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