Letters From the Front

Dated: December 8, 1915

You little realize the genuine pleasure, experienced by me and provided by you, that your letter created. I will ever keep it as a little precious possession; for fully do I realize the task it was for you, to do so, when so much each day, called upon your time. But I am so glad you wrote to me, and for a dual reason. The first, a personal and selfish one, it revealed to me your remembrance of me, and continued interest in me, and then it also uncovered your patriotic and noble spirit, for your thoughts were mostly of the war, and I might say it augers well for a country when the grandmothers and great grandmothers harbour and develop an interest and a lively one too, in such affairs. Your news of my London relations, arouses mingled emotions. It makes one proud to think that the blood flowing in the bodies of your children and grand-children, is so true and noble. But then I think of the possible cost, it makes me, almost depressed.

Dave, is making a tremendous sacrifice and Uncle Jim is also. They are different forms of offerings, one gives himself, possibly his life, the other, gives his sons, dearer and more precious to him than life itself. My sincere and earnest prayer is for the safety of the loved ones in danger and for those left behind, whose sacrifice is probably greater, for it is a silent one and the contemplation of which is not interrupted by the excitement and activities of a stirring campaign.

But Grandmother you fully realize that is worth it all. The cost is great and will be greater but the causes at stake are of such vast importance as to justify any individual sacrifice no matter how great that be. Whatever is my personal fate, I am willing to share it, for I shall never be sorry of my action last May

Now it seems to me that much of my letter has been taken up with thoughts of war, and you will pabably desire some personal news. I am well, if not better, than I have ever been in years. This camp life quite agrees with me, and I won't know what to do with myself when I return to civilian life. To live in a house will be a great task, and to have a large room to walk and lounge about in will be quite a novelty. Someday I will write and tell you all about my visit in Egypt and the many wonderful sights I saw there, but tonight, as the hour is becoming late, I won't write about it now.

We are quite comfortable now where we are in Greece. The weather does become cold at times, but the cold alternates with more moderate weather, so it is quite tolerable.

I was glad to hear of Roy and Jim. I don't know what is going on in France, for we do not hear anything out in this God forbidden country.

It will be a grand time, I am thinking when we all have a great old reunion in London when we have "Strafed the Germans."

Now I must close. Give my love to Aunt Sarah & Naomi.

I often think of you, Grandmother and wish I might see you. But here is hoping you remain in your normal grand health till I return and can give you once more, one of those old time embraces of a few years ago.

With much love.

Cyril