1915/08/16

In which Gordon Munro writes to his mother, Jessie Munro, about day to day occurrences on the front line i.e. reading the newspaper, the weather, feeling homesick, etc. Mention is also made of gifts and correspondence that Gordon sent to family members.

Aug. 16 1915

H. G. Munro
No. 47904
16 Platoon
4 Company
15 Battalion
48th Highlanders
3rd Brigade
1st C. E. F.

Dear Mother, -

Once again I must take up my pen & write. Today is Monday, Aug 16th, time 4.30 P.M. Well things are still going along allright. I am getting to be almost a veteran. It was a month yesterday since we came here, it hardly seems any time. I started on my Diary dated from yesterday & I am getting it, for ever since we left England, from Brock. I sent the two Ethels each a handkerchief last week & I hope they get them. I also sent Ed some Post Cards but dont know if they would go or not. I hope you get all my letters all right, I generally get in about 2 or 3 a week to some of you.

In the front page of my Diary I put a notice if any one found it to forward it to you & they would get a reward & so on. So if a Diary comes along any time you'll send them on a Franc or so but I guess I'll be able to hang on to it allright.

The weather out here continues fine & warm, but it was raining today. The mud is the slippriest I ever struck. At present we are in Reserve & expect to go in the front line in a few days. I just finished reading Ralph Connors letter in the Globe of the 28th. Its sure some letter but rather pessimistic, as far as I can see Germany is on the down path, although there is lots of fight in her yet no doubt. Any way you must admit Britain's position today is many times better than a year ago, while all the time Germany is weakening. I suppose if Dandy is there he & father will be having some great arguments on it, but time will soon bring out something decisive.

Last week Mr. Pringle gave us an interesting talk on his work in the Yukon, he also said he was like some of us, he wasn't satisfied till he left home & since then (like myself) he has found out there is no place like home. I'm not homesick that is real bad, but I know often & often during the day I pull out my "ticker" & wonder whats going on. This a.m. at 12 o'clock it would be 7 A.M. in Oakville, of course I thought right away that you would all be in bed peacefully sleeping, was I right?

I have had the "pip" all afternoon from eating a big rich cake all myself. I bot it in the canteen. I have'nt eaten any supper at all but I guess I'll be O.K. in the morning. At present I am reading "the Magnetic North" & find it passes the time allright.

Last week I had a bath & clean shirt & socks but in spite of it I am still "on the Scratch", but "we should worry".

Well to morrow & Wednesday I get mail, so you can always think that on those days about 5 or 6 o'clock I am always in the best of spirits & feel like tacking the German army alone.

I guess now I had better close as I want to see Brock to-night & get my Diary fixed up, perhaps you had better put Brock & I down for an "Evening" in the Y.P.S. sometime in the future, I cant say when. I wrote Skinny a letter last week. Did Margaret have a good time? love to all.

Gordon

Regards to Babbit & the bunch & tell them to write.

G.

2017.22.57