for what1 seemed to be miles before we hit the open country. As we got farther on had ample instances of the damage wrought by the terrific storm that I think I mentioned hit England the day after we landed. Huge trees that must have stood for centuries, uprooted, and the telephone poles along the line all looked as though they had had a hard night. Made only one stop* at Bishons Stortford, on our way up, and arrived in Cambridge about 2 P.M, The party split here, 20 of the patients and three
escorts going about two miles farther on to B ram well Hospital.
The rest were marched through town out to Cherryhinton Hospi��tal, about two miles, I was with the latter party. We were dismissed about three o'clock and after obtaining a late pass started for town with the primary objeot of seeing the-University.
Spent about three hours going through the various colleges, and enjoyed every minute. The buildings are all old and weather beaten, but the grounds are beautiful. The River Cam, from which the city derives its name,.runs through most of the grounds.
One of the colleges, Trinity,.is used now as an officers' train��ing school,.and we bumped into one of them, dressed in civies.
Wen he found out that we were Canadians, he said 'Wait a minute, there's a private here from Canada, you'll know him, I'll fetch him.' But we were in a hurry so didn't trouble him. Were shown the Chapel in St, Johns College where Oliver Cromwell stabled his horses. Also saw the study where William Wordsworth wrote some of his poems.
About six o'clock the pangs of hunger O'ercome us, so we wandered into a tea shop and satisfied the cravings of the inner man by indulging in ham and. Seems to me that this must be the favorite dish for Canadians over here, as al the restaurants and tea rooms have placards up. Almost dark when we came out again, and as there seemed to be lots of girls walking around thought it would be a shame to go back without making the acquaintance of a few, Goldie and I paired off and were very successful, as we saw two couples home. One of the girls called me 'a saucy kipper' beoause I asked her if she wasn't going to kiss me goodnight. I.c may have been a fish, but at any rate she did. An awful confes��sion for your 'Angel' to make isn't it, but you.know the saying 'If a feller only was the feller his mother thinks he is'.. Don't imagine for one minute that I make a general practise of this, for such is not the case, but a fellow has to talk to a girl once in a while, so when you don't know any, you just have to do the best you can.
We put up at the hospital for the night, and in the morning took 40 back to the station to be joined by 35 more from B ram well * Left about 10 o'clock and arrived in Liverpool St. Station at 11.30 Over 60 miles, so pretty quick work. Marched from there through' the streets of London to Cannon St. Station, Needless to say, my eyes were here there, and everywhere. The district we passed \/ through was the heart of the financial district, Lombard St. Of course we had the right of way, and as the escorts have to walk to one side of the parade, didn't miss anything. It was amazing how quickly a blockade would form when the cop held ut> his hand.
Big double decker busses passing in droves, Took about twenty minutes to walk between the stations, and from Cannon St. took a train to London Bridge, there to catch the train for Shomoliffe. Had a swell view of London Bridge as the train pulled out.
Arrived at Shomoliffe about 4,30 P.M. and marched to the hospital, were dismissed, then Tom Pascoe and I caught a bus for Polks tone,
Had a much needed bath, and then beat it back to camp. There are men sent up every week from here, so hope to get the job'again.
So much for that part of it.
The early part of the week has been nothing but fatigues. On Monday we shovelled ooal, and cleaned out a stable at our old billet, fine training for a field ambulance. A big draft of French Canadians arrived early Monday morning, but am glad to say they left for Versailles today. They were a dirty bunch, and kept chattering like magpies long after "lights out" had blown. As reveille is at 5.30 now, a fellow needs all the sleep-he can get.
On Tuesday the draft which left Victoria with the 67th arrived. Naturally we were glad to see them, and had a fine time for a while renewing acquaintances.
The weather has been somewhat unsettled lately, raining one minute and shining the next. Put a floor in our tent today though so won't mind the wet so much from now on. Nine of us in a tent now, packed like sardines. Fine way to keep warm though.
Had a short note from Douglas today saying that he might fly down this way some day next'week, and would look me up. Hope he gives me a ride, as I would like the experience very much.
Thought I was in luck when I hit camp last night and. Harold handed me four letters which had been forwarded from London. One was for Goldie, one for Reg. one for Harold and only one for me. T'other d&y I received two, both for Goldie, Not that I mind having my name used that way as a G.P.O., but naturally am somewhat disa��ppointed at not having them for myself.
The kid was on an escort also the same d&y as I but will let nim tell you all about it. Both of us are getting bigger every day. Weighed myself here t'other ddy and tipped the scales at 173. Seven pounds more than I ever weighed before. They don't feed you very much army grub here, but apparently I am thriving on it.
I'm enclosing some snaps Bill took an the way across, and as I have to write a few lines on them will have to out this short, es��pecially as we have to be in camp by nine and it is now eight with two-miles to. walk.
If we get up to Canterbury will drop a few cards.
With very best love to all from
Yours lovingly,
* FRED
P.S. Thought we'd get up to London this week end, but too many passes in. Haven't given up hope yet though. Have been through it 3 times now so have seen a bit of it. Just enought0 make me want to. see more. Don't lose the snaps, as I'll want to see them when we get back. More to follow.
Dibgate Camp,
April 28, 1916.
Dear Mother and Bad,-
Have just finished the very painful operation of shaving off a two week's growth of n&iiskere. Was damned fool enough to let an English barber shave me about three weeks ago, and as a consequence have since been unable to shave, on account of what is known as barber's itch, I sure have been a fine looking sight the past two weeks, but it is practically all gone now, and I took a chance at shaving again. Too bad I couldn't send a snap of what I looked like, but my whiskers are too light to show in a picture. Prank Crompton said I reminded him of Bill Nye. Nothing doing in the line of a barber shave from now on for me.
Most of the boys are in town tonight, sane to write, others for a bath. Only Goldie and the kid are left here with me, Harold is sitting on his pillow on the dusty floor reading the Saturday Evening Post (4d) and eating oranges (2 for l^d), while Goldie is busy scribbling away, doubtless to one of his lady friends.
The weather has been very warm here all this week, in fact so warm that we parade at 6 A.M, for jerks with nothing on from the waist up but an under shirt.Naturally it is far warmer at noon. My neck is as red as a beet and burns like fire.
This is a startling contrast to the awful weather of the two preceding weeks, I thought Vancouver was noted for ite rain but revise my opinion now. For two solid weeks there wasn't a let up, and for the same length of time my clothes were wet through. But the worst feature of it all was the mud, which was ankle deep all over the camp. The camp is built on quite a slope, so you can imagine the floundering around that we had to put up with. Every one in our tent were sick and tired of living in tents under such , / conditions when there really was no need for it,, and were deter��mined to gre.b thefirst hospital job that showed up. Fortunately the weather cleared up though, and our spirts came up with it. So that now nothing but the field ambulance will satisfy us.
One of the bunch has left us, viz. Tom Webster. Last Saturday afternoon we were sitting in our tent on the wet ground, with the rain coming down in torrents, too disgusted with things to even walk into town, when the orderly corporal came through the lines asking for anybody with experience as a clerk, Tom. jumped up with a 'By gosh,. I'm not going to stand this any longer', and got the job, which is in the orderly room of the Shorncliffe Hospital. He has been soared all along that he would be sent eoross to Prance before he could get leave to go heme and see his folks. As he hasn't seen them for eight years can't blame him at all.
Spent a 'very delightful' Easter Sunday, Our section was assigned for fatigues that day, and Bill, Tom P. Piute, Harold and I worked all day around the cook house of the Sergts, Mess.
The kid snd I carried coal through the awful mud for about two hours,
end for the rest of the day washed greasy pots end pans. An of which ie pert of fighting for 'your King and Country', A fellow sure does have some rotten jobs handed him in this life, end even if he never sees the front, can honestly say he has done his hit.
To cap it all,, after working hard all day, Piute and I were shoved on picket duty, which meant no sleep that night, We walked our heats from 9 to 11, and played cards or read from then until 3 A.M., when we had another two hours of it. The hed sure felt good to us next day.
Just stopped writing for a minute to listen to the birds in the woods alongside our tent. It must he alive with them judg��ing from the noise they make, the cockoo's call above them all. Every morning at 6 A.M. when we go up the hill for jerks the sky ler-ks are just starting on their upward climb. They fly around in small sircles, ever getting higher and. higher, singing all the while, until they are out of sight* their beautiful song being the only indication that it wasn't an illusion.
We haven't been so much out of luck on home cooked boxes as I anticipated, not that we ere getting any ourselves of course.
One of our tent mates, (a Vernon veteran) whom we affectionately call by the name of 'Muckoogany' (that is the way it is pronounced) hails from Sootlend where all his folks are. So every few days something for him comes along, and as he has told them that all the fellows in his tent are old pals, the boxes are very generous, Tom Pascoe received some cake from his Cornish relatives the other ddy too, so taking it all around, we have no kick coming at all. Juet the same it falls (in quality) a little short of what we used to receive in Vernon, Say, maybe I wouldn't like to sit down to a meal again where I could pass my plate for'a second or third helping. Have heard of a fine little inn just out of Hythe, and we may go down there for our Sunday dinner.
Pour of the draft we came with are in hospital with the measles, John Greig is one of them, and young Forrester another, John Mclwen, a Y. boy is due for there also, judging from his looks tonight.
So far we have received no indications as to what our future work is to be, and will just have to sit tight and await events.
We have been having quite a deal of practical work in our training the past few days. Quite a few of the officers here have been to the front and have had some very interesting talks from them. It sure is a welcome change from what we had previously. Apparently over here they do not regard the training received in Canada with any consideration whatsoever. So you can judge with what disgust we received such drill as turning by numbers etc,, all of which we knew a week after enlisting. Our draft is all broken up, too bad too, as we undoubtedly were the best drilled section in the camp.
- 37
To show you the 'system' they work on, here, is how our present sections were picked. Everybody fell in and numbered, after which the S.M. divided the parade into eight equal sections. It happened that Bill and Hank were alongside each other, and the division left one of them in one section and one in another. This took place two weeks ago, and it wasn't until last night that Hank was able to get back to our seotion, and incidently sleep with Bill.
Anyone looking into our tent at night would get the impres��sion that a bunch of convicts were sleeping there. With the ex��ception of 'Muckcogany' (who is nearly hairless) sll of us have had our hair clipped as close as we possibly can, and sure are an awful looking bunch. The Macs don't look too bad for their hair is dark, but the kid and I are weird and wonderful objects.
Will send you a snap next time to show you how we look.
Haven't received any mail for over a week now, but hope to be more fortunate tomorrow. We are putting in passes on Monday for six days leave, with every expectation that they will be granted. If so, London for us, (I'm going to finish this to��morrow as it is very nearly lights out with my bed to be made yet. So good night dear)
Sunday: morning.
Didn't find time to get at this yesterday, but am. prepared to 'carry on' today.
Yesterday was general clean up around camp. An tents were struck and floors scrubbed and cleaned 'thoroughly'. The O.C, announced that the occupants of the neatest tent would be given a half holflay on Monday, so you can imagine that everybody was on the jump all morning. The inspection took place in the after��noon and four tents were picked out as being almost equal in general cleanliness and neatness in the arrangement of kit. The O.C. said that one tent was just a little better than the others and 'naturally' enough that one was ours, So we feel rather proud of ourselves, even more so for the reason that one of the other three picked was the tent we had occupied previous to our moving into this one, and on which we had laid a fine floor, I almost laughed in the O.C.'s face Then he came back to our tent after the inspection. As senior man (in service) I called the tent to attention as only I know how to do it, and almost fell over when the O.C. said 'All right, corporal, carry on, men'.
As we have almost as many N.C.O.'s here as privates, I Didn't take the compliment seriously. However the main thing is that we won't have anything to do tomorrow afternoon but loaf around town. On the other hand, we have set a precedent for ourselves that will keep us on the hump to carry on in the same style.
. Still no mail, but am hoping for a letter or two today.
Hope that long one I wrote on the boat and mailed in Liverpool
\
- 38 *
reached you all right, as I spent quite a few hours on its com��position, and I'd hate to think that all my labor was wasted.
Several of the hunch have had their six days leave. Goldie was up to visit his brother at Felixstowe, and judging from what he has said, apparently had a fine time. His brother took him up in his machine, and now Goldie is anxious to transfer to the Flying Corps, but the fact that there are 2200 applications in ahead of him at that station, will very likely deter him from doing so, Frank has also been on leave. He went up to Manchester where all his relatives live, and also had a swell time. He and Goldie spent the last ddy of their leave in London together, and are anxious to get back there again,
I am sending a few snaps Clough took on the way across, also some wild flowers I picked just now. The wall flower I brought from Canterbury where it was growing on the ruined wall of the monastery which was built before the Cathedral,
Have a few more letters to write this afternoon, so will close with best love to all from
Yours lovingly,
FRED
London, England,
May 12th,1916.
Lear Mother and Lad,-
Well, here we are up in the town at last, and for six days at that. Some class to us eh whatj This letter is to be a com��pany affair, each of us to describe the day's happenings. My turn today, and the kid's tomorrow and so on, I only hope that it will make as interesting reading as it did to us viewing the different places,. It is now 11,30 P.M., but will try and tear off a few pages before tunring in.
To begin with, Harold was off on an escort to Cambridge, but I took a chance and put in a pass for him as well as for myself.
My surprise they were accepted by the Orderly Sergeant, in spite
of the fact that each man is supposed to hand in his own pass,end
the O.C, O.K'd them. I obtained my pass after the afternoon parade and then proceeded to draw my pay which amounted to the princely
sum of LI. I waited around camp for the kid as long as I could,
but he didn't show up, so I started off for Shorn, cl if fe to catch the 7.30 P.M, train after leaving instructions for him to follow in the morning.
Landed in London at London Bridge Station, and from there took the Underground via Elefant and Castle to Waterloo Station. Couldn't locate the Y hut, so booked a bed at the Union Jack Club, a huge
���building used exclusively for soldiers snd sailors in uniform.
Y/ent out for a walk end ran into the Y. hut. Shortly after an Australian soldier hit me up for the price of a bed, so I just elipped him my tacket for a hunk at the Union Jack Club, and transferred my affections to the Y. Turned in at 12.30 and had a good night's sleep, broken though by a party of Engineers hav��ing to catch a train at 4 A.M., the consequent noise not being exactly condusive to sound slumber. The bed was fine though, pillow and sheets, but only one blanket., Put my great coat over me though so was plenty warm enough. Rose at 7 A.M., shaved, and was all ready for the day's work.
While busy shaving, Goldie and Hank dropped in on me. They had been on an escort too, and didn't have to catch the train for Shomcliffe until 11 A.M,' So the three of us took a walk over Y/aterloo Bridge up to the Strand of which more anon, I left them at to tackle the hardest job I've had for a long while
viz. locating the kid, I hadn't any idea what train the kid would be on and had to keep tab on four stations, any one of which he might come in at.
V/ell, to begin with, when I left the boys I was up Oxford St. W. so took the Underground at Totterlane Court Road to go to Can��non St. Station via Charing Cross. At Cannon St. I found that two trains from Shornoliffe were due in within a half hour.Uothing doing though, as he wasn't on either. Was informed that the next train from Shomcliffe ran into London Bridge Station so I took a bus up to there, and upon arriving found, that that particular train didn't stop at London Bridge Station, but ran right through to Cannon St,, so back to Cannon St. on a bus I had to go. Saw that train come in, and still no Harold, Consulted a time table with the result that another bus ride to London Bridge was in order Upon arriving there, in order to make sure, as I thought, that I wouldn't miss him, I bought a ticket to Charring Cross so that I could see who got off at the intervening stations. Boarded the train and rode then to Charring Cross but still no kid. However just as I left the station, I bumped in to the corporal who lives in our tent, and he informed me that Harold had taken the train before him, so I knew I'd locate him sooner or later. So I took the Tube to Waterloo Station, and finally located him in the Y. here, so my troubles were over. The reason for my missing him was that I had failed to be on the platform when the third train came into Cannon St. and instead of getting off there he carried on to Charing Cross. (Will have to call this off for tonight, as I'm pretty sleepy, having done a lot of walking today with the prospects of more tomorrow, )
Just finished breakfast, the cheapest and beet by the way that I have ever struck in this country. Bacon and eggs, bread and butter with a cup of cocoa for 8d. The same meal in Polkstone would oost me 2S, Bumped into Reg. end Jimmy Stewart last night after I stopped writing. Beg is on pass until Konbay and will
40
join our gang. Jimmy is going through to Scotland this morning. Rained hard all night,and ia etill at it, hut hope to put in a good, day.
To go hack to my narrative. We had dinner at the Y. here, and then decided to look up Sir. Brayne with two reasons. The first was to thank him personally for forwarding our mail, and the second to draw some coin out of the firm. When we left Victoria I thought that Marjorie was to have Mr. Holland write to the I/O and confirm our account, so was somewhat surprised a week or so ago to get her letter asking us to forward our signa��tures, Why it would have been at least two months before I/O could have the a/c confirmed, and heaven only knows where we will he in two mcnths time. However I squared up to Mr. Brayne and found him a very fine man, especially as he kicked through with 18. He said that my resemblance to M. was enough for him. He also very kindly invited us to have dinner with him next Monday, which invitation needless to say, was accepted with alacrity. The I/O is very small, just three rooms, and as far as I could see the clerical staff consisted of a stenog and the asst, secty.
After getting the cheque we had to make it fast down the Strand to the London City and the Midland Bank in order to cash it. Just made it too, as the kid had one front door closed and was just closing the other when we blew in. Bo hitch at all, got my money and hit the pike again.
Our next point of attack was St, Paul's Cathedral, only a few yards away, but one unfortunately cannot get a true conception of its size, owing to the fact that it is hemmed in on all four sides by the business district. Just why they allowed the business dis��trict to screed around it, is more than I can see. We paused on the steps for a few moments to watch an old man feeding the cigecn s, of which there were hundreds. The perched on hie hat, shoulders, arms, and two were feeding out of his outstretched hands. They say he has been doing this for years. A marble slab in inserted in the pavement at the foot of the steps where Queen Victoria stood when ehe returned thanks for the $Qanniversary Passing up the steps with bared heads (and bald ones) we entered the cathedral, there to spend over an hour. Upon first entering its huge size fails to dawn upon you, but gradually as the eye takes in more and more of the detail, you begin to realize that it is 'some' building. The furnishings of the choiry is magnificent. (That doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean). Mahogany throughout, and carved into some wonderful designs. The candle 'sticks' are especially beautiful, and we wished our tent possessed one of the huge candles. As ie usually the case in those old churches, the crypt was the chief point of interest to us, and we certainly were not disappointed, as it literally abounded with historic relics. There are hundred* of famous people buried below the floor of the crypt, dating from centyriee ago until very recent��ly. Among others we saw a memorial to Geo, Williams, the founder
of the Y.M.C.A., Lord Roberts and Viscount Wakeley are laying side by side Yvith flags resting over them. There is also a won��derfully beautiful memorial to Florence Nightingale. But what interested us mostly were the tombs of Nelson end Wellington, By the way the bodies of these famous heroes are the only ones that e���re not lying below the floor of the crypt. They reooee in the hearts of two huge blocks of granite. The marble slab above Nelson's tomb weighs 1$> tons snd ie a beautiful niece of work.
The bodies of his first aid second officers lie one on either sidifc of his tomb. Wellington's tomb is a more massive structure, on which are engraved the various engagements in which he took nart. The funeral car of Wellington also occupies an honored position near his tomb. It was constructed out of guns captured from the French, and cost 120,000, Ite weight ie 20 tons and on the day of the funeral was drawn by 12 coal black horses, three abreast.
The front of the car is ornamented by weapons in use at that time. (Have to call quits again, as Piute has finally put in an appear��ance, and a trip up to the Strand is on the bill of fare).
Started to rain after we came out of St. Pauls so we took a bus intending to come back to the Y. for our greatcoats. It cleared up though, before we reached Waterloo St., so we carried on down the Strand to Pioadilly and Leiscester Squares. The former is merely a. continuation of the Strand, while the latter is in the heart of the theatre district, Trafalgar Square was the next point of interest we struck, containing as you know, Nelson's monument. One thing in particular struck me at this spot and that was the fact that 4 huge posters were displayed against the four lions around the base of the monument. Th<y read 'Extravagance in dress in war time is not only bad form, but it is unpatriotic'.
It seemed to me to give a good indication of just how seriously England is regarding the war. In ordinary times such a. defamation of the monument would not be tolerated, but in these times every��thing must be done to raise the people to a true sense of what lies before them.
Was rather disappointed in Covert Gardens as I expected to see a huge building teeming with life. On the contrary, while it ishoused in a big block, very few people were around. It was interesting though to see the porters at their work carrying crates and baskets of fruit, vegetables etc. One of them will stoop and another place $ or 6 boxes on his head, he carrying them Didn't see a hand truck there at all.
Took a walk next down Downing Street where the War Office is located. Huge grim looking structures, well fitted for the purpose they were erected. Scotland Yard ie nearby too, as is the Admir��alty Office, The Canada Building ie a fine looking structure but didn't have time to go inside. Went into the B.C.Bldg. though, but as it was only about 9 A.M. (next day) didn't see Dick.
Started this letter on the 12th, and am now resuming it in Hythe Y, on the 17th. Really was too busy to write in London, but took copious notes as we went along so I don't think my narrative
will suffer.
On Friday night the kid end I along with Oorpl. Kirkby, who I mentioned before as living in our tent, paid a visit to the Coliseum, and saw a fine show in the largest theatre in London.
It is magnificently furnished, throughout, much more elaborately than the Royal Victoria. The orchestra numbered 30 pieces, and discoursed sweet music every so often. Regarding the show, not a weak turn was on the bill, Adeline Genee being the headliner and justly so. Have seen her dance before, but it was all ballet work, which in my opinion leaves much to be desired. In this turn though, she gives some fine renditions of dances of the various nations.
The Strand, Pioadilly, Leicester Square, surely they are names to conjure with, and' the best of it was that they came up to expec��tations and then some. The Strand, as you know, is in the heart of the business district, while the other two are the home of most of the big theatres. After the usual custom over here, the Strand is narrow, and to make it worse taxis are parked in the centre, so that the bus drivers have one busy��� time dodging obstructions in traffic. Just missing another car by a fraction of an inch seems to be their favorite occupation, and I didn't see one eassh up in spite of the fact that there are hundred* of busses running through the Strand. Mr, Brayne told me that there were taxis lying
idle in the garages, but I thought they had better be kept there es there were plenty running about.
So much for our first day,, and will now tackle Sunday's doings.
Rose on Sunday to find the sky overcast with urospects cf rain before long but glad to say that my prognostication was wrong, as it turned out fine later on. Of course, don ' cherknow, on a Sunday morning the sightseers steps naturally gravitate towards Petticoat^ Lane, and ours were no exception. Piute had taken a 'yid' home the previous night;.who lived in that neighborhood, so under his expert guidance we had no difficulty in finding the nlace, I find it rather hard to describe what we saw there as it was such a heterogenous conglomeration of incongropsities, that it has to be seen to be appreciated. Just imagined!)out six long narrow streets with stalls lined up on both sides against the curb, leaving about twelve feet leeway in the road. Draw on your imagination still further, end see these stalls loaded to the limit with every con��ceivable saleable article, the vendors of the same being the greatest collection of Lagos, Yids, Hindus, Portuguese etc. it has ever been my fortune to see, with every mother's son or daughter of them trying their level best to convince you that the particular artiole he or she is selling is something to be desired above every��thing else. Talk about noise, ye gods and little fish hooks, a boiler feotory is quiet in comparison. At one stall we see a Hindu selling rare silks, flanked cm one side by a huge fat Jew selling fish, and on the other by a miniature hardware shop. Just happened to oetch the eye of the fat Jew as we were passing, and he
43
responded with 'Tuppence each, Chawlie' at' the same time pointing to hia basket of fish, Heedless to remark, his kind offer was not accepted,
Whitechapel, supposedly, as I had thought, the slums of London, in reality is about the widest street in the city, and while it is in the Yiddish quarter, contains some very nice stores.
Drawing on for noon about this time so we grabbed a bus to go up to the Charing Cross Y. for a bite to eat. Just after passing the Bank of England} I happened to see three fellows walking along, wearing uniforms mighty like the 67th, I glanced back after we passed, and judge to my surprise I knew two of them, Stan Young being one, I guess the people on the bus thought I had gene crazy as I whistled and yelled to catch his eye, and then the three of us left the bus in the lurch and just about pumped his arm off.
Say, maybe he wasn't glad to see us. You know that laugh of his, (I'm smiling even as I write this), well apparently it had been in storage for quite a while according to his tale, but it certain��ly hadn't been in long enough to grow rusty. I'll bet thattparti- cular part of the Strand had never heard such roars of laughter as we emitted while swapping experiences and views of England and English oustoms. Honestly I laughed until the tears ran down my faoe.^'
We all had dinner together in the Charing Cross Y, and after we had finished decided to run out to Hampstead Heath, Unfortunate��ly ''Ampstead 'Eath' was rather deserted, and as its general appear��ance reminded us Shomcliffe, our stay was a very limited one. Back to the Strand again, we turned our footsteps into St. James Park along Pall Mall. Rather nice park, nothing out of the ordinary though. We passed Queen Alexandra's residence on our way down the Mall, also the Duke of Connaught's London house. At the extreme end of the Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace is the statue of Queen Viotoria, a marvelous piece of work, which must have oost thousands of pounds'^.The royal ensign was at the top of the flag pole, so the King was' on the job, but unfortunately we hadn't the time to drop in and see him. The roof of the Palace is entirely covered by steel nets as a protection against air craft. The park itself is alsoused as a decoy for Zeps. A lake formerly occupied one part of it, but it has been drained ao that its shining surface cannot be seen from above. Lanterns are placed on the grass in rows to resemble street lights, so that seen from above they would, be taken as such, and bombs dropped there wouldn't do much damage,7^
We ate supper in the Tottenham Court Road Y. which is the largest Y. in England, Swell place, almost too much so, to my way of thinking. The main idea of a Y. is to. make the stranger welcome, butt can't imagine such a thing happening in that building. However the main thing is that we ate there and were satisfied.
Now we're back on the strand again, but what a difference from
the morning. At 10.30 last Sunday morning a oannon 'ball oould have been fired, up the street and the odds are that it would not have hit anybody. At 6.30 p.M. you could hardly move along the streets. If you want to see anybody in London just wait on the Strand and he will come along. As for instance I sa.w Stan Okell, Ben McDiarmid, Bay MoCallum, and Norman Spencer. Doubt��less if I had waited any longer I'd. have bumped into a few more.
Piute leaves the story at this stage, as he had to catch the 9.15 back to Shorncliffe. As you may surmise he was over��joyed at the prospect. He couldn't kick chough as he and the kid had three girls down at the train to bid him good-bye. With him gone, it was up to H, to see the girls home whioh feat he accomplished to a nicety. What about you, did I hear you say?
Well I had a bird of my own, Nuf sed. Bed at 1 A.l . tired out but happy.
Gee,, if it takes as long and. as much paper to record Tues��day's doings as it has the other two days, the postage will bankrupt me, However.it has been an eventful trip, and I'M going to try and finish it up in good style.
At dinner on Monday, Mr, Brayne had informed us that .Hampton Court Palace was worth visiting so we took his tip and also the 9��3�� train from Waterl00 Stn. which landed us at Hampton Court in about forty minutes. It is a very picturesque little town lying on the banks of the Thames, its principal source of income apparently being derived from tea shops erected to do the tourist. Some swell house boats on the river too, the largest one flying the Stars and Stripes,
We walked along the banks of the river for a while until we reached the main gate of the castle. It is a beautiful building erected by piece work between the l6th and 17th centuries. Pur��chased a guide book from one of the attendants,, and. then proceeded to give the place the once over. Practically every room has mar��velous painted ceilings, after, the style of our dining room. Am sending along the guide book we used, so am not going into detail as it will tell you better than I can just what we saw in the Palace.
But it does not tell you about thd beautiful gardens surround��ing the Palace, Huge beds of flowers all in bloom, and every variety imaginable. Dad would have gone intooractures if he had been there. Beautifully laid out walks, from 10 to 20 ft* wide ran all through the grounds. Saw a grace vine growing in a hot house, which was planted over 200 years ago.
Walsed through another gate,, crossed the road and entered Busley Park, the chief attraction there being Chestnut Drive. The Drive is over a mile long, and is bordered, on both sides by huge ohestnut trees,, which have been there for hundreds of years. Deer are running around loose in the park,, so tame that they would eat
out of your hand.
Had tea etc. in a nearby joint, were soaked as per usual and then took the train back to Waterloo Stn. thoroughly satisfied with the way in which we had spent the morning.
Took the Tube at Waterloo, crossed under the Thames, and out at Trafalgar Square, our objective point being the National Art Gallery, just across the street from Nelson's Monument. As you may surmise it contains many famous paihtings, such well known artists as Titian, Reynolds, Turner, Landseer, Gainsbdrought. Van Lyke etc. being well represented.
After supper we decided to take in a show, so after being turned down at several theatres (no seats) decided to see Raymond Hitchcock in 'Mr. Manhattan', Rather good show, have seen him several times though, so know his peculiar brand of humor. Walked back to Waterloo and turned in.
At lest I have reached the.finishing point of my wonderful tale, and judging from the length of it,perhaps it is just as well I didn't write about everyday. Didn't finish the job last night so am writing in my tent this evening. The kid is busy too, so I guess he'll be able to hold his end up.
Pound three or four letters awaiting me on our return among them being the one you wrote after receiving our first letters.
Was glad to hear that they arrived all right, and that they were perfectly satisfactory. Have been writing every other week, so.
I guess you have had three or four more since then.
Regarding the Mcs. was surprised to hear that they haven't written, but as far s.s I am concerned I won't remind them of it as it is entirely up to them. Don't think for a moment though that they have forgotten you, as we often talk over the good times we had at home. Expect they think that we two cover all there is to say, and I guess they are about right.
Didn't see Douglas in London after all. Lived at his hotel but couldn't catch him, so your remark re our seeing him quite often is far from the mark. The station where he is stationed is about 100 miles from here, so you can see it is a difficult matter to see him. Hope he will take trip down here though, for I'll be as glad to see him as he doubtless will be to see us.
Re sooks, I think medium weight would be just the thing for the summer time. Have five or six pair yet, but the kid is pretty low. As for the bags, they are to hold shaving tackle etc.
Received a fine box from Annie' s friend last week, and need��less to say enjoyed it very much. Am going to write Annie to- morrow* If you send a box be sure to pack everything securely $$ cakes are easily broken. A good method is to use a carton like a
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Quaker Puffed Rice one, and cut the cake to fit it exactly, then there will he no roan for it to shake around. Sure, send alone the nuts and raisins hut who gave you the idea that such things were needed on a route march, Why, hless you, all the route ' marches we have don't take up more than half a day and are neces- Bsry to work up an apnetite for the awful junk they call food over here. Eternal mulligan, mulligan, mulligan, day in and day out, with never a variation. Haven't eaten any for almost two weeks, hut content myself with a few oranges at noon, end usually go to the Y. at Hythe for a meal at night.
Had a letter from Gus today, telling me all about my niece Helen Jean. Prom what Sadye wrote (a. few lines) the kid had a narrow eecape from being called Ered A. Gee that would have been tough luck,, especially if the A. stood for Ancel (is that the way to spell it). Sure I'll send along something for the kid, as I know both Gus and Sadye will appreciate it.
Only a lizard, say Pad you are 'some' fisherman. What was your record catch anyway? Back in the fell of '86 wasn't it when you landed two beauties 6' each at Prospect lake. Gosh*I could do better than that, but at that I'll have to hand it to you for trying.
Ha.d a route march this morning, full marching order, and in a scotching sun. Over three hours on the march, up hill and down
d��le* vPretty tir*dAwhen we ��ot fcack, so took a chance and skipped the P.M.parade. Got away with it too. Utilized the time by do- ing some much needed work on my underwear,, and washing some
fine^nd^arm8*611 nifiht toni��hLt��^ot �� cloud in t he sky, and
kid�� MoGo&eny end. I in the tent today, Stv 'i esf"rt- HoPe t0 one next week.
They are quite a relief from the monotonous routine of camp life*
?? f + ee?,�� el\ow my 1 e^ers to anybody you like. I don * xt at all. Am sure that I don't write anything I
wouldn't have anybody else hear. Have a somewhat guilty feeling
thpl^!p/0r ?��+Vritin* Uncle Gue and Aunt P.�� T��ut if you let them read my letters to you, will save me a lot of extra labor.
Well, I'm going to call quits now as I think I have Inst
about exhausted my fund of information. *
trip y��U *U1 enJ��y ��Ur trlp t0 lon(Jm. <���> much a. the
Best of: love to all from
Yours lovingly,
EKED
Dibgete Gamp,
May 26th, 1916.
Desr Sip,-
I guess I'm the negligent one this time, it being some little time since I wrote you last. Haven't a greet deal to say but will try and grind out a few pagee.
Have plenty of time these days for writing as we are C.B'd. Did Harold mention in hie letter to Mother that we had been nicked on an overseas draft? I guess he must have for I saw him adding a few lines to his London letter last Monday night, and that was the day on which the draft was picked. Of course you've never had the experience of being on parade when a draft is to be picked. The Sgt, Mjr. calls the parade to attention, sings out 'Fall in on the right as your name is called', and every man Jack suddenly discovers that his nervous system is working overtime.
He reaches the G's, calls out 'Calderbank, Campbell, Gable' then 'Carne, F.A,.' end it is a stentorian voice which answers 'Here Sir', at the same time the owner of the voice doubles out to the right. The kid's nsme comes next, and then we ere all anxiety for the other fellows. Bill, Hank, Goldie and Jim Stewart are all called out and we breathe easy again. Physical examination Jake, but eye test worried me. About ten of us were called out again next day for the eye test in better light. Don't know how I managed to get through, as seven were grabbed, but I made it and thats the main thing.
Don't know where we are bound for, but very likely it will be to France, Some say Salonica, but I hardly think so. Of course, as it usual with drafts, all sorts of rumors are going the rounds as to.the work we will be called upon to do,, the one most likely to happen being that we are to reinforce a field .ambulance, I sincerely hope eo, as that work suits me better than orderly work in a hospital. In the meantime though, we ere C.B'd, and have a good chance to save money. Can't just say when we will leave, but certainly we will be on the way when this reaches you.
The boxes from home reached us in fine shape,, and are almost a memory now, that is as far as the eats are concerned. Maybe they weren't relished too. It sure costs a smsll fortune to send parcels here, but if we get across to France, the strain will be lighter.
I wrote Marion a couple of days ago thanking her for the candy, some of which I have in my mouth now. It sure is good and doesn't stick together like ordinary toffee.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself in Seattle. It does a person good to get away from the old routine once in a while, even if it is only for a few days. Next time you write Dorothea just give her my love. I suppose you dropped into the store to
48
see the hoys. Am going to drop Mrs. Hurlhert a few lines to��morrow if I can.
Had a letter from Gus the same day that Mother's letter arrived telling me that I was an uncle. Intend writing him. sure tomorrow.
The old. hunch is gradually being broken up, am sorry to say. Piute and I were grabbed last Sunday for what the orderly Sergt. said was a new hospital, just opened up. I managed to get a man to take my place, but Piute wasn't fortunate enough. Now he is waiting on table at Shorncliffe Military Hospital (an old place) where Ion Webster is. Tom Pascoe failed to get on the draft, but today he grabbed a fine job. He and another Vernon boy are transferring to the Canadian Engineers as a water detail. Their work consists in seeing that the water is kept clean. No work at all over here, but in Prance practically all the water has to be purified and their work will be harder. Prank Crompton has his application in to be sent to Tapiow, just out of London, for a six weeks course in massage.
Haven't anything more to talk about this time so will close with best love to all from
Yours lovingly,
PEEL
P.S. Address in future C.A.M.C., c/o Army P.0.
Pibgate Camo,
May 30, i9l6.
Pear Mother and Pad, -
There had been no Canadian mail here for a week, so you can imagine just how welcome your letter of the 9th which arrived today was. Was so pleased to get some news from home that I am losing no time in answering it, although the chances are that I won't be able to finish it tonight.
The main reason for my doubting my ability to finish it is that I am pretty tired. Had a tough route march today in full marching order, the distance we covered being 18 miles. How would a little jaunt like that appeal to you auto riding folks? It was raining when we left camp at 8.30, after first having drawn rations for dinner, said rations consisting of i loaf of dry bread, and a tin of 'bully beef', the latter made by the Irish firm 'Sultzberger & Co. of Chicago'. Continued to rain for the first hour, but had ceased when we made our first stop at 10 o'clock. On again through the village of Pyruchurch
49 -
to the sea wall along the Channel, which point we reached shout 11,30. Another stop here to allow everybody to have a swim, if they so desired, Quite a few of us went in, our costumes mainly consisting of a smile. Didn't stay in very long though as the water too closely resembled Beacon Hill to suit me. Capt. Webb deserved air he got for swimming across to Franoe, 100 yards would be enough for me.
Hit the hard pan again about noon, this time in the direct��ion of the Military Canal, which I think I spoke of in one of my letters, as having been built as p8rt of the coast defence against the threatened Napoleonic invasion. An advance party with tea and extra grub had gone ahead i*n a boat up the canal, after first having received instructions where to meet us. We reached the appointed bridge at 1.15, but to our eurprise and disgust the commissariat had failed to put in an appearance. We walked along the banks of the canal for over a mile' in hopes of finding them but nothing doing. The O.C, decided to give it up as a bad job* so gave the order for us to fell out and eat what we had with us. The prospects for an 'appetizing' fiieel looked rather slim just then, but fortunately two of the 'hawkers', or fellows who carry around cakes, fruit candy, etc. wagons, had scented us, so we managed to make a fairly good meal.
After dinner we explored the ruins of an old Roman castle nearby, built centuries ago of course. Nothing much left of it now, but seeing that the remaining walls were 12 to 14 feet thiok it must have been 'some' place in its day.,
Lympre Castle, the property of Mr. Tennant, bro.-in-law of Asquith, and under secty. for war, is just up the hill from where we stopped. One of our fellows who used.to live in this district before going to Canada, has been all over the castle. One of its features is the garages, a separate one for each car, with the
name of the car painted outside. As he has twelve cars expect it is a f8irly good garage.
Had covered about twelve miles by this time, and about 3 0 clock started the return jaunt, ��� this time along the canal banks. Was beginning to, feel rather tired, so. welcomed walking on the turf as a change from the hard macadam. Made no stops at all coming back, but kept up a steady pace, 120 to the minute, which enabled us to cover the six miles in a little under two hours. Maybe the floor of the tent didn't feel soft too after we were
dismissed. So taken all sleep is due me, and I'm
in all, I think that going to get it too.
a good night's
'Wheryu get 'at ��ol Stuff' about doings at home being too commonplace to write about. I've just taken up five pages telling you about a simple little route march, commonplace enough to me but just the same I'll lay odds that it will interest all of you. Just the seme thing applies to news from home, nothing that you can write that can fail to be of interest to your 'red headed' soldier boys. So hop to it, doesn't cost much for postage, and I
can assure you that every word is devoured.
I guess 'before this reaches you Marjorie will have received the letter I wrote her a few days ago, in which I gave the infor��mation that we were on an overseas draft. No further information as to the date of our departure or our destination has 'been handed out, so can't enlighten you on the subject. As a rule drafts have about six or eight hours notice to get ready to leave, and that notice is liable to come any day. Can't come any too quick to suit us, as we are tired of the "training' here, and are all eager to get at some real work. You may be sure though that I'll drop you a few lines when we leave if I know where we are going, al��though as a rule such inforrnatibn isn't given out. Pretty certain that it is to be Prance though, either to hospitals or a field ambulanoe. The main thing though for you folks at home is not to worry. We're coming thru this all right.
If you hadn't taken Marjorie's advice and made that trip down to Portland, there would have been some kicking at this end, be��lieve me. As if we mind a little thing like a month's pay, es��pecially when it is used for such a purpose. Very glad to hear that you had seen Gus too, and don't doubt for one minute that he was mighty glad to see you. I'll bet he sure did spout about his kid, and I'll bet you enjoyed it too.
Next time I undertake the darning of underwear I'll hand it on to some one else. Thought a little time spent on one of my suits would prolong its days, so rashly started on the job. Cut most of the sleeve off for patching material and then set to.
I'm expert at sewing buttons on but confess that I have limita��tions as an underwear repairer. If the darned stuff wouldn't stretch so, I might have made a fairly good job of it, but alas and alack, gutta peroha is a back number in the respect of resilient qualities, 7/hen I got through, the effect would have put a wash board or concertina speeohless. To make matters worse I succeeded in sewing the back door of my union suit onto the patch, or rather patches. Just about then I got sore, and in almost ten seconds, two hours hard labor was relegated to the scrap heap. As far as underwear repairing goes, in future count me out.
Just as I anticipated, was unable to finish and am now resuming it two days iater. Pour drafts arrived in camp from Canada, which was the reason I broke off above. What with the row they caused, and the shifting of men around, it was after eleven when we turned in. Sure felt tired the next day too,but managed to survive it.
Went on another route march this afternoon, and were in��spected by General Jones, head of the Canadian Medical Service, on our return.
As a consequence of his visit, we are leaving in the-morning
for parte unknown, tut probably to Prance. Gee, maybe we all aren't glad to get away too. Everybody is busy packing up, as we have to leave camp at 6 A.m. Now if you don't hear from me within two weeks after receipt of this letter, you'll know that we are on our way to Salonica, I mention two weeke so as to allow for any delay in the mails. The trio to Salonica would take three weeks. You may be sure that I'll drop a line as soon as I possibly can after we reach our destination.
I'm going to oall quits now as I have quite a bit to attend to.such as having a hair cut, bath, shave eto. In the meantime God bless and keep you all is the earnest prayer of both of your 'red haired soldier boys', ���
Good night dears, and look for a card in a week or so as I'm hoping its France we are bound for.
Yours lovingly,
FRED
Le Havre, June 4th,19l6.
Dear Mother end Dad,-
Just another move in the little game which we are playing. Where the next will be remains to be seen. As I said yesterday on the card I sent you, we will in all probability be out of here in a few days. But before I go on to tell you what little I have seen of this country, am going to hark back to a few incidents which happened in England that I neglected to mention in my last letter.
The most important was the reunion held by the Y. bunch.
Stan Young blew into camp last Tuesday accompanied by Capt. Bob Korn, who had charge of the Y. in Vernon, leaving there with the 54th. Maybe we weren't glad to see them tooy and I guess Stan won't forget the reception we gave him for some time to come.
It was the first chance we have had to rough house a sergeant and we took full advantage of it. Then we arranged to round up the bunch, end have a little supper in a new Y. hut just about to open. That night than about fifteen of us gathered around the table and had one mighty fine time. It was JJJ)o you remember Stan' or some similar remark the whole night. Undoubtedly it will be a long time before we all meet again too, so we made the most of the limited time we were allowed out of camp.
Now for a few words re our trip across. Points of embarka��tion must necessarily be omitted of course. Suffice to say then that we arrived at the English coast via London, Waited on the
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docks for ala out two hours, end then embarked on an old side wheeler for the trip across, I've put in some pretty rotten nights since joining the ermy, hut I can honestly say that the one on the host that night was the worst' in every respect. We took no blankets ffom camp*, and none were available on the boat let alone a bunk. Every man of course had to carry a life belt' with him,, and that served as a bed for the most of us. I chose a soot on the floor down below near the engine room as my 'rest��ing' place, spread out the life belt and.draped myself on it.
The belt was one of those long affairs filled with cork sewn in, and having spaces between each niece, Naturally such an arrange��ment didn't make the softest bed imaginable. By this time we were out im the Channel,, and t!ie old tub1 commenced to.rock a bit. That part didn't bother me at all,, but after dozing off for a half hour or so.woke up to. find over an inch of water all over the floor on which I was lying. Of course I was on the lifebelt but a bed about one foot wide isn't the easiest thing to. keep your body on,, so-as a consequence my legs were soaked. No use getting up thought as everybody-was in 1 the same fix, so. If lay there until about 4 A.M. then decided that I had had enough 'sleep' for that night so got Uf> and dressed. Said dressing consisting of putting on my glasses and hat. Had a 'good' breakfast though, hard tack and bully beef, and felt better. No water on board so was saved the necessity of washing. Didn't need it anyway as I had had a bath the night before we left camp.
We re in harbor by this time,, but had to,.wait for the tide to. rise before we could disembark. Land from the boat about 7.30, and aftjejr, another wait, started on a 1 ittle route march of eight miles and to-the camp. After that 18 mile march on Tuesday, one of ten miles on Thursday, and a sleepless night just over, felt in fine condition; to. undertake such a march, especially as we had to carry all our kit. However there was no way out of it, so off we started, and after frequent rests, finally reached the camp.
The last two miles of the march was aided by the fact' that the pipers met tis just out of Harfleurs, and accompanied us into camp. Were inspected by the O.C. here'just after we arrived, and appar��ently were found O.K. Were then assigned to tents, and as usual managed to. get our bunch together. Our tent roll call is as follows, two McD's, two McKenzies, Jno. Greig, Jim Stewart, Bud Middleton, E.Logan and your two kids. Our next official act was to-para.de to the Q.M.Stores and draw one blanket each. As we had four or five blankets each at Dibgate, my predictions as to a cold night were ful ly borne out. It was not without its comical side though, in fact I believe it is only our sense of humor which saves a good many of us from kicking over the traces. The tent had a board floor which was far from being level,, as some of the bunch found out this morning. We all doubled up for the same of warmth*, the two. McKenzies lining together.When they got into bed their heads were right againfet the ridge pole, but as their piece of flooring was extra steep, you.can imagine what their surprise was to wake up'this morning to-fin^v that their heads alone were in the tent, the rest of them having slid right out und<er the canvas.
- 53 -
Jno. Greig to Jim Stewart'Say cut it out, Jim, that's four times I've had the 'blanket under my ohin, and you've yanked it away from me every time',
Reveille at 5��3^�� wash up and first parade at 6 A.M. Break��fast at 6.30, then nothing to do until 12,30 when we had to fall in for fatigue duty. Marched down to Harfleur, and spent all afternoon there unloading,, meat, 'butter, cheese, hay etc. from motor levies onto an inclined railway which took them up to a camp on the hill. Never seem to have much luck on a Sunday anyway. Quit at 6 o'clock then marched hack to camp, sat around the tent for a while, then came up to. the Y. hut to start this letter.
Oan't sa.y very much about this town as we sow very little of it on our way. Kept right down by the^ docks, through the dirtiest dusty,, dingy looking quarter I have seen for a long time. We had been warned before leaving the boat not to.give anything to the kids who. followed us thru the town, yelling for biscuits and pennies all the way. The young boys of the poorer class have a fierce looking combination of clothes to. wear, consisting of pants coming down to. the ankles, and a short 'blouse and skirt' combina��tion. (Am going to. call quits now, as they have started evening service, and are making too much noise for me to write. Will con��tinue tomorrow.
Just a few words now of appreciation for the work that 'the Y.M.C.A. is doing over here and in England. I can't imagine what the conditions in a camp would be without one of these huts to go to. There are hundreds of them, the majority donated by wealthy people. The one here does a roaring business especially in the eats line. Everything is sold at or near cost, contrasting great��ly to the other canteens. I had a small can oof Heinz beans today for which I paid 4d. The same can sold at the Junior Army and Navy Canteen in our oaup at Dibgate cost me 7��d# and are in ratio. Canadian newspapers are here by the scores, read two colonists today. A conoert is on the programme for tonight so am going to get this letter finished in a hurry.
Easy day for me today, as I managed to dodge fatigues, and have been lying around the tent all day. We are not allowed out
pae? w?ich 1 have h��Pes of setting tomorrow, would like to have a look around the town before we are shifted again*
Saw quite a few German Prisoners at work unloading freight cars when we were marching out to camp. They were sure a mighty husky looking bunch too, every man Jack of them. The French soldiers are a great looking bunch though, most of them looking as tnough they had strayed out of a comic opera, judging from their clothes.Apparently they are at liberty to wear any old uni��form, and some of their effects are weird and wonderful. Red tunics with blue trousers, blue tunics with red trousers, brown tunics, khaki tunics, grey tunics, black tuples, in fact most
every color imaginable. The French soldiers never keep in step when on the march, so that they presented a very comical appear��ance to us. Jupt the same, Verdun is proving to all the world that they are a race of fighters.
�� Met one of the Sprinkling boye in camp yesterday,- He is with
the 62nd and left for the trenches this morning. Troops are mov��ing in and out of this depot every day. A draft of 97 men came from Dibgate two. days before we left, and they are practically all away now. The orderly sergeant said today that we would be out of here before the week is out.
Can't think of anything more to say for this time so. will have to close with best love to. all from
Your loving son,
FRED
- 54 -
Le Havre, France,
June 9th, 1916.
Dear. Mother and Dad,-
Still here as you may see,, with no indication as yet when we will be on .the move again. Another draft from Dibgate came in today, and the talk is going around that they are moving out tomorrow to-reinforce a field ambulance. There will sure be some- kicking from our draft if such proves to be true, as we are super��ior to them in point of service and also I think in ambulance work.
Y/e thought sure that we were going up the line last Tuesday, as we were kicked out of bed at 4 A.M,, medically inspected before �� 5* issued with gas helmets, and told to be in readiness. The
orders were cancelled though .very shortly, but I feel sure that \ we will be moving very shprtly as another draft of 150 from Dibgate coming across in a felsr days.
Can't kick though at the way we have been treated around here even if it is all fatigue work, that1 is when they catch you. It sure keeps; a fellow on the jump dodging the rotten fatigues, and so far I have been very successful, only having been stuck once, and that only lasted half a day. Today I was working in one of the mess rooms for about an hour, and that is all I have done all day. Harold wasn't so lucky though, and he has been at it steady from 6,30 A.M. By the way reveille over here is at 4.30 A.M. these days, with the first parade 15 minutes later, so that no forty winks are taken. Say,maybe I won't relish sleeping in till say 7 or 7#30 when we get back into 'civvies' again.
H
Am beginning to find out that this world of ours is a uretty small place after all. Since I came into cemr> here have hummed into two fellows who used to.work at J.C.Wilson's when I did.
At a ooncert in the Y, the other night a fellow called Barclay w��s singing, end Jimmy Stewart recognized him as having lived at their house in Winnipeg. One of 'Makogamy's' brothers (there are three of them in Uniform) blew into camp today also.
Have had very little opportunity to air my French as yet, but we (i.e. the bunch) are rehearsing daily in our tent, some of the efforts being screamingly funny. Bud Middleton bought a small book of common phrases etc. and every so often he hauls it out and inflicts some weird efforts on *us, As he persists in pronouncing the words exactly as they &rerspelt you can imagine Just how our' sensitive ears suffer. Bill is a bear cat at it though, his 'We, we,bull frog' being especially effective. That is the extent of' his vocabulary. Hank is completely out of it, although he did venture to. say once that he had paid out 'dukes' francs for a cer��tain article. Goldie pulled a fine one last night, when we were coming back from Havre on the train, of which trio more anon.
First he held up a cigarette, looked at his neighbor,, made a*mo- tion as xf he were scratching a match on his cants, the above psn- tomine aoccmpl ishing the trick all right. After obtaining the match,, to show hie gratitude and'his' knowledge of this language he politely tipped his hat, at the same time ejaculating 'tres bien'.. Wien I remonstrated with him, saying that 'very well' was hardly thanks enough for the service rendered,, he said 'well you've got to hand it to me for trying anyway'. Still another instance. Everett Logan, alias 'Fine dish', 'Guess not' 'Wher' yu get'at'old stuff' 'Cradle robber' eto. famed far and wide for his girl chasing propens xties,, sadly shaking his head at two girls trying to speak to him in French, and mournfully murmuring 'Comprehendez-vous not'. K' I
I really don't know how we would put in our time at night around camp if it wasn't, for the Y. and the picture show,, which is also, run by the Y. Of course it isn't exaotly a palace, being lo��cated in a marquee,, with narrow boards for seatte a la circus. The pictures are really good though and are changed every evening 3d being the price of admission* Seems queer though to be sitting watching them, and nothing but men in sight. Am afraid 1*11 be less a 'ladies' man' than ever after I get back. ^
���r\ ���
As usual, eating plays a very important part in our day's work,, sou think you would like to know what an average day's meals consist of. Breakfast, Marmalade (one small spoonful), hard tack,
1 oup of tea Dinner, bully beef (1 can between two men), hard taok (no tea). Supper, cheese,, hard tack, 1 cup tea. Ho butter at all,, and bread very seldom. The hard tack is hard too. and no. mistake about it,,while bully beef is rather tiresome as a steady diet. Probably better; though; then we will get if we go 'up the line as moving 'trench wards' is called.
- 55 -
- 56 ���
*
How to tell you a little about the city of Havre. To begin 1 with it is a mighty hard job to get a pass to get out of camp, only five from our draft being allowed out each night. Goldie and I were lucky enough to.be two of the five allowed out yester��day. Asa rule you aren't allowed out till 4 o!clock,, but for some reason the passes issued yesterday were good from 2 o'clock and you can be sure that we didn't kick. Walked down to the street oar line, and after waiting about ten minutes, boarded a oar. They run 'double deckers' here, and would never be arrested for exceeding the speed limit. The fares vary too. If you stand on the back platform of the second car the fare is 15 centimes,, oxv 3 hapence,, or 3 oents. Sitting in the second car separates you from 20 centimes. You are nicked 25 centimes for standing on the first car, and a first claFP seat stands you in a 'thrupny' bit. Well we were sports, so squandered 40 centimes and obtained a. receipt from the lady 'con'. All lady 'cone' over here apparent��ly. Really enjoyed the trip down to Havre, as it took us thru the centre of the business district. Havre is about the same size as Seattle, and is the terminus of quite a few trans-Atlantic lines, Rue de Paris, and Rue de Strausburg are the principal business streets, both of them being exceptionally wide.
Some fine looking stores too, none of which though we felt inclined to enter. We wandered down towards the waterfront, and saw hundreds of sailing vessels at the docks, discharging cargoes from all over the world. Pidn't trust ourselves to the tender mercies of a French restaurant so ate in the British Soldiers 01ub,pnd had a very enjoyable meal. Took the train back to camp - at 8.30 fully satisfied with our day's wanderings.
Tremendous quantity of troops moving thru this base since we arrived.Thousands coming and going every day. Every draft that leaves here is addressed by the O.G, and his language is very lurid and picturesque-when referring to the Germans. The Chan- lain follows him, and tr ySto smooth things over consequence of all thes'e troops coming and going we are now sleeping twelve in a tent, the two additions to our bunch being the biggest men in our draft. When we are all packed in at night there isn't an inch of available space. We don't mind it though, in fact sleep all the warmer on account of it.
One good thing about this camp is that no shining of buttons is neoessery. In fact a shave every three or four days is quite enough, In that respect it is the nearest approach to heaven we have hit yet. In Victoria we were all particular about our clothes over here it is quite the reverse. The tougher a fellow looks the better he likes it. Hank especially has a very rakish look,es��pecially since he did a very extensive piece of tailoring on his pants, beside which that gusset fades into insignificance. First he cut about four inches off the bottom of each leg to save the' trouble of turning his pants down over the puttees. Then he slit the seams to well above the knees, his idea apparently being to take in a little slack at the knee. Now came the difficult task of graduating the repair work. After he was about three quarters
V
of the way down he found that if he kept on he would choke his leg with the lower end, so rather than do the work over, the last pix inchee have teen left open a la riding breeches, hut far more classy. Since then the stitches have separated somewhat, and as he doesn't bother with puttees, the effeot is somewhat remarkable to say the least. Bill had hard luck too with hie slacks or over��alls, before we left 'Blighty". He thought a new issue was due him, so a few days before we left he got busy with his knife, and scratched away at the seat of hie breeches until they were rather thin. Then he spread sand on the floor of the tent, and called 1/ upon Hank and yto help him. I grabbed one leg, Hank the and proceeded to pull him over the floor. Laugh, honest I thought I'd die, especially when the bants gave out in spots, and we re��fused to let him go. To csp it all, the Q.M. refused to give him a. new pair, eeying they weren't needed over here. Bill ipn't a swearing man, but he said a thing or two that night,
Haven't had any mail since coming over here, in fact none of the boys have, although Jim, Goldie and Jno. Greig have received some parcels. There must be a lot of mail somewhere for us. Hope it will be: along before long,
Well, I don't know that I have anything more to talk about this trip, so will call it a day's work.
Best love to everybody from
Your loving son, . ,
FRED
Address G.A.M.C.,
B.E.P., c/o Army L.O.,
Prsnoe
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Le Havre, Prance,
Sunday June loth,19l6.
&
Lear Mother and Lad,-
Seems to me that once upon a time I had the idea that Sunday was a day of rest. If so, a little resume of today's doings will I think, bring you to the same conclusion that I have reached,viz. 'Its all wrong, Oswald'. To begin with, for some unknown ( to us) reason, reveille was blown at 4,30 A.M,, 'summer' time, which really meant 3��30 A.M. by regular time. Of course, it being Sun��day we 'rolled' out of bed with hymns of thanksgiving and praise, just having enough time to have a wash, before the 'fall in' blew. Had breakfast at five o'clock, after which we managed to fold our blankets, and straighten the tent up in a sort of fairly tidy state. This being accomplished, and that tired feeling still on us, why we naturally sprawled ourpelves on the floor of the tent
58
with the view of grabbing off a little more 'shut eye'. To our 'delight' though, 'Paddy', with whose 'Gang' we have been asso��ciated for the past week or so, stuck his head in our tent at 6,10 and yelled for us to 'fall in'. Nothing for it, but to do so. Bill, Hank and I were detailed for the Q.M.Stores, a hard ^ job at any stage of the game, but even more so when a big body
of troops are leaving. Well, to make a Icing story short,, we carried ammunition, rifles, bayonets, issiied equipment, lifted 300 lb. cases of rifles from high wagons, and a 'few' other odd jobs. In our 'spsre' moments we carried M.T. boxes down tothe v incinerator. All this kept us pretty well on the jump until noon, when we laid off for dinner. All the bunch in our tent have been indulging in a noon day sleep lately, end we had just settled down after washing our dishes, when Paddy's 'All right fellows' rang out on the still air, so once more we dragged our weary forme out of the tent. 'Band concert this afternoon,boys,' said Paddy, and we groaned, as we had been there before. It meant carrying about $0 rifle cases, each weighing in the neigh��borhood of 100 lbs,, from the $.M, Stores to a spot in the road about 200 yds. away, 'Not enough boxes, this time boys, 'so you'd better get some of 'them' gas helmet boxes you carried down to the incinerator this morning,' remarked Paddy. So down to that blasted place we went, the four of us, Harold having joined the gang, and each made five trips up to the road. At this .stage of the proceedings, the bandmaster put in an appearance, and after looking the 'structure' over decided that as the band had enlarged since its last appearance, a few tent floors would be needed. So back we trotted with the ever present Paddy, Nov/ a quarter section of a tent floor is a mighty awkward thing to handle, especially when a fellow is tired, so after making two trips, .possibly you can imagine our feelings when the bandmaster said that they would��n't do, as he had decided that about 8 sections of marque flooring would be just the thing. So back went -the tent floors, we with them of course,, and up came the marquee board#, four trips being necessary.. By this time our hind quarters were pretty close to the ground, and we hardly had enough 'pep' to say anything when the bandmaster said 'By George, Paddy, these marquee boards are �� wider than I thought, I guess we won't need those gas boxes after
all'. So down to the inoinerator we wearily wended our way, the second trip for most of the boxes. Hope they are in hell by now, 'Well, thank goodness that is rail over'I said, as we trudged back to the road, our breaths coming in short pants. To oep it all though,, we had to carry a piano from the offioers quarters to the band stand, about 150 yds. really, but to us it seemed more like that many miles. 'Well, I guess that's all, boys' from Paddy, and an exhausted bunoh dragged ourselves down to the tent* Revived myself sufficently to have a shave (the first since Tuesday) and a bath, went back to the tent, only to find that we had been grabbed for the mail fatigue.
This fatigue is a swell job ordinarily, in fact we are getting on it steady tomorrow, , that is until we get in a ft,, but after
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the work we had been doing all day afraid we didn't fully appreciate the honor that had ueen thrust upon up, Had. to be done though, bo with Hank, and between the shafts of a small���i3'' wagon, Bill and Harold each dragging on a rope attached to the hubs of the two wheels, and one fellow pushing behind, we started for the P.0, in the Imperial Camp about a mile away. Arrived there O.K., sent those money orders away, then started back with the mail. In camp again about 5��45 P.M. carried the sacks up a flight of steps to the P.O., end then beat it for supper, thus bringing to a close what might be called, but won't, a day of 'rest'. Its 7*30 now, and I'm going to hit the hay pretty early \ as I'm dog tired, so ten chances-to one this letter won't be finished tonight. Am going to 'carry on' for a while yet though, for I feel in a letter writing mood tonight, something very rare for me.
We almost got away today, in fact would have if we hadn't been building that blasted 'band stand'.. All of us were picked on a draft, but because we weren't there to answer our names, we were struck off the list, end four others substituted. Of course I raised a howl, but to no avail. Heard tonight that another draft was leaving Tuesday, so you may depend that we will be on it if the report is true. While the life here suits me, end I sup��pose we are doing our 'bit', a little closer to the firing line appeals to me more. That goes for the rest of the bunch too.
That parcel came to hand O.K,, but for the love of Mike* why such big feet on the sox? I put a pair on tonight to find the heels overlapping fully two inches. I guess they will shrink in the washing, though, at any rate. I'll try them tomorrow. Was just out of shaving and washing soap, so they came in mighty handy. Thanks. The candy was fine too, although with twelve in the tent, its life was very short lived. I have ten pair and Harold the same, two of mine being the ones I took up to Vernon with me. But Mother if you'd care to send along one or two pair for Bill and Hank,they'd be sure appreciated. Their mother is kept pretty busy,, and hasn't4 the time to do muoh knitting, so they have had to depend on the army sox, which are far from satisfactory.
Hank has beet us all to it, in the matter of reaching the high��est goal that a soldier can aspire to. Last night he, Bill and I were laying on the floor reading, the other boys being in town on pass, when Hank suddenly sat up at the same time exclaiming 'Son- of-a-gun, well, by gosh, fellows, I'm lousy'. We had been working on the tag picker's gang' all day handling oast off underwear etc, end some of the vermin apparently took a fancy to him. Well, to oarry on, off came his undershirt, or 'semit' as 'Macogany' calls it, and a frantic search ensued, Hank down on all fours, with his nose about an inch away from the undershirt on the floor. Of course Bill 'discovered' some on Hank's bare back, and proceeded to put Thorpe's 'red hand' label on him. We chased those poor lice uo hill and down dale, and finally ran two of them off their feet, the next
problem being the killing of them. My suggestion of prying their jews apart, and dropping some insect ponder down their throats,
.didn't meet with the approval that it merited. Bill thought of embalming them, and sending them home,. but Hank put- his foot down on that suggestion too,, and the-unhappy lice being! under his foot, the question ^of their disposal automatically ended. As a result of this hair raising episode, we all put on dL ean underv/ear this morning.
Has the daylight saving scheme gone into effect over there yet? Thought we had escaped it when we came over here,, but no such luck,, as it came into, being about four days ago, [Doubtless it is a good idea in civilian life,, but it sute clays havoc with us,, in the mat��ter of sleep, I mean, 'Lights out' is blown at ten o'clock 'summer' time,, when it is quite light, making it almost impossible to sleep,,< especially as nearly everybody surrounding us are busy talking for -t* at least an hour after. With 'reveille' anywhere from four till five-thirty,, at the most it means only six and a half hours sleep), not enough when the hard work we do every day is taken into consid��eration, Will make up* for it one of these days though. Gee,, won't a nice soft bed,, with clean sheets and a pillow, and pajamas feel great again. Absolutely no chance of sleeping in in the mornings as the orderly sergeant,, a comical French Canadian,, usually puts in an-appearance about five minutes after reveille armed with a bayonet to prod any 'forty winkers',.
I guess Harold told you in his letter all about the boys leav��ing last week. Don't know that I told you Frank Crompton had gone to Tapiow, just out of London, to take a course in massage. Picked up'-a picture of our draft from Victoria today, and out of curiosity reckoned up the fellows who have left. Out of the hundred who came over, only 30 ��re in oamp here, and half of them are leaving to��night, They are scattered in a sc ere of different hospitals etc. so you can see that���.we four have done mighty well in sticking to��gether, And if it is ]. humanly possible we will continue to do so.
Have been down to. Havre several times on fatigue parties late��ly, and the more I see of the city the less 1 like it. For one thing the wa.ter system is fierce*, no pipes apparently being laid into buildings and houses. They have contraptions after the style of a hydrant'.all along the streets,, and the people get their water from there. It is a common sight to., see kids pushing wheel barrows with water barrels on them along the streets. The streets are paved with cobble stones,, being very hard to walk upon.
It is amazing the quantity of clothing that fellows throw away before going up^the line. Having been on the 'rag pickers gang' I have had ample opportunity to discover it. Everything is sorted out thoxigh, woolens, top shirts, towels, handkerchiefs', sox, slacks,, etc. The sox are especially fine things to handle. I know that when I intend to throw away sox I wear them as long as I pos��sibly can,, and judging from the aromatic aroma emanating from those
- 6l -
that are thrown away,, the other fellows do likewise. Even the paper is saved here. It is taken down to Havre,, sorted, the ink extracted,, and is then converted into,pulp again. The scraps from the mess rooms are saved too, fat and bones being kept separate,, and it is weighed and carried away every morning.
Have had no difficulty with French coinage,, as it is similar to Canadian, only oentimes and francs instead of dollars and cents. An English pound, while only worth $4.80 in Canada,, can be and is exchanged here for $5*70 or 2&V francs. The franc has depreciated in value lately, so we who have English money are reaping the bene��fit of it.
I am enclosing a clipping from 'The Daily Mail' which I think will interest you. Personally I think it is the finest bit of work I have read in a long time. The writer,, by the way,, recently looped the loop'in a war plane over Hyde Park.
Well, I managed to finish it after all, so having no more to talk about will have to. close with best love to. all from
Yours lovingly,,
FRED
Ori Active Service,
June 27th,1916.
Dear Mother and Dad, -
Just a few lines to. let you know that we have realized our ambition viz. we are attached to Ho. 8 Field Ambulance. Arrived in these billets last night after a very tiresome trip,, of which I cannot go into detail, as names of towns etc. must necessarily be omitted.
Suffice to say though that'we are going out to the Clearing Station this morning fori a ten day's stop. The ambulance is due to take us, so am afraid I won'ttbe able to write very much this time.Don't be alarmed,, though, if you do. not hear from us for some little lAfoile, as it will be at least three weeks before we are back in billits again.
���S
Both of us feel absolutely certain that we are coming thru the next month safe and sound, and I know you re-echo our senti��ments.
God bless and keep you all.
Address, A Section,> lovingly,
Ho. 8 Can. Field Ambulance. FRED
b.e.f. *
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Somewhere in Belgium, Sunday July 2,1916,
Bear Mother end Bad,-
, ~ **ave,fin ished suoper, end having a little time to soere
before going on duty, am using it to the beet advantage.
Sinoe writing you the other day we have made two moves our quarters at present being in what is known as the "Asylum' /Before going on to teli you about this place will out in a few words re the first place we were in, although our stay there was very brief
I-Kn,',+ ��af^fay an^ a.ni��ht* 0u^r Quarters there were in an old mill about fifty yards from the dressing statical. The olace itself is*
left fr��m WhJ0h aractioelly all the civilians have
left,, as Fritz has an annoying habit of droooing a shell or two
i\Vften: We 81884 0,1 the 408 no��r the mill' or
^ rLr^Uid<!ay hied 40 eleeo- �� rained that night, aAd ae the roof had quite a fev/ air holes in it,, we were kept busy shift-
+ !a8 our tianJcets were soaked thru before morning. In
the above mentioned inconvenience, a big naval gun
��� J5r?n�� SJ ��}y* t rea Li4!!i8'> rto"t half a ill. away star?" during the night to drop a dozen shells or so in 'Fritz's' lines
fifi��Y+thewhole building shook, but am glad to say that'* Pri1tz reply.They say that one night' recently that same
wS^the^ext S6110 rtKht lntAthe work the next,day can be summed up - in one word 'fatigues'. So tak��ing it all in all, we were glad to move up to our present quarters.
at thar^Th^Kn^? thiS plaGG WaS a h08Pital* and a mighty fine one at tnat. The building, occucy a ground area, of from four to five
aores. How they are one mace of ruins. Shell holes by the hund-eds through, the walls, huge 'Jack Johnson' holes in the courtyard��� and S��rrim fBQnrJ' everywhere. Are you wondering where we live? ffj,! Li1 hi; -V"; Shbterianean dwellers with a vengeance,
??���?! 4tl�� 08llRra- Everything is done by candle
light, with the exception of a carbide light in the dressing room.
th. 8h 'llfihtea' I>y three windows, but after
the light has filtered through an iron grating very little is left
eenaraSff^ V'5Tltar- v��18 C00k h"88 4a l^ted in a corridir, h d from the bed room by a blanket,, and as the draft coming
uiusllv funrif��r��i8 t,4r'?"'er 4hsn 4ha4 froa 0U1, windows,, our room is usually full of savory odors and smoke. Best beds though we've
had since leaving the 'Metsgama', Each man has a stretcher to' sleep
on
and lots of blankets, so all is 'Jake' in that respect.
%
fine hene ? T you need not worry about 'eats',, for fine here. Here is today's menu. Breakfast, bacon (lots of it)
BinnenangobUtj?e?*' f8��* Marmalade, honey or Lyle's syruo, and cocoa, cistard ����5e!d f0?1^ rmehedpotatoes, pickles, peaches endehocolate reaches* rI n r ^tter, tea. Supper, Cold roast beef, oickles, peaches, C.& C. Jam, etc; tea. A fellow who would kick at that
grub, deserves to.be shot. At that though a bit! of cake would taste fine right now.
The washing facilities ere very poor here though. For some unexplained reason ell the wells in this country are sunk right- by the manure piles, so that every drop used has to he sterilized. This is accomplished by,the use of chloride of lifrp, the resultant taste being rather 'abatush', Por washing purposes rpin water is usually used, the same being collected in tanks. Our tank ran dry today, so have been forced to. wash in a 'Jack Johnson' hole in the courtyard. This hole, by the way, is big enough to swim in.
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I was on picket duty last night from 7 P.K, to 7 A.M. this morning. About midnight, the guns in this neighborhood, and there are scores of them, opened up'and started to serenade 'Pritz'. We are on the outskirts of what Used to be a city the size of Victoria but now after two years of steady shelling is a mass of ruins. As each gun fired the whole place was lit up for a seoond, giving it an indescribably weird look. The noise was simply fierce, and they kept it up for over enhour. They sure had '^ritz' was sending up flaring rockets all night, to.light up 'Ho Han's Land',
Just.atidaybreak the aeroplanes started to hum around, and the anti-aircraft guns got in their work. It is a great sight to see an aeroplane streaking it along, with puffs of shrapnel smoke all around it. Shouldn't care for the job myself. Have seen two air fights, but neither one to a finish. You can hear the machine guns rattling up in the air just like a steam riveter. As a consequence of shrapnel bursting so much in the air, we have to wear steel helmets, none too light I can assure you.
We are about two miles from the trenches, and as this building has been used as a dressing stations for some considerable time, are comparatively safe from shell fire. 'Pritz11 sends quite a few over us though trying to hit the hidden guns.
Things have been very quietton this front lately, that is out��side of the artillery. They keep it up day and night. Last night only four cases passed thru here, two of them walking. We are due to stay here for five days yet, and then we move up to the advanced W dressing station for five days. After that we go into a rest camp
for a month.
Just opened a note, from Bill. He and Hank are up in these parts too, being attached to Ho. 2 P.Amb, They left Havre two days after we did. ^
Saw 'Warry' Waterson at our base the other day. Didn't get a chance to say more then 'Hullo'.. You might tell Jno. Grant that Cowan, an Odd Pellow whom I think he or Aunt Jennie knows, is pay��master sgt. with this amb. He-was with Vernon with us.
This outfit was recruited.* in C&lgary. Remember when we were in Victoria the rumor that we were going up to Calgary. Well,this is the bunch we would have reinforced had we gone. There are a good
bunch of fellows in it, six of them from our draft,, who left Havre
a week or so 'before we did. One of the ambulance drivers was in our unit in Victoria. Saw him in Sandgate quite a few times when we were billet+ed there, then lost track of him, only to bump against him again up here. A despatch rider attached to this unit was a friend of mine, when I wa.s living in Vancouver.
Had a letter from Tom Webster yesterday. He and Reg. are still at Shomcliffe, Hare is wha-t he has to say about Reg's new job.
'Sergt. Hughes is in charge of seme of the wards, and Piute goes tomorrow to work with him. lie has given up his job>in the kitchen, and prefers to render first aid to the patients and others. In faot he started this afternoon. His first job was to chase and catch all the stray oats around the hospital, put them in a sack, then bring them up to the ward and chloroform them.
He got a box with a little hole in it to put the chloroformed rag thru, put the cat in the box, then sat on the lid until the poor beggar snuffed it, eo you oan see he has had a pretty busy after��noon.'
Poor old Piute. I sure wish he was here with us, and maybe he doesn't too.-/
Well it is time I went on the job, so will have to shut up shop. Harold is assistant night cook, so I'm due for a cup of cocoa right now.
Best love to you all from
Yours lovingly,
Pred
Somewhere in Belgium,
July 17th, 1916
Dear Sis, -
Your very welcome letter to hand yesterday end as I realize it is some considerable time since I have written you, am losing no time in answering same. Have nothing much to write about,but
will try and tear off a page ir two.
The kid and I are back at the receiving station now after having put in 19 days at the Asylum. We came down last night and were at once put on duty as night stretcher bearers, hours 7 P.M. to 7 A.M. Put in a. good day's work yesterday at the Asylum, and with an all night shift last night, was quite ready to hit the
hey this morning, Bidn't Fleet) very much though. Too much noise end huetle for that. Never could sleep in the deytime anyway.
Quite a few shells thrown over by the Asylum on Saturday.
Fritz had been bombarding the town where our base was located for three days, and had done quite a bit of damage. So much so that the civilian population and soldiers too, were ordered out of the town. In retaliation a huge gun was brought up Friday night and set up about 150 yards from the Asylum, Saturday afternoon it opened up, and apparently worried Fritz, for after firing 23 rounds, Fritz started slinging shrapnel and high exolosives after the gun in fine style. Some racket, believe me, when those big shells buret. Of course we werd all ordered below, a wise measure too, as the shrapnel was dropping down like hail for a while, I guess Fritz sent over at least 1$0 shells, once, the only damage being a slight wound sustained by the eergt, of the gun crew. In the evening the gun opened up again, but Fri.tz was right on the job again, and they had to quit after fir��ing five or six rounds, Sunday morning the gun was gone, and only huge shell craters all around it showed where it had been.
Just bumped into a Victoria fellow, a few minutes ago. I don't know him, but the kid does, and I guess Bad too. Hill is his name,and he used to be in the Yates St. fire hall. He was the first soldier to come back to Victoria,, then enlisted in the 48th and csme over here again. He is down with trench fever this time. He and three others were caught in 'No Man's Land' and had to lie there for three days in the wet.
One of the reasons we couldn't sleep today was that a bunch of Belgians, all young fellows, who should have been fighting long ago, have been kicking up an awful racket all day. Seems thst they are being made to join the colors tomorrow 8nd they have been celebrating today. One fellow on the accordian, another carrying the Belgian flag, and twenty or so parading up and down the road, all full as ticks, singing, dancing, in fact raising hell in gener��al, They are a rotten bunch and no mistake about it. The kid and I brought in a soldier last night who had got into a scran with four of these hoodlums. In the melee he was stabbed in the back, knocked down, and had three ribs smashed by somebody's boot. His lieutenant came in to see him, and the soldier told him that'it was rather a good time while it lasted'. And the Belgian Relief Fund is supposed to help suoh riff raff as they are.
That parcel arrived two days ago, I mean the one with the 'bakes in it. Sorry to say that they were battered beyond all recognition. Too much handling I guess, as they went to Bibgate first, then to Le Havre, from there to 3rd Biv, A.B.M.S. and finally to the Asylum, Only one handkerchief, was that right? The package had been re��packed so I just wondered if everything was intact. The raisins, dates, eto. came in Jake shape though, and are just about finished. Harold had some oandied dAtes and fudge from Mrs, Monroe. Bon't
know whether he has written to thank her, 'but will eee that he does. Also received some cigarettes and gum from Chas.Hevely,
Have an opportunity on this job of handing the cigarettes out to where they will be most appreciated. Haven't taken to the weed myself yet, and. don't suppose I will,
I'd sure hate like the devil to be in the shoes of those fellows who are still sporting around in 'civies'. I wonder sometimes what their own folks think of them, I wouldn't have the gall to kick around the way they are. They'll regret it before long, believe me.
Had to quit for a while" as two ambulances came in, and we had some work to do. Heard just now that the soldier we brought in last night is just ebteut all in. That knife cut didn't look bad, but it must have gone in deeper than expected. The fellow who stabbed him was grabbed tonight after an exciting chase,, and will probably be severely dealt with,
I am enclosing some photos and hope they reach you 0,K, They were all taken in England, so I fancy the censor will allow them to go through.
Best love to all, from
Yours as ever,
Fred
P,S. Your letter dated June 1st and Kother'.e of May 26th just to hand, and have just finished reading them. Thanks very much for the birthday box, but which one was it?
Had a letter from Tom Pascoe today. His brother. Art, was wounded in that big strafe of June 2nd and Tom hasn't been able to locate the hospital he is in as yet.
Fred
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Belgium,
August 23, 1916.
Pear Mother and Pad.,-
Yours of July 17th to hand a few days ago, followed a day later by two of Marjorie's letters dated l6th and 28th June, Yours was addressed c/o H 0. 8, > while her's came by the usual roundabout trail. How that I have a 'permanent" address my mail should come very much faster. You'll notice that I out permanent in oarenthe��sis (or I think that is what it is). Really though, while 'Bel��gium' is our present address, can't say where we'll be next week. All I know end can say. (not even sure of that because of the can-
eor) is that we ere moving again this week. So if you don't get any more than a field service card for a while, don't 'blame it on me.
We have been up the line again eince writing you last, this time for twelve days. Had rather an easy time of it though, in fact It was far more of a rest than being back here at the base,
I needed a rest toor as I had been playing soccer or baseball every night for the five days we spent here last time, and as a natural consequence was stiff and sore in every muscle.
Had a reel rest the first week up the line, as four of us with a lance Jack in charge,,had the job of looking after a dress��ing station. Had only one wounded man to bring in the whole week. We used to hit the hay about midnight and sleep the clock around. Two ewell little kittens in the dugouts to while the spare time away, so had a mighty easy week.
The last five days we t>dt in back at the main dressing station located in an old mill built in l801,,bht just as solid as the day it was finished. Wish I had time to describe it to you, but have to make this letter a. short one, as we are very busy packing uo. Have been grabbed twioe this evening already for fatigues. I was on night duty at the mill in the dressing room,,? P.M, to 7 A.M. Some pretty bad cases to,handle, but won't go into ddtail as I know you don't like it.
Saw Lance Wilson for a few minutes at the mill, the day after he came up from Le Havre. Heard fT'om Prank Crompton. He is going down to Salonioa as an expert masseur. May see him there. .Also had a few lines from Tom Pasooe. Almost certain that his brother Art has been killed, as he was reported wounded and missing June 22nd, and Tom hasn't heard from him since.
Guess this will be all I can manage for this trip. Both of us are in the 'pink?, Hope to., write at more length next time.
Love to everybody,
Fred
Sept. 2nd, 1916.
Lear Sis,-
Sorry I can't drop more than a few lines, but have to go on duty in a oouple of minutes. Am just scribbling this off to enclose with the lace I am sending you. Hope it will meet with your approval, and prove useful in your business. Will endeavor to write to more length tomorrow.
Beet love to all,
F. Game
P.S, I won thie magnificent prize at an athletic meet of our ambulance at about a month ago. It was first arize
for throwing the baseball. Second prize would have suited me better, a tube of toothpaste.
Prance,
Sept. 13th, 1916.
Howdy folks,-
*
That letter advising the sending of those two parcels arrived a week after the parcels did, All were very welcome though. This is my third attempt in three days to write this, the others having been interrupted. Am writing this sitting on the ground with my back against a stable door, but don't' imagine that will do any more harm than maybe render my writing rather hard to read. How��ever one can't expect all the comforts of home over here.
