Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you well. It has been some time since I have had any letters from you. I rec’d another parcel from you the other night. It came ok. I have been eating beech nuts ever since. The honey was dandy also the cake and I ate candy until I thought I would be sick. Where did you get them, at Carters in Orillia. And this is the pad I am using.
Well I had a pretty good Christmas for out here. Lots of turkey and plum pudding to eat. Also apple pie.
Well I have been at church parade this morning. I guess you will not be at church until this afternoon. I think I will go out and have some eggs and chips for dinner. I believe I eat more eggs here than I ever did in Canada. I supposed you have lots of snow around home now. How are you making out for wood. You want to get lots before the winter gets too far gone for you know how hard it is to get wood in the spring.
How is Alexs. You never told me what they called the baby. What does little Roy think about it. Are your hens laying. I would sure like to see the big flock you have. How is Ada. I suppose pretty wild. Is mother and her as chummy as ever. Well I must close it is just dinner time and it is time for the mail to be collected. So do not be worrying about me. I am in the best of health. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
December 25
Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am just fine. I have had no word from you for some time. I didn’t know what has gone wrong with the mail. No body getting any. Did I tell you about getting your box with the duck in it. And I rec’d a parcel from Myrtle last night with a nice little cake in it and a little jar of honey. I have not got the box you sent me with honey and cake in it yet. But it is likely I will get it for New Years.
Well this is Christmas day. I wonder how you dear ones are spending it. Mine is not as good as last year. But I think it is pretty fair for away out here. It is as much like Sunday as anything to me. It is snowing here today but it is not very cold. A year ago tonight I went in a load to Coldwater to skate. Have they got a rink at Coldwater this winter. Does Bud go to it. Has Verna Bar enlisted. I saw in the Times where he had given a party in the hall.
Well mother how is Ada and you coming up. You will have to be pretty careful with her when the snow gets deep driving. How is the harness. Try and make them last this year. I will surely be home before next Christmas. You never told me how much the taxes was, were they pretty high.
Well Lizzie how is Miss Smyth and you getting along. Is she a pretty good teacher.
How is Alexs I hope they keep well. Do they ever come down to see you. How do you like your new store keeper.
I have not seen the Douglas boys for a long time. I saw Will Speerin a few days ago. I was talking to Bailey last night. He had got a letter from Dalton Heaship a few days ago.
Well I must close and don’t you be worrying about me for I am having a picnic. Lots to eat and learning to talk French fast. I could write you a letter in French now. I guess Lizzie will be wondering if I ever meet Frank Tindale or Harold McClean. I have never met them yet. I had a letter from Will Smith in England. He said he had wrote to you. I must ring off. I am your true loving son and Brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am just fine. I have had no word from you for some time. I didn’t know what has gone wrong with the mail. No body getting any. Did I tell you about getting your box with the duck in it. And I rec’d a parcel from Myrtle last night with a nice little cake in it and a little jar of honey. I have not got the box you sent me with honey and cake in it yet. But it is likely I will get it for New Years.
Well this is Christmas day. I wonder how you dear ones are spending it. Mine is not as good as last year. But I think it is pretty fair for away out here. It is as much like Sunday as anything to me. It is snowing here today but it is not very cold. A year ago tonight I went in a load to Coldwater to skate. Have they got a rink at Coldwater this winter. Does Bud go to it. Has Verna Bar enlisted. I saw in the Times where he had given a party in the hall.
Well mother how is Ada and you coming up. You will have to be pretty careful with her when the snow gets deep driving. How is the harness. Try and make them last this year. I will surely be home before next Christmas. You never told me how much the taxes was, were they pretty high.
Well Lizzie how is Miss Smyth and you getting along. Is she a pretty good teacher.
How is Alexs I hope they keep well. Do they ever come down to see you. How do you like your new store keeper.
I have not seen the Douglas boys for a long time. I saw Will Speerin a few days ago. I was talking to Bailey last night. He had got a letter from Dalton Heaship a few days ago.
Well I must close and don’t you be worrying about me for I am having a picnic. Lots to eat and learning to talk French fast. I could write you a letter in French now. I guess Lizzie will be wondering if I ever meet Frank Tindale or Harold McClean. I have never met them yet. I had a letter from Will Smith in England. He said he had wrote to you. I must ring off. I am your true loving son and Brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
December 20
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter I rec’d the other day . It is no need to say how glad I be to hear from you dear ones. I got a parcel from you tonight, it had the duck in it and the box was spoiled, all but the sardines. But I know how you wanted me to have duck for Christmas and I feel it just as good as if it had not been spoiled.
I hope this letter will find you well and I do hope that you have a pleasant Christmas. I know it would have been better if I only had of been there. Was Alex down. How are they. I guess Allie would feel lonesome without me being there. I rec’d a parcel sent by the Red Cross people the other day. It had been packed by Stella Smyth. Is it her that is teaching at Moonstone now. Is her home in Orillia. Ask her if she knows Mable Floris (sp) and if she minds seeing me at Mable’s last winter one Sunday.
I saw Will Speerin yesterday. He is well. I see in the paper were some of the boys has to enlist, how do they like that. If my vote will help they will get a chance to come over but I think you will have to send them lots of socks if they come. What the poor girls going to do I guess they will have to come too.
Well mother you may be glad to be able to say that your son is not a Conscript. It made me laugh the other day when I was looking at the Orillia Times and saw what some of the poor fellows had tried for exemption. Poor fellows I feel sorry for them, ha ha. Let me know who comes from around home, it would do me good. Of course I hope this war is over before they get here but I would like some of them to know they can have Conscription in Canada if they want it. Some thought no.
I had a letter from Tom Cowan the other day. Tell him I am answering it right away. Well I must close I will write again before Christmas. Remember I am ever your loving son and always thinking of you. I send you oceans of love from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter I rec’d the other day . It is no need to say how glad I be to hear from you dear ones. I got a parcel from you tonight, it had the duck in it and the box was spoiled, all but the sardines. But I know how you wanted me to have duck for Christmas and I feel it just as good as if it had not been spoiled.
I hope this letter will find you well and I do hope that you have a pleasant Christmas. I know it would have been better if I only had of been there. Was Alex down. How are they. I guess Allie would feel lonesome without me being there. I rec’d a parcel sent by the Red Cross people the other day. It had been packed by Stella Smyth. Is it her that is teaching at Moonstone now. Is her home in Orillia. Ask her if she knows Mable Floris (sp) and if she minds seeing me at Mable’s last winter one Sunday.
I saw Will Speerin yesterday. He is well. I see in the paper were some of the boys has to enlist, how do they like that. If my vote will help they will get a chance to come over but I think you will have to send them lots of socks if they come. What the poor girls going to do I guess they will have to come too.
Well mother you may be glad to be able to say that your son is not a Conscript. It made me laugh the other day when I was looking at the Orillia Times and saw what some of the poor fellows had tried for exemption. Poor fellows I feel sorry for them, ha ha. Let me know who comes from around home, it would do me good. Of course I hope this war is over before they get here but I would like some of them to know they can have Conscription in Canada if they want it. Some thought no.
I had a letter from Tom Cowan the other day. Tell him I am answering it right away. Well I must close I will write again before Christmas. Remember I am ever your loving son and always thinking of you. I send you oceans of love from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
November 30
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am in the best of health. Hoping that this letter finds you well. I have not had any word from you for some time. I hope that you get the parcel which I sent. I also sent a bunch of cards.
Well it has been real nice here today. How are you getting along. How is Ada. I suppose you will be having cutter drives now.
Well do not forget to write often and tell me the news. I must ring off. Remember me to Allies wishing you all a Merry Christmas. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
Just a few lines to let you know I am in the best of health. Hoping that this letter finds you well. I have not had any word from you for some time. I hope that you get the parcel which I sent. I also sent a bunch of cards.
Well it has been real nice here today. How are you getting along. How is Ada. I suppose you will be having cutter drives now.
Well do not forget to write often and tell me the news. I must ring off. Remember me to Allies wishing you all a Merry Christmas. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin
November 23
Dear mother & sister
I guess you will be thinking it is near time you where getting a letter from me. I would have wrote to you if I had of had the time but it has been impossible but I may get a letter or two to you now. Well I hope this letter will find you dear ones in the best of health. I am just fine having big times. I guess you have seen in the paper once and a while where we have been giving Friz’s a run.
I rec’d your box that was posted about the 20 of Oct. I never seen any butter which ever kept any better, it sure was good. Everything was OK in it. I got it when I was in the trenches and it sure went good. I also got your letter dated Oct 17.
Well I guess you will have lots of snow on the ground at home now. Well I hope you are getting along good. I am glad that mother and Ada are such good friends. It sure must help to pass the time. Oh yes I had a letter from Everton Belfry today he said you were fine. That you had been up to their place.
Herb Crooke is with this Battn now. Melville Belfry is gone to the 19th. Also Hugh and Will Douglas. I am glad Will got going for Alex is in that Battn.
Well I must ring off. I want to send a little Christmas box to you and Lizzie tomorrow. Remember I love you and often think of you. Trust in God and it will not be long until I be safely home again. Hoping to hear from you soon again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
I guess you will be thinking it is near time you where getting a letter from me. I would have wrote to you if I had of had the time but it has been impossible but I may get a letter or two to you now. Well I hope this letter will find you dear ones in the best of health. I am just fine having big times. I guess you have seen in the paper once and a while where we have been giving Friz’s a run.
I rec’d your box that was posted about the 20 of Oct. I never seen any butter which ever kept any better, it sure was good. Everything was OK in it. I got it when I was in the trenches and it sure went good. I also got your letter dated Oct 17.
Well I guess you will have lots of snow on the ground at home now. Well I hope you are getting along good. I am glad that mother and Ada are such good friends. It sure must help to pass the time. Oh yes I had a letter from Everton Belfry today he said you were fine. That you had been up to their place.
Herb Crooke is with this Battn now. Melville Belfry is gone to the 19th. Also Hugh and Will Douglas. I am glad Will got going for Alex is in that Battn.
Well I must ring off. I want to send a little Christmas box to you and Lizzie tomorrow. Remember I love you and often think of you. Trust in God and it will not be long until I be safely home again. Hoping to hear from you soon again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
November 11
Dear mother and sister
I hope these few lines will find you both well. I am just fine. Standing the time well. I guess you have seen it in the paper where we have been making it a bit lively for Friz’s. I had all kinds of chances to get souvenirs of Frizs but I do not bother with them. As along as I can get through with my own hide that is all I want.
Well mother and Lizzie I have been getting letters and boxes from you but have not had time to write to you. I guess you will have a good idea how we be fixed at times. I got the other pair of gloves you sent me. That is two pair I have got from you and they are both dandy. You do not know how good they are in this wet cold fall weather.
I also got a box from the Red Cross that Mrs. Reid sent. This is the paper and pencil that I am using that I got in the box. The boys in my section thinks I get lots of boxes.
I seen Clarence Speerin about a week ago, he was well. I guess you hear about Bob Rumball being killed. Little Foster took it pretty hard. I was talking to him. There has been several of the 177 boys killed. I would tell their names but you would not know them.
Your boxes have been OK. In the last box the icing on the cake was so nice and soft.
Did I tell you I got another box from the Harbour and a pair of socks from Mrs. Sykes. Oh yes I had a letter from the Harbour saying that the Belfrys had been out to see you. I don’t think you will find much nicer people. They sure used me fine. Have you been over to Orillia lately. How is Myrtle. I get about two letters a week from her.
I am glad mother and Ada is such good friends. She will not want to see me if you use her that good. I guess she would be glad to see me. She sure was a good old pet. How are you making out for wood. I often think about you. But I will soon be home to get some. Well I must close. Remember dear mother and sister I love you. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
I hope these few lines will find you both well. I am just fine. Standing the time well. I guess you have seen it in the paper where we have been making it a bit lively for Friz’s. I had all kinds of chances to get souvenirs of Frizs but I do not bother with them. As along as I can get through with my own hide that is all I want.
Well mother and Lizzie I have been getting letters and boxes from you but have not had time to write to you. I guess you will have a good idea how we be fixed at times. I got the other pair of gloves you sent me. That is two pair I have got from you and they are both dandy. You do not know how good they are in this wet cold fall weather.
I also got a box from the Red Cross that Mrs. Reid sent. This is the paper and pencil that I am using that I got in the box. The boys in my section thinks I get lots of boxes.
I seen Clarence Speerin about a week ago, he was well. I guess you hear about Bob Rumball being killed. Little Foster took it pretty hard. I was talking to him. There has been several of the 177 boys killed. I would tell their names but you would not know them.
