Glenbow Archives M-9235-4, George Lamb’s First World War letters

No 3 Company, Machine Gun Depot Crowborough April 2, 1917

Dear Mother,

Your mail to me still remains a mystery but I am living in hopes of getting some soon. I never let it effect [sic] my writing you because I know it has not been your fault, as you have always written me regular since I landed here and I have never had any cause to complain.

Yesterday the 1st passed away quite quietly for me as I never went to Tunbridge Wells, and it was my first Sunday in camp. Went to church in the morning and in the afternoon I went down and saw our old Lieutenant Mr. Eaton, who is such a good man and although he is a [sic] Officer and me a private we have some great old arguments, he has been a good friend to me and my heartiest desire would be to be under him in France if possible. I used to give him Pa’s letters to papers to read as he was much along the same line, so yesterday he asked if I had any more, and I gave him a good bunch to keep him busy.

We have now finished our three weeks and this week we are on is our last, then we get a six day pass and then Hurrah for France. I will sure be glad in one way after being here so long, most likely when you receive this I will be there, but it will be May 1st before we see action at the earliest, probably the war may be over by that time, one never knows the way things are moving in France now-a-days.

The other day I had a nice letter from cousin Edna who lives in the states, so I wrote her yesterday. She said she was hoping Germany would win, but in yesterday’s letter I used up six of these pages describing the war, what Germany was guilty of, what would become of her if they did win, so I imagine she would change her mind considerably after receiving it, but it is as she says that they don’t know there that a war is on, or anything about it, so I credit her sentiments on pure ignorance of facts.

Talk about weather, this country if I had to live here would drive me crazy, for the last two weeks it has rained, hailed, and snowed every little while during the day. They talk about Canadian weather, but it is a darn sight worse here and I wouldn’t want to ever see this Island again supposing I was worth millions, no chance, none for me thanks.

My bed mate got a sick pass last week so they put a returned fellow bunking with me. He was to France with the 1st contingent, was gassed, wounded and discharged and sent back to Canada. He enlisted again and been over to France and wounded again in five different places, and yet here he is in this depot ready to go back again. Some boy, Eh! He was a driver of six mules, riding one of the first ones when a German shell hit right under this mule, killed the whole six mules, and the other two drivers. He was wounded pretty bad but is fixed up fine. He sure had a miraculous escape, and what gets me is he is game to go back, whereas he could swing the lead easily and stay here.

To-morrow our rations are to be cut down again, as food is quite scarce. We used to get half a loaf of bread per day, but now it is 5 men for two loaves per day, so I think there will be trouble somewhere, the sugar, meat, margarine and everything is cut down accordingly. Thank heaven I have a place in Tunbridge Wells to get 3 squares a week, or I would likely be a skeleton before long. I have come to the conclusion the war has got to finish this year, or Britain will feel it pretty bad, but now they say is the worst time, and after harvest I guess it will be better.

I have not much news, have never seen Mr. Hensley I guess he has gone to France by now. I am going to visit Thomas Longley at Betchworth and perhaps another Aunt at Little Hampden, the Bank manager’s wife if possible, the rest of my pass I will stay in Tunbridge Wells I guess, as it is Easter time then and Enid has a month school holidays.

So long for now and write me regularly,

I am, as ever Your loving Son George

No 3 Company, Machine Gun Depot Crowborough, Sussex April 7, 1917

My Dear Mother,

With two nice big husky letters staring me in the face from you which arrived yesterday, I shall attempt to answer them to-night Saturday. By all the Laws of humanity I should be in Tunbridge Wells to-day, as Eric the son of Alice Longley who has been three years in the Mediterranean in the Navy has arrived home quite unexpectedly on a months [sic] leave and they wanted me to come so bad, but as luck would have it my pass was turned down flat, as they looked up previous records and found I had three already, so here I am out of luck. Eric is a Lieut. Commander, has won the D.S.O. and landed thousands of troops in Gallipoli, so I would have had some great time with him. However my six day final leave is coming in four or five days and I will see him then. What gets me is that now they all know I am here and getting leave, they all want me for a few days and I don’t know hardly where I am at. The Aunts want me and figure I am coming there, but I am not so anxious as I have other places where I have not been and where it would afford me a much better time, that is the jackpot I am up against. My course is finished and I am a first class qualified gunner, as I made a percentage of 55 out of 80 whatever that is? I am fit for France once my leave is over and hope to get there as soon as I come back as I feel miserable when I see returned men who have been there and know all about it.

