Dear Father:
I received your letter and the paper on Sunday the 1st and was mighty glad to get them.
The Herschel did land at Devenport but it's in Plymouth Harbour and the two are the same, just like Windsor and Falmouth, only they are on one side of the water. The Caledonia left St. John on Sunday, June 13, at 11 a.m. with the Fredericton Company of the 4th Div. Am. Column and the 26th Battalion and took on the Heavy Artillery at Halifax. She arrived in port one day ahead of us. We left St. John Monday, June 14, with the C.P.R. Construction Corps and 410 horses. The 23rd and 25th battalions are about 15 minutes' walk from us, but I have seen none I know there yet, although I know they are there. It's so hard to catch them. Walter Glassy must be some sport now and I guess Walter Card is not so hard up as some people think, leave it to him.
I can't give you the names and addresses of any of our officers yet. They would be no good anyway, for if we go to the Front they won't, except for a Lieut. once in a while. At least that's the way it has been since I came here. One went and was only gone two days, brought back all shot up, so I was told. From here we can get into the firing line in a couple of hours, so the boys say. We have several back from the Front and are always meeting others in town and they have some great stories to tell.
I have plenty of socks, anyway those things are cheap over here. Smoking tobacco costs twice as much as at home, and cigarettes only half as much. Players are only 6 cents here. All amusements are very cheap and real good. The pictures are fine. They were all American films. None of our boys were drowned so there is a mistake. In fact, I did not hear of anyone being drowned.
Eric Smith is here in the 42nd Highlanders, but I have not seen him. You see, we are all on duty and off at the same time, so it's like looking for a needle, looking for anyone here. Last Friday, I went to Diligate and found Smith. He was thrown from his horse while doing police duty. He was laid up a couple of weeks but soon got well when he heard they were coming across. There is some talk of turning them into artillery.
We came from Paddington to Charing Cross Station underground through London, so we did not see much of the city. We are only two hour's ride from there now and I guess I will see some it some weekend. Those photos were not good ones at all for I look much better than that. English photographers do good work, so I may send some home of their work. We are getting new horses to train so I guess we will have some fun.
Well, I must save something for the next time. There is a big inspection on and I guess by the cheering it must be the King. It is raining like fury and they have no coats. I beat it. I was on one before and that's enough for me. Our sergeant has not got my name on his roll call so it's not very hard to get away once in a while. I should like to see the King, though. But you would never know when he was coming.
With love, Clarence
© Copyright 2011 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission
Showing posts with label Father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Father. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
July 26, 1915
Dear Father & Mother,
Since I last wrote, the major has put me on a lead team with the regular driver who has been driving since February. We take turnabout with the horses, so if anything happens to him I can take hold of the team. The second time I was out, when it came time to change drivers, the major asked me how long I'd been driving and I told him that I had only been out once and he told me that I was driving all right. It was then he put me on regular.
I got a complete issue of clothes and boots last week. I took the breeches and tunic to a tailor and had them fixed so they fit me fine. The boots are an awful size but well made and comfortable. They are the English make.
On the drill ground there are an awful lot of horses. Three batteries of artillery and six or seven riding schools of English hussars. When we get the 89 horses from the sick lines, we will have some bunch. I was on picket at the sick lines Saturday night and as there is no one around there it makes a good job. I have cleaned no harness for a week and don't plan to for another if I can get clear of it.
Every Sunday afternoon, the Canadian band gives a concert on the leas in Folkstone and thousands of people go to hear it. I very seldom go in there now because I have seen all of it and got tired. Last night, I was coming along the leas and I met Walter Buchanan, who used to be in Windsor. He has been to the Front and was wounded in three places at Ypres. He is in a Scottish regiment and wears kilts. He enlisted at Truro and is married. I met Gargin again on Friday night and he tells me Eric Smith is near him in the 42nd from Winnipeg.
This morning, after we changed drivers, one of our boys who had a single horse out got frightened of him so I took him and you bet I had a circus. He would rear right up, wheel around in a circle so fast his nose was against his tail, then he would straighten out for a good run. Well, I had no spurs on so I could not do much but stick and I stayed there. Last week he three himself, rider and all, and broke the man's arm.
Well, I can't think of any more till I hear from you, so goodby.
Clarence
© Copyright 2011 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission
Since I last wrote, the major has put me on a lead team with the regular driver who has been driving since February. We take turnabout with the horses, so if anything happens to him I can take hold of the team. The second time I was out, when it came time to change drivers, the major asked me how long I'd been driving and I told him that I had only been out once and he told me that I was driving all right. It was then he put me on regular.
I got a complete issue of clothes and boots last week. I took the breeches and tunic to a tailor and had them fixed so they fit me fine. The boots are an awful size but well made and comfortable. They are the English make.
On the drill ground there are an awful lot of horses. Three batteries of artillery and six or seven riding schools of English hussars. When we get the 89 horses from the sick lines, we will have some bunch. I was on picket at the sick lines Saturday night and as there is no one around there it makes a good job. I have cleaned no harness for a week and don't plan to for another if I can get clear of it.
Every Sunday afternoon, the Canadian band gives a concert on the leas in Folkstone and thousands of people go to hear it. I very seldom go in there now because I have seen all of it and got tired. Last night, I was coming along the leas and I met Walter Buchanan, who used to be in Windsor. He has been to the Front and was wounded in three places at Ypres. He is in a Scottish regiment and wears kilts. He enlisted at Truro and is married. I met Gargin again on Friday night and he tells me Eric Smith is near him in the 42nd from Winnipeg.
This morning, after we changed drivers, one of our boys who had a single horse out got frightened of him so I took him and you bet I had a circus. He would rear right up, wheel around in a circle so fast his nose was against his tail, then he would straighten out for a good run. Well, I had no spurs on so I could not do much but stick and I stayed there. Last week he three himself, rider and all, and broke the man's arm.
Well, I can't think of any more till I hear from you, so goodby.
Clarence
© Copyright 2011 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission
Sunday, March 20, 2011
July 17, 1915
Dear Father & Mother:
Since I wrote you last wrote you not much has happened, so I have not much to write about. Just the same old routine, those who have horses drilling with the guns, and those who have not cleaning harness. Last Saturday, Fredericks and I went down to Sandgate to have a real feed. We went to a tea house and had a piece of ham, two eggs, a cup of coffee, six small slices of bread and butter and eight pieces of different kinds of pastry each and the lady charged us three shillings (75 cents); oh, they do soak Canadians. On Sunday, we went into Folkstone to the Soldiers' Recreation Roooms and had our supper. We had pudding and custard, brown bread and butter, cocoa and pastry for one and six (30 cents)and, believe me, we were filled up, and only 15 cents each. This place is purely for soldiers, having billiard tables, ping-pong, books, two pianos, lunch room, gymnasium, and writing room with paper and ink, and is nicely fixed up and is always filled at night, so we go there every night.
Last Sunday night, the steering gear of one of the buses went wrong and a woman standing on the sidewalk was driven through a fence and killed. Her daughter went one way and got clear, but her mother got excited and was caught as though she had never moved.