Your boxes have been OK. In the last box the icing on the cake was so nice and soft.
Did I tell you I got another box from the Harbour and a pair of socks from Mrs. Sykes. Oh yes I had a letter from the Harbour saying that the Belfrys had been out to see you. I don’t think you will find much nicer people. They sure used me fine. Have you been over to Orillia lately. How is Myrtle. I get about two letters a week from her.
I am glad mother and Ada is such good friends. She will not want to see me if you use her that good. I guess she would be glad to see me. She sure was a good old pet. How are you making out for wood. I often think about you. But I will soon be home to get some. Well I must close. Remember dear mother and sister I love you. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxxx
October 25
Dear mother & sister
I hope that these few lines will find you well as I am fine at present. It is a little wet and cold here at present. Fall weather. You should just see the meals I eat you would think I had a tape worm. You know the kind of meals I eat in the fall.
Was I telling you about Bailey being in this Battn. He is in C Coy. Did I tell you I saw Leonard Cowan. I have meet a lot of the boys. I was close to Will Speerin but did not get time to get to see him. But I will likely see him soon.
I have not had any mail from you for a while. Had a couple of letters from Myrtle the other day, one from Alf today wrote on the 3rd of Sept. Did I tell you that Dave was sent to the 19th Battn. He sure felt bad. I know he will miss me for writing letters for him.
There is a quite a few of old B. Coy boys in this Battn. I like this Battn fine. Find both officers and men fine. Do anything to help one an other, that is the way you find us fellows. So don’t you be worrying about me. I will give you my address so you will be sure to have it. A. Coy 4 Platoon LGS 4th Canadians Battn France. It will catch me.
Oh yes I got an Orillia Packet yesterday. The Packet sends it to me, the date was Sept 27th. I seen about the school fair at home. The next one I get will have Coldwater fair in it. Well I must close for it is near bed time. Now dear mother and sister do not be worrying for I am quite alright. It will not be long until I be home with you again. Close with lots of love from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxx
Ps please send me Fred Shannon address
I hope that these few lines will find you well as I am fine at present. It is a little wet and cold here at present. Fall weather. You should just see the meals I eat you would think I had a tape worm. You know the kind of meals I eat in the fall.
Was I telling you about Bailey being in this Battn. He is in C Coy. Did I tell you I saw Leonard Cowan. I have meet a lot of the boys. I was close to Will Speerin but did not get time to get to see him. But I will likely see him soon.
I have not had any mail from you for a while. Had a couple of letters from Myrtle the other day, one from Alf today wrote on the 3rd of Sept. Did I tell you that Dave was sent to the 19th Battn. He sure felt bad. I know he will miss me for writing letters for him.
There is a quite a few of old B. Coy boys in this Battn. I like this Battn fine. Find both officers and men fine. Do anything to help one an other, that is the way you find us fellows. So don’t you be worrying about me. I will give you my address so you will be sure to have it. A. Coy 4 Platoon LGS 4th Canadians Battn France. It will catch me.
Oh yes I got an Orillia Packet yesterday. The Packet sends it to me, the date was Sept 27th. I seen about the school fair at home. The next one I get will have Coldwater fair in it. Well I must close for it is near bed time. Now dear mother and sister do not be worrying for I am quite alright. It will not be long until I be home with you again. Close with lots of love from your loving son and brother Bruce Speerin xxx
Ps please send me Fred Shannon address
October 23
Dear mother & sister
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am fine. Just fine. I received two letters from you the other night and was sure glad to get them. I also got the box you sent me with the chicken in. But sorry to say the box was all spoiled. The only thing was any good was one of the handkerchiefs. But it was just as good as if it had been good for I know just how you be thinking of me and be wanting me to have whatever you are eating. But don’t send any more chicken until late in the winter. We can buy both chicken and duck here. Anything we want. All your other boxes were fine. Oh yes the strawberries and honey was OK. I have rec’d five boxes from you.
I also got a box from Myrtle the other night. You were asking me about butter. It is not very plentiful. You can put a little in the next boxes you send. And do not forget a candle or two and did I tell about a pair of gloves. That is all I want.
Oh yes glad to hear Alex’s has a little girl. What does Master Roy think of that. What do they call her. Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon again and remember I often think of my loved ones at home and hope to soon be with them again.
I am your loving son and brother Bruce S. sending lots of love xxxxxx
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am fine. Just fine. I received two letters from you the other night and was sure glad to get them. I also got the box you sent me with the chicken in. But sorry to say the box was all spoiled. The only thing was any good was one of the handkerchiefs. But it was just as good as if it had been good for I know just how you be thinking of me and be wanting me to have whatever you are eating. But don’t send any more chicken until late in the winter. We can buy both chicken and duck here. Anything we want. All your other boxes were fine. Oh yes the strawberries and honey was OK. I have rec’d five boxes from you.
I also got a box from Myrtle the other night. You were asking me about butter. It is not very plentiful. You can put a little in the next boxes you send. And do not forget a candle or two and did I tell about a pair of gloves. That is all I want.
Oh yes glad to hear Alex’s has a little girl. What does Master Roy think of that. What do they call her. Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon again and remember I often think of my loved ones at home and hope to soon be with them again.
I am your loving son and brother Bruce S. sending lots of love xxxxxx
October 14
Dear mother & sister
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am just fine. I received your two letters and the box Lizzie posted at Orillia on Sept 1st. It was just dandy. Well I have had a trip in the line and got a long fine. Did not mind it a bit all though the mud was from our ankles up. It rained most of the time. But that is good for young ducks.
I have enjoyed France fine. We are in nice warm billets now. It sure is like fall to me. Wet and very cold. I was out for a walk downtown tonight and I wore my over coat. Just felt fine with overcoat and gloves on. Well I guess the snow will be starting to fly by the time you get this letter. Have you got any wood up. If things keep going as good as they have been there is chance for me to be home for Christmas. I really do not think Friz can stand it all winter.
Well this has been Sunday. All of the boys are writing home tonight. I like the fellows in my section fine. There could not be a better natured bunch of fellows. My address is 4th Can Battn. BEF. A Coy, No. 4 Platoon France. Oh yes you had lots of news to tell me in the last letter. That’s the kind of letter I like getting. How is Ada. I guess she finds the weather cool.
Well I think I had better close the boys are all well hoping to hear from you soon and I will write soon again. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce
Close with love and xxxxxx
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am just fine. I received your two letters and the box Lizzie posted at Orillia on Sept 1st. It was just dandy. Well I have had a trip in the line and got a long fine. Did not mind it a bit all though the mud was from our ankles up. It rained most of the time. But that is good for young ducks.
I have enjoyed France fine. We are in nice warm billets now. It sure is like fall to me. Wet and very cold. I was out for a walk downtown tonight and I wore my over coat. Just felt fine with overcoat and gloves on. Well I guess the snow will be starting to fly by the time you get this letter. Have you got any wood up. If things keep going as good as they have been there is chance for me to be home for Christmas. I really do not think Friz can stand it all winter.
Well this has been Sunday. All of the boys are writing home tonight. I like the fellows in my section fine. There could not be a better natured bunch of fellows. My address is 4th Can Battn. BEF. A Coy, No. 4 Platoon France. Oh yes you had lots of news to tell me in the last letter. That’s the kind of letter I like getting. How is Ada. I guess she finds the weather cool.
Well I think I had better close the boys are all well hoping to hear from you soon and I will write soon again. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce
Close with love and xxxxxx
October 3
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping you are in the best of health. Well I have not got any mail yet. September the 9th was the last mail I have got. It is not your fault but you know how it is. We do so much moving about. None of the fellows are getting any mail but we will be getting all kinds of it when it starts to come. I was just thinking today and tomorrow is Coldwater Fair. I spent a good day there last year and expect to spent a day there next Coldwater Fair. Where you at it. Did you get the prize for any thing. We had a big fair over here last week. All kinds of races and sports. My address is A. Coy. 4th Platoon. 4th Battn BEF Canadians France. Do you get my letters all right. I guess you will get two at a times sometimes.
Well how is Cowans coming up. They never write to me. I got one letter from Bud. How is all Alexs have they been down very often this summer. I suppose Ada has not forgotten me yet. I guess she thinks she has a better master now. Will not have so much driving to do. Do you ever have to take the whip and straighten her up a bit. Is she very hard to catch in the pasture. You never told me where she was pasturing.
Well I must ring off. Close with oceans of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Now do not be worrying. I am quite well and trust in god to keep me safe. Bye bye B.S.
Ps I got your letter tonight wrote Aug 25 and was glad to get it.
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping you are in the best of health. Well I have not got any mail yet. September the 9th was the last mail I have got. It is not your fault but you know how it is. We do so much moving about. None of the fellows are getting any mail but we will be getting all kinds of it when it starts to come. I was just thinking today and tomorrow is Coldwater Fair. I spent a good day there last year and expect to spent a day there next Coldwater Fair. Where you at it. Did you get the prize for any thing. We had a big fair over here last week. All kinds of races and sports. My address is A. Coy. 4th Platoon. 4th Battn BEF Canadians France. Do you get my letters all right. I guess you will get two at a times sometimes.
Well how is Cowans coming up. They never write to me. I got one letter from Bud. How is all Alexs have they been down very often this summer. I suppose Ada has not forgotten me yet. I guess she thinks she has a better master now. Will not have so much driving to do. Do you ever have to take the whip and straighten her up a bit. Is she very hard to catch in the pasture. You never told me where she was pasturing.
Well I must ring off. Close with oceans of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Now do not be worrying. I am quite well and trust in god to keep me safe. Bye bye B.S.
Ps I got your letter tonight wrote Aug 25 and was glad to get it.
September 30
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping this letter finds you well. I have only rec’d one letter from you since I came to France. That one I got on the 9th of Sept. that is the only mail I have got from anyone since coming here. Well I hope that you are well and getting along fine with the work.
I have not been up the line yet but where I am now suits me fine, out of all danger. I like France good. I seen Leonard Cowan every day, also Ed and Clarence. I have seen so many I know it would take a sheet of paper to write all their names. Meeting some every day.
Well I wish I would get a letter from you soon. I would like to know the news. But I have found out a little from Clarence and Ed. They get their mail regular. Is it right about Tom Sykes buying F.D. Robinson’s store. Things will be changing a little. Why is Robinsons getting into the farming.
Well let me know how many potatoes and apples you had this year. Has the people threshed around home yet. How many oats did you have. How is Alexs hope they are well. Is Ada still feeling gay. Well I must ring off. Hoping to soon get a letter and do not be worrying for I am quite well and safe. The only way is trust in God and I will sure return home again to you.
Well bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce S. with love xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping this letter finds you well. I have only rec’d one letter from you since I came to France. That one I got on the 9th of Sept. that is the only mail I have got from anyone since coming here. Well I hope that you are well and getting along fine with the work.
I have not been up the line yet but where I am now suits me fine, out of all danger. I like France good. I seen Leonard Cowan every day, also Ed and Clarence. I have seen so many I know it would take a sheet of paper to write all their names. Meeting some every day.
Well I wish I would get a letter from you soon. I would like to know the news. But I have found out a little from Clarence and Ed. They get their mail regular. Is it right about Tom Sykes buying F.D. Robinson’s store. Things will be changing a little. Why is Robinsons getting into the farming.
Well let me know how many potatoes and apples you had this year. Has the people threshed around home yet. How many oats did you have. How is Alexs hope they are well. Is Ada still feeling gay. Well I must ring off. Hoping to soon get a letter and do not be worrying for I am quite well and safe. The only way is trust in God and I will sure return home again to you.
Well bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce S. with love xxxx
September 26
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines being I have lots of time to write you a few lines. I owe about a dozen letters. But I am going to write home no matter how many I have got to write. I hope that this letter will find you enjoying the best of health and having a good time. I am quite well. Have not been up the line yet. I like this place fine. I would like to get a little mail though. The last mail I got was wrote the 15 or 16 of Aug., so it will soon be up to me to get a little mail.
Well how are you getting along. Find lots of work to do. I wish I was close enough for to help you for a few days. But I will be back to help you next summer anyways. Ada will have to get to work and plough then.
Well Lizzie I suppose you’re having lots of fun picking potatoes. Do mother help to pick too. Are you selling them. Who is buying. I hear the crops are pretty good in Canada this year. Did many of the fellows go west this year. I know where Leonard Cowan is, I am going over to see him tomorrow night. I see Clarence and Ed every day. They are quite well.
Well don’t be worrying about me because I am in France for I am quite all right.
