No. 11 Special Service Co., C.E.F.
901 Hasting St., Vancouver, B.C.
Nov. 20,1917.

My dear Mother,

I have now been sent to the above place, after having received a Board at Victoria I was placed in the Category of C3. (light or sedentary duty as clerical work.) All men in this category are being discharged from the service. As I mentioned before the massage treatment has straightened out my neck. My hands are in fairly good condition tho the skin is sensitive to heat and cold.

I was very disappointed when I read your last letter to observe that you had not received any of my more recent letters. I hope that you will get this one in good time.

How is Dorothy's friend getting on. He will have some hard work to do before long, tho' some experts claim that the cavalry is obsolete. My own humble opinion is that if they were really out of date they would have been demobilized. Nothing is out of date in this war. An infantryman silenced a machine gun which was harassing an advance by throwing rocks at it.

I was very glad to receive your very welcome letter. I am delighted with your proposal to make a tour of the West, after the war. Of course you cannot come to America without visiting New York. You would also pass through Chicago. The expense would be very little more by travelling by this route. The tour is a splendid proposition. I have always been figuring on having you and Dorothy make this tour. Perhaps when you are free the war may be over. I may be back to see you anytime. I am not afraid to spend the money necessary to get home, tho I may need all I can get hold of for educational work, when I leave the army. For three months at the Conv. Hospital I took full advantage of Comercial Courses which were being given. I also had an inkling of gasoline engine construction, which was the only course to be had during a part of my stay at Qualicum Beach.

I hope that you and Dorothy will have a very happy Christmass, tho' it is not in the nature of people to be gladsome in these times that try mens souls.

We have a big loan campaign in this town at present introducing parades, fireworks, canvassers, boosters barkers and speilers. The war loan is known as the Victory Loan. Bonds are sold as low as fifty dollars. I thought that one of these bonds might make an acceptable Christmas present for Dorothy so I bought her one tho' on afterthought I believe she would have preferred the cash. I am led to understand that she will get the bond about two weeks after you get this letter.

Please remember me to Miss Beck and the other local people.

Oh, ask Dorothy to say in her next letter all she can tell about the man Clark who-er- jilted Gertie. As I am in Vncvr I can find out all about him.

I will write again soon
Your loving
Willie 703472