File consists of a typescript of letters written by Keith Macgowan during his army service in the 131st Battalion of the New Westminster Regiment, the majority to his mother, Fanny Owen Macgowan. The letters date from April 30, 1916 to November of 1919 and cover Captain Macgowan' s training at Victoria and Vernon BC, the battlefields in France and Belgium and postwar in Belgium and Canada. The letters describe daily life at the front, difficult conditions in the trenches, death and injury to friends and fellow soldiers, the work of his batmen, and experiences on leave in Paris and London. A number of letters describe Macgowan' s legal work during the war, when he was occasionally assigned to defend soldiers accused of crimes, including desertion(a hanging offense). Original holograph letters are held at the University of Victoria Special Collections.
Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918; Macgowan, Keith
Date:
1916-1919
Collection:
Keith Macgowan fonds
Location(s):
British Columbia--Victoria; British Columbia--Vernon; Belgium--Passchendaele; France
Page Title:
Macgowan_letters 28
Transcript:
28
We go through a lot of it over here. Cough drops are also good. Light cake
is of no use and heavy things cost too much to send.
Yes Sloan meant me when he wrote. I saw him the other day when on my
way here and he had just received some tobacco from father.
There was very heavy fighting at Courcelette which is near the Somme.
Our scout sergeant was killed near thee and I today got a letter asking about
his grave. He was a son-in-law apparently of H.C. Chamberlain of the 131st.
I see that Aunt Letty is still a candidate for a retreat for the lightly
demented. I really think that they should teach the kids German because it
seems to be the proper thing to be learned in the dead languages. Perhaps Ken
may have to take a chance himself yet if fit. So the old dame is all alone in
a 25' bedroom. The woman' s mad. Who the devil did she expect to have with
her being a widow.
Don' t bore people with any of my letters. Gertrude may care to read them
but others -nix- I know.
My throat has been A1 and I have two and a half weeks here yet. Don' t
worry about the coming offensives, ' Remember the Lusitania' the States are
behind us. We should worry. I guess the above will be the States ' Maine' slogan. (Helen will interpret if necessary).
Must stop now with love to everyone,
Keith
p.s. Got the clipping re Stacy. He should stay out of the game. fritz seems
to have his number. KCM
February 14 1817 - France - (letter # 23)
Dearest Mother:
I have had no Westminster letters since Feb.7th when your #10 arrived.
I do not understand why because I received one from Ruth Pyne from Vancouver
this evening as Can. mail must be through. However our deliveries have been
all upset lately as the weather is a little milder and the frost is easing off
so I believe the heavy transport is reduced to a minimum to save the roads
until the thaw is over. It is a corker the things that have to be given
attention in this business. some letters come racing through. I got one in 3
weeks time and it often takes 10 days from England to us.
I have been putting off writing each day thinking there would be a
letter but then I haven' t much news anyway.
Today Sir Douglas Haig with a bunch of ' Brass Caps' including our Corps
Commander Lt. Gen. Sir Julien Byng, inspected the school. Haig is a fine
looking man.
I am afraid that this course has deprived me of a chance to get a hun or
two. Before I left I heard a hint of a coming show but thought I might be
back in time or recalled but the other day just before lecture we were told
that the Brigade (ours) would go over the top early next morning. I was
rather disappointed as I didn' t have the Somme work and altho no one really
enjoys going over the sacks still I would like to have been with my section.
I listened for the artillery which puts on a barrage and bombards his lines
before hand and about 4am woke and the show was evidently on. The barrage was
a heavy one. The attack was to be about 1000 strong but I have had no details
except that it was very successful. I am very anxious to get details. we are
at least 12 miles from the line and the heavies have been doing a lot of work.
29
All day Sunday and Sat. and Sun. nights they hammered away. Usually they
bombard for an hour or two. Today they were at it again for quite a time.
We have a lecture every day at 5pm and tonight we had one from a mining
officer who explained (tho a poor lecturer) how the war ,defence and attack,
was carried out underground. Both sides have regular underground tactics so
you see we are fighting in the air, on land, and sea and under both.
I see by todays paper that Mr. Gerard has left Berlin also that he
thinks that the starvation of Germany will be a slow process. I don' t know
what it is but something has got to be done and that mighty quick. This can' t
go on forever. the credit just voted us 550,000,000 pounds which is to run us
until May. It is ' more' an I expected' .
Today several of the chaps in our hut had to rejoin their units as their
division has come out into reserve or rest so I guess they will have to train
and practice for the coming push as I suppose there is bound to be one. Last
night the hut had a dinner down town. Got a French family to put up a good
chicken dinner starting with a cocktail and ending with champagne. We had
speeches etc. and a barrel of fun. It is a long time since I have laughed as
much as I did last night. It is the first night I have been out of camp since
I arrived 2 1/2 weeks ago.
I really have no news. If I could have a talk to you all I could tell
you a great many funny or interesting things but to write them is impossible.
Life here is straight routine and in one way I shall be glad to get back
to the unit but am not worrying as I am going to be there quite long enough
and have no doubt but that I shall have plenty of chances of getting into a
show. I don' t like the stuff but I would like to get a couple of huns just to
be on the safe side.
At some school such as this one meets officers from the whole corps.
Some fine chaps and some apparent bounders. A great many N.C.O.' s have
received commissions and altho in nearly every case I guess it was coming to
them now and again one runs into a fellow that' s labelled ' likely good front
line man and an officer but no gentleman' I never criticize as I have done
very little front line work myself and in this game we need material rather
than veneer and polish. As associates however I prefer others. We have been
very fortunate in our hut as the bunch is a good one and we have two or three
ex N.C.O.s too but good stuff.
My fountain pen has gone on the rocks as I have to write nearly
everything twice. Also have to do most of my writing on my knee.
Am enclosing a clipping from the Daily Mail which you may have seen. It
gives the Canucks a good character but all joking aside what the Canadians
have stood and their ability to scrap is OK. They are not as undisciplined as
they are painted either.
Everything is fine with me and I am appreciating every night in bed. I
get there by 9pm generally and up at 6:30. The last two or three days have
been a little milder but a confounded north east wind is still blowing and has
been ever since we came. It is a bitter one.
We consume a great many cigarettes here but the stock in the canteens
keep running out. I would get you to send them to me but there is the danger
of them being stolen and besides I can buy Players here for 1 1/2 francs a tin
of 50 which is about 25 cents present value of french money, and you have to
pay twice that and postage so you see it is a poor business proposition.
Give my love to all and ask Billie to drop me a line if he has a minute
to tell me how things go with Rooms 605-610 New Westminster Trust Block. Also
30
conditions generally and as to recruiting. There was considerable noise in
the villages the other night and I understand that a new class has just been
called up.
With much love mother dear,
Keith
February 17 1917 - France - (letter # 24)
Dearest Mother:
This afternoon I got your # 12 dated January 19th but your #11 has not
arrived. Until today have had no letters from 316 since the 7th but received
one or two papers. Also got the box of biscuits and cheese today. The
biscuits were pretty well broken up but still eatable.
Letters going make better time than those coming it seems. For instance
I wrote to England to have a tunic made. I received it two weeks later and
about 3 days after got a letter from the tailors saying they had my order and
would fill it as quickly as possible. So you see we cannot figure it out but
most of the stuff comes through eventually. I fear however that your #11 may
have been lost as I have not heard from Gertrude since the same date - 7th.
No word of many mail having been lost however has reached us. I was wondering
if the California could have possibly have carried any but that is most
unlikely. As you know I got your Nov. Boxes and cake and almond icing was in
great shape. Don' t worry about the cold, the thaw seems to have set in and
everything will be fine now.
Yes I have Vivians address alright. Richardson went to 54th I believe.
I should think that Mrs. Diamond would have trouble getting back to England as
they are trying to get rid of Canadian wives.
I am glad to hear that you have a chinaman coming. The work is too much
for you altogether.
Dear little Hennie Ballow must be a great saver of steps for you all and
tell her that I am so glad to hear she is such a good girl.
The news of the 225th was a surprise. I wonder what became of Lockheart,
he was a Capt.
The car accident Johnnie Rushton was in was the B.C.E.R.Lakeview smash
when 16 were killed by the runaway freight train.
Yesterday I got a bundle of socks, must contain nearly two dozen pairs.
Mrs T.D. Trapp' s name on. If I ever can get them back to the unit will give
them to the section as I presume that is the intention. Will manage somehow
and shall write her a note of thanks. Have just run through your letter so
will give you what little news I have.
Later - I left this to go down town with a chap from this hut, a Toronto
man who is with the 73rd Highlanders. We went into a tea room for 5 o' clock
tea and the first man I ran into was Elsa Burnetts husband...Ramsay. He is
with the 12th Machine Gun Company I thought he was in Vancouver. Only had a
few words with him.
The weather has broken and the frost is coming out of the ground so we
have mud again. I guess the trenches will be falling in in great shape when
the thaw gets well started. I sent you a Daily Mail, save it. Also some post
cards let me know if you have received three pictures of French places.
33
Billie to thank Mr. Martin and staff for their good wishes and thank Billie
himself for the letter. I enjoy one from him very much. Father asked for
some reasons I had for forming certain opinions regarding a particular chap.
I guess he will be fairly well aware of them by now as I have since written
letters to you that size him up fairly well. I am glad father ascertained the
value of my extra kit in dollars and cents with only one load of fountain pen
ink. I have a new one though. I get paid according to a dollar and cent
basis $2.00 per day, and .60 cents per day field allowance and $1.00 per day
extra messing allowance. The total is deposited monthly in the B.of M. London
in pounds, shillings and pence, then I draw against that by cheque for 125
francs at a time. The bank balance is maybe, and I take the passbooks word
for it. Father should charge all disbursements such as Mildreds photo and my
share of Gran' s Xmas quilt etc. and if balance gets low let me know.
As to Aunt Tweebie business I could explain details easily enough with
the papers but it is pretty hard from this distance. Am glad Billie found the
assignments etc. in order and I do not think anyone but Collister is taking a
chance if a deed of a single lot is given. He might be.
The news of Pat Bowler' s death was new to me. The miserable son of a
gun left quite a bunch of coin with him, the Coquitlam deal was a case of
' don' t get you nothing' .
As far as being steady and keeping your head down ' Johnnie' has nothing
on me. I generally know just how near the top of the parapet my old tin hat
is reaching. I also quite agree with him that a live dog is better than a dead
lion but we are certainly having our dog days.
Did you get the postcards including my English actors?
Tell Helen my nerves are fine and that a ' Minnie' has to land right
alongside to scatter them and that isn' t likely as one can see them coming.
Her chocolates I got were not so dry but were a lot mussed up and gooey. The
fudge is fairly hard but under the process of mastication once more becomes
creamy. Postal rates are pretty heavy tho on that heavy stuff.
Yes we are losing a few ships by the subs. but I think that the subs are
being sunk pretty regularly according to the papers here. From a conversation
I had with the chief officer on the ship coming over they have their own way
of rounding those little fellows up once they are located.
The address is vague but quite enough as I get all your letters but be
sure to put ' Canadians' .
Am sorry you have all had such a dose of grippe and hope you are now all
free of it. I wish you could get a good chink. The old scout Ling should be
back soon surely.
Alex McQuarrie seems to have a pretty good post. The law business is
the only one that really gets it in the neck on this business.
I can quite imagine that Mrs.Swan is delighted with the railway job Bill
has.
So Fraser Allen was worried over a peace conference Fritz posted up.
Well we don' t take any stock in peace talk, and won' t until our G.H.Q.calls us
off.
So George Trapp is off for the air. It is a very important branch and
does wonderful work. I should like to write you how it works with the
artillery and infantry but that again is ' ultra vires' . I said I missed a show
34
it was successful, 49 prisoners, besides destruction of works. This was
published. Read 3rd paragraph 1st page commencing ' early' 3rd column.
Tell Elsie to keep up the golf. We don' t call ' fore' here before
driving but I guess it is necessary because there are softer things than a
golf ball to get banged with.
I think I have had Mrs. Peels' s matrimonial affairs from about six
sources but they all differ a bit and so are more or less new. I have no news
from here. We should wind up the end of this week but I have lost track of
whether the unit is going in or coming out.