Well I must soon close. I will write Sunday again if I can. Hoping to get some mail soon. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce S.
Just a few lines being I have lots of time to write you a few lines. I owe about a dozen letters. But I am going to write home no matter how many I have got to write. I hope that this letter will find you enjoying the best of health and having a good time. I am quite well. Have not been up the line yet. I like this place fine. I would like to get a little mail though. The last mail I got was wrote the 15 or 16 of Aug., so it will soon be up to me to get a little mail.
Well how are you getting along. Find lots of work to do. I wish I was close enough for to help you for a few days. But I will be back to help you next summer anyways. Ada will have to get to work and plough then.
Well Lizzie I suppose you’re having lots of fun picking potatoes. Do mother help to pick too. Are you selling them. Who is buying. I hear the crops are pretty good in Canada this year. Did many of the fellows go west this year. I know where Leonard Cowan is, I am going over to see him tomorrow night. I see Clarence and Ed every day. They are quite well.
Well don’t be worrying about me because I am in France for I am quite all right.
Well I must soon close. I will write Sunday again if I can. Hoping to get some mail soon. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce S.
September 23
Dear mother & sister
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am fine. I have not had a chance to get up the line yet. Say Ed and Clarence Speerin is right close beside us. I see them every night. They are both well. I have met a lot of fellows I know, Dave Greenlaw from Vasey. Russell Middleton, Harold McClean is in the same hut that Ed is in. Oh yes I met Whit Stewart . I have meet all the D. Coy and C. Coy fellows of the 157. I have not had any mail for a long while now. Clarence was telling me he had got a couple of letters from his home and they said every thing was dull around Moonstone but they had great crops.
Well I like France fine. It has been a fine trip for us. But I think Ontario has any place I have been beat yet to own it for your home. Well how are you dear ones getting along. I guess you will be busy picking apples when you get this letter and digging potatoes. Did you have many. Were you at Coldwater Fair. Was it any good and what about Moonstone Fair. Some crowd at it I suppose.
Well I want you to cheer up and don’t feel blue because I am in France. For I am alright having the best of time and don’t worry for it will not be long before I be back home again. This war is not going to last forever. I got up here before Alex Douglas after all, he is still at the base. I am in the first bunch of us Simcoes to get this far.
I had a good hot shower bath this morning and am going to church at the YMCA this afternoon. My address is 4th Battn BEF Canadians France. I have about a dozen letters to write today then I will look for a bunch.
I suppose the people around Moonstone been asking you about me. How is Cowans coming on. Oh yes have you got a pig this year. How is Ada. Where did you pasture her this summer. Who is teaching at Moonstone this year. How is Alexs. How many horses has he this year. Has he got a little colt.
Well I must soon ring off or it will be dinner time. Tell me lots of news. How is Dunlops coming up do they ever ask about me. Well I must close with lots of love from your loving son and brother Bruce. S. xxxxxx
Ps. I was expecting to find Clarence quite a boozer but was badly fooled. He never touches it at all. He is a pretty fair fellow to be in this game. He has had a taste of the front line and Ed is good too. Neither of them touches beer and I guess you know how much I touch it. Well bye bye from B.S.
I hope these few lines will find you well as I am fine. I have not had a chance to get up the line yet. Say Ed and Clarence Speerin is right close beside us. I see them every night. They are both well. I have met a lot of fellows I know, Dave Greenlaw from Vasey. Russell Middleton, Harold McClean is in the same hut that Ed is in. Oh yes I met Whit Stewart . I have meet all the D. Coy and C. Coy fellows of the 157. I have not had any mail for a long while now. Clarence was telling me he had got a couple of letters from his home and they said every thing was dull around Moonstone but they had great crops.
Well I like France fine. It has been a fine trip for us. But I think Ontario has any place I have been beat yet to own it for your home. Well how are you dear ones getting along. I guess you will be busy picking apples when you get this letter and digging potatoes. Did you have many. Were you at Coldwater Fair. Was it any good and what about Moonstone Fair. Some crowd at it I suppose.
Well I want you to cheer up and don’t feel blue because I am in France. For I am alright having the best of time and don’t worry for it will not be long before I be back home again. This war is not going to last forever. I got up here before Alex Douglas after all, he is still at the base. I am in the first bunch of us Simcoes to get this far.
I had a good hot shower bath this morning and am going to church at the YMCA this afternoon. My address is 4th Battn BEF Canadians France. I have about a dozen letters to write today then I will look for a bunch.
I suppose the people around Moonstone been asking you about me. How is Cowans coming on. Oh yes have you got a pig this year. How is Ada. Where did you pasture her this summer. Who is teaching at Moonstone this year. How is Alexs. How many horses has he this year. Has he got a little colt.
Well I must soon ring off or it will be dinner time. Tell me lots of news. How is Dunlops coming up do they ever ask about me. Well I must close with lots of love from your loving son and brother Bruce. S. xxxxxx
Ps. I was expecting to find Clarence quite a boozer but was badly fooled. He never touches it at all. He is a pretty fair fellow to be in this game. He has had a taste of the front line and Ed is good too. Neither of them touches beer and I guess you know how much I touch it. Well bye bye from B.S.
September 18
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I feel fine and dandy. I know you will be wondering why I have not wrote sooner. But it has been impossible for me. We have been busy drilling. We are resting in our billets behind the lines now. We have not been up the line yet. I expect it will be some time yet before we go up. I am sorry I have not written you before this. It may be keeping you worrying. I have got one letter from you since I came here. I expect it will be some time before I get any now for we move about a bit. I see where I will be getting a bunch of boxes when I do get it.
Well I like France fine it has been my best part of the trip. It is more like Canada than England was. I sure like it. I will soon be able to talk French. I can speak a few words now and I have not been here long. Roy Belfry’s Battn is close to us. I intend going over to see him tonight if I get time. #853160 Pt. – 4th Inf Battn, BEF Canadians France. That will get me alright.
We have got our little friends with us now and they are sure company, ha ha. They keep me busy scratching. It is the first I ever had on me.
Oh yes when you be sending boxes after this will you put a candle in them. They sure come in handy. We will soon have longer nights. It will be getting darker early and we use them for warming canned stuff.
Well don’t you worry over me for I am well and comfortable and the time will soon come and I will be home with you again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce S
Sending lots of kisses xxxxxx
I hope this letter will find you well as I feel fine and dandy. I know you will be wondering why I have not wrote sooner. But it has been impossible for me. We have been busy drilling. We are resting in our billets behind the lines now. We have not been up the line yet. I expect it will be some time yet before we go up. I am sorry I have not written you before this. It may be keeping you worrying. I have got one letter from you since I came here. I expect it will be some time before I get any now for we move about a bit. I see where I will be getting a bunch of boxes when I do get it.
Well I like France fine it has been my best part of the trip. It is more like Canada than England was. I sure like it. I will soon be able to talk French. I can speak a few words now and I have not been here long. Roy Belfry’s Battn is close to us. I intend going over to see him tonight if I get time. #853160 Pt. – 4th Inf Battn, BEF Canadians France. That will get me alright.
We have got our little friends with us now and they are sure company, ha ha. They keep me busy scratching. It is the first I ever had on me.
Oh yes when you be sending boxes after this will you put a candle in them. They sure come in handy. We will soon have longer nights. It will be getting darker early and we use them for warming canned stuff.
Well don’t you worry over me for I am well and comfortable and the time will soon come and I will be home with you again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce S
Sending lots of kisses xxxxxx
September 9
Dear mother and sister,
Just a few more lines. I wrote you a few lines last night but thought I had better write a few more today. Or I thought you would be thinking I was getting careless of writing to you. But don’t you ever think that for I am always thinking of my dear mother and sister and I think most of the boys are the same way. But you know we don’t put in to blue atime, we have all kinds of concerts to pass the time away with. Well this is sure a nice Sunday. It is my first Sunday in France
Has Alexs been down lately, how are they. Let me know all the news from Moonstone. Is it right that Jack Buchanan got out when Clarence brought the bride in. I would like to know how everything is around old Moonstone. How is Bud. Have you got many apples this year and do they sell good. Do you ever see those little girls of mine around the Harbour. Do they be asking about me.
Well I guess it is getting like fall around home. It has been over five months since we left Orillia Bruce S. xx
September 8 - France
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I like France fine. I am at the base. I expect we may be here for some time. We are getting fed better here than we have got fed since we left the Harbour. We get good butter to eat here where we used to only get margarine in England. But I have been well satisfied where ever I have been. I enjoyed the trip. I saw Alex Douglas last night. My address is 4th Canadian St 7 Div. France.
Well I hope this finds you well. I will write you a big long letter tomorrow. Now don’t worry and trust in God and I will soon be home again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce with love xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I like France fine. I am at the base. I expect we may be here for some time. We are getting fed better here than we have got fed since we left the Harbour. We get good butter to eat here where we used to only get margarine in England. But I have been well satisfied where ever I have been. I enjoyed the trip. I saw Alex Douglas last night. My address is 4th Canadian St 7 Div. France.
Well I hope this finds you well. I will write you a big long letter tomorrow. Now don’t worry and trust in God and I will soon be home again. I am your loving son and brother Bruce with love xxxx
September 4
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I received your letter today that was written on the 17th Augs. I was sure glad to hear from you. I have received three boxes from you. But I have not the box that you posted at Waubashane. But it is likely I will get it in France. I expect to go tomorrow. But there is no telling, it may be a while before I go yet. Tell me in your next letter how you are making out selling apples.
Well it is real nice weather here. Hugh is sitting right close to me. He is quite well. But he wishes he was going to France with me. Will Douglas is well. He is lonesome without Alex. He is in France. He went a week ago. It will be a while before Will gets there. Well I will close sending you lots of love and pray that god will protect us all. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce S. xxxxxx
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I received your letter today that was written on the 17th Augs. I was sure glad to hear from you. I have received three boxes from you. But I have not the box that you posted at Waubashane. But it is likely I will get it in France. I expect to go tomorrow. But there is no telling, it may be a while before I go yet. Tell me in your next letter how you are making out selling apples.
Well it is real nice weather here. Hugh is sitting right close to me. He is quite well. But he wishes he was going to France with me. Will Douglas is well. He is lonesome without Alex. He is in France. He went a week ago. It will be a while before Will gets there. Well I will close sending you lots of love and pray that god will protect us all. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce S. xxxxxx
September 2
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to you so to let you know I am well hoping that you are the same. Well I am still in England. I have been looking to go to France for a week now. The last letter I got from you was a week ago. Yesterday I got the two boxes that you sent. That is three I have got from home. Two from the Red Cross at Moonstone, one from Myrtle and one from Mrs. McClung and one from Mrs. Albert Sykes. So that is not so bad.
Say when you sent me the next box you can put in a pair of gloves if you like. Don’t get dear ones for I may lose them. But I thought they would come in good in the cold nights in the fall and I have a pair of woollen ones I am taking with me. Mitts are no good for you can’t handle a rifle with them. You need something with fingers in so as to be able to press the trigger well. I am looking for a letter from you tomorrow. I can nearly always tell when I am going to get mail from home.
It has been a quite a while since we landed here. I never thought we would put so long in England and I guess you did not either. How are you getting a long with the fall work. I can’t think it is so late as it is. Another month and it is fall fair time. Write and tell me about Coldwater fair and also the school fair at home. Well I expect to soon meet Clarence and Ed. Also Fred and John. All the old Moonstone boys. I will run across them some time. Has Alexs been down lately, how are all them. And is Ada feeling, pretty gay. I guess she would hardly know me now.
We have been having battle practice all week. It is good sport and especially when you have a good officer with you. It means a lot. The one that was over our platoon was a returned fellow. He has been to France twice and got wounded. He sure knows his job. I wish he was going to France with us. Did I tell you I got the papers you sent me alright.
Well I think I had better ring off for this time. Oh yes I have lots of socks for a while yet. I have more than I can carry with me. I will close with lots of love to you both and hoping to hear from you soon. I remain as ever your loving true son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to you so to let you know I am well hoping that you are the same. Well I am still in England. I have been looking to go to France for a week now. The last letter I got from you was a week ago. Yesterday I got the two boxes that you sent. That is three I have got from home. Two from the Red Cross at Moonstone, one from Myrtle and one from Mrs. McClung and one from Mrs. Albert Sykes. So that is not so bad.
Say when you sent me the next box you can put in a pair of gloves if you like. Don’t get dear ones for I may lose them. But I thought they would come in good in the cold nights in the fall and I have a pair of woollen ones I am taking with me. Mitts are no good for you can’t handle a rifle with them. You need something with fingers in so as to be able to press the trigger well. I am looking for a letter from you tomorrow. I can nearly always tell when I am going to get mail from home.
