Somewhere in England [Witley Camp]
18 Feb 1917
Dear Mother:
I have had another attack of tonsillitis
but expect to be up and at work about the middle of the week. Going to get down
to business tomorrow. Warmer lately with an occasional shower. Seems like
Oregon when you can hear the rain patter on the roof. Nothing certain about
leave as yet. Still awaiting. Address mail with battalion number until further
advise.
I sent downtown and got a nice beefsteak
for to-day and my chum groiled (sic) it over the fire. Went good after not
eating for several days. Have coca most every day, although is not in the
ration.
In an army you will find many who will give
you the shirt off their back. Our company is the richest. Several have a few
hundred and couple range in the thousands to spend when they get on leave.
I hope the mail will come through regular
again. I write every Sunday. The papers are sure welcome and go around the
whole camp.
Hoping you are all well, I remain with love,
Errol
Sunday
4 Mar 1917
Dearest mother:
Another week of training through. Sunday is
a welcome day. Some of the boys are going on leave but will not get mine until
after I have finished musketry.
Took a little walk out yesterday afternoon
to a movie in the town. Some of these places are sure making money off the
Canadian soldiers.
Still doubtful whether the U.S. will come
in according to our latest reports. Perhaps I might miss a letter from you. The
Laconia which was sunk had
considerable mail from the States.
I wish you would find out about my lodge
dues and straighten them up.
Everything seems up in the air over in the
States. Hope things get fixed up.
This country is losing many men from the
war but their places will be filled in twenty years or so judging from the
number of the matrimonial fruit baskets the women are pushing around.
Expect to take a walk out to-day and see a
little of the country I have not visited yet.
Love to you and father. Your son,
Errol
[Errol was correct about the mail on the Laconia; 1300
sacks of mail scheduled to be shipped on the St. Louis were in the
Cunard liner's hold. The sinking of the Laconia by a German submarine
without warning announced to the world that the Germans meant what they said on
January 31, 1917, about resuming unrestricted submarine warfare. Following the sinking of two American
freighters, the Housatonic and Lyman R. Law, earlier in the
month, American papers labeled the sinking of the Laconia an overt act
which President Wilson had proclaimed would cause him to request an American
declaration of war. These sinkings and the publishing in the United States of
the "Zimmerman Telegram," which offered a German alliance with Mexico
and advised Mexico to attack the United States, helped to sway U.S. public
opinion away from neutrality, and the United States declared war on Germany on
April 2, 1917.]
Somewhere in England [Witley Camp]
Sunday
11 Mar 1917
Dear mother:
Just finished a fifteen mile hike in full
marching order. Going through musketry course.
Came very near going to a draft Friday. I
volunteered but the draft was stopped after the men were picked out on parade. The
men are picked, but the N.C.O. have to revert to the rank before going in a
draft and have the privilege of doing what they like.
It rained on the way down to-day and made
the march unpleasant, but made the trip without getting sore feet.
Rather pretty country we passed through.
Some fine big homes or manors. I took a peep at London last week for a very
short time. There is a vast difference between Portland and London and it is
possible to get lost. Taxi cabs are cheap and a penny on the bus or in the tube
takes one for a way.
Received your papers of Jan. 21st. Thanks,
all the boys enjoyed them. Many have spent some time in Oregon.
I have not received any letter with money. Be
sure and register any time you send money. I am getting along very nicely as I
made a little winning in the game the other night.
Lots of love to you and father. I am
Sincerely, Errol
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