The Munro Letters 1914 - 1917 : Letters Home from the Front - World War I
Date of Letter:
1916/04/22
Summary:
In which Gordon Munro replies to the letter Jessie Munro sent him from Bermuda. Includes description of current accommodations at a Chateau and the conditions endured on the previous night's "carrying party". Also, mention is made of fellow soldiers overseas known to the Munro family.
Transcription:
Saturday, Apr. 22/16
Belgium

Dear Mother, -

I got your letter written from Bermuda, 2 days ago. I was about half asleep when it came in at night so I just laid it down by my head to read in the morning. I got up & looked for it & it was gone. I found it on the floor half burnt, somebody had lit a cigarette with it. all I could make out was the name of the place you were at & that you were having a good time. I suppose you will be back by now.

We are staying in a Chateau just now. Its a fine big white stone building. Every thing was at one time just fine around here but its broken up a little with shells & so on. The grounds have fountains in them & drive ways & a big moat surrounds it. There are some fine big trees in it too, but everything is torn up & smashed. The room I am in is a peach there are about 7 big French windows that open on to a verandah, a fine big fire-place & arched door ways. I sleep on the floor with my head in the fire-place & my feet out the doorway. Brock sleeps in the wine cellar away down. He is in a place where a big barrel or something used to be. Its shell proof where he is. I was up this morning before breakfast & washed & shaved, something unusual as its not a healthy place to wash. For breakfast we had tea, toast, bacon & honey, who wouldn't be a soldier? Last night we had a great time. We went on a carrying party to the front line with ammunition. We left about 8.30 p. m. in a pouring rain & stood around waiting till 11.30 & then got our loads & started. The way was very rocky & every other foot was a shell hole & full of water. splash bang! you'd go right into one with the box on top of you. I walked into one right up to the waist. at first every one was sore but they soon got laughing at each other falling. We got to a place & had to go through a gap in a hedge & the Huns opened a machine gun on it just as we got there. every one flopped in the mud & you could hear the bullets hit in the ground, no one was hit & we started again & got to our depot pretty well tired out. The journey back was'nt bad & we had a good sleep but rather a damp one. All I have is my great coat & it got wet when I fell in the shell hole.

Last week I was near Kenneth Marlatt & Charlie Kerr but could'nt get to see either of them. I saw the Shelleys & Scott & Fussell. Brock saw Monk Tuck too. Quite a while ago I got a message from Charlie Kerr. He was at some school & met one of our officers there & told him to see if I was all right as you hadnt heard from me for some time. I guess it was Grace told him; so I got busy & wrote right away.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. We are to have a service I think. Its not much like last Easter. Tell Mr. Cowan I got his letter & will write him soon. I had a letter from "Pugno & Bill." Well I guess I'll have to wring off & get busy at my rifle. It fell in the hole with me last night. I got the parcel with the shirt & chocolates allright & it was sure welcome. best regards to all the neighbors.

love to all

Gordon

Enclosing one of Bill's Espistles which I'd like you to keep.

Apr 22 1916
Object ID:
2017.22.88
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Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916
Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916Gordon Munro Letters, Apr. 22, 1916