It has been a quite a while since we landed here. I never thought we would put so long in England and I guess you did not either. How are you getting a long with the fall work. I can’t think it is so late as it is. Another month and it is fall fair time. Write and tell me about Coldwater fair and also the school fair at home. Well I expect to soon meet Clarence and Ed. Also Fred and John. All the old Moonstone boys. I will run across them some time. Has Alexs been down lately, how are all them. And is Ada feeling, pretty gay. I guess she would hardly know me now.
We have been having battle practice all week. It is good sport and especially when you have a good officer with you. It means a lot. The one that was over our platoon was a returned fellow. He has been to France twice and got wounded. He sure knows his job. I wish he was going to France with us. Did I tell you I got the papers you sent me alright.
Well I think I had better ring off for this time. Oh yes I have lots of socks for a while yet. I have more than I can carry with me. I will close with lots of love to you both and hoping to hear from you soon. I remain as ever your loving true son and brother Bruce xxxx
August 27
Dear mother & sister
Just a few more lines I wrote you yesterday. But I thought about sending those cards home so I am going to put a few lines in with them. I am now going to ask you a few questions. Did you get two snaps of the M.G.S. that was taken in St. John. I sent two, one in with the badges and one in a letter before that. Say do you get the paper called the Kerky Call. I am sending you a piece of heather a little Jane sent me from Scotland. I had more pieces but got them broken. I will get some more if I can. I intend sending Myrtle a piece too if I can get it.
Well I have not left for France yet. Alex went yesterday. We may go tomorrow. It is raining here today again. Well write and tell me lots of news. I do like getting lots of mail and I think I have got my share with any of them.
I will close with lots of love and hoping you are well. I am fine. I will write soon again and don’t you worry. Your son and brother will sure get back to you again. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce S. xxxx
Just a few more lines I wrote you yesterday. But I thought about sending those cards home so I am going to put a few lines in with them. I am now going to ask you a few questions. Did you get two snaps of the M.G.S. that was taken in St. John. I sent two, one in with the badges and one in a letter before that. Say do you get the paper called the Kerky Call. I am sending you a piece of heather a little Jane sent me from Scotland. I had more pieces but got them broken. I will get some more if I can. I intend sending Myrtle a piece too if I can get it.
Well I have not left for France yet. Alex went yesterday. We may go tomorrow. It is raining here today again. Well write and tell me lots of news. I do like getting lots of mail and I think I have got my share with any of them.
I will close with lots of love and hoping you are well. I am fine. I will write soon again and don’t you worry. Your son and brother will sure get back to you again. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce S. xxxx
August 26
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping that you are too. I rec’d your welcome letter and card last night. It had been two weeks without getting any more from you. The card was wrote on the 3rd of August and the letter on the 8th. Glad to know that you are getting along alright. I intend writing always to you but I kept putting it off looking for a letter from you.
I just came of church parade a few minutes ago and thought I would start this letter before dinner and I will finish it this afternoon after the rest of the mail is given out. I expect I will get the box you sent me on the 3rd of Aug. I just got five letters and a post card in last night’s mail. A letter from Cecil S. and letter from Laura Belfry, two letters fro Myrtle and 1 letter and a card from you. I also got a couple of Canadian letters last Monday.
Well I am looking to go to France right away. I am on the first draft for the fourth Battn. There is a good bunch of us going together. I would have liked to have had Alex Douglas with me but he is on a draft for the 19th Battn. Don’t you worry about me for I am fine and if you do not get a letter every week don’t get uneasy. I am alright and you know I will write as often as I can. My same address will get me till you get my new one so do not stop writing. I may be here another month. How is Ada I wonder if she does really miss me.
How is Alexs. Have they been down lately. Tell them I may be back yet so we can all have Christmas together again. And if I don’t make it this Christmas I will sure be there for the next one. Do not ever think I intend staying over here for good. I am not that fond of it.
I seen in the Packet where you have been having some heavy thunder storms around home. Any damage done right around Moonstone. I have never seen anything of a storm since I left St. Johns. Well I will sure have lots to tell you when I get back. Well I am going to close for this forenoon I will finish it after dinner.
Well I have had my dinner and the mail has been given out. I only got the papers you sent me. I just heard a few minutes ago that the 19th draft was going to France tonight. So Alex Douglas will be going. I expect that the draft I am in is going tomorrow or Tuesday. I have two or three more letters to write this afternoon. I hope this letter will find you dear ones well and hoping to hear from you soon again.
It just started to rain now but I don’t think it will last long. Well I must close now. Do not worry. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx sending lots of love.
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping that you are too. I rec’d your welcome letter and card last night. It had been two weeks without getting any more from you. The card was wrote on the 3rd of August and the letter on the 8th. Glad to know that you are getting along alright. I intend writing always to you but I kept putting it off looking for a letter from you.
I just came of church parade a few minutes ago and thought I would start this letter before dinner and I will finish it this afternoon after the rest of the mail is given out. I expect I will get the box you sent me on the 3rd of Aug. I just got five letters and a post card in last night’s mail. A letter from Cecil S. and letter from Laura Belfry, two letters fro Myrtle and 1 letter and a card from you. I also got a couple of Canadian letters last Monday.
Well I am looking to go to France right away. I am on the first draft for the fourth Battn. There is a good bunch of us going together. I would have liked to have had Alex Douglas with me but he is on a draft for the 19th Battn. Don’t you worry about me for I am fine and if you do not get a letter every week don’t get uneasy. I am alright and you know I will write as often as I can. My same address will get me till you get my new one so do not stop writing. I may be here another month. How is Ada I wonder if she does really miss me.
How is Alexs. Have they been down lately. Tell them I may be back yet so we can all have Christmas together again. And if I don’t make it this Christmas I will sure be there for the next one. Do not ever think I intend staying over here for good. I am not that fond of it.
I seen in the Packet where you have been having some heavy thunder storms around home. Any damage done right around Moonstone. I have never seen anything of a storm since I left St. Johns. Well I will sure have lots to tell you when I get back. Well I am going to close for this forenoon I will finish it after dinner.
Well I have had my dinner and the mail has been given out. I only got the papers you sent me. I just heard a few minutes ago that the 19th draft was going to France tonight. So Alex Douglas will be going. I expect that the draft I am in is going tomorrow or Tuesday. I have two or three more letters to write this afternoon. I hope this letter will find you dear ones well and hoping to hear from you soon again.
It just started to rain now but I don’t think it will last long. Well I must close now. Do not worry. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx sending lots of love.
August 19
Dear mother and sister
I am now starting to write you a few lines but I do not intend to finish it until after dinner for I am expecting Canadian mail today. The last word I have had from you was last Tuesday. I got the two cards and the letter you sent with the snaps in it. I hope this letter will find you well as it leaves me fine at present.
I suppose you will have the oats cut by now. How did you manage to get them cut. I bet that there will be some nice St. Lawrence apples ripe now. I have had apples to eat and pears too. Well I have just finished my dinner and the mail has been given out but there was no mail today. But I expect there will be some tomorrow. Has Alexs been down lately. How are they.
We certainly have some fine Sundays believe me it makes a fellow feel lonesome. Sunday is one day you think more of home than any other. It seems quite long. Hugh Addison was away on his pass last week. He got back last night.
Well I have not got much to tell you I am quite well and ready for Old Friz’s. But it will be another week or two before I go to France yet. We have been in England three months now so that is a lot longer then I ever thought we would be. Well I must ring off hoping to hear from you soon and do take care of your selfs.
From your loving son and brother close with lots of love Bruce S xxxx
I am now starting to write you a few lines but I do not intend to finish it until after dinner for I am expecting Canadian mail today. The last word I have had from you was last Tuesday. I got the two cards and the letter you sent with the snaps in it. I hope this letter will find you well as it leaves me fine at present.
I suppose you will have the oats cut by now. How did you manage to get them cut. I bet that there will be some nice St. Lawrence apples ripe now. I have had apples to eat and pears too. Well I have just finished my dinner and the mail has been given out but there was no mail today. But I expect there will be some tomorrow. Has Alexs been down lately. How are they.
We certainly have some fine Sundays believe me it makes a fellow feel lonesome. Sunday is one day you think more of home than any other. It seems quite long. Hugh Addison was away on his pass last week. He got back last night.
Well I have not got much to tell you I am quite well and ready for Old Friz’s. But it will be another week or two before I go to France yet. We have been in England three months now so that is a lot longer then I ever thought we would be. Well I must ring off hoping to hear from you soon and do take care of your selfs.
From your loving son and brother close with lots of love Bruce S xxxx
August 15
Dear mother and sister
I received your welcome letter and cards last night and I was glad to hear from you. Glad to know that you are well. I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine at present. It is raining here today. I am on machine gun course this week again. We only have a half a day each day and we have the rest of the day to our selfs. You were over to Orillia the day you sent the letter. Oh yes I got the snaps in the letter you sent. I have got some of them all before but the one where you were taken in the buggy. It was good. Only Lizzie was pretty nearly left out of it. And Ada looks a little thin in it. You must be doing lots of driving.
Well I got the box you sent me a long time ago and I have been looking for another one. It was Ok. The strawberries were fine. And I just finished the sugar the other morning. Well I am glad to know that you got the hay in fine. And I hope you get the oats in fine.
It is raining here this morning but we have had real nice weather so far only a few wet days. Well it is just about dinner time so I will have to ring off hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain your loving son and brother Bruce S.
Remember I love you and often think of you and glad to know Alexs are well. Bye bye B.S.
I received your welcome letter and cards last night and I was glad to hear from you. Glad to know that you are well. I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine at present. It is raining here today. I am on machine gun course this week again. We only have a half a day each day and we have the rest of the day to our selfs. You were over to Orillia the day you sent the letter. Oh yes I got the snaps in the letter you sent. I have got some of them all before but the one where you were taken in the buggy. It was good. Only Lizzie was pretty nearly left out of it. And Ada looks a little thin in it. You must be doing lots of driving.
Well I got the box you sent me a long time ago and I have been looking for another one. It was Ok. The strawberries were fine. And I just finished the sugar the other morning. Well I am glad to know that you got the hay in fine. And I hope you get the oats in fine.
It is raining here this morning but we have had real nice weather so far only a few wet days. Well it is just about dinner time so I will have to ring off hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain your loving son and brother Bruce S.
Remember I love you and often think of you and glad to know Alexs are well. Bye bye B.S.
August 12
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I was looking for some Canadian mail today but I guess it will not be along until about Tuesday. I got a letter from Sykes at the Harbour the other night. Oh yes I forgot to tell you I got the papers you sent me.
Did you hear about Clarence getting wounded. It was a quite a while ago. He is quite better again and back fighting the last I heard of him. I think that has been two slight ones for him. How are you making out. I suppose the people is busy harvesting. I know they have started around here now.
I am going to renew my Machine Gun Course this week. They don’t want us to forget it. A fellow got to be able to do any thing in this war. Say I am sending you a snap in this that was taken on the boat of the Destroyer boat that was with us. It was taking when we were about half way across, it was the sixth day I think. Have you got any snaps taken lately. Get some more whenever you can.
Well I have not gone to France yet and I expect it may be another month before we go, that is if the war is not over. They have got bunches of men in France. None of our Battn has been taken yet, only 3 or four of our officers. The last thing our old Col. McPhee told us was not to neglect writing home. The old fellow was so well taken up with us the tears came in his eyes when he left us. We have only Capt Wallace with us now. Lt. Orr is gone with the air men. He wrote a letter to Sergeant Burns, now is Pte Burns, to read to us all. He was all ways wanting to get us to gather and get a picture taken but we never got it. But he says he has got a far better picture in his mind. He says he could write down a roll of every one of us and our next of kin. I wish you could have just read the letter. Say do any of my letters be censored. None of yours has ever been.
Well bye bye mother and sister. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I was looking for some Canadian mail today but I guess it will not be along until about Tuesday. I got a letter from Sykes at the Harbour the other night. Oh yes I forgot to tell you I got the papers you sent me.
Did you hear about Clarence getting wounded. It was a quite a while ago. He is quite better again and back fighting the last I heard of him. I think that has been two slight ones for him. How are you making out. I suppose the people is busy harvesting. I know they have started around here now.
I am going to renew my Machine Gun Course this week. They don’t want us to forget it. A fellow got to be able to do any thing in this war. Say I am sending you a snap in this that was taken on the boat of the Destroyer boat that was with us. It was taking when we were about half way across, it was the sixth day I think. Have you got any snaps taken lately. Get some more whenever you can.
