Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping that you are well and spending a real merry Xmas. I know it would be a much better one if we were all at home together. But when we can not be we have got to make the best of it and I hope that next Christmas we will all be at home together and it be one of the best we ever spent. We will make up for those two I have been away.
Well this is a peach of a day here. I was to church service in the YMCA this morning. Just got back and thought it was my best chance to write you a few lines because there is concerts on and picture shows all afternoon and evening.
And I would feel mad at myself if I did not write you a few lines today. You will have to accept this letter as a Christmas present from me for there is nothing out here that I see fit to send as a present. Well in about a half a hour we are having our great dinner and we are having tea in the different huts this evening. There is the YMCA hut, Scottish hut, Salvation Army hut, Church Army hut and Catholic hut. I do not know which one I am going to yet. I will tell you in my next letter which one I was at and what all we had to eat.
Last Christmas I had in a little town called Divine. We were out for a little rest just then. We used to call Divine our home in France. The people were good to us there the two or three little rests we spent. We had turkey and chicken last year but I do not expect it this year.
I am looking for to go to the base. I believe they have got to send us there before we are sent to England to our demobilising camp. I expect to go from here some day this week. I think they will start demobilisation up in the beginning of the new year.
I did not tell you what groups I was classed in. 28 for service group, 1 for occupation group. I know my occupation group means a lot. They want to get us back so we will be ready to start work on the farms in the spring.
I do not know but I have a good idea that I will be home about the first of Feb. I have not got any mail from you since I left the Battn. But am sure watching for it now. I got a letter two days ago from Myrtle. It had followed me to the hospital from #6 Con Camp from there here.
How is Allies I hope they were down to have Christmas with you. For I know it would be lonely for you two at home alone.
Cheer up. We will all be at home for Christmas 1919. How is Ada as gay as ever. Have you had many cutter drives this winter. I will be home to have a few before the snow is gone.
Myrtle told me Lizzie was over and stay a night with her and that you enjoyed the show you were at. I wish that you could have come to some of the shows with me that I was at in London when I was on leave. Well mother get the hens laying and just see how well I like hen fruit when I get back.
Well I must ring off. Happy new year to you and heaps of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Dec 15 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping this letter finds you well. I am at No 5 Convalescent Camp. It is about all Canadians that is here. I will tell you the place we are at, Cayeux, right near the coast. I just come here last night. The boil I had on my little finger is not quite better yet but is coming along as good as I can expect it. I get it dressed twice a day with good hot dressings.
Well I think I will soon be on my way home. They are grouping us here by whatever trade you are. I will know tomorrow what group I am in. I know I will be in one of the first groups to get home. I will let you know in my next letter what group I get and I think I will be able to tell you when I will be sailing for home. Of course I guess it wouldn’t be much use telling you for I expect I will be on my way home by the time you get this letter. So cheer up your son will soon be back to stay.
So get the hens laying mother and Lizzie you can get Ada well brushed up. So we can do some driving when I get home. Well I must close I am going to put a few lines in for Allies. You can give it to him and tell them to look for a letter from me. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping this letter finds you well. I am at No 5 Convalescent Camp. It is about all Canadians that is here. I will tell you the place we are at, Cayeux, right near the coast. I just come here last night. The boil I had on my little finger is not quite better yet but is coming along as good as I can expect it. I get it dressed twice a day with good hot dressings.
Well I think I will soon be on my way home. They are grouping us here by whatever trade you are. I will know tomorrow what group I am in. I know I will be in one of the first groups to get home. I will let you know in my next letter what group I get and I think I will be able to tell you when I will be sailing for home. Of course I guess it wouldn’t be much use telling you for I expect I will be on my way home by the time you get this letter. So cheer up your son will soon be back to stay.
So get the hens laying mother and Lizzie you can get Ada well brushed up. So we can do some driving when I get home. Well I must close I am going to put a few lines in for Allies. You can give it to him and tell them to look for a letter from me. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Dec 15 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping this letter finds you well. I am at No 5 Convalescent Camp. It is about all Canadians that is here. I will tell you the place we are at, Cayeux, right near the coast. I just come here last night. The boil I had on my little finger is not quite better yet but is coming along as good as I can expect it. I get it dressed twice a day with good hot dressings.
Well I think I will soon be on my way home. They are grouping us here by whatever trade you are. I will know tomorrow what group I am in. I know I will be in one of the first groups to get home. I will let you know in my next letter what group I get and I think I will be able to tell you when I will be sailing for home. Of course I guess it wouldn’t be much use telling you for I expect I will be on my way home by the time you get this letter. So cheer up your son will soon be back to stay.
So get the hens laying mother and Lizzie you can get Ada well brushed up. So we can do some driving when I get home. Well I must close I am going to put a few lines in for Allies. You can give it to him and tell them to look for a letter from me. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping this letter finds you well. I am at No 5 Convalescent Camp. It is about all Canadians that is here. I will tell you the place we are at, Cayeux, right near the coast. I just come here last night. The boil I had on my little finger is not quite better yet but is coming along as good as I can expect it. I get it dressed twice a day with good hot dressings.
Well I think I will soon be on my way home. They are grouping us here by whatever trade you are. I will know tomorrow what group I am in. I know I will be in one of the first groups to get home. I will let you know in my next letter what group I get and I think I will be able to tell you when I will be sailing for home. Of course I guess it wouldn’t be much use telling you for I expect I will be on my way home by the time you get this letter. So cheer up your son will soon be back to stay.
So get the hens laying mother and Lizzie you can get Ada well brushed up. So we can do some driving when I get home. Well I must close I am going to put a few lines in for Allies. You can give it to him and tell them to look for a letter from me. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Dec 11 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am well. I just came out of the hosp today to convalescence it is right at Etapes. I expect to go to my Base from here in a few days, although I believe there is another boil coming on my little finger. If it is as sore as the first one I had I will be back in the hospital in a few days again.
I feel ashamed of myself for not sending you a little Christmas card or something but it was impossible for me to get any around the hospital. But I will see what I can get around here. It might be late for Christmas but you will know I will have not forgotten you. I have had no mail since I came into the hosp. it sure seems a long time.
Art O’Shea went to Blighty from the same hosp as I was in a few days ago. I may be home by my birthday but I don’t think much before it.
Hope Allies are all well too. Tell them we will all spend Christmas 1919 at home all us again together. Well I will ring off. Bye bye merry Christmas and happy new year to all from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to let you know I am well. I just came out of the hosp today to convalescence it is right at Etapes. I expect to go to my Base from here in a few days, although I believe there is another boil coming on my little finger. If it is as sore as the first one I had I will be back in the hospital in a few days again.
I feel ashamed of myself for not sending you a little Christmas card or something but it was impossible for me to get any around the hospital. But I will see what I can get around here. It might be late for Christmas but you will know I will have not forgotten you. I have had no mail since I came into the hosp. it sure seems a long time.
Art O’Shea went to Blighty from the same hosp as I was in a few days ago. I may be home by my birthday but I don’t think much before it.
Hope Allies are all well too. Tell them we will all spend Christmas 1919 at home all us again together. Well I will ring off. Bye bye merry Christmas and happy new year to all from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Dec 1 – France – 18th Gen Hospital
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to let you know I am pretty well. I am still in the hospital. The sore that was on my finger is almost better but I have another coming up on the back of the same hand. They are like boils. I guess I will be here for another week. If I could have got to the Base tomorrow or the next day I would have been sailing for home before the end of the week. 14,000 Canadians to go from France to Canada this week, that is men that is in Railway Battn or men at Base here.
I expect now that I will be on my way home before Christmas.
