1915/09/28

In which Gordon Munro shares day to day news with Melville Munro. Includes description of a parcel received from a group of girls from home. Also, mention is made of meeting up with fellow Oakville soldiers at the front.

Belgium Sep, 28/15

Dear Pork, -

I got your letter last night. Its quite a while since I wrote but we've been so busy this last week I have hardly had time even to get enough sleep. After this don't spell speak s-p-e-e-k like you did in the letter, or if you get a job, you'll have a job to hold it if you spell that way.

I got a big parcel from Marg Lind, Bea & Marg. Armstrong, Ida Northey, Carol Smith, Bubby, Grace Pryie, Peg Langmuir & Marj Allan, & Hellen Manbert. I think thats all. It was a peach of a parcel. Cake, chocolate, pipe & tobacco & socks etc. I don't know how they came to think I smoked, it was a good pipe & good tobacco, but nothin' doing. I'm never going to smoke. I am hanging on to the pipe as a most valuable souvenir & the "baccy" which is very scarce out here made a few of the boys very happy. if you see any of them tell them how good it was & that I am writing them just as soon as possible.

I guess you will all be tickled to death over the good news along this front as well as the Russians for this past week. I think it's the beginning of the end for Germany. tell mother to keep her eye on that schedule of the war I sent her.

I saw alot of the Oakville fellows last week. Sgt. Major Whitten, Sgt. Scott Shelley & others. They all looked fine, but were surprised to see me, they told me that they had heard Brock & I had been killed & gone "daisy pushing" just about as soon as we got out here. When I was going across a field who should I meet but "Big" Archie, he is a corporal now. We had quite a long talk & as I had saved some of Lottie's cake in hopes of seeing him we had a good feed, he wants to be remembered to all. I wrote to Mary Marlatt & sent her a picture of Kenneth I found in the trenches. It was in the Sunday World. We are in the trenches now & the Germans are very handy to us, just a matter of about 75 yards, but thats not bad at all, at all. I was in a plane last week where they were 30 yds but I didnt stay long you can bet, as they can throw bombs for further than that, & they have a rather tragic effect at times, as a rule they dont shell much except in case of attack at anything up to 100 yards as they are in danger of hitting their own trenches, as shrapnel has a backward effect.

I have taken quite an interest in cooking these last few days as everyone has to do his own & believe me I set up some funny dishes but they taste all right.

Say Pork if you want to do something heres a chance. Scotty McNiel is here & never, hardly gets a letter & never a parcel, it makes him feel pretty bad when he sees everyone else getting things, I guess. If you could get some body interested that would send him a parcel of candy, cigarettes or something I think it would do him good. I dont mind if you send him a parcel meant for me & will gladly do without it.

I had a letter from father & one from Mrs. McIntyre the other day The Oakville boys sure are doing well now. You asked if I would enlist again as a Private or take a commission. I would try & take a commission & failing that would go to Stanley Barracks & get a Sergeant's or Corporal's certificate, but I dont think you'll have another birthday before its all over, I hope not anyway.

Well I must go on sentry again, so will close with love to all & the Thornts & the rest of the neighbors.

Gordon.

P.S. I heard about your crush with Lola Northey.

Sep. 30/15

This is Thursday & so far I have been unable to post this but will this a.m. tell father I got a letter from him last night. & one from Margaret & Bubby Folett. I was on listening post last two nights in the heavy rain & got within 50 yds of them. Good news is the order of the day.

Gordon.

2017.22.65