Feb 7 – France
Dear mother and sister
I have now got a chance to write you a few lines. I know that you will be worrying about not getting any mail from me. But I guess you will know how it is, we cannot get a chance to write every day. I hope these few lines will find you well as I am just fine at present.
I was just thinking this is my birthday. I am spending it in the trenches. But I hope to spend it at home next year. I rec’d two parcels from you the other night and believe me they sure went good. There is sure some difference between the cake and the hard tack biscuit we have. The butter was dandy. Everything was just fine. The boys said, ‘Bruce your mother just knows the right things to send a fellow out here.’
The fruit was OK. I believe it was the best I ever tasted. I see I am going to have lots of good fruit to eat when I get home. Was it you that made the candy, Lizzie that was in the one box. It was a round cake. I know you cannot buy candy like it. My mouth is just watering for more of it. The salmon and sardines went good. It is sure some better than bully beef.
And the sugar came fine. We had some cocoa we brought in the line with us so the Corps of my section would make up a mess tin of good hot cocoa and fetch it out to us on our post about 12 o’clock at night and believe me it makes the rest of the cold wet night pass quicker. So don’t worry about me. Our section Corp will have the best for his section that can be got.
I received a card from May Robinson the other night. Tell her I will write to her right away. I guess you will have bushels of snow around home now. How long did Aunt Hattie stay at Christmas, I often have a letter from cousin Hattie. How is all Allies. I suppose Alf and Tom Cowan is busy doing chores. Do you ever hear from Will or Alex Douglas. I haven’t for a long time. Who have they got for a minister at Moonstone now. Have you ever been down to Dunlops lately. I think they feel bad over Jack having to go. I think it was pretty near time for one out of a big bunch of them to go.
Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon again and do not be worrying I am quite alright. It will not be long until I be home again.
Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Jan 30 – France
Well you should just see the smile I got on my face this morning. I just rec’d seven letters last night. Two of them being from you. Their dates were Dec 29 and Jan the 3rd. I hope you will be over your bad cold by now.
Allies found a pretty nice name for the baby I think. Have they been down to see you lately. I hope they are well. I guess Uncle Tom’s boys will think they are men now. Do they ever have any thing to say about me.
I am pretty sure that I received all your boxes alright. I have not had any cold hands. I got the pair of gloves Alex sent and the three pair you sent so I think I am pretty well off for gloves. How is Tom making out at store keeping. You never told me the fellows names who had to put the colors on. How is Ada standing the winter.
Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon again. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Not mailed until the 6th Feb. Quite well. Another letter to follow soon. Bye bye your loving son and brother Bruce
Well you should just see the smile I got on my face this morning. I just rec’d seven letters last night. Two of them being from you. Their dates were Dec 29 and Jan the 3rd. I hope you will be over your bad cold by now.
Allies found a pretty nice name for the baby I think. Have they been down to see you lately. I hope they are well. I guess Uncle Tom’s boys will think they are men now. Do they ever have any thing to say about me.
I am pretty sure that I received all your boxes alright. I have not had any cold hands. I got the pair of gloves Alex sent and the three pair you sent so I think I am pretty well off for gloves. How is Tom making out at store keeping. You never told me the fellows names who had to put the colors on. How is Ada standing the winter.
Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon again. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Not mailed until the 6th Feb. Quite well. Another letter to follow soon. Bye bye your loving son and brother Bruce
Jan 29 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well. I hope that this letter will find you in the best of health. I am writing these few lines in my day out. So you will not need to look for a very long letter this time. It has been some time since I have heard from you. But the boys are all anxious to get some Canadian mail.
I guess you know Sam Epplet from Coldwater and Wilfred Shields from Rosemount. They are in a dugout quite close to me. We visited one and other quite often. Did you know Alvin Jones, his home was at Vasey. He was killed a short time ago. The last time I saw him was about the first of November.
Well we are having dandy weather here now. I can just imagine the snow being about four feet deep around home and drifting everywhere. But I prefer a snowstorm any time to the storms we have. I believe the snow storm is the healthiest. Write me a big long letter and tell me all the news.
Well now do not be worrying dear mother and sister for I am quite well and well protected. And I do hope this war will soon be over. I will wring off. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
Ps., I did not get this letter away yesterday so I am putting in some more…
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well. I hope that this letter will find you in the best of health. I am writing these few lines in my day out. So you will not need to look for a very long letter this time. It has been some time since I have heard from you. But the boys are all anxious to get some Canadian mail.
I guess you know Sam Epplet from Coldwater and Wilfred Shields from Rosemount. They are in a dugout quite close to me. We visited one and other quite often. Did you know Alvin Jones, his home was at Vasey. He was killed a short time ago. The last time I saw him was about the first of November.
Well we are having dandy weather here now. I can just imagine the snow being about four feet deep around home and drifting everywhere. But I prefer a snowstorm any time to the storms we have. I believe the snow storm is the healthiest. Write me a big long letter and tell me all the news.
Well now do not be worrying dear mother and sister for I am quite well and well protected. And I do hope this war will soon be over. I will wring off. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
Ps., I did not get this letter away yesterday so I am putting in some more…
Jan 25th – France
Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you well as it leaves me fine at present. It has been over a week and a half since I have had any letters from you but then there has been no Canadian mail up lately. But I expect a big mail any night now.
The weather is quite nice here now. The snow is all gone. Of course there is lots of mud in the trenches. How is the snow, very deep around home this winter. How are you managing for wood. I know you have it pretty hard trying to make every thing go. How is Ada standing the winter. Does she kick up her heels as much as she did last winter.
How is Allies. What does master Roy think of little Grace. I must close for this time. Will write soon again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin.
Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you well as it leaves me fine at present. It has been over a week and a half since I have had any letters from you but then there has been no Canadian mail up lately. But I expect a big mail any night now.
The weather is quite nice here now. The snow is all gone. Of course there is lots of mud in the trenches. How is the snow, very deep around home this winter. How are you managing for wood. I know you have it pretty hard trying to make every thing go. How is Ada standing the winter. Does she kick up her heels as much as she did last winter.
How is Allies. What does master Roy think of little Grace. I must close for this time. Will write soon again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin.
Jan 20 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and thinking of you. I hope this letter will find you both well. It is just a week tonight since I received your last letter I was looking for one tonight but did not get it.
Well the weather is fine here at present but a few days ago we had a spell of rain which made it very nasty of course. I have no room to grouse for I was in a nice dry billet.
Well mother I guess you and Lizzie will be pretty busy keeping the snow shovelled back and doing chores. How are you making out driving Ada. I would just like to get a good cutter drive behind her now. I wonder if she would go as fast for me now as she used to. I guess she has pretty nearly forgot her old master by this time. Did you let her fortop grow out. I noticed in the snap which you took in the summer that her fortop was getting long then. Have you had any snaps taken lately. Try and get some taken. How is Bud coming up does he ever call in to see you. I guess he has missed me. Oh yes how is Tom Sykes coming up what kind of a store keeper does he make. I would think pretty good.
Has Allies been down lately how are all them. I bet Roy will be some talker by now. Is Allie still doing butchering.
Mother let me know if you got any raise in your separation allowance. Was it right that Vern Barr left for over seas. I saw in the paper where he had given a party in the hall and I was wondering if they had got it mixed up with Henry Goodfellow’s name. Let me know who all had to enlist. Well I must close.
Bye bye from your ever loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and thinking of you. I hope this letter will find you both well. It is just a week tonight since I received your last letter I was looking for one tonight but did not get it.
Well the weather is fine here at present but a few days ago we had a spell of rain which made it very nasty of course. I have no room to grouse for I was in a nice dry billet.
