Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well hoping this will find you the same. How is everything around Moonstone. Much talk about Christmas. Have you seen Allie lately. I suppose he is coming down for Christmas. I just got back from church now and had my dinner. We parade to the mid-church this morning. It was filled to the doors. The band played the hymns.
We got our new rifles on Friday. They seem a lot heavier then the old ones. They weigh 9 ½ lbs. they are called the Long Mark 3 Ross rifle.
Have you heard how Tommy Cowan is. The ones that get a pass at Christmas is getting it on Friday. The 22 to the 27th. I am pretty sure of getting one, so if you are coming in, come on Friday.
How is Ada. Put the collar and harness on her when you drive. I am going to get some more cards taken. I think I will get them taken with my rifle. Well I guess this is all I have to say this time. Looking for a letter from you soon. And tell me all the news. Bye bye from your loving son and brother, Bruce
December 14
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well hoping this will find you the same. How did Lizzie get home from Orillia. How did you get over the concert? Did you see anything of any recruiters up around Moonstone. Did you hear anything about Douglas being drunk last Saturday in Coldwater when they were going home on their pass. I heard that Cap’t McDonald give them a great talking to. They never told me anything about it then.
I am right at home here. The Moonstone people must like Orillia for there is a big bunch in here now. How is Tommy Cowan. It has been pretty cold here this last few days. Is Ada cold in her stable. If you haven’t fixed it I will be able to do it at Christmas. But keep the blanket on her if it is cold. I may drive out on Sunday. If I don’t get out I may get you to drive in when I am going on my pass for Christmas if it is sleighing. I guess this is about all that I have to say. You want to be sure and write soon and I will let you know what day I am getting my pass, either by a letter or telephone. Major Wallace give me a late pass for a week for selling tickets. I remain your loving son and brother, Bruce
Just a line to let you know I am well hoping this will find you the same. How did Lizzie get home from Orillia. How did you get over the concert? Did you see anything of any recruiters up around Moonstone. Did you hear anything about Douglas being drunk last Saturday in Coldwater when they were going home on their pass. I heard that Cap’t McDonald give them a great talking to. They never told me anything about it then.
I am right at home here. The Moonstone people must like Orillia for there is a big bunch in here now. How is Tommy Cowan. It has been pretty cold here this last few days. Is Ada cold in her stable. If you haven’t fixed it I will be able to do it at Christmas. But keep the blanket on her if it is cold. I may drive out on Sunday. If I don’t get out I may get you to drive in when I am going on my pass for Christmas if it is sleighing. I guess this is about all that I have to say. You want to be sure and write soon and I will let you know what day I am getting my pass, either by a letter or telephone. Major Wallace give me a late pass for a week for selling tickets. I remain your loving son and brother, Bruce
December 7
Dear mother & sister
I guess you will be thinking that I am writing often. But I thought I would yell you I am getting no pass this week. I don’t know if I will be home before Christmas or not. If it is sleighing I may drive out a week from Sunday.
It was a nice little route march to Cuthoff today they give us a fine dinner. I am feeling fine over it. I am having a fine time, the only thing I spend my money too quick. When are you coming over to Orillia. Write to me before you come it is not much use if you’re coming over to near Christmas. Tell Allie to come down for Christmas. I haven’t seen him since the time we were up there last summer. Well be sure and write soon. Bye bye from your loving son and brother
I guess you will be thinking that I am writing often. But I thought I would yell you I am getting no pass this week. I don’t know if I will be home before Christmas or not. If it is sleighing I may drive out a week from Sunday.
It was a nice little route march to Cuthoff today they give us a fine dinner. I am feeling fine over it. I am having a fine time, the only thing I spend my money too quick. When are you coming over to Orillia. Write to me before you come it is not much use if you’re coming over to near Christmas. Tell Allie to come down for Christmas. I haven’t seen him since the time we were up there last summer. Well be sure and write soon. Bye bye from your loving son and brother
December 1
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well. Why don’t you write, you are worse then somebody that couldn’t write. How is everything how is Ada. Did you get the letter on Monday. It is snowing here tonight again. We had some route march yesterday out to Hampshire Mills. It was about 18 miles there and back. They had a good dinner for us.
