Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I should have wrote you before this but I have been neglecting it looking for to sail any day. But I made up my mind to write today suppose I was to sail tomorrow.
I could tell you a lot of news that has happened here lately. But I guess you know all about it before this. I think it will be a big talk in Canada. You know about the first of March they cut off the sailings from this camp and were using all the boats to send the 3rd division home. The boys got tired waiting on going home, they heard about the 3rd division going home which is over half Conscrips and they put a big piece in the papers here saying Canada’s fighting men are now going home. Now you can just understand how that looked to men that has fought out here for two or three years and men that had never seen a days fighting going back home.
Well about 9 o’clock Tuesday night a big riot broke out, can you just imagine what 20,000 men would do when they broke loose. First thing they raided was the officers’ quarters where they got whisky. Well that started them good. The next was the canteens where they got barrels of beer and cigarettes and everything then they took to the YMCA and took everything there and then they cut loose on the tobacco stores and tin town and the riot had quieted down about 3 o’clock Wednesday morning. But it broke loose again about 9 o’clock they then raided all the clothing stores and the ration huts. A lot of them still drinking beer which got them into a firm madness. Well they keep going on till about two o’clock that afternoon. When they got some men together out of No. 1 district and give them rifles and ammunition, they shot five of the fellows dead and wounded about 24 which was rushed into the hospital right close here and are getting along fine. Well the raid died away then. So that afternoon they paid everybody two pounds each and the next morning we had General Farmer here giving us a speech. He is the head officer over Canadians in England.
He told us when there would be sailing for us. And said we would all get home this month that is here in this camp now. He said it was not his fault that the 3rd Div was getting home before us but it was somebody over him, that would be Currie I believe, and from now on they are sending 50 percent of the troops in this camp and another 50 of the Battns coming from France. There was a bunch left on Monday and there is another bunch going tomorrow but I do not expect to be in it, but expect to be in the bunch on Saturday any way. That is the 15th then there is another sailing on the 22nd and two more at the end of March.
Well it snowed here last night and it has been a very dirty day underfoot out today. Art O’Shea was just in a little ago wanting to know if we would go to Rhyl tonight but we made up our mind not to go tonight.
Say I had a great dream last night I thought I was home. I felt disappointed when I woke up and found myself still here. I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me dandy just anxious to get away home.
Say I rec’d two letters from you a few days ago. They were dated Oct 21st Nov 8, Nov 4. I never dreamed that I was going to be so long at getting home. When in the 18 American Hospital the time does fly. Maybe it is better that I was held back a little you know it will amount to about two hundred more dollars of gratuity money with out counting the pay we are drawing all along. There would not be much for me to do if I had been home this winter and I will be home for the spring to make things fly and we will make a home that can never be beat. I think all the boys who have been to France know how much a home means.
Well bye bye do not be worrying. I expected to be home nearly as quick as this letter. With love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
- Last letter
March 2 - #2 Military District, Concentration Wing, Kimmel Park Rhyl
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping this letter finds you well.
I am still waiting here for a sailing, it has been over a week since the last one left. It looks as if it may be another week before we get away. The third division is started to go home. It is some of old Curries’ doings, sending them home as most of the Battns are nearly all Conscrips. There is a lot of men here waiting to get home that has seen from three to four years over here and if they do not soon get them home and be sending those Conscrips home they’re going to have a fine time in this camp. It would only take about two words to cause a fine riot.
They are telling us they will try and get most of us in this camp away this week but we are not sure of that. They may be just telling us that to keep us quiet. But we have got to make the best of it. I will get home soon as I can. Maybe it will be better for us to get home in the spring, We will not feel the cold as bad then after being used to this country.
Well I was out for a nice walk this afternoon. Art O’Shea and I were through a big field. We saw 18 deers. I don’t mean two legged ones, of course there is lots of them around here too. Say did you ever hear the language of the Welsh people talk. They have one of their own. Of course they talk English too.
Say you should see the way they do their hair up in this country. In big knobs behind their head. It is anything but nice. If they would do the hair up like some of the French girls do they would not be bad looking. But oh man they are great for dressing up in good clothes. Well I guess you have been looking for me coming along every day. Well I hope it does not be long until I be there.