Well I have not gone to France yet and I expect it may be another month before we go, that is if the war is not over. They have got bunches of men in France. None of our Battn has been taken yet, only 3 or four of our officers. The last thing our old Col. McPhee told us was not to neglect writing home. The old fellow was so well taken up with us the tears came in his eyes when he left us. We have only Capt Wallace with us now. Lt. Orr is gone with the air men. He wrote a letter to Sergeant Burns, now is Pte Burns, to read to us all. He was all ways wanting to get us to gather and get a picture taken but we never got it. But he says he has got a far better picture in his mind. He says he could write down a roll of every one of us and our next of kin. I wish you could have just read the letter. Say do any of my letters be censored. None of yours has ever been.
Well bye bye mother and sister. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
August 7
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well. I have not got any mail from you lately but it is not your fault there has been no Canadian mail came in lately. The last word I have from you was the card Lizzie sent me from Orillia but I have had a letter from Myrtle since her last letter was wrote on the 18th of July.
Well this week has been real nice so far. I was down to the ranges this week a couple of days and I am going back tomorrow again. I like the shooting practice fine. We get lots of shooting here and that is what we need. I think we will all be pretty good shots. Well how are you getting along farming. I suppose you will have the oats cut by the time you get this letter. How did you manage to get them cut. It will soon be three months since we got to England and it is over four months since we left home. I think four months more will likely put us all back home again. Old Ada looks fine in the snap. I guess she still watches for my coming.
Well Lizzie how are you and Jack coming on. I guess you are pretty thick ha ha. I wish I had something to tease you about. I suppose you will be some divorced by this time ha ha. Well tell me lots of news when you write. I wrote you a letter on Sunday.
Well I guess I will have to close it is just about supper time. We have had nothing to do this afternoon we never do when we go to the ranges. We leave about 4 o’clock in the morning and get back about a quarter to 12. Well I must say bye bye hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce.
I hope this letter will find you well. I have not got any mail from you lately but it is not your fault there has been no Canadian mail came in lately. The last word I have from you was the card Lizzie sent me from Orillia but I have had a letter from Myrtle since her last letter was wrote on the 18th of July.
Well this week has been real nice so far. I was down to the ranges this week a couple of days and I am going back tomorrow again. I like the shooting practice fine. We get lots of shooting here and that is what we need. I think we will all be pretty good shots. Well how are you getting along farming. I suppose you will have the oats cut by the time you get this letter. How did you manage to get them cut. It will soon be three months since we got to England and it is over four months since we left home. I think four months more will likely put us all back home again. Old Ada looks fine in the snap. I guess she still watches for my coming.
Well Lizzie how are you and Jack coming on. I guess you are pretty thick ha ha. I wish I had something to tease you about. I suppose you will be some divorced by this time ha ha. Well tell me lots of news when you write. I wrote you a letter on Sunday.
Well I guess I will have to close it is just about supper time. We have had nothing to do this afternoon we never do when we go to the ranges. We leave about 4 o’clock in the morning and get back about a quarter to 12. Well I must say bye bye hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce.
August 6
Dear sister
I am sending you those ads home to keep for me. I have no place to carry them. You were over to Orillia for the 12 of July. What kind of a time did you have. Why did you not get mother to go with you. I guess she don’t like going places without me but tell her not to let that trouble her. I am having the best of times. If you could only see us or hear us singing I bet you never heard a happier bunch always smiling.
Do my letters be censored tell me. A lot of the fellows have had pieces cut out of their letters. Tell me all the Orillia news, Victoria Harbour and Moonstone news when you write. Well I must say bye bye from a loving brother Bruce xx
Ps remember me to Alexs don’t let them think I have forgotten them and you write a letter for them to me when they come down and I will send them a letter to you so they will get it. Bye bye BS
I am sending you those ads home to keep for me. I have no place to carry them. You were over to Orillia for the 12 of July. What kind of a time did you have. Why did you not get mother to go with you. I guess she don’t like going places without me but tell her not to let that trouble her. I am having the best of times. If you could only see us or hear us singing I bet you never heard a happier bunch always smiling.
Do my letters be censored tell me. A lot of the fellows have had pieces cut out of their letters. Tell me all the Orillia news, Victoria Harbour and Moonstone news when you write. Well I must say bye bye from a loving brother Bruce xx
Ps remember me to Alexs don’t let them think I have forgotten them and you write a letter for them to me when they come down and I will send them a letter to you so they will get it. Bye bye BS
August 5
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. All the mail I have got from you this week was a card Lizzie sent on the 11th of July. I got two letters and a card from Myrtle. Her last letter was dated on the 18th of July. She sent me some snaps that was taken at home. They were sure fine. That is fine of mother in front of the house near the school fence. And the two flower plants showed good. And that was the best one of Lizzie with her hat on. I think Ada is looking pretty good. How are you getting along with her.
It has been raining here for about a week. Today was the first nice day this week. I hear that they are getting a lot of wet weather in Canada. I bet that things will be nice around home now.
I often have a letter from Ed Sykes. He is still well. He told me in his last letter to remember him to Lizzie in my letter and thank her very much for the box she sent him. He said that he had wrote to you but thought the letter might go astray. I think I get all your letters alright. Do you get my letters I have written 31 counting this one, and the letters the cards were inside since I landed in brolly old England.
I was to church in the YMCA this morning. I thought I was home again. The minister that preached had often preached at Moonstone. I forgot his name but I have often seen him. He is a chaplain in one of the Battns. I saw in the paper where they are going to have church every other Sunday at night. That will be fine. What kind of a preacher have you got.
Well I have not been sent to France yet. But don’t you worry over me. I am fine and have lots of friends. And I have one faithful friend who has always protected me. And I pray for him to take care of you every night. The main thing is trust in God and do right.
Well I will soon have to close my letter for Dave wants me to write one home for him. I do all Dave’s writing. I don’t know what he will do when we’re parted. I don’t expect we will go to France together. He is in a different company to me. It is one grand thing to be able to write.
Tell me in your letter what Myrtle had to say when she was out home. And do you ever see Bud. What is his trouble. And how is Cowans coming up. Do they be asking about me. Tell old Mr. Barr if you see him I intend writing him a letter right away.
I expect to be renewing my M.G. course some time this week. They are giving us a week on it just so we won’t forget it. It will be two or three weeks any way before I go to France yet. They have bunches of fine Canadian soldiers in France and England and they all get along so fine together.
Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce. Bye bye with lots of love xxxx
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. All the mail I have got from you this week was a card Lizzie sent on the 11th of July. I got two letters and a card from Myrtle. Her last letter was dated on the 18th of July. She sent me some snaps that was taken at home. They were sure fine. That is fine of mother in front of the house near the school fence. And the two flower plants showed good. And that was the best one of Lizzie with her hat on. I think Ada is looking pretty good. How are you getting along with her.
It has been raining here for about a week. Today was the first nice day this week. I hear that they are getting a lot of wet weather in Canada. I bet that things will be nice around home now.
I often have a letter from Ed Sykes. He is still well. He told me in his last letter to remember him to Lizzie in my letter and thank her very much for the box she sent him. He said that he had wrote to you but thought the letter might go astray. I think I get all your letters alright. Do you get my letters I have written 31 counting this one, and the letters the cards were inside since I landed in brolly old England.
I was to church in the YMCA this morning. I thought I was home again. The minister that preached had often preached at Moonstone. I forgot his name but I have often seen him. He is a chaplain in one of the Battns. I saw in the paper where they are going to have church every other Sunday at night. That will be fine. What kind of a preacher have you got.
Well I have not been sent to France yet. But don’t you worry over me. I am fine and have lots of friends. And I have one faithful friend who has always protected me. And I pray for him to take care of you every night. The main thing is trust in God and do right.
Well I will soon have to close my letter for Dave wants me to write one home for him. I do all Dave’s writing. I don’t know what he will do when we’re parted. I don’t expect we will go to France together. He is in a different company to me. It is one grand thing to be able to write.
Tell me in your letter what Myrtle had to say when she was out home. And do you ever see Bud. What is his trouble. And how is Cowans coming up. Do they be asking about me. Tell old Mr. Barr if you see him I intend writing him a letter right away.
I expect to be renewing my M.G. course some time this week. They are giving us a week on it just so we won’t forget it. It will be two or three weeks any way before I go to France yet. They have bunches of fine Canadian soldiers in France and England and they all get along so fine together.
Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce. Bye bye with lots of love xxxx
July 29
Dear mother & sister
I rec’d another welcome letter from you yesterday. I sure do be glad to hear from you. I answered your letter I got on Tuesday. Your last letter was dated for the 7th of July and I rec’d it on the 29th. Did I tell you I got the box from Mrs. McClung and I got another box from the Red Cross at Moonstone. It was Cassie Burnfield that sent it.
Well I hope this letter will find you dear ones well as I am fine. I just came in of church parade. While the sermon was going on it started to rain so when we got in we all had to change our clothes. We got a fire on in our hut so our clothes will soon be dry.
Well how are you getting along farming. I suppose pretty busy. How are you making out with the bugs. Tell me lots of news in your next letter, all about 1st of July and the 12th. I would sure like to have some of those snaps. I got a letter from Bud today. I was glad to hear from him.
I wish I could just picture in your mind all I have seen. Certainly has been great. I never thought of such things. It sure has been well worth seeing. The only great fault this place has is too much beer. You can see girls in the bar room drinking just the same as men and all girls for bar tenders. But may be they will learn to know better they are paying for it now.
Hugh Addison has just got back from Liverpool hospital. He got a couple of boxes the other night so I had to go down with him and help him to eat them. So when I had just got back Herb Crooke came in. He wants me to go up to his hut and help to eat a box he had got from home so I think I fair might well.
I must ring off. Hoping to hear from you soon and looking for those snaps. Did I tell you I got two dollars in your 2nd last letter. It came in fine. I don’t know how it is but I always seem to have good luck. I have no room to kick. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
I rec’d another welcome letter from you yesterday. I sure do be glad to hear from you. I answered your letter I got on Tuesday. Your last letter was dated for the 7th of July and I rec’d it on the 29th. Did I tell you I got the box from Mrs. McClung and I got another box from the Red Cross at Moonstone. It was Cassie Burnfield that sent it.
Well I hope this letter will find you dear ones well as I am fine. I just came in of church parade. While the sermon was going on it started to rain so when we got in we all had to change our clothes. We got a fire on in our hut so our clothes will soon be dry.
Well how are you getting along farming. I suppose pretty busy. How are you making out with the bugs. Tell me lots of news in your next letter, all about 1st of July and the 12th. I would sure like to have some of those snaps. I got a letter from Bud today. I was glad to hear from him.
I wish I could just picture in your mind all I have seen. Certainly has been great. I never thought of such things. It sure has been well worth seeing. The only great fault this place has is too much beer. You can see girls in the bar room drinking just the same as men and all girls for bar tenders. But may be they will learn to know better they are paying for it now.
Hugh Addison has just got back from Liverpool hospital. He got a couple of boxes the other night so I had to go down with him and help him to eat them. So when I had just got back Herb Crooke came in. He wants me to go up to his hut and help to eat a box he had got from home so I think I fair might well.
I must ring off. Hoping to hear from you soon and looking for those snaps. Did I tell you I got two dollars in your 2nd last letter. It came in fine. I don’t know how it is but I always seem to have good luck. I have no room to kick. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
July 26
Dear mother and sister
I received your letter that you posted at Orillia. I got it on the 24th and I got a letter from Myrtle that was wrote on the fourth of July. I got it on Wednesday. I also got a box from Mrs. McClung. There was two pair of socks in it.
I was glad to hear that you are well. I would have answered before this but I had no time. I was in the trenches all Tuesday night. It is a good sport. I was through the gas chamber today. With the gas mask on. Just to let us see what the gas looks like. If I don’t be gone to France before the beginning of the week I will be back shooting on the ranges.
Well what kind of a time did you have on the first. Myrtle was out was she. Did you get any snaps taken. Write and tell me all she had to say. She told me in her letter that the Burnfield girls were taking great looks at her. They’d know who she was alright. Does any of the people around Moonstone ask about me.
Well I am ready for France any old time. I feel quite well. Don’t you worry about me. I am quite well wherever I am. And in good keeping. I will be brought safe home again and maybe I will be able to make the work for you dear ones a little easier.