On Monday, we got one hundred new horses, but everyone of them had to go to the sick lines with ringworms so we can't work them for some time.
On Wednesday, we went to the ranges at Hythe for our shooting examination. It is about four miles and downhill all the way on an asphalt road so it was all right going. We left at seven and it was cool. Coming back it was all uphill and in the middle of the day and mighty hot. We had two rests on the way, but my clothes were wringing wet. However, they always let us march at ease, so we walk the easiest way we know how and carry our rifles anyway we like. The first round was to see in how small a space we could put five shots at one hundred yards. I put all five in a four-inch circle. The next round was at a target the size of a man's head, in fact, made to represent a man looking over a bank. I made two bulls and three inners. I think I did very well considering that I never fired a bigger rifle than a 44-40 in my life. About ten days ago, I tried my skill at a .22 range in Folkstone and made 68 out of 70. That's as good as has been done by Canadians here, but I have used a .22 quite a lot so was more at home.
On Wednesday, I was on picket from 2 - 6 a.m. and did not intend going to the range, but our officer told me to come along. So I hurried my breakfast and dressed but the others had gone. I met our captain going on horseback and he told me to come along on a bus, so I went down to Sandgate to catch one and had to wait an hour. When I got out there, they had fired the first series and the captain was a bit sore at me for waiting, but I did not mean to walk out and back too after doing picket half the night. Anyway, I never fired a shot that day, but I will have to go again likely, while the others have finished. I will let you know how I do when I go. I have to shoot 15 shots - five rapid fire at 200 yards, and five rapid and five slow at 300 yards. In rapid fire we have 30 seconds to load and fire five shots and make the best score we can.
I can get any kind of clothes I want around here dirt cheap, about ten days after payday. The only thing I bought was a pair of Fox puttees that sell in Fredericton for $2.80, and I got them brand new from one of the boys for one bob (24 cents). They sell in the stores for $1.60 here. All other clothes are correspondingly cheap in this country.
Two days agao we got word that Col. Sam Hughes was coming for inspection and then the fun started. We were out drilling morning, noon and night, rain or shine for two days, leaving 70 men or 35 men to move in line anywhere and there was some awful growling around here, mind you. If we had some kind of drill every day instead of cleaning harness all the time, we would not have to do a month's drill in two days. However, he is gone, and all O.K. Yesterday afternoon, all the troops handy lined up on the field for a little practice. We came in at 4:00 o'clock and started stables. We no sooner got our clothes off and were cleaning horses than our Lieut. Col. Rathburn made us fall in for an hour's drill with no greatcoats and it was raining like the deuce.
After that I got paid. I got four pounds and you will get the twenty this month. Ten of my twenty was what they stopped for clothes at Fredericton. Yesterday, I left my letter purse in my pants with my monthly pass, the address in my lunch from Fredericton, the letter and address in the socks I got from there and about six shillings and someone stole the whole business. They would take the milk out of your tea if they could. I would not keep much, but for the box I keep locked.
The 600 in our barracks went on parade at 8:30 this a.m. All shined and were inspected by our O.C. We went out to the field at ten and were inspected by Col. Hughes and R.H. Borden and a lot of other officers, Canadian and English. There were between 35-40,000 men there, all Canadians, from every branch of the service and dressed in Khaki. It was fine with bands playing, but tiresome standing.
More next time,
Clarence
© Copyright 2011 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission
Since I wrote you last wrote you not much has happened, so I have not much to write about. Just the same old routine, those who have horses drilling with the guns, and those who have not cleaning harness. Last Saturday, Fredericks and I went down to Sandgate to have a real feed. We went to a tea house and had a piece of ham, two eggs, a cup of coffee, six small slices of bread and butter and eight pieces of different kinds of pastry each and the lady charged us three shillings (75 cents); oh, they do soak Canadians. On Sunday, we went into Folkstone to the Soldiers' Recreation Roooms and had our supper. We had pudding and custard, brown bread and butter, cocoa and pastry for one and six (30 cents)and, believe me, we were filled up, and only 15 cents each. This place is purely for soldiers, having billiard tables, ping-pong, books, two pianos, lunch room, gymnasium, and writing room with paper and ink, and is nicely fixed up and is always filled at night, so we go there every night.
Last Sunday night, the steering gear of one of the buses went wrong and a woman standing on the sidewalk was driven through a fence and killed. Her daughter went one way and got clear, but her mother got excited and was caught as though she had never moved.
On Monday, we got one hundred new horses, but everyone of them had to go to the sick lines with ringworms so we can't work them for some time.
On Wednesday, we went to the ranges at Hythe for our shooting examination. It is about four miles and downhill all the way on an asphalt road so it was all right going. We left at seven and it was cool. Coming back it was all uphill and in the middle of the day and mighty hot. We had two rests on the way, but my clothes were wringing wet. However, they always let us march at ease, so we walk the easiest way we know how and carry our rifles anyway we like. The first round was to see in how small a space we could put five shots at one hundred yards. I put all five in a four-inch circle. The next round was at a target the size of a man's head, in fact, made to represent a man looking over a bank. I made two bulls and three inners. I think I did very well considering that I never fired a bigger rifle than a 44-40 in my life. About ten days ago, I tried my skill at a .22 range in Folkstone and made 68 out of 70. That's as good as has been done by Canadians here, but I have used a .22 quite a lot so was more at home.
On Wednesday, I was on picket from 2 - 6 a.m. and did not intend going to the range, but our officer told me to come along. So I hurried my breakfast and dressed but the others had gone. I met our captain going on horseback and he told me to come along on a bus, so I went down to Sandgate to catch one and had to wait an hour. When I got out there, they had fired the first series and the captain was a bit sore at me for waiting, but I did not mean to walk out and back too after doing picket half the night. Anyway, I never fired a shot that day, but I will have to go again likely, while the others have finished. I will let you know how I do when I go. I have to shoot 15 shots - five rapid fire at 200 yards, and five rapid and five slow at 300 yards. In rapid fire we have 30 seconds to load and fire five shots and make the best score we can.
I can get any kind of clothes I want around here dirt cheap, about ten days after payday. The only thing I bought was a pair of Fox puttees that sell in Fredericton for $2.80, and I got them brand new from one of the boys for one bob (24 cents). They sell in the stores for $1.60 here. All other clothes are correspondingly cheap in this country.
Two days agao we got word that Col. Sam Hughes was coming for inspection and then the fun started. We were out drilling morning, noon and night, rain or shine for two days, leaving 70 men or 35 men to move in line anywhere and there was some awful growling around here, mind you. If we had some kind of drill every day instead of cleaning harness all the time, we would not have to do a month's drill in two days. However, he is gone, and all O.K. Yesterday afternoon, all the troops handy lined up on the field for a little practice. We came in at 4:00 o'clock and started stables. We no sooner got our clothes off and were cleaning horses than our Lieut. Col. Rathburn made us fall in for an hour's drill with no greatcoats and it was raining like the deuce.