You should know Mr. Day all right, Lily will anyway, as he was sure a nice fellow and road a Piebald horse, which he said afterwards got burned to death in that fire at Arden. By all accounts Lily has been experiencing some lively times, all her friends coming around, she reminds me of a story Earngey used to spin about all the breeds coming to Ross’s place when he married that half-breed. She can thank her stars she is not over here, or else she would be, or rather have to be engaged in her spare hours, such as War work. Those ginks [sic] in Canada having such great times will get a shock when the boys come home, and asked them how they did their bit in the great war, and they said we kept the home fires burning, well their presence will not be required any more, but a brand of yellow, or a white feather should be handed them, because if anyone thinks of his home, mother, sister or sweetheart cannot but say to himself I will go forth and see that their rights are preserved. It has been Britain’s colonies Germany has wanted and Canada would suit her immensely, as she has often spoke [sic] about being given a free right of settlement there. However Lily has worked hard and deserves credit, but as to pleasures and good times they should be moderated to occasions, and should she have a conception of what a serious time we are facing, when everything is at stake.

We have had a rather funny time around here for the last two days, evidently some soldier stole a farmer’s hen and had it cooked. Well a farmer here knows all his livestock from the cat up, and missed it, so they even got a “Curie” [illegible] policeman as detective and he dressed up in uniform and came and was helping in the bathhouse, and as a fellow was bathing he saw blood on his tunic and immediately suspected him as the Culprit. They finally made him admit he stole this half starved chicken and two big husky policemen came down and made the arrest and took him away in a car. He will likely get about a month in the coup, as they say that is the penalty. What got my goat was the fuss and trouble all over this hen, and shows how serious they are for food, when a man is pulled up for such a trivial offense. Just contrast it with some Halloween night in Canada and it seems so ridiculous.

The Brighton Concert party is giving a song and dance show in the Y.M. to-night so I guess I will take it in seeing it is Free, but these concerts are real tame and so much formality that a person gets bored before they finish providing you don’t go to sleep.

Mildred was so kind and sent me a $ bill for my birthday and I am keeping it and going to try and bring it back from France if possible. They are so rare over here. I hear them cheering so imagine this Punch and Judy performance is starting, so will Au Revoir.

Write Soon Your loving Son George

No 3 Company Machine Gun Depot Crowborough Camp April 12, 1917

My Dear Mother

Your long looked for epistle reached me to-night, just exactly a month after its date of posting. I have had letters in a short as space [sic] as seventeen days but they are mostly a month, whereas mine to you get there much quicker as they have no Army P.O. to go through.

Well Mother I have to relate that I am due for France any day now, to tell you all will no doubt be more interesting. Yesterday an order came out forbidding all further leave, which means I will likely never get to Tunbridge Wells to see the folks or Eric who has been in the Navy, and I am quite disappointed I assure you. Since that battle of Vimy Ridge the Canadians have been hit pretty heavy and that is their reason for keeping everyone from leave. Well they called out a large draft of 400 from here and they needed more and asked for volunteers from the Revolver Class which I was on to go without their leave, so on being pretty anxious I stepped forth, got examined by the M.O. to go with them, but I am only a waiting man to be ready if anyone of the bunch takes sick or anything unusual happens, but as they are departing to-morrow my chances of going are pretty slim, but the Serg’t Major says they want another bunch on Sunday, just two days from now, so I will probably be in the next bunch. You see the M.G. get the hard going in these counter attacks as they practically resist the German Infantry from getting back, so when their Artillery gets a bombardment going they shell the very old devil for Machine guns and quite naturally locate most of them by their systematic searching, although the great percentage of M.G. are only Blighters, thank the Lord. My idea is that we are about to see the finish soon and I would be some chump if I only managed to come this far.

