Febry 1st 1916

Dear Em;

Yours and Mother's letter arrived yesterday. Also the box with socks enclosed for Fred. I notice that there was some cocoa. In fact there still is some but not so much the miserable can burst and cocoa-ized everything, Marge's cigars are cocoa-coated and are very nice indeed. I was certainly glad to see the coffee. It will be a real treat after the chicory they hand out over here, they don't pretend to have coffee over here, they call it chicory and prefer it. I mean of course the natives.
Father's dictionary is very handy and it is small so that I can carry it around with me. Very many thanks for all the good things. I will write to Fred's old battery and find out his new address, then I will forward his bundle. I told you before that Fred was in England taking out a commission in Royal Artillery. You all had a busy time at Xmas and New Years. I am quite glad the Hancock girls were up. What struck them to come. [?] as it their regular 5 yearly visit. I mist write to Aunt Louisa in time for their anniversary which is sometime around March 11th I think.

When I hear how cold it is at home and in Winnipeg I think how lucky I am to be over here. Winter is over so far as we are concerned, flowers are out, pansies, crocuses, etc, and the farmers, old ones are digging up their land for gardens. Today is quite chilly, but we have had some rather mild weather. If it would only brighten up instead of fog & rain all the time. However on the whole we have very little to complain about.
Things are livening up some here. I cannot say anything more about war, according to written orders a couple of days ago, so I will not trespass, but just watch the paper there will be doings soon now, in fact they have started.

Last week we had visitors again Prince of Wales, Sir Douglas Haig, Boner Law, Sir Max Aitken and several lesser Generals. It is getting to be over here, that one caused little or no excitement unless one is at least a General, preferably a Sir or Duke. We do see lots of big ones, though, the Prince is a good scout. All the boys like him and he is the terror of the O.C.'s. He insists on seeing everything and goes right up into the front line and insists also upon sticking his head over the parapet. It looks [?] a kid & is [?] an old man in his actions, at least some of them.

I was greatly amused at the Rep this week. When they told about Anne Wright resiging and being presented with the busts. Were the famous gentlemen, Liszt and Beethoven special friends of Annes!

And by now Ernest a will be a happy married man. Well thats another place to go to visit any way. I hope she is nice, but I am sure she will be. My congrats to the Colonel when you see him.

I am glad you like your collar and cuffs. They will look nice on a navy blue suit, that is if they take a good starch. As good as my shirt tail for instance.

Tell Mother I was in to see her table spread the other day. I mean it is one of those pieces to put on an end of table to put cups + saucers + teapot on. It is getting along slowly and the little girls who are doing it are greatly interested in it, as am I. it is promised now for three weeks sure monsieur's, but that has no value over here. However we shall see.

This is my afternoon on and I am frequently interrupted, the other two ginks are out on a ride.

I hope Mother is feeling all better and that you are not working too hard. Edi told me about the arrangement & I think its fine.

Lots of love for all the family & good share for self

Wilbert

Kind regards to Miss Smith & I hope she is better