After that I got paid. I got four pounds and you will get the twenty this month. Ten of my twenty was what they stopped for clothes at Fredericton. Yesterday, I left my letter purse in my pants with my monthly pass, the address in my lunch from Fredericton, the letter and address in the socks I got from there and about six shillings and someone stole the whole business. They would take the milk out of your tea if they could. I would not keep much, but for the box I keep locked.
The 600 in our barracks went on parade at 8:30 this a.m. All shined and were inspected by our O.C. We went out to the field at ten and were inspected by Col. Hughes and R.H. Borden and a lot of other officers, Canadian and English. There were between 35-40,000 men there, all Canadians, from every branch of the service and dressed in Khaki. It was fine with bands playing, but tiresome standing.
More next time,
Clarence
© Copyright 2011 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
June 11, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father, Mother, Lela, Victor:
This letter is goodbye to all. Forty-two of us go from St. John as soon as the troop can be loaded. There are 42 from our battery, the Ammunition Column and, I think, the 26 Regiment. I was the first driver on the list. I don't know how long we will be in St. John. Probably not more than a day or two, so you had better not write till you hear from me again. We are bound for England. I will have any mail on the way for me returned home or possibly they may forward it on for me. I don't know just now but it doesn't matter. I will get it in the end. I am sending the grip home with some things I don't need, also the watch. I planned to start for home tonight but these orders came very suddenly and I did not know I was going till 11:30 today; nor anyone else for that matter.
Now I am glad that I qualified for 1st place as driving, still I don't like the idea of going from you all but we will hope I come back safe and sound. Of course, we need a lot of training yet and the war may be over before we are ready. Now I have a lot of packing to do so this must do till next time. You never saw a happier bunch of men than those who are going in your life. Now I am not very demonstrative, but you have my best love - all of you. So goodbye till you hear from me next.
Clarence
© 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
This letter is goodbye to all. Forty-two of us go from St. John as soon as the troop can be loaded. There are 42 from our battery, the Ammunition Column and, I think, the 26 Regiment. I was the first driver on the list. I don't know how long we will be in St. John. Probably not more than a day or two, so you had better not write till you hear from me again. We are bound for England. I will have any mail on the way for me returned home or possibly they may forward it on for me. I don't know just now but it doesn't matter. I will get it in the end. I am sending the grip home with some things I don't need, also the watch. I planned to start for home tonight but these orders came very suddenly and I did not know I was going till 11:30 today; nor anyone else for that matter.
Now I am glad that I qualified for 1st place as driving, still I don't like the idea of going from you all but we will hope I come back safe and sound. Of course, we need a lot of training yet and the war may be over before we are ready. Now I have a lot of packing to do so this must do till next time. You never saw a happier bunch of men than those who are going in your life. Now I am not very demonstrative, but you have my best love - all of you. So goodbye till you hear from me next.
Clarence
© 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
June 7, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
I received your letter Saturday noon and the parcel this noon. If I had got the parcel with the letter I could have saved 35 cents for writing material which I bought Saturday night. But no matter, it won't spoil and I can use it sometime. The only money we can draw here is the $6.00 the major gives us between the 15th and 20th of each month and everybody gets that , so if I come home I will have to save what I can from pay day and the rest will have to come from home.
I did not think last summer that Henry Ward would ever work again, he was too sick at times. I am sorry to hear that C. Sellon and J. Currie are dead, but it is as likely to be them as anybody. I notice mostly all of the casualties are in the infantry.
When I spoke of my boots being rough on the inside I meant it was the untanned side of the leather, so there is nothing I can do to make them better. However, I like them fine and they fit me perfectly. I used a lot of grease called Dubbin on them when the weather was wet and they got very dark, and when the weather got dry and warm (it has been awfully hot here lately) I tried to clean them and get them a lighter color to shine but I could not do it, although I tried soap and warm water as well as gasoline. However, on Saturday they issued us with our second pair and I got a pair of Slaters (regular dandies), size 7, just the right length but a bit narrow so I sent them to the cobbler this morning to have them stretched. I like to have boots that fit. So many here have them too big and they wrinkle all up and look like the deuce. Of course, the quartermaster tries to make you take the first pair of your size he finds and there are so many makes made on so many different lasts that sometimes you can wear 6's in one make and have to have 8's in another, so I just stand and holler till I get what I want.
I am on picket today, went on with three others and an N.C.O at five last night. My tricks were from 5-7 and 11-1, last night and the same today, up and down, mostly sit down out by the horses to see that they are all right. Two hours on and four off, when on guard we have two on and six off. But it's only play with no rifles to carry, only it's a bit lonely at night becuase the rest of the picket are 150 yds away, whereas the guard beats right alongside lots of company. There is a draft of 42 men ordered for England from this Battery at any minute with Mr. Muirhead (Lieut.) in charge. I don't know whether I go or not yet.
Clarence
P.S. Mr. Muirhead started to make out the list of men he would take, 20 gunners, 15 drivers, 6 N.C.O.'s and himself, and he had me down as one of the best drivers, but the major took the reins himself and does not know the men's work at all so I don't know whether I go or not, but I will let you know as soon as I can...I thought you all might like my photo so I had it taken Saturday. They cost me $2.50 and you will get them the last of the week. Do what you like with them, but see that Ada gets one.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
I received your letter Saturday noon and the parcel this noon. If I had got the parcel with the letter I could have saved 35 cents for writing material which I bought Saturday night. But no matter, it won't spoil and I can use it sometime. The only money we can draw here is the $6.00 the major gives us between the 15th and 20th of each month and everybody gets that , so if I come home I will have to save what I can from pay day and the rest will have to come from home.
I did not think last summer that Henry Ward would ever work again, he was too sick at times. I am sorry to hear that C. Sellon and J. Currie are dead, but it is as likely to be them as anybody. I notice mostly all of the casualties are in the infantry.
When I spoke of my boots being rough on the inside I meant it was the untanned side of the leather, so there is nothing I can do to make them better. However, I like them fine and they fit me perfectly. I used a lot of grease called Dubbin on them when the weather was wet and they got very dark, and when the weather got dry and warm (it has been awfully hot here lately) I tried to clean them and get them a lighter color to shine but I could not do it, although I tried soap and warm water as well as gasoline. However, on Saturday they issued us with our second pair and I got a pair of Slaters (regular dandies), size 7, just the right length but a bit narrow so I sent them to the cobbler this morning to have them stretched. I like to have boots that fit. So many here have them too big and they wrinkle all up and look like the deuce. Of course, the quartermaster tries to make you take the first pair of your size he finds and there are so many makes made on so many different lasts that sometimes you can wear 6's in one make and have to have 8's in another, so I just stand and holler till I get what I want.
I am on picket today, went on with three others and an N.C.O at five last night. My tricks were from 5-7 and 11-1, last night and the same today, up and down, mostly sit down out by the horses to see that they are all right. Two hours on and four off, when on guard we have two on and six off. But it's only play with no rifles to carry, only it's a bit lonely at night becuase the rest of the picket are 150 yds away, whereas the guard beats right alongside lots of company. There is a draft of 42 men ordered for England from this Battery at any minute with Mr. Muirhead (Lieut.) in charge. I don't know whether I go or not yet.
