Clarence Arthur McCann June 8, 1891 - June 2, 1947

Clarence Arthur McCann was born in Pembroke, Hants County, Nova Scotia to Arthur Frederick and Ella Jane (Carmichael) McCann. He grew up in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.

He married Ada May Smith on July 27, 1912 in Falmouth, Nova Scotia and together they had 14 children.

In 1915, Clarence travelled to Fredericton, New Brunswick to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He embarked for England not long after and remained overseas for almost four years. While there, he wrote many letters home. Over 100 of them survived and have been transcribed. The originals have been donated to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

I offer these transcriptions to those who have ancestors who served in the Great War so they might have a glimpse of what that life was like for these men.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

June 1, 1915 - Fredericton

Dear Father,

I can't write much because they will soon call me to set tables.  I am on fatigue today.  It is easy though - only about three hours' work all day if everyone works with a will as we have done today.  Next time I write I will tell you about it.

They are paying the separation allowance direct from Ottawa alphabetically and three days ago the L's in this town got theirs and the M's follow pretty closely, so she should have it by now, I would think.  I have not cashed that order yet and don't know whether to send it home or keep it to help bring me home.  I managed without it and expect money tomorrow.  It won't cost more than $12 to take home and back.  Soldiers get a fare and one-third.

The Ammunition Column has been served with deck shoes but they are not connected with us at all.  They never see the firing line but keep our first line wagons supplied with ammunition from the railroads and waterfronts.  They may not need them in the war and they may be changed into a Battery of Artillery.  Anyway, they are doing the same drill we are now.  Now I'll give you our officers' names.  First there is Major Crocker.  He has been sick ever since we came here and had six weeks in the hospital.  If he can't stand it here he can't stand it at the Front.  However, he looks better.  Captain McDonald, Lieuts. Muirhead, McLatchey, and Hardin.

I must leave now.  More next time.

Clarence

©  Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.

1 comment:

  1. Pamela, found the blog and am delighted. I will certainly follow it through to the end. My own blog has been part of my life for over 4 years and is very close to the end. Well done and good luck.

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