[The above shows two more items which Errol sent home to his family. I believe these are two ornamental German Calvary Badges from Beyern. These badges would have been on the front of German Pickelhauben (spiked helmets).]
16 Jun 1918
Dear mother:
Your letter and several bundles of papers
arrived at the night time. I was in bed last week at our camp hospital with the
new fever and they made the time pass quicker. I am alright but a little weak.
I am attached to headquarters for the
purpose of playing ball. At present that is all I have to do. I won my first
game. We had a game yesterday but I could not play. Several Canadian nurses
were present as it was a Canadian Casualty Clearing Station we played.
I am
including the letters to you to post. I am having a fine time and can have
anything I want for the asking.
I will include a 8th C.R.T. badge in the
next package which I promised Frances. So don't forget to send it to her.
I would like to be at the seashore now. Some
are lucky and get their leaves to Blighty now. Don't expect another before this
winter.
Judging from the papers everybody is
working in the States. They will have to put on the finishing touches to Fritz.
We have another game tomorrow but I will
not be able to pitch until next Sunday.
We live in huts and the ball team has one. Last night they staged a
jubilee but I could not take part but enjoyed the singing and dancing.
With love to all, Errol
P.S. We won another game
yesterday. Did not play but made the trip. Ben Wade's, the tall cop on the
Portland Force, brother played for the other team. Guy ought to know him, he
was raised in Portland. When you write tell Guy to tell Ben his brother is in
the best of condition. We talked over the old days. It all seems good to meet
someone from the home town. GEW
[The above postcard shows the 8th Battn CRT baseball team. Errol is the back row third from the left.]
24 Jun 1918
Dearest mother:
Your letter of May 26th arrived to-day with
several bundles of papers. You were right about the pictures alright.
The U.S. and Canadian paper money is for
you to do whatever you want with.
I am feeling better but not myself yet. I
pitched and won our second league game yesterday. It was a one sided affair.
Not very much to watch. Big crowd out tho. We had a little celebration
afterwards. Plenty of singing and some dancing. Oh, we have talent in the
outfit. Regular show last night in the hut.
I am letter writing to-day. Pretty easy.
I am sending a few letters along with the
one for you to forward to the addresses.
I guess you will have to pay the postage but you don't mind that do you.
My letters have not been getting thru so will try this for a while and see if
it is more successful.
Yes, from all accounts the States have
swung in line and are accomplishing things.
Did I ever tell you that the airplane was
made from parts of German shells. The pieces of wood with the gas mask were
pieces of a Fritz plane. Have not had a chance to pick up any souvenirs lately.
Am not living like I did the first part of the year but still I have no
complaints. Getting by pretty easy.
The Red Book has become quite a magazine. Reading
is about all I do these days. I have to buy my extra eats now when I want them.
Lost my little girl or rather she had to move away to some unknown place.
Are there many down to the coast this
season? Would like to be there with you and get some of the real home cooking. You
are going to have a hard time keeping me out of the pantry for a while.
Well with fond love to you both. Yours always, Errol
11 Jul 1918
Dearest mother:
Yes, I have discontinued numbering the parcels.
Have not had anything to send of late. You did not state how much French
currency you received. Rest assured I am always proud of the country from
whence I came. Altho some of them do too much bragging. Never realized it until I met them over here.
Anxious to meet some from the West. We played a regimental team from the
moonshine district and they beat us by a close score. Should have beaten them but did not have the
regular team against them. I like to hear them talk. They have an accent like
Mary's of Stockton.
I pitched again yesterday after a two week
rest and won easy. Allowed one hit up to the nineth (sic) when they secured a
couple more. I have won all my games so far. After the game we had a good
dinner and later their concert party put on an excellent show. The female
impersonator was a big hit. Many thought he was one of the nurses. We all had a
very enjoyable trip and sang all the way back home in the lorry.
It is raining hard to-day. There is a heavy
downpour right now but the hut does not leak so can keep dry. It spoiled our
practice to-day. So have devoted my time to writing and reading. This will do
me.