Clarence
P.S. Mr. Muirhead started to make out the list of men he would take, 20 gunners, 15 drivers, 6 N.C.O.'s and himself, and he had me down as one of the best drivers, but the major took the reins himself and does not know the men's work at all so I don't know whether I go or not, but I will let you know as soon as I can...I thought you all might like my photo so I had it taken Saturday. They cost me $2.50 and you will get them the last of the week. Do what you like with them, but see that Ada gets one.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
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.
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.
May 25, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
I don't know when I will come home, it's a question of money, but I want to go home before we go across. I would come now if I had the cash. The talk is that we can expect to go to Sussex any day now and that will be 25 miles nearer home. We are getting lots of hard drill now. The weather is much better here now than it ever is home at this time. In mid-summer it's very hot (110 degrees in the shade they tell me), and much colder than elsewhere in the winter.
Drake should have paid the bank charges on that draft, I added them to it at the bank. It is queer you have had no money yet. Ada has been sick so she could not get in. You drive out some night and see her about it. The other boys from home tell me their people have got the money they signed home. They got it about the same time we got ours here, so Ada may have it.
I don't know anything about the separation allowance. I signed all the papers here and that's all I can do. I suppose the government takes its own time, they have the upper hand.
They discharged McInnis this morning, could not get any satisfaction out of him. Yesterday, the major gave any who were frightened the chance to get out and about twelve are going if they let them go. It doesn't seem possible, but they say that is the custom.
We are all trimmed up today expecting Col. Sam Hughes here to inspect us.
Don't worry about those bells, they will have to wait till you can do something for them. Another letter and roll of photos with them.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
I don't know when I will come home, it's a question of money, but I want to go home before we go across. I would come now if I had the cash. The talk is that we can expect to go to Sussex any day now and that will be 25 miles nearer home. We are getting lots of hard drill now. The weather is much better here now than it ever is home at this time. In mid-summer it's very hot (110 degrees in the shade they tell me), and much colder than elsewhere in the winter.
Drake should have paid the bank charges on that draft, I added them to it at the bank. It is queer you have had no money yet. Ada has been sick so she could not get in. You drive out some night and see her about it. The other boys from home tell me their people have got the money they signed home. They got it about the same time we got ours here, so Ada may have it.
I don't know anything about the separation allowance. I signed all the papers here and that's all I can do. I suppose the government takes its own time, they have the upper hand.
They discharged McInnis this morning, could not get any satisfaction out of him. Yesterday, the major gave any who were frightened the chance to get out and about twelve are going if they let them go. It doesn't seem possible, but they say that is the custom.
We are all trimmed up today expecting Col. Sam Hughes here to inspect us.
Don't worry about those bells, they will have to wait till you can do something for them. Another letter and roll of photos with them.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
May 24, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
With this letter you will get two photos of the Battery. About twenty of the men are not in the picture because they were away on leave, and the captain was away also. However, it compares very well with one like it of the Ammunition Column. These cost me $3.00. Raise a little collection if you can because it about bused me.
(P.S. I am perfectly well, barring a slight cold which I have had since coming here.)
Part of the A. Column called the A. Park have gone across (about 20 men). All the Columns have been issued with their steamer shoes. They are not allowed to wear the military boots on the steamers on acct. of the hobnails, and though they have been going away for six months past they expect to leave soon, possibly this week.
One of our N.C.O.'s was home on leave and he says there are 80 horses in Sussex waiting for us, so it looks as if we would go there soon.
We have a full holiday today after striking because they only intended to give us half a day. They always give us Saturday afternoon off, but last Saturday they worked us all day. The A. Column had a day on Friday, Saturday and all day today. So we thought we should have more and kicked.
John Bustin is here now and I had quite a talk to him yesterday. He expects to be home in a week. Our major is awfully hard, gives us the deuce about everything. The officers are altogether different.
Keep one of the pictures and give one to Ada.
Clarence
With this letter you will get two photos of the Battery. About twenty of the men are not in the picture because they were away on leave, and the captain was away also. However, it compares very well with one like it of the Ammunition Column. These cost me $3.00. Raise a little collection if you can because it about bused me.
(P.S. I am perfectly well, barring a slight cold which I have had since coming here.)
Part of the A. Column called the A. Park have gone across (about 20 men). All the Columns have been issued with their steamer shoes. They are not allowed to wear the military boots on the steamers on acct. of the hobnails, and though they have been going away for six months past they expect to leave soon, possibly this week.
One of our N.C.O.'s was home on leave and he says there are 80 horses in Sussex waiting for us, so it looks as if we would go there soon.
We have a full holiday today after striking because they only intended to give us half a day. They always give us Saturday afternoon off, but last Saturday they worked us all day. The A. Column had a day on Friday, Saturday and all day today. So we thought we should have more and kicked.
John Bustin is here now and I had quite a talk to him yesterday. He expects to be home in a week. Our major is awfully hard, gives us the deuce about everything. The officers are altogether different.
Keep one of the pictures and give one to Ada.
Clarence
May 15, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
That envelope that Ada got was my assigned pay and she will get the separation allowance very soon now for the major took the final facts in each case today and I think the papers will only go to Halifax. The money will go to Ada, all of it, and she will get it to you so it does not matter much.
I think that acct. of Drake's ran nearly 12 months. Anyway, that was only the second in 24 months.
Nearly everyone here keeps a horse or colt and you see many men breaking them at night (all trotters). We don't know anything about feeding horses until we come here and see how a V.S. does it. Six qts. of oats, 4 qts. bran and a very small feed of hay. Three times a day and every horse as fat as a hog.
I will write Aunt Bessie soon.
They are always collecting a crowd to play base- and football in spare time and as they won't let a man alone it is hard to get chance to write.
That colt you said Worth had is after Aerial Wood and out of that sorrel trotter the Porter boys had and should make a good one. $150 is cheap and I wish I had it.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
That envelope that Ada got was my assigned pay and she will get the separation allowance very soon now for the major took the final facts in each case today and I think the papers will only go to Halifax. The money will go to Ada, all of it, and she will get it to you so it does not matter much.
I think that acct. of Drake's ran nearly 12 months. Anyway, that was only the second in 24 months.
Nearly everyone here keeps a horse or colt and you see many men breaking them at night (all trotters). We don't know anything about feeding horses until we come here and see how a V.S. does it. Six qts. of oats, 4 qts. bran and a very small feed of hay. Three times a day and every horse as fat as a hog.
I will write Aunt Bessie soon.
They are always collecting a crowd to play base- and football in spare time and as they won't let a man alone it is hard to get chance to write.
That colt you said Worth had is after Aerial Wood and out of that sorrel trotter the Porter boys had and should make a good one. $150 is cheap and I wish I had it.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
May 9, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
I am tending horses today (we have 12) and can't go to church so have time to write. You will get only $20 this month. They overpaid me $3.30 last pay and stopped it this time. 70 cents laundry bill and was advanced $6.00 through the month, so they cut down my assigned pay so it would cover it all. They won't let you get into them any.
