Witley Camp,
Surrey, England
September 27, 1916
Dear Marjorie,
We are here at camp in "Merry England" at last. We had an excellent trip over experiencing no rough weather consequently none of us suffered from seasickness. We were 5½ days coming over getting here, the day after some of the troops who sailed a week before us. We dropped anchor about 7 p.m. Sunday, had breakfast about 2 a.m. next morning, disembarking about 5 a.m. after which we immediately boarded the train. Our journey by rail lasted 9 hours. The trip through England was fine, the cars and train service are unique here, it is a novelty to ride in them for the first time, they remind me so much of toy cars. The cars are divided into compartments with doors opening on the sides, each compartment holding 8 persons comfortably, the cars being only wide enough for 4 to sit side by side. We were allowed to go out on the platform of some of the most important places, Birmingham, Crewe, Oxford etc. What attracts one's attention mostly are the numerous hedges that run through the fields, along all roads and paths. Most of the buildings have tile roofs and the older ones are very low. This camp is south of London, about 30 miles distant, Shornecliffe is somewhere about 20 miles away, while Aldershot, Bramshot are only 5 and 6 miles distant. This camp is to be an all Canadian camp having capacity of about 60,000 men. It is divided off in blocks, macadamized roads running through. We have no tents but all buildings are of the same style, shacks one storey high, clapboarded with tarred roof having the capacity of 30 men. We have the straw mattresses on the floor so are very comfortable. The first night we slept on the bare floor but as we were tired we didn't mind it very much. The 13th and 14th Divisions from Petawawa are here also. They are comprised of 8 batteries of field artillery also 4 Amm. Column, the 66th Battery and the Fort Garry Horse. We know a lot of the fellows in them so see them quite often. I understand that the 117th is at Bramshot or in that vicinity so will try to visit them soon. In the camp here one road is lined with stores etc. for a half mile or so. There is a good moving picture show, restaurants, one or two Y.M.C.A. bungalows, a Church, a Salvation Army hall and writing room. This street is called "Tin Town" as most of the buildings are of galvanized tin. There is evidently some mistake in our being sent here. We are siege artillery so should have been sent elsewhere where there are heavier guns to train on, so I doubt whether we are permanently settled yet. We call ourselves the "lost battery". We are just settled but are not doing any work but pass away time in barracks, amusing ourselves the best way we can. There has been two Zeppelin raids on London since we arrived and we have just been here three nights. Whenever there is a raid alarms are sounded in the camp and you have to get up and dress just as if there was a fire. The first night we were here 7 Zepps dropped bombs near London about 1:30 a.m. killing 30 persons and wounding some women and children. We all had to get up and dress so as to be ready to beat it for the woods if any should come our way. Last Saturday night 12 Zeppelins also raided the southern part of England doing about the same damage. Coming over on the boat we wore life belts all the way as we stood chances of being torpedoed. Now we have to look out above us. I expect to have leave for London in the course of two or three weeks so will try and see a little of the place. We do not get fed very bountifully here in England. Breakfast is bread, tea and butter also a small piece of bacon. Dinner is made up of bread and meat while we have bread, butter and tea with a little jam for supper. We get no vegetables or potatoes in our rations but I understand that the soldiers are well fed at the front so let's hope that we get there soon. How is your school progressing and I suppose everything is in full swing now. I want to remind you of that photo or snapshot of yourself Marjorie, either will be acceptable. Well I will close now. Write soon as I will be more than glad to hear from you. I doubt we will be here long so it will be best to send mail c/o army post office.
Your sincere friend Gordon