I was so surprised at “Old Jimmy” giving Blanche such a blowout, after Pa has knocked the whay [sic] out of him so often, but I guess Jimmy is getting old now, and is repenting for his many sins he knows so well. I often think of the time he was going to knock my block off outside the P.O. one day, but I showed him I wasn’t scared anyway.

That Miss Ward sure is right in her line of talk, as she knows what our boys are up against, and another thing I can say with a true feeling and that is, that when Sunday morning church parade comes there are very few who don’t go, although it is practically optional here, as you can easily skip it, but all the boys are always eager to attend. So much of our soldier life is the question of right and wrong and such a willingness of each to help the other is so predominant, and a good man has no trouble. For instance I know of a Private having charge of about thirty men on a route march when the Brigadier General came around the corner when they were in the act of some devilment of which this Private in charge was responsible, but rather than see him in wrong these fellows told a lie and got the C.B. for it. Just because he was a good fellow.

I am enclosing a snap shot of another Bank Clerk and myself, taken last Sunday previous to going for a stroll, you may like it; but that spot on my hat bewilders me what it was and reminds me of Dave Trester out shooting ducks when they flew over him, and one accidentally dropped something in his eye. I think this spot was a sparrow’s affair.

There is a Pumkin Centre quartette [sic] or some concert party in the Y.M. to-night, but I never find time to go as my correspondence of 10 letters per week keeps me going pretty well. I hear from Pa, Cassie, Uncle Will, Wes, Lizzie, Mildred and an odd letter here and there.

I have written a letter to Jack Canuck in Toronto, so watch and get it for a few weeks to see it. They wanted to know about profits of 188th Canteen profits [sic] so I related their whereabouts as well as possible. I got your Plumas Standard at last, read them thoroughly and gave them to Jasper Atrill who was very pleased to see them. For Lily’s benefit I may say I have never seen Mr. Hensley, as I believe by what the Engineers say that he was in France before I got here. Hope he is jake though.

Best love and write often to my same address.

I am, as ever Your Loving son George

No 3 Company Crowborough Camp April 20, 1917

My Dear Mother,

I have just returned from my six days final leave and this is just a day over a week since I wrote you last, but on returning I expected a letter from you but one from Lily awaited me instead, of which I was quite pleased, although her jokes are a little out of date, and in fact are not quite in keeping with the seriousness of the situation through which we are passing.

I went to Tunbridge Wells for the first three days and saw Eric the sailor of whom I was so taken up, a lovely boy, in fact the children are really ideal, and love each other so much, it was a treat to see such harmony among them. Well I hired a cycle and Eric and I bicycled to Brighton a distance of 32 miles taking us three hours. We went to see Eric’s aunt, who used to be Maggie Dick, and they have a most magnificent home, a lovely auto and really live in luxury. They gave us a great reception and Mr. Holland took us down along the pier which is four miles long, we saw soldiers of all descriptions and mostly wounded men as they have a large hospital there. We had to stay all night, and really we were used the very best. They have four sons, all in the army with commissions, their favorite of course has been killed in action and although it is four months they have never recovered from the shock. We cycled home amid a pouring rain the next day. The following day I went to London, stayed a day, saw many of the sights and then went on to Betchworth to Uncle Thomas Longley who is the Vicar there. Really they have the most magnificent home, it covers three acres, and they have an orchard, large garden and keep all kinds of live stock, but everything kept just so, and his wife is so nice, she was saying they have never had a cross word in their 18 years married life. He preaches in a most ancient church, although very beautiful and parts of it are standing since the year 1077. I enclose a picture [he notes above: I can’t find it] of a huge chest built since 1600, it is a very historic church. The following day we walked to Dorking where the farmers brought in their farm stock to sell and it was very funny. I then came home after a most enjoyable trip. If I come through this I can describe it better personally as there are so many details.