I have skated three nights on rollers and it is great sport. Being handy on ice helped me a lot. I have not had a fall yet but when you get one, you get it good. You fall faster and harder than you do on ice; the skates just run right away from you. I am one of a half dozen here who can ride a horse out of 150 men.
Guess I will clean up now.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
I am tending horses today (we have 12) and can't go to church so have time to write. You will get only $20 this month. They overpaid me $3.30 last pay and stopped it this time. 70 cents laundry bill and was advanced $6.00 through the month, so they cut down my assigned pay so it would cover it all. They won't let you get into them any.
I have skated three nights on rollers and it is great sport. Being handy on ice helped me a lot. I have not had a fall yet but when you get one, you get it good. You fall faster and harder than you do on ice; the skates just run right away from you. I am one of a half dozen here who can ride a horse out of 150 men.
Guess I will clean up now.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Monday, October 25, 2010
May 1, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
Received your letter O.K. with instructions about my money, but it is too late. Wes signed the pay sheet the other day and Ada had told me what Mr. Russell said about my money, so I changed my assigned pay from your name to hers on our major's advice. This will take effect this month and we expect our money between May 1 - 5, so she should get this at the same time. Then the government takes a hand and says a man must send half his pay to his beneficiary and that would be her.
The separation allowance of $20.00 should be paid in about five weeks from the time I came here, so the Sergt.-Major told me. It is stormy here - snow, hail, rain, and we have had two days off.
They never found that boy, supposed to have been drowned. Some of the people are cleaning up their gardens here but no planting yet. I paid A. Mathewson all we owed him long ago.
I have all of my uniform now except gloves, waist cartridge belt and spurs, that is all I know of. Our uniform consists of two suits underclothes, two pair socks, 1 pr. boots, 1 pr. rubbers, 1 pr. puttees, 2 top shirts (grey), 1 toque cap, 1 sweater coat, 1 fatigue shirt and pants, 1 tunic, 1 pr. riding breeches, 1 great coat, 1 dress cap, 1 bandolier, 1 kitbag, razon, s. brush, knife & fork, spoon, boot grease, 2 towels, comb & brush, 1 pr. mittens. That's all I can think of except badges: Maple Leaf on cap, Canada on shoulder straps and Maple Leaf on coat collar. Our drill is mostly marching around the parade ground in different formation and some physical training, semaphore (signaling with the arms), lessons in knotting and lashing, gun sighting, and laying (we have a dozen guns (12 pndrs.) and wagons here). Then we have lectures on gunnery by the lieutenants. Then the battery manouvres (at first with the guns but they were too heavy so we tie two sheets to a rope five ft. apart and four men represent horses so we can learn all right). We have had two route marches. I used to get tired at first because I was not used to walking so much, but now I feel fine.
Our battery consists of four 15 pndr. guns. They are the best light guns in the world. They always move on at trot, never walk except in case of fatigue or very rough. We won't get our guns this side of England and as none of us every worked on one we will have a lot to learn yet, and more to do when we get our horses, etc. Artillery is a combination of every other branch of the service apart from the guns, except the navy, so we will have a pile to learn. Our parade ground is about 150 ft sq on one side of the main building and three times as large on the other side where the horses are and small pieces of ground scattered all around between numberless sheds, stalls and offices. We have about 60 men of the 55th Infantry here and they only use less than half of the large building. Next to us is a fine large trotting park and we see a number of fast horses and colts training. We play ball and football there, too. Boots are no good. I know they won't stand water. I got my feet wet last night on the pavement. Hobnails weaken the soles.
Clarence
P.S. The people here use us grand, that is the older church people. They sent us pie and cake for supper three different times and that is all we ate. Then they came up and darned our socks for us on Thursday night. They put me in mind of Mrs. Nalder. We would get more, only when the 23-24 Batteries were here it was such a chore and every one felt so bad about it they did everything they could for them and the novelty wore off, so we only have a few of the steady ones to do for us. The churches here are fine. The talk here is that we must be out of this place by May 15. The N.C.O's think we will go direct to England. I want to go home sometime in May in case we should go across. I would like to see you all before I go.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Received your letter O.K. with instructions about my money, but it is too late. Wes signed the pay sheet the other day and Ada had told me what Mr. Russell said about my money, so I changed my assigned pay from your name to hers on our major's advice. This will take effect this month and we expect our money between May 1 - 5, so she should get this at the same time. Then the government takes a hand and says a man must send half his pay to his beneficiary and that would be her.
The separation allowance of $20.00 should be paid in about five weeks from the time I came here, so the Sergt.-Major told me. It is stormy here - snow, hail, rain, and we have had two days off.
They never found that boy, supposed to have been drowned. Some of the people are cleaning up their gardens here but no planting yet. I paid A. Mathewson all we owed him long ago.
I have all of my uniform now except gloves, waist cartridge belt and spurs, that is all I know of. Our uniform consists of two suits underclothes, two pair socks, 1 pr. boots, 1 pr. rubbers, 1 pr. puttees, 2 top shirts (grey), 1 toque cap, 1 sweater coat, 1 fatigue shirt and pants, 1 tunic, 1 pr. riding breeches, 1 great coat, 1 dress cap, 1 bandolier, 1 kitbag, razon, s. brush, knife & fork, spoon, boot grease, 2 towels, comb & brush, 1 pr. mittens. That's all I can think of except badges: Maple Leaf on cap, Canada on shoulder straps and Maple Leaf on coat collar. Our drill is mostly marching around the parade ground in different formation and some physical training, semaphore (signaling with the arms), lessons in knotting and lashing, gun sighting, and laying (we have a dozen guns (12 pndrs.) and wagons here). Then we have lectures on gunnery by the lieutenants. Then the battery manouvres (at first with the guns but they were too heavy so we tie two sheets to a rope five ft. apart and four men represent horses so we can learn all right). We have had two route marches. I used to get tired at first because I was not used to walking so much, but now I feel fine.
Our battery consists of four 15 pndr. guns. They are the best light guns in the world. They always move on at trot, never walk except in case of fatigue or very rough. We won't get our guns this side of England and as none of us every worked on one we will have a lot to learn yet, and more to do when we get our horses, etc. Artillery is a combination of every other branch of the service apart from the guns, except the navy, so we will have a pile to learn. Our parade ground is about 150 ft sq on one side of the main building and three times as large on the other side where the horses are and small pieces of ground scattered all around between numberless sheds, stalls and offices. We have about 60 men of the 55th Infantry here and they only use less than half of the large building. Next to us is a fine large trotting park and we see a number of fast horses and colts training. We play ball and football there, too. Boots are no good. I know they won't stand water. I got my feet wet last night on the pavement. Hobnails weaken the soles.
