Letter to Mother from Somewhere in France
September 18, 1917
I met a man last night, Who said to McDonald that it was impossible to live a christian life in the army, I have spoaken of McDonald lots of times.
These letters are organized in chronological order beginning at the start of the year.
September 18, 1917
I met a man last night, Who said to McDonald that it was impossible to live a christian life in the army, I have spoaken of McDonald lots of times.
September 18, 1917
At the y. I sat out on the hill side for a half hour tonight and watched two bouts of boys boxing I dident like it.
September 20, 1917
I just fixed a registered letter for you it may not be thru as quick as this letter but if not it will be along in next mail,
September 22, 1917
I received you most welcome cards they were very pretty, I have seen some more shore scenes from the boat but I can’t quite explain any of them here,
September 25, 1917
I have not had time to write for about three days. I have been in two work parties that took up the most of the two dayes,
October 1, 1917
the night I carried out the lad I spoak of. The miner McNaughton got wounded the trip over the top, but use four Hazenmore boys are still going.
October 2, 1917
I received a letter from Mrs R, D, English today she wrote a very nice letter in answer to one I wrote her some time ago I am in the same little funk hole as when I wrote my last letter and am feeling fine the weather is still ideal.
October 3, 1917
I an’t sure but I may have dated my yesterdays letter wrong. It has tried to rain since about 3 A.M. now it is about 4 P.M. and the sun is shining I guess it may rain yet. There is no mud.
October 8, 1917
I am sitting dry and cosey in my bunk, I havent a top bunk on wire but the floor bunk of boards. the center bunk is board to I told you of my top bunk before the wire one,
October 16, 1917
I don’t get around to write every day as I would like to we sleeping in the hay barns cannot use candles, because they might make a fire some time, so it takes most of the day light to clean up and parade and eat,
October 17, 1917
I am sitting on an old log beside a farm barn just came off parade at 2,30 just an hour in P.M. I received a package of candy and crumb chaser last night the fudge was surely fine,
October 17, 1917
It rained some while we ate dinner so there is a little mud on the yard.
October 19, 1917
It rained some while we ate dinner so there is a little mud on the yard.
October 21, 1917
I am sitting where the big shells fell again on a fine sunny a.m., on a emty grenade box leaning back against the remains of some kind of a house
October 30, 1917
I wrote Mrs Burns about Mitchel today, also a mother in Edmonton about her boy who was killed he belonged to an other batt. then I wrote Harvey Anderson about Mitchel.
November 2, 1917
I sent six letters last night. I am on duty now at co’y headquarters I have been reading the Saturday Post of Aug.18th to pass along the time,
November 3, 1917
I received your letter also Kathleen's and Otto's last but not least some days ago.
November 4, 1917
It is freezing in the shade all day today but so nice and clear you would all most think that we were in the west again.
November 6, 1917
Dinner will be on in a minuite, I just came off parade. I went back to platoon today an old runner that was wounded in Aug. returned last night so he naturaly received his job back again
November 7, 1917
I guess I have the job at last, I am going on stretcher bearers course now, I won't be away from the battn, but I have got a job that I feel needs some one that will get out and work
November 9, 1917
I have a few minuits to write just before I fall in we had a dandy dinner roast beef brown gravy mashed potatoes and biscuits which we like as well as bread.
November 11, 1917
I have been thinking to day that last Xmas I spent in hospital in England, I wonder where I will be next Xmas which will be also when you get this.
November 16, 1917
In rest billets again I was in this row of huts a few weeks ago. They are exceptable to the funk holes but still the funk holes look good after several hours of work party.
November 18, 1917
I must write you a few lines but can't just think what it will be. I wish you could get a glympse of the devastated country that I have been over
November 18, 1917
We are having fine weather cloudy but warm just like England last year I wear a little pair of kid gloves all the time have had no others on at any time yet since I salvaged them I wore a pair I made a few times before that.