From: Witley Camp, Eng.
17 Oct. 1916

Dear Mother -

Your letter of Oct. 1 received yesterday. I also received one from Gladys on the same day. I was glad to hear that you learned so quickly of my safe arrival. Yes, we went by way of Truro but it was after dark and arrived in Halifax early Mon. morning. We had our breakfast on the train and went on board the boat about half past ten. I saw nothing of the city at all as it was but a few steps from train to boat. We stayed there at the dock till Tues. morning and pulled out about 8 o'clock. I am glad you have the phone in now, it will be real handy. Gladys & Harold both mentioned it too.

My leave to London expired at midnight on Thurs. the 12th and I arrived in camp about an hour before that. Those 6 days are something to look back to, I shall not soon forget them. I made good use of my time while there and would know just what to do and where to go if I ever went back. We will likely get several weekend leaves and I think I shall go to London on them as often as I can as it is only a short trip from here there.

I hadn't thought of Harley till you mentioned him as being in a convalescent Hospital in England. Now it is more than likely that he is not so very far from where I am, maybe in or near London. If you could send me his no. and battalion, I could write to him or maybe see him.

The weather here so far has been much like what it is in Canada, tho perhaps a little damper. The nights lately have been rather cold - some around here say as cold as they ever see it, but we are comfortable in our huts.

Cecil seems to be much like I am in the matter of writing letters, while Harold & Gladys take after you and can write so much so easily. You must not think that Cecil does not want to write you - he has never been away much before and these are some of the 1st letters he has ever written. Harold says he studies some and that he won't go shooting any more when you have lots of work to do.

I went to that Wesleyan Church in Godalming again last Sun. evening. They seem to have a very good preacher there. They are giving Sun. afternoon teas to those who care to come.

On my last day in London, I went near noon to the Law Courts and was present for a few minutes at two courts of appeal - the Lord Chancellor's and the Lord Chief Justice of England's - Sir Rufus Isaacs. I saw these judges and their assistants in their gowns and legal garb and it was very interesting and novel to me as I have never even seen a Canadian court of any kind. Parl. is now on and I also went to the House of Commons for about an hour 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. just before I left for the train. There were very few ministers present as it was so early in the evening but I could get the general idea of things. The deputy speaker was in the chair and Lloyd George and Bonar Law were both present in the front row on the Government side of the House. I was not privileged to hear either of these men speak, tho I heard two or three of the lesser lights of each side of the House speaking in debate.

Remember me to those interested, especially Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Bertha (by the way, what rural route is Aunt Bertha in?) Lots of love to you, to Harold and to Arthur.
Your affectionate son,
Gordon

P.S. Tell Harold that I found his letter very interesting. Tell him that I am glad he is trying to help his mother all he can and that he is good to Arthur. I want him to continue to do as much and even more. There is lots of little things he can do to make it easier and if he does it willingly and cheerfully, it is so much the better and so much more appreciated.