I think we will be sailing for England about the new year. We had another inspection this morning and we prove good and Major Wallace said he was proud of the way we done our drill. I think B Company will be going anyway. We have a fine Major. I am proud of him. Well write soon. I don’t know if I will get home this week or not. But I think I will we will get lots of passes now to we leave. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce.
Ps I forgot to tell you I had a letter from Clarence. He is fine. He likes it fine he says they have straw ticks to sleep on. He saw Willie Speerin. He is fine.
Just a line to let you know I am well. Why don’t you write, you are worse then somebody that couldn’t write. How is everything how is Ada. Did you get the letter on Monday. It is snowing here tonight again. We had some route march yesterday out to Hampshire Mills. It was about 18 miles there and back. They had a good dinner for us.
I think we will be sailing for England about the new year. We had another inspection this morning and we prove good and Major Wallace said he was proud of the way we done our drill. I think B Company will be going anyway. We have a fine Major. I am proud of him. Well write soon. I don’t know if I will get home this week or not. But I think I will we will get lots of passes now to we leave. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce.
Ps I forgot to tell you I had a letter from Clarence. He is fine. He likes it fine he says they have straw ticks to sleep on. He saw Willie Speerin. He is fine.
November 17
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well. I got your card and letter and was glad to hear from you. I have got over my knockeling (inoculation) fine. I think it was a good thing we got it, it was special for the diphtheria. There has been nobody else taking it yet but there is quite a few in the hospital for other things. I think we be getting out on Monday. I hope we do although we are having a good time, lots of music and games.
I had a card from Fred Shannon. Well you don’t need to be afraid of catching any germs off this letter for it is disinfected before it leaves here. Well write soon from your loving son and brother. Bye bye
Just a line to let you know I am well. I got your card and letter and was glad to hear from you. I have got over my knockeling (inoculation) fine. I think it was a good thing we got it, it was special for the diphtheria. There has been nobody else taking it yet but there is quite a few in the hospital for other things. I think we be getting out on Monday. I hope we do although we are having a good time, lots of music and games.
I had a card from Fred Shannon. Well you don’t need to be afraid of catching any germs off this letter for it is disinfected before it leaves here. Well write soon from your loving son and brother. Bye bye
October 22nd
Orillia
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well. I am having a good time now, this is a dandy town. Did you call up the other day to find out how I was. How is Tommy Cowan, write and tell me all the news. I didn’t get a pass because they had me on assistant mass orderly. I will get one this week.
Lizzie was in Orillia a week ago Saturday was she? Say how are you fixed for money. If you have lots to spare send me some this week in a letter. I could get a good horse blanket cheap. I may call you up at the end of the week. Write right away and tell me all the news. Bye bye from Bruce
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well. I am having a good time now, this is a dandy town. Did you call up the other day to find out how I was. How is Tommy Cowan, write and tell me all the news. I didn’t get a pass because they had me on assistant mass orderly. I will get one this week.
Lizzie was in Orillia a week ago Saturday was she? Say how are you fixed for money. If you have lots to spare send me some this week in a letter. I could get a good horse blanket cheap. I may call you up at the end of the week. Write right away and tell me all the news. Bye bye from Bruce
October 9
Dear mother & sister
I am well hoping this will find you well. It is a little wet down here today but we are fine. We have a little oil stove in our tent, the 8 of us put in 25 cents each and got a stove, oil can and oil. So we have it nice and warm in our tent.
How is Tommy. How is Ada. Have you got the potatoes raised yet. I am having it easy this week. I am acting cook. We sent some men to Orillia this week to fix up the barracks. They went today. I had a chance to go with them but I thought I wouldn’t get my weekend pass and besides they have to work to six at night. It is carpenter work. Herb Crooke and Everton and Bowen were home last week and they brought back some cakes and apples with them.
I think we will be going to Orillia about a week from tomorrow. There was a few from Vasey down here Sunday. The 157 fellows will be back tonight. Not likely I will write this week again. I may be home on Friday. Write right away from your loving son and brother
I am well hoping this will find you well. It is a little wet down here today but we are fine. We have a little oil stove in our tent, the 8 of us put in 25 cents each and got a stove, oil can and oil. So we have it nice and warm in our tent.