I hear Clarence is home, has he had much to say. I guess he has pretty nearly told you all about the big war. See if my story and his is anything alike when I tell you how I found things. I think this will be my last letter from England. The next word may be a wire that I will be home in a day or two. Well bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Ps I will be with you a few days after this letter I expect. Bye bye B.S.
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping this letter finds you well.
I am still waiting here for a sailing, it has been over a week since the last one left. It looks as if it may be another week before we get away. The third division is started to go home. It is some of old Curries’ doings, sending them home as most of the Battns are nearly all Conscrips. There is a lot of men here waiting to get home that has seen from three to four years over here and if they do not soon get them home and be sending those Conscrips home they’re going to have a fine time in this camp. It would only take about two words to cause a fine riot.
They are telling us they will try and get most of us in this camp away this week but we are not sure of that. They may be just telling us that to keep us quiet. But we have got to make the best of it. I will get home soon as I can. Maybe it will be better for us to get home in the spring, We will not feel the cold as bad then after being used to this country.
Well I was out for a nice walk this afternoon. Art O’Shea and I were through a big field. We saw 18 deers. I don’t mean two legged ones, of course there is lots of them around here too. Say did you ever hear the language of the Welsh people talk. They have one of their own. Of course they talk English too.
Say you should see the way they do their hair up in this country. In big knobs behind their head. It is anything but nice. If they would do the hair up like some of the French girls do they would not be bad looking. But oh man they are great for dressing up in good clothes. Well I guess you have been looking for me coming along every day. Well I hope it does not be long until I be there.
I hear Clarence is home, has he had much to say. I guess he has pretty nearly told you all about the big war. See if my story and his is anything alike when I tell you how I found things. I think this will be my last letter from England. The next word may be a wire that I will be home in a day or two. Well bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Ps I will be with you a few days after this letter I expect. Bye bye B.S.
Feb 16 – Witley
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am still in Witley yet. I expect this to be my last letter from this camp. I expect to leave this camp Tuesday night or Wednesday morning for Rhyl which is about 30 miles of Liverpool. It is about an hour ride on the train from Liverpool. I do not know how many days I will be kept at Rhyl. I expect to be there two days anyway.
I will wire you from Halifax or Toronto when I get there. So you will know when I am coming. I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me fine and in the best of spirits, looking for soon to be home. The boys tell me here that I am fatter now then they ever saw me. Far fatter than I was ever in Canada. So do not be surprised if you see a big fat fellow of course I am not so fat that you will not know me. I don’t think I have changed much in looks. Of course it is not very long since I came away, it will soon be two years. I hear Clarence has reached home. I guess he feels pretty happy.
I wonder what you would say if I brought a nice bride home with me. I guess you would feel disappointed. Well don’t worry I don’t think I will. I can find one in Canada to suit me I think. Of course I have met some very nice girls out here.
How is Allies hope they are well. If you see them tell them I will soon be home. How is Ada still looking for me coming. I guess she will have forgotten me by now.
Well I will ring off I can not think of much to say. Will talk you blind when I get home. Bye bye with love from your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am still in Witley yet. I expect this to be my last letter from this camp. I expect to leave this camp Tuesday night or Wednesday morning for Rhyl which is about 30 miles of Liverpool. It is about an hour ride on the train from Liverpool. I do not know how many days I will be kept at Rhyl. I expect to be there two days anyway.
I will wire you from Halifax or Toronto when I get there. So you will know when I am coming. I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me fine and in the best of spirits, looking for soon to be home. The boys tell me here that I am fatter now then they ever saw me. Far fatter than I was ever in Canada. So do not be surprised if you see a big fat fellow of course I am not so fat that you will not know me. I don’t think I have changed much in looks. Of course it is not very long since I came away, it will soon be two years. I hear Clarence has reached home. I guess he feels pretty happy.
I wonder what you would say if I brought a nice bride home with me. I guess you would feel disappointed. Well don’t worry I don’t think I will. I can find one in Canada to suit me I think. Of course I have met some very nice girls out here.
How is Allies hope they are well. If you see them tell them I will soon be home. How is Ada still looking for me coming. I guess she will have forgotten me by now.
Well I will ring off I can not think of much to say. Will talk you blind when I get home. Bye bye with love from your ever loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Feb 13 – Witley
Dear mother and sister
Do you know I wrote you a letter on Sunday and forgot to post it. And when I went to get my pad just now to write I found your letter in it. I felt like kicking myself. So I am going to put these few lines in with it. I hope you are keeping well.
