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
Showing posts with label Mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mother. Show all posts
Sunday, March 27, 2011
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.
Monday, November 1, 2010
June 1, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Mother,
Now I got to hurry because it's nearly suppertime and I am on fatigue today. We are still here although there are rumors in the air of us going to Sussex right away. Some say the cars are at the station now. I enclose a clipping of the talk the inspecting officer had with the Gleaner regarding us as a Battery.
I hope John Currie has not been killed though it may be so. Its just as liable to be him as anyone. Still, there may be a mistake like Arthur Warr's case.
Now I can't think of much to say, so if you want to know anything just ask me. I am perfectly well, never felt better that I know of. I think I will try to come home about the middle of this month if nothing prevents.
I must lay in some more writing material for I had to borrow this paper. You will have to see each others' letters to get all the news because I hate like the deuce to write letters. I don't think I wrote half a dozen in the last three years, but I will do the best I can and your letters will always be welcome. They keep me in touch with home.
You have two pairs of socks that I sent home. Please fix them up and send them to me by P.Post. We are only issued with two pairs every six months and wearing them in rough boots they don't last long. The toes are all gone out of mine now and have been for six weeks.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Now I got to hurry because it's nearly suppertime and I am on fatigue today. We are still here although there are rumors in the air of us going to Sussex right away. Some say the cars are at the station now. I enclose a clipping of the talk the inspecting officer had with the Gleaner regarding us as a Battery.
I hope John Currie has not been killed though it may be so. Its just as liable to be him as anyone. Still, there may be a mistake like Arthur Warr's case.
Now I can't think of much to say, so if you want to know anything just ask me. I am perfectly well, never felt better that I know of. I think I will try to come home about the middle of this month if nothing prevents.
I must lay in some more writing material for I had to borrow this paper. You will have to see each others' letters to get all the news because I hate like the deuce to write letters. I don't think I wrote half a dozen in the last three years, but I will do the best I can and your letters will always be welcome. They keep me in touch with home.
You have two pairs of socks that I sent home. Please fix them up and send them to me by P.Post. We are only issued with two pairs every six months and wearing them in rough boots they don't last long. The toes are all gone out of mine now and have been for six weeks.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
May 9, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Mother,
Don't talk about Windsor, this place catches all the water from the sky. I guess it has rained for a week and the last three days came out fine and clear but hotter than August. Everyone was wringing wet when drilling. There is no difference in the weather between here and there.
Jim Redden likely deserted; three have from here. I would like to be home but still I don't get time to be lonesome here. If we are not working, someone starts to carry on a roughhouse.
We have lots of magazines from the ladies of the town. I am perfectly well and expect to be vaccinated tomorrrow. They will soon have me shot full of dope.
More again, Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Don't talk about Windsor, this place catches all the water from the sky. I guess it has rained for a week and the last three days came out fine and clear but hotter than August. Everyone was wringing wet when drilling. There is no difference in the weather between here and there.
Jim Redden likely deserted; three have from here. I would like to be home but still I don't get time to be lonesome here. If we are not working, someone starts to carry on a roughhouse.
We have lots of magazines from the ladies of the town. I am perfectly well and expect to be vaccinated tomorrrow. They will soon have me shot full of dope.
More again, Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Monday, October 25, 2010
May 1, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Mother,
Only a line or two to let you know I'm well. It is very dirty and we have the day off. It is not much good to try to write here, a regular roughhouse all the time, but I am managing this. See father's letter for more news. I can't write all that over again as you know I don't like to write much.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Only a line or two to let you know I'm well. It is very dirty and we have the day off. It is not much good to try to write here, a regular roughhouse all the time, but I am managing this. See father's letter for more news. I can't write all that over again as you know I don't like to write much.
Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
April 18, 1915 - Fredericton
Dear Mother,
Just a few lines to let you know I am fine as a fiddle now. I was inoculated again Friday but never felt it at all this time. I am living as good a life as can be expected of anyone under these conditions. You get a boot on the head about the time you think everyone is settled for the night. I do not know who hurt that colt. It is hard luck but cannot be helped now. We have a fine church parade every Sunday morning, presenting a very fine appearance.
I cannot write anymore this time because I have a couple of others to write and in about half an hour the Battery is going on parade, having volunteered to search in the woods for an eight-year-old boy who is lost since yesterday. So I will give you more next time I write.
Your letters are always welcome.
With love, from Clarence
© Copyright 2010 Pamela Wile. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction without permission.
Just a few lines to let you know I am fine as a fiddle now. I was inoculated again Friday but never felt it at all this time. I am living as good a life as can be expected of anyone under these conditions. You get a boot on the head about the time you think everyone is settled for the night. I do not know who hurt that colt. It is hard luck but cannot be helped now. We have a fine church parade every Sunday morning, presenting a very fine appearance.
I cannot write anymore this time because I have a couple of others to write and in about half an hour the Battery is going on parade, having volunteered to search in the woods for an eight-year-old boy who is lost since yesterday. So I will give you more next time I write.
Your letters are always welcome.
With love, from Clarence
© 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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