I hope this letter will find you well. I want to find you good and well when I walk in home of course I will let you know may be a few days before I come. You are going to see a big fat fellow. You may hardly know me but I don’t think I have growed that much.
Well it has been cold here today. Much like winter.
Of course it has been very nice sitting in the ward here around the fire. How is Alexs I hope they are well. I am ashamed of myself for not writing them before this. But I will try and get some more paper tomorrow and write then. I will ring off. Do not be worrying I will soon be home. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to let you know I am pretty well. I am still in the hospital. The sore that was on my finger is almost better but I have another coming up on the back of the same hand. They are like boils. I guess I will be here for another week. If I could have got to the Base tomorrow or the next day I would have been sailing for home before the end of the week. 14,000 Canadians to go from France to Canada this week, that is men that is in Railway Battn or men at Base here.
I expect now that I will be on my way home before Christmas.
I hope this letter will find you well. I want to find you good and well when I walk in home of course I will let you know may be a few days before I come. You are going to see a big fat fellow. You may hardly know me but I don’t think I have growed that much.
Well it has been cold here today. Much like winter.
Of course it has been very nice sitting in the ward here around the fire. How is Alexs I hope they are well. I am ashamed of myself for not writing them before this. But I will try and get some more paper tomorrow and write then. I will ring off. Do not be worrying I will soon be home. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Nov 29 – France – 18th Gen Hospital
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to say I am pretty well. But still in the hospital. I was told today to hustle up and get to the base that they were going to send some to Canada right away from there.
I wish they would. I would be home for Christmas. It sounds too good to be true. I don’t think peace will be signed until the new year. Any way I will be home for the spring. Just in time to have a couple of weeks of good time before the spring work starts.
I have not had a letter for a long time. It is on count of my coming down here. But I wrote for it. It should be here by now. Well I must ring off will write a bigger letter next time. Do not be worrying I am well.
Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to say I am pretty well. But still in the hospital. I was told today to hustle up and get to the base that they were going to send some to Canada right away from there.
I wish they would. I would be home for Christmas. It sounds too good to be true. I don’t think peace will be signed until the new year. Any way I will be home for the spring. Just in time to have a couple of weeks of good time before the spring work starts.
I have not had a letter for a long time. It is on count of my coming down here. But I wrote for it. It should be here by now. Well I must ring off will write a bigger letter next time. Do not be worrying I am well.
Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Nov 24 – France, L Ward, 18th Gen Hosp
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am getting along fine. You will know by my writing that my hand is better.
I have not had any mail for near a month now. I was expecting mail every day before I left the Battn for I had not had any for over a week then. But I wrote to the post Cpl of the Battn and told him to send it on to me. That was a week ago, so I am looking for mail any day now.
It is raining here today. It seems better to me to be sitting here than doing a route march or parade. Of course it gets tiresome sitting around here. And just hoping to soon get back home. But I think I will manage to get home by March any way. It may take to the first of the new year before peace is signed. Get Ada good and fat for I will be home to do lots of ploughing and other work with her this coming spring. I will show some of those folks around home how to farm.
A lot of people get it into their head that a man is no good after spending three or four years in the army. I think they will find they’re wrong. I think the most of the boys will take a larger interest in the work than ever. A lot of us really never knew what home meant to us until we came to France and believe me it did not take long then to find out how much it meant.
Now do not get it in to your heads that I am sorry I came to France. I never kicked myself about that. I am glad I came. It has done me a world of good. I am proud to be able to fight for a home and a country like I live in.
Any returned men that tells you tales about our Canadian YMCA being no good tell him to his face he is a liar. Men that says that have never seen the front line, never been with the fighting men. Been holidaying down in some bomb-proof job in England. I have put 15 months around the front line and have found the Canadian YMCA right up the line with the men. Believe me if I hear any one running them down they can prepare for a darn good striking.
I wish I could have been out of the hospital so I could have sent you a little Christmas present. Say I would not send any more parcels to me unless I let you know because very likely I will be on my way home before they would get here.
Any parcels that has came for me while I am away from the Battn I never expect to see for there is too many around the post office that likes parcels when you’re not there to get them.
For addressing any mail send it to the Battn. Use the same address. Very likely I will be kept at the base until the Battn comes there. They are near into Germany now. Been having some big route marches. Some of the boys have been coming down with sore feet. I guess I am lucky to be down here for I have a good idea what the marches are like with full march on those hard cobblestone roads.
Well I must ring off. Do not be worrying about me just think it will not be long until I march in home. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to let you know I am getting along fine. You will know by my writing that my hand is better.
I have not had any mail for near a month now. I was expecting mail every day before I left the Battn for I had not had any for over a week then. But I wrote to the post Cpl of the Battn and told him to send it on to me. That was a week ago, so I am looking for mail any day now.
It is raining here today. It seems better to me to be sitting here than doing a route march or parade. Of course it gets tiresome sitting around here. And just hoping to soon get back home. But I think I will manage to get home by March any way. It may take to the first of the new year before peace is signed. Get Ada good and fat for I will be home to do lots of ploughing and other work with her this coming spring. I will show some of those folks around home how to farm.
A lot of people get it into their head that a man is no good after spending three or four years in the army. I think they will find they’re wrong. I think the most of the boys will take a larger interest in the work than ever. A lot of us really never knew what home meant to us until we came to France and believe me it did not take long then to find out how much it meant.
Now do not get it in to your heads that I am sorry I came to France. I never kicked myself about that. I am glad I came. It has done me a world of good. I am proud to be able to fight for a home and a country like I live in.
Any returned men that tells you tales about our Canadian YMCA being no good tell him to his face he is a liar. Men that says that have never seen the front line, never been with the fighting men. Been holidaying down in some bomb-proof job in England. I have put 15 months around the front line and have found the Canadian YMCA right up the line with the men. Believe me if I hear any one running them down they can prepare for a darn good striking.
I wish I could have been out of the hospital so I could have sent you a little Christmas present. Say I would not send any more parcels to me unless I let you know because very likely I will be on my way home before they would get here.
Any parcels that has came for me while I am away from the Battn I never expect to see for there is too many around the post office that likes parcels when you’re not there to get them.
For addressing any mail send it to the Battn. Use the same address. Very likely I will be kept at the base until the Battn comes there. They are near into Germany now. Been having some big route marches. Some of the boys have been coming down with sore feet. I guess I am lucky to be down here for I have a good idea what the marches are like with full march on those hard cobblestone roads.
Well I must ring off. Do not be worrying about me just think it will not be long until I march in home. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Nov 19 – France
Dear mother & sister
Just a line to say I am well and still in the hospital. Hope that this letter finds you well.
My hand is getting better nicely. I do not know how much longer I will be in here but expect to be a little while yet.
Art O’Shea came in here this morning, he has a sore foot. It is an American hospital I am in, I find it pretty good. Well I must ring off hoping to soon be home. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to say I am well and still in the hospital. Hope that this letter finds you well.
My hand is getting better nicely. I do not know how much longer I will be in here but expect to be a little while yet.
Art O’Shea came in here this morning, he has a sore foot. It is an American hospital I am in, I find it pretty good. Well I must ring off hoping to soon be home. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Nov 15 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to say I am well. My finger will soon be better. I would not be surprised if I go to Blighty any day. If that be the case I will be home by Christmas or on my way. So cheer up. I will be home with you again soon. I do not know if you can make the writing out but my hand will soon be better and I will do better writing then. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to say I am well. My finger will soon be better. I would not be surprised if I go to Blighty any day. If that be the case I will be home by Christmas or on my way. So cheer up. I will be home with you again soon. I do not know if you can make the writing out but my hand will soon be better and I will do better writing then. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Nov 13 – France
Dear mother & sister
Just a few lines to say I am in the hospital. Now do not think I am sick because I say I am in the hospital. I had a “whitton” (probably whit on – piece of shrapnel) on my right hand that brought me here. You may notice the writing poor because I have to do some with my left hand so this letter will be short.