Since writing you last our expected iflove has taken place, and we are now in Sunny Prance,, our probable destination being somewhere in the 'big push'.
Left our farm in Belgium (the farmhouse on which by the way is 400 years old), a week ago,, carrying our full kite. Hit the main road and were then conveyed by ex London Busses to a. station in Pranoe where we entrained. It was a dandy moonlight night and we sure enjoyed the buss trip. Could almost imagine myself chas��ing along the Strand again. The roads are fine too.
Entrained about midnight in side door Pullmans or in other words, freight cars. Now these cars had just been used to.convey horses and hadn't been swept out after. We had no implements for such work, so had to spend the night in a highly perfumed atmos��phere. Was up at davm though, and had a good look at the country we were passing though. Had a hearty breakfast of dry bread and oheese washed down by water. Passed some swell Chateaus on the way down,, the whole country in fact being fine. Left the train at 10 A.M.
Then the work commenced, as we had to walk about 11 miles carrying our full kit. Now a full kit (weighs from 45 to 50 lbs.
i.e. at first, but I can assure you that it weighed that many tons at the end of the march. The last three miles was all up hill,, end we made it without a rest. We were all just about all in at the finish.
Our dwell ink place for the night was in a barn. They have some great old barns over here. The timbers are hand hewn, always of very hard wood, while the walls usually are made of e mixture of clay and straw, then laid on alia same plaster. After
- 69 -
being in use for a. few hundred years they have quite a few air holes thru them, and this one was no exception to the rule. The roof was especially so, but fortunately it didn't rain. A little straw spread under us made a fine bed, and we sure slept like logs.
Ho work at all next day, just read, slept or roamed thru the beautiful groves eround the farm. We were on a high ridge, so had a fine view of the valley on both sides. (There's a swell little grey end white Persian kitten, perched on my lap doing its best to chew the end of my pencil).
Saw another weird contrivance on this ferm, viz. a treadmill thresher. An old white horse gets into an inclined stall with an endless floor. In other words when the horse starts to walk up the incline he starts the floor going, and then its all up with him. The mechanism is attached to the thresher and thus the work is done. At that it is an improvement on the Belgian farm, where they use flails.
Our stay on the farm was short as we moved off the following Sunday, practically retracing our steps. This time we landed in' a little French village, staying there until this morning. Passed through a number of villages on our way. The country around here is rather dry, so that it is easy to. spot the villages as they, are invariably, built alongside a brook,' and are surrounded by beautiful woods. Am afraid though that I didn't appreciate their beauty as much as I might have had I not been carrying my pack.
The houses are invariably old, and only old or very young people are seen. One reads in the paper that the flower of" France's' manhood has been called to the colors, but its fullest signifi��cance cannot be realized until one has passed through a few of the towns. Men from 18 to>.46 are in the trenches. From 46 to 48 are doing guard duty, and the children of 17/are in training. One has but to-glence at the farms to realize what this war has done. Aores upon acres overrun with weeds, ���and even where the crops are growing,. in many oases they lie rotting in the fields for want of labor. It is really pitiful to see men of 70 to 80 working with scythes, for binders are a rarity over here. Why I saw a three horse plow being run by a kid who cohldn't have been over ten years old.
Every little village has its quota of Miaki clad men too,
I often wonder what the German prisoners must think when they are being brought back from the front, at seeing such masses of troops when they have been led to believe that Britain wasn't in the fight at ell. Saw 400 of them yesterday being brought down on a train. Queer looking bunch, but all glad to be out of it I'll be
bound. (Will have to quit for tonight. Its 7.50 and too dark to see any more).
��� lO.^O A.M. next day
Am not on duty until 6 tonight, so will finish this letter while I have the ohence. Put in an awful night last night. About
60 of us 'slept' in a big barn, the floor of which was damp end full of bumps. As a consequence I just lay and shivered all night, the same experience befalling the rest of the boys. If is rather a hard proposition keening warm with only one blanket.
The sun is out now though, and I am gradually thawing out.
let me see, the last place I mentioned was the little French village. Our gang, ten of us, were billeted in an archway of a small farm house,, used for keeping a wagon in. About this time we were about famished, having existed on short rations since leaving Belgium. So we interviewed the lady of the house, and managed to get a meal. Sure tasted fine too. Three eggs fried in butter, bread and coffee. The coffee was simply exquisite.
The bread over here is baked in huge round flat loaves about 18 inches in diameter, and was sure a treat after the heavy army stuff.
Went on guard from 6 to 9 to prevent fellows from washing in the stream which ran thru the village. To bed then and had a fine sleep. Nothing to do next day in the line of duty so amused myself by walking around the country.
Among other places visited the church in the village, said to be 600 years old. Quaint old building with the walls crumbling away in many places. Huge slabs of stone were used for flooring the interior and narrow seated benohes for sitting on. The confes��sional box also interested me, being made of beautifully carved wood
Stayed in this little village for two days and then had ano��ther little morning*s jaunt of ten miles to our present location.
We are running a D.R.S. or Divisional Rest Station here, where most of the sick from the 3rd Canadian Division are handled. Don't expect to be here for more then four or five days, when we are due to go up the line for a short period. So expect this will be my last letter for a couple of weeks, for ff'om all accounts we are due for a rather busy time. Will try and send an occasional 'whizz bang' through, just to let you know that all is well.
I hardly think that Frank will lose any sleep over Marie Shaw's wedding. He and she are a good pair, both being fond of & change, Marie's a good kid though, and ought to make that Doc happy. As for muh, don't worry. Am well able to take care of myseif.
Well I have to write a few more letters today so will have to cut this one short. Have been neglecting my correspondence some��what since leaving Ypres salient^ so have to get busy or there will be trouble.
By the way, haven't received any 'Colonists' yet, but would like to. Kindly take the hint.
With best love to all
F, Carne
71
Prance,
Sept. 25th, 1916.
r
Well, here I am again. Guess it is shout ten days ago since I last wrote, the intervening time, or at least 8 days of it, hav��ing been spent up the line in that hell hole called the Somme,
We just arrived hack at the hasp last night, so, while not feeling in a letter writing mood, thought I'd better take advantage of our day off to write my usual 'volume'. Hardly know where to start, as I have seen so much that was entirely different to the Salient at Ypres. Just a minute while I consult my little note hook, in which I jot down any Tittle event that I think may he of
interest to you folks........Not much inspiration from it this time
so guess I'll just trace our trip from the time we left the base here.
I was on sanitary fatigue, cleaning up the lines, when the call came in for 100 men to go up the line. This was about 11,JO and we had to fall in at noon, travelling light of course. Some��one pulled a hone at this early stage, as we were sent away at 1 o'clock without any dinner, in spite of the fact that our meal was there. We were issued one slice of bread and a -piece of cheese for 24 hours rations, hardly enough for one meal. One of these days those sergeants in the pack stores are going to be told a thing or two. However, we set off in ambulances, our des��tination being a well known town about 20 kilometers away. Only travelled half way in the oars though, completing the rest of the journey on foot, a very popular occupation on this front. Passed through quite a few nice little towns, whose names I have jotted down in my diary, but can't mention here. Stopped on the was and demolished the majority of our ���'day's rations'.
Arrived in this town, which by the way has a famous leaning tower in it, about seven o'cl 00k to find that we weren't to go up farther until the morning. Spent the evening wandering around the camp renewing my acquaintance with quite a few Victoria boysfj, or at least they came across on our draft. Turned in about nine, sixteen of us to a tent. Nearly froze, as we had no blankets,, and being last in, had to 'sleep' at the door, 'Dp at 4 A.M. fully dressed of course, and after a sumptuous breakfast, viz. a drink of tea, were bundled into oars, $0 of us, to go up for the big doings.
We were dumped off the cars at the remains of a village taken in the first of the'big push'. Stayed there till about ten o'clock so had time to have a look over the neighborhood.
Of course, like others I had read the war correspondents accounts of the wonderful German dugouts, but had the impression that they were rather overdoing it. Have changed my mind since, after hav��ing explored a good many of them. Also I can now fully realize the gigantic magnitude of the task the British 'Tommy' had to face when he drove Fritz from the trenches that he had been fortifying
Peer Mother and P a d ,-
for nearly two years, This particular village ie on the crest' of a ridge overlooking a valley over which the Tommies had to advance in the face of what must have been hell fire. We read of the intensity of the bombardment preceding the advance, suffi��cient to blow to atoms any ordinary trenches and dugouts, ITot .Fritz's though. Just imagine the labor involved in building dug- outs twenty to forty feet below the surface, practically every one of them "bomb proof,. When our guns opened up on Fritz, he just beat it for his dugouts and felt secure. One dugout in particular was built of concrete, with walls facing the valley six feet thru. It contained a machine gun emplacement, with an embrasure opening out across the valley. And it�� was in the face of such as this that the Mbig push' started, That the preliminary bombardment was something awful, the thousands of shell holes in and around the village amply testify. And it is over similar obstacles that every foot of the way back to the Rhine will have to be fought,
-This little village ie about three miles back of the front line, and it seemed queer to me to see the troops moving up in the day time. Up in Ypres ell such work is done at night, Down here though, Fritz is practically blind, our air service being so good, that one rarely sees a Fritzie balocn or plane up. If he does get one up, it doesn't stay up very long, as our planes are Johnny on the spot. Saw a great sight that evening,Four Fritzies balloons were up at once, when our planes flew over them and dropped incendiary bombs on them. The way those balloons come down was a eight worth seeing. But to carry on.
About ten o'clock twelve of us were picked out to go up to the regimental aid post, situated in an old German trench about a mile from the front line. The kid and I were among the twelve. This portion of the line is called the graveyard, rather appro��priate too, considering the sights around there. It is certainly under shell fire, though he seems to leave the trench alone,, and mostly shells to the right of the post. Here we saw another sam��ple of a dugout, this one having been used by officers. It con��tained four bunks, had a marble slabbed bench, the walls were papered, and it even had electric light fixtures. Am afraid we didn't derive the same comfort from it as they did, for while it apparently housed only four of them, twenty of us 'slept' in it that night. v-
I think you asked for some detail re our work in one of your letters so I'll try and oblige. To this aid post the wounded are brought from the firing line by the regimental stretcher bearers. They do their work mostly in the day, working under the protection of a white flag carried by one of the bearers. This usually pro��tects them from snipers end machine gun fire, although more than one was wounded by such fire when we were up there. Of course they have to take their chances with the shells. Squads are often sent from the ambulances to assist them in this work, but we were not called upon. To carry on. The stretcher cases are brought
- 73 -
into the trench, end the M.O. has a look at them, rebondaging them if necessary. This ie where we come in, on the call, 'all right, stretcher bearers', two of us hop to it, and proceed to carry the man out to what we call the rail head. It is some carry too, about two hundred yds,, thru the trench and the same distance 'overland', doesn't sound for, but after one has carried out six or seven in a row, a 150 lb, man weighs 3^0. I know my partner and I carried out six in a row, and the seventh weighed 210 lbs. Ye gods, I thought we'd never reach the rail head.
At the rail head is another gang, their job being to load the wounded on trucks, eech holding 3 or 4 stretchers, and then push the trucks up hill for three quarters of a mile on a narrow guage to the road where the ambulances ere waiting. After being loaded on the ambulances they are taken down to the main dressing station and from there to the 0,0. S. Walking oases are usually sent down on lorries, l600 such cases passing thru one dressing station in 48 hours.
Well we worked ell that day until six o'clock without a. bite to eat, when another squad came up to relieve us and we indulged in some bully beef and hard tack. On the job again at 6 in the morning to find it wet which made our work doubly hard. The trench
was in awful shape before long, knee deep in mud, and the 'over��land'
stretch was no better. Quite a few wounded Pritzies came thru our hands that morning, most of them, being just kids. One poor beggar had been out in 'No Men's Land' for nine days without food or water. All were well clothed though, their boots especially being far superior to ours.
When our relief came at noon we were soaked to the skin. Arrived back at our main dressing station about 1 A,M. to..find no accomodation for us, so had to bunk in the Boy Scouts' canteen.
Some night, believe me. No sleep the past two nights and none this night. Spent most of the night walking around to keep warm. The mud around the camp next day reminded me strongly of that siege we had in Dibgate, Our clothes were mud from head to foot anyway so 'a little bit more didn't do us any harm'.
Stayed around camp for three days, but can't say I enjoyed it, as Pritz put fcver too many shells to suit me. Besides a tent is far from being bomb proof.
Up the line again on Saturday last, this time we being on the truck gang. Worked from 6 o'clock that night till noon next day without a rest. All in when we finished. Back to the main camp again,, stopping on the way to have a look at a huge mine crater, the largest in this section of the country. It is about 80 yds, wide, and over seventy feet deep. There sure must have been an awful explosion when it went up^ Also saw some of the new 'tanks' which did such good work on the last 'big push'. Can't go into detail regarding them, 3
s��rrr '
74
Had a fine sleep that night, end then we 'beat it back to here next day. Can't say I'm sorry to get away from the sound of the guns either. The 'cruuuuummp' of Fritziee coel boxes bursting was getting a little too familiar to suit me. As for our own, why they never let up for a minute. Just an infernal war every minute of the day.
Bumped into Bill and Hsnk up the line, and needless to say we spread the bull in fine style. They are both looking 'in the pink', and like ourselves anxious to be back again. Bill allowed me to read Marjorie's letter to him. Also saw Billy McKenzie yesterday. He was in a G.S. wagon and we were marching so didn't get a chance to say more than 'hello* to him; Coulnd't even say what unit he was in^^ f
Since writing last, Mother, your letters of the 22nd and 29th of August have come to hand, also a box of candy from Aunt Bessie,, which was sure appreciated.
It's almost 'cook house' time, so I'll have to call this a day's work. Hot too bad at that is it? The kid's birthday passed off in fine style, he reminding me of it as we were eating bully, beef and hard tack on the march yesterday.
Best love to all,
F. Came
France,
October 12th, 1916,
Beer Mother and Bad,-
Just a few lines to let you know that vie are both O.K, Just arrived back from a very strenuous two weeks trip up the line, and
am not exactly in a letter writing mood. Have to catch up quite a
'��� bit of lost aL eep too, ohargea.ble partly to long hours of work but
f| mostly to the Hun brand of lice and fleas, with which the dug outs
we had to occupy were plentifully stocked.
Saw Larne Wilson in this little town yesterday. He has a nice 'cushy' job, attached to headquarters. He gave me Stan's address, so will try and drop him a line in a day or two.
Mother, yours of the 13th and also Marjorie's came to hand last night. First for nearly two weeks, so they were greatly appreciated. You were kept busy on your 'holiday'..
Am sorry but this is all I'm capable- of managing this trip. Will try and do better in a few day's time.
Till then, beet love to all.
F. Carne
75 -
Midnight in a dree sing station October 25th, 1916.
Tear Mother and Dsd,-
Gueee it must be nearly two weeks ein.ee I drooped you that last short note. Have been on the move since then, and this is the first opportunity I have had to write. We are on a quiet part of the front now, so I guess I'll be able shortly to resume my weekly letter habit, which, thru no fault of my own, hasn't been kept up to the scratch,
.v;>.
'X It! ie a dirty, dark, disjpal, wet night outside, in fact the kind of a. one we used to hail with delight? down on the Somme.'/-* How that that little affair is over for a while at least, as far as we are concerned, hardly know whether to hark back to it.
Guess I'll have to. though, for very little has happened since then,, end I feel that a. fairly voluminous letter is due you. Just what to write &bout is what is bothering me. However here goes for a 8tart at any rate,
'7x 1 believe I mentioned in that note that our last turn up the
line lasted thirteen daye;���c~ Needless to remark we were all glad when it was over. Will try and narrate a few incidents that stand
out more then the rest. Pirst, the worst trip we had. I might
say here that on our second trip up the line from our base we found the dressing stations had been moved a mile farther ahead thus necessitating a longer carry.1^' Omjhis particular night, a* squad of us, six in number, including the kid and me, were sent up to one of the aid posts Just at dusk to bring down a stretcher case,. Had to wait around quite a time when we got there, so that it was pitch dark when we started back again. We exoected rather a lively trip back, as Pri tz had bothered us somewhat on our way in. We hadn't gone 200 yards from the aid post when we lost the trail. Just imagine how nice it would be to find yourself lost in a wilderness of shell holes, trenches, barbed wire, eto. Be��lieve me, I was sure one scared kid. And all the time Pritz was
sending over hie heavy stuff, some of it too close for comfort.
It was just such a night as tonight, only mercifully it wasn't raining. Well we wandered around for three hours before we fin��ally blundered onto the right trail. Then the blasted stretcher broke on us. Ye gods, maybe we didn't swear. Two of us beat it up the trail to a machine gun emplacement nearly half 0 mile away and obtained another stretcher. It was an awful job transferring' the poor devil too, for he had both arms and one leg shattered by shrapnel. Somehow or other we managed it though and carried him through to the rail head. Ordinarily the trip could be madd in forty minutes, whereas we were four hours on the way. To say that we were all in when we finished is putting it mildly.
Two nights later we had another enjoyable night. This time it was real wet, in faot had been reining hard all day. Pour
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squads were pent up to the same aid post for four oases. You
couldn't see your hand in front of your face when we set out,and
I guess I fell into the mud at least twenty times before we hit the aid post. By that time of course had discovered that it was an impossibility to evacuate the cases at night on account
of the mud, so there was nothing to it but to wait till morning.
Here's hoping I never have to p.ut in such a night again. There was no room in the dugout for us so we had to sit out in the
trench for five hours. The trench had over a foot of water in
it so we had one lovely time. We can't wear greatcoats in our work, and I nearly froze before morning. OhJ its a great life all right. Guess that'll do for that subject.
Bo you know that I have almost forgotten what it feels like to be clean? Water is a luxury up the line, to be used only for
cooking and drinking. At times I have to shudder when I think
that for ten days I never had a wash or shave. Everybody was in the same boat too. I grew desperate then,, and hunted around till I found a shell hole with some "clean11 water in it.
Stripped right down to my hide end had a bath. Maybe it didn't feel good too. Of course I had to put on the same clothes again but they were fairly clean,, as I hsd only worn them for three weeks. If ever I am lucky enough to get leave,, my first trip will be to a Turkish beth.^I have a hunch that I'll need one before the winter is over.
By the way,, before I leave the Somme, guess I'd better ans��wer your query re the 'tanks'. Yes , I've seen them and as you remark,, they are sure weird looking objects. Am enclosing a clipping from which you can choose the design you think the most appropriate. So much for the Somme part of this letter.
Saw Bill a few days before we moved away. He showed me a letter from Marjorie that he had received a few days ago. Believe me we sure 'spread the bull' some. Hank, unfortunately, was on duty so couldn't get up to see us. Also saw Jimmy Stewart up the line. Same old boy as ever.
So you think that journalism is my - sphere. Personally I think that after this is all over I'll 'bo' it for a while, for I'll sure be in swell shape for it.V'The past two weeks we have been on the move nearly every day, covering from 8 to 15 miles daily. At, night our usual 'bunk-houses' were old barns. Its sure a case of 'hitting the hay' when we retired. Bather inoonvenient at times tho, for we weren't allowed lights in our billets,, and it is sure some job to make a feed in the pitch dark. You're bound to have a few creases in the sheets. It has been mighty oold at nights the past few dsys, Irish eh* Ho uncommon sight to find ponds frozen over and a heavy white frost on the ground. Boesn't bode well for a mild winter.
Our last night on the road was spent in a shed about 25' x 100* It was the first opportunity , the bunch had had to whooa her w> for
some considerable time, end they pure tookadvantage of it. A big fire blazed at either end of the shed with fellows grouped around it singing,, whistling end raising hell in general. One fellow carries a concertina around with him,,and he sure worked overtime. Others lay on the floor in their teds. Here and there groups were playing cards or chatting by the light of candles. Still others took advantage of the occasion and wrote letters. Taken all in all, it was the most home like scene I have hed the pleasure of witnessing for a long time.
In a misguided moment a few days ago I confided to the bunoh that the A. in my name stood for^Anoel. (Is that the way it is spelt)? How it is Anoel here, Hanoel there, Hance somewhere else.
The bunch comprising 3 Canadians,, 2 Scotchmen, 3 Englishmen, 1 Irish��man and 1 Hew Zealander, have seized upon it with avidity. Hot that I care overly much , but it sure is an awful handle to carry sround.
Those two boxes came to. hand in fine shape about a week ago.
Hot a. cookie was broken, and they were just as crisp and fresh as if they had just been taken out of the oven. The grub we had been getting on the march was nothing to boast about, so that the cake, etc. was a life saver, A parcel from Marian also came in the same mail. Tonight the candy that Gladys Plercey sent arrived and was duly appreciated. Will have to-drop her a few lines to thank her.
This 'sulphur bag' business is a new one on me, but I'll try them when they come. Am quite used to the live stock by now,, and really believe I'd feel lonely without them.
I guess the back verandah hasn't been touched since I painted it,, or am I wrong? Sure I know Hile green, and hardly think I'd mistake itfor slate.
Let me see, I guess I turn another milestone tomorrow. Holy suffering mackinaw,,27, and not married yet. Will sure have to make up for lost time when I get back. Ho, I hardly think I'll let my 'heart run away with my head',. There's a certain young lady��� enuf.
I believe I've mentioned more than once, but will now reiterate it, that any time you feel the pinch, don't hesitate to draw on us.
I can stand the 'strain' all right, and I don't hardly think the kid will object, seeing that he is richer than he ever was before. Even if we aren't at home,, there is no reason why we shouldn't do our share-. You 'said a mouth full' when you remarked that we were earning our money hard enough, but goodness only knows we were hard enough to. raise. Hop to. it,, what* e mine is yours, and willingly.
This is pure a quiet part of the line. We've been on duty for six hours now, and have only had three sick men thru. Some differ��ence to what we had on the Somme, There's a rumor that we are here for the winter. Hope so,, for it ip a 'cushy' part of the line. The kid is in another dressing station about a mile from here.
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Guess I'll call quits for now as I have another letter to write before morning.
With very best love to all:,
F, Game
P.S, You might send me a diary for 191?. She one I have cost me .60 and I bot it from that stationery store in the new Spencer block. Thanks.
A rat infested dug out,
Sunday, Nov. 12th, 1916,
Dear Mother and Ead,-
'The better the day the better the deed', so here goes for a letter which I am well aware ought to have been sent ere this. If I'm not mistaken, however, I think the kid wrote home a few days ago, so I am not doing too badly after all. Am warning you in advance that this won't be a voluminous affair, for we are leading a very humdrum existence these days. Will do the best I can though.
Since writing you last I have been on duty in the hospital at headquarters. Rather long hours, 7 A.M, to 7 P.M., but had good grub and that is some consolation. Mine wasn't expert work by any means, consisting mostly in sweeping up and keeping the beds tidy, with an occasional torpedo and submarine to rustle. Not exactly the work I am fond of but, aside from the grub question, it was preferable to outside work, for the weather was fierce the ten days I was on the job. Rained every day, with fierce g&les interspersed, and one day a real thunder and lightning storm. So after all I was pretty well off.
Who do you think I had as a patient for a few days? Your young red-headed soni Nothing serious of course, just one of those fever- ish spells he has every so often, Gan't you see me making toast for him etc. He came out yesterday, and is now in the dugout here, feel��ing O.K, again.
This is a great country for rats. They swarm everywhere, ���Am getting used to having them run all over me when I am lying on my bed in this dugout. Occasionally I get sore and slam a boot at them, but it doesn't do. any good, for they simply sit down andlaugh at you. My usual procedure is to pull the blanket right up over my head, then they can roam over me without disturbing my bean.
Last night about six of them were having a battle royal on the bunk
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above me when they all fell off and landed square on top of me.
I was real sore then, but before I could grab a boot they had skeedaddled. Oh it* s a grand dwelling place all right.-' Only four of us here, it being our most advanced post, about 400 yds. from the front line. Have only had one trip today, that was a walking case. Hope we don't hsve any stretcher cases to take out for it means a carry of over a mile through the communication trench, with some nasty corners to manouver around. We will be relieved here tomorrow and move back to the next station.
+ ��� y9ur letters, Mother and one of Marjorie's have come
1 wr��t e you last. I intend writing Mar jorie in a
bS? I'll ^e.e/JourB no^ -"1 'he ""'y Want w111
���You should just be able to revel in graces in Sunny Prance" excerpt from yours of 11th of October. We sure do, at a franc a pound. Thifck I've tasted them twice. Oh you sure pay for every��thing over here. Besides, you must remember that this isn't the vineyard district. As for the sunny part of it, well you've got to show me. Anything but sunny, to.my way of thinking.
Those magazines haven't come to hand yet, but expect thev'll be along before long. Canadian mail has been held up recently although I had no less than seven letters a few days ago. Good job I'm up the line, for I *11 have ample opportunity to answer
'fcil ���
That is a good idea of yours re Xmas boxes, if as you say we ere to expect all those extra ones. It is rather inconvenient to. have many boxes on hand at one time, so your suggestion has my heartiest approval. The box from Annie Parish came tochand in good shape, end as the kid was on light diet in the hospital,
I accounted for most of it.
7.30 P.M. next day
Had to break off yesterday to take out a badly wounded men. Hard job getting him through the trenches but we managed all right. Came back to find three sick men in the aid poet, which necessitated another trip. It was pitch dark when we started back again, and as some of the trench mats were in bad shape, we made a slow trip. The star shells helped out quite a bit though, and as the trench was a deep one we didn't mind hearing the mach��ine gun bullets whistling overhead.
Today we came back to the main dressing station, and am now sitting on my bunk in the dugout writing this. The kid is on the opposite bunk reading a magazine received from Annie Parish today. We have an open fireplace with a cheery wood fire blazing in it, so can't complain at all. Expeat to have a good sleep tonight as there aren't so.many rats this far back,
I'm not in a writing mood this evening so am going to call quits. Will promise to do better next time. The main thing is
that the kid is feeling 0,1S/ again and eating everything insight.
8o
A8 for myself, well 'you know me Ali'
With beet love to everybody,
F, Carne
France,
Nov. 19th, 1916.
My dear Sie,-
t��
Seems to me that it ie some considerable time since I last penciled those there words. Will try and make ut> for lost time now.
Before I start will have to acknowledge here receipt of Mo��ther* s short note of the 27th. I am sure that she will forgive me if I answer it in this letter as I really cannot write two letters today. You will? Thanks. Here goes then,
~%s Harold informed me a few days ago that he had mentioned my
having been hit in a letter home quite a while ago. It' was a sur��prise to me, as I hadn't intended mentioning it if I had been lucky enough to keep my name out of the casualty lists. However, now that the cat is out of the hag, I suppose 1*11 have to satisfy your curiosity more fullythan the kid did. At least I am taking it for granted that he didn't go into details, as he isn't here to inform me. Bo you remember that the 9th of October was Thanksgiving Bay?