How is Tommy. How is Ada. Have you got the potatoes raised yet. I am having it easy this week. I am acting cook. We sent some men to Orillia this week to fix up the barracks. They went today. I had a chance to go with them but I thought I wouldn’t get my weekend pass and besides they have to work to six at night. It is carpenter work. Herb Crooke and Everton and Bowen were home last week and they brought back some cakes and apples with them.
I think we will be going to Orillia about a week from tomorrow. There was a few from Vasey down here Sunday. The 157 fellows will be back tonight. Not likely I will write this week again. I may be home on Friday. Write right away from your loving son and brother
October 3rd
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am well. Things are nice down here now it is pretty cool in the morning. Have you seen Clarence or Fred since they came home. It seems to be a quite a lot quieter around here tonight. We miss the 157th fellows there is a lot of fellows gone home on their last leave, about 12 or 13 Battn. Did Cowans have any more word from Tom. They never said anything to me about him late. I don’t think they are really sure where we are going for the winter yet. I hear that Orillia won’t put up any money if they don’t let the 177th go there.
We got paid on Monday. Tell me when you write if there is anybody threshing. We were out shooting today again I made out good. I have made out good so far. It was 300 yards to where we were shooting and we had to load and fire ten rounds in a minute. It is pretty fast shooting. Well bye bye from Bruce.
Just a line to let you know I am well. Things are nice down here now it is pretty cool in the morning. Have you seen Clarence or Fred since they came home. It seems to be a quite a lot quieter around here tonight. We miss the 157th fellows there is a lot of fellows gone home on their last leave, about 12 or 13 Battn. Did Cowans have any more word from Tom. They never said anything to me about him late. I don’t think they are really sure where we are going for the winter yet. I hear that Orillia won’t put up any money if they don’t let the 177th go there.
We got paid on Monday. Tell me when you write if there is anybody threshing. We were out shooting today again I made out good. I have made out good so far. It was 300 yards to where we were shooting and we had to load and fire ten rounds in a minute. It is pretty fast shooting. Well bye bye from Bruce.
September 21st
Dear mother & sister
I hope this will find you both well. I am feeling good now. I just got my belt tonight. We were to Barrie Fair the other day. It was some march. We all stood it fine going down. We left camp at about eight o’clock and rested ten minutes every hour and we got to Barrie about 12:30. We had a little parade in Barrie in the afternoon and we slept in the town hall all night. But there was a lot to tell out coming back. My nose started to bleed when I was about half way back. So Lt. Orr got me into a car and brought me back to camp. I am feeling fine since.
Did you get Ada shod yet, how is she any lamer? Our whole Battn got examined today. There wasn’t many failed. I passed alright. We haven’t got to get up here now in the morning to 6 o’clock. Well I guess this is all I have to say this time. I got to camp about 7 o’clock Monday morning looking for a letter from you right away. And tell me if you hear of anybody coming down on Sunday. Bye bye from Bruce
I hope this will find you both well. I am feeling good now. I just got my belt tonight. We were to Barrie Fair the other day. It was some march. We all stood it fine going down. We left camp at about eight o’clock and rested ten minutes every hour and we got to Barrie about 12:30. We had a little parade in Barrie in the afternoon and we slept in the town hall all night. But there was a lot to tell out coming back. My nose started to bleed when I was about half way back. So Lt. Orr got me into a car and brought me back to camp. I am feeling fine since.
Did you get Ada shod yet, how is she any lamer? Our whole Battn got examined today. There wasn’t many failed. I passed alright. We haven’t got to get up here now in the morning to 6 o’clock. Well I guess this is all I have to say this time. I got to camp about 7 o’clock Monday morning looking for a letter from you right away. And tell me if you hear of anybody coming down on Sunday. Bye bye from Bruce
September 15
Dear mother & sister,
I am well hoping this will find you well. This is a long day at camp. It is Sunday. There was no passes given this week. How is Ada. Did you hear how Tommy Cowan is. What happened? Allie said he had a runaway. I hear he has got a team of bobtail horses now.