My hand is not very sore. You know I am able to be up around. It is nothing serious so do not be worrying. I was admitted into the (hospital) on the 8th of Nov and expected to be discharged from the hospital any day. I will be back with my Battn again.
I guess you have heard the good news about peace. Believe me the boys are feeling good and happy here tonight. So I may have a good chance to be back home by Christmas or shortly after. I believe our Battn will be one of the first ones to reach Canada.
Well bye bye I will write soon again. From your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxxxx
Ps please do not be worrying for I am well.
Just a few lines to say I am in the hospital. Now do not think I am sick because I say I am in the hospital. I had a “whitton” (probably whit on – piece of shrapnel) on my right hand that brought me here. You may notice the writing poor because I have to do some with my left hand so this letter will be short.
My hand is not very sore. You know I am able to be up around. It is nothing serious so do not be worrying. I was admitted into the (hospital) on the 8th of Nov and expected to be discharged from the hospital any day. I will be back with my Battn again.
I guess you have heard the good news about peace. Believe me the boys are feeling good and happy here tonight. So I may have a good chance to be back home by Christmas or shortly after. I believe our Battn will be one of the first ones to reach Canada.
Well bye bye I will write soon again. From your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxxxx
Ps please do not be worrying for I am well.
Oct 30 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to say I am real well. Hoping this letter finds you well. I received a letter from you last night dated Oct 5th. Glad to hear you are well.
I also rec’d a parcel the night before. It came ok. Everything in it was good. Oh yes. I also got a dollar in this letter. I am well away now got some dollar bills some lb notes and some francs. I see when the YMCA gets a good stock in it I will live high for a few days.
You said that you send one parcel with a jar of rhubarb in it and one with a pair of gloves. I have got neither of those yet. But I think they came while I was on leave. I told my chum to get any that come for me while I was away and open them and eat the eats in them and keep the socks or anything like that for me. My chum told me there was two come but they would not give them to him. But I was told where he thought they had gone and it made me a little sore. I had a quite a chew about them. I thought I might have lost my stripe about it but have not so far. It made me a little mad. I thought my chum was more entitled to them then any body else. Any how I am back now and I will get my own parcels alright.
I saw Douglas McNaff yesterday, he is back with his Battn again. He told me that Willie Douglas was away on leave to Blighty, also Melville Belfry and Dave Sallows.
Did I tell you in some of my other letters that I had a letter from Allies and got some little snaps of little Grace and Roy. I think them just grand. That one with little Grace in the carriage and Roy standing along side is awfully good.
Say I got a big surprise a few minutes ago. I was sitting here writing and I heard a fellow outside inquiring if Speerin live in here. Of course when he came in I hardly knew who he was until I had a good look at him. And who do you think it was. Morg Edwards from Vasey. He tells me that George Morrisson is in the 3rd Reserve. Well I must ring off do not be worrying for I am quite well. With love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Ps give Alexs my love and tell I will write them soon. Bye bye B.S.
Just a few lines to say I am real well. Hoping this letter finds you well. I received a letter from you last night dated Oct 5th. Glad to hear you are well.
I also rec’d a parcel the night before. It came ok. Everything in it was good. Oh yes. I also got a dollar in this letter. I am well away now got some dollar bills some lb notes and some francs. I see when the YMCA gets a good stock in it I will live high for a few days.
You said that you send one parcel with a jar of rhubarb in it and one with a pair of gloves. I have got neither of those yet. But I think they came while I was on leave. I told my chum to get any that come for me while I was away and open them and eat the eats in them and keep the socks or anything like that for me. My chum told me there was two come but they would not give them to him. But I was told where he thought they had gone and it made me a little sore. I had a quite a chew about them. I thought I might have lost my stripe about it but have not so far. It made me a little mad. I thought my chum was more entitled to them then any body else. Any how I am back now and I will get my own parcels alright.
I saw Douglas McNaff yesterday, he is back with his Battn again. He told me that Willie Douglas was away on leave to Blighty, also Melville Belfry and Dave Sallows.
Did I tell you in some of my other letters that I had a letter from Allies and got some little snaps of little Grace and Roy. I think them just grand. That one with little Grace in the carriage and Roy standing along side is awfully good.
Say I got a big surprise a few minutes ago. I was sitting here writing and I heard a fellow outside inquiring if Speerin live in here. Of course when he came in I hardly knew who he was until I had a good look at him. And who do you think it was. Morg Edwards from Vasey. He tells me that George Morrisson is in the 3rd Reserve. Well I must ring off do not be worrying for I am quite well. With love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Ps give Alexs my love and tell I will write them soon. Bye bye B.S.
Oct 23 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping this letter finds you in the best of health.
Well I am back about a week now from Blighty. Had an awfully good time on my leave. I rec’d several letters from you that was waiting for me. One of them had some money in it. Thanks very much for it. It means some fruit and biscuits at the YMCA for me.
There is sure some change here since I came back. I hardly knew any of the boys. Dave is alright yet. I am still in the pit and I also got my little friends with me again. They sure keep a fellow company.
I rec’d a letter from Allies. Was glad to hear from them with some dandy little snaps of Roy and Grace in it. Was sorry to hear Allie is not very well.
I was going to put a couple of cards in this letter that I had taken while on leave but I have not got a large enough envelope to put them in. I will get one at the YMCA tomorrow. But I will send the letter tonight. Well I must close with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Do not be worrying I am quite well.
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping this letter finds you in the best of health.
Well I am back about a week now from Blighty. Had an awfully good time on my leave. I rec’d several letters from you that was waiting for me. One of them had some money in it. Thanks very much for it. It means some fruit and biscuits at the YMCA for me.
There is sure some change here since I came back. I hardly knew any of the boys. Dave is alright yet. I am still in the pit and I also got my little friends with me again. They sure keep a fellow company.
I rec’d a letter from Allies. Was glad to hear from them with some dandy little snaps of Roy and Grace in it. Was sorry to hear Allie is not very well.
I was going to put a couple of cards in this letter that I had taken while on leave but I have not got a large enough envelope to put them in. I will get one at the YMCA tomorrow. But I will send the letter tonight. Well I must close with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Do not be worrying I am quite well.
Oct 14 – London
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know to let you know I am well. This is my last days leave for a while so I am making the best of it I can. I have got to go back to France in the morning. Believe me these 14 days have flew. It is trying to rain this afternoon but that will not stop me from having a good time. I just had my dinner it was pretty good too. The people are not starving half as bad as they say they are over here.
I will put in some of my little ration coupons just to let you see what they have to use out here for meals. I have a lot more tickets than I ever used. I have over half of them left and have always had five or six meals a day. Believe me I am a lot fatter now then when I landed here.
I hope this letter finds you well. Now I don’t want you to be worrying about me for I am quite well and the hardships are not half as bad as you get into your heads. Why it is a picnic out here some times. And I trust that God will protect me and bring me safely though. It looks a lot like peace at present but we are never sure of it until we get it.
Well mother I have learnt a lot since I came away. I never had an idea of what London was like or some more of the cities. I can travel any place in those cities now and never get turned around. I know more now then some of those fellows around home will ever know if they live to be 190 years old and have seen places they will never sees.
Well I must soon ring off. I will be back with the Battn when I write the next letter. After this my address just put on the 4th Battn A. Coy. Do not put 4 platoon for I am not sure if I be in it when I go back. I was talking to one of the boys that came over yesterday and he said there was just three platoons to the Coy. I believe the No 4 was so badly cut up they put the few left in 1, 2 and 3 but they will be making it again so I am not sure what PLt I will be in and do not care. I would do very well to be in one.