Hugh Addison just got here yesterday from L/Pool hospital. He was glad to see me. I get lots of mail, I can hardly get time to write to them all but I do certainly like to get mail. I got two dollars in your last letter. It came in good for I just had to pay 17 shillings for a pair of boots, that is $4.08. I got a pair stolen in Orillia last winter so to get a new pr of boots to be ready for France. I either had to turn in an old pair or buy a new one. So I turned in the old pair I was wearing and bought a new pair, so I have two new pairs of boots now.
Well write and tell me a whole book of news, I know you have lots. I will write you again on Sunday. Do you get my letters, I hope you do for I often think that you be worrying about me. It makes me feel uneasy, but I wish you would have a better time and do not worry.
Say Lizzie Frank Tindall was in Moore Barrack Hospital and I did not know he was there when I was in it. He went to London today I was told. So I did not get seeing him. I must ring off Hugh just come in for me to go down to his hut, he just got a big box from the Burnfield girls tonight. So I see where I am in for another feed. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Ps, you can ring Mrs. H. McClung up on the phone and tell her I got her box OK and tell her I am writing her a letter on Sunday thanking her very much. Bye bye
I received your letter that you posted at Orillia. I got it on the 24th and I got a letter from Myrtle that was wrote on the fourth of July. I got it on Wednesday. I also got a box from Mrs. McClung. There was two pair of socks in it.
I was glad to hear that you are well. I would have answered before this but I had no time. I was in the trenches all Tuesday night. It is a good sport. I was through the gas chamber today. With the gas mask on. Just to let us see what the gas looks like. If I don’t be gone to France before the beginning of the week I will be back shooting on the ranges.
Well what kind of a time did you have on the first. Myrtle was out was she. Did you get any snaps taken. Write and tell me all she had to say. She told me in her letter that the Burnfield girls were taking great looks at her. They’d know who she was alright. Does any of the people around Moonstone ask about me.
Well I am ready for France any old time. I feel quite well. Don’t you worry about me. I am quite well wherever I am. And in good keeping. I will be brought safe home again and maybe I will be able to make the work for you dear ones a little easier.
Hugh Addison just got here yesterday from L/Pool hospital. He was glad to see me. I get lots of mail, I can hardly get time to write to them all but I do certainly like to get mail. I got two dollars in your last letter. It came in good for I just had to pay 17 shillings for a pair of boots, that is $4.08. I got a pair stolen in Orillia last winter so to get a new pr of boots to be ready for France. I either had to turn in an old pair or buy a new one. So I turned in the old pair I was wearing and bought a new pair, so I have two new pairs of boots now.
Well write and tell me a whole book of news, I know you have lots. I will write you again on Sunday. Do you get my letters, I hope you do for I often think that you be worrying about me. It makes me feel uneasy, but I wish you would have a better time and do not worry.
Say Lizzie Frank Tindall was in Moore Barrack Hospital and I did not know he was there when I was in it. He went to London today I was told. So I did not get seeing him. I must ring off Hugh just come in for me to go down to his hut, he just got a big box from the Burnfield girls tonight. So I see where I am in for another feed. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Ps, you can ring Mrs. H. McClung up on the phone and tell her I got her box OK and tell her I am writing her a letter on Sunday thanking her very much. Bye bye
July 22
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I have not had any mail from you since Monday. Maybe I will get some today. I got a dandy box from Myrtle the other night. It went fine. She sent a quart of maple syrup in it. When you send me a box don’t forget to get a little loaf sugar and put in it. I like it for my porridge.
Well mother how are you and Ada getting along. I bet Ada will be good and lazy now. Are you able to catch her Lizzie when she is out in the pasture. Has Myrtle been out home yet. She was telling me she was going did you get any snaps taken. I would certainly like to get some. Well has there been any more fellows enlist around Moonstone lately. I suppose there will be lots of people going down to see Camp Borden this summer. I miss my weekend passes this summer. Of course when a fellow is away over here he does not look for them. They would not be any good to me here.
I don’t mind it here but a fellow got to watch himself pretty close or he will get C.B. I have never got any yet never brought up in the orderly room for anything I will soon have a good conduct medal coming to me. I am in the army over sixteen months now.
How is everything around the Harbour. Do you be up very often. I guess you will be getting the oats cut about the time you get this letter. Do you ever see Tom Sykes. How is he getting along. I suppose Cowans is doing fine. Does Bud ever be in. I suppose he often asks about me. And has Alexs been down yet. Do you get my mail alright. I often write. I always write once a week any way, sometimes twice. Last week I had only time to write once. Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon and this letter will find you well. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I have not had any mail from you since Monday. Maybe I will get some today. I got a dandy box from Myrtle the other night. It went fine. She sent a quart of maple syrup in it. When you send me a box don’t forget to get a little loaf sugar and put in it. I like it for my porridge.
Well mother how are you and Ada getting along. I bet Ada will be good and lazy now. Are you able to catch her Lizzie when she is out in the pasture. Has Myrtle been out home yet. She was telling me she was going did you get any snaps taken. I would certainly like to get some. Well has there been any more fellows enlist around Moonstone lately. I suppose there will be lots of people going down to see Camp Borden this summer. I miss my weekend passes this summer. Of course when a fellow is away over here he does not look for them. They would not be any good to me here.
I don’t mind it here but a fellow got to watch himself pretty close or he will get C.B. I have never got any yet never brought up in the orderly room for anything I will soon have a good conduct medal coming to me. I am in the army over sixteen months now.
How is everything around the Harbour. Do you be up very often. I guess you will be getting the oats cut about the time you get this letter. Do you ever see Tom Sykes. How is he getting along. I suppose Cowans is doing fine. Does Bud ever be in. I suppose he often asks about me. And has Alexs been down yet. Do you get my mail alright. I often write. I always write once a week any way, sometimes twice. Last week I had only time to write once. Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon and this letter will find you well. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
July 12
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I have not had any word from you for some time. But may be I will get a letter tonight. I wish I did for it does me so much good to get word from home. Melville had a letter from his home and they said that you had got two or three letters from me. I know by now you will have a good many if you got them all. But it is not hard for mail to go astray there is so much of it.
Well how are you dear ones getting along. I suppose lots of hoeing to do. Well I suppose you will be in the Harbour today. I do hope you are having a good time and tell me all about it in your next letter. Tell me if there was any body asking about me. Oh I say I just wish this war had of been over and I was at the Harbour too. It would have been some time for me. How is every body around Moonstone.
I have been on the Ranges this week. We will be up at 3 o’clock in the morning and we be back to the camp at noon so we have all afternoons to our selves. I just had dinner a while ago. I suppose you just had breakfast.
Well I am making out very good on my shooting. There is lots beats me and there is lots that fail all together. I like the shooting well. How is Alex’s, I wish that they are getting along good, if they be down tell them to write. How is little Roy. Does he remember me.
Well how are you and Ada getting along. I guess she will be thinking she is having a big day today showing off to the Harbour people. Well tell me lots of news and write me often. I guess I will close. I will write soon again. I like it fine here and it is not half as bad as you have heard people say. Fellows have no room to grumble about England for drill. They will be fine worse than this. But I think the war is near over, a lot of the fellows are looking forward to be back home by this September. If that is the case I will be able to get to Coldwater fair. Well I will close with lots of love to you both from your loving son and brother Bruce
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine. I have not had any word from you for some time. But may be I will get a letter tonight. I wish I did for it does me so much good to get word from home. Melville had a letter from his home and they said that you had got two or three letters from me. I know by now you will have a good many if you got them all. But it is not hard for mail to go astray there is so much of it.
Well how are you dear ones getting along. I suppose lots of hoeing to do. Well I suppose you will be in the Harbour today. I do hope you are having a good time and tell me all about it in your next letter. Tell me if there was any body asking about me. Oh I say I just wish this war had of been over and I was at the Harbour too. It would have been some time for me. How is every body around Moonstone.
I have been on the Ranges this week. We will be up at 3 o’clock in the morning and we be back to the camp at noon so we have all afternoons to our selves. I just had dinner a while ago. I suppose you just had breakfast.
Well I am making out very good on my shooting. There is lots beats me and there is lots that fail all together. I like the shooting well. How is Alex’s, I wish that they are getting along good, if they be down tell them to write. How is little Roy. Does he remember me.
Well how are you and Ada getting along. I guess she will be thinking she is having a big day today showing off to the Harbour people. Well tell me lots of news and write me often. I guess I will close. I will write soon again. I like it fine here and it is not half as bad as you have heard people say. Fellows have no room to grumble about England for drill. They will be fine worse than this. But I think the war is near over, a lot of the fellows are looking forward to be back home by this September. If that is the case I will be able to get to Coldwater fair. Well I will close with lots of love to you both from your loving son and brother Bruce
July 8
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well, I am enjoying good health. How did you spend the first of July. I had a pretty good time. Melville Belfry and I was down to Folkestone. Well how is everything at home. I suppose you are getting along alright.
Things are pretty good here. I have no room to grumble yet, we have a nice clean hut to live in and bunks to sleep on. We scrub it out about three time a week and we have good dishes to eat off. And an orderly to wash our dishes and set the meal for us. There is 30 in a hut. I find it fine, it beats the camps in Canada. If the boys only thought so.
I was just over to the orderly room for the mail for the hut and I got a letter from Myrtle. She said she had sent me a box but I have not received it yet, but it is likely I will get it tomorrow. I got two letters from you on Tuesday night. Alex has not been down since Christmas? It is a wonder they do not come down. I hope they are not sick. So Ada is a pet of mothers. I guess mother pets her a lot. I wonder if she misses me. Tell mother to give her an extra pet for me. I will soon be back to look after her. Well I see where I got to get up at three o’clock in the mornings this week and go to the ranges. But that will not be too bad we will have all afternoon to our selves.
It is raining here today but I think it will be nice by tomorrow. It seems to take a long time for a letter to get here. 20 days that seems a long while. Well were you up to V Harbour for the 12 of July I guess there would be a good time. I would just of liked to been there for the day but maybe I can have a better time here.
I don’t think it may be very long before I get a chance for France. Our Coy is the one that has to put up the draft this time. But it is very likely that my teeth will hold me back. It will mean a quite a while to me if I miss this draft for the next one will come out of another Coy. And another month may mean the end of the war and I think every body will be glad.
I am going to send you a couple of papers to look at. I sent you a couple of postcards and I will send you a couple of more for fear you did not get them. I must close for this time hoping that you keep well. So bye bye I close with lots of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
I hope this letter will find you well, I am enjoying good health. How did you spend the first of July. I had a pretty good time. Melville Belfry and I was down to Folkestone. Well how is everything at home. I suppose you are getting along alright.
Things are pretty good here. I have no room to grumble yet, we have a nice clean hut to live in and bunks to sleep on. We scrub it out about three time a week and we have good dishes to eat off. And an orderly to wash our dishes and set the meal for us. There is 30 in a hut. I find it fine, it beats the camps in Canada. If the boys only thought so.
I was just over to the orderly room for the mail for the hut and I got a letter from Myrtle. She said she had sent me a box but I have not received it yet, but it is likely I will get it tomorrow. I got two letters from you on Tuesday night. Alex has not been down since Christmas? It is a wonder they do not come down. I hope they are not sick. So Ada is a pet of mothers. I guess mother pets her a lot. I wonder if she misses me. Tell mother to give her an extra pet for me. I will soon be back to look after her. Well I see where I got to get up at three o’clock in the mornings this week and go to the ranges. But that will not be too bad we will have all afternoon to our selves.
It is raining here today but I think it will be nice by tomorrow. It seems to take a long time for a letter to get here. 20 days that seems a long while. Well were you up to V Harbour for the 12 of July I guess there would be a good time. I would just of liked to been there for the day but maybe I can have a better time here.
I don’t think it may be very long before I get a chance for France. Our Coy is the one that has to put up the draft this time. But it is very likely that my teeth will hold me back. It will mean a quite a while to me if I miss this draft for the next one will come out of another Coy. And another month may mean the end of the war and I think every body will be glad.
I am going to send you a couple of papers to look at. I sent you a couple of postcards and I will send you a couple of more for fear you did not get them. I must close for this time hoping that you keep well. So bye bye I close with lots of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
July 1 - West Sandling Camp
Dear mother and sister
I received your welcome letter today and I sure was glad to hear from you. I also rec’d from M.L. and one from Clarence Speerin. He is quite well. His letter was wrote on the 14th. It must have been stories about him being shell-shocked but he has not been right at the front lately. He has been taking some kind of a course.
Well believe me I had a fine time last week. I was in Edinburgh Scotland from Monday night till Friday night. I only spent Saturday in London. I have seen some fine sights lately. Places I never dreamed to be when I used to read about it at school. And I was used fine. You should just see all the nice Scottish girls there is some little beauties, ha ha.