Well my papers have come at last. I signed my last pay sheet yesterday and expected to get a teeth, nose and ear inspection this afternoon. I was told that we would be leaving here on the 19th and sailing on the 21st, but I’m not sure. They get some great stories going. Any way I will get away this month.
That Smith that was in the 177th Battn that is a cousin of ours. He is here too waiting on going home. He was telling me he owed Lizzie a letter. He has just come from Germany a short time. He put ten months in Germany a prisoner of war. But he don’t look any the worse of it.
Well I must ring off. I will be following this letter shortly of course. I expect to write you another before I leave here. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Do you know I wrote you a letter on Sunday and forgot to post it. And when I went to get my pad just now to write I found your letter in it. I felt like kicking myself. So I am going to put these few lines in with it. I hope you are keeping well.
Well my papers have come at last. I signed my last pay sheet yesterday and expected to get a teeth, nose and ear inspection this afternoon. I was told that we would be leaving here on the 19th and sailing on the 21st, but I’m not sure. They get some great stories going. Any way I will get away this month.
That Smith that was in the 177th Battn that is a cousin of ours. He is here too waiting on going home. He was telling me he owed Lizzie a letter. He has just come from Germany a short time. He put ten months in Germany a prisoner of war. But he don’t look any the worse of it.
Well I must ring off. I will be following this letter shortly of course. I expect to write you another before I leave here. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Feb 9 – Witley
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines hoping they find you well as it leaves me fine. I am still waiting on my papers coming from Head quarters, London. I am sure of being here another week at least. And I would not be surprised if they keep us here and send us back with the Battn when it comes from France. Any way there is no use worrying the longer I be here the more money I will have. In fact it would be better if I did not get home until the 1st of April. Then I would have my three years in the army and would be entitled to the three year gratitude. Were I to get discharged before the 23rd of March I will only receive the two year one. Of course I do not care, the two year one will do me if I get away home soon.
Well mother how is Ada and you getting along. I suppose she keeps you and Lizzie busy tending to her. How is Allies tell them I will soon be home. Say do you know who I saw the other day. Lieut Orr that used to be in V. Harbour he is waiting on going home too.
Say I got a big surprise the other day. I received 3 parcels, one of them were from you and I rec’d them on Friday, my birthday. They were quite a treat. I have rec’d no letters yet. Well I must ring off. Will write you another letter soon. Do not be worrying I will be home right away. Bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines hoping they find you well as it leaves me fine. I am still waiting on my papers coming from Head quarters, London. I am sure of being here another week at least. And I would not be surprised if they keep us here and send us back with the Battn when it comes from France. Any way there is no use worrying the longer I be here the more money I will have. In fact it would be better if I did not get home until the 1st of April. Then I would have my three years in the army and would be entitled to the three year gratitude. Were I to get discharged before the 23rd of March I will only receive the two year one. Of course I do not care, the two year one will do me if I get away home soon.
Well mother how is Ada and you getting along. I suppose she keeps you and Lizzie busy tending to her. How is Allies tell them I will soon be home. Say do you know who I saw the other day. Lieut Orr that used to be in V. Harbour he is waiting on going home too.
Say I got a big surprise the other day. I received 3 parcels, one of them were from you and I rec’d them on Friday, my birthday. They were quite a treat. I have rec’d no letters yet. Well I must ring off. Will write you another letter soon. Do not be worrying I will be home right away. Bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Feb 4 – Witley
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I hope this letter finds you well. I guess you have lots of snow to plough through around home now. It is quite like winter here a little snow on the ground which makes it very slippery.
Well I believe I will be away from here by the 20th. The O.C. told us the other morning that any man who had seen service in France he would get them away home by the 20th of Feb. Any that don’t get away by this will be keep here until after May for the Battns that is in France they are going to start home in the beginning of March.
I have met some of the boys that came from around home lately. George Morrison he is in this reserve and I met George McFarland and George Kent from Eady and Ed Sykes is in the same reserve as them. I saw them all on Sunday. Herb Crooke was here with me but he had to go back to France yesterday morning. I guess Clarence will be home by now. I bet he will give the people some line ha ha.
Well it is not lonesome here anyway. I was over to Jack McNaughton’s room last night, you know he was my section commander in France for a long time. He is now a Lieut with the reserve here. He will make the best of an officer. If some of the officers had been as good as him in France there would be a lot more poor fellows alive today.