Well bye bye dear mother and sister from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Just a few lines to let you know to let you know I am well. This is my last days leave for a while so I am making the best of it I can. I have got to go back to France in the morning. Believe me these 14 days have flew. It is trying to rain this afternoon but that will not stop me from having a good time. I just had my dinner it was pretty good too. The people are not starving half as bad as they say they are over here.
I will put in some of my little ration coupons just to let you see what they have to use out here for meals. I have a lot more tickets than I ever used. I have over half of them left and have always had five or six meals a day. Believe me I am a lot fatter now then when I landed here.
I hope this letter finds you well. Now I don’t want you to be worrying about me for I am quite well and the hardships are not half as bad as you get into your heads. Why it is a picnic out here some times. And I trust that God will protect me and bring me safely though. It looks a lot like peace at present but we are never sure of it until we get it.
Well mother I have learnt a lot since I came away. I never had an idea of what London was like or some more of the cities. I can travel any place in those cities now and never get turned around. I know more now then some of those fellows around home will ever know if they live to be 190 years old and have seen places they will never sees.
Well I must soon ring off. I will be back with the Battn when I write the next letter. After this my address just put on the 4th Battn A. Coy. Do not put 4 platoon for I am not sure if I be in it when I go back. I was talking to one of the boys that came over yesterday and he said there was just three platoons to the Coy. I believe the No 4 was so badly cut up they put the few left in 1, 2 and 3 but they will be making it again so I am not sure what PLt I will be in and do not care. I would do very well to be in one.
Well bye bye dear mother and sister from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Oct 9 – Edinburgh
Dear mother and sister
Just a few more lines to say I am quite well and having a good time although it has rained every day since I came here some time through the day. I tell the Scottish people this is an awful country to live in where it is raining every day. Just to hear them argue they say if I was Scottish I wouldn’t mind it, that it is just a Scottish mist. I think I can consider myself very lucky to be here instead of fighting out in France in the mud and rain.
Well mother I guess you and Lizzie have been real busy this fall digging potatoes and getting the oats in and stuff. I believe you told me in one of your letters that the apple crop was very poor. Did you have many potatoes and where did you sell them. How is Ada coming up. I supposed she is pretty gay.
Had you many chickens this year. Now mother please don’t you send them in parcels to me for it takes them too long to come and they be spoiled and besides they spoil the rest of the stuff. But there is one thing that always comes good, that is butter in all your parcels this summer. I never rec’d any spoiled. I told my chum when I left to open any of my parcels that came and he said if there was any socks or gloves in them he would keep them for me. But I’m beginning to think that very likely he will be wounded before this. The morning I came away he was in charge of the platoon, the Sergt had got hit.
How is Allies have they been down lately. I guess it is too far for them to come to be down very often. I wrote Alf a letter last night and told him a good line about the hard fighting we have been in. I was at an awfully good show last night. I was thinking of going back to London either tomorrow night or Friday morning.
The manager of the club here wants me to go out out to a farm with him on Friday. There is a busload going of about 15. But the fellow that came with me, we are chumming it here together, Overs is his name, He wants me to go back to London with him by Friday morning any way.
I know there is a lot of sights in London I would like to see too. Well I must ring off. My one pen is dry so I will finish with this one. I will write you again soon for it is a great thing to be able to write when you feel like it and you can say more here than just where you are. Do there ever be any censored out of my letters from France. My platoon officer censors them all but the green envelopes. I often say a little more in them. Well bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few more lines to say I am quite well and having a good time although it has rained every day since I came here some time through the day. I tell the Scottish people this is an awful country to live in where it is raining every day. Just to hear them argue they say if I was Scottish I wouldn’t mind it, that it is just a Scottish mist. I think I can consider myself very lucky to be here instead of fighting out in France in the mud and rain.
Well mother I guess you and Lizzie have been real busy this fall digging potatoes and getting the oats in and stuff. I believe you told me in one of your letters that the apple crop was very poor. Did you have many potatoes and where did you sell them. How is Ada coming up. I supposed she is pretty gay.
Had you many chickens this year. Now mother please don’t you send them in parcels to me for it takes them too long to come and they be spoiled and besides they spoil the rest of the stuff. But there is one thing that always comes good, that is butter in all your parcels this summer. I never rec’d any spoiled. I told my chum when I left to open any of my parcels that came and he said if there was any socks or gloves in them he would keep them for me. But I’m beginning to think that very likely he will be wounded before this. The morning I came away he was in charge of the platoon, the Sergt had got hit.
How is Allies have they been down lately. I guess it is too far for them to come to be down very often. I wrote Alf a letter last night and told him a good line about the hard fighting we have been in. I was at an awfully good show last night. I was thinking of going back to London either tomorrow night or Friday morning.
The manager of the club here wants me to go out out to a farm with him on Friday. There is a busload going of about 15. But the fellow that came with me, we are chumming it here together, Overs is his name, He wants me to go back to London with him by Friday morning any way.
I know there is a lot of sights in London I would like to see too. Well I must ring off. My one pen is dry so I will finish with this one. I will write you again soon for it is a great thing to be able to write when you feel like it and you can say more here than just where you are. Do there ever be any censored out of my letters from France. My platoon officer censors them all but the green envelopes. I often say a little more in them. Well bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Oct 7 – Edinburgh
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and having a good time. Hoping this letter finds you well.
It has been raining here all day, not real heavy but enough to make it nasty for going out around. I was at a show this afternoon. Just got back and had tea. So I thought I had better get busy and write you. I was at church yesterday morning. And wrote a letter to Myrtle in the afternoon and was busting my self laughing at the Scottish girls talking in the evening. You should just hear some of those Scottish girls that speak, so very broad. It takes you guessing to understand them.
Now I do not want you to be worrying about me when I am out in France. Just pray for God to protect me. I know he has answered your prayers often for I know how close a man can come of being killed and never get scratched. I have been through the rough and smooth of it and know what gas is like. Some say that your rifle is your best friend but I believe my gas mask has been mine. I know it saved me once last winter from being gassed.
There is big peace talk in the paper now. I believe we will have peace before Christmas yet. I expect by the time I get back our Battn will be out on rest. We may not see any more fighting this fall or winter for we have fought so well this summer. I spent last Christmas and New Years in a French town called Divine. Our Battn would sooner billet there than any other town in France. Why these French people were awfully good to us there.
I had a little diary I was thinking of sending home but I have changed my mind. I am afraid it might go astray and give too much information away. Any way it will not be long until I be home and I will fetch it with me and it will get there sure. Well I must ring off. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and having a good time. Hoping this letter finds you well.
It has been raining here all day, not real heavy but enough to make it nasty for going out around. I was at a show this afternoon. Just got back and had tea. So I thought I had better get busy and write you. I was at church yesterday morning. And wrote a letter to Myrtle in the afternoon and was busting my self laughing at the Scottish girls talking in the evening. You should just hear some of those Scottish girls that speak, so very broad. It takes you guessing to understand them.
Now I do not want you to be worrying about me when I am out in France. Just pray for God to protect me. I know he has answered your prayers often for I know how close a man can come of being killed and never get scratched. I have been through the rough and smooth of it and know what gas is like. Some say that your rifle is your best friend but I believe my gas mask has been mine. I know it saved me once last winter from being gassed.
There is big peace talk in the paper now. I believe we will have peace before Christmas yet. I expect by the time I get back our Battn will be out on rest. We may not see any more fighting this fall or winter for we have fought so well this summer. I spent last Christmas and New Years in a French town called Divine. Our Battn would sooner billet there than any other town in France. Why these French people were awfully good to us there.
