Letters From the Front

Dated:

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

Chas. Cruickshank received the following letter from "Rube" Gee on Monday, a few hours after receipt of the news that he was wounded: -

March 12, 1916

Dear Dad, --Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting on. We are now back to the old billets, after being in the trenches for some time. It is necessary for a soldier to have a very strong constitution. We have had a lot of cold weather, and considerable snow. The roads, and fields are very muddy to march on, but we expect some fine weather very soon to dry things up a bit. I have contracted a bit of a cold, and find it rather a hard problem to get rid of it.

Our billets are not as comfortable as we should like them to be, too many holes in the roof and walls, more so than a great many of our log barns out there, that require chinking. However, we have to make out the best way we can. We are here to do our bit, and the sooner the big bit comes off the better. For my part I should like to finish my career in about one or two mouthfuls and get away home, that's if I get that chance. The last dug-out I was in is up for rent. Splendid scenery, only three minutes from the German lines, three inches below water level, plenty of water and gas, food supply not too bad, eggs rather scarce owing to the great demand for shells.

I have met with a great number of the Red Deer boys, some of them are billeted a few minutes walk from here. The 12th are all here. I have not seen or heard from Roy since I left Shorncliffe. I saw Jimmie Cook the other day, he came around here to see me. You can tell Signa, I saw Dan Campbell when we were marching through the town the other day, but was not able to say much to him. He apparently was looking very well.

I see you have had some cold weather out there this winter. How are things going on the farm. Has Watt been cutting wood this winter. How is he making out for feed? I saw in the paper that Charlie had a close call on the C.P.R. track, with the horse and rig. What is George doing now? Tell him to write a few lines. How is the new boiler working that was installed in the Public School? I suppose Eva has become quite a cook by now. Maggie tells me they have a lot of snow up in Nelson, and expect great floods in the spring. I suppose Red Deer will be very quiet now, although I saw by the papers you were to have soldiers stationed in the Fair grounds. W

Well, Dad, how are you making out with perpetual motion, hope you are succeeding and will be in a position to give me a demonstration of its forces when I get back home. Give my kind regards to Dr. Grant. Remember me to all the girls. I was pleased to hear Esther got better. Love to the children. From your affectionate Son-in-law,

REUBEN GEE.