1915/08/22

In which Gordon Munro writes from France to Margaret Munro. Includes description of trench dimensions; trench life i.e. conditions, food, duties such as that of "mess orderly", equipment; and, expresses appreciation for gifts sent from home to the front i.e. chocolate, fountain pen.

Aug. 22nd 1915
H. G. Munro
No. 47904
14 Section
4 Company
15 Battalion
48th Highlanders
3rd Brigade
1st C. E. F.
France

Dear Pug, -

I guess you are the only one I owe a letter to, so I'll send you this one. I got two letters from Mrs. McIntyre yesterday, one from mother & one from Lottie McM. And to day I go one from father & one from mother so I'm doing well.

We are up in the Reserve line of Trenches this time and are very comfortable. I dont know if Brock is in the front line or not although I dont think he is. We have a fine dugout this time, called the "Gophers Den" It is about 6 ft long 4 ft wide & 2 ft high. The entrance is narrow & one has to get down on all fours to get in. The bottom is covered with straw & we sleep very well at night or whenever we sleep. The only thing I dont like about the place is the rats, mice & etc. The rats ate all our rations the other night & they run over us at night, the mice, etc. are much tamer & we dont mind them.

To day, Sunday, is very warm & quiet & when I woke up I felt just like I used to feel on Sunday mornings at home, but found out my mistake when I tried to sit up & cracked my skull on the roof. I am mess orderly to day. My duties are to get the grub from the cook & carry it to the fellows. We had roast beef & potatoes for dinner .

Scottie McNiel called me awhile ago & we fried some potatoes & they were "jake". We are going to fry some more when we go back to billets.

I am glad so many are sending us chocolates as we often would like something tasty to eat & thank Grace & the Cordinglys & Marg Lind for me & also whoever is sending the fountain pen as it will come in handy. Tell Mr. Hunter I will be sure & go to that place near Paris if I get a chance. I bet you kids had a great time up in Muskoka, as the Brookes can give you about as good a one as any.

I have been resting my feet this afternoon, as they are inclined to get a little sore after youve had your boots on for a few days. I also washed my face, hands & towel. I dont know if the towel is much better or not as I ran out of soap. In the morning I cleaned my rifle and bayonet & got some sleep, as I got very little in the night.

I was on Headquarters guard last week & was at a farmhouse. It was a real good house & I never saw better kept horses. We slept on a brick floor at night & were rather cold but outside of that we were not bad. I just saw our guns trying to get a German aeroplane but he got away.

I am on a Return Party to night, we have to carry grub up to the 1st line.

I hope Bill and Inez got the handkerchiefs I sent them & tell Bill I always look for her letter in Mother's & that there is nothing I need but will always be glad of anything eatable.

I dont know if I ever told you that we had gas Respirators & Smoke Helmets or not, but they will keep us safe in that direction anyway, the rest we have to chance, but you can bet I dont take unnecessary chances. That new hymn is a good one I think & the fellows seem to like it.

I am going to look for Salty & Ab when I go out again & also some of the Gladstone boys. Well I guess thats all the news I have for now as I have to work some & write to thank Mrs. McIntyre for sending on those letters.

love to all & the neighbors

Gordon.

2017.22.58