When I came home we were immediately put on draft for France and have had our medical inspections etc and ready to move instantly. We may be away in a few hours and maybe 3 or four days, just depends. I am quite ready as I have waited long enough for the opportunity of showing myself as a real soldier of deeds and not so much words. I notice several of our boys have been killed or wounded, and a terrible number from our battalion.

Our fellows get the papers over here just crammed with their glorious achievements at Vimy Ridge, and a South African Captain told me personally that we had put up the best two scraps in the war, The Second Battle of Ypres, and Taking Vimy Ridge, so we can feel quite confident in saying we are second to none as fighting men. All the boys from France over on leave say the war cannot last much longer, as the German prisoners and men have no heart to scrap, they simply put up their hands and yell Kamerad! Let us hope and pray it may be over soon anyway.

Write soon same address Your loving Son George

Best love to Lily and Blanche

Crowborough Camp, No. 3 Company April 21st, 1917

My Dear Father,

Have not written you for a few days owing to my being away on a six day pass which gave me very little spare time for anything else. I must say I could never wish for better or most hospitable relatives than I possess over here. I had a long bicycle trip one day from Tunbridge Wells to Brighton a distance of 32 miles, but I came back the following day, but was wishing I had that old M.M. or Flanders on some of those hills which sure take your wind away. I also spent a day in London, saw all the sights and journeyed on at the government’s expense to see the Rev. Thomas Longley at Betchworth, had glorious time and they are so nice and comfortable, employing three servants, have no children either, so you can imagine the social standard they live up to, which is in my mind all bosh, but it would never do to say so. Any further details of my glorious holiday will have to wait till I see you personally.

Came home and was put on draft for France the next day, we have had our M.O. exams, kit inspection, brigadier inspection etc and all ready for action. We may go in three hours or three days we don’t know, but by the time you receive this you may keep on the lookout for a telegram, as I gave your name as my next of kin at Plumas, but it will be forwarded to Pincher Creek in case anything happens to me, but kindly wire mother also, because it takes perhaps three weeks longer than you are wounded when you see it in the papers. The boys at Vimy Ridge have been hit pretty hard, although they achieved one of the greatest successes in the war and proved themselves second to none as fighting men. I see a lot of boys I enlisted with have got it, although mostly wounds. A nice blighty would suit me fine, although I would rather see quite a few months first. By the papers we can sum up that the war is very nearly over as all our returned men arriving from France lately say the Germans have no heart whatever, and they surrender quite freely.

How are times in the West, I hear things have taken on the nature of a boom, but I can hardly credit it. I am quite uncertain about what I shall undertake when I return (if I do) which is always understood of course, but I will be at quite a loss. In any case, I will want to get married to my dearest who has borne such a great deal in my absence and kept my spark of hope from wavering, besides instilling confidence and influence such that I was in no way desirous of having any of the girls over here, which are really in swarms, and especially very polite to all Canadians. I can never find her equal, which Uncle Will will also tell you.

I am also writing Uncle Wes to-night, as I have been a little behind the last week or so.

Uncle Abe Lincoln is a great topic over here in the paper, they quote his many sayings so often and you made no mistake in laying such stress on his wonderful characteristics. I hope you received my papers O.K. I have a letter in Jack Canuck about the graft of our battalion, so you may see it. Address my letters here till I write you from France.

Best love to all, I am Your Loving Son George

Treherne, Manitoba April 22, 1917

My dear George,

This is Sunday evening, and the house is quiet and a [illegible] time to write you a few lines. Received your welcome letters dated March 19th and 29th. I have not replied sooner, as I was waiting to see if there was a change in your address, but we do not get the mail very regularly, so will send this to the same address.

I suppose by the time this letter reaches you you will be in France. I only hope you may be delayed again for some reason. I miss the papers here, they get the daily Tribune but of course not every day.

Mildred came home from the city last Tuesday after spending an enjoyable holiday, she had to have her teeth attended to, which cost her 19.50, but it is a good job over with, she bought herself a nice new suit and hat, and looks very well in them. I was sorry for the trouble she and Lafayette had.

I had a chat with him over it one day, he is sorry he said so much, he explained it to me this way, he has had no [illegible] this winter, and had been trying to get up some [illegible] from