Otterpool

Aug. 28 1915

Dear Mother,

Your nice long letter and Father's note arrived on Tuesday. At the time I was out on a bivouac, some miles from camp, so that I was doubly glad to receive it.

I can't understand how it is you haven't heard from me oftener. I try to write home and to Winnipeg every week, but while I do let a few days slip by once in a while, yet when I write one I always write the other. They seem to get letters fairly regularly, so I don't see why you don't. I will admit that I do very little writing outside of that.

While I was in London I wrote quite a lot of letters and cards, and a few days later the 'Arabic' was torpedoed and I hear the mail was on it. It would just be my luck. However perhaps it isn't true and you may still receive some of them. The mail here is supposed to go out on Tuesdays and Thursdays but I have good reason to believe that it often does not leave our camp Post 0[ffice] for some time after it should. I know that telegrams are often delayed there for a couple of days, and there lots of kicking among the boys about it. Then too it is not safe to send parcels unless you register them, as they are invariably broken into.

And that reminds me of two things. I am sure I acknowledged the photos which arrive 0.K., and thanks also re socks. Perhaps you had better not bother about them as you have quite enough to do at home without knitting socks. However my number is 10 � socks, 7 � shoe, and if you should find time either khaki or grey would be nice and not too rough.

I had quite a good time in London. There are no signs of war up there, outside of fact that hotels are crowded with officers on weekend leave. Nobody talks war and when they do they say "Oh well, we will win and there is no hurry. We always have won and we can't lose." That's the way they look at it in London. The streets are busy, the stores crowded, and theatres packed. I was at a couple of real good shows while there. There were a lot of good things on at the time and I enjoyed it.

Last Monday morning we started out on a four day bivouac scheme. I went along as last time Garfat was on the job. I enjoyed the outing and it was quite an experience. It was the largest thing of the sort we have had yet. Our whole division took part in it against a division of Imperial troops. In all there were between 50,000 and 60,000 men in the scheme. It takes such a long time to move large bodies of troops that one gets very tired of waiting for them to pass. Then they had all the horses, guns, ammunition etc to go with that large body so that it was really quite like a battle. I had a horse the whole time and enjoyed my ride and got well burnt up and gained a pound so that it did not hurt me at all.

Have just had a letter from Emily and Aunt Jean. I had no idea Em would stay out so long, but am glad she did. In her snaps she is looking splendid. I was afraid to write to her out there because it takes so long to get there, but as soon as she said she would be there until about 20 Aug. I started to write. I wish it did not take so long for our letters to get over. Aunt Jean said that Uncle Bert was having a good time in Muskoka. I have never heard from him but do not expect to. He knows the rest write and tell all the news, and he reads all the letters so that he knows what is going on. He is all 0.K. and is there when there is any 'call for help' of any sort. I expect Sir John does not give him much time for himself and has things pretty well planned for him.

Had a nice letter from Aunt Sarah the other day. Please acknowledge it for me and tell her I will try to write as soon as possible. I am writing this sitting on floor of tent, back up against the table, and pad on knees, so if you can make it out I will be quite happy.

I am enclosing few snaps I have had for sometime. I rather think I sent some before but it doesn't matter anyway. Will write quite often and you do same.

I have not forgotten about Alf and am tickled to death to think that he is going to Burwash Hall.

Lots of love for all,
Loving son,
Wilbert