Dec. 9/17

Dear Mother,–

Please excuse the pencil as there is nothing better handy. I suppose you are worrying about the Halifax disaster. Our troopship just missed it by about five days. Seasickness claimed me for one of its victims for about three or four days; after that I felt fine and could eat like a horse and what is better, could hold it down. There were about three thousand American soldiers in the flotilla from New York State including a bunch from Buffalo and Syracuse They certainly were a tough looking bunch and looked as if they could scrap like the devil. I liked their uniform and equipment which looked smart and yet businesslike. We are quartered in Martins Plains, Shorncliffe, temporarily, all being under quarantined for ten or fifteen days. Send your letters to the same address as I told you until I know the permanent camp. In case you did not get it right I’ll give it to you again. Pte. H.C. Manning, No. 2181339, No.1 Draft, Manitoba Depot Batt’n., Army Post Office, London, Eng. All Xmas and New Years leave for soldiers in England is cancelled until Jan. 15 so that soldiers in France can get leave. This is done so as to prevent railway congestion during the festive season. This certainly disappointed me because one of the fellows invited me to spend Xmas up in Scotland with some relatives he has there but I guess January will do just as well. I am going to try and get a transfer to the Princess Pats or the artillery if nothing better turns up but I won’t be able to do much about the matter until we are transferred to our permanent camp. The canteen and club rooms here are fine. The former is more of a light lunch counter than anything. The rooms are tastefully decorated with pictures and flags and are provided with writing tables and games. There is one thing that is going to get my goat though and that is the damp weather; if it would only snow instead of rain I would happy. Maybe I will be able to see Harry Maxwell if you send me his address. Will you send me some Gillette razor blades and a sharpener? I would use the issue razor only I have no strap and it is not much good anyhow. As I have only been here a day I can’t pass an opinion on the meals but everything seems to be pretty well fixed up. I will write again when I have more to say and will write to Jean Patrick to-morrow.

Well so long for the present,
From your loving
Charley

P.S. This letter includes of course May and Ed. and all the “family.”
C