I will be glad when we get out of camp for a change. My throat is sore with the dust. The 157th went away on Friday. They were all happy singing and yelling. I would had liked to been with them. I hear that John Robinson is going to enlist in the 228. Is it true. We expect to leave camp at noon on Wednesday the 18th. There isn’t any more than half the Battalions here now that was here when you were here. When you write address it to Orillia instead of Camp.
I may call you up on the phone on Wednesday night if a get a pass on Friday I will chance a ride from Coldwater for a want of the horse that night to go to a box social at the Newtonville. Write soon. Bye bye from your loving son and brother, Bruce
I am well hoping this will find you well. This is a long day at camp. It is Sunday. There was no passes given this week. How is Ada. Did you hear how Tommy Cowan is. What happened? Allie said he had a runaway. I hear he has got a team of bobtail horses now.
I will be glad when we get out of camp for a change. My throat is sore with the dust. The 157th went away on Friday. They were all happy singing and yelling. I would had liked to been with them. I hear that John Robinson is going to enlist in the 228. Is it true. We expect to leave camp at noon on Wednesday the 18th. There isn’t any more than half the Battalions here now that was here when you were here. When you write address it to Orillia instead of Camp.
I may call you up on the phone on Wednesday night if a get a pass on Friday I will chance a ride from Coldwater for a want of the horse that night to go to a box social at the Newtonville. Write soon. Bye bye from your loving son and brother, Bruce
September 13
Dear mother & sister
I was glad to get your letter. I was in the trenches yesterday when I got it. We just got out of the trenches just before dinner. We had all afternoon to rest and I am going to bed early tonight for we didn’t get any sleep last night. But we had lots of fun. We were fighting with the 170th Batt. I got a letter this evening from Bud and was glad to get it. Say I just happened to meet Frank at the YMCA tonight. (incomplete)
I was glad to get your letter. I was in the trenches yesterday when I got it. We just got out of the trenches just before dinner. We had all afternoon to rest and I am going to bed early tonight for we didn’t get any sleep last night. But we had lots of fun. We were fighting with the 170th Batt. I got a letter this evening from Bud and was glad to get it. Say I just happened to meet Frank at the YMCA tonight. (incomplete)
September 11
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to say I am well. I got your letter tonight. Say I don’t know when I will get home. No more passes to after we move into winter quarters which I expect we will move Monday or Tuesday. Our company is going to Orillia. I don’t know what I am going to do with all my stuff. What were you doing in Orillia on Saturday? You didn’t tell me in your letter.
We expected to have a big day here tomorrow. It is an opening day for the 157th they get their colours tomorrow. I think our Battn will leave in about 6 weeks. We are better than a lot that is going. Bye bye from Bruce
Just a line to say I am well. I got your letter tonight. Say I don’t know when I will get home. No more passes to after we move into winter quarters which I expect we will move Monday or Tuesday. Our company is going to Orillia. I don’t know what I am going to do with all my stuff. What were you doing in Orillia on Saturday? You didn’t tell me in your letter.
We expected to have a big day here tomorrow. It is an opening day for the 157th they get their colours tomorrow. I think our Battn will leave in about 6 weeks. We are better than a lot that is going. Bye bye from Bruce
September 7, 1916
Dear mother and sister
I hope this will find you well as I am at present. I got your letter today and was exceedingly glad to hear from you. We had a big rain storm here today and it is much nicer, it is pretty warm here yet. I am on guard out near Angus tomorrow. It is duty day for 177th. They are talking about taking us soon back to Orillia and Barrie. If the 157th don’t go across soon they will take them to Toronto.
I think Mack Sykes is going to get his discharge, he be’s sick a quite a lot. They only want good men any way. Things are looking good and they’re more particular now. I am going to try and get a weekend pass next week again. How is Ada, is she getting any fatter. I wish she would, because you will have to come over to Orillia a few times this winter to meet me. I bet that will suit Lizzie. She will be able to see him a few times then. Well I guess I had better ring off anyway. Looking either to see you or a letter right away.