Clarence
P.S. The people here use us grand, that is the older church people. They sent us pie and cake for supper three different times and that is all we ate. Then they came up and darned our socks for us on Thursday night. They put me in mind of Mrs. Nalder. We would get more, only when the 23-24 Batteries were here it was such a chore and every one felt so bad about it they did everything they could for them and the novelty wore off, so we only have a few of the steady ones to do for us. The churches here are fine. The talk here is that we must be out of this place by May 15. The N.C.O's think we will go direct to England. I want to go home sometime in May in case we should go across. I would like to see you all before I go.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
April 18, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father,
Only a few lines to let you know I am quite well now. Enclosed you will find an express order for $25.00 and will send more the last of the month. You see Dr. Martell and J.A. Russell and find out who I can send this money to in future and what has to be done to use it as I said. Before I came here quite a while I gave W. Card my note but he could not use it without a good name, so thought he had destroyed it. But he has sent me his bill with the note credited (enclosed). Now I do not know whether this note is in the bank or not.
The Battery is going to search for a lost child this afternoon and as time is short, I will close.
Clarence
P.S. The Sergt.-Major told me it would take about five weeks for Ada to get her government allowance from the time I came here. I am telling her.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Only a few lines to let you know I am quite well now. Enclosed you will find an express order for $25.00 and will send more the last of the month. You see Dr. Martell and J.A. Russell and find out who I can send this money to in future and what has to be done to use it as I said. Before I came here quite a while I gave W. Card my note but he could not use it without a good name, so thought he had destroyed it. But he has sent me his bill with the note credited (enclosed). Now I do not know whether this note is in the bank or not.
The Battery is going to search for a lost child this afternoon and as time is short, I will close.
Clarence
P.S. The Sergt.-Major told me it would take about five weeks for Ada to get her government allowance from the time I came here. I am telling her.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
April 11, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Father:
Only a short one. Had you not better see D.W. MacLean and get John's address from him, then write stating the case re F.Drake. Ada will only get her P. money from Mr. Russell and will get her S.A. from the Govt. direct. On March 31 she got $13.87. I signed on Mar. 6 and this is correct if they figure 30 days to the month. She should soon get her S.A. now.
We are regarded as part of the 2nd Contingent, I believe, and when I signed on I requested $25.00 of my wages to go to you. The major was doubtful about it but said he would try it. Since that, Ada wrote me saying Mr. Russell (I presume) said I would have to send my wages to her to bank; then I saw the major, he said for me to come in when he was not busy and we would change the card to her name and in that case you will have to use your Power of Attorney and draw from the bank when she deposits.
We had a pay day last Tuesday but I was inoculated that morning and went to the Armouries for clothes in the afternoon. Was taken sick about 5 and went to bed. The major took sick next day and went to the hospital and has not come back yet. (See Lela's card.) So I have not got my money yet but expect it any day and need it soon, too. We have to get all our clothes altered so they will fit and have to pay ourselves (mostly shortening sleeves). I have a bad cold in my head from sleeping in this barn of a place but feel great outside of that. I drank the green tea they give us at first and suspect there is saltpeter in it. Anyway, it nearly ruined my kidney before I found out what was doing it. Well, the inoculation settled there and I hardly dare move for four days now. I buy a glass of milk at the canteen and am feeling fine. After meals I take a kidney pill. I feel very sorry about that mare but you can make it right with Victor. I guess my job will last long enough.
I get the papers all right and am mighty glad to.
The drill has increased, so we do not have much time to get lazy now.
I will send you $20.00 this month, I guess I will need the balance. They stop back $10 for clothes for six months, so I will get $26.60 more again.
Clarence
P.S. Have a talk with Rev. Mr. Martell about that money when you get a chance.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Only a short one. Had you not better see D.W. MacLean and get John's address from him, then write stating the case re F.Drake. Ada will only get her P. money from Mr. Russell and will get her S.A. from the Govt. direct. On March 31 she got $13.87. I signed on Mar. 6 and this is correct if they figure 30 days to the month. She should soon get her S.A. now.
We are regarded as part of the 2nd Contingent, I believe, and when I signed on I requested $25.00 of my wages to go to you. The major was doubtful about it but said he would try it. Since that, Ada wrote me saying Mr. Russell (I presume) said I would have to send my wages to her to bank; then I saw the major, he said for me to come in when he was not busy and we would change the card to her name and in that case you will have to use your Power of Attorney and draw from the bank when she deposits.
We had a pay day last Tuesday but I was inoculated that morning and went to the Armouries for clothes in the afternoon. Was taken sick about 5 and went to bed. The major took sick next day and went to the hospital and has not come back yet. (See Lela's card.) So I have not got my money yet but expect it any day and need it soon, too. We have to get all our clothes altered so they will fit and have to pay ourselves (mostly shortening sleeves). I have a bad cold in my head from sleeping in this barn of a place but feel great outside of that. I drank the green tea they give us at first and suspect there is saltpeter in it. Anyway, it nearly ruined my kidney before I found out what was doing it. Well, the inoculation settled there and I hardly dare move for four days now. I buy a glass of milk at the canteen and am feeling fine. After meals I take a kidney pill. I feel very sorry about that mare but you can make it right with Victor. I guess my job will last long enough.
I get the papers all right and am mighty glad to.
The drill has increased, so we do not have much time to get lazy now.
I will send you $20.00 this month, I guess I will need the balance. They stop back $10 for clothes for six months, so I will get $26.60 more again.
Clarence
P.S. Have a talk with Rev. Mr. Martell about that money when you get a chance.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
A New Way of Life - March 28, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear F. & M.
We arrived here safely Tuesday night about 8 o'clock after changing cars at Digby for the Boat, then at St. John for F. Junction and at the Junction for this Town.
This is a very pretty place in summer but dull now. It seems like a wealthy man's city, there is not enough stores and factories in proportion to the fine homes. There seems to be quite a lot of building going on, but do not see any crowds going about shopping, although the stores are fixed up fine.
The streets and sidewalks all seem old, being wavy and broken, and the only men I have seen working on them or signs of repair was an old man picking up paper on a pointed cane.
On the arrival of our train, Capt. McDonald met us and brought us to the Exhibition Building where they will keep us as they had the 23-24 Batteries. It is a large building and the part we are quartered in is about as large as the drill hall home. When war broke out, they built bunks two tiers high and four lines long.
The night they arrived they gave us three large blankets each and were going to leave us for the night but we kicked so they took us down to Lindsary Lunch Rooms and we had a good supper, then back to bed.
Three blankets but hard boards, oh! so hard. However, we each got a tick next day about six feet long and three ft. wide, but first I went poking around and found a bout a dozen mattresses like ours home which I used one of for a couple of days. But they were damp and might be diseased, so I took it back and now used my little tick.
Beach and I bunk together and keep each other warm, for, mind you, it has been cold for a couple of days back. Wind blowing, I suppose, fifty miles per hour laden with frost and snow which some wind finds its way in around the windows. We are right under one, on top bunk, but there is no room in the lower ones for clothes or standing room. Last night, we spread our two ticks side by side then threw one blanket over them and hung one over the window where I mean to leave it, so we had four over us.
The grub has been awful, not enough and very poor at that. However, the last three days it has been improving until today it was great. Meals - for breakfast: tablespoonful baked beans, small piece bacon, two slices bread and mug of coffee. Dinner: roasted or baked beef, two potatoes, two slices bread, two carrots or two slices turnip and cup of tea. Supper: two slices bread, fried bacon, jam, cup of tea. All in very small quantities, but if we have not enough we can go back for more if there is any left after everyone has been served.
