Letters From the Front

Dated: November 21, 1915

LETTER FROM JACK LARDIE

Last week, Miss Jessie Lardie received the following letter from her brother, Jack, who enlisted with the second contingent, and is now fighting in Belgium:-

Belgium, Nov. 21st.

Dear Sister Jessie,--

I wrote you yesterday, but I hardly knew what to say, as it was just after bringing one of my best pals out of the trenches who was killed, and I didn't know what to say, as I was very shakey. His name was Ken Gallenger.¹

We are now in reserve trenches. We go back to billets for a rest. You know we stay in the trenches 18 days. When we first came to France we only had six days, but now we have 18, our leave starts on 14th of December. We get ten days free leave, but I don't know when I will get mine.

Wilf says that some good lake fish would go good at Xmas time, so tell Fred to send some. Alex and Wilf are both well. That was a very nice picture that you sent me in your last. Jack Wray is only about 3 miles from us where we are now: We saw him a few times last week. I have been with one of my old pals out of the R.C.D.², and he is sketching me on these old France roads with full packs. Carter³ sent it to Harris⁴, I don't know what he will think, but it's a dandy.

I tell you Jessie you people over in Canada think this war is a dream, but believe me it's a hum dinger, if ever there was one, but I should worry, I have got trees on my pulpit. Tell Jim that I saw Bushy, D. Bird, Jack Wray, and all the old boys that I was with at Valcartier.

Now Jessie, don't you forget that I want you to send me a good Xmas cake, and some of your dandy fish that Fred catches in his nets. Now Jess, I don't know for the life of me what more to say. We are all well. Hope this finds you all the same. Will close now, hoping to hear from you again. Good bye. Your brother, Jack.