Pte. Amos Theodore Stretch (nickname "Slim") was born in Elk River, Minnesota, U.S.A., on June 24, 1891, and later moved with his family to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Amos was a member of the Active Militia's 104th Regiment when on January 12, 1916, he enlisted at New Westminster with the 131st Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, at the age of 24.

He embarked for England abord the SS Caronia on November 1, 1916. Shortly after arrival he was transferred to the 30th Res. Battalion, then to the 1st Res. Bn., before being sent over to fight in France. In February 1917 he transferred to the 29th Bn., Canadian Infantry, where served for the rest of his time in action.

Having suffered a burn wound to his foot, he was convalesced back to England, and from there demobilized at the end of the war, shipping back home to Canada in early 1919.

The letters and field-postcards in this collection were mainly written by Pte. Stretch to his parents James & Diana Stretch in Port Coquitlam.