Letters From the Front

Dated:

Your letter of May 31 and mailed June 1st in Montreal, received last night while I was (and still am) in the trenches. I think this is the quickest time in which a letter has come from home. Glad to hear you are well.

The hopes of my leave are not so bright now, that is, for leave in the very near future, but still may come soon. You know there are only two things we look forward to here, that is, going out of the trenches at the end of our tour, and leave. Although leave in England, even now is not 'bomb proof' since these air raids are still being carried on, as no doubt you have seen by the papers.

It is wonderful when one thinks how many hearts and hopes are affected by this war, directly and indirectly. We have read of great events in the world's history during different ages, but none has been so far reaching as this and no one wish and hope has taken hold on the world so much as the one you express. We look and hope for peace, but at the same time feel that although it is sure to come sooner or later it may come too late for some of us individually. I do not wish you to think I am despondent, for they say here I am the most cheerful of the lot, and I think I am, but one can hope in the midst of it all . I feel more sorry for the wives of young married men with families of young children, with practically the life of the family just starting, such as Donald's, and the bitterness of hoping against great odds.

When I look back over your life and father's, how calmly and placidly you bore all trials and how now you come to the twilight of your life you seem to both be so happy and content and assured that “Come what will” all will be well. It is a wonderful inspiration to me and I see no reasons why I should not see things in the same light.

Love to all. Did Doctor Rowat get my letter written quite a long time ago, December I think?

Yours affectionately,

Alex