Well mother I guess you and Lizzie will be pretty busy keeping the snow shovelled back and doing chores. How are you making out driving Ada. I would just like to get a good cutter drive behind her now. I wonder if she would go as fast for me now as she used to. I guess she has pretty nearly forgot her old master by this time. Did you let her fortop grow out. I noticed in the snap which you took in the summer that her fortop was getting long then. Have you had any snaps taken lately. Try and get some taken. How is Bud coming up does he ever call in to see you. I guess he has missed me. Oh yes how is Tom Sykes coming up what kind of a store keeper does he make. I would think pretty good.
Has Allies been down lately how are all them. I bet Roy will be some talker by now. Is Allie still doing butchering.
Mother let me know if you got any raise in your separation allowance. Was it right that Vern Barr left for over seas. I saw in the paper where he had given a party in the hall and I was wondering if they had got it mixed up with Henry Goodfellow’s name. Let me know who all had to enlist. Well I must close.
Bye bye from your ever loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Jan 16 – France.
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and thinking of you. I hope this letter will find you well. I am still on rest but think it will soon be my time to hit the front for a while. I have sure had a good rest. My pal and I are going to the movies at the YMCA in a few minutes. So this is going to be a short letter for this time.
Well Lizzie have you had many cutter drives this winter. Have you had any word from Harold lately. How is mother getting along doing chores this stormy weather. Never mind mother this war cannot last forever and you will have me back again. Wouldn’t I just like to be there cutting up a big pile of wood for you. Is the snow as deep around home as ever.
How is Allies. Have they been down lately. Have you been up to the Harbour lately. I heard that Everton Belfry is working in Toronto. Dear mother and sister I will have to close with oceans of love. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and thinking of you. I hope this letter will find you well. I am still on rest but think it will soon be my time to hit the front for a while. I have sure had a good rest. My pal and I are going to the movies at the YMCA in a few minutes. So this is going to be a short letter for this time.
Well Lizzie have you had many cutter drives this winter. Have you had any word from Harold lately. How is mother getting along doing chores this stormy weather. Never mind mother this war cannot last forever and you will have me back again. Wouldn’t I just like to be there cutting up a big pile of wood for you. Is the snow as deep around home as ever.
How is Allies. Have they been down lately. Have you been up to the Harbour lately. I heard that Everton Belfry is working in Toronto. Dear mother and sister I will have to close with oceans of love. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Jan 13 – France
Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you dear ones well as it leaves me just dandy at present. Still enjoying my rest. It is sure a treat to be out of the line a while. I was at church parade this morning. I was just thinking Lizzie will be at church now. I guess the snow will be a little too deep for you mother to go to church. Is there many turn out for church do they ever say anything about Captain McDonald. I have never met him out here yet. Their Battn always seems to be so far from ours. John Robinson is with his too. Edwin Sykes told me that he had had a letter from John and he said he would have been at the Corp of Sports if he had thought he would meet any of us there. I meet a lot of the boys there.
Well how are you and Ada getting along mother. I guess it keeps you busy attending her. How is Cowans coming up.
Well I have had tea since I started to write this letter. And the mail just come in. You should just see the big smile I have on now. I got four letters and a card. One letter was from you, was dated the 22/Dec. Now you can just imagine how glad I be to hear from you. I also got two parcels, one box from you and one from Mrs. Albert Sykes. So that is pretty good for one night’s mail. Your box came OK. The strawberries look excellent. I think I get all your boxes.
I am glad you got my cards and parcel that I sent you. So Allies were not down for Christmas it would be lonesome enough for you. Was Aunt Hattie up for Christmas. I often get a letter from little Hattie.
I am glad that you got out and voted on election day it, is worth something too when you don’t lose your vote. Glad to know that Tom Sykes got his card alright looking for a letter from him soon. Alf hardly ever writes.
Well I must close. Remember I still love you. Do not ever think because I am away over here I forget you. I think all the more of you and will be glad when the day comes that I return home to be with my dear mother and sister again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you dear ones well as it leaves me just dandy at present. Still enjoying my rest. It is sure a treat to be out of the line a while. I was at church parade this morning. I was just thinking Lizzie will be at church now. I guess the snow will be a little too deep for you mother to go to church. Is there many turn out for church do they ever say anything about Captain McDonald. I have never met him out here yet. Their Battn always seems to be so far from ours. John Robinson is with his too. Edwin Sykes told me that he had had a letter from John and he said he would have been at the Corp of Sports if he had thought he would meet any of us there. I meet a lot of the boys there.
