10 Sep 1918
Dearest mother:
I had quite a trip to play the winners of
the other league. I was not in the best of condition due to a cold wet day with
a heavy gale blowing. Rain put an end to the game in the fifth inning, losing
my first game of the year. Everybody had an off day. Still we have a chance for
a championship. If we won that game would have had special leave to Paris with
a little spending money to help along.
Made the trip down in a motor lorry. A
tiresome but interesting trip as this was the first time most of the team had
been thru this part of the country. Imagine a trip from Portland to Astoria in
a lorry on dusty roads. Give them their due on the average they are better than
most of ours.
After the game the major brought me back in
his car. We went to see the wonderful cathedral in the city often mentioned this
last summer. [Amiens, France] Certainly is a great piece of work, outside as well as inside. Most
of the statues are covered over with sand bags for protection against the
German shell fire. Still one can get an impression of the solemn beauty. Very
little damage done. Also visited the grave of Germany's
greatest flying ace.
The rest of the ball team has not put in
appearance yet. Wet weather must made them take their time.
I had a long letter from Lola Reinan who is
a great friend of Alex's. She wrote about calling on you while at the beach.
The weather has been wet and cold so have
stayed in the hut reading the last two days. The Red Book came thru. It is
quite a magazine now.
I hope this finds you all well and happy.
It will not be long before winter sets in
again.
With fond love to you, dearest mother and
father.
Lovingly,
Errol
14 Oct 1918
Dearest mother:
I started to write you last night but was
interrupted so many times had to give it up.
I really like my new position first rated
altho have to work at night sometimes getting out tedious reports. Have good
quarters and only have to go from one room to the other to get to work. Believe
me, it is much better than being out working in all the mud, and the cold
weather is coming soon.
Everyday brings news of a new advance by
the Allies. Puts everyone on edge and they are doing their work with great
enthusiasm. Not in a position to see anything going on so have to get the news
thru the paper even in the same sector.
A great many think peace is not far off. All
I can say is I hope their predictions prove true. It is always best to make a
good job of anything you undertake.
Someone has to be around the office at night
so I spend most of my evenings reading. Of course, there is a nearby town which
is fastly filling up with the returned population, but otherwise there is
nowhere to go. Generally a stroll after dinner if it is not raining is the extent
of my evening's excitement. A very quiet life for a soldier, don't you think?
Glad to hear that father is well. This
climate would never do him.
I may get a leave around Xmas time and
expect will need something to carry me thru. Will wire.
Things are high priced here alright. Eggs
ten cents apiece raw. I paid two francs which is about forty cents for a can of
Carnation Milk. Peaches and apricots in can not be had for less than sixty
cents.
We are feeding better than the average but
one relishes a little luxury now and then.
With love to you and father, Always, Errol
17 Oct 1918
Mother dear:
Your letter of Sept 12th came in just as I
had started the other letter on its way so held it up until I could
answer.
I wish I could be back with you. I think
you are working more than you should.
Take good care of yourself.
I'll bet the old place will look the same. I
suppose Lelia put in a war time garden.
Hope Guy does not come up. One is enough. Be
sure and give my best regards to Lelia, Guy, and the boys when you see them or
write.
There is not very much to write about. I
don't get many thrills or experiences back here. I am satisfied I had a good
fling at it.
Tell father I'll be able to give him a
hand. Have learnt how to be a useful worker at most anything.
Well it is time to retire or else build up another
fire in the fireplace. Pretty soft when you have a fireplace in your bedroom.
It was made for looks. Most of the heat goes up.
Lovingly, Errol
[The change came in September 1918 when the
Canadians began to advance once again. On September 23rd they were back in
Elverdinghe preparing lines for the big push toward Menin and Roulers. On
October 1st they moved to Hell Fire Corner, on the Menin Road, East of Ypres. However,
Errol was attached to Headquarters Co. and was in Poperinghe at this time, as
he indicates in the above letter. The photos below show two of the many
postcards depicting Poperinghe, Belgium which Errol brought home with him.]
Active Service
Canadian YMCA
30 Oct 1918
My dear Mother:
In answer to your letter of Sept 22nd,
I have received the papers and magazines regularly for which I am always
thankful. You know, really I read one every night just like being there and can
keep up with all that is going on from day to day.
You are very kind to me, dear mother.
Still have my good job and will be
satisfied if it lasts for the duration.
Have seen some of the refugees who have
suffered from the lack of proper nourishing food. One can tell by looking at
from what side of the line they come.
Everything was very high and it was
impossible to obtain sufficient eatables.
Met some of the boys from Portland who were
in the first draft. Did not run across any that I knew altho one claimed he
knew me.
I am sending a helmet and a couple of
photos of the ball team. Put the date of arrival on the helmet so I'll know
where it came from later.
Living good again in very comfortable
quarters. Not sure whether I told you before or not.
With love to you all and hoping this will
find you as well as it leaves me, I am,
Lovingly, Errol
Comments
Post a Comment