Letter to Mother from Somewhere in Flanders
#782373
S.W. in Flanders
2-11-17
Dear Mother:–
I sent six letters last night. I am on duty now at co’y headquarters I have been reading the Saturday Post of Aug.18th to pass along the time,
There is a slight mist flying now it may rain but it don’t make but little difference we have the metal road any time we move and we don’t drill in the rain. but the boys holding down the front line have it harder when wet,
3 P.M. I have been over at the Y.M.C.A. and had some cookies and cocoa the cocoa is free in all y’s now all you can drink and it is very good stuff to,
This seems a drowsy day I was sitting on a box and went to sleep for a while, I have read more today than I have had a chance to read for a long time.
3rd 11–30 A.M.
We have good rest billets here sleeping in a grain barn in straw, The weather is very mild, We have had two white frosts so far, I have had an hours phy. drill this A.M. which we enjoyed then took a little trip up the road to get location on places we have to take messages, There is nice fat bunches of milk cows here, I like to see them around, We think a lot about the old farm life when we are about places like this, very nearly all the work is done by wemen. the rest by boys up to 14 and old men.
2 P.M. I caught a motor lorrie and road into town to write and fool around. I am in a Church Army hut, The soldiers are rather mixed here Australians across the table and on my right, They are nice looking boys to. I am eating caramel Toffee for two beans I would stay down town for supper tonight, The job I seem to have seems to good to be true, two of use seem to be on duty 24 hours each 12 hours then 24 off and maby 4 to 12 messages to carry during each day, an hours drill phy. the day you are off duty.
My to see these farmers here makes a man realize how far astray he was going when back in canada, I think if I ever return my motive will be to farm to get means to comfortably support a wife and family and help to make the old world some better by my life.
These people do not worry and hurry so much but they move on slowly all the time, I think and take time to enjoy a common sociable life. but they do use to much booze and tobacco why it is a fright boys any size from four yrs up
Things are in an awful shape that way.
Well bye bye Mother dear as ever your loving son
Laurie