Well how are you and Ada getting along mother. I guess it keeps you busy attending her. How is Cowans coming up.
Well I have had tea since I started to write this letter. And the mail just come in. You should just see the big smile I have on now. I got four letters and a card. One letter was from you, was dated the 22/Dec. Now you can just imagine how glad I be to hear from you. I also got two parcels, one box from you and one from Mrs. Albert Sykes. So that is pretty good for one night’s mail. Your box came OK. The strawberries look excellent. I think I get all your boxes.
I am glad you got my cards and parcel that I sent you. So Allies were not down for Christmas it would be lonesome enough for you. Was Aunt Hattie up for Christmas. I often get a letter from little Hattie.
I am glad that you got out and voted on election day it, is worth something too when you don’t lose your vote. Glad to know that Tom Sykes got his card alright looking for a letter from him soon. Alf hardly ever writes.
Well I must close. Remember I still love you. Do not ever think because I am away over here I forget you. I think all the more of you and will be glad when the day comes that I return home to be with my dear mother and sister again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Jan 10 – France
Dear mother and sister
I do hope these few lines will find you well as I am fine. I am getting fat on the job it is all the stuff I have been eating. I rec’d two boxes from you last night. The box with the cake and canned stuff was dandy. But the duck had started to spoil in the other one. The gloves was alright so was the cake.
I believe I can tell you who made the cake. I think mother made the two little cakes that was in the parcel that the cookies was in and I think Lizzie made the cake that was in the box with the gloves wherein the both were fine. I cannot tell you which was the best or I don’t think any body else could. And I could not have got a better pair of gloves if I would have had the chance of picking them. Allies gloves were dandy too.
How is Allies have they been down to see you lately. I guess Ada will be pretty gay in her stable with it all nicely fixed up.
Well I think I have told you all for this time. Herb Crooke is sitting beside me reading a book. He is quite well. Did I tell you I thought Hugh Addison went to the 123rd. Well I will close. Take the best of care of yourselves and do not be worrying. I will look after myself. So bye bye your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
Oceans of love xxxx
Dear mother and sister
I do hope these few lines will find you well as I am fine. I am getting fat on the job it is all the stuff I have been eating. I rec’d two boxes from you last night. The box with the cake and canned stuff was dandy. But the duck had started to spoil in the other one. The gloves was alright so was the cake.
I believe I can tell you who made the cake. I think mother made the two little cakes that was in the parcel that the cookies was in and I think Lizzie made the cake that was in the box with the gloves wherein the both were fine. I cannot tell you which was the best or I don’t think any body else could. And I could not have got a better pair of gloves if I would have had the chance of picking them. Allies gloves were dandy too.
How is Allies have they been down to see you lately. I guess Ada will be pretty gay in her stable with it all nicely fixed up.
Well I think I have told you all for this time. Herb Crooke is sitting beside me reading a book. He is quite well. Did I tell you I thought Hugh Addison went to the 123rd. Well I will close. Take the best of care of yourselves and do not be worrying. I will look after myself. So bye bye your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
Oceans of love xxxx
January 7 - France
My dear mother and sister
I rec’d your welcome letter and card last night. How you will just know how happy I feel. I hope these few lines will find you well. I hope mother’s cold is better. I am just fine. I also rec’d a little basket last night. It was dandy. I was just wishing mother had not put the duck in the box she is sending, it will be spoiled. It takes it too long to come. But I guess the gloves will be alright. One thing I shall not have cold hands this winter.
I am glad that you are getting along well hope that you have no trouble getting lots of wood.