I am very well and have not missed a parade so far and have been out for
jerks every morning. Will write more if I get a chance but have a lot to do.
With love to all and assuring you that the cold weather is over and that
we only have our old friends the rain and mud and that one never takes a cold
in the trenches. You may feel punk going in but the cold disappears once in.
Now don' t worry over the mails. If anything hurt me you would hear
mighty quick. Also don' t worry about my work, it is OK and I expect to have
my section complete again for keeps.
Your affectionate son,
Keith
February 23 1917 - France -(letter # 25A)
Dear Father:
I acknowledged receipt of your letter to mother a day or two ago so will
only write a note as I have not much time today. Naturally there are a great
many things that one should not mention in a letter and we cannot state where
we are.
Expect to return to the unit tomorrow and begin again the work in the
line. It is certainly nothing to look forward to as the conditions are
naturally not as pleasant as they might be. However, I hope that I do not
make a bull when the real work commences. So far we have been carrying on ' a
quiet warfare' .
I explained to Mother that my scout officer work is really safer in my
opinion than that of the ordinary officer in the company. That is not just
talk for her benefit but is actually the case. Another strong point which I
neglected to mention is that I do not get called up to take charge of working
parties at night. You see when we are in support, parties have to tramp up to
the line every night for special work, such as trench digging or repairing.
Often these are shelled work the work is disliked more than almost any other
duty. So you see it is no small item to be free of those things. At times
parties get lost or broken, on the whole it is a miserable duty.
Things are going along fairly well and if I get off as luckily as I have
so far I will be OK.
My news is almost nil as I have written everything I knew to mother so
you will naturally hear it all.
Give my love to the household and believe me I will take any precautions
possible.
Your affectionate son,
35
Keith
p.s. I suppose by the unnamed party you meant J.D.
Facts were these, he just got everybody rubbed the wrong way, in my
opinion by his continual petty wrangling. Never had any idea of coming here
and when the bunch was split I am told he was assured that all ranks would be
taken care of and would go to the units they wanted also that N.C.O.' s would
retain their ranks, that all ranks would be provided for satisfactorily. He
wouldn' t take that. Wanted his battalion or nothing. What he expected to do
with it is more than I know. Result was that we were sent here there and
everywhere whether we liked it or not, a lot of the seniors are still out of
jobs and the NCO' s were stripped over here quite naturally. He never even
said so much as goodbye to any of us that I know of. beat it for London and
stayed there most of the time. He ran a big bluff apparently and I believe did
it knowing that he would not make it stick and would then have a good reason
for returning to Canada. As far as I could see and I was in the orderly room a
good bit he simply got the battalion in wrong every where it went. So much
for my reasons. KCM
p.p.s. There will likely be hell to pay before long. Many rumours but
nothing definite. In case of an advance in any particular place, some units
will have to go over and the others relieve and hold ground won. I fear we
are going to ' hold' if our sector is chosen which is almost certain. Would
rather attack any day because in that case our artillery hammers their line
until it is a veritable ' washout' , the infantry goes over in waves behind a
barrage of artillery and generally fare fairly well. But when the relief
comes up, consolidates and holds. Fritz reorganized and collects for a series
of counter attacks and the holders in turn just stand and take the full force
of his artillery. There is no use talking, shell fire is hell. I don' t
believe that one ever gets used to it and in fact it works the other way. The
first day I ever went into the line with an advance party to look over our
front a large shell nearly got the bunch of us when about 2 1/2 miles in rear
of the line. We heard it and threw ourselves before she burst. It was about
five yards on the other side of a bank I was leaning against. It hit in soft
earth and spent itself. Some of the old timers cursed Fritz and pulled out.
I thought that was to be the regular order of things and it didn' t bother me a
bit. If a shell comes anywhere near as close as that now I hunt cover in a
hurry because I have since seen the effect of the things when they do hit. I
would just as soon stand his shell fire though as his trench mortar stuff.
Minnies, rum jars, fishtails etc. The first two are a corker.