Well not many days now until my birthday. It is on Friday. I pretty nearly forget how old I am. 23 I believe.
Well I must ring off do not be worrying for I am quite well and will soon be home. Bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know I am well. I hope this letter finds you well. I guess you have lots of snow to plough through around home now. It is quite like winter here a little snow on the ground which makes it very slippery.
Well I believe I will be away from here by the 20th. The O.C. told us the other morning that any man who had seen service in France he would get them away home by the 20th of Feb. Any that don’t get away by this will be keep here until after May for the Battns that is in France they are going to start home in the beginning of March.
I have met some of the boys that came from around home lately. George Morrison he is in this reserve and I met George McFarland and George Kent from Eady and Ed Sykes is in the same reserve as them. I saw them all on Sunday. Herb Crooke was here with me but he had to go back to France yesterday morning. I guess Clarence will be home by now. I bet he will give the people some line ha ha.
Well it is not lonesome here anyway. I was over to Jack McNaughton’s room last night, you know he was my section commander in France for a long time. He is now a Lieut with the reserve here. He will make the best of an officer. If some of the officers had been as good as him in France there would be a lot more poor fellows alive today.
Well not many days now until my birthday. It is on Friday. I pretty nearly forget how old I am. 23 I believe.
Well I must ring off do not be worrying for I am quite well and will soon be home. Bye bye with love from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Feb 1 – Witley Camp
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am now back with the reserve. I had a real good time on my leave. This is my first day in camp but it seems very good. They are not doing much drill just waiting on getting back. I think I am safe at saying I will be sailing home some time this month. But you know it takes time to put papers through for a bunch of men. But after I get my board I may get a few more days leave if I want it. I may take it then for it will take a few days after that before my papers are finished.
I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me just fine. I weigh now more than I ever weighed. I guess you will think that the scales did not weigh right. 168 is what I weigh today. I just got weighed a few minutes ago. When I came from France to Basingstoke Hospital I only weighed 142. So you can see what I have gained this last while.
Well I had a fine time on leave. Enjoyed myself good. Would have like to stayed longer only I thought I would get away home quicker by getting here and have them start my papers through.
Well we got a little snow on the ground here today but I don’t think it will amount to much. How is Allies hope they are well. Bye bye from Bruce
Oh yes in case you right address my mail to the 3rd Can. Reserve Witley Camp, England of course. I don’t think you need to write for if I am not on my way home by the time you get this letter I would be before I would receive an answer. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to let you know I am now back with the reserve. I had a real good time on my leave. This is my first day in camp but it seems very good. They are not doing much drill just waiting on getting back. I think I am safe at saying I will be sailing home some time this month. But you know it takes time to put papers through for a bunch of men. But after I get my board I may get a few more days leave if I want it. I may take it then for it will take a few days after that before my papers are finished.
I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me just fine. I weigh now more than I ever weighed. I guess you will think that the scales did not weigh right. 168 is what I weigh today. I just got weighed a few minutes ago. When I came from France to Basingstoke Hospital I only weighed 142. So you can see what I have gained this last while.
Well I had a fine time on leave. Enjoyed myself good. Would have like to stayed longer only I thought I would get away home quicker by getting here and have them start my papers through.
Well we got a little snow on the ground here today but I don’t think it will amount to much. How is Allies hope they are well. Bye bye from Bruce
Oh yes in case you right address my mail to the 3rd Can. Reserve Witley Camp, England of course. I don’t think you need to write for if I am not on my way home by the time you get this letter I would be before I would receive an answer. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Jan 28 – London, England
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am now in London on sick leave. I think I will go to the reserve about Thursday. But my leave is not up unitl the 6th Feb but I think I will go back before I should be on my way home by that time.
Well old London is quite a lively spot now. It is very crowded here. You would wonder where all the people came from. This letter is going to be short. One of the boys are waiting on me to go to the Strand Theater with him. I do not want you to think it is a girl for I do not look at them. I am too anxious to get back home. Say I will put in the picture I cut out of the paper see if you know any body in it. It is just L/Cp and Corpls in it. Well bye bye I will write on the Thursday again. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a line to let you know I am now in London on sick leave. I think I will go to the reserve about Thursday. But my leave is not up unitl the 6th Feb but I think I will go back before I should be on my way home by that time.