I guess the Moonstone people will be in a sweat now about some of the boys having to get into the colors. It serves them right. They thought that there could not be Conscription for overseas service. I was wishing that you and Lizzie both got out on election day and give M.B. Tudhope a vote. I know I did.
I had a letter from Emma Dunlop the other night it was a surprise to me. I was not looking for it. I got a parcel from the Red Cross sent by Mrs. Shannon a few days ago. How did you find things in Orillia Lizzie.
I must close it is near bed time for me. Do not be worrying for I am quite well and living high. Well bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
I rec’d your welcome letter and card last night. How you will just know how happy I feel. I hope these few lines will find you well. I hope mother’s cold is better. I am just fine. I also rec’d a little basket last night. It was dandy. I was just wishing mother had not put the duck in the box she is sending, it will be spoiled. It takes it too long to come. But I guess the gloves will be alright. One thing I shall not have cold hands this winter.
I am glad that you are getting along well hope that you have no trouble getting lots of wood.
I guess the Moonstone people will be in a sweat now about some of the boys having to get into the colors. It serves them right. They thought that there could not be Conscription for overseas service. I was wishing that you and Lizzie both got out on election day and give M.B. Tudhope a vote. I know I did.
I had a letter from Emma Dunlop the other night it was a surprise to me. I was not looking for it. I got a parcel from the Red Cross sent by Mrs. Shannon a few days ago. How did you find things in Orillia Lizzie.
I must close it is near bed time for me. Do not be worrying for I am quite well and living high. Well bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
1918
Jan 5 – France
Dear mother and sister
I received your welcome letter and card last night and there is no need of me saying how glad I be to hear from you dear ones at home. Your letter was dated Dec 1st. I also rec’d the parcel Alex sent it came OK and I sure enjoyed the contents. I do hope this letter will find you well as it leaves me just fine. I had a letter written yesterday ready to send when I rec’d yours so I burnt it.
Well I have been having a pretty good time lately been having a little rest. I have had a couple of good shower baths this week so I feel pretty clean. I also got clean clothing so I feel pretty clean and fresh as a chicken.
I am learning to talk French fast. Where I am billeted the old lady makes us coffee every night and if you go in to a French house you have got to have a cup of coffee before going out. They say “Oui” for Canada. We have got winter weather here just now. A little snow on the ground and cold. I guess there will be oceans of snow around home now.
I am glad to know that you keep Ada well shod for if you don’t she will get lame on you. But watch her in the deep snow with sharp shoes. I know you can handle her better then I can for you made out fine last winter.
What kind of a new years day did you have. I had pretty good one, it is a big day among the French people. I must close hoping to hear from you soon again and don’t be worrying for I am quite well and well protected.
From your son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Ps I am sending a few lines in this letter for Allie. Give them to him first time you see him.
Bruce.
Dear mother and sister
I received your welcome letter and card last night and there is no need of me saying how glad I be to hear from you dear ones at home. Your letter was dated Dec 1st. I also rec’d the parcel Alex sent it came OK and I sure enjoyed the contents. I do hope this letter will find you well as it leaves me just fine. I had a letter written yesterday ready to send when I rec’d yours so I burnt it.
Well I have been having a pretty good time lately been having a little rest. I have had a couple of good shower baths this week so I feel pretty clean. I also got clean clothing so I feel pretty clean and fresh as a chicken.
I am learning to talk French fast. Where I am billeted the old lady makes us coffee every night and if you go in to a French house you have got to have a cup of coffee before going out. They say “Oui” for Canada. We have got winter weather here just now. A little snow on the ground and cold. I guess there will be oceans of snow around home now.
I am glad to know that you keep Ada well shod for if you don’t she will get lame on you. But watch her in the deep snow with sharp shoes. I know you can handle her better then I can for you made out fine last winter.
What kind of a new years day did you have. I had pretty good one, it is a big day among the French people. I must close hoping to hear from you soon again and don’t be worrying for I am quite well and well protected.
From your son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Ps I am sending a few lines in this letter for Allie. Give them to him first time you see him.
Bruce.
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