I am satisfied that I missed being wiped out one day. They began to
strafe us one afternoon. Whiz bangs and 4.5' s were coming pretty regularly
and our stretcher bearers were busy. I decided I would go up to one of the
posts to see how things were doing. I came to a quarry which the trench ran
through and a shell bit in it and on the hard rock it was a bird. Smashed one
of our kitchens in but didn' t get anyone. I was going to cross and go on up
the trench when something said ' better wait a minute or so' I stepped into the
mouth of a Sap some pioneers were working in. I was there about two minutes
when I heard another.I looked to see where it was going and off she went. A
direct hit in the trench just up the steps beyond the quarry. I would have
just been about there had I gone on. I waited another five or ten minutes and
no more came so went on up. I saw what she had done and would not have given
much for the chances for anyone hear there in a narrow trench.
On the other hand some days and nights one would hardly know there was a
war on save for an occasional machine gun and the star shells, or flares as
they are properly called..KCM
36
February 27 1917 - France (letter # 26)
Dearest Mother:
Just a line as I have only a minute. Am back with the unit and am OK.
We go back into the front line in two or three days and if lucky after this
tour our division may be due for a months rest.
I got back to hear that poor Elmer Warwick had been killed in the recent
raid. I was so sorry to hear it. We have also lost two of our best 131st
Sergeants who were recognised as being two of the best in this unit. Sgt.
McMan was killed and Broderick who was acting Sergt. Major in our raid did
great work and came through OK. A day or two after he was accidentally shot
and killed by one of his best friends also a 131st man who is now up for Court
Martial for manslaughter. I am defending and fear he hasn' t much chance. It
seems such a needless waste of A1 material as the man was a valuable one.
I am sending home my fountain pen to have the nib fixed. Would also
like to have a small pocket knife and a couple of good erasers.
I have now a new batman. Linn wanted to get back to section work. He
only took on the job because the section was being broken and he wanted to
stay with the few left. He was a pretty good kid. I have now got a boy named
Peter Sproute from Vancouver. He is a nice kid and I think will be alright.
I don' t know what I shall do without a batman after the war. At first I
did everything for myself now your shaving articles are handed to you and
clothes attended to and brass shined etc. It is a great business but a good
batman is worth a lot here.
I am enclosing a memo which please keep. I want it for the sake of the
fool memo on the back of it.
Give my love to all,
Affectionately yours,
Keith
Memo mentioned in letter # 26 dated January 19 1917
To The Adjutant
47th Canadians
In the case of #219766 Pte Desjardins E.
Kindly let me have at once the statements or summary of evidence of the
following witnesses appearing for the prosecution.
Sergeant Norris MMP
L/Corporal P.(can' t read) MMP
B. Dupont
M. Dupont
(signed) K.C.Macgowan Lt.
answer on back
I can give you this personally at my quarters at 4pm. The evidence is
of arrest. These witnesses were not available for summary. Your request is
on the form of an order and similar notes in future must be modified in their
tone.
(signed) C.Cars..(can' t read)
Lt. Adjt.
49
March 5 1917 - France - (letter #27) postcard written on both
sides
Dearest Mother:
Have been too busy to write letters. Will be glad when this tour is
finished. Am perfectly well at present. There should be rest in store for us
soon and I hope we get a good one. I need it as I am short tempered and
nervous when going without sleep but can do with about as little as anyone.
Have had my trench boots off a couple of times this trip. Day before
yesterday was beautiful. Someone told me it was Sunday. My snipers had good
observation and got six huns. Also succeeded in worrying a Fritz relief or
what appeared to be one by turning on some heavy artillery. I hope it will
all soon end as I am very tired of it but we will get him yet.
Love to all and I hope to see you soon
Keith
p.s. I left this side for address but will send in envelope. One of the
batmen just brought in 2 oranges. It is a long time since I have eaten one.
Got your box with cigarettes, dates, socks, biscuits, cheese, chocolate etc.
safely and in good condition. The cheese drew the rats so I had to eat it in
a hurry. fritz is chucking over a lot of stuff just now but it will stop
before I have to go out again. Have received certain letters which I shall
answer when we get out of the line. Summer is coming and my work will be a
great deal lighter because the night will be shorter. Our grub is good and we
get all we require in fact we mess very well. Nothing stylish but the
substance is there.