Well old London is quite a lively spot now. It is very crowded here. You would wonder where all the people came from. This letter is going to be short. One of the boys are waiting on me to go to the Strand Theater with him. I do not want you to think it is a girl for I do not look at them. I am too anxious to get back home. Say I will put in the picture I cut out of the paper see if you know any body in it. It is just L/Cp and Corpls in it. Well bye bye I will write on the Thursday again. From your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Jan 19 – Basingstoke, England
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know my ankle is better. I am just waiting to go to the Reserve any day now. I can have 12 days leave if I want it but I don’t think I will take it. It would cost me about 50 dollars. I have got that much coming to me but I don’t think I will take it. I could have a better time around home on that money than here.
I hope this letter will find you well. I guess you are looking for me coming home every day. Ok it will not be long now until I get there. Of course you will get word a few days before I get there. I will not take you on a bit of a surprise.
It will soon be two years since I came away. I will be back before the first of April. It has seemed about like five years to me. The boys that has put in over four years out here must think it is a long time since they left home. But believe me I have saw some great sights on this side of the pond. I will have a lot to tell you of what I saw when I get back.
I saw one of the Eady boys this morning. He is in this hospital just come from France too. Herb Spence I guess you mind him. He is not at all sick he is able to walk around too.
I was at a good concert in the dining hall last night. I will put a list of the program in the letter.
Has Alexs been down lately. Hope they are all well. I guess they find it pretty hard to get down very often to see you when the snow is so deep in the winter.
Have you still got the same teacher. I thought Tom or Alf Cowan would have been married to her before this.
Say there has been a lot of the boys got married over here. But not Bruce ha ha. They don’t catch me like some of the poor simps. You know the girls all think that the Canadians are so rich and they are all just crazy on going to Canada. They think it is so easy to make money there. Well I think I had better ring off. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Just a few lines to let you know my ankle is better. I am just waiting to go to the Reserve any day now. I can have 12 days leave if I want it but I don’t think I will take it. It would cost me about 50 dollars. I have got that much coming to me but I don’t think I will take it. I could have a better time around home on that money than here.
I hope this letter will find you well. I guess you are looking for me coming home every day. Ok it will not be long now until I get there. Of course you will get word a few days before I get there. I will not take you on a bit of a surprise.
It will soon be two years since I came away. I will be back before the first of April. It has seemed about like five years to me. The boys that has put in over four years out here must think it is a long time since they left home. But believe me I have saw some great sights on this side of the pond. I will have a lot to tell you of what I saw when I get back.
I saw one of the Eady boys this morning. He is in this hospital just come from France too. Herb Spence I guess you mind him. He is not at all sick he is able to walk around too.
I was at a good concert in the dining hall last night. I will put a list of the program in the letter.
Has Alexs been down lately. Hope they are all well. I guess they find it pretty hard to get down very often to see you when the snow is so deep in the winter.
Have you still got the same teacher. I thought Tom or Alf Cowan would have been married to her before this.
Say there has been a lot of the boys got married over here. But not Bruce ha ha. They don’t catch me like some of the poor simps. You know the girls all think that the Canadians are so rich and they are all just crazy on going to Canada. They think it is so easy to make money there. Well I think I had better ring off. Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Jan 11 – Basingstoke, England
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am now in England. I am in No. 4 Canadian Gen. Hosp. My ankle is not healed up yet so I have to stay here to it does.
I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me quite well, only waiting for my ankle to heal so I can wear a boot on it. And then I will be on my way home. Just the matter of a week or two. I came to 3rd Can Hosp at Boulogne on the 9th and stayed one night there and came over on the boat yesterday. It was a little rough, it made me sick for about a hour. I don’t think it would have bothered me only for seeing the other fellows sick. That is four times for me across the Channel and I was never sick before neither I was sick coming from Canada.
Well when I got here the Sister brought me a couple good slices of toast and a cup of good tea. It was about two o’clock in the morning when I got here.
But is a lovely place to be (incomplete)
Just a line to let you know I am now in England. I am in No. 4 Canadian Gen. Hosp. My ankle is not healed up yet so I have to stay here to it does.
