August 4, 1915

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

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