We have one more game to play in the first series
so ought to be here for some time to come of course providing everything goes
thru. I sent the last papers down to Wade when I finished them and he got a lot
of enjoyment out of them.
I am feeling much better of late as I have
been training hard to get in shape.
Everyone is interested in the game even the Tommies are trying to pick
up the points from a spectator's standpoint. Do not see any trying to play. We
had them all rooting for us against the Yanks.
With fond love to you all, I remain,
Lovingly, Errol
P.S. Please forward enclosed
letters.
30 Jul 1918
Mother dear:
Your letter of June 29th and several
bundles of papers and magazines were received yesterday.
There is a little personal history attached
to each of the souvenirs.
It is a grand summer morning after a week
of unsettled weather. As there is no practice this morning, I have taken a walk
over to the beautiful grounds surrounding a likewise chateau. I brought my
writing material with me. I found a good place in the summer house which
differs from ours. This is situated up on a high knoll and is built of stone
looking towards the main chateau (there are five beautiful buildings) there is
a miniature (sic) lake which is well stocked with fish. There are several
artistic bridges over the outlet which add to the natural beauty. There are all
kinds of trees and shrubs with many winding walks thru the grounds.
Last night I spent three hours playing the
gramophone. Just like old days. I appreciate music more than ever and never
miss a chance to hear one of the nearby southern bands with all the new rags.
My daily routine for the past two months
has been about as follows: breakfast at seven-thirty, light practice from nine
until ten, lunch at twelve. Active field practice from two until four, dinner
at five. The evenings are spent in reading or writing. Sometimes I take a walk
to pass away the time. If it rains generally spend the day in the hut. We are
playing three or four games a week now. I have won all mine. It is my turn to
work this afternoon against the Yanks.
I pitched a shut out last Thursday in the
league. We were heavily backed. Over five thousand francs were placed on the
game.
Good news in the paper this morning. Looks
like the tide has turned. The Americans are continuing to keep up their good
fighting. With love to all,
Errol
Please forward enclosed letters.
25 Aug 1918
My dear father:
I was sure pleased to hear from you once
again. You must be busy these days.
Would like to be with you all. How I would enjoy some of the big dinners.
I have had a very easy summer as you have no doubt noticed from my letters They
closed up the canteen I was working in. After the move only opened up one.
This has been the best job I have hit in
the army. Its only draw back is the time goes slow when there is nothing to do.
I have won all the games I have pitched. Won
this league and are now waiting for the other leagues after which will play for
the big championship.
Have had some good games with the Yanks. The
arm is in good condition now.
We are fortunate and have a great lot of
officers who are interested in the game and will do all in their power to keep
us in the run.
The ball team took a trip down to the beach
and had a dip and a couple of good meals. A very pleasant outing.
Yesterday made a trip down to the old
company where there was an indoor ball game played out of doors. This was
between two platoons. Had a fine dinner and free beer.
The Yanks concert party put on a fine
entertainment which was well received and appreciated by all. The female impersonators
were there and showed to a good advantage.
Today is Sunday and when there is to be no
game it always means another day of rest. Just finished a couple sets of tennis
and await lunch.
Did the Vail girls spend the summer at the
beach?
It is impossible to send German firearms
out of the country. Would [send] you a rifle if I could.
Good news every day. Things are coming our
way. The Yanks have proved their worth and will give them a big surprise when
get a going.
Have not received only the notice Lelia
sent me from the N.W. Bank.
The best way to send money is to London
thru the Canadian Bank of Commerce.
There is one in Portland.
When I go on leave will need some money so
will cable. You know it is hard to have any kind of a time unless you have
plenty of the "filthy lucre."
I enjoy the papers ever so much. When I get
thru with them send them to one of my Portland friends who I have run across
over here. One is in the Canadians, the other in the U.S. forces.
With love to mother and you. I will have to
break off for (monge') eats.
Lovingly, Errol
Comments
Post a Comment