From: Witley Camp, Godalming
26 Nov. 1916

Dear Mother -

Yesterday about noon, I received a letter from you and one from Gladys. You will be surprised and delighted to hear that about two hours before that, a parcel was brought in for me. I was very much surprised as tho I knew you were planning to send a parcel, I didn't expect it for about three weeks. Many parcels coming here have taken over a month, but your parcel arrived OK in exactly the same mail as your letter. Contents were in excellent shape. Several of the fellows have sampled your cake and pronounced it good. I think I have tried everything in the box except perhaps the gum. You went to considerable trouble and expense to send the things. I know how you would want to send something and I appreciate it very much.

I received a very nice letter from Mr. Macleod last Wednesday and answered it the next day. Gladys wrote an interesting letter in which she tells of lessons she has taught. She seems to be doing very well indeed. When I read that she had escorts to a couple of concerts in connection with the Normal School, I suddenly realize that my sister is growing up. She assures me that they were both very good fellows. Well, as she says, I guess she is old enough now to look after herself alright. By the time you get this letter, you will not have long to wait till you have her and Cecil with you again for a few holidays.

It is altogether likely that we may have another leave of absence again at Xmas or New Years. If we do and I can get long enough, I think it would be best to go and see a little of Scotland. Of course, the fare and expenses would amt. to quite a little, but I think I ought to see a little of the country when I have the chance. Since coming to England, all I have received in pay for the two months is £4. As $20. per mo. is going to you, I should get $13. per mo. but I think I told you that $20. is kept from us - that is an amt. equal to our assigned pay - until end of war. I guess that credit is now partly made up. They keep a little from our pay until it is made up. I have the biggest part of the £8 in the P.O. Savings Bank and I sent last Mon. to Bank of Commerce for another draft of £8 which I will put in the Bank. Not that I will likely need it, but so that I would have a little where I could get it if I ever should want it. You see, it takes over a month to get money from Canada. I think I will have the account made out to you as well as to me when I get the money.

I have taken a notion to write a few more letters than I used to. I have written cousin Grace twice since coming here and Clarence once. I have also written to Gladys three or four times. By writing more, I find I get more letters and it is so nice to get letters here from Canada. You should see the fellows crowd around when each Canadian mail comes in and how disappointed they are if they find they get no mail. Some fellows seem to get as many as four or five letters in every Canadian mail, that is about twice a week. But, then they write much more than I do. I know how little time you have to write and you mustn't try to answer all my letters. If all my letters get to you, I think you should be getting one a week. Of course, you must not come to rely too much on getting one a week as something might happen to the letters or I might not be in a position to write.

There has been no rumour yet of our going to France, but I suppose when we do go, there will be great secrecy about it.

I keep in dandy health, in spite of the fact that my feet, like everyone elses are damp nearly all the time. It is nice and bright and warm today.

Love to all and many thanks to you for the cake and chocolate. The sox too will come in handy.

Yours,
Gordon