Date of Letter:
1916/09/17
Summary:
In which Jessie Munro sends news from home to Gordon Munro. Included is the mention of cooler weather and upcoming winter; the closure of Camp Borden in October; the implementation of Prohibition; and, tidbits of information about family and friends. Also, Jessie expresses to Gordon her feelings of anxiety when she does not receive letters from him on a weekly basis.
Transcription:
The Manse
Oakville Sept. 17th – 1916
My dear Gordon
Melville came home on Thursday evening to stay till Tuesday so we postponed our trip for a week. He gets his full four days once a month and he certainly does a lot of resting. This is Miss McBains first Sunday out since returning from England. As Ethel says she looks the same as ever but I did not get a chance to speak to her. We have a fire in the fireplace to day; the first this season but it is damp and cold out. It makes us think about getting ready for winter. Don’t you want us to send you something in the way of wearing apparel? Your wants seem to be fewer than any of the boys. Erland has sent home for quite a list I believe. Mr. Ashbury phoned Mrs. Chisholm to ask what a slicker was. She did not know so phoned here. I did not know but asked your father, who is a walking encyclopedia, and he told us. Erland wanted one of them along with shoe packs, sweaters, etc. Wouldn’t you like any of these things? There is no use of sending any thing you do not need but say yes or no – I see most of the Canadians are at the Somme now and in Thursdays paper we noticed that Pepall had been wounded. His picture was in the paper. Everything looks bright for the allies but it is hard to really understand the situation in the Balkans. The Bavarians and Greeks have too many Germans in their army I am afraid, but I hope they will get rid of them before it is too late – So many summer people went away this week, the cottages look quite deserted. And they say Camp Borden is to be closed on the 16th of next month. The soldiers are speculating as to which battalions will go overseas this fall. What do you think of another winter in the trenches? Is the Somme district far enough south to the warmer than Ypres? You will know how to make yourselves a little more comfortable as it will not be so hard on you we hope. But cheer up it may not be long till you are all coming back – The Canada Temperance Act came into force last night so no more bars in Ontario for a while.
Sept. 18th Mrs. Chisholm got a cable from a Brock last night to say he was in England for nine days. It is about time he had his leave. We were greatly interested in reading about those new armored cars to-day. Surely they will smash through the German lines now. At last the Germans have to sit back and take notice. I hope they will see the folly of holding out much longer.
We did have such a laugh last night at tea when Melville started to eat tomatoes and vinegar. He started his little cough and kept it up all through tea we thought of you and Uncle Harry. We got your field card dated Sept. 3rd this morning but your last letter was dated Aug. 17th & 19th. If you only knew how we watched for your letters you would not miss a week. Do you get all my letters? I have not missed writing a week since you left. It is too cold to write any more to-night, the paper says frost. There was snow at Camp Borden last night. Melville just phoned to the Northeys but Ida is out so he is playing Tipperary while he is waiting for her to phone.
Love from all
Your loving mother
Jessie Munro
Oakville Sept. 17th – 1916
My dear Gordon
Melville came home on Thursday evening to stay till Tuesday so we postponed our trip for a week. He gets his full four days once a month and he certainly does a lot of resting. This is Miss McBains first Sunday out since returning from England. As Ethel says she looks the same as ever but I did not get a chance to speak to her. We have a fire in the fireplace to day; the first this season but it is damp and cold out. It makes us think about getting ready for winter. Don’t you want us to send you something in the way of wearing apparel? Your wants seem to be fewer than any of the boys. Erland has sent home for quite a list I believe. Mr. Ashbury phoned Mrs. Chisholm to ask what a slicker was. She did not know so phoned here. I did not know but asked your father, who is a walking encyclopedia, and he told us. Erland wanted one of them along with shoe packs, sweaters, etc. Wouldn’t you like any of these things? There is no use of sending any thing you do not need but say yes or no – I see most of the Canadians are at the Somme now and in Thursdays paper we noticed that Pepall had been wounded. His picture was in the paper. Everything looks bright for the allies but it is hard to really understand the situation in the Balkans. The Bavarians and Greeks have too many Germans in their army I am afraid, but I hope they will get rid of them before it is too late – So many summer people went away this week, the cottages look quite deserted. And they say Camp Borden is to be closed on the 16th of next month. The soldiers are speculating as to which battalions will go overseas this fall. What do you think of another winter in the trenches? Is the Somme district far enough south to the warmer than Ypres? You will know how to make yourselves a little more comfortable as it will not be so hard on you we hope. But cheer up it may not be long till you are all coming back – The Canada Temperance Act came into force last night so no more bars in Ontario for a while.
Sept. 18th Mrs. Chisholm got a cable from a Brock last night to say he was in England for nine days. It is about time he had his leave. We were greatly interested in reading about those new armored cars to-day. Surely they will smash through the German lines now. At last the Germans have to sit back and take notice. I hope they will see the folly of holding out much longer.
We did have such a laugh last night at tea when Melville started to eat tomatoes and vinegar. He started his little cough and kept it up all through tea we thought of you and Uncle Harry. We got your field card dated Sept. 3rd this morning but your last letter was dated Aug. 17th & 19th. If you only knew how we watched for your letters you would not miss a week. Do you get all my letters? I have not missed writing a week since you left. It is too cold to write any more to-night, the paper says frost. There was snow at Camp Borden last night. Melville just phoned to the Northeys but Ida is out so he is playing Tipperary while he is waiting for her to phone.
Love from all
Your loving mother
Jessie Munro
Object ID:
2017.22.95
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Gordon Munro Letters, Sept. 17, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Sept. 17, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Sept. 17, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Sept. 17, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Sept. 17, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Sept. 17, 1916