I had a little diary I was thinking of sending home but I have changed my mind. I am afraid it might go astray and give too much information away. Any way it will not be long until I be home and I will fetch it with me and it will get there sure. Well I must ring off. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
Oct 5 – Edinburgh
Dear mother & sister
I thought I had better write you a few more lines this morning and let you know what a grand time I am having. I hope this letter will find you well as it just leaves me fine. This is Saturday morning and looks very much like a fairly nice day. It has rained a little some time through the day every day I have been here yet.
I was through Edinburgh Castle yesterday afternoon and I may go through Holyrood Palace this afternoon. And on Sunday I will go to church morning and night and on Monday or Tuesday I want to go to see the Forth Bridge.
I got some photos taken yesterday. It will be about two weeks before I get them but soon as I get them I will send you one if they are any good.
How is Allies. I hope they are keeping well. I must send them a post card. I will put it in a letter and mail it to you and you can give it to them. This sure is a nice little place. The people sure try to do every thing they can to make a good time for the soldiers and sailors. When we got off the train at London there was cars waiting for us and took us up to the Maple Leaf Club where we got our cheques changed and got a good bath clean clothes also a dandy supper. They always meet trains at the station that Canadian soldiers come from France on. The old Channel was very rough coming over on the boat it never made me sick. I was just thinking how nice it would be to be pulling in to the port at Halifax instead of Dover.
I think I was awfully lucky on getting my leave when I did for I left the Battn fighting in a very hot place right near Cambria. I think Canada should be proud of her boys for what they have done this summer. I think they have made a better name than what they ever had done before. For French people give us great praise for what we done on the eighth and ninth of August. We put Friz’s long range gun out of reach that he used to shell Paris with. Paris is the 2nd largest city in the world and we drove him far enough back that the French people could come back to their homes in Amiens, that is the 2nd largest city in France. And now the French people are crowding back in to Arras again so I think they have a right to be proud of the Canadians for what they have done this summer. I know we have a good name here in Scotland. One I guess Canada will never lose, we are pick of the troops.
I believe that is how we get the hard places to fight in at times on count of our good name. If they know where we are going to have the hardest fighting they will put the Canadians there. They will sure get it for us alright.
Well I have had dinner since I started to write this letter. So I am well away until tea time now. I have kept a little diary with some dates in it I was thinking of sending it home for I do not want to take it back to France with me. If I do not send it I may write some of it out and send it to you. Just to have some dates when I get back that I can remember.
Well how is Ada. I guess feeling pretty gay with her oats. It will not belong until sleighing again.
I think the way things are looking I will be back before all the snow is gone next spring. I will hardly make it by Christmas for it is very likely we will have to stay here until about three months after peace is declared. But it will be pretty good here then.
Well I think I will soon have to ring off. I will write tomorrow and tell you what I saw this afternoon.
How is Cowans coming up. I must drop them a card. Say it is right about Jack Cowan and Hattie parting. Willie was telling me he heard so. Is John Speerin working at his home now. Him and George should get along good.
Well I must close with oceans of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
I thought I had better write you a few more lines this morning and let you know what a grand time I am having. I hope this letter will find you well as it just leaves me fine. This is Saturday morning and looks very much like a fairly nice day. It has rained a little some time through the day every day I have been here yet.
I was through Edinburgh Castle yesterday afternoon and I may go through Holyrood Palace this afternoon. And on Sunday I will go to church morning and night and on Monday or Tuesday I want to go to see the Forth Bridge.
I got some photos taken yesterday. It will be about two weeks before I get them but soon as I get them I will send you one if they are any good.
How is Allies. I hope they are keeping well. I must send them a post card. I will put it in a letter and mail it to you and you can give it to them. This sure is a nice little place. The people sure try to do every thing they can to make a good time for the soldiers and sailors. When we got off the train at London there was cars waiting for us and took us up to the Maple Leaf Club where we got our cheques changed and got a good bath clean clothes also a dandy supper. They always meet trains at the station that Canadian soldiers come from France on. The old Channel was very rough coming over on the boat it never made me sick. I was just thinking how nice it would be to be pulling in to the port at Halifax instead of Dover.
I think I was awfully lucky on getting my leave when I did for I left the Battn fighting in a very hot place right near Cambria. I think Canada should be proud of her boys for what they have done this summer. I think they have made a better name than what they ever had done before. For French people give us great praise for what we done on the eighth and ninth of August. We put Friz’s long range gun out of reach that he used to shell Paris with. Paris is the 2nd largest city in the world and we drove him far enough back that the French people could come back to their homes in Amiens, that is the 2nd largest city in France. And now the French people are crowding back in to Arras again so I think they have a right to be proud of the Canadians for what they have done this summer. I know we have a good name here in Scotland. One I guess Canada will never lose, we are pick of the troops.
I believe that is how we get the hard places to fight in at times on count of our good name. If they know where we are going to have the hardest fighting they will put the Canadians there. They will sure get it for us alright.
Well I have had dinner since I started to write this letter. So I am well away until tea time now. I have kept a little diary with some dates in it I was thinking of sending it home for I do not want to take it back to France with me. If I do not send it I may write some of it out and send it to you. Just to have some dates when I get back that I can remember.
Well how is Ada. I guess feeling pretty gay with her oats. It will not belong until sleighing again.
I think the way things are looking I will be back before all the snow is gone next spring. I will hardly make it by Christmas for it is very likely we will have to stay here until about three months after peace is declared. But it will be pretty good here then.
Well I think I will soon have to ring off. I will write tomorrow and tell you what I saw this afternoon.
How is Cowans coming up. I must drop them a card. Say it is right about Jack Cowan and Hattie parting. Willie was telling me he heard so. Is John Speerin working at his home now. Him and George should get along good.
Well I must close with oceans of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Oct 3 – Edinburgh
Dear mother and sister
Just a line I am putting in with some cards that was given to me of a Friz’s prisoner, they will give you any thing they got on them such as a watch or money. But I do not carry any of those souvenirs on me in case a fellow was taken prisoner. I know if us fellows catch Friz’s with any watch or such stuff that had been taken of our fellows I think he would have a very poor chance of going far. Of course I never expect to be taken prisoner. But it is better to take no chances of being caught carrying such stuff.
Well I was through the Scottish museum this morning and I had a real good time yesterday and I had a dandy nights rest . I thought I was home in my feather bed it was so nice and soft. Well I must ring off will write tomorrow again hoping you are well. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
Just a line I am putting in with some cards that was given to me of a Friz’s prisoner, they will give you any thing they got on them such as a watch or money. But I do not carry any of those souvenirs on me in case a fellow was taken prisoner. I know if us fellows catch Friz’s with any watch or such stuff that had been taken of our fellows I think he would have a very poor chance of going far. Of course I never expect to be taken prisoner. But it is better to take no chances of being caught carrying such stuff.
Well I was through the Scottish museum this morning and I had a real good time yesterday and I had a dandy nights rest . I thought I was home in my feather bed it was so nice and soft. Well I must ring off will write tomorrow again hoping you are well. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
Oct 2 – Edinburgh
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to say I landed in Edinburgh this morning ok. It seems good to be free a few days. For tied down sturdy to duty is pretty hard although I never feel it that way. I was awfully lucky on getting my pass when I did for we are still in some very heavy fighting. I was sent back from the front line the night before the morning our Battn went over the top. They sent me to the horse lines till my pass came through. I had word the morning before I left that the major of my company had been killed, also my platoon officer and the corporal that took charge of my section. When I was sent back all the rest of my section got blightys but one. My platoon Sergt got a blighty also and my pal that was made L/Cpl when I was had to take charge of the platoon. But I do not know how he will be by this time for they are still fighting hard. I know I am awfully lucky to be out of it.