Well your letter was fine. I just read it over about a dozen times. It seemed so good. Glad that you and Ada is getting along good. This is the first of July it is nothing like the first at home. But we are having a holiday tomorrow and I am going to get some pictures taken and when I get them I will send them to you.You get some snaps taken and send them to me and one of Ada too. Well guess there will be a big time at Moonstone tomorrow.
I left here with 4 pounds to go on my pass and I had a pound and a half left when I got home last night. Well I guess haying will be pretty well over by the time you get this letter. Did you get any new hay and how much is it selling at.
My address now is #853160 C. Coy, 3rd Canadian Reserve Battn, West Sandling Camp, Kent, England.I do not know how long my address is going to be that. But it will catch me anyway. I expected that us Machine Gun section will be going to some other place. Hugh Addison is still in the hospital. I bet he is lonesome for coming over on the boat I used to go up into his room and stay a while and fool a bit with him for he was a little lonesome. But it is not a bit use being lonesome over here it never bothers me. Although I often think of home. It is the ones at homes it troubles, it does not bother the boys here.
Well I hope this letter finds you well and do not worry over me for I am fine, and make things as pleasant as you can for yourselfs.
Well I must ring off for this time. Hoping that this little scrap will soon be over and I will be right back home to my dear ones from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
I received your welcome letter today and I sure was glad to hear from you. I also rec’d from M.L. and one from Clarence Speerin. He is quite well. His letter was wrote on the 14th. It must have been stories about him being shell-shocked but he has not been right at the front lately. He has been taking some kind of a course.
Well believe me I had a fine time last week. I was in Edinburgh Scotland from Monday night till Friday night. I only spent Saturday in London. I have seen some fine sights lately. Places I never dreamed to be when I used to read about it at school. And I was used fine. You should just see all the nice Scottish girls there is some little beauties, ha ha.
Well your letter was fine. I just read it over about a dozen times. It seemed so good. Glad that you and Ada is getting along good. This is the first of July it is nothing like the first at home. But we are having a holiday tomorrow and I am going to get some pictures taken and when I get them I will send them to you.You get some snaps taken and send them to me and one of Ada too. Well guess there will be a big time at Moonstone tomorrow.
I left here with 4 pounds to go on my pass and I had a pound and a half left when I got home last night. Well I guess haying will be pretty well over by the time you get this letter. Did you get any new hay and how much is it selling at.
My address now is #853160 C. Coy, 3rd Canadian Reserve Battn, West Sandling Camp, Kent, England.I do not know how long my address is going to be that. But it will catch me anyway. I expected that us Machine Gun section will be going to some other place. Hugh Addison is still in the hospital. I bet he is lonesome for coming over on the boat I used to go up into his room and stay a while and fool a bit with him for he was a little lonesome. But it is not a bit use being lonesome over here it never bothers me. Although I often think of home. It is the ones at homes it troubles, it does not bother the boys here.
Well I hope this letter finds you well and do not worry over me for I am fine, and make things as pleasant as you can for yourselfs.
Well I must ring off for this time. Hoping that this little scrap will soon be over and I will be right back home to my dear ones from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
June 29 – Edinburgh (King George & Queen Mary Victoria League Club, Ramsay Lodge, The Mound)
Dear mother & sister
I hope these few lines finds you in good health. I am fine and having a big time. Edinburgh is a dandy place. I have not much to tell you for we are not allowed just to tell what all we have seen. But I will be able to tell you all about it when I get back home. I sent a few postcards in a letter and a few views. I will tell you what they are and where I have been in them.
How are you getting on farming. I guess you find lots to do. How is Alex’s have you seen them lately. I hope they are well and tell them I be asking about them or let them see the letters I write home. I bet young Roy is a lad alright. Does he remember me.
Well did you get any strawberries. I suppose every thing will be a little dearer this summer. I have had lots of strawberries to eat since coming on pass and ice cream too. But it does not come up to our Ontario ice cream. Well I have been putting in a fine time you ought just to see the fine little Scottish girls around here.You would think the Canadians were Kings the way they run after them.
Well I must ring off for this time. I will write on Sunday and I expect to get a few letters from home when I get back to camp. I will close with love to you from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
I hope these few lines finds you in good health. I am fine and having a big time. Edinburgh is a dandy place. I have not much to tell you for we are not allowed just to tell what all we have seen. But I will be able to tell you all about it when I get back home. I sent a few postcards in a letter and a few views. I will tell you what they are and where I have been in them.
How are you getting on farming. I guess you find lots to do. How is Alex’s have you seen them lately. I hope they are well and tell them I be asking about them or let them see the letters I write home. I bet young Roy is a lad alright. Does he remember me.
Well did you get any strawberries. I suppose every thing will be a little dearer this summer. I have had lots of strawberries to eat since coming on pass and ice cream too. But it does not come up to our Ontario ice cream. Well I have been putting in a fine time you ought just to see the fine little Scottish girls around here.You would think the Canadians were Kings the way they run after them.
Well I must ring off for this time. I will write on Sunday and I expect to get a few letters from home when I get back to camp. I will close with love to you from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
June 24 - West Sandling Camp
Dear mother & sister
I do hope this letter will find you well and that everything is going well. I received a letter from you on the 20th and you may know how glad I am always to get a letter from home. I know that you be anxious to hear from me. But I do my best to write as often as I can to you. I mostly write twice a week anyway.
There is no more 177th Battn. It is now 3rd Reserve Battn. I do not know if I will be going to Machine Gun School, but I will know right after I come off leave. I am going to go on pass in the morning. I am going to Edinburgh, Scotland and I may stay in London in England a few days. All the boys is away from here that came from home or I would have went to see some of them. Do you know I was in the hospital at Moore Barracks and Roy Atkinson from the V. Harbour was in the same one and I did not know it but I heard it soon as I come back to camp.
You ask me if I need any socks. I do not think I will need any more for a whole year, why I have a whole kit bag full. Did I tell you about me getting a couple of pair from Barrie, Lena Stotesbury sent them to me and I got the handkerchiefs you sent me.
How are you getting on farming. How is Alex’s have you seen them lately. I supposed Ada is fine. Well I must ring off for this time I remain your loving son and brother Bruce
C.Coy 3rd Canadian Reserve Battn
West Sandling Camp, Kent, England
I do hope this letter will find you well and that everything is going well. I received a letter from you on the 20th and you may know how glad I am always to get a letter from home. I know that you be anxious to hear from me. But I do my best to write as often as I can to you. I mostly write twice a week anyway.
There is no more 177th Battn. It is now 3rd Reserve Battn. I do not know if I will be going to Machine Gun School, but I will know right after I come off leave. I am going to go on pass in the morning. I am going to Edinburgh, Scotland and I may stay in London in England a few days. All the boys is away from here that came from home or I would have went to see some of them. Do you know I was in the hospital at Moore Barracks and Roy Atkinson from the V. Harbour was in the same one and I did not know it but I heard it soon as I come back to camp.
You ask me if I need any socks. I do not think I will need any more for a whole year, why I have a whole kit bag full. Did I tell you about me getting a couple of pair from Barrie, Lena Stotesbury sent them to me and I got the handkerchiefs you sent me.
How are you getting on farming. How is Alex’s have you seen them lately. I supposed Ada is fine. Well I must ring off for this time I remain your loving son and brother Bruce
C.Coy 3rd Canadian Reserve Battn
West Sandling Camp, Kent, England
June 19
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine at present. I received 3 letters from you yesterday but the one I rec’d last Wednesday was the latest.
I got 12 letters with yours yesterday and two pair of socks, 4 letters from Myrtle, 1 from Ruth Crooke, 1 from Tom Sykes, 1 from Ed Sykes, 1 from Ethel Ritchie Grandvalley, one from Hattie Rayfield and the socks were from Lena Stotesbury from Barrie. I got the other letter with the two dollars in it, that is four I have got from you since I came here. So I am well fixed for money, don’t you bother sending any more to me till I send for it. And I don’t need any socks I have a kit bag full. It keeps me busy to answer my letters, it is nice to get mail.
When you get time you write to Alex Douglas it will keep him cheered up, he don’t get much mail. This is my second I have wrote with my new fountain pen. I bought one yesterday. I want to get some good blue ink, this black ink is like water.
Did you here that Clarence Speerin got shell shocked. If they have not heard at their home I would not tell them for it may not be true. Anyway it is very slight. Melville Belfry was telling me that his mother saw you at the Harbour one day and that you were wondering if we had got over. Well how is Alexs, I do hope they are well. Give them my best regards.
How is Ada, full of life. Well I hope you are having a good time. I have a good time wherever I be and lots of friends. It is the old battle. Don’t you dear ones ever think that I forget you for that is not the case I am thinking of you always and know that you love me. I hope to soon be back to help you and make it comfortable for you. When I be laying around I often think of you hard at work, but don’t work too hard for there is a good time coming. Well I must close for it is lights out, 10:15, it is a good rest till 5:30. Well I write often and you do the same I am your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
M.G.S. 177th Batt
Army P.O. Lon. Eng
I hope this letter will find you well as I am fine at present. I received 3 letters from you yesterday but the one I rec’d last Wednesday was the latest.
I got 12 letters with yours yesterday and two pair of socks, 4 letters from Myrtle, 1 from Ruth Crooke, 1 from Tom Sykes, 1 from Ed Sykes, 1 from Ethel Ritchie Grandvalley, one from Hattie Rayfield and the socks were from Lena Stotesbury from Barrie. I got the other letter with the two dollars in it, that is four I have got from you since I came here. So I am well fixed for money, don’t you bother sending any more to me till I send for it. And I don’t need any socks I have a kit bag full. It keeps me busy to answer my letters, it is nice to get mail.
When you get time you write to Alex Douglas it will keep him cheered up, he don’t get much mail. This is my second I have wrote with my new fountain pen. I bought one yesterday. I want to get some good blue ink, this black ink is like water.
Did you here that Clarence Speerin got shell shocked. If they have not heard at their home I would not tell them for it may not be true. Anyway it is very slight. Melville Belfry was telling me that his mother saw you at the Harbour one day and that you were wondering if we had got over. Well how is Alexs, I do hope they are well. Give them my best regards.
How is Ada, full of life. Well I hope you are having a good time. I have a good time wherever I be and lots of friends. It is the old battle. Don’t you dear ones ever think that I forget you for that is not the case I am thinking of you always and know that you love me. I hope to soon be back to help you and make it comfortable for you. When I be laying around I often think of you hard at work, but don’t work too hard for there is a good time coming. Well I must close for it is lights out, 10:15, it is a good rest till 5:30. Well I write often and you do the same I am your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
M.G.S. 177th Batt
Army P.O. Lon. Eng
June 17
Dear mother & sister
I am again writing to you. I hope this letter will find you well as I feel fine. This is Sunday. We had a church parade this morning and after dinner Major Wallace got all the men that was in the old B. Coy last winter and give us 5 shilling 6 pence. Do you know how much that is, a dollar and 32 cents a piece. The people of Orillia gave Major Wallace 200 dollars the morning we left Orillia and that is what he divided. Wallace is leaving us tomorrow and believe me he feels bad. We are moving from here tomorrow or Wednesday and we will all be broken up. The fellows feel pretty blue but they cannot expect to stay together all the time. I do not think Major Wallace will be very far away from any of us. I will be getting my pass this week I expect.
Well I am quite well. I got your letter on Thursday and I answered it that night. It is the only letter I have got from you since coming here. I am keeping track of the letters I write and the letters I get. I hope you got them all. Let me know in answer to this letter if you did or not.
I hope you are getting along fine farming and tell Ada to get good and fat for it will not be very long till she has to come to meet me at the Station. That will be the happy day.
I tell you what I miss is some of the Gardiners ice cream or some of Carter’s in Orillia would be just as good. I am getting a sour looking boy, no sugar over here but I get lots of milk to drink. When I was in the hospital they give me lots. And there is a old man and woman sells milk here in the morning. I always get a quart. It cost six pence a quart. That is 12 cents. But it is easy to give that when I don’t drink their beer. Say don’t you send any more money to me for it is hard to say where I will be and if I want any I will send for it. Well I guess it will be after the first of July when you get this letter. Write and tell me all the news. Tell me who ploughed the garden and how you got it in.