We get no milk or luxuries of any kind and Thursday night they gave us a piece of cheese which the maggots had gone through but would not stay in and during supper the the cook was pasted with cheese for sports. (We have four cooks) and about 170 men, although they only need 151 for the battery. Likely they will transfer some somewhere else. We rise at 6 o'clock; a man roars through like a bull, and if we don't get up the Sergt.-Major comes along and pulls us out. We get up, half dress and race downstairs for a cold wash with only half enough clothes on, although we have to go outdoors and down a flight of stairs to get there. Wash and come back to our bunks, finish dressing and fold over ticks and blankets, then at 7 o'clock fall in for roll call and one hour's drill. Breakfast at 8 o'clock then nothing till dinner and nothing till supper 5:30 when we may go downtown till 10 o'clock and lights out at 10:10 o'clock.
We are only allowed out between supper and 10:00 o'clock p.m. There is nothing to see except the pictures and twice per week is plenty for that. There are three picture houses here: Gem, Unique and Gaiety. The Unique had great pictures and the Nelson Trio last week. They are dancers and acrobats - two men and girl and they were pronounced the best ever by the men here.
The men here are mostly clean and good fellows but there are some toughs and bums but there are generally a lighthearted lot, without much kicking. Some of the men have got some of their clothes, none have them all yet because they are not here or else they have not the sizes. As soon as I can, I will send my clothes home but as yet I have not got a thing from the Government. I may want that bag awhile because you dare not lay a thing down. One chap hung a military coat in the dining room and when he went to get it, it was gone. Another lost his puttees from the bunk, so my things would not last five minutes when I was away from my bunk. Few have any toilet articles at all. I had a great shave and wash this a.m. and when I get my change of clothes am going to the YMCA for a good bath. I will tell you about our clothes when I get all of mine. As yet, I have none at all. We fell in with eight Digby men coming over and one (Peck) is a dandy barber so has to work a lot free gratis.
I will be glad when we start drill as I get tired laying around my bunk all day, but the officers are busy swearing the men in and only got through having them examined. They marched about 30 down to the Military Hospital each day in two squads till done. I do not know how many were refused as there are so many yarns about, but I think I passed all right. I was sworn in last night and the major said he had not the doctor's report on me as yet.
I don't expect any money till the end of the month and he seemed doubtful about me sending money to you when I had a wife, but he sent the card in that way for a trial so I will know about it later. Anyway, it will go to Windsor. He said the Government pays its separation allowance direct instead of through the Patriotic Committee as Dr. Martell said. I directed the twenty-five to you as per agreement.
The Ammunition Column have quarters in the regular barracks and are leaving soon but we do not expect to get in there because the 23-24 batteries were in this place till they went to England. They were here in December and January when very cold and there was no heat so one chap froze his ears in bed. But since that they have put in a furnace and some steam pipe which warm the place some. There are about 90 horses which the other men look after from the barracks. There is a Notting Park here where they exercise the horses and the stables run between it and these grounds like a fence cut up into box stalls each with a double door so you can open the top for air but still keep the horse in. These are being fatted for England and will leave soon.
We get no drill with horses in the country at all, only hand and foot drill. We have what is called a fatigue party here each day of 12 men who do the dishes and sweeping and I served on that party today. We also have a guard of four men and a corporal which is changed every 24 hours. Each man has two hours on and six off with a dandy little shack and stove with lots to eat and beds to sleep in. But each man must tramp up and down when it is his turn on, day and night, rain or shine. The sanitary conditions are excellent; good latrines, incinerator and a man to take swill each day. A great chance to keep pigs. Our officers are gentlemen Major Crocker, Capt. McDonald, Lieut. Harding, Sergt. Major Bates and one other coming, I hear. No non.-coms. have been appointed yet, although two or three stiffs expect office and are sucking around but don't say much to the men because all they get is sauce.
Several have been taken to hospital and some have come back, nothing serious, colds mostly. Arthur Smith was ruptured long ago but I think they are going to pass him after finding out he was never sick.
The Public Buildings are nice and I will send some cards later. Our crowd is the worst in the bunch to carry on, so there is nothing dull, can hardly get a chance to write. There are about 25 guns here (18 pounders, I think) which we will drag about by hand for drill.
We only use the small part of this building and have to go down to the armouries in the town (when we go) for clothes. The livery stables here are only small shacks in alleys and backyards, although there are many fine private houses here. Let me know about that colt home when you write.
The officers run a canteen here where we can buy milk, pie, drink, tobacco, etc., but I don't spend any money there. I think a little milk in our tea would be better than the sugar they put in. They cook in large boilers that takes two men to lift when filled. There are four dandy ranges made on purpose for this sort of thing, I guess - low, long, and wide with a large oven and tank. We have ten sinks, I think, in a row and if we want hot water we take cold and go into the furnace room and turn the steam into it.
W have had no scraps nor trouble of any kind. There are some awfully stupid fellows here who will be put into an awkward squad, I hope, because they spoil all the others. They won't pay attention at all but when they start to drill in earnest that will have to stop. This is supposed to be a dry town, but you know how to get liquor in a dozen places if you have no uniform.
Perhaps Aunt Alice would like to see this letter. I could not write it again, too much work. I wrote Ada, but not one like this. So let her have it too. Sunday is the best chance to write here, although not much better than any other day. We have two or three South Africa Veterans here.
My clothes are awfully baggy looking from laying around in them, so I hope to get my uniform soon. The water was very calm coming over so none of us were sick. Mr. Doering gave us each $1.00 the day we left instead of a supper and I have hardly spent that yet. Sometimes an orange or tobacco or pictures is all. I am going to get along in the grub they give us and buy nothing in the food line. We all feel fine and go to each meal with a good appetitie and a large scramble to get served first. A man needs physic once in a while on this food, though.
Well, I have told you all I can think about, so do not know what I will write about next time. Perhaps something will turn up. I would be glad to hear from any of you as often as you like but do not expect much from me because I do not like that job much.
Yours with love, Clarence
C.A. McCann
28 Field Battery
Fredericton, N.B.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
We arrived here safely Tuesday night about 8 o'clock after changing cars at Digby for the Boat, then at St. John for F. Junction and at the Junction for this Town.
This is a very pretty place in summer but dull now. It seems like a wealthy man's city, there is not enough stores and factories in proportion to the fine homes. There seems to be quite a lot of building going on, but do not see any crowds going about shopping, although the stores are fixed up fine.
The streets and sidewalks all seem old, being wavy and broken, and the only men I have seen working on them or signs of repair was an old man picking up paper on a pointed cane.
On the arrival of our train, Capt. McDonald met us and brought us to the Exhibition Building where they will keep us as they had the 23-24 Batteries. It is a large building and the part we are quartered in is about as large as the drill hall home. When war broke out, they built bunks two tiers high and four lines long.
The night they arrived they gave us three large blankets each and were going to leave us for the night but we kicked so they took us down to Lindsary Lunch Rooms and we had a good supper, then back to bed.