Down below the writing room where I am writing some body is playing on the piano. It makes a fellow feel lonely. I can just imagine I hear Lizzie playing away at the organ. Tell her to practice lots for I will be home this winter to listen to her play.
They give me a nice little bit of money before I left France a check of $75 and your way is paid where ever you go on the train. Of course it cost a quite of a bit to carry a fellow through a day, 36 cents for a bed at night, 30 cents for breakfast, 36 cents for dinner and 30 cents for supper. I bought a watch today that cost me ten dollars and I bought a pair of boots yesterday that cost me 8.50 so money slides over here and I intend getting some pictures taken tomorrow if it is good and bright.
I expect to get a whole bag of mail by the time I get back. I guess I will be back about the time you receive this letter. I have a little diary I would like to have sent home but I am a little afraid if I send it by mail it might go astray. I will see later. Well I must ring off. I want to go down to the gardens in about a half a hour. That’s where you can get your pick of all the nice Scottish Jeans. Ha ha. They would like to get a chance to come to Canada. They think it is such a rich place and wonderful to make money in. Well bye bye I will write soon again from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to say I landed in Edinburgh this morning ok. It seems good to be free a few days. For tied down sturdy to duty is pretty hard although I never feel it that way. I was awfully lucky on getting my pass when I did for we are still in some very heavy fighting. I was sent back from the front line the night before the morning our Battn went over the top. They sent me to the horse lines till my pass came through. I had word the morning before I left that the major of my company had been killed, also my platoon officer and the corporal that took charge of my section. When I was sent back all the rest of my section got blightys but one. My platoon Sergt got a blighty also and my pal that was made L/Cpl when I was had to take charge of the platoon. But I do not know how he will be by this time for they are still fighting hard. I know I am awfully lucky to be out of it.
Down below the writing room where I am writing some body is playing on the piano. It makes a fellow feel lonely. I can just imagine I hear Lizzie playing away at the organ. Tell her to practice lots for I will be home this winter to listen to her play.
They give me a nice little bit of money before I left France a check of $75 and your way is paid where ever you go on the train. Of course it cost a quite of a bit to carry a fellow through a day, 36 cents for a bed at night, 30 cents for breakfast, 36 cents for dinner and 30 cents for supper. I bought a watch today that cost me ten dollars and I bought a pair of boots yesterday that cost me 8.50 so money slides over here and I intend getting some pictures taken tomorrow if it is good and bright.
I expect to get a whole bag of mail by the time I get back. I guess I will be back about the time you receive this letter. I have a little diary I would like to have sent home but I am a little afraid if I send it by mail it might go astray. I will see later. Well I must ring off. I want to go down to the gardens in about a half a hour. That’s where you can get your pick of all the nice Scottish Jeans. Ha ha. They would like to get a chance to come to Canada. They think it is such a rich place and wonderful to make money in. Well bye bye I will write soon again from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Sept 7 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am real well hoping you are the same. It has been over a week since I have had any word from you but hope it will not be long until I hear from you again. Well this has been a lovely day we have had most splendid weather this summer.
Well I guess you have heard big things about what the Canadians have been doing. I think old Friz’s will soon be glad to give up. We have sure made it warmer for him this last month.
How are you getting along farming. I guess by the time you get this letter you will be busy digging out the potatoes. I will be back to help you eat them this winter. And keep some of those favourite apples of mine.
Well I have not had my leave yet. But was told today I was soon going to get it right away. I expect to be in Blighty before another week on leave, so I will write often then and tell you more about what kind of sport we are having.
I had a letter from Clarence Speerin a few days ago. He was down at the Base then living high. He had the scabies, that’s what took him down there. He said that Ed Sykes had been wounded and was in Blighty now.
Another one of the Harbour boys was killed a few days ago. Grant Tupper was his name. Well must close hoping to hear from you soon again. Now do not be worrying for I am quite well. And trust that god will fetch me safely home to my own loved ones from your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Aug 22 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am real well. Hoping this letter finds you well. I received a letter from you today dated Aug 5th. Glad to know you are keeping well. I also rec’d a letter from you a few nights ago with a dollar in it. I went to the YMCA and got some chocolate and biscuits with it. But don’t send any more for I get along nicely with what I get out here. You know as I do not either smoke nor drink all the money I get I buy eats with it, so I mostly fair pretty good with it.
Well today and yesterday has been two of the warmest days we have had this summer. I have just come back from the cook house, I was over scalding my water bottle out with boiling water and then filled it with nice cold water. Well I must ring off to after supper, tea is up now.
Well I have had my supper and I will try and finish my letter now. I guess you have heard of the good work the Canadians have done this last while. I came through quite safe although we lost some awfully good fellows. But our casualties was small. It was sure a great sight. It was the first time I seen everybody take part out here. A lot of the boys got kit bags full of souvenirs. I did not bother with any myself. I have enough to carry without carrying them.
I think if we keep on pounding at him for a while he will be darn glad to give up before winter. Believe me we have not got much mercy for old Friz’s now, he has killed too many of our good comrades.
How is every little thing around Moonstone. Sorry to hear Allie does not keep very well. Tell him not to be worrying about me for I am having a high old time, the best of health and loads of fun. I guess Annie has a busy time minding Roy and Grace.
Well I have not got my leave yet but hope to get it shortly. My bedmate just got back a few days ago. I guess you have been pretty busy lately with the harvest.
Well I must ring off hoping to hear from you soon again. Do not be worrying for I am quite well. Trust in God and I will soon be safe back home. Bye bye from your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am real well. Hoping this letter finds you well. I received a letter from you today dated Aug 5th. Glad to know you are keeping well. I also rec’d a letter from you a few nights ago with a dollar in it. I went to the YMCA and got some chocolate and biscuits with it. But don’t send any more for I get along nicely with what I get out here. You know as I do not either smoke nor drink all the money I get I buy eats with it, so I mostly fair pretty good with it.
Well today and yesterday has been two of the warmest days we have had this summer. I have just come back from the cook house, I was over scalding my water bottle out with boiling water and then filled it with nice cold water. Well I must ring off to after supper, tea is up now.
Well I have had my supper and I will try and finish my letter now. I guess you have heard of the good work the Canadians have done this last while. I came through quite safe although we lost some awfully good fellows. But our casualties was small. It was sure a great sight. It was the first time I seen everybody take part out here. A lot of the boys got kit bags full of souvenirs. I did not bother with any myself. I have enough to carry without carrying them.
I think if we keep on pounding at him for a while he will be darn glad to give up before winter. Believe me we have not got much mercy for old Friz’s now, he has killed too many of our good comrades.
How is every little thing around Moonstone. Sorry to hear Allie does not keep very well. Tell him not to be worrying about me for I am having a high old time, the best of health and loads of fun. I guess Annie has a busy time minding Roy and Grace.
Well I have not got my leave yet but hope to get it shortly. My bedmate just got back a few days ago. I guess you have been pretty busy lately with the harvest.
Well I must ring off hoping to hear from you soon again. Do not be worrying for I am quite well. Trust in God and I will soon be safe back home. Bye bye from your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Aug 18 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to lets you know I am well. I know by what you see in the paper it will make you pretty uneasy. I rec’d a letter from you today and believe me I was glad to get it for I was feeling uneasy about you.
Well this is Sunday and a nice cool day it has been. I had pretty nearly forgotten what day it was until I heard the bands playing hymns for church service. So I knew at once what day it was. I guess you know about as much as I could tell you of the little battle we have been in lately. We had a day or two good sport. Say that pansy you sent in the letter was a dandy. Was such a nice large one. I am glad Lizzie received her brooch ok.