I certainly do, for now that it is all over, I don't think I'll be causing you any worry when I state that it was cm that day that your 'big red head' had just about as close a call as he ever wants to have. So I fancy I had mighty good cause to return thanks that 'day.
On the day in question we were evacuating wounded out of Gourselette, in fact had been doing so for ten days. If ever there was a hell-hole, that ie the place. It was at that time about half- a-mile from Fritz's lines, and under shell fire every minute of the day. To make it worse we had no trenches as an aid to protection when we were oarrying out stretcher oases, but had to go 'overland' all the way. In the remains of thevillage it wasn't too bad as we had a good dugout to, live in or rather exist, for up there it was herd tack and bully beef as a steady diet. The guns kar>t ur> a steady roar every minute of the day, and twice in on* dropped 'coal boxes' right on top of our dugout, drivlr* v? ���? bers, blowing out our candles, and nearly giving us concbaaior;, lx certainly wasn't an ideal health resort for tourists. But to get on to the trip.
It was about eight o'clock on the liveliest moonlight night im��aginable that six of us left the dressing station with a wounded Scotty. Fritz had been dropping his heavy stuff all around station 'for hours, but we had grown 'almost' accustomed to it
- S i ��cken.
I was between the poles in front (my usual stunt, as it is the heavier end) with a fellow on each side to steady me, as the going was rather hard, owing to the mud and remnants of houses strewn over the path. We hadn't gone more than a hundred yards from the dressing station, when the roar of an approaching 'coal box emote on our eare# HHere comes* & heavy one, boys*1 somebody said. He had hardly got the words out of his mouth when there was a blinding eraeh followed by a deluge of flying steel, bricks tim��bers etc. The concussion knocked all of us flat, and I knew I'd stopped something for I sure felt the wallow on my cheek. The heaw blank smoke from which the 'coal box' derives its name was impene- trabie but I heard somebody yell, 'Get a shell dressing, Gregory's hit . Gregory had been carrying at the rear, so I knew that two of tne squad were with him. 'All right. I'll go,' I yelled and stumbling through the smoke and debris I beat it back to the dress��ing ste/tion. Grabbed a oouple of dressings and, kiked back with them. Helped dress a mighty nasty wound in Gregory's neck, and two of us carried him back tot the station^ By this time I was a rather gory looking specimen,, butt the M.O. soon slapped a bandage on me and also one on another of the squad who,had stopped a piece with his snoulder. Am glad to say that Scotty/escaped 'scot-free'. Y/as feeling a little shaky by then as the concussion had been awful but after the M.O. had fixed up- Gregory, we started off again, with me in the role of a 'walking case',, snd the kid as a bearer carry��ing out Gregory. Hated like hell to go down and leave the kid there but couldn't help. it. We two, slightly wounded ones walked through the ruins of Pozieres to the motor ambulance, and were then taken down to Albert. Had a shot of A.T.S. or anit-tetanus serum, and was sent back to. Warloy to a, rest camp,, from which place I mailed you that short note. Spent six or seven days there and then, with the unit left the Somme. So taking it all in all I have lots to be thankful for. First that I got off so easy,, for if that shell had hit on the near side instead of going over our heads to burst less then ten feet away,, well 'nuf sed'. Second,, that my rule of not working on the same squad as the kid was adhered to. So much
K��r+v^J-eubjeet. 1 eatiGfied you? For goodness sakes don't be thinking that such occurences are everyday affairs with us
Right here where I am writing this, only 350 yards from Fritz's lines, haven' t heard a shell all morning,, and it has been like this
8JL JL W66K|
How, Sis, now that you have waded through the above will try and say a few things to. you. Glad you liked the lace. Almost bought youeome to go. on your (well,, not petticoat) but found I'd w2s^��+n?ifh ?!8n to^bxxy enough if or one 'limb' and a half. running Sro"!lWit.8 7 p8"ern dutiful oink ribbons
Judging from your account of your holidays, seems to me that you must have enjoyed them some considerable. I'd liked to have seen that Red Cross picture,, one reason because I'm in the same work,, but t*other for the pleasure of picking out flaws in it. Saw several British Army pictures over t in the States, and it was
really laughable some of the stunts they pulled.
Your talking about that mind reader reminds me of one I eaw in Vancouver a few years ago at the Pan. The old stunt you know of having a girl on the stage singing and playing on the piano the songs requested by the audience and transmitted to her by mental telepathy by her fellow conspirator who moved around the aisle. He actually got sore for some reason or other when I asked him to have her play 'Tie your little bull outside', at that time a rather favorite melody.
Had a few lines from Annie Parish a few days ago saying that you had been up to see her. She also mentioned how well you looked. Keep the good work up kid. Have never been up the North Arm, but have passed along it via C.P.B. often enough to know that it is a lovely trip.
Haven't seen any of the old bunch since leaving the Somme,, but Bill and Hank are over on our left somewhere, so hope to bump into them one of these fine days. You're right sis, they're sure a fine pair of clean living kids. I'd be proud to be their mother.
Thought sure a couple of mornings ago that winter had set in, when upon emerging from our dugout, I saw snow on the ground and more falling. It was pretty cold the night before so wasn't exact��ly surprised, but just the same it wasn't an agreeable sight. Changed to sleet and then to rain, before the day was over, and has been raining intermittently since. As a consequence the trenches in which we live these days, are in a rather sloppy state. We are due to go back to head quarters tomorrow though, so won't kick as long as no stretcher cases come in. They are 'no bon for the troop for it means a carry of a. mile and a. half over the slippery trench mats.
Guess I'll have to chop this off sudden as a walking case has dust come in and I'm due to.take him out. Its 3 o'clock now, so I'll just be back in time for dinner. Might mention we had break��fast at noon. It was a 'guid you' too, fine bacon, fried spuds, fried breed and tea. Pinner is to have the following menu,- Steak and onions, mashed potatoes, green peas, cake (from a parcel) and tea. How's it sound? We are only six here and do our own cooking.
Well, bye bye sis, will sure drop you a line again before Xmas. Best of love to everybody,
P. Carne
P.S. Think you could ssnd me a couple of indelible pencils? I've only about an inch left of this one, and can't buy them here.
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Somewhere in P ra n c e ,
Not. 3 0 , 1 9 1 6 .
Pear Mother and P8d,-
This ie to wish you a very Merry Xmas, Too bad the photo isn't a good one, but then this isn't Victoria, eo had to do the best we could. Have to catch the last mail for Canada this afternoon so will have to cut this short. Will write to more length later on in the day, ,
Yours lovingly,
Fred and Harold
Fecember 1st, 1916.
Pear Mother and Pad,-
Just finished reading yours of Oct, 31st Mother end am los��ing no time in answering it. We have only two days left in which to get away letters that will reach Canada before Xmas, and as I have a few to write, well I guess it is up to me to get busy. lt< ie a hard job for me to write these days. Seem to have lost all my 'ambish' in that line. I guess I must be overtrained.
Stopped the good work for a minute or two to read over yours of the 22nd of Oct. which I don't think X have answered directly.
I see you want to know if our hair is still cut short. You would - not think so if you saw the mop that the kid is carrying around.
As for me, well I had mine cut short about six weeks ago, and it hasn't 'recovered' from the operation yet. I think I'll lit it stay on this trip for the weather is none too warm these days and every little bit helps, Ho, those steel helmets don't bother a fellow very much even if his wool ie cropped tehort. In fact the more hair a fellow has the warmer they are to wear. Seems to me you,asked me once if it wasn't dangerous1 to remove the lining from the helmets. Hardly, see that said lining is merely thin oilcloth with rubber buffers attaohed.
You say in the same letter that'you sent off 'two boxes with our scarves in them. So far they.haven't reached here. The two you mention in yours of the 30th came in two days ago. Believe me that minced chicken sure was good. You needn't be afraid to re��peat the dose. We'll do our part at this end, never fear.
The question of leave is once more agitating the unit. A few have already gone, but they have all had special passes. The gen��eral opinion is that leave will open up in a. very short time now, but just when we'll get away is problematical. We figure in as reinforcements, you know, and although this unit only arrived in France three weeks ahead of us, it is more than probable that we will have to wait till the orginial bunch have all had leave. Hard��ly seems fair as we have been over here six months now, but guess
84 -
there is no use kicking;. When we do get away, if ever, intend going up to Glasgow to see cousin MacGregor,
Gee, what an awful amount of fuss to stir ur* over a. little wallop on the face, Next time 1*11 he more careful, and get out of the way when I see any flying steel coming my way. So the hum town papers wanted to know all about it eh* I guess it wouldn't have done any harm to give them a picture under the existing cir��cumstances What I object to is these long winded letters from England and the front, usually written by fellows who have 'bomb proof' jobs in the unit, and whose information is nearly always second-hand. Anyway, here's my hearty thanks to all who have been kind enough to inquire about me. Makes a fellow feel good to think that he has such a lot of friends.
That sleeveless sweater will sure come in handy. The one I am wearing now is my original issue, and not having been washed for the past ten months, well 'nuf sed'. By the way, the sox in the last parcel were rather thin for this time of year. Were they the ones Grandma Game knitted? Bidn't look like her work.
Good job I hung onto that old raincoat of mine after all wasn't it? All but left it behind when I quit 'Frisco. Hone it keens Bad a bit more dry than it did me. Bidn't leak, you know, but used to soak me from the knees down. But as you say it is long for him, he won't have the same trouble.
Yes, that censor stall is a good one all right. But somehow or other I haven't had oocasion to fall back on it yet. My way of looking at it is this, - if a friend is interested enough in me to write, well I guess it is the least I can do to answer same as best I can. No, X haven't acquired the 'whizz-bank' habit yet, and hardly think I will.
Now for a little quotation from your last letter Mother, Here it is. Speaking of the movies you say of one 'so perhaps we will go provided we hear from you,boys in the meantime'. Now why, oh. why will you deny yourself a little pleasure just because you know we aren't in a position to do likewise? life isn't a bed of roses over here by any means, as everybody realizes, but I fail to see why you should stay at home so much. Aren't you drifting into the same frame of mind as Aunt Fanny? Buck up Mother mind, go out to your old movie show every time you oan, I'm sure we don't be��grudge you the pleasure.
Yes, those magazines came to hand all right. Thanks muchly. Haven't finished reading them yet, as we also received two consign��ments from Annie Farish,
Good work, pie, that's the way, Hope you enjoyed 'Mary'.
Well, guess I've exhausted my stock of comments on your letters
so will have to fell beck on the only topic left viz. ourselves And es we are leading a very humdrum existence these days it will soon be exhausted also.
Have been on police duty in this little burg for the pest week. Hours 7.30 P.M. to 5 A.M. Six of us on the job, working in pairs, the kid and I having the middle shift last night viz. 11 to
2. It's a cold job believe me, as we have bad freezing weather for nearly two weeks now. We patrol the town, challenging all comers after 10 P.M., and see that all lights are out by that hour. The first ehift, on which we'll be tonight, have the job of clos��ing up the estaminets at 8 o'clock, and bouncing all the soldiers from them. Usually done without any trouble, but occasionally we bump into some refractory spirit, who needs ejecting forcibly.
Last night was the coldest we've had yet;. I had on two shirts, a. sweater, tunic, leather jerkin and a great coat, and had to keep on the move to keep warm. At 5 A.M. we beat it from the guard room to the bunk house and turn in, usually getting up at noon for dinner. Expect tonight will be our last on the job as duties change to��morrow. Won't be sorry as I never did like night work.
Well, dearest parents, this is the first Xmas either of us has ever spent aWay from home, and here's hoping it will be the last we'll have to put in over here. Remember the big Xmas parties we used to have, some contrast to this one isn't it? But gee that's an awfui way to cheer you up isn't it? Was afraid for a time that we d have to put in Xmas up the.line, but now have it figured out that we'll be down at headquarters then. I believe we're to have a speoial feed on that day, so when you sit down to your Xmas din��ner, don't imagine that your two soldier boys are dining on bullv beef and hard tack.
, , lknow your thoughts will be over here on that day, and as I told Marjorie we will be with you in spirit. So keep up your courage, dears, and ere another Xmas rolls by I feel sure youfll see us home.
Somebody just yelled pay parade in 10 minutes and as that is one parade I never miss, will have to cut this short.
Very best Xmas wishes from your loving son
Pred
P.S. I was warm when I started to write this but finished up with a pair of frozen feet or nearly so. That-explains the poor finish.
86 -
Sure, I know I'm a piker for not having adhered to my promise contained in Marjorie*s letter re writing the next night. Will have to plead extenuating circumstances (whatever they are), this time my explanation being as follows. A few days previous to writ��ing to Marjorie,, I discovered an ideal spot to write in, a mighty rare thing around these diggins. It was a little curtained off corner of our mess room used in the day by the dispensers. Being in arrears to the extent of about a dozen letters I rejoiced ex��ceedingly at my discovery* for while'it wasn't exactly soundproof, it had a. dandy table to write on and a real chair to sit on. Pop* three nights I hied my way into my 'sanctum Sanatorium' immediately after disposing of my cheese,, jam and bread supper, and succeeded in teaing off no less than ten letters. ��Twas on that third night that I made that rash promise referred to, fully intending to carry it out. But alas for my good intentions, Hext morning half of our meesroom was converted into a hospital, and I was one of the squad who demolished my haven of refuge, it unfortunately being in the half required. Since then I have almost started this letter twice in the bunk house,, but couldn't summon up the 'ernbieh'. Tonight though I.i made Up my mind to get it off my chest, so in spite of such minor interruptions as two separate arguments going around the nearby stove, or the inconvenience caused by a Vancouverite sawing away at a Pritzie shell case, the resultant noise being most damnable, I * have a hunoh that I'll finish the job,
Dec. l^th
Am afraid my hunch was a bad one, as I was compelled to quit my writing to do some fatigue-work. The next day we moved up the line, and am now sitting writing this in a dugout, the worst one I might mention, we have had to live in up here. Owing to recent heavy rains the roof, while at least 10 feet below ground, leaks like a sieve, and it is quite a job to dodge the drops. I can as*- sure you that it is very annoying to have a large gob of water hit you in the eye just as you are dropping off to sleep. And the ratsj Ye godsj They're fierce. Two were scrapping on a beam abov6 my stretcher last night, and apparently lost their footing, for they dropped square onto my head, but Sirtunately I had my bean under the blankets, so didn't mind it so much. It is really wonder- ful what a fellow over here can get used to. ���Por instance, my feet are soaking wet right now, and will be in the same condition for the next ten d8ys, as the boots we are issued more closely resemble a sponge than anything else. But then on the other hand I've just got around some steak end onions with canned peaches as dessert, so my outlook on life is pretty rosy.
Am glad in a way to report that* the kid isn't up the line this �� but is still on his 'cushy' job about four miles from here.
The only trouble is that the parcels, of vhich more anon, are begin-
Prano e,
Deo. 1 2 th , 1 9 1 6 .
Dear Mother and D a d ,-
87
in* to flow in now, end it is impossible for us to share them. As far as I can see it, the one having; the most addressed to him is going to be the better off. Too bad, I know, but I'M afraid it can't be helped,
I'm going to ask you to do us a favor, Mother. It is regard- �� ing sending thanks for contributions contained in different -oarcels. Of course I realize that I should send thanks personally, but hon��estly it is an awful job writing letterP up here,, so I'm going to ask you to convey our thanks, or rather I ehould say my thanks, for I don't know what the kid has received. Here's the list, so far,
Nettie, . Gandies were fine, and came at a time when we were both broke,, so doubly enjoyable.
Mies Shannon, She must have known mgr weakness, for the kid didn't 'get in' on them, Rogers is still King of Candy makers.
Gus Westendale, Regular Xmas stuff, Gus with thoee bon-bons. Gandy was Jake too. Muchly obliged for that 'revolver', but unfortunately a 'red cross' man can't carry 'weapons'. Good luck to you, old cock.
Aunt Bessie, Those cookies were all to the merry. Game thru in fine shape too.
Grandma & Aunt Lizzie, That sweater is sure the pure quill,, while thoee sox are whiffnufferish to say the least.
Aunt Polly, Colonists are starting to -come thru now, k and we sure enjoy reading the 'hum' town paper. Ever so much obiiged,
While on the subject of parcels, I'm going to give you a few hints re oontents of same, i.e. the ones from home. By now I've a pretty good idea of what is best to send, and I'm sure you won't mind me giving you a little advice. To begin with,, jam. Now jam is a good dessert,, especially yours,, but as we have it for a steady W diet twice a day, nuf 'sed,. Beans are also another steady article
of diet, not as good as Heinz by any mesne, but still they ere beans Sox too, I have quite a few pair on hand, end can get 'red Gross' ones any time I require any as a field ambulance is well supplied with such comforts. So-for the time being you can safely lay off on that commodity,,thus cutting down on what I know is a costly item. Now for one ortwo little items that are always seasonable.
One good thing is beef or veal loaf, especially fine in lieu of a bread, jam and cheese supper. Campbell's soup is also fine these cold���days,,as they are easily heated at night, and are more palata��ble than Oxo. That dose of Plum Chutney can be repeated any time you want, but as it didn't come to hand until the chicken had been 1 'bo^s de combat' for-over a week, your advice couldn't be followed.
Had a letter from Shrah a couple of days ago, end was glad to
hear from her. Same old girl as ever, Will drop her a line or two in a few days. Also heard from Chas, Reveley. He says this is the banner year of his with K.D & GO, Business, Must he look��ing up on the ooast.
Aunt Jennie's parcels came to hand in fine shape, and have already written her to thank the whole family for the same. Also
received a parcel from the High School containing two pair of sox, cigarettes, gum, writing paper, pencil and some stuffed dates, con��tributed by a Miss Margaret Findley, 821 Broughton St, to v&iom I suppose I'll have to drop a few lines,
I notice you say in your last letter that Marjorie enclosed diaries in your last parcel. Was it the one in which Grandma's sweater was enclosed? If so, only one came. Haven't used the Cedar Oil yet, as the live stock isn't so troublesome in cold weather. Will try it one of these days though. Have heard that it is good stuff.
A parcel from 'Frisoo come in on tonight's mail, consisting of candy and dried fruits. Mighty fine too. You should have seen the way the bunch here pitched into it.
You finish your last letter with a couple of queries which I'll try to answer. You ask how it is we are not in the same place. Well we have seven stations up the line, so it is quite easy for us to be separated. A 'collecting station' is one where the sick and wounded are assembled to wait for the ambulanoe. Am in one now,
No, its not necessary to write separate letters, as we'll be toge��ther again in a week or so,
A case has just come in, so I'll have to call quits for this trip, as I have to go down with him.
With best love to all,
Fred
Dear Mother and Dad,-
Somewhere in France, Xmas eve. 1916.
Have just finished a little repair job on my. leather jerkin, so. having nothing on my hands till bed time, thought I'd make a start on my Xmas letter. Won't finish it tonight, but will try and give it a good boost, so that the job will be well on the way when I tackle it again tomorrow. Contrary to the usual custom, very few fellows are in the bunk house tonight, which makes letter writing a wee bit easier. But I've a pretty good idea of what kind of a row is going to be kicked up here in a couple of hours, for a big bunoh of the boys ere bound to come in loaded to the
I
guards, and looking for trouble. They're not 'infreke' ���
but a fellow has to blow off steam on^e inawhileGuessJm?��'*' save mine till peace is declared and then have one grand old bu��t up. How about it? ^
Thought yesterday morning that I'd spend Xmas in the trencher as we were in an aid post, and no. relief looked, for for at least ' four days. To our surprise the relief turned up and we came back to headquarters last night. Just what kind of an Xmas it will be remains to be seen, but will go into detail tomorrow.
Was on a dandy squad last trip up the line, all pals of mine one of whom came across from Victoria on our draft. Seemingly mv' taste is somewhat cosmopolitan,, for of the other three fellows on the squad, one came from England, one from Ireland and my Victoria pal from the land of the thistle. Take it from me that��� it makes a big difference in a fellows work when he is with pals. We're al��ways threatening to 'clean up' on the other fellows but somehow or other proceedings never reach that stage, although at times we do have a mighty good old rough house. Only trouble is that the dug- outs aren't quite large enough for a real strafe.
+Vl, j!lieve I,T�� ever told yo�� what our work is like on
this front. Of course the objects aimed at are the same, vis. the speedy evacuation of the wounded. The methods are the same too in a way but the conditions under which we work are a good deal dif��ferent to what we have been accustomed to. How up at Ypres practi��cally all our work was done at night, it being quite a dangerous proposition taking out wounded by daylight owing to the 'good'
:��; 6 snipers, Down on the Somme we worked both night
and day,, taking our chances with the shell fire,, and having no trenches to. carry through. Here,while we work night and day our work is Practically all done in the trenches, and believe me! it is some job to carry a stretcher through a trench or series of trenches,, our shortest carry being at least a mile. If the trench
nlLti ^Ty i% \ouldn,t Pe too bad, but wh^n you have Io
negotiate a bay' every hundred feet or so the difficulties are increased considerably. How I suppose I'll have to explain what a.
ey is. Take �� trench of say 100 yds, in length, running straight Suppose a shell should drop into it near* the centre and the chan- ��es that anybody at the extreme end of the mi^t be hU
by some steel. In order to prevent such enfilading fire a 'bav' is put in. To do so.is simplicity itself. The trenoh instead of
thenrighttorifhf*tah+^d CU? in & seJT,i circular line either to tne right or left, thus leaving a mound of dirt in the centre from
f��e.Vhick�� whiGh effectually prevents any shell ffom getting a fellow on the other side of it. While they are
are^t^ork16 ^ **** purP��8e* oan't saW 1 care for them *hen we
the really h0rd part of our work comes when we have to
s?rL8^theCt^n^niehtVqUite a occurrence. I might
say tne.t the trenches are from seven to fifteen feet in depth.
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running at times through chalk, hut mostly through dark loam. On a dark night it is impossible to see the trench mats at your feet, and as you may imagine such a thing as showing a light isn't to he thought of. So it is simply a oase of having to,shuffle your feet along, using them as feelers to locate the broken slats in the trench mats. Then it's a case of warning the fellow at the rear of the hole, in my case the following monologue being typical.
'Holy mackinaw, but it's dark tonight,, wish he'd send up a couple of star shells and shed a little light on the subject. Oh well, , not much farther. Easy, Let, bad stretch here, you know.
Past that one? Another right in the centre of the mat. Easy now. Eor the Love of Mike, go easy. How for this damned bay. Whoa/
Give us a lift Jack, will you? I'm down that blasted hole again. Hit it every time. Thanks. Swing around a bit will you, Let. I can't quite make this turn* Kow ahead a little. All right? Easy now, this is a slippery turn right here, you know. Son of a gun, she's caved in a bit here. Guess will have to shoulder it over. Give Let a hand will you Jook? Got it Jack? All right, Hup!
Easy,,let it come around gradually. Good enough. All right. Let down with it, and have a rest. Phew' Hope they fix that corner before we have to come out again'. And so on till the case is handed over to the dressing station. After which we hie our way back for another one if necessary,
Xmas morning
And such a morning. Reveille at 6,30 as usual, but didn't leave my downy couch until half an hour later, I could hear the rain pouring down on the roof of the hut in a regular torrent.
One glance at the sly was enough. I could see that one 'helluva' day was in prospect for us i.e. as far as weather conditions were concerned. It is now 8.45 A.M. and in addition to the rain, the wind is fast approaching the dimensions of a, gale, which bids . fair to'outgale' the one we had the day we were relieved up the line. And that was some gale. Reminded me of the ones that Victoria is favored with every so often during the winter and early spiing.
I'M on the ration wagon for a couple of days, but we drew double rations yesterday so I am practically a free agent today.
It will give me a chance to drop a few letters that are needed in my business.
Well my hunch was correct. The boys sure had one hilarious time around these diggings last night, I played it safe by hopping into bed when the first contingent arrived, after the estamenets were closed, for I know the bunch and their 'playful' pranks fair��ly well by now. I don't know how many beds were wrecked' during the night, but it sure looked as if a cyclone had been on the job when I woke up this morning. Oh well, I guess they are paying for it now, judging from the lookB of quite a few of them this morning.
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Before I forget it again, there's a few little things I'd like very much to have included in the next parcel.' One is Men- thdatum. Two of the 25/ size, one for each of us, would do. -Also half a dozen Ever-Ready Blades, And a few ha ch el or buttons would not go far wrong. While on the subject of parcels, guess you'd �� > like to know that the one with our scarves came to hand O.K.,al��though
it was over two months on the way. Bid I mention before that only one diary was in that parcel along with the sweater? Oh! another thing, this time in the eatable line. Remember that lemon cream stuff that you use for lemon pies? Well just slap some of that into a bottle, and ship it across as fast as you like for it is sure 'bon' dope,
I don't know when the kid will be back here again, but in; all probability it will be in; a few days. Was in to see him a couple of times when we were up the line. You ought to see the mop of hair he has now. Some pompadour, believe me.
Now I think I'll read over your letters, Mother, of Nov. 20th
and 27th, neither of which I've answered yet, having received both
of them while up the line. The kid has read the 20th one,, but has yet to see the other.
As a rule when a fellow sends a 'whizz-bang' it means that he is too lazy to write a letter. In my case though, it invariably means that I'm up the line, and too busy to write, Savvy?
That Red Gross which I sent home was the one I used to wear on my greatcoat. It.came loose down on the Somme, and I took it
off one night as we were taking out a wounded man, putting my
great ��oat over him to shield him a bit from the driving rain. Bidn't have enough 'ambish' to. sew it on again, so thought I'd send it home, thinking you'd like to have it.
Boesn't it seem queer to be sleeping downstairs, or have you become accustomed to it by now? Some radical change, believe me.
A wise move though to my way of thinking. Just think of the hun- H dreds of steps you save by not having to chase upstairs for every
little thing you want. As for us, why a bed in the barn would be palatial when compered with some of the joints we've slept in since leaving home. There's one sure thing, and that is that we will appreciate more than ever all the comforts of home, when we get back.
You ask about underwear. Well, we have a bath parade every so often and at such times are usually issued with a complete ohange. Of course the unddrwear varies, sometimes it is heavy,and then again as in the present instance, it may be t'other way around. On the whole though we manage all right, but am looking forward to the day when I ..can wear my own duds again, Bon't trouble about re��plenishing our housewives Pins, we can get them any day, and raide from a few bachelor buttons, we rarely use them. Remember
soldiering out here, end not parading as hack hone.
Now listen, Mother mine. Every so often in your letters you make mention of Dad's not writing, as if you were afraid that we'd imagine he was neglecting us, Why shaw, I know how he feels, and I'm sure the kid does too. Just you keep on writing and I know he'll reecho every loving word you send. I know he's no letter writer, hut I also know that he's just as proud of his two soldier hoys as you are, and that's going some. Kindly take the hint.
I got me a dandy hed this time. When we go up the line all our kit is handed in to the pack stores, so that each tune we come
down it is a case of glomming onto a new hed, I was one of the
first down,, so had a good selection, and I made the most1 of my opportunity. Have even a mattreee, which, while far from being immaculately clean, aids considerably in my nightly wooing of Morpheus, Plenty of blankets and a reel pillow a!so help ^some.
