1915/07/27

In which Gordon Munro writes from the front in France to his father, James E. Munro. Includes description of life in the trenches and makes mention of fellow soldiers from home known to the Munro family.

Pte. H. G. Munro no. 47904
No. 16 Platoon No. 4 Company
48th Highlanders 1st Can. Cont.
Brit. Exped. Force. France.

July 27 1915

Dear Father, -

Some address eh? We can include the 15th Batt. also but the 48th was given permission to keep the name 48th Highlanders which is supposed to be some honor, I think. Our commanding officer is a D. S. O. too and between that & the good name the 48th got at ___________ we have some work cut out ahead of us in keeping the name up. I got your letter to-night & one from Ed & Mother last night also one from Mrs. Brooke. I sure was glad to get them. You have no idea how a letter helps a fellow.

Well we have had some experience since we left Canada & things are getting more interesting right along. This morning we had a lecture from our "C.O" about trench life & so on which will no doubt be useful to us. Among other things he told us not to have any hesitation in ducking when you heard a shell coming. I sure take to that natural, as we were out working the other day, the Germans started to shell us with shrapnel & a few high explosives, it would be worth a quarter to see me take cover, but its no disgrace to do it, none of our party were hit but it was some experience.

Our Batt'n is quite an athletic one. we have a Baseball, cricket & Football Team. our Baseball team played the 5th Field Battery & 19th Alberta Dragoons today & won both games. 1st one was 26 - 6 & next 11 - 3. I played in both & had a good time. The outfits, bats, balls & gloves & so on were supplied by some of the big leagues as well as private concerns & they are sure doing a lot of good.

Sunday morning we had quite a nice service by Dr. Pringle. his text was that one that starts "quit ye like men" & so on after the service there was a communion & I stayed & he asked me to carry his bag back for him. He said he knew you & had been at Dr. Stewarts last summer or sometime. The service was held in the open right under one of our field Battenès.

Yesterday we had to go to Headquarters & found out the Dr. wanted to see us about something in our applications for commissions. he had them there & said we would hear from him again soon. It seems funny they have followed us up. It looks as if they were going through as there were several war office stamps on them & so on.

I am writing this letter in bed & it is 9 p. m. just about 4 in Oakville. I wish I had a few of the Strawberries mother spoke about in her letter. I haven't had any fresh fruit since we left Canada, but still I am not getting thin on it. I weigh about 170 lbs yet & feel fine. I had a letter from Ab. Wales today & he says he is having quite a time of it. Salty & Busby are both in Hospital resting & he is alone. Well I guess I'll have some jam & bread & turn in for the night with love to all from

Gordon.

P.S. "Scottie" McNiel wants to be remembered to you all.

2017.22.55