I was sorry to hear that Uncle Will had died. He dropped dead outside did he – it must have taken him much the same as Father. Has Allies been down lately hope they are well.
I have not had my leave yet but expect to get it in Sept any way. You know my pal has been away on leave, he is not back yet. He missed this little scrap and I am glad he did, he had to wait about 14 months for his but I don’t think I will have that long to wait. Well I must ring off. Bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
August 15 - France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping this letter finds you well. It has been a long time since I had a letter from you. I have been wondering if there is any thing wrong. Your last letter dated July 3rd said Lizzie had had her hand bitten by a dog. I hope it is better long before this. I have been wondering if blood poison had set in. I hope not. Not getting any mail has made me a little uneasy. I got three letters from Orillia since yours, the latest July 25th. I may get one from you today. I hope so.
Well this is lovely bright weather. It would be much nicer to be at home in the harvest field than out here trying to scrap. I guess you are good and busy at present. I will have to get busy if I am going to be home to help to dig the potatoes, but I think we will be good to be home for Christmas which will be pretty good.
Did you get the photo I sent you. Myrtle said in her last letter she had got the fellow in the centre got a nice little wound, he will be in good old blighty by now. And the other poor fellow was killed a few days ago. And I guess you will have heard about Lawson and Herb Rumney being wounded, I think they both would make blighty.
Have you seen Allies lately how are they. Tell them I will write them soon again.
Well I must ring off. Now do not be worrying for I am quite alright and I will write soon again. I have a lot of news to tell of the fun we have had lately. Hoping to hear from you soon again from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping this letter finds you well. It has been a long time since I had a letter from you. I have been wondering if there is any thing wrong. Your last letter dated July 3rd said Lizzie had had her hand bitten by a dog. I hope it is better long before this. I have been wondering if blood poison had set in. I hope not. Not getting any mail has made me a little uneasy. I got three letters from Orillia since yours, the latest July 25th. I may get one from you today. I hope so.
Well this is lovely bright weather. It would be much nicer to be at home in the harvest field than out here trying to scrap. I guess you are good and busy at present. I will have to get busy if I am going to be home to help to dig the potatoes, but I think we will be good to be home for Christmas which will be pretty good.
Did you get the photo I sent you. Myrtle said in her last letter she had got the fellow in the centre got a nice little wound, he will be in good old blighty by now. And the other poor fellow was killed a few days ago. And I guess you will have heard about Lawson and Herb Rumney being wounded, I think they both would make blighty.
Have you seen Allies lately how are they. Tell them I will write them soon again.
Well I must ring off. Now do not be worrying for I am quite alright and I will write soon again. I have a lot of news to tell of the fun we have had lately. Hoping to hear from you soon again from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxx
Aug 13 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping this letter finds you well. I would have wrote you before this but have been a little busy lately. I know by what you see in the paper you will be worrying about me. Now do not be worrying for I am quite well and going strong.
It has been some little time since I had a letter from you but hope to get one soon. Hope you are getting along fine. Have you got the harvest in yet. How was the oats pretty good.
I bet you have had a busy old summer of it. Never mind I will be home soon to help you. How is Alexs hope they are well.
This letter is going to be short. I will write you a big long letter soon and tell you oceans of news. I must ring off from your ever loving son and brother Bruce
xxxxxxxxxxxx
July 26 - France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping this letter finds you well. I received a letter from you yesterday was sure glad to know that you are keeping well.
Sorry to hear that Uncle Will Speerin is dead. Was he going around at the time or had he been sick in bed. Is John at home. Willie told me he was working in Orillia. Anyway George should be big enough to take hold of the farm.
I saw Ed Sykes a couple of days ago. I was asking him how Clarence was, but said he had not seen him for some time that Clarence was down the line a piece on a rest. Ed is full corporal now. It was just by lucky chance I had met him for our Battns never get very close together.
Glad to know that the hay was good and the grain looking good. I wish I was there now to cut it. There is a lot of talk about the war being over shortly. Some thinks August. I know things look much better out here lately. We have him beaten in the air by a long way. I know I see a big difference between last fall and this spring.
I rec’d a parcel from the V.Harbour B Class last night. Do you ever get out there. Do you ever see Everton Belfry. I was expecting to hear of Everton being married before this.
How is Alexs. Ray Belcher had a letter from old Jimmie and old Jimmie said Allies was quite well then. Have you had much rain around home this summer. We had real nice weather here. How has old Mr. Cowan kept this summer has Tom kept well. Has Uncle Tom been up to see you very often. What does he think of the war.
Well I must ring off for they are going to collect the mail right away and I want to get it away with it. Do not be worrying for I am quite well. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxxxxx
July 21 - France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am real well. Hoping this letter finds you the same. I received a letter from you a day or so ago was glad to know you were well. Was sorry to know that Lizzie’s hand was so sore. How did the dog come to bite it.
Well the weather is just dandy here this summer. All the gardens look good, both the heat and oats are colouring. They will soon be ripe. I saw Willie Douglas today he is quite well. Also Melville and the other boys in that Battn. Well July will soon be pretty well spent. I guess you will have the oats cut and in by the time you get this letter. Were they good this year.
I also saw Cliff White today too. He is in the same Battn as Will Douglas. I rec’d two parcels from you last week. They came in fine. Everything was good in them. The butter was dandy. And believe me a bit of good Canadian cake goes good over here. Say if I was you I would not send any more salmon. I will tell you what you can send instead if you like, that is cocoa. I mostly take some in the line with me, it comes in dandy to have a nice hot drink some nights when you’re standing on your post. Has Alexs’ been down lately, hope they are keeping well. I guess Roy will be a big boy now. He was sure a great lad the last time I saw them. And how big is little Grace. I think they sure picked a dandy name for her.
Well Lizzie how is you and Frank coming up does he be over to see you very often. He is Serg’t Major now isn’t he. Tell mother to get the chickens and ducks fat, I will be home to eat them by Christmas I think this old war will soon end. Bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
July 15th – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am real well. Hoping this letter will find you quite well.
I received a letter from you yesterday and I be sure pleased to hear that you are keeping well and getting along all right. Your letter was dated June 15th. I also rec’d a parcel from you. It was dated May. Every thing was fine in it, the butter was good and the cake was dandy. I sure have rec’d a lot of parcels from home. I also received a parcel from Alex, it was dated May 23rd. Tell Alex many thanks for it. I am writing him a letter. I will send it to Midland. Were you over to Orillia on the 19th. What kind of a time did you have. Where you to Coldwater on the 12th of July. Was there a very big crowd there.
Was Myrtle out to see you on the first. She told me that she was going to try and get out. Has Alexs been down lately. Hope they are keeping well. Have you been out to V.H., how is every body out there.
Did I tell you I saw Willie Rayfield a few days ago. He had been left out of the line. He had fell in a trench one dark night and give him self a little strain. But he is quite better again. He said Clarence was down the line on a rest and that Ed Sykes was quite well. Say will you send me Fred Shannon’s address in some of your letters.
Say what ones of the McFarlanes have to come so they think it alright to come now. Young Lawrence was wishing the whole bunch of them would have to come.
Well I must close hoping to hear from you soon and do not be worrying for I am quite well hoping that this old war will soon end. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
July 7 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping this letter finds you quite well. It has been about a week and a half since I had any word from you but I expect to get a letter today. Well this is Sunday morning and a dandy morning it is. This would be just a dandy morning to take a nice car drive if I was at home. I guess Alf and Tom Cowan will be busy driving their girls around today. Who is Alf’s school teacher. How is Mr. and Mrs. Cowan keeping. The old man was sick for a while in the spring was he not. Well it will soon be harvesting. I hope you get the oats cut and in all right. I guess help will be pretty scarce alright. How is the apple crop around home this year are you going to have many.
