Date of Letter:
1915/10/07
Summary:
In which Gordon Munro updates Jessie Munro about day to day news on the front i.e. "wet and miserable" weather; cooking for the men in the trenches; meeting up with a fellow from Gladstone; replying to letters received from family and friends from home; and, taking a bomb throwing course.
Transcription:
Belgium Oct 7/15
Dear Mother, -
It is pretty near bed time but as I wont have time to write in the morning I thought I would make good use of my time now. Your letter came to night but the parcel is not here yet. It has been miserable & wet for about 2 weeks now & I hope it soon lets up, I have not caught cold or been sick yet however. I think thats a fable about Salty being "white headed", of course his nerves are shaken up but last time I saw him he looked fine, better than I ever saw him looking & there were no white hairs then. Scotty claims I have some, but I think he's seeing things. Its not such a whale of a straw as it cracked up to be. You get almost as you dont mind anything unless its close enough to jar you & that's not often & only lasts for a minute when it does happen. Anyway I'm still getting fatter & eating lots. In the last two days Brock & I have eaten 20 eggs, along with 'chips' etc & our usual rations, he seems to be getting bigger too.
I don't know if I told you about my cooking or not, last time we were in the trenches, I was on listening post & as I had this at night I had all day to cook & sleep. I cooked for Scottie, Joe Spring & myself. one thing they ate all I cooked & looked for more. I am writing lots of letters these days & getting lots, this week I have had 2 or 3 from home, one from Mrs. McIntyre, Grandfather, Mary Marlatt, Grace Pyrie, Bubbe Folett, Norma Evans, & Mag. Findlay. Mag is a nurse in Calgary Gen. Hospital. I am writing to the girls who sent me that parcel so you see I am kept busy, but I've got so I like writing letters.
The other night I was watching some Regiment go past & got talking to a fellow that turned out to be a Johnstone from Gladstone. he worked at Hendricksons farm & knew alot of the Gladstone boys & said he knew father when he was there. I noticed one of the fellows sending home some of that famous Belgian Lace that is made around here, if you want any just say so & I can get lots as every old woman around here makes it, it costs 1 Franc per metre (or 1 yard nearly).
I am taking a short course in bomb throwing just now & its fine work unless you happen to get one off too slow & then you get a rest if that happens, there are dozens of different kinds.
I havent heard from Snyder for some time, I heard his Regiment was in the big Scrap the other day but dont know sure. I wrote Mr. Thornton a young book last week & sent Father two cards I hope they get them all right. I guess I'll "hit the hay" or straw rather, best regards to Miss McBain when you see her & love to all
Pork sure did well in getting that job.
Gordon
Dear Mother, -
It is pretty near bed time but as I wont have time to write in the morning I thought I would make good use of my time now. Your letter came to night but the parcel is not here yet. It has been miserable & wet for about 2 weeks now & I hope it soon lets up, I have not caught cold or been sick yet however. I think thats a fable about Salty being "white headed", of course his nerves are shaken up but last time I saw him he looked fine, better than I ever saw him looking & there were no white hairs then. Scotty claims I have some, but I think he's seeing things. Its not such a whale of a straw as it cracked up to be. You get almost as you dont mind anything unless its close enough to jar you & that's not often & only lasts for a minute when it does happen. Anyway I'm still getting fatter & eating lots. In the last two days Brock & I have eaten 20 eggs, along with 'chips' etc & our usual rations, he seems to be getting bigger too.
I don't know if I told you about my cooking or not, last time we were in the trenches, I was on listening post & as I had this at night I had all day to cook & sleep. I cooked for Scottie, Joe Spring & myself. one thing they ate all I cooked & looked for more. I am writing lots of letters these days & getting lots, this week I have had 2 or 3 from home, one from Mrs. McIntyre, Grandfather, Mary Marlatt, Grace Pyrie, Bubbe Folett, Norma Evans, & Mag. Findlay. Mag is a nurse in Calgary Gen. Hospital. I am writing to the girls who sent me that parcel so you see I am kept busy, but I've got so I like writing letters.
The other night I was watching some Regiment go past & got talking to a fellow that turned out to be a Johnstone from Gladstone. he worked at Hendricksons farm & knew alot of the Gladstone boys & said he knew father when he was there. I noticed one of the fellows sending home some of that famous Belgian Lace that is made around here, if you want any just say so & I can get lots as every old woman around here makes it, it costs 1 Franc per metre (or 1 yard nearly).
I am taking a short course in bomb throwing just now & its fine work unless you happen to get one off too slow & then you get a rest if that happens, there are dozens of different kinds.
I havent heard from Snyder for some time, I heard his Regiment was in the big Scrap the other day but dont know sure. I wrote Mr. Thornton a young book last week & sent Father two cards I hope they get them all right. I guess I'll "hit the hay" or straw rather, best regards to Miss McBain when you see her & love to all
Pork sure did well in getting that job.
Gordon
Object ID:
2017.22.66
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Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915
Gordon Munro Letters, Oct 7, 1915