Letters From the Front

Dated: February 14, 1915

Letter from Major D.B. Bentley to Mrs. Bentley

Sunday, Feb.14, 1915

S.S. City of Dunkirk

Here we are on the coast of France at St. Navaire, after being on board since Tuesday night. We embarked at Avenmouth, near Bristol and had a rather rough voyage. Fortunately I was one of the few who was not seasick and never missed a meal. It would appear that we are due to remain on board until midnight as the tide is out and several other troop ships are in port ahead of us waiting. This is a cattle boat and accommodation rather limited for officers, but we managed to get on ok. Our men of course had their blankets and had to do as best they could on the floors between decks. Our horses came through in very good condition, but the poor animals have had no chance to lie down. Where we will go of course is not known, but the whole contingent will be here and will likely have some weeks or longer on the lines of communication before seeing the trenches. At present we are anchored in a bay within sight of a town.

Our last month has been a very comfortable one as far as housing is concerned and about which I have written rather fully. We are in hopes that letters written on the boat will reach you earlier than if we waited until ashore. We are rather a long way from where Will is but may go in that direction. Our men are in good condition and will be ready for any emergency. Being pretty well up in the seniority list, I had a good place to sleep on the trip. It was too rough to get about on the ship very much, but I managed to take one look around and found many who were quite done up with sickness. However, all are around this morning and look quite recovered. Many kept quiet and did not appear for meals, but say they were not ill. Our whole unit are on the boat together with some artillery and the headquarters staff of the Highland Brigade.

As there is nothing very important about which to write on a short voyage like this, I will close with love to all at home who will be glad to know that we have not been exposed to submarines and have reached terra firma again.

D.B. Bentley