1915/10/31

In which Gordon Munro describes to his father, James. E. Munro, daily life in the trenches i.e. difficulties presented by bad weather, bombs and bomb throwing school, meals, etc. Regards are sent to family members as well as mention is made of fellow soldiers known to the Munro family.

Belgium Oct. 31 1915

H. G. Munro
No. 47904
4 Company
15 Battalion
48th H.O.C.
1st Can - Div.
France

Dear Father, -

This is Sunday afternoon & raining, it has rained quite a bit lately & looks almost as if the bad weather had set in. The mud is fierce & causes alot of extra work. I am having things "pretty soft" for a few days now. On Friday Scotty McNiel & I were sent to a bomb throwing school, for a 7 day course. There are about 30 from each Batt'n in our Brigade here & 10 of us decorate one tent. The course is regarded as a sort of holiday & as our Batt'n just went to the trenches we are doubly lucky. Reveille is at 7 A.M. Breakfast at 7.30 then at 9 we parade for instruction. We are learning all about bombs from making them to throwing. Every hour we change to something new & its very interesting so far & quite a nice change from the trenches. When it rains we dont parade so here's hoping. When the war is over if anyone gets into a scrap with me all I'll have to do is make a bomb & let drive. There are lots of different kinds & sizes, some are for attacks & some defence & all are very destructive if you happen to hold them too long. But I dont want a "blighty" yet. "Blighty" is an expression used for a wound that puts you over to England.

We have dinner at 12.30 & parade again at 2. & dismiss at 4, tea at 4.30 then we are free till 9 p.m. so everything is lovely. The meals too are a great improvement. There I think you have it, what we are doing this week.

I had a letter from Horace Haney yesterday he asked me to meet him at a certain village but his letter came too late. Although I didn't know it at the time, I was acting as guide to his company when they were going in the trenches. I hope to see him in a few days. I had a parcel from Aunt Kate a few days ago. a box of chocolates, 2 cakes, biscuits & a tin of "Sic Em" for the no. ones & twos that Sanderson used to give "Sigh" Thornton in school. It sure was a nice parcel, I had a letter from Mr. Cameron too. he said he had seen you & that Mrs. Cameron had sent me some socks, which are always welcome as wet feet are getting quite common. Tell "Puget" I'll take back what I said in another letter & will wear the socks she is knitting, as mother says they are first rate.

We got rain-capes last week. they are first class too, & I understand we get sheep or goat skin coats in the near future, so I'm not doing so badly. I wish your could send me a kakhi shirt some time , as I'd like to get one on that was'nt "crummy" when I got it & see if I could keep it clean. one is plenty as any more would only be to much to carry. "Bill" asked me what I wanted for Xmas. Tell her she had better wait for another year, unless its eats, & ask her if there is anything she wants & if money can buy it, its hers or I'll bust something.

I saw Brock going up to the trenches & was just noticing how fat he was. Say do you know you can hardly see his eyes he's so fat. Tell his mother she had better send him a weight reducer or if a hot day comes he's apt to melt. I'm feeling fine too, never felt better. I'd like to get out & run sometimes but if the fellows see you doing anything like that when you don't have to they think your "trying to work your ticket" or else gone dippy. Tell Ed & Mother & Bill I got their letters too & will write to them again. I hope that little box of "pig iron" I sent gets there all right.

Well I guess I had better close as I've all written more than the censors usually like.

love to all

Gordon

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