Lovingly your son, Keith
March 08 1917 - France - (letter #28)
Dearest Mother; It has been some time since I have been able to write you but this tour
has really been a pretty hard one and I got to reserve billets last night
about five miles back of the line dead tired. I have received the following
letters. Your 14th and your parcel. Helen' s 9,10,11, Elsies of Jan.25th and
Gowans of Feb.4th. I shall just run through them and answer anything requiring
it.
Elsie' s - I do not mind the rats. They roam about everywhere but they haven' t
bothered me. Your McLaren' s cheese rather attracted them however. Yes Ward
is not built for the dugouts. Sometime the entrance to a deep one is about
3' x3' . You back down feeling for the steps. Our dugout this last tour
however, was quite comfortable. Elsie had better ease up a bit on the work or
she will have a breakdown. If Motherwell really wants to do something for me
he might just call this war off. I would really appreciate it. Was glad to
hear Gray, Fraser, and Sullivan all got in. I believe I have some horse shoes
on my neck, because the other night I came through a hot time without a
scratch of which more later.
Yours - The weather this tour was fine but today raw with wind and snow. My
men are nearly frozen to death because the snow comes through the roof of the
barn and the walls are full of chinks. Your box was OK. I got it just after I
got into the line. I got one from Gertrude last night when I reached billets
which saved my life also that of Purvis the Signalling Officer as our kitchens
didn' t arrive until late so we ate half the box up.
Don' t worry about me I am feeling fine I am not in any bombing business.
My work is information not explosives. Yes I hope it will be over before the
50
fall but the fall is a deuce of a long way off when one sees how much can
happen in an hour. Am always amused to hear of Bunkers speeches. She must be a
corker now.
Helen' s - You all seem to be worrying about the scouting. It is good work and
although there is no end to it I prefer it to the company stuff. I have
received nearly all your letters so don' t worry about them either. No, I
didn' t volunteer for scouting, I was so green I didn' t know what a scout
officer had to do. I know now tho. When I got the job I had never even been in
the line or under shell fire.
The man Taylor refers to as having lost his job is with us as a
supernumerary Major. He was O.C. 30th Reserve. I don' t think he likes the war
as well here as in England. Was tickled over Walkers opinion of the kids.
Great stuff Helen my hearty. If Jack has a chance for a commission in the C.E.
tell him to take it. The expenses pretty much take care of themselves and
allowances are larger. We received $100.00 when joining in Canada, $50 leaving
Canada and $100 when going overseas. So you have peace in the air eh? Well you
have different air from us. It is mostly charge with aeroplanes and shrapnel
here. Should enjoy a breath of yours. Yes Ward was wounded and Henderson was
hit the other night in a big show near us. he has just got a nice Blighty tho
I hear. Hope Helen will be able to take the expected trip. If the States come
in I should like to go to Minneapolis to lecture on trench warfare while she
is there.
My wants are few. I have sent my pen home. Cigarettes are useful in the
line because the canteens and Y.M.C.A. are bought out regularly.
Yes, Mary Dorsey is rich. She writes a clever letter. Sorry to hear that
Campbell hasn' t fixed Billies nose up yet. He must be having a bad time of it.
Address 47th Canadians (Inf.)B.E.F. France, should be quite sufficient.
Going to Army P.O. takes longer but in case of casualty they know where you
are and the letter does not come to unit and then chase off to hospital.
Gowan' s - I enjoyed his letter very much and I have no doubt but that he
will eat that sort of work alive. Would like to be able to take a try at the
skies with him. Tell him to go easy on the jumps. Am returning his sketch of
boat. It looks very comfortable to me and well planned. As he says it is
sometimes a good thing to be attached to H.Q. but a lot depends on the boss. I
never saw one more thoroughly unpopular with all his officers than this one
is.
Have had a letter from Ramsay and he is at the front alright. Would like
to see him. Have to parade my fellows to the baths today - Quite a march but I
may see Trapp or some of the others there because I heard some of them were in
that village. You have all heard by now of poor Hugh Stoddard and Elmer
Warwick.