Bye bye from your best friend son and brother
I hope this will find you well as I am at present. I got your letter today and was exceedingly glad to hear from you. We had a big rain storm here today and it is much nicer, it is pretty warm here yet. I am on guard out near Angus tomorrow. It is duty day for 177th. They are talking about taking us soon back to Orillia and Barrie. If the 157th don’t go across soon they will take them to Toronto.
I think Mack Sykes is going to get his discharge, he be’s sick a quite a lot. They only want good men any way. Things are looking good and they’re more particular now. I am going to try and get a weekend pass next week again. How is Ada, is she getting any fatter. I wish she would, because you will have to come over to Orillia a few times this winter to meet me. I bet that will suit Lizzie. She will be able to see him a few times then. Well I guess I had better ring off anyway. Looking either to see you or a letter right away.
Bye bye from your best friend son and brother
September 2nd
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I got home alright and was in time. How did you get home. Did you get wet? Jack Lidstone went home today he got his discharge. He felt bad when he was going away, he hated to leave the rest of us here.
The Duke is here now, he is going to inspect us on Wednesday. I got a snapshot coming up to the guy, Herb Rumney and I. The cake is just going fine. Well I guess this is all tonight as I got a card or two to write. Be sure and write right away. I will write soon of those nights again.
Bye bye from your son and brother
Just a line to let you know I got home alright and was in time. How did you get home. Did you get wet? Jack Lidstone went home today he got his discharge. He felt bad when he was going away, he hated to leave the rest of us here.
The Duke is here now, he is going to inspect us on Wednesday. I got a snapshot coming up to the guy, Herb Rumney and I. The cake is just going fine. Well I guess this is all tonight as I got a card or two to write. Be sure and write right away. I will write soon of those nights again.
Bye bye from your son and brother
August 23rd
Dear Mother & Sister,
I hope this will find you well and I am at present. I got back about 5 o’clock we have got the same bunch in our tent. How is Ada. Have you much bother catching her. I saw Dan and Gordon working on the wires here today. Cliff and I were over to see if we could find Jack Lawson last night but he was away to Orillia. The 157th has a good show.
Are you coming down Sunday. I will get my money for the month. I was at home alright we won’t get it to the first. Well tell the people that things are just fine since we came back to camp, all kinds of fun. I forgot to take the soap out of the buggy that day. But I got some down here just as good. I am now going over to the show at the YMCA. Well this is all. Bye bye from Bruce
I hope this will find you well and I am at present. I got back about 5 o’clock we have got the same bunch in our tent. How is Ada. Have you much bother catching her. I saw Dan and Gordon working on the wires here today. Cliff and I were over to see if we could find Jack Lawson last night but he was away to Orillia. The 157th has a good show.
Are you coming down Sunday. I will get my money for the month. I was at home alright we won’t get it to the first. Well tell the people that things are just fine since we came back to camp, all kinds of fun. I forgot to take the soap out of the buggy that day. But I got some down here just as good. I am now going over to the show at the YMCA. Well this is all. Bye bye from Bruce
July 13
Dear mother and sister
We got back alright. Did Lizzie get home alright. Say we have to have a letter from home asking for the month’s help. You write a letter as soon as you can get it here, put this on it:
Lt. Col. J.B. McPhee
177 Batt C.E.F
Sir, I would like help of my son Pte. J.B. Speerin to help with haying and harvest for a month on my farm, from the 15th of July to the 15th of August. As he is my only help.
Yours truly, Mrs. J. Speerin
Write this as soon as you can. We want to get off Saturday if we can. Send the letter to me and I will hand it to the Col. Only put on the Col’s address inside. You know how to do it.
Bye bye from Bruce
We got back alright. Did Lizzie get home alright. Say we have to have a letter from home asking for the month’s help. You write a letter as soon as you can get it here, put this on it:
Lt. Col. J.B. McPhee
177 Batt C.E.F
Sir, I would like help of my son Pte. J.B. Speerin to help with haying and harvest for a month on my farm, from the 15th of July to the 15th of August. As he is my only help.