Well I often think of you dear ones at home and know that it must be hard for you to get your work done. But I am soon coming back to help you. And don’t you worry over me. For I have comrades on all sides of me and I am sure I would be ashamed of myself if I was at home and known fellows were going to fight for me, for they are all just like brothers. Share anything up with one and other. Well I must close with oceans of love and bushels of xxxxxx from your loving son and brother Bruce
I am again writing to you. I hope this letter will find you well as I feel fine. This is Sunday. We had a church parade this morning and after dinner Major Wallace got all the men that was in the old B. Coy last winter and give us 5 shilling 6 pence. Do you know how much that is, a dollar and 32 cents a piece. The people of Orillia gave Major Wallace 200 dollars the morning we left Orillia and that is what he divided. Wallace is leaving us tomorrow and believe me he feels bad. We are moving from here tomorrow or Wednesday and we will all be broken up. The fellows feel pretty blue but they cannot expect to stay together all the time. I do not think Major Wallace will be very far away from any of us. I will be getting my pass this week I expect.
Well I am quite well. I got your letter on Thursday and I answered it that night. It is the only letter I have got from you since coming here. I am keeping track of the letters I write and the letters I get. I hope you got them all. Let me know in answer to this letter if you did or not.
I hope you are getting along fine farming and tell Ada to get good and fat for it will not be very long till she has to come to meet me at the Station. That will be the happy day.
I tell you what I miss is some of the Gardiners ice cream or some of Carter’s in Orillia would be just as good. I am getting a sour looking boy, no sugar over here but I get lots of milk to drink. When I was in the hospital they give me lots. And there is a old man and woman sells milk here in the morning. I always get a quart. It cost six pence a quart. That is 12 cents. But it is easy to give that when I don’t drink their beer. Say don’t you send any more money to me for it is hard to say where I will be and if I want any I will send for it. Well I guess it will be after the first of July when you get this letter. Write and tell me all the news. Tell me who ploughed the garden and how you got it in.
Well I often think of you dear ones at home and know that it must be hard for you to get your work done. But I am soon coming back to help you. And don’t you worry over me. For I have comrades on all sides of me and I am sure I would be ashamed of myself if I was at home and known fellows were going to fight for me, for they are all just like brothers. Share anything up with one and other. Well I must close with oceans of love and bushels of xxxxxx from your loving son and brother Bruce
June 15
Dear mother & sister
I received your letter today that was wrote on May the 27th and I was so glad to get it. It was the first letter and only one I have got from you since arriving at England. I was glad to hear how you dear folks were. I got two dollars in your letter today. You said you wrote me to St. John and sent two dollars but I have not got it yet. And say don’t you send any more money to me for I do not need it. I have never drawn any money since the 1st of May on the boat. I was in the hospital on the other paydays so it is payday here tomorrow again. I don’t spend very much here it is no use. I hope this letter will find you well. I am well but I am not drilling yet. I am not going until Monday. I am going to have a rest long as I can. Believe me I was glad to hear from you today. I got another letter and card from Myrtle today.
I supposed Ada is looking for me but it will not be long to I be back to look after her again. And I am quite sure you take better care of her than I would. Remember me to Alex, Annie and Roy.
Well I must close for this time. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
I often think of you at home but I know everything is fine.
I received your letter today that was wrote on May the 27th and I was so glad to get it. It was the first letter and only one I have got from you since arriving at England. I was glad to hear how you dear folks were. I got two dollars in your letter today. You said you wrote me to St. John and sent two dollars but I have not got it yet. And say don’t you send any more money to me for I do not need it. I have never drawn any money since the 1st of May on the boat. I was in the hospital on the other paydays so it is payday here tomorrow again. I don’t spend very much here it is no use. I hope this letter will find you well. I am well but I am not drilling yet. I am not going until Monday. I am going to have a rest long as I can. Believe me I was glad to hear from you today. I got another letter and card from Myrtle today.
I supposed Ada is looking for me but it will not be long to I be back to look after her again. And I am quite sure you take better care of her than I would. Remember me to Alex, Annie and Roy.
Well I must close for this time. I remain your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
I often think of you at home but I know everything is fine.
June 13 - Otterpool Camp
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well. I am well. I arrived here from the hospital today and feel fine. All the boys were glad to see me back again. Dave was good and glad he has not got a letter wrote for him since I left. Say mother and Lizzie what is wrong with you. I have never got a letter from you yet. I have got tired looking for a letter from you every other body has got over six or seven letters apiece. It makes me think that Lizzie is too sick to write. If she is do get somebody else to write for you mother and let me know how she is. It makes me uneasy and if you are sick mother do write and tell me. Maybe you are too busy. I know there is something the matter. I know I am writing my head off to you. But I hope to get a letter tomorrow, one would just do me so good.
I received a Orillia Packet today. Lots of the fellows getting boxes. I help to eat a half a dozen in the hospital and one here tonight. The boys are all good natured. I find them good wherever I go. Well I was going to say I was not going to write till I got a letter from you but I will write again on Sunday anyway and I don’t lay the blame on you for not getting a letter. Now don’t worry over me I am fine. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Brucexx
I hope this letter will find you well. I am well. I arrived here from the hospital today and feel fine. All the boys were glad to see me back again. Dave was good and glad he has not got a letter wrote for him since I left. Say mother and Lizzie what is wrong with you. I have never got a letter from you yet. I have got tired looking for a letter from you every other body has got over six or seven letters apiece. It makes me think that Lizzie is too sick to write. If she is do get somebody else to write for you mother and let me know how she is. It makes me uneasy and if you are sick mother do write and tell me. Maybe you are too busy. I know there is something the matter. I know I am writing my head off to you. But I hope to get a letter tomorrow, one would just do me so good.
I received a Orillia Packet today. Lots of the fellows getting boxes. I help to eat a half a dozen in the hospital and one here tonight. The boys are all good natured. I find them good wherever I go. Well I was going to say I was not going to write till I got a letter from you but I will write again on Sunday anyway and I don’t lay the blame on you for not getting a letter. Now don’t worry over me I am fine. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Brucexx
June 6
Dear mother & sister
I hope this letter will find you well. I am quite well but I am still in the hospital. All I have to do is write. I guess you will know that if you get all my letters I write home twice a week. I have not got a line from you. I think it must be your fault. I got a letter from Myrtle last night and one from Hattie Rayfield also a card from Fred. I will put it in the letter I know it is not your fault for me not getting any mail. I guess it is held up at the army office. I expect to get a letter tonight from you. The letters I got was wrote on the 11th May and I got it on the 6th of June. So it takes a quite a while to come but that is nothing. Long as I get word from home to know how you are. I guess you will be busy too. You don’t have the time to write. I have. I have been wondering if you have a little colt at home yet. If there was I would just be crazy to see it but I guess you won’t get one.
Where do you pasture Ada. The orchard would be a good place if she had a colt it would not be too hot for it there would be lots of shade. It would not be so awful long till I be home again. They expect that this month will finish the war and it will be a good thing if it does. I believe you would hardly know me if you saw me. I have got so fat. This laying around and all you want to eat is getting along good with me. I often take a little walk out around and it makes me hungry for my meals.
How is Alex’s, tell them to write. Well I have not heard from Hugh Addison. We left him in the (censored) hospital when we got off the boat. Our Battn is quarantined in at Otterpool for 20 more days. So I am in no hurry to get out of here, I have seven more days here.
Well I hope you are keeping quite well and do not worry over me for I am fine and I will soon be back to you. Well I must close for this time. I will write on Sunday if not before it. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
I hope this letter will find you well. I am quite well but I am still in the hospital. All I have to do is write. I guess you will know that if you get all my letters I write home twice a week. I have not got a line from you. I think it must be your fault. I got a letter from Myrtle last night and one from Hattie Rayfield also a card from Fred. I will put it in the letter I know it is not your fault for me not getting any mail. I guess it is held up at the army office. I expect to get a letter tonight from you. The letters I got was wrote on the 11th May and I got it on the 6th of June. So it takes a quite a while to come but that is nothing. Long as I get word from home to know how you are. I guess you will be busy too. You don’t have the time to write. I have. I have been wondering if you have a little colt at home yet. If there was I would just be crazy to see it but I guess you won’t get one.
Where do you pasture Ada. The orchard would be a good place if she had a colt it would not be too hot for it there would be lots of shade. It would not be so awful long till I be home again. They expect that this month will finish the war and it will be a good thing if it does. I believe you would hardly know me if you saw me. I have got so fat. This laying around and all you want to eat is getting along good with me. I often take a little walk out around and it makes me hungry for my meals.
How is Alex’s, tell them to write. Well I have not heard from Hugh Addison. We left him in the (censored) hospital when we got off the boat. Our Battn is quarantined in at Otterpool for 20 more days. So I am in no hurry to get out of here, I have seven more days here.
Well I hope you are keeping quite well and do not worry over me for I am fine and I will soon be back to you. Well I must close for this time. I will write on Sunday if not before it. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
June 3rd
Dear mother & sister
I am again writing to you I hope you get all my letters.
And I hope it will find you well as I am fine at present. This is Sunday and things are quiet around here today.
I have not got any mail from you yet. But it is not your fault. None of us has got any yet. But I am putting in a good time and no drill to do. The only thing it may hold me back longer from getting to France. Well how is everything at home. I guess you find lots of work to do. How is Ada, do you do much driving. I guess old Ada wouldn’t know me now. I guess all Alex’s will be well. Has Roy forgotten me. He will be able to run all over now. Well Lizzie is there going to be a picnic at Moonstone on the first of July? Write and tell me all about it if there is.
I guess I will be back off my pass before that time. I expect to get out of the hospital by the 13th or 14th of this month. And I will get my pass right away then. Well it is cool weather here. It be’s a lot warmer in Canada. It is pretty nice around here everything seems old fashioned and there is a lot of fine gardens. Well I have not much to say this time. I will be able to tell you more the next time. Don’t you worry about me for I am quite well and having a good time so bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
I am again writing to you I hope you get all my letters.
And I hope it will find you well as I am fine at present. This is Sunday and things are quiet around here today.
I have not got any mail from you yet. But it is not your fault. None of us has got any yet. But I am putting in a good time and no drill to do. The only thing it may hold me back longer from getting to France. Well how is everything at home. I guess you find lots of work to do. How is Ada, do you do much driving. I guess old Ada wouldn’t know me now. I guess all Alex’s will be well. Has Roy forgotten me. He will be able to run all over now. Well Lizzie is there going to be a picnic at Moonstone on the first of July? Write and tell me all about it if there is.
I guess I will be back off my pass before that time. I expect to get out of the hospital by the 13th or 14th of this month. And I will get my pass right away then. Well it is cool weather here. It be’s a lot warmer in Canada. It is pretty nice around here everything seems old fashioned and there is a lot of fine gardens. Well I have not much to say this time. I will be able to tell you more the next time. Don’t you worry about me for I am quite well and having a good time so bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
June 1st
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to let you know how I am. I hope this letter will find you both well. I am quite well although they keep me still at the hospital. I am able to go out around. I was down to a town called Folkstone last night there is a lot of people who lives around this hospital.
It makes me feel lazy to be laying around here and it s the first of June and I know you are busy working at home. But I don’t expect it will be very long till I get back to help you. I wrote you a letter last Sunday. Did you get it.
How is Alex’s have they been down lately. I hope they are well. Is he still butchering in Midland. Do you ever be up to the V. Harbour how is everything up there.
I wish I knew how you are getting along with the garden. How is Ada. I supposed she is rolling five. I guess she has no colt. I haven’t got a bit of mail yet.
It has been over a month since I got a scrap of mail. It is just a month today since I got on the boat at Halifax, it has been a long old month. We were on the boat a half a month. Well I must ring off. Now don’t you worry about me for I am quite well and having a good time. I have been in the hospital nine days today and I have 12 more to put in. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
Just a few lines to let you know how I am. I hope this letter will find you both well. I am quite well although they keep me still at the hospital. I am able to go out around. I was down to a town called Folkstone last night there is a lot of people who lives around this hospital.
It makes me feel lazy to be laying around here and it s the first of June and I know you are busy working at home. But I don’t expect it will be very long till I get back to help you. I wrote you a letter last Sunday. Did you get it.
How is Alex’s have they been down lately. I hope they are well. Is he still butchering in Midland. Do you ever be up to the V. Harbour how is everything up there.
I wish I knew how you are getting along with the garden. How is Ada. I supposed she is rolling five. I guess she has no colt. I haven’t got a bit of mail yet.
It has been over a month since I got a scrap of mail. It is just a month today since I got on the boat at Halifax, it has been a long old month. We were on the boat a half a month. Well I must ring off. Now don’t you worry about me for I am quite well and having a good time. I have been in the hospital nine days today and I have 12 more to put in. So bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xx
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