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

June 14, 1915 - Bay of Fundy

Dear People,

I am writing this 30 miles from St. John in case we stop at Halifax, then I can mail it.  Of course, we may not stop at all and no one can find out.  I can only see about 100 yards from the ship on account of the fog.  The transport we are on is the Herschel, some foreign boat, I think, by the lingo over the doors.  This is manned by English seamen, about 100 ft. long and as homely as the deuce.  She was formerly a fruit steamer and has been in Glasgow fitting up on purpose for this trip.  We came from Fredericton on Saturday morning and the people gave us a great sendoff as well as a big lunch for each man, donated by the ladies.

We got on board this tub about 12 o'clock noon same day and had the afternoon and evening as well as Sunday ashore.  We were in West St. John and had to ferry across to the city.  The Ammunition Column came to St. John with us and, with the 26th Battalion, sailed on the Caledonia, a regular transport, Sunday at noon.  We expect to cross together when we catch them.  They go to Halifax to get the heavy artillery, but I don't know whether we put in or not.  There is an escort waiting for us somewhere, probably Sydney.  It will take us 12 - 14 days and we will likely land in France, because we have 460 horses on board and all the horses have gone to France so far.  We unloaded the horses this morning (stated at 6 o'clock) from the cars and were two hours.  I tell you those horses moved mighty fast.

We have on board the C.P./P. Construction Corps which, with our 42 and officer and crew, make about 700 men.  The C.P.R. men loaded the horses between 9 - 12 and we have to tend them across - just feed and water.  We eat 16 men to a table and sleep in hammocks.  This old tub sets so high, I know she will roll.  Then I'll bet we will be sick.

As soon as I know it I will send you my address.  We left St. John at 3 o'clock today and are making only eight knots.  The people of St. John gave us a royal sendoff and the Ammunition Column and the 26th got the same.  There were many sad partings.  Conditions here won't let me write any longer.  So goodbye till next time.

Clarence

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