Sept 20th 1916

Dear Mr. Irwin: Received yours of Aug 29th a few days ago, was very pleased to hear from you. I also received your one before, but it reached me just as we were pulling out from the Salient and then started the long marches for 3 weeks finally finishing up in the Big Push. We went into action on the 15th and was very successful- reaching our objective and far beyond. Had to report that the 3 Norwood Boys came through without a scratch- Myself, Kettridge & Long. No doubt you will be reading of our work in the daily papers by this time.- Woodhead from Havelock sorry to say met his death at Hill 60 being blown up in a mine- he had only joined the tunnellers a few days previous. The scenes witness have been awfull- in walking over the battlefield.-its wonderfull what the British have accomplished since July 1st and we walked over 4 miles of ground which was held by the Germans,- Yesterday was the anniversary of our entering the trenches – one year – but it seems like 5 to me. Your account of the trip to Kosh was very interesting reading, and I still have hopes of being a member of one of those outing some time in the future.- Souvernies was very plentifull and the Boys look like a regiment of Huns with their caps – rifles – revolvers Ect- Prisoners have been trooping through here by the thousands, and such a croud all shapes and sizes, the heart completely taken out of them.- very few showed any fight- their hands going up all along the line- We are practically only fighting his Artillery the men offering no resistance what ever. Rain has fallen this last couple of days and will stop the push considerably.- I received word from F. Garlick sometime ago saying he had arrived safely in England- I have been hoping to meet him out here for some time.- All well at Home my people being very anxious just lately as to my welfare- Some of the Boys took a walk to 10- to fix up W[?] Starkeys grave before leaving the salient. I was very busy making sketches of graves to send home to their people in Canada. I will conclude for the time- wishing to be remembered to all the people of Norwood.

W.J. Stares