Three blankets but hard boards, oh! so hard. However, we each got a tick next day about six feet long and three ft. wide, but first I went poking around and found a bout a dozen mattresses like ours home which I used one of for a couple of days. But they were damp and might be diseased, so I took it back and now used my little tick.
Beach and I bunk together and keep each other warm, for, mind you, it has been cold for a couple of days back. Wind blowing, I suppose, fifty miles per hour laden with frost and snow which some wind finds its way in around the windows. We are right under one, on top bunk, but there is no room in the lower ones for clothes or standing room. Last night, we spread our two ticks side by side then threw one blanket over them and hung one over the window where I mean to leave it, so we had four over us.
The grub has been awful, not enough and very poor at that. However, the last three days it has been improving until today it was great. Meals - for breakfast: tablespoonful baked beans, small piece bacon, two slices bread and mug of coffee. Dinner: roasted or baked beef, two potatoes, two slices bread, two carrots or two slices turnip and cup of tea. Supper: two slices bread, fried bacon, jam, cup of tea. All in very small quantities, but if we have not enough we can go back for more if there is any left after everyone has been served.
We get no milk or luxuries of any kind and Thursday night they gave us a piece of cheese which the maggots had gone through but would not stay in and during supper the the cook was pasted with cheese for sports. (We have four cooks) and about 170 men, although they only need 151 for the battery. Likely they will transfer some somewhere else. We rise at 6 o'clock; a man roars through like a bull, and if we don't get up the Sergt.-Major comes along and pulls us out. We get up, half dress and race downstairs for a cold wash with only half enough clothes on, although we have to go outdoors and down a flight of stairs to get there. Wash and come back to our bunks, finish dressing and fold over ticks and blankets, then at 7 o'clock fall in for roll call and one hour's drill. Breakfast at 8 o'clock then nothing till dinner and nothing till supper 5:30 when we may go downtown till 10 o'clock and lights out at 10:10 o'clock.
We are only allowed out between supper and 10:00 o'clock p.m. There is nothing to see except the pictures and twice per week is plenty for that. There are three picture houses here: Gem, Unique and Gaiety. The Unique had great pictures and the Nelson Trio last week. They are dancers and acrobats - two men and girl and they were pronounced the best ever by the men here.
The men here are mostly clean and good fellows but there are some toughs and bums but there are generally a lighthearted lot, without much kicking. Some of the men have got some of their clothes, none have them all yet because they are not here or else they have not the sizes. As soon as I can, I will send my clothes home but as yet I have not got a thing from the Government. I may want that bag awhile because you dare not lay a thing down. One chap hung a military coat in the dining room and when he went to get it, it was gone. Another lost his puttees from the bunk, so my things would not last five minutes when I was away from my bunk. Few have any toilet articles at all. I had a great shave and wash this a.m. and when I get my change of clothes am going to the YMCA for a good bath. I will tell you about our clothes when I get all of mine. As yet, I have none at all. We fell in with eight Digby men coming over and one (Peck) is a dandy barber so has to work a lot free gratis.
I will be glad when we start drill as I get tired laying around my bunk all day, but the officers are busy swearing the men in and only got through having them examined. They marched about 30 down to the Military Hospital each day in two squads till done. I do not know how many were refused as there are so many yarns about, but I think I passed all right. I was sworn in last night and the major said he had not the doctor's report on me as yet.
I don't expect any money till the end of the month and he seemed doubtful about me sending money to you when I had a wife, but he sent the card in that way for a trial so I will know about it later. Anyway, it will go to Windsor. He said the Government pays its separation allowance direct instead of through the Patriotic Committee as Dr. Martell said. I directed the twenty-five to you as per agreement.
The Ammunition Column have quarters in the regular barracks and are leaving soon but we do not expect to get in there because the 23-24 batteries were in this place till they went to England. They were here in December and January when very cold and there was no heat so one chap froze his ears in bed. But since that they have put in a furnace and some steam pipe which warm the place some. There are about 90 horses which the other men look after from the barracks. There is a Notting Park here where they exercise the horses and the stables run between it and these grounds like a fence cut up into box stalls each with a double door so you can open the top for air but still keep the horse in. These are being fatted for England and will leave soon.
We get no drill with horses in the country at all, only hand and foot drill. We have what is called a fatigue party here each day of 12 men who do the dishes and sweeping and I served on that party today. We also have a guard of four men and a corporal which is changed every 24 hours. Each man has two hours on and six off with a dandy little shack and stove with lots to eat and beds to sleep in. But each man must tramp up and down when it is his turn on, day and night, rain or shine. The sanitary conditions are excellent; good latrines, incinerator and a man to take swill each day. A great chance to keep pigs. Our officers are gentlemen Major Crocker, Capt. McDonald, Lieut. Harding, Sergt. Major Bates and one other coming, I hear. No non.-coms. have been appointed yet, although two or three stiffs expect office and are sucking around but don't say much to the men because all they get is sauce.
Several have been taken to hospital and some have come back, nothing serious, colds mostly. Arthur Smith was ruptured long ago but I think they are going to pass him after finding out he was never sick.
The Public Buildings are nice and I will send some cards later. Our crowd is the worst in the bunch to carry on, so there is nothing dull, can hardly get a chance to write. There are about 25 guns here (18 pounders, I think) which we will drag about by hand for drill.
We only use the small part of this building and have to go down to the armouries in the town (when we go) for clothes. The livery stables here are only small shacks in alleys and backyards, although there are many fine private houses here. Let me know about that colt home when you write.
The officers run a canteen here where we can buy milk, pie, drink, tobacco, etc., but I don't spend any money there. I think a little milk in our tea would be better than the sugar they put in. They cook in large boilers that takes two men to lift when filled. There are four dandy ranges made on purpose for this sort of thing, I guess - low, long, and wide with a large oven and tank. We have ten sinks, I think, in a row and if we want hot water we take cold and go into the furnace room and turn the steam into it.
W have had no scraps nor trouble of any kind. There are some awfully stupid fellows here who will be put into an awkward squad, I hope, because they spoil all the others. They won't pay attention at all but when they start to drill in earnest that will have to stop. This is supposed to be a dry town, but you know how to get liquor in a dozen places if you have no uniform.
Perhaps Aunt Alice would like to see this letter. I could not write it again, too much work. I wrote Ada, but not one like this. So let her have it too. Sunday is the best chance to write here, although not much better than any other day. We have two or three South Africa Veterans here.
My clothes are awfully baggy looking from laying around in them, so I hope to get my uniform soon. The water was very calm coming over so none of us were sick. Mr. Doering gave us each $1.00 the day we left instead of a supper and I have hardly spent that yet. Sometimes an orange or tobacco or pictures is all. I am going to get along in the grub they give us and buy nothing in the food line. We all feel fine and go to each meal with a good appetitie and a large scramble to get served first. A man needs physic once in a while on this food, though.
Well, I have told you all I can think about, so do not know what I will write about next time. Perhaps something will turn up. I would be glad to hear from any of you as often as you like but do not expect much from me because I do not like that job much.
Yours with love, Clarence
C.A. McCann
28 Field Battery
Fredericton, N.B.
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
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