Yours truly, Mrs. J. Speerin
Write this as soon as you can. We want to get off Saturday if we can. Send the letter to me and I will hand it to the Col. Only put on the Col’s address inside. You know how to do it.
Bye bye from Bruce
June, Camp Borden
Dear mother & sister
I have been looking for a letter from you all week and never got any. Have you started to dig the potatoes yet. How is Ada, I suppose Clarence is having a fat time, he was telling me that he might have a party. Tell me if he had it or not and if there was many there.
We had a pretty hard day of it yesterday. Out Battn walked to Alliston and back, it was the first day of the fair. Everybody stood it fine. Did you hear about B Company going to Orillia, the Orillia people doing their best to get us there. And B Company I think is going to get there now if they don’t change their mind. I don’t know if we get a pass next week or not. We may be moving. I will let you know before we move. If Allie (his brother Alex) comes down on Sunday tell Roy I have a little present for him. How is Tommy Cowan getting along. I got my picture of my company. Is there anybody coming in from Moonstone on Sunday. Well be sure and write right away and tell me all the news.
By bye from Bruce
I have been looking for a letter from you all week and never got any. Have you started to dig the potatoes yet. How is Ada, I suppose Clarence is having a fat time, he was telling me that he might have a party. Tell me if he had it or not and if there was many there.
We had a pretty hard day of it yesterday. Out Battn walked to Alliston and back, it was the first day of the fair. Everybody stood it fine. Did you hear about B Company going to Orillia, the Orillia people doing their best to get us there. And B Company I think is going to get there now if they don’t change their mind. I don’t know if we get a pass next week or not. We may be moving. I will let you know before we move. If Allie (his brother Alex) comes down on Sunday tell Roy I have a little present for him. How is Tommy Cowan getting along. I got my picture of my company. Is there anybody coming in from Moonstone on Sunday. Well be sure and write right away and tell me all the news.
By bye from Bruce
March 25, Barrie
157th Battalion, Borden Camp
Dear mother & sister,
I am having a jolly old time things are just fine. If you were here you would be lost. I have met pretty near everybody I know. There is over 15 (batt) in here now they expect there will be over 16 thousand men in here before the 15 of July. I will have a lot of stuff to tell when I go home. How are you getting along with Ada. I may try and get home for a few days at the 12th. Will you send me my boots this week I want them for Sunday if I can get them and send me the five dollars if you can too. We have a good bunch in our tent. Good bye, be sure and put all the address on:
Pte. J.B. Speerin
177th Batt
B Company
7th Plattoon, Camp Borden, Ontario
Dear mother & sister,
I am having a jolly old time things are just fine. If you were here you would be lost. I have met pretty near everybody I know. There is over 15 (batt) in here now they expect there will be over 16 thousand men in here before the 15 of July. I will have a lot of stuff to tell when I go home. How are you getting along with Ada. I may try and get home for a few days at the 12th. Will you send me my boots this week I want them for Sunday if I can get them and send me the five dollars if you can too. We have a good bunch in our tent. Good bye, be sure and put all the address on:
Pte. J.B. Speerin
177th Batt
B Company
7th Plattoon, Camp Borden, Ontario
Jan 7, 1916
Orillia
Dear Mother & Sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well, hoping this will find you the same. I have lots of time today to write as I am on guard. It is the first Sunday I have ever been on guard. It is a pretty good job here, we get a half a piece for supper. Hugh said he would relieve me for a couple of hours this after noon if I want to go down town. Well how is every body around Moonstone. How is Ada is she feeling good.
I hear that Tommy Cowan is coming home or is at home. Did you get my letter. I have been looking for answers a quite while. I will likely be home this Saturday. I would like very well to get up to see the people at the harbour. I haven’t been up there since they give us the fowl supper.
They want me to go down to school to Barrie tomorrow, but I refused. I ain’t going unless they make me and I don’t think they will do that. I couldn’t leave Orillia to go to Barrie. I had a big letter from Fred this week. Have you got the school over again – did you make any arrangement about the cutter. Write and tell me all the news right away. I got all my teeth filled last week. I have got to get my plate fixed yet. Well bye bye from your loving son and brother.
Bruce
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