So taken all in all, I have no cause for kicking. Only trouble is that I'm scared they're going to send some of us uo the line on a working party in a few .days. Oh well, if so, why will eimply have to made the best of it.
Received a dandy parcel from 'Frisco about a week ago,, but havei't found time to write and thank Gus and Sadye yet. The con��tents were stuffed dates, raisins, figs, gum and candy. The kid
had a similar one sent him, so he informed me.
Gee the wind is sure whooping her up now. This hut is as ^cold as blj&es. Will have to go to bed soon to get warm, I can hear the paper kid yelling 'Daily Mail' so I'll call this off for a while, till I find out what the latest news is,
Xmas evening
The big feed is a thing of the past, and while the expression 'too full for words' could be aptly applied to me, am going to make an earnest endeavor to finish this tonight.
We were all agreeebly surprised at the repast served up to.us, for judging from the bread, jam and cheese dinner we had, the prospects weren't very bright. At four o'clock the 'cookhouse' blew and we all trooped into our fiiess room, which had been decorated for the occasion by some of the boys. Seated ourselves to find that the sergeants were to wait on jus for a change. First course was tomato, soup, and it was really fine. After which came roast beef, mashed potatoes, string beans and pickled walnuts. For dessert we had plum pudding and mince tarts. All kinds of oranges, canned fruit,, raisins, and nuts on the table, so taken all in all it was a fine repast. Plenty of cigars and cigarettes for the smokers, with candy also for everybody. No speeches to speak of, just a few words from, the O.G., and the same from the S.M.
But gde, it fell a long way short of the Xmas to which I have
93
been accustomed to. A stag affair never did appeal to me anyway,, an'd I sure missed the home faces, more then I can say. Enough of that or I'll be feeling blue, and that is bad medicine over here.
Last night's little disturbance in the billet is going to be totally eclipsed by tonights, judging from present indications.
So once again little Willie is going to lay low and play possum.
Well, Mother dear, I have another letter to write tonight, so will have to bring this one to a close. Only hope you will have as much pleasure in reading it as I had in writing it.
Best love to all,
Your loving eon,
Fred
Bugout 'Be Ruffe Leek',
New Year'e Bay 1917.
Bear Mother end Bad, -
Am not going to make this a long one,, but thought you'd like to have a few lines from me written on the first day of 1917. Be��sides, it is a good way to start the New Year,
Haven't heard from you since my last letter was written,that is, not taking into account that letter you wrote last July and which was readdressed, coming to hand leet night. After trying the Aust Arub, and also the R.A.M.C., it would seem that they would take a chance on the Canadians, just for luck, but apparently there is room for improvement in the P.0.
I came up the line two days ago, not with my own section, but to reinforce another. As a consequence it will be three weeks be��fore I get back to headquarters, not a very inviting prospect, see��ing that most of our dugouts are in pretty bad shape owing to the recent heavy rains. However I signed on as a 'tough guy' so guess I'll survive it with the rest.
Just came up to this post this morning,, the previous two days being put in on hospital duty at our main station up the line. Some job too,.believe me, although having only about ten patients to look after may lead you to think otherwise. The / hardest part of the job was at grub times, for the reason that the crockery and cutlery department was woefully deficient. How'd you like to serve a dinner this way, ssid dinner consisting of soup, pudding, tea, bread and butter. To.begin with I had only four cups, five plates, and four spoons to work with. Only one thing to do of course, that
ie give four patients soup, then 'stand to' till they had assimi��lated sll the nourishment possible from the nutritive beverage.
Then rinse out the cups, and four more men fixed ut>. The same operation over again, with two soups and two teas. I'll not weary you with any more detail but the same procedure had to be gone through with the puddings, it being one fine old job keeping track of who had eaten, so s.s not to supply a, double header. In between meals, such little jobs as taking temperatures, administering pills, bathing sore eyes, sweeping up, folding blankets, moving stretchers,
etc. kept me 'fairly' busy. In fact it kept me on the jump from
8 A.M. to 8 P.M. with hardly a moment to myself. So take it from me that I was mighty glad to come up here today.
Heard yesterday that the kid had lost his 'cushy' job, having been sent back to headquarters, Expect he will be up this way in
a week or so. Haven't seen him for ten days or so, but exnect he
is still in good shape. Did I mention that he has an awful mop of hair now, beside whioh,,the one Gus used to sport, fades into insignificance.
Two parcels from Aunt Penny and Mrs. Pawson arrived yesterday, after having chased all over the country via the old Havre route. They arrived in fine shape and were greatly appreciated. Will try and drop Aunt Penny a letter tomorrow.
Last night was without exception the quietest Hew Year's eve that I have ever put in. Quit work at eight o'clock, and walked across the road to my billet. The four other fellows had a good grate fire going, end as the night was rather chilly,, the genial warmth emanating from it was 'scrumptious'. We all gathered around it, and had a regular old 'talk feet', discussing every��thing imaginable under the sun. Before turning in I indulged in a good old lice hunt, my efforts being crowned with success, the hunting bding fine. About 10,JO I commenced to feel sleeay,, so prepared my bed on a stretcher, first taking care to see that it occupied a place on the floor, the appearance of which lead me to think that it might be immerp^d from the rain drops falling from y the ceiling. To ensure a fairly dry bed, in case of a heavy rain fall, I put my waterproof sheet over me instead of under me. Am glad to say though that the rain held off till-this morning. Some life, believe me.
It is five o'clock now and the rest of the gang are making preparations for eupoer. It won't be a pretentious affair by any means, the probable menu being beans, jam, tea, bread and butter.
The past month we have been having an overdose of plum jam. All the varieties under the sun, packed by different firms, and all thoroughly detested by now. In the words of Bairns father, our cry is 'When fell is it going to be etrorberry'. Just a word re ^ our Hew Year dinner. The meat wasn't fit to use, so we fell bec^c on bacon and fried bread. It was good, but somewhat different to a home dinner. Oh well.' will make uo for lost time when we get back.
I don't think I've anything more to say, so suppose the natural thing to do is to shut up, which I hereby do.
#
Here's hoping that this time next year will find both of us back home with you. I honestly believe this summer will see the finish of this little affair. Recent events seem to point that way, and its a certainty that Pritz can see the handwriting on the wall as well as the next fellow. It can't end any too soon to suit me.
Best love to all,
Pred
R.A.p. in Prance,
Jan. 6th, 1917.
My dear Sis,-
Have been debating in my mind for the pest hour whether to write or not. Have finally summoned up enough 'smbish' to do so, but whether it is sufficent to carry me through remains to be seen. However I've started and that's half the battle in this letter writing game.
I just forget now whether I've heard from you since I last wrote. Oh yes, come to think of it, the kid had a letter from you, which I read the last time I saw him, over two weeks ago.
It is the longest time we have been an art since we enlisted, and it seems too bad that it should come at Xmas, when so many par��cels were coming along intended for both of us. Hot having seen the kid to. compare notes cannot say who fared the better, but personally I have no kick coming, as my friends have been extreme��ly good to me.
The kid is back at headquarters at present, but guess he will be up the line in a couple of days now. As you very well know,
I'm not of a demonstrative nature, but I'll be glad to see him again.
Am writing this in one of the regimental aid posts(R.A.P.) from which same place I think I gave you the details of my exper��ience, The weather has been mild lately, last night being a beautiful moonlight one. Was down for our rations to one of our stations on the main road, a walk of over l�� miles each way through the trenches, which are in good shape again. A few days ago,, owing to cave ins caused by heavy rain, the mud in places was over three feet deep, it being necessary to wear hip gum boots. Am glad to say we have been fortunate this trip in not
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having had a stretcher case to take out, hut no tell in* what may turn up before we are relieved tomorrow. Oh well, have carried them out of here before today, so guess I can do it again if nec��essary.
Had a Fritzie through our hands a couple of days ago, he having been sniped out in Ho Man's Land,, and then taken prisoner. By the time he reached the R.A.P. he was minus practically every��thing of any vslue as a. souvenir. Don't believe in that stuff
myself, having yet to take one from a prisoner, and I've had a
few to take out eince we left.
Had a whizz-bang from Bill a few days ago, with the usual 'I
am quite well". Will have to drop him one tonight. We never
correspond as he doubtless finds, as I do, that his time is fully taken up with Canadian mail, Expect to bump into him any day,as I believe hie ambulence is lurking around this neck of the woods.
Oh shaw' I haven't anything more to talk about so guess I'll quit. Sorry I have to make it a short one, but am really not in a mood for it. Will try and do better next time.
Yours lovingly,
Fred
Dugout 'Hotel de Gink',
Jan. 10, 1917.
Dear Mother and Dad,-
Still up the line, you see, but in a different station to the one from which I wrote on Hew Year's day. Have about an hour before it will be time to go for rations, which time I am going to devote to making a sta*rt on this letter. It is some little time eince I wrote to any length, but will endeavor to do my best tonight. For a wonder I feel in a writing mood, a most essen��tial detail for a successful letter. After which long preamble I'll settle down to business, making sure though to finish this
page first.
For a start I'm glad to inform you, that the kid is once more under my 'protecting' wing, he having come up from headquarters today. Hot that he needs my protection to any great extent, being husky enough to take care of himself, but somehow or other I have an idee he thinks a big brother is a handy thing to have around in case of an emergency.
Just finished supper before I started this. Didn't have muon, merely toast and tea, but intend to have another snack before
the hay. For dinner we had steak and fried onions. Any oernici- tivenees I may have had in the eating line has entirely disappeared now, and the kid is rapidly approaching the seme desirable condi��tion, Thus you need have no fear of putting a dish before us that we don't care for, when we once more stick our feet under the family table. Of course I won't guarantee that our table manners will be of the best, but I'm sure you wouldn't mind if,for instance after finishing breakfast, I should wash my knife and fork in my cocoa, for fear there might not be any hot water for washing pur��poses, Just one of the many little tricks I'll have to forego when we get home again,
I dropped Mr. Brayne a Xmas card a few weeks ago, receiving in turn a very nice letter, wishing us all the luck possible, and stating that he and Mrs, Brayne were sending each of us a Xmas percel. It was through fear of just such an event that I hesi��tated at sending the card, I tiall probability wrong, but at the same time I can't help thinking that he imag��ines my sending the card put him under an obligation to recipro��cate as he did. Oh Shaw,, I know I'm wrong, but the thought still persists. Am awaiting the parcels before writing,, but can promise you my letter will be a ''bon' one, for he and hie wife were mighty kind to us, strangers in a strange land, and it's up to me to show them that we appreciate very much this further act of kindness. When he says 'We are looking forward to seeing you down here again", 'here" being Tooting Bee Gardens, I feel that he means it, and I can assure you that if we are lucky enough to;, get leave, highly improbable I know, but at * the same time possible will sure take advantage of their hospitality. The memory' of that dandy dinner we had lingers with me yet.
The last two days I've been on a working party, rendered necessary by the fact that the front of the main dressing station fell out. Doesn't sound much to a layman, but to an experienced sandbagger it represents about four days work, there being from two to three thousand sandbags to fill. Was taken off the job this morning to come up to this post, much to my disgust. At1 that job,, five hours more or less (according to the men) strenuous labor constituted a day's work, the night from 4 o'clock on being your own. Here though, we work when there is work to do, A day may pass without a case to handle, not an uncommon occurrence, but on the other hand we are often roused during the night to��� take out a case. In this game speedy evacuation is in order, it being many times a case of lip or death with the man we are handling. In order to avoid delay,we usually sleep with all our clothes on, so should a case come in during the night, we're Johnny on the spot.
Am afraid I've drifted away from the subject I had in mind, not an important one by any means, being merely an aocount of how we spent our nights after quitting our sandbagging operations.
The billet we occupied, was formerly used by an R.C.Chaplain, and consisted of but a single roan, slightly smaller than ours at
home, Tout considered large enough to accomodate 20 of us. It is surprising how little space a fellow really needs to occupy in this life. What to you folks would he considered overcrowded, to us represented a fine billet with plenty of elbow room. The fact that quite a large hole decorated, the ceiling, the the window, sash and all had disappeared, being 'replaced' by a blanket, merely meant more fresh air. Must confess though, that the pres��ence of a sheet of corrugated iron on the roof, said sheet being insufficently fastened down, thus oausing it to make an unearthly racket when the wind blew, hadin' t exactly a soothing sleep-produc��ing effect. One fellow made the suggestion that we should take turns in using our heads as a buffer, but as he objected to being the first victim, the scheme fell through. To add to the com��forts of horst, we had a fine open fireplaoe, with plenty of fuel, there being all kinds of wood to be obtained from the ruined houses in the village. You've no idea hOY* different an aspect is put onlife by a big warm fire in an open fire-place. If we felt in a singing mood, why we'd sing, hymns, ragtime, sentimental anything and everything. By and by the homesteaders, of whom there ere plenty, would start swapping experiences, every man Jack of them wishing they were back home to get in on the $2, oo wheat.
Then the talk would hit off at an entirely different tangent, politics maybe, or what we intended doing 'apres le guerre',but as a rule steering clear of 'shop'. By this time the bunch will be thinning out, as the fellows one by one crawl into their bunks, leaving finally two or three around the dying embers. Then they too join the sleeping throng and all is silence, excepting of course the unearthly racket raised by that sheet iron on the roof, and the stentorion snores emanating from a few of the'gang'. Then your eyes close, sleep creeps upon you, and another day's work has come to a finish,
Now,, Mother mine,another little lecture. You seem to be worrying a great deal over the fact that, as you put it, 'you are doing so little to.made our path easier'. Just how you come to. that conclusion is more than I oan figure out, What more can you do. than you. are doing now for our comfort. We get clothes from the government. You can't help us there. We are paid enough to have a little spending money, all that is necessary. And you keep us plentifully supplied by parcels of eats. So what more could we want? Of course we don't have all the comforts of home by any means, but then we don't expect it. So when, you hit the hay tonight, instead of imagining that we are 'wet, cold and hun��gry', try to realize that we are in all probability in a good warm bed, lousy of course, but comfortable in spite of it. Get me?
The kid is sitting nearby reading the Colonist, eight copies of which came in tonight's mail. Haven't had a chance to lookst them yet, but will do so some time tomorrow. Am always glad to get them, even if the news is a month old. Was amused to sec in one copy an editorial eulogizing Bonar Law, 'England's new Prime Minister'. Lugrin sure pulled a bone that time. Doubtless he
As you might expect, a great deal of conjecture is being indulged in over here as to when the war will end, the popular opinion being that this summer will see Bill's finish. Certainly all signs seem to be pointing that way. Fritzie is leading a. dog's life more now than ever. All along the Western front the Allies are worrying him. Bay and night, unceasingly, our guns send their shells ehrieking overhead to nound his front line to bits, blow up his wire, disrupt his transports,, or set his ammunition dumps on fire. We go to bed with the roar of the guns in our ears and we wake up tothe same tune. Every day a trench raid is pulled off, invariably with complete success. We had a beauty here just before Xmas, a whole battalion going over in daylight, penetrating to Fritz's second line, bombing and setting his dugouts on fire. They held the trench for two hours then fell back to our'own line at dusk, bringing back 60 prison��ers. The joke of it was that Fritz thought they were still hold��ing his line, and opened up next day pounding his front line with his artillery, blew up a mine, and bombed his way back to his empty trenches,' And that is an example of what he is subjected to every day.
It is a certainty he can't stand the strain very much longer, the peace feelers he is throwing out bearing witness to that. I have a hunch that when the biggest push of all starts in the early spring, Bill will find that he'll have a.n internal revolu��tion to contend with as well as the Allies, So taken all in all,
I honestly believe will be home for Xmas this year for certain.
Before I forget it. That parcel with the kid's sweater came along a couple of days ago. It was nearly two months on the road, but arrived in good shape.
Well, Mother dear, it's nearly midnight, time that your red head was grabbing some beauty sleep. And I've got to make my nightly hunt for live stock. Guess I haven't done too badly at that considering the material I have to work on.
Love to all,
Fred
P.S. If you'll send me Grandma's address I'll be glad to drop her a line.
w on 't be so h a s ty in h i s con c lu s ion s n ext time.
100
France,
Jan. 22, 1917.
My dear Sis,-
Your more than welcome letter to hand about ten days ago,hut until now haven't been able to summon up enough 'pep*1 to answer it. My lack of 'ambieh' was due in a way to the fact that ten of us (including the kid) were attached to another ambulance for over a week, and during that time we received no mail whatsoever. And when a fellow is in that deplorable state, letter writing is a virtual impossibility. To csp the climax we rejoined the -unit two days ago to find that our mail had been sent up the line that day, and as yet it has failed to return. I kno?/ for a fact that there ^is^a couple of letters for me, and I sincerely hope that they won't go astray, for letters are about all we have to look forward to these days.
Had quite a long siege up the line the last trip, three weeks of trenches and dug outs being an elegant sufficiency, thank you. About four inches of snow fell a week ago, and since then, while no.more snow has fallen, it has been freezing every day. As a consequence the trench mats were too slippery for comfort, and am afraid that the poor devils we had to carry out had less of a joy ride than ever. Taking it all together, X wasn't'sorry when we were relieved, end present indications seem to point to our hav��ing a rest, with prospects of another move in sight. If it does oome off am fairly certain of the fact that we won't be a thousand miles from the sea.
At present we are located in the grounds of an old chateau in a little village, some ten kilos from our last headquarters. Hot quite so-comfortable as our last billet, but haven't any kick at all, at least our section hasn't. We have a hut to sleep in, but the other two. sections are billeted in the stables. Of course the officers and sergts. are housed in a wing of the Chateau, in which the countess and her daughters still live. 'Tis said that the count was killed in this war.
The chateau itself has been quite a mansion in its day. In fact it still is, in spite of its 150 years of life. I should judge that it contains fifty to sixty rooms, the oeilings of the few I've been in on the ground floor being about 25 feet high.
The inevitable musty smell assails your olfactory nerves as soon as you enter the door. The furniture is either of the Jaoobean or Louis the umpteenth period, I forget which.
Of course it is an impossibility to more than conjecture what the grounds look like in the summer, but am convinced that they must be beautiful. About two acres are inclosed by a twelve foot wall, being used from a.ll appearances as an orchard and flower garden. All along the base of the walls, at six feet in��tervals, fruit trees are planted, growing right to the top of the wall.
- 101 -
I was just going to tell you about receiving a parcel from home last night, when the post men blew into the hut with no leas then six parcel a for the two of ua, two from Aunt Annie, one from Annie Parish, one from Marion, end 'tothere from Mr. Brayne. Gan see a buey time ahead of ua disposing of them, I don't think. The �� gang will finish them up in no time at all. Haven't had time to examine their contents, but have nodoubt st all that they will be 'bonH for the troops. But to hark back to the parcel from home. Those oandiee were sure 'all to the merry', finest I've tasted for many a day. And so say all of them. The reetJ of the parcel disa��ppeared in double quick time.
Supper time came around before I had finished this, and when the bunch suggested going to* a movie show a couple of villages
awa.y,, I naturally fell in with them. Might better have stayed here,
as the round trip was about seven miles, and the road slippery as ^.the devil. The pictures may have been alright,, hsd we been able to;
Zs. see them,, but we were packed in the rear of the hut, and found the
gmofce almost impenetrable. Stuck it for half an hour, then beat it for home again.
It's queer how one runs into certain fellows over here, and never seem to get shold of your pals. One fellow I have in mind, is 'Sprinks' of the famous Sprinkling family. My army acquaintance with him. started in Vernon, he bding in the 62nd, Saw him in
Victoria at Xmas of that year. Bumped into him several times
around Shorncliffe, and also in le Havre, Our paths crossed again in Ypres, and in Paferinghe, where our headquarters were for a time. Then on our way down to. the Somme in a little village where we stayed for a few days, hie bullsy form once more hove into sight. Our next meeting was on the Albert-Bafaume road just out of Poz iere?. I remember the night well,, as it was the dirtiest, 'wettest' night we had down there. Huge banks of black clouds bordered the sky, and the star shells would peep over them for an instant, then the darkness would be more intense than ever. We were moving up the road for our night's work, and. a battalion was just coming out, mud from head to foot,, barely able to drag one foot after another.
^ Quite a few of them had passed me when one of the star shells
w went up. I glanced across at them in a casual way, and it was a
case of 'Hello Sprinks' once more. Our final meeting took place just a few days ago. We were in the R.A.P., and a sick man came in to* be taken out. Naturally enough it was 'Sprinks',. And yet try as I may, I can't seem to locate Stan Young or Tom Pascoe*. Queer,, isn't it?
Glad to.hear that you like your 'Rose of Prance'. Had a hunch you would. I, too, think that it is one of the prettiest*, pendants I've seen in that line over here.
Take it from me,, sis,, that you'll never have any complaint to.make about my acquired 'English' accent, for I haven't any.
Prom what .I've seen (and heard) my impression is that the damned fool 'kid' officers are the ones afflicted with that disease.
I can quite understand hovf you felt when Florrie left for Portland, for I've had a few euch partings myself. It will be mighty lonesome for a while I know, but then these things have to be faced, so buck up, kid, and don't lose heart. There's better times coming for all of ue before long.
Wish you'd tell Uncle John Grant that I was over to see Geo, Blackburn yesterday, end found him as full of bull as ever.
Bigger is now in England, O.C. the training school I believe.
Well, sis, the kid is yelling at me to close up shop end come to bed,, so seeing that my walk this evening has tired me, am only too willing to,accede to hie demands.
Love to everybody,
Fred,
- 102 -
France
Jan 26th,. 1917.
Bear Mother and Bad,-
Have just finished a day's work in the men's kitchen,, the first fatigue of that nature I've had since we left Belgium. Was assigned to that job several times before, but something always seemed to turn up to prevent me from going through with it. Needless to remark I wasn't sorry, as any soldier will tell you that-it is the dirtiest job in the army. But my usual good luck deserted me last night, and it was with a groan of disgust that I crawled out of our warm bed at 6 A.M, this morning, dressed, and wended my weary way to,the cook house, accompanied by two others of our gong, who had aleo.been grabbed. Maybe it wasn't cold. Freezing hard, and a bitter wind blowing. Our first job was toi,cut up bread, which we were'forced to do wearing gloves.
A few more odd jobs, and 'cook-house1' blew. Breakfast is the worst meal to serve of the ldt,, as the majority of the fellows don't get up until cook house has blown,,the first parade being an hour later. I had charge of the bread issue and as it was all frozen as herd as a rock by that time, had some job with a. good many kicks, the latter sliding off my baok like water off a duck. Wasmearly frozen by the time breakfast was over,,but have learned to take euch little things philosophically by now. Thawed out by the fire, and then we had our breakfast, after which the cold job of washing up the dishes and dixies commenced. With thatfiniehed I found time to beat it to our hut for a shave.
Then back again to get dinner ready. Had a warm job for a while chopping up the frozen beef with an axe. No spuds today.
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so had to fall 'beck on pork and beans, easily heated by putting the tine in boiling water. I guess we used about eight dozen* tins. When the meat was boiled,two of us carved it, and once again the grub line filed by.
Had some great fun preparing a mulligan for supper, the foundation for it being the water the meat was boiled in. To it we added bully beef, frozen spuds with their tunics on, a few carrots, hard tack, an old frozen apple, and a handful of raisins, all being run through a meat chopper. You may be sure that I steered clear of the awful concoction,, but I saw two fellows come back for a second dose, so I guess it couldn't have been too rot��ten, Taking it all together, I wasn't sorry when our work was done, and we were free again. Will have to hit the hay early to.. make up for the hour's sleep I lost this morning.
One of the boys is tearing off rag time by the yerd on the piano in the canteen next door,, and the boys are trying to raise the roof with their singing. A couple of card games are going on in our hut, which is nice and warm tonight,, and doubtless will be all night,, as two fellows are on duty at night to ,see that the fires are kept going.
Have really nothing at all to write about this time, but will oa-rry on for a page or so if I can manage it. Gome to think of it I've received two or three letters from you since I last wrote so will just read them over again, and maybe I'll find something to , talk about.
Your letter written at Xmas came along a few days ago, and was delighted to hear that Aunt Fanny has been up with you for*Xmas dinner. Ittwould have been too bad had she spent the day at home worrying because Stanley wasn't there with them, I ��m sure he'll be as pleased as Iiwas that you exchanged dinners at Xmas and New Years.
Talking of Charlie Mitchell, I saw him two days ago when we were on a route march. Only-had time to wave my hand at him, but may get anotner chance to see him before long, as I think his col��umn is in a village only a. short distance away,
I'm glad you liked the photo. It was taken by the daughter of the school master in the little village we had our headquarters in for a while. Seeing that we've moved from there hardly think I m giving away a military secret vhen I tell you the name of the village. It is Haute-Avesnee. So you think I ��m a bit thinner in ��� the face. Maybe so, but I can't see any difference myself. No question about the kid having grown though, is there?
That New Year letter of yours was a joint affair and no mis��take about it. 'Fess up Fad, wasn't your hand a wee bit shaky when you-penned those lines 'A joyous day', it sure will be for
ell of us, when we hit good old 1206 again.
I wonder if Aunt Annie will mind me sending our thanks for her dandy parcels through you? I know she reads all our letters, and it is a mighty hard proposition to avoid repetition when so little is happening to us. So will you please thank her for both of us.
That's all for this trip. Am too sleepy to write any more.
Beet love to everybody,
Fred
France,
Feb. 9th, 1917.
Fear Mother and Fad, -
Guess it must be all of ten days since I last wrote, but as the kid hae dropped you a few lines in the meantime, don't sup��pose you have any kick coming. Fully intended writing last night, but was out on pass end didn't get back till nearly 'lights out'.
We have been having an extremely easy time these days, so haven't any complaint to: make on the score of being overworked.
We have good billets, best we've had for some considerable time, in spite of the 60 odd steps required to reach them. Both of us have 'palaisses',. and double up. As we have seven blankets and our greatcoats, we sleep fine end warm. Five heavy blankets and our greatcoats on top of us may sound too many toyou folks, but they are needed ttese cold nights, I can tell you.
Only our section is here, and we run a small hospital, only ten patients in today I believe. So a very smell staff is needed to keep that end going,,the rest of us usually having a pretty easy time df it. Today I'm on kitchen again, but as only a few men are here,, there isn't a greet ddal to do. We served dinner at noon, and were all cleaned up by quarter past one. It is now 2.JO and haven't anything more to do till about 4. Am sitting in the mess room above the kitchen on a gasoline can by the stove. (Some prepositions in that sentence, eh whatj)
This chateau is located just on the outskirts of one of the largest coal mining districts in France. Several decent sized towns are within reasonable walking distance, and have taken ad��vantage of the spere time at our disposal to give them the 'once over'. It is really a treat to see a decently dressed girl again,.
the one horse 'burgs we have 'been hibernating in recently not boasting such. And there's no gainsaying the fact that some of the girls are pretty. As you may imagine I never fail to smile at them. Just to. keep in oraotice thst's all.
Pour of us were on pass yesterday from 2 P.M. and visited a town about half an hours walk from here. Had a fierce time walking down the 'main drag', as there were quite a few nice stores for us to.take a look at. None of us we re overly sup��plied with 'oush',, and besides we really didn't want to buy anything, the idea being to see if any pretty 'numbers'? were working there, I think we were in nearly every store, jewelers, boots, dry goods, druggist, gents furnishings, etc. looking for* a '1917' diary, but strange to relate, never found one. Pid find the pretty girls though, one jewelry store having no less then four of them. Such is life in Sunny Prance,
Took in a boxing tournament at night in the Grand Theatre. There was no admission charged, which may have helped some to swell the mob at the door waiting to get in. Took me back to the old Victoria Theatre gallery mobs I used to revel in.
Thoufeht sure one time that I was going to lose my four 'oeufs and nominee de terre', but weathered the storm in fine style. The bouts were good, and for the benefit of the 'sport' in the house might mention that Bombadier Wells boxed an exhibition three rounds. Our passes were only good till eight o'clock, but it was nine thirty before we got back. Nobody was any the wiser, soc we escaped the due penalty that accompanies such a'flagrant' breach of military discipline.
An event almost unique in the annals of this ambulance took place two days ago, viz. a bath parade. Of course I didn't need one very badly, having had one a month previous. Unfortunately though,, at that bath parade, the supply of drawers were non-exis��tent. As a consequence the pair I exchanged two days ago, had ' been my constant companions since a week before Xmas, Horrible isn't it, but at that I was better off than some of the fellows! We had no facilities whatsoever for washing clothes, so just had to grin end bea.r it. At that we had to walk nearly twenty miles for our bath, but it was worth it. That old saying 'There is no rest for thewioked' has been changed to,.'There is no rest for the lousy . I can see me taking three or four baths a day for a. week when I get back to make up for the ones I've lost over here.
Must be a Pritzie over, as the 'Archies' or Anti Aircraft batteries around here are pounding away in good style. Too common a sight for me to watch, but hope they get him,, as they did one that came over yesterday.
You'll be pleased to hear that the last three parcels you sent all arrived on the same day, so we were able to combine the cake and chocolate icing with splendid results. It came at a very opportune time too, as the grub we are getting thdse days leaves
106
very much to he desired, both as regards quality and quantity.
The maple fudge and the 'pink end white 'uns' were Jake too.
The chutney was consumed by the kitchen gang today, all agreeing that it couldn't be beat. Haven't disposed of the extra sweeter yet, as the kid finds it useful as a pillow. The pastries and ' cookies csme in fine shape, and you can repeat the dose any time you care to,
'What is bully beef'? is one of the queries in your latest letter. Well, it is nothing more or less then good old fashioned corn beef, a. pound tin of which would cost you about 25 $/ I guess. We see see so much of it over here though, th8t I don't care if I never see another tin.
So Dad has grabbed my soft collars now eh? Hop to it, old sport, I guess I'll be able to get a few more if I need them when I get back. They ere pretty comfortable to wear, aren't they?
I had. a few lines from Mr. Holland, about ten days ago, fol��lowed the next day by'some cake end cigarettes. In his letter he mentioned that he would be only too pleased to send us anything we required in the line of wearing apparel eto. I wrote that same night to thank him for his kind offer, which, of course, I didn't'- take advantage of,
I haven't seen Lance since we left the Somme, * You say he wrote that he had seen me and I was looking well. Maybe yes,maybe no. I saw him in Warley the morning after I was hit. I was minus a hat, had a bandage around my head, and was plentifully spattered with gore, so am afraid I hardly looked 'well'. Still be did the right thing by writing in that strain.
Did the kid tell you that we ran into Jim Stewart in a village we stopped overnight on our move? He was looking fine, and was just as cheerful as ever. Expected to get away on leave in a week or so.
The cold weather still hangs around these parts, in feet it seems to be general over Europe. The nations say that it is the worst winter (as far as cold weather is concerned) for 5�� years. Have heard that line of bull before though.
I'll bet there is some great old exciting times going on in the U,S. these days. No paper here today, so don't know yet whe��ther the U.S. is in it or not. If not, it can only be a matter of a. few days before they are, I certainly hope they do come in, as it will mean the war will be over sooner, I am more convinced than ever that this summer will see hostilities cease. This sub��marine menace is Germany's last dying gasp. If it fails, as it undoubtedly will, then good night Kaiser, I wonder what Gus thinks of it now. Guess he will have altered his opinion of us by now.
Well, 'folkses', I have to tear off a few more effusions to-
night, so you'll have to rest content with this.
By the way, have you sent any magazines recently? Haven't had any for a couple of months. The 'S.E.P.' would be very accent- able sent regularly. Please take the hint.
Best: love to all
Ered
Prance,
Peb. 10th, 1917.
Pear Mr, Holland,-
Was my last letter written in so doleful a mood that you should have to prescribe Ma pill and a stiff dose of Epsom Salts'? But before I proceed farther must apologize for not having acknow��ledged receipt of the parcel you sent us, which came to hand several days after your letter. Many thanks from both of us for your kindness.
Now about this other little affair. As I said in my last letter, we're extremely obliged to you for your kind offer, but honestly there is nothing that we require in the line of wearing apparel. So you. can go back and hand in your report to Marjorie with a clear conscience.
As you may expect, we have been following with intense 'in��terest the United States crisis. It seems to be only a matter of hours before they are involved in'; this titanic struggle. Just what effect it will have is problematical, but everyone is agreed that this submarine menace is Germany's last desperate stroke. Y/hile I too, would like to see the Kaiser beaten without the assistance of the U.S,, it is almost a certainty that their entry will tend to finish the war sooner. And anything that can accomplish that much to be desired object will be sincerely wel��comed by the civilized world.
The cold snap still reigns supreme over here, with appar��ently no let-up in sight. We have an extremely good billet though, with plenty of blankets, so are much better off than the boys in the trenches. I had a week of it up there at the beginning of the cold snap, and am glad it was no. longer, as it is impossible to keep warm in a dugout.
Well, Mr. Holland, I have to write home tonight, so am afraid I'll have to call quits for this trip. Am glad to report that both of us are in 'the pink'. Kindly give our regards to Mr, Brayne.
As ever, yours sincerely,
- io8 -
My dear Sis,-
France,
Feb. 22nd, 1 9 1 7 .
It is seldom that I am at a loss for vdiat to. say- v/hen writ��ing a letter, but somehow or other I can't seem to get this one started. Have already torn up two sheets. Maybe the fact that we enjoyed that 'rara avis", a good army supper, this evening, has unnerved me. Still I guess I'll swing into my stride before long. For your sake I hope so, as nothing is more tiresome to read than an uninteresting letter.
Since I last wrote Mother, we have changed our abode again, a change for the worse, I ��m sorry to say. After eighteen days of unalloyed bliss spent in really comfortable quarters in the Chateau we are back with the rest of the unit in a muddy little two by four village,. whose only intereet for me lies in the fact that it also shelters the ambulance to which Jimmy Stewart and Henneger are attached. There billet is only a minute's walk from here, and I spend quite a bit of time down there.
A couple of days before we moved back to here, we had the pleasure? of seeing the 'Somme' pictures in one of the towns near��by. After reading so much about them,, I expected to see something wonderful, but was disappointed. The films showing the work.of the stretcher bearers were iddal, being true to life, but the rest of it left very much to be desired. The pictures showing the dead could very well have been omitted, though, God only knows they were true enough. The best part of the show was the two reel Charlie Chaplin picture.
That s8me evening we took in a show given by the P.Pats con��cert party. Have seen them four times now, but as they are always interesting and introducing new stuff and always on hand when they are around.
Whatdo you think happened last night? nothing more nor less than a reunion of all the Y bunch over here, the only one not being there was Tommy Pascoe,,Bob Horn, Y Captain you know, originated the idea, we in this village being informed by 'Proby' Brybrough and 'Brutus' Collins last Sunday that the stunt was to.be pulled off. So six of us left here about 4.30 P.M, yesterday for a town about 5 K. away, where the Y was, and where Bill's unit was also.
The bunch from here were Jim, Hennegar, 'Bud' Middleton, Roly Jones, the kid and your humble servant. We hit the Y about 5.30, found Horn, then Jim and I went on a little further to find the rest of the bunch. I don't think you can conceive the racket that was made when we rounded up Bill and Hank, Goldie, Brutus and Proby. And we just about raised the Y roof when we found Umphy there on our return Same hearty laugh, and huskier than ever. This climate sure agrees with him.
\/hen the noise had subsided to some extent we sat down and pro��ceeded to demolish a dandy dinner. Chicken, mashed potatoes, green
beans the mein dish, with pinesoole Pnd custard for dessert,washed down 'by dandy coffee. Take it from me it sure tasted good, after army grub and eggs and chips. After dinner, we gathered around the stove and proceeded to sling the bull in fine style. Of course Hank was right on the job with some of his Kamloops witticisms, of which this is a sample.
Jim - 'Did you see in the Colonist vshere the O.C. of the 102nd was blowing up the field ambula.noes?'
Hank -'No,, but I saw where Fritzie's shells were blowing them up'.
'Same old dry stick'.
After a. while we framed up a letter to the Victoria 'Y' to which we all attached our signatures. In a way it wee a unique gathering,, as all f>our divisions were represented. The chance may never occur again,, though, if possible, we are going over there again tomorrow to have a photo taken.
The Mscs are both looking fine, and Goldie is the earn�� full- of-pep kid as ever. Geg, Hank just ran across to meet us,.with a smile a yard wide on his face, and Bill wasn't far behind. Both mentioned having received some dandy boxes from 1206 Yates St.
They are going up the line on Saturday for a week, but I'm going to get across to see them again when they come down. Gosh, I can't get over the fine shape Umphy is in. He has been doing mag��nificent work over here from all accounts,. especially down on the Somme, His example in enlisting with his game wing,, ought to put to shame some of the shirkers over there.
Avvery significant occurrence took place on our last pay par��ade. We had entered in our pay books our occupation in civilian life, the reason given being that it was to facilitate the solving of the unemployed problem 'apres le gueire'.. More than ever I'm convinced that' this summer will see the end of it. God speed the day.
Had a letter or rather note from Mr, Holla.nd about a week ago, in which he repeated hie offer to fix us up with anything we required. Among other remarks he said 'that he wouldn't dare face Marjorie if he hadn't done something for us'. Once again I de��clined his offer. Now listen kid. Surely you know by now that I could never acoept anything in the line of clothing etc. from him.
Of course I know that he would send it gladly, but am afraid I can't see it in the same light as you. Oh,.well, I always was an independ ent cuss anyway, and expect I always will be.
Your letter to the kid came in a. couple of days ago. That's right,jump on him every time if he doesn't write. He has a cinch in that line, for I have to answer all the joint letters from other members of the family, i.e. relatives,besides dropping my usual one home every ten days Or so, I wouldn't oare so much if there
wae only something to write about, but at times even that ia lack��ing.
Nothing more to esy, ao will dope for this trip.
Love to all, from
Fred
- 110 -
France,
1 Feb. 28th, 1917.
Lear Mother and Lad,-
Well, here we ere again. Seems to me that I have done wonder��fully well in the letter writing line, considering the censorship to which we are subjected to. And if, as you say, I write an inter��esting letter under such conditions,, what couldn't I do were we given free rein. No use conjecturing,, is there,, for that won't help matters any, ao will just have to., carry on with material that isn't of any military value.
We're etill in the little village from which I wrote Marjorie a couple of days ego, and will probably be here for a week or so yet. After that, the line again, but on a. different front from the last. If it is no worse than our last time in,. will have no. kick coming at all,,at all. Still, good or bad the work has to be done, sou its 'up the line with the best of luck'.
Will probably be able to send along a photo of the old Y gang in a few days, as we had one taken last Friday, in the same town < in which our reunion took place. It ought to be a fairly good one as the photographer had some mighty good subjects to* work on, and the post cetfds he had on display were really good. I'll very like��ly take a run over there tomorrow, to see if he has them finished, and if so w��ll send one by the next mail.
We had left ell arrangements for the photo with Horn, but I had a hunch that he would fall clown on the job. Sure enough, he did too. We were to.meet bim at the Y end then 'carry on' and pick up the rest of the gang at their billet. The six of us from this village made a fast trip over,. bluffing our way past the militagr police. Had to. as we were without passes. Arrived at the Y tO'.find Urnphy there, but no Horn, Hung around for a few minutes,, then decided to hunt him up at his billet,, the where��abouts of which we ascertained from his batman. Stopped en route to pick up the rest of the gang,,finding an addition to them in the person of Steve Cheeseman, formerly in the real estate busi��ness,.but now an ordinary bohunk stretcher bearer with No. 3 Field Amb, By this time we had quite a gang assembled,,thirteen in faot;. Lid you best to*, get Urnphy to take charge, but nothing
Ill -
stirring. He wasn't having any. There is no doubt that it was a very noisy bunch who finally stopped in front of Horn's billet, while 'Vinegar', in his role of sel^appointed interpreter, did his best to.find out where Horn was. The Landlady's volubility proved too much for him, so Cheeseman stepped into the breach, with such encouraging remarks as 'Sell her a lot, Steve', or 'She out to be good for a hundred, frano. policy',, to urge him on. His French stood the test though, as he found that Horn had left an hour ago, A hurried consultation was held, and we decided to hunt up a photo shop ourselves, Y/e scoured the highways and byways at breakneck speed in search of one, the speed being a necessity as the day was rapidly drawing in. Finally located one, and the dirty deed was 'dooed'. The result has yet to be seen.
After the ordeal was over we hunted up an egg and chip empor��ium, not a very hard job,, as they flourish profusely over here.
The two-Mace,, Bud, the kid and I had a table to ourselves, and we sure had an enjoyable supper. After we had downed the 'oeufs and. pomm.es de terre', the inner man still clamoring for nourishment,, we got around a couple of large tins of swell California apricots smothered with condensed milk, and some fresh H. & P. biscuits, topping the whole off with good coffee. No kick coming at that meal is there?
Having no pass it was necessary that we be back before 'first post',> so. once again we ran the gauntlet of the sentries, Umphy accompanying us pert way/ Before parting we gave him the roads to take to.this village, he having expressed a desire to look us up in a few days. Two days ago, he blew in, but as I was on kitchen that day, hadn't touch time to. talk to him, Y/e walked part of the way home with him at night though, and may look him up again on Sunday.
Have been having a pretty easy time of it the past few days. That bane of a soldier * s'life, new boots, put a nice big blister on my heel, and the blasted thing broke on a route march. Had a similar one when I first enlisted, and while I don't think I ever mentioned it,, nevertheless I didn't take a comfortable step for seven weeks. Now I merely drop out on the morning parade,, have it dressed,, then am free for the rest of the day. Another day ought to-see me back on the job again. The kid fell out with a similar complaint today.
Had a dandy box from. Aunt Bessie in last night's mail, con��taining a fine cake, candy, stuffed dates and some real coffee.
Also received one from Mr. Holland with smokes, candy,,and a cake enclosed. The gang say he is a good judge of a cigarette.
Had a letter from Piute, received yesterday, and he speaks of having heard from Frank Crompton,. Frank said that his unit,, Hart'S bunch,, was under orders to. return to. England. Piute also tells me that Hughes is now in London attached to the B.M.S. on
escort work. Tom Webster has been transferred to the Sevan Mili��tary Hospital in Sandgate, and is pleased with the change, the discipline not being so strict. Piute expects to be across here shortly, as all the fit men ere being weeded out of the hospitals over in Blighty. Hope he is lucky enough to hit this unit, for he is one of the best pals a fellow could have.
Oh.* Before I forget it. Last night was pay parade, and we were given an opportunity to remit part of the money due us to home. As neither of us have any expectation of getting leave this year,we instructed the pay sergt, to remit you $5G*00 from each of us. If you think that you need it, why hop to it. If not, just put it to our credit.
And youi might include a memo book in the next parcel, I think you'll find some in the filing case that used to be on the shelf in our bedroom. Gome to think of it, I believe I put it in my trunk in the back room. I'd be glad too, if you'd send along a few of my camp pictures. Pick out some good ones.
In three days it will be just a year since we left home,and ��� nine months since we landed in Prance, What an experience has been ccowded into that short space of time. Many, a night I've lain awake in a dugout, living over the old scenes again, and longing for the day when we'd once more set our feet on Canadian soil. It has been mighty herd on you folks at home I know, but cheer up, Mother dear,, the end isn't; far off now. And while I'm not making any predictions, am quite certain that we'll be home again this time next year.
'First post' has just gone, and I've to. shave yet end make the bed, so will have to call this a'day's work. The kid has just finished writing a letter headed 'Bear Agnes', so the two will likely be in on the same mail.
Love to all, from
Fred
Fragments from Prance,
March 12 th, 1917.
Bear Mother and Bad,-
Am not in the most comfortable position for writing by any means, with my beck against the wall of the hut and the pad on my knees, but have grown used to such little things by now, so don't think it will interrupt my line of 'bull' any. It is only 6.?0 but I've already made my bed, and it won't be long after I finish this epistle before I burrow into it. Was on kitchen today,, not exceptionally hard worked, but twelve hours wallowing in the mud
helps to tire a fellow a little. It has been raining off end on all day, at the present moment 'on" being the case. Sizing it all up, I think that this is the best occupation for tonight.
Since I last wrote you, we've shifted our quarters twice,the last move taking place yesterday. It is a good way to see the country, but rather hard on shoe leather. Still as long as I can worm an occasional pair of shoes out of the tight-wada who run the pack store,. I guess I can 'carry on'.
It was just a week ago today that we moved from the little village from which I last wrote you. It wasn't a long jaunt, some��where around four miles, but as t'was made with an inch of snow on the ground and more falling, I was glad it wasn't any longer. The town to which we moved is in the center of the coal mining district to.vhich I've referred in previous letters. Right here I want to say that the six days we spent there were just about the best I've put in over here.
Why? Well to begin with, there being no huts available, we were billeted out, four to six men to eacfc house. By adroit ir-an- oeuvering the kid and I managed, with two pals, to grab a dandy billet. As a general rule the French people haven't a great ddel of liking for the English or Colonial troops, perhaps not without reason. But the people in our billet were 'white' in every res��pect. Perhaps the fact that they were refugees from lens, about ten miles away,,had. something to do with it. Sort of kindred ^ spirits,,as it were. The mother, she's had l�� kids by the way,told us that they left lens just' fifteen minutes before the, Germans came, slept by the roadiside that night, and next day her youngest kid,, 2 years, was born. Never saw a brighter youngster.
We weren't in the house five minutes before one of the kids came up to our room and told us to come down into the kitchen where it was warm. As he spoke in French, it took us a little time to find out what he was driving at, but when we 'compreed' weren't long in accepting the invitation. Gee, that' old kitchen fire sure felt fine, and brought back memories of ha-opier days.
All this time the mother was busying herself around the stove, and in a few minutes we were proferred a fine cup of coffee. It was accepted with a 'merci beaucoup', and the empty cur> placed on the table with a 'tree bon cafe,madame'. After a few minutes we beat it for our headquarters, about ten minutes walk.
After supper we lost no. time in getting back to the house, finding the whole family there. I mentioned that the mother had had fifteen children, but six of them were dead. One son is in the Frenoh army, and they are all wrapped up in him. The father works in the mines, also twot.other sons, , boys of seventeen and fifteen. Two young kids, boys, go to school as does also one girl. The baby is a girl, last but not least by any means, is the hard working Julie,, twenty years old, and uretty enough to pass any-
where. So much for the family. I hope I'm not boring you with ell these detailp, but this is the first opportunity I've had to describe the carrying on of whet I suppose is a typical French family. The kid, unfortunately, only 'spent one night with us, having to leave next day as guard over a prisoner to headquarters. When he left I was the only linguist left, snd what I don't know* about the French lingo would fill a good many volumnes. Still Julie oould speak a little English, so we got along fairly well.
If ever ��. girl worked hard, she did, Up at four every morn��ing to get the miners off to work by four-thirty, and from then till nine at night, ehe always seemed to be doing something. They do washing for the army baths at a penny a garment, doing one day no lees than 2C0 shirts and drawers, All hard work of course. But in spite of it all Julie was always laughing end smiling. She's some kid all right.
Before we had been in the house an hour they were calling us by our first names. 'R-e' was the nearest they could come to the kid's monicker, but I was 'Fredericque' from then on. There was quite a, ceremony every night when the kids retired, , they having to , 'Bon soir' everybody and shake hands all around.
In the morning we had to have a cup of coffee, then a tub of warm water to wash in. No such a thing as taking our towels up stairs again,, they had to be hung up in the kitchen to dry. Also they were washed twice in the six days we spent there. Nov/ Finn is notoriously careless as to the condition he keeps his equipment in,, and his mess tin, having been used to boil w&ter in more tha���n once isn't overly clean. We came down the next morning and Finn started looking around for his tin. Couldn't find it anywhere.
Had just decided to go to breakfast without it,when the Mother yelled to,Julie, who was in an outhouse washing, apparently asking her if she had seen it. Julie came in and picked, up a. brightly shining tin from the window ledge and handing it to Finn said 'C'est a vous, me shine it ce matin*'. You could have knocked*Finn down with a feather. After that we were careful not to leave any of our stuff down stairs at night.
You may be sure that: we repaid them for their kindness. Bully beef, no bon to us, ie a luxury to them,, and we saw to it that they were plentifully supplied. We also kept the kids supplied with candy every so often. Taking it all in all, it sure was an enjoy��able week, end we hated like the devil to leave.
One night-later.
Couldn't finish last night, as I was interrupted too often. Will finish her up this trip though.
Have just received the photos we had taken a couple of weeks ago, and am enclosing one. Bo you still think that I'm thinner than I used to be? The kid had a rotten cold when the picture was
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taken, which accounts for his forlorn appearance, On the whole,
I think it is a pretty good picture. What'do you say?
This place ie the smallest burg we've had inflicted on us yet. Just six houses in it aside from the army huts, of which there are plenty. And from what I can gather we're due to stay here for a oouple of months. Oh,well, will have to make the best of it.
Had a letter from Gus and one from Sadye �� few days ago. The war has sure played hell with his business. Still I fancy he will make good on his auto truck proposition.
Can't seem to get going tonight, so will have to call it a day's work. Expect the kid back here in a oouple of days.
Best love to all,
Pred
Prance,
April 2, 1917.
Dear Mother and Dad,-
Seems as though I've been neglecting you lately doesn't it? Guess I have all right, but somehow or other a favorable opportu��nity hasn't presented itself lately. And I'm telling you in advance that this epistle ie only going to be a short one, for various reasons, one of which ie that a fierce bombardment is going on,, making it a mighty hard proposition to collect my thoughts.
Am up the line at present, doing various duties. Was up in one of the aid posts for a couple of days, during which time I was not able to take my shoes off. Too busy. Was on a working party from midnight to eight this morning,, building stretcher racks in another aid post. Slept all day, and am. ready for another cession: tonight. Tomorrow I'm assigned to stretcher hearer duty at the main dressing station here. Easier work than in the aid posts.
The mud is something awful in the trenches now. Knee deep in most places, and some worse. Right now I could take off my shoes if I cared to, and wring water out of my sox. But what's the use?
If I put on a dry pair they'd only be soaked in a few minutes. My putees and clothes are caked with mud,, in fact I'm farther than ever from being the immaculate soldier I used to be back home.
Am thinking seriously of having a wash tomorrow, also a shave. I fancy I need both rather bsdly.
Three of your letters came in one the big mail a few days ago
but I sent them on to. the kid, who was up here at the time. Haven'
seen him other than to say 'Hello' since then, so can't read them over again just yet. Also have a couple of letters of Marjorie's to answer, but am afraid I'll have to put offcdoing so until we go clown the line, I really haven't the pep to write up here.
Heavy snowstorm again today. Oh well, it just means a little deeper water to wade through, that's all.
Really can't continue any longer, as my ears are ringing with the awful racket going on outside, Feeling fine.
Best love to all,
Fred
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Franoe,
April 21st, 1917.
Bear Mother end Bad,-
Just a few lines to let you know that we are still thinking of you even if we seem to have neglected you shamefully in the letter writing line lately. It is not very often that I use the 'whizz-b8ng' method,, as you know, but when a fellow has to hump stretchers ^for 24 to 36 hours at a stretch,,every available odd moment is needed for sleep. Hence the neglect,. or rather seeming neglect.
As you may have suspected we have been having a rsther stren��uous time of it the oast two weeks. Have been 'up the line' for over three weeks now, with prospects of having to put in another ten doye before we are relieved, Heedless to remark that we are looking forward to that event, for a month's living in dugoute at a stretch is 'no bon'.
The main thing, however, is that we are both feeling fine although somewhat w|ary. My shoulders are so tender that I can hardly bear the weight of a stretcher on them, the kid is the same.
Was extremely sorry to reed in the -paper of Aunt Fannie's death, I wish you'd convey our sincerest sympathies to Uncle John and Mrs. Pawson.
Your two parcels came to hand s couple of days ago, and were much appreciated. The marshmallows kept fine, in fact the v/nole box of candy was Jake, Those cookies would take some beating too. Agnes is sure a 'bon' 000k. Also received the two parcels from Aunt Fannie,
Well, I'm due to depart for a post in a few minutes so will
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have to call quite. Will sure be glad when I can again tear off a decent letter. Impossible to do so up here.
Best love to ell
Fred
Beer Mother and Bad, -
France,
April 30th, 1917.
Just what kind of a fist I'm going to make of this defends largely on how long those two.batteries of 8" howitzers, located a oouple of hundred yards away, are going to keep up their favorite occupation of strafing Fritz. You'd think by now thatsuch a thing wouldn't bother me, but I must say that they sure rock the earth when they fire, even individually, and when they let a 'sabro' go, Mnuf 'sec'..
Am writing this sprawled flat on my tummy on a blanket in a field across from our dug-out. It is a glorious day, in fact couldn't be improved upon. This makes the tenth successive swishing day, mighty, welcome too after the long spell of wet weather. The mud has almost entirely disappeared, and I really believe that poring is with us at last. And maybe we aren't all looking forward to the day when we will pull out of here, and get away from the guns for a. while.
Just when that day will come, I can't say, but it surely can't be long now, and are due for a change of scenery.
Well, were you satisfied with the manner in which we took Vimy Bldge? Ho two ways about it. It was sure a neat piece of work, end- carried out with clock work precision. For two weeks preceding the morning of the attack, our artillery fire had been growing daily more intense, ceaselessly pounding his front line, supports, and putting hie guns out of action. But the courage put across on Easter Monday eclipsed anything I have yet seen in the line of artillery fire. Just before daybreak, at a given signal, every battery opened up, and I am certain the roar could be heard for miles. Talk about your 24th of May fireworks display, why it couldn't compare with the signals Fritz put up when the barrage started. Hie S.O.S. rockets went up by hundreds ell along the line, but his artillery was too busy dodg��ing our barrage to reply effectively.
Shortly after daybreak our work commenced, and we sure had a mighty busy time for the first 48 hours. Wasn't able to get a wink of sleep, and as for meals, well we grabbed a bite to eat whenever the opportunity afforded. If there is any harder work than humping stretchers for hours on end, I'd like to see it. Talk about sore shoulders, why it was just agony to carry a stretcher after the first day, but we simply had to grin and carry on.
If the weather had only 'been fine our work would have 'been made much easier. But we were hampered by the awful mud, andviolent enow etorms didn't improve matters either, I thought the mud was bed. hack of our own front line, hut it wasn't to he compared with the shape .Fritz's was in, 'No Man's land' was the most churned up strip of ground I have ever seen. There wasn't a square inch that hadn't been torn up hy our shells, Fritz's wirew was simply ohewed to hits. I'll never forget the tripe we made from the crest of Vimy the same day it was taken, and I'm sure some of the poor devils we carried out won't either. It wae an utter impossibility to find a level strip to walk on. One second you'd he ��one in a shell hole, while the fellow on the other side would he walking on the edge,, and the next second it would he reversed. The hardest part of the job was crossing the trenches, as the mud was at its worst there. More than once we were in mud up to our hips, hut somehow or other we managed to wallow through it. It is really marvelous what a fellow can do, when he has to.
We sure made the prisoners work, though, carrying out our wounded I remember one trip I made, escorting l6 Fritzies oarrying out four stretcher cases. The beggars were only too willing to work and didn't need any urging to heat it for the dressing station. When I thought' they needed a rest I'd motion them to put down the stretchers. Then it would he 'Allright, Fritz', 'Up again', a motion with the thumb a la traffic cop,, end an 'allez tout suite', which is the French for 'heat it', and off to war we'd go again. \
Was just about all in at the end of the 48 hours, hut a good sleep put new life into me, end next day I was ready to carry on again Since then we have been lept fairly busy hut nothing like the rush of the first few days.
Bumped into Tom Pasooe a few days ago. He is quartered in this town also, or rather remains of a town, for there isn't much left of it after being strafed for 30 months. He is looking fine and told me that he saw Reg Beckwith a few days previously. Piute is with the same outfit as the MoP'e and Goldie. I dropped him a few lines,among other things wishing that he would get as lousy as I was at the time of writing. Awful way to treat a pal, isn't it?
Your tin ofcookies came in last night and maybe they weren't appreciated. I believe there was a cake in it also, hut' didn't get in on it, as the kid took it up the line with him. I'm going up'this evening, so^ might* get a chance at it yet,
I mailed a Fritzie gas helmet a few days ago, one that Ifound in a. dugout at the foot of Vimy Ridge, overlooking Lens. Have a few other odds and ends thet I'll have to send along one of these fine days.
Well, folks, its supper time and I'm hungry, so will have to call quits. Both of us ere in the pink. Love to all,
Fred
117B-
have-to���opI-1- quits.���WiH��� -I-<yen--e-gg-��Ti���tear-erff
-a���decent���letter?���
Prance,
May 10th, 1917.
My dear Sia, - .
I really don't know just how long ago it is since I wrote you , hut it must he a couple of months at least. Somehow or other, lately X haven't been able to settle down to this letter writing business at ell. The last couple of weeks I've had ample time to co so, but just simply hadn't the pep. So rather than bore any friend with an uninteresting scribble I've refrained from writing. Can't exactly say. I'm in the mood for it right now,, but hone to be able to tear off a few .pages.
Came down the line a couple of nights ago to a village where our headquarters are now located. Another B.C. boy came down with me, the two of us having been unlucky enough to get tangled ut> with a gas shell. Nothing serious, you know, but something requiring rest and fresh air, both of whioh we are now indulging in.
Suppose you'd like to have the particulars of our mix-un, Well we were un at an R.A.P, at the time,' in a delightful little snot ' dubbed 'Napoo" valley. Might say that the R.A.P. has moved to more healthy surroundings since then. The dugout we lived in led off an old Pritzie cement gun emplacement. A fine little dugout with fea��ther mattresses and pillows, but, ye gods, the fleas. Haven't got rid of them all yet. Just before dusk a. stretcher case came down from the front line, and we went up into the gun emplacement to take it out. Quite a strafe was going on at the time, the noise being fierce. I was standing at one end of the emplacement, when a shell hit the edge of it about four feet above my nut, and burst. I wasn't long discovering that it contained gas, for the first whiff I got almost strangled me. Then I yelled 'She's gas, boys, and nut on my helmet. Had to keep it on for half an hour as he threw over quite a- few more gas shells. After taking the case out to the A.P.S. our M.O, decided to send us two-down, as the air in dugouts is none too pure at the best of timee. So here we are, doing nothing at all.
Just lying around in the sun and drinking in the fresh air. This is my first experience with gas, and I don't want to repeat it.
Gee, the weather is great over here now. Warm, sunny d.-
118
and mild nights, I wps in this village some six v;eel<e ago before the mud had cleared away. Soi;e difference now. The green grass is eorouting, and trees end hushes ere showing signs of life, and the birds are singing and twittering eway at a great old rate.
This is about the prettiest section of Prance we've been in yet.
In the six months we've put in on this front I guess I've been in at least fifty towns and villages in the forward and hack areas, so I am a qualified judge. Rumors still persist that we are due to move shortly, but that is as far as it goes.
ft Your last letter came along about a week ago, and was mighty glad to hear that you were in line for a ten day's jaunt to Portland Only wish I oould have accompanied you, I had a letter from Plorrie a few days ago, and judging from what she said, I'll bet there was a great old line of bull spilled when you got together again.
Tickled to death to hear that you were seriously considering taking music lessons again. It would have been too bad had you drifted away from it. Tripp's price comes high all right.
Haven't seeneny of the boys lately outside of Lcn Pascoe, Hid you know that Piute was over herennow with Ho. 2 Pi eld Arab.? Sure come to think of it, I mentioned it inmy last letter to Mother.
I mailed a couple of small parcels about a week ago, contain��ing some odde and ends I've been carting axmnd for some considera��ble time. Hone they reach you safely.
Phew, I'm warm. Am sitting against a brick wall with the sun shinning full on me. It's great though to realize that summer is here again.
I have a hunch that we've received several parcels from home which have not been acknowledged. While the strafe was on, our time was fully occupied and then some, so if we failed to thank you just lay it to stress of work, 'Comprez',
Well, I don't know that I have anything more to talk about so will just naturally have to oallquits.
How for the love of Mike don't worry over this gas business. I've a pretty tough constitution, and will be jake-a-loo in a few days. The kid is tip top.
Love to all,
Fred
P.S. Also sending along a few more leaves and flowers to add to the oolleotion, A botanist will be needed shortly to classify them. All were picked on Vimy.
118 A -
yyYl
AX - \
Just for fun I'm going to describe in detail how I looked when I came down the line - i.e. as regards dress. Both cuffs of my tunic were frayed end ragged, The left sleeve had a big piece torn out at the elbow, ebout four inches wide and a foot long.
The right one had a smaller hole, and also one in front, besides being nearly separated at the shoulder. The collar wee just about black from sweat and. dirt. Puttees were a minus quantity. They disappeared in the mud a month ago. Since then send bags have taken their place. The seat of my pants were rather draughty to say the least, and I ceri't say that I was troubled by them bagging at the knees, for with a rip in each knee there was plenty of room for freedom of action. As for my shoes, well it was fortunate that the mud dried up, for I was just about walking on my socks. Oh, I was some lovely looking object all right, kid, but I didn't worry any. A fellow gets usedto such little things after a while.
I am endosinganother photo of our Y reunion in case the other one went astray. And by the way talking of photos, I haven't received those I asked for some little time ago. Ship 'em along, will yuh?
I put 8n application in today for leave to Paris for ten days Quite a few of the boys have been there already, and while it may be several months yet, think there is an excellent chance of us making the grade. Nothing like trying, anyway.
Prance,
May 27th, I9i7.
Pear Mother and Pad,-
Honestly I don't feel one little bit like writing tonight, but ee I have felt that way for some little time now, guess I'll just have to buckle down and have done with it, nothing wrong with me of course, simply haven't the 'pep". Weather's too nice I guess. Will lay the blame there anyway,
nothing much of importance has taken place since I last wrote, so am afraid this is going to be a rather uninteresting epistle. However will do my best, and they never hung a man for trying.
We've been having a pretty easy time lately, drill in the morn��ing with every afternoon off. Can't say I enjoy the drill by any means for I've yet to run across a docter who could drill a squad correctly. They expect you to take an interest in it - after a year over here - but when one has to carry out commands and execute move��ments that cannot be found in a drill manual, why I fail to see where the interesting pert comes in. However it pleases them, and doesn't do us any barm, so why worry. We should be only too thank��ful that we haven't to do the nonsensical stretcher drill of bygone days.
Branched out in a new role a few days ago, viz, pitcher for our ball team. The kid usually hurls for us, but his arm was sore, so there being no other brave men available, I stepped into the breach. The game was with the Princess Pats, and I was lucky enough to pull off a $to 3 win in seven innings. They made all their in the firpt inning, but after that I had them on my hip, Am think��ing of trying out with Connie Mack when I get back.
Had one of our periodical bath parades today. We're very for��tunate in having the bathe located only 100 yards from our billet. Last winter we had to march five miles each way for a bath. As might be expected, we haven't elaborate showers or enameled tubs to. bathe in. The tubs are round ones, too small to sit in, and the spray descends from a hole in a 2' galvanized pipe. Fifteen baths at a time, and the time allowed each batch is exactly three minutes. Think you could menage a thorough cleansing in that short space of time? Hardly think so, but it suffices to remove the surface dirt, and that's the main thing.
The kid and I took in a bellgame about a week or so ago between the first and third brigades, and met Hank there. Same old Hank, only more so. Witness. 'By gosh, Pete, I voted dry in the chateau there, and then went back to camp and served out beer in the wet canteen'.
A few days later Bill and Piute came over to see us, blowing into camo just before dinner. Had roast mutton, baked aotatoes, and beans that day for dinner, so theyhorned in on it. Mighty warm that day so we didn't wander around very much. Went over to the Y.
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invested in some cakes and candy, then sat down in the shade and swapped experiences. They stuck around till after supper, then hopped a lorry and heat it for home, thoroly satisfied with their day's outing.
There has been no Canadian mail in for over a week now, hut expect some any day, Hope the subs, haven't done away with any of my mail. Heed it all.
Am pretty certain that we'll he on our way to 'gay Paree' in a month's time. Only shout twenty to go ahead of us, and they are leaving at the rate of six or seven a week, so chances are good.
As you know, not anticipating leave, I've sent $50. each from Fresnicourt a couple of months ago, Asa consequence have only some $50 coming to each of us, which amount, needless to remark, v/ill hardly suffice for ten days in Paris, Don't expect to ever get the chance of seeing it again, so we're not going to stint our��selves, Am sending to Mr. Brayne for thirty five pounds in a few days, which with what we oan draw here, ought to ensure us a good time. A Salmon Arm hoy, who was in Vernon with us, and came up here on the same draft, will probably he travelling with us. More particulars at a later date, when I hope I'll he able to say our leave is certain,
Well, aside from the fact that the weather simply can't he beat I think I've just about said my say. Haven't received any letter from you since I wrote last, so can't answer any queries or make any oomm ents.
Am pleased to report that both of your kids are Jake.
Lovingly yours,
Fred
Dear Mother and Dad,
Frsncf,
June 7th, 1917*
Have just been 6il��miseed from the afternoon parade, and having nothing special on, am going to devote the rest of the afternoon writing letters. As per usual, haven't anything special to talk about, but will doubtless be able to fill in a few pages with more or lees interesting dope/
Since writing you last have received three letters of yours, also one from Marjorie. Yours came along according to the old say��ing 'And the first shall be last'. Those submarines are sure play��ing the devil withthe mail service.
Hext morning
Just got nicely started when the gang blew in, and suggested a
121
bell practise. Seeing that we had a game scheduled for that even��ing I thought it better to accede to their wishes. So down to the ball ground we went end had a couple of hours workout.
The kid pitched in the evening and I covered the initial hes- �� sock. We didn't ''erf' clean up on the battalion we were nleying,
just 10 to 1, that's all. Say, Connie back's famous $100,000 in��field had nothing on ours last night. We gobbled up everything in sight, without the semblance of an error, I played in 'shorts' and rubber 'sneakers' with my sox turned down to my ankles. We have a fine bunch of rooters, and whenever I came to bat it was 'Wsilcro her out, old Sept, morn,' or some other scathing comment on my 'costume' or rather lack of it. Encouraged thusly, I managed to tear off two clean hits in four trips. Pairly good day's work.
Saw a bunch of bantams marching along yesterday, and judging that they were the 143rd, I yelled 'How's Victoria?' 'Fine' came back the answer. They are reinforcing the B.G, C.M.R.Battn. Don't know whether any of their officers came over with them or not. At
any rate I didn't see any. Have a hunch that Lieut. Robert ��� Ely won't be over here in a fighting unit if he can possibly avoid it.
Was dragged out of bed this morning at to scrub the hos��pital
floor. Almost finished the job by breakfast time, and at that we didn't hurry any. Half an hours work after breakfast completed the task, and n ov/I am free for the rest of the day. any of us are being overworked these clays. Haven't had drill for quite a spell now, for which I'm truly thankful. rather do
fatigues any day in the week than drill. Had an elegant sufficency of that in Canada and Blighty.
Received the money for our Paris leave from Mr. Brayne yester��day, but don't know just Then we'll get sway, Ho passes have come to this unit for over two weeks now, but have hopes that there will be some before long. Am fairly certain that we'll be able to get away one of these fine days, I sure hope so, for the boys who have been there were tickled to death with their trip. In the meantime m I've handed over my money to the paymaster for safe keeping, as I
don't care to carry that amount of money around with me.
Had a job yesterday morning that would have suited Dad down to the ground. Three of us had to dig up a patch of ground in front of the hospital, and then plant onions, lettuce and radish seeds. Pos��ing as an agricultural expert, I did the seeding, leaving the hard work to the other ginks. I 'hae me doots' as to whether there will be any crop, but am not worrying any, for I'm fairly certain will be away from here before the seeds have been sprouting very long.
It seems to be a habit with this unit, this doing a lot of useful? work just before leaving for another place. Oh well, if we weren't doing that we'd be doing something else, so I should worry.
I suppose you have heard or read about the National Service cards gotten? out by the Canadian Gov* to be filled, out by the soldiers
overpeas. Well, we had to fill them out a couple of days ago In the main they had to deal with the 'back to the land' movement Having no inclinations that way.myself I found nodifficulty~in*fi]- ing mine out, A hip: hunch of fellows in this unit already own f^r^s or homesteads, so it was right in their line.
You need not worry about both of us not being- able to read your letters, for we have no difficulty in that line. If I happen to be un the line with the kid at headquarters, and a letter in your familiar' handwriting comes along addressed to me, why he glome onto it, and after reading it, hands it in to the mail corooral to be* sent on up the line to me. And vice verse. So you see how that difficulty is settled.
Potatoes are pretty high over there all right, but nothing to what they are in Blighty. One of the boys just beck from, leave says they are charging Is 2d e pound for them. Some fierce price, isn't it? And. still at that we menage to have them for dinner two or three tines a week. Yes, I'd like to be back and eat some of those front lawn spuds. May be there yet, for all I know.
By gosh, we're looking forward to those parcels, for we haven't had one for over six weeks. No feer, you can't nut in too many cook��ies. As for the marmalade, well never mind. It's home made stuff I know, but reelly we see too much of the derned stuff. The salad dressing con be used to good advantage though.
Am sitting at our mess table writing this within smelling dis��tance of the 'Vaterland', as the cook has dubbed his oven. I think its roast mutton today for dinner, judging from the odoriferous effluvia, that is permeating the atmosphere. It is getting on for dinner time too, so will have to call quits and line up. The first man is always sure of hie dinner, but the last one often has to go' f short. Such is life in the army.
The small block piece of oloth enclosed is our old divisional sign sawn on the back of the tunic 2 inches below the collar. V/e now have ' Joffre blue' patches on each sleeve. The black patch was issued to us before going in on the Somme, so has seen considerable active service, including Vimy, By the way I hope to hear before long that the souvenirs I sent away some little while back arrived safely. Would hate to think that they hadgone astray,
I'm finished. Good bye.
Love to all,
Fred
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France,
June 28th, 1917.
Fear Mother and Fad,-
thunder%nJ*fY *atohin�� a ^ll fi���e for a while when a thunder and lightning storm came on, and I had to hsot i + +.
to ,s s ar��<r�� s&ava��
ssJvr-r'r:' ^^^.s^Asr^sgr.,
^:^o^ebc^isSfwrB";ebnuL.fortunEtely ��� ��"���**: r.;
Put in the day on sergeant* e kitchen today sLeLr:%\L3fh:ruSAB^so1o?0:ro���e^;\or^L:��a3^k38��f0f''te;- w
over here in reepeot to 'eate'. PrlV<teE fair fairly well
more ed three
SSES S on:��^^&nS??t-;2: XTES L��e!V
to 6. with the klf S tte ����a vlerf "rdBy \�� tha tuaa ��f 10 tried to pull all kinde of dlhv et^f? v; .P��' "'f' ��f s'��te,anc
ing the pill all overthe field ^ut after 'tw^��� ^ 1:38 dinnin^> 'boot��ing. Sunday afternoon we 00k on ! Z%?Z ,xt ��*�� Plain Mil-
them 10 to 2, with your humble servant 'twirlinK ^8^1^}. a men past second bp&q till +>,*> *?~��x * 4 x^* ii^ey o 1 dn11 get'
Christy always Sid il. y��� k^w- a'd S^'��' *'! I easati up 6 *"���
of rune across. It wee^ fSe'arm da^ 8 00'^le
on that old pellet. Think I struck out'shout ten^ Pient,y ��f s'oeed jme on Tuesday evening with +h�� i�� ^UX 8 ,0ut ten* 0ur last game
lid did the nLelsaiy 'andlt was Thi��? time the
them, down. The score'was iftH f pi^^ the ^ l��t
bit?? iRficsf' Vrii i v, i , 9 0nG ^ think he allowed on 1 v %
on it, and his out^dro^ wall heJuty68^^ ?i8u ff Pt had 8 h��h'
with a, four base clou^ Ind th! v?^% Jr0ke int�� the
hall players - eh what) ^ ^ 81S�� h8d 0ne t0 his credit.Some
- 1 2 4
Oh yoi,' She's reining cats end dogs out now, withthe storm increasing in violence every minute. Am thankful we're not up the line humping stretchers in this down pour.
When we were playing on Saturday, one of our hoys came over to me and said 'Say, Ancel, there's a fellow over there hy the hedge, asking if the Came hoys were around,' So, we being in to bat, I walked over to find that it was Frank Mellor. He said that he had heard we belonged to the 8th, and had ridden up to see us.
We stood there talking for a while when I remarked what a fin choree he had, and asked him jokingly if he was grooming for a general.
To my surprise, he replied, 'Sure, Currie',. I knew he was over here but hadn't heard that he had landed sucha soft job. He stayed around till after the game end then we had quite a chat# Itold him to give our regards to Currie, and to remind him that we hadn't had our-leave yet. To which he replied, 'gy gosh, I'm hitting him up next week for three months Canada leave,^nd if I make it,, you'll not see me back again'. Can't blame him at all, for he has done his bit, and isn't as young as he used to be. Told me to be sure and remember him to the folks when I wrote home, which admonition I've faithfully carried out to the smallest ddtail,
I *
Have had quite a few swell feeds of wild strawberries lately, the woods around here are plentifully supplied with them. Usually go out after we are dismissed from the afternoon parade, and in an hour and a half have enough for a. delicious dessert to our bread,, cheese and jam supper. Fully intended getting some this evening after I'd finished my 'Dixie walloping', but the sky being overcast changed my mind. Good job I did too, or I'd have been soaked to the skin.
Have quite a collection of wild flowers in a. book in my kit bag. Will have to send them along one of these days. Sorry I can't supply the names of them, for am afraid my botanical know��ledge is inadequate for the task. Maybe our Normal graduate can do the triok.
Glad to hear that my Fritzie gas helmet arrived safe.
Hope ere this that the other two packages have shown up. Have a Fritzie water bottle in mykit bag, which I'll send along shortly. They don't oost much to mail, and make fine souvenirs, especially as they are all genuine, and not bought.
Well, Paris ie looking a whole lot closer now than it did ten days ago. Since then ten men have made the pilgrimage, thus cutting down the number between us and the promised lend to about seven or eight. With luck then, we can pretty safely figure that we'll be on our way some day next month. Maybe sooner than that, for divisional rest is due in a few days, and in all probability leave will open up more freely, 'Ten days in Paris' ��� doesn't it listen well?
'Member the chateau we lived in last winter? Not the one
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good, for he has been pitching grand hall this season, his fast' hall having a peach of a hop on it, and his drop is a thing of heauty and joy forever. Aren't you proud of your kid? You bet I am. However you'll he doubtless hearing from him before long, so I'll not steal all his news. But before I switch the subject, I'd like to tell you about a note the O.C. received a couple of days ago. In it was an awful slam for me. The note ran like this -
O.C, - Can, F. Arab.
I hear that you have a pitcher by the name of Carne in your unit, not the red headed one with glasses, but his brother. Kindly letus know if his services can be utilized by the divisional team,
Jno, Smith
Lieut.
And just when I had begun to kid myself that I was a pitcher. Fierce, isn't it? Will certainly have to lay for that guy.
Since ray last letter, we've shifted villages again, only a. short move this time, however, about six kilometers. This spot is even prettier than the one we left, but unfortunately we haven't a Y handy. We have a dandy ball field though, as level as a billiard table, and we sure use it overtime.' As usual we are running a hos��pital, but so far have steered clear of working in it, and hope ray
good luck will continue.
, Let me see, I think we've played three ball games since I last wrote, winning two and tieing the other one*. I pitched the last game
and had a seven to two lead in the last inning, when I blew uu and
before I could recover my equilibrium they had chased five scores over the platter. The kid pitched the other two games and won their hands down. Our ball team is in bad shape right now, for in the last game our only catcher sprained his wrist, and caught a foul tip on his instep,, the first socker hurt his knee sliding into second, and the centre-fielder put his thumb out grabbing a live drive with his meat hand. And to cap the climax, the kid has 'partied'.. Too bad but it can't be helped.
Left off writing for a few minutes to go for my mail. A Cana��dian mail is an event these days. Found one each from you Mother, and Marjorie, Of them more anon.
Received your two parcels about a week ago, and they are now extinct, Plea^se thank Aunt Polly for the coffee. All the bunch are agreed thst it was the finest ever. The cookies and cake were dandy too,and muchly enjoyed by the gang. Mother your burning the cake seemed to worry you quite a bit, but I can assure you that a mere trifle like that didn't phase us any. In fact if you hadn't mentioned it having been burnt, I'm sure none of us would have noticed^ it.
- 1 2 5 -
where we slept in a. hut, hut the one requiring 52 steps to reach our sleeping apartment. Well ���'tie paid that we*re going to visit it again shortly, Hope so, for we had a fine time there before even if it was in the extremely cold spell. There ie adandy stream running through the grounds, and we may be able to indulge in a cool refreshing dip once in a while.
Reveille is blown at six o'clock in this unit, but until a couple of days ago 'cook-house' blown at 7, was the rousing call for the majority of us, Alas and alack, those days be no more.
Our acting 0,0,, than whom there is none worse in Prance, has decreed that we have a 6,15 parade and roll call every morning.
Gone is our delicious hour's sleep after 'reveille', and am sure the man responsible for our losing it would hear a few things about himself if he'd take the trouble to come into our billet at 6,14 A.M. any morning.
Can't seem to get used to the thought of Agnes teaching school. Somehow or other, she seems a kid to me yet. Guess it is because I've been away from home so much in the past six years that I haven't realized the change in her.
Guess that's all. Now for a piece of pie, then bed. Kid's fine. *Muh' also.
Love from
Pred
Lear Mother and Lad,-
Prance,
July 13th, 1917.
Guess it Ip about* time that I got busy and dropped you a few lines, for it is two weeks at least since last wrote you. Too busy playing bell ie my only excuse.
Well, I suppose I might just as well give my main piece of neviS now as later on. v/hat do you think the kid 'has gone and done'? h0Jiing more nor less than to grab one of the softest jobs over here. Aroused your curiosity, haven't I? Well, as you already know, he is' ui,te a ball player, specializing at pitching. Last night a note came in from divisional headquarters asking him to report with full kit at a chateau a couple of miles from here. They have 'gotten' together a ball team picked from all the teams in this d ivi si on, and their manager, a one-time big leaguer, having seen the kid pitch, desires his services for a couple of months. He left here today at noon, and expect him around'tonight to give me more particulars.
Some honor for the kid, eh? considering that there are some 20,000 men in a division to pick from. Have no doubt but that he'll make
127
Also received a parcel of candy from Annie Farish and one from Hilda McCormick in the oast week. Yea, you're right, they are gone too,
Stan Young dropped in to see me thie afternoon, it being the first tifiie I'd seen him since we had that picture taken. Hasn't changed any except to put on more weight. He ie running a Y near here, and I'm going to pay him a visit some day next week.
'Member the French family we stayed with a few months ago? Well, this village is only some four miles from their town so am going to pay them a visit on Sunday, Will be glad to see them again, for they sure treated us 'white'. Will let you know how we fared inmy next.
On the 1st of July Paris leave stored for an indefinite period, no reason assigned of course, but apparently because of tine American troops having their headquarters there. On the same day it was read out on daily orders that passes would be granted to other places in France providing that en route it would not be necessary to pass through Paris. Well, not knowing when Paris leave would open up again, and not wishing to lose the chance of a pass, quite a few of us changed our applications for leaves from Paris to Marseilles, Since then no leaves have come through, but all the applications before ours have been sent in to headquarters, and ours were to follow in a couple of days. Today Peris leave opened again, and you may be sure I lost no time in changing my application back to Paris again. The ones ahead of us oan't change theirs, so from, the present outlook we should be on our way in a couple of weeks at the outside. In the meantime I have my money securely fastened around me by a body belt. There's one thing cer��tain though, and thst ie that we'll be many pounds lighter when we get beck. Well, a good time is coming to us, and take it from me, we're going to have it.
I'm quite an important figure in this unit these days, for in addition to managing the ballteam and playing on the soccer team.
I also represent our section on the general sports committee. We ere planning for quite an elaborate field day shortly, and I have to root out all the talent in my section, and instill some of my pep into them. Our section oleaned up on the last meet, and I'm out to repeat the performance this trip.
Quite often you've mentioned in your letters the fact that I never tell you what our particular pals look like. Well, I'm not an adept at the business, but I'll make a stab at satisfying your ouriosity. Starting at the left side of our tent, my first offer��ing will be 'Tubby' Tweed, the 'Cochrane Cruiper'. Hot yet eight��een, stands 6 feet high, and weighsin the neighborhood of 190 lbs. Has a beautiful pink complexion, and whileCanadian by birth, must have been raised wrong, for he oan't say 'Can't', nut always pron��ounces it 'Count', Very lovable kid, and by virtue of being the