Letters From the Front

Sgt. William Frederick Outhwaite, 4th Battalion C.E.F.

In the Trenches with the 4th Battalion, early April 1915

Toronto Evening Telegram Published: May 6, 1915

Sgt. William F. Outhwaite went missing on June 16th, 1915.

Transcription of introduction to the letter as it appeared in the newspaper article:

CANADIAN MAIL SAFE

Says Sergt. Outhwaite, But, Some English Letters Lost.

Extracts from letters of Sergt. Wm. Outhwaite of the Halton Rifles to members of his family in the city are given below. The first, written April 7, runs as follows:

Dated: April 7, 1915

I was much amused by your remarks on the war being over before I left Valcartier. I did not think it would be over inside of two years, but now I feel sure it will be over before this next Xmas. The Germans don't expose themselves. Some time ago I was looking through a loophole with my glasses at the German trenches, about 600 yards away, and I saw two men looking over the parapet. I took careful aim and fired twice rapidly. I did not know the results of my shots for the heads disappeared. In the trenches it is a case of 'peep bo.'

On the 17th Sergt. Outhwaite writes:

I don't seem to lose any Canadian mail, though at times it is late, but I have lost several letters from Sheffield and a parcel from Manchester, and my stick was lost between Salisbury and Sheffield.

Geo. Graffey is a lucky chap to be mentioned in Admiral Beatty's report, and I hope it does him some good.

To his brother in a letter dated the 18th, Sergt. Outhwaite says:

It is a lovely day and I am hoping it is like it is in Canada for is this not a red letter day --mother's birthday? I am thinking a lot about you all to-day, perhaps a little more than usual. I guess you must be thinking of me. Very soon we will be in harness again, and won't I be glad, not 'arf'. Am thinking that whilst we are at it the war will end the sooner.

Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie