Letters From the Front

Dated: September 11, 1918

France, September 11, 1918

Dear Mrs. Jas. Fortune:

Pardon my unreasonably long delay in writing, to thank you for the pair of socks which mother enclosed in my birthday parcel. The parcel came in about 5 p.m. on the 7th of August, and I pulled them on just before I left for the guns an hour later, and as luck would have it my extra pair were destroyed by a stray shell, so I'm still wearing them, and I've walked many a mile since then, so they have certainly done there bit.

We've had a quiet time for the past few days, but about an hour ago a heavy barrage started on our right so I hope we will continue on our way tomorrow. Fellows back from leave say it is a wonderful thing to be a Canadian on leave these days, as the people all seem to want to outdo one another. I quite believe it, as the English papers are still gloating over the two smashes we handed Fritz. The infantry certainly has done wonderful work.

This morning I was through a wonderful German dugout. He had sunk a shaft through a solid vein of chalk, and 75 feet below the surface built two chambers, each 20 feet square. He then proceeded to finish it, and when I got there this morning these were still there: a big grand piano, a lounge, 5 easy chairs, 3 large paintings, 4 full-length mirrors, 2 French beds, etc., and two fine rugs covered the oak floor. I bet that guy will be sore when the war is over.

My candle is about burnt down so I must close and go out on a borrowing expedition. Yours sincerely,

Watson Sellar