I hope this letter finds you well as it leaves me quite well, only waiting for my ankle to heal so I can wear a boot on it. And then I will be on my way home. Just the matter of a week or two. I came to 3rd Can Hosp at Boulogne on the 9th and stayed one night there and came over on the boat yesterday. It was a little rough, it made me sick for about a hour. I don’t think it would have bothered me only for seeing the other fellows sick. That is four times for me across the Channel and I was never sick before neither I was sick coming from Canada.
Well when I got here the Sister brought me a couple good slices of toast and a cup of good tea. It was about two o’clock in the morning when I got here.
But is a lovely place to be (incomplete)
1919
Jan 2 – France, South African General Hospital, Ward 32, Abbeville
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know where I am. I am not at all sick but have got another one of those nasty old boils on my ankle. I came from #5 Convalescent Depot Cayeux up here.
I was just going to go to the Base the next day.
But am not in a bad place here. I expect to go to England in a few days. They lanced the boil the Tuesday morning and it is doing nicely. Of course I don’t think they will let me walk on it for a few days for it would be hap to make it worse again. But it will soon be better.
(incomplete)
Jan 5 – France, South African General Hospital
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am coming along fine. My ankle is almost better. I am up walking a round on it now, there is no soreness in it now at all. But they will not let me go out until where he lanced it is healed right up again.
I hope this letter finds you well. I know it must be quite a job for you to get along now. I know just about how deep the snow is around home. I can just see mountains of it. It worries me to think of you trying to get wood and stuff in the snow. And me out here doing nothing at all.
But if I get home soon I will make up for it. I will get right down to work this spring.
Well this is the first Sunday in the new year and it seems a dull day in here. But I guess by next Sunday I will be back at my Base or in England. The sooner I get there the sooner I get home.
I just had a good laugh a few minutes ago. We have a stove in the ward and it is trying its best to smoke us out today. And the Sister came along and she thought she would stop it. And when she was poking at it, the stove pipes came down and we all started to laugh. That got her angry. So we had a good laugh then. She is an old maid and cannot stand much teasing and I guess you have an idea how much a bunch of boys can tease.
How is Allies. I hope they are keeping well. I wrote them a letter a few days ago. How is Cowans getting along. Alf or Tom not married yet. How is the old people keeping well.
I have never had any mail since I left the Battn. You see how moving around a little bit put a fellow’s mail out badly. I will be getting letters that you sent after I get home.
Well I must ring off. Do not be worrying for I am quite well. Will likely be on my way home by the time you get this letter.
Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
Dear mother and sister
Just a few lines to let you know where I am. I am not at all sick but have got another one of those nasty old boils on my ankle. I came from #5 Convalescent Depot Cayeux up here.
I was just going to go to the Base the next day.
But am not in a bad place here. I expect to go to England in a few days. They lanced the boil the Tuesday morning and it is doing nicely. Of course I don’t think they will let me walk on it for a few days for it would be hap to make it worse again. But it will soon be better.
(incomplete)
Jan 5 – France, South African General Hospital
Dear mother and sister
Just a line to let you know I am coming along fine. My ankle is almost better. I am up walking a round on it now, there is no soreness in it now at all. But they will not let me go out until where he lanced it is healed right up again.
I hope this letter finds you well. I know it must be quite a job for you to get along now. I know just about how deep the snow is around home. I can just see mountains of it. It worries me to think of you trying to get wood and stuff in the snow. And me out here doing nothing at all.
But if I get home soon I will make up for it. I will get right down to work this spring.
Well this is the first Sunday in the new year and it seems a dull day in here. But I guess by next Sunday I will be back at my Base or in England. The sooner I get there the sooner I get home.
I just had a good laugh a few minutes ago. We have a stove in the ward and it is trying its best to smoke us out today. And the Sister came along and she thought she would stop it. And when she was poking at it, the stove pipes came down and we all started to laugh. That got her angry. So we had a good laugh then. She is an old maid and cannot stand much teasing and I guess you have an idea how much a bunch of boys can tease.
How is Allies. I hope they are keeping well. I wrote them a letter a few days ago. How is Cowans getting along. Alf or Tom not married yet. How is the old people keeping well.
I have never had any mail since I left the Battn. You see how moving around a little bit put a fellow’s mail out badly. I will be getting letters that you sent after I get home.
Well I must ring off. Do not be worrying for I am quite well. Will likely be on my way home by the time you get this letter.
Bye bye from your loving son and brother Bruce xxxx
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