I am putting in a couple of little flowers I got in a letter from Scotland for you. And I am putting in a photo for Allies. I sent you one in my last letter, hope you got it alright.
Has Alexs been down lately. Hope they are keeping well. Does Bud ever be in to see you. I have never had any word from him for a long time. Well I cannot think of much to tell you. It is about the same old thing out here all the time. Say will you get Fred Shannon’s address and send it to me. I have never met him out here yet, but I dare say I have been close enough often enough to him but did not know what he is with or I would have hunted him up. Well I must close hoping to hear from yours soon. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
Ps. I feel like kicking myself. I burned an old writing pad yesterday with my photos in it. And I never new it until now when I went to go to put one in this letter and found out I had none. So I will have to get some more taken before I can send one. Bye bye Bruce
July 2 – France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am real well. I wrote you a letter on Sunday but did not get it away on count of being at the sports on Monday so I thought I would not send it, I would write another and tell you how I spent the first.
I had a real good time. I saw a lot of the fellows I had not seen for some time. I saw Melville B and Dave. I did not see Will Douglas they said he was there but the crowd was too large to get seeing every body. I tried to find out if Alex had been wounded very badly. It was not too bad. He got a couple of pieces of shrapnel in the back. Will has had a letter from him and he says he is getting along fine. I saw Willie Speerin too he looks quite well. He is full corporal now. I did not see Clarence or Ed, they are in the line now. George Bailey is billeted right close where I am at present. He says he often gets a letter from Dalton Heaship and that Dalt had bought a farm. So Verna and George Morrisson has to come. I guess that hurts them. I saw two of the Harbours boys that had just enlisted before the Conscription Bill at the sports.
Well what kind of a time did you have on the first, was there a picnic at Moonstone.
I am glad to know you are getting along alright. Have you had any new potatoes to eat this year yet. I had some last Saturday. Glad to know Ada is keeping in good shape. I guess mother has a dandy bunch of chickens this year too. I would just like to get home this fall I see where we would have some nice roast.
I got some photos taken a short time ago. I am putting one in this letter. They are sure not very good but I thought I would send one anyway.
I will tell you the fellows that are taking with me Herbert Beckett in the centre and Louis Bender on his left. Herb is sure a jolly lad he is married and have two little kiddies. They live in Dunnville Ont.
Well I must close dear mother and sister hoping to hear from you soon and remember that I love you. Do not think because there is a few miles between us that I forget you. Heaps of love from your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxxxx
Ps. Tell Alex I will send him a card in my next letter hoping they are all well.
May 24 - France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping this letter will find you in the best of health. I received a letter from you a few days ago and believe me I sure be pleased to hear from you. It was dated April 27.
Well this is the twenty fourth of May. It has been raining here all morning. I am glad I have not got to stay out in it. You said in your letter that you were going over to Orillia the next day. What kind of a trip did you have. Did you drive over.
I am glad you put your garden in. You had Willie Robertson doing the back field. I think he would put it in good shape.
So Willie Finney got married. Did he think he would get exempted doing that. I heard that all the fellows that got exemption has got to turn out now. I hope it is written why everybody that asked for one got it.
No I never seen Harold or Frank. I was close to Harold’s Battn a month ago but did not know it until about two hours before we moved so I had no time to go to see them. I would have liked to seen Clarence and Ed too. I know a lot in their Battn.
Well mother how are you and Ada getting along. Where do you pasture her in the orchard. Do you wash the buggy and shine the brass on it the way I did. Ha ha. Some class I guess. Did you get any snaps taken this spring. Send me some if you did. I must ring off hoping to hear from you soon from your loving son and brother Bruce S. xxxxxxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well hoping this letter will find you in the best of health. I received a letter from you a few days ago and believe me I sure be pleased to hear from you. It was dated April 27.
Well this is the twenty fourth of May. It has been raining here all morning. I am glad I have not got to stay out in it. You said in your letter that you were going over to Orillia the next day. What kind of a trip did you have. Did you drive over.
I am glad you put your garden in. You had Willie Robertson doing the back field. I think he would put it in good shape.
So Willie Finney got married. Did he think he would get exempted doing that. I heard that all the fellows that got exemption has got to turn out now. I hope it is written why everybody that asked for one got it.
No I never seen Harold or Frank. I was close to Harold’s Battn a month ago but did not know it until about two hours before we moved so I had no time to go to see them. I would have liked to seen Clarence and Ed too. I know a lot in their Battn.
Well mother how are you and Ada getting along. Where do you pasture her in the orchard. Do you wash the buggy and shine the brass on it the way I did. Ha ha. Some class I guess. Did you get any snaps taken this spring. Send me some if you did. I must ring off hoping to hear from you soon from your loving son and brother Bruce S. xxxxxxxx
May 12 - France - Mother's Day
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping that this letter finds you in the best of health. We were all asked to be sure and write home today.
I just came from church service at the YMCA this evening. It has been over a week since I have had a letter from you but hope to hear soon again. I rec’d a parcel from Allie a few days ago. It was OK. You tell him I rec’d it. I sent him a card to Midland a few days ago and will send him a letter tonight. But you tell him I sure enjoyed it for fear he do not get my letter.
I am billeted on a nice farm at present. I am right at home to be able to walk through a big orchard all out in blossom. Some of my pals was helping the old lady to milk this evening. I have had lots of good fresh milk to drink lately. I buy it for 4 pence, that is 8 cents a quart.
Well how are you getting along farming. I would just like to be able to help you these nice days. All the boys are busy writing tonight. I see where Mr. Censor be busy. So I think I had better cut my letter short. I will close. I will send you oceans of love and bushels of xxxx from your loving son and brother Bruce
Ps do not be worrying dear mother and sister I am quite well.
April 28, 1918 - France
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I hope this letter find you well. I rec’d a letter from you a few days ago and believe me I be glad to hear from you. Your letter was dated Mar 30th. I am glad to know you had a visit to Orillia. Give me all the news when you write.
Well this is Sunday again. It has been a pretty quiet day. Lawson Rumney and I am batching at present. I wish you could call in and have a meal with us. Believe me we are some cooks. We mostly have about four meals a day. It has been some little while since I have been in the line. I have been one of the lucky ones to have a little rest. I have been at moving picture shows or concerts every night.
Well I guess seeding is the order of the day around home now. I often wonder how in the world you are managing. But I know you done well last year better then I could do so there is no need of me worrying. But do not work too hard, what you can not get done let go. I must ring off. Do not be worrying dear mother or sister. I am in the best of health and have been ever since I came to France. I will close. Heaps of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I hope this letter find you well. I rec’d a letter from you a few days ago and believe me I be glad to hear from you. Your letter was dated Mar 30th. I am glad to know you had a visit to Orillia. Give me all the news when you write.
Well this is Sunday again. It has been a pretty quiet day. Lawson Rumney and I am batching at present. I wish you could call in and have a meal with us. Believe me we are some cooks. We mostly have about four meals a day. It has been some little while since I have been in the line. I have been one of the lucky ones to have a little rest. I have been at moving picture shows or concerts every night.
Well I guess seeding is the order of the day around home now. I often wonder how in the world you are managing. But I know you done well last year better then I could do so there is no need of me worrying. But do not work too hard, what you can not get done let go. I must ring off. Do not be worrying dear mother or sister. I am in the best of health and have been ever since I came to France. I will close. Heaps of love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
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