Was very amused of Gowan' s description of father' s dress on the Pitt
Lake trip. I could just see him in detail. I think I will keep it and show it
to Bill Sloan when I am next at the Transport lines. (also got a letter from
Elsie dated Feb.1st I think I have received all her letters)
Now as to what I have been doing. Returned from my course and found the
unit in supports. Everybody was out every night up the line on working
parties. I did not come in for these being a H.Q.Officer. Then we went into
the line. I didn' t look forward to it a bit because the thaw was well on but
the line was much better than I expected. I had to go in the night before the
battalion. There was a show on that night by the Brigades on our immediate
right. It started at 3am. I watched the whole thing. It was a wonderful sight.
58
with a wounded man. I sent him in and with a party of men commenced to bring
in wounded. No one can describe the mud.. We went over to the German line and
took a couple of poor chaps from under his parapet. The men seemed stupid and
slow to work (they were simply all in) I cursed them loudly and got the man
on my own shoulders only to stagger and fall in the mire. The nerve of the
chap we were getting in was wonderful. He did everything I asked him to and
hung on to my neck which left my arms free. It seems ages before we had
everyone in as only one stretcher was available. It was moonlight and we were
all walking round upright within 30 yards of a german sentry who watched us
and never fired. I thought one of the fellows was going to fire at him and I
wouldn' t let him as a machine gun could have cleaned the lot of us up.
Everyone was so weary that no one cared if they were shot or not. I finally
stumbled down the trenches to a company HQ. on the way I found another wounded
chap and sent a stretcher for him at once. At C.H.Q. they gave me a good shot
of rum. There I got my two scouts, one sick the other struck in the back by a
lump of mud but not cut. We made HQ (advanced) and I stumbled in and
reported. I had lost a pair of heavy mitts and I was a mass of mud. The
O.D.(our new one) said I had done good work, the reaction set in and I nearly
had hysterics for a minute when I was told that young Sparrow a Lieut. of whom
I was very fond had been killed. I left there and the three of us crossed the
valley. You never saw such mud. I stepped in a 6' hole which is nothing
under the ordinary circumstances but I simply fell headlong in the water quite
limp, got up and hiked on never feeling the jar. We got home and I stumbled
in to the HQ where a couple of Staff Officers were waiting for news. They
thought from my appearance that I had been mauled by a shell but I assured
them that I only need a cup of strong tea. Sproute my batman was there and
took charge and for the first time in the line I washed, stripped and got
into my bedroll. The whole thing was wonderful and was considered quite a
success also a splendid example of what the Canadian boys can do after
standing a weeks shell fire. this letter is chiefly the big' I' you will
notice but one can only see what goes on in his immediate vicinity. everyone
did wonderful work. Jimmie Scott went over in the raid and is unhurt He
acted splendidly I am told. At first I thought I might be frightened but when
the barrage started there was too much of it to bother about trying to avoid
it and there was work to be done. I rather felt that the new C.O. hadn' t the
confidence in me that I would like and I hope that he has more now altho the
Lord knows I didn' t do much. However mother dear if Fritz should ever get me
he spared me this time because my party was his for the asking. I became so
sure that he wouldn' t fire that I put my gun in it' s holster and buttoned it
up and got about my work. At least one German has a few humane ideas and I
shall never fire on a stretcher party as I know now what it means.
I haven' t a scratch except several small chunks out of one hand where I
mired and fell into the broken and bunched German barbed wire and the poor
wounded chap went with me. I feel fine now and have three times the
confidence in myself. I hope I make good on the work that is all. It is a
glorious way to die if one has to and I am glad I did not remain at home.
We are now out for only four or five days instead of ten and we are
training all the time. Our meals are good and I am looking fine (for me)
Tell Mrs. Stoddart that I did not write because I couldn' t get the
information. We see each other here very seldom. those in one company never
see the other companys while in the line and so I wasn' t able, Bedsides it is
almost impossible to get any writing done and his platoon officer should have
written.
You should see an army in motion. The traffic is beyond description.
Transport, artillery and infantry etc. a block occurred near us yesterday for
a short time and motor lorries were held up both ways for five miles. It is
really wonderful. The day after the show we held the line, an extra day, I