Nov. 20th, 1915.
Belgium
I dont believe I wrote last Sunday and I've been busy ever since I came down. Major McD. who has been sick came back during the week. He has'nt the battery yet but I think he will get it back. He certainly deserves it. I have been down here all week running the wagon line and he is staying with me as guest. We rode up to the guns with Ell last night, had a bang up supper of turkey, sausages, macaroni and plum pudding, and some music and then came back. It was a regular reunion. Today I heard from the Adjutant that my transfer is gazetted but I dont know where I will be sent as I have received no orders. We had a fine ride today around through three villages and back. It was a glorious day and the men enjoyed it. At present we are erecting shelters for the horses and harness out of old lumber etc.. The mud is fierce and we have the horses on brick platforms and are improving the roads, etc.. We only have one wagon so I took a team down near the trenches the other night and we hauled out an old farm wagon. It holds about three loads in one.
I should go on leave on the 5th of December according to the list here but now that I am being transferred I dont know when it will come, whether sooner or later. The men are just having their issue of rum at my tent door. It is a great warmer on a cold night.
I have a busy day tomorrow, ordnance refilling point for rations, a court martial, a visit to the coal and wood depot and engineers for material for horse lines
My groom's brother is in England and not expected to live so I am sending him over on leave tomorrow. His brother was wounded and has had a hard time of it.
Leave is for 9 days now and "me and my little wife" are going to have a great old holiday. I hope to get down to see Hank and also the Wilsons as well as Aunt Hattie and Elizabeth. It will be pretty late to get Xmas. presents so I think I'll just send some from here.
I am enclosing that list of men's names and you could either label the socks and things or send the whole in bales to the O.C. 9th Canadian Battery. The apples have'nt come yet but I'm living in hopes I told the major they are on the way and he said to thank you. I forgot to tell Ell but will let him know to be on the look-out. Jim Mc- is in England with the people there. I will cable any change in address as soon as I hear.
About knitting - if you can knit mitts or gloves of good coarse wool, that would be the best thing for the drivers. A gunner can put his hands in his pockets but a driver has to hold his reins and believe me, it is cold on the fingers these days with the ground frozen solid every morning.
Speaking of rheumatism reminds me of the Convalescent Home. I did'nt see Dr. Bruce before he went back but he certainly gave you a fine talk about it in that clipping. What he says about things over here is just right. I am more convinced of the sadder side since I've seen Major McD. He tells me that some of our own men are pretty badly maimed.
Parcel NO. 5 arrived yesterday. Also a box from Michies and one from that other girl of mine in England. I always send some of the things up to the guns.
I have just said good bye to Boswell my groom. He goes on leave to see his brother in hospital at 3 a.m. and as I dont know when or where I will be sent I had to say good bye. It was pretty hard and I hope I can get him with me if I can He has been through the whole show, bullets, shells and all, since we left England and has always been at my side. We both wept together when old Bob was killed and I hope you wont forget him if anything should happen to me.
Well the Major and I have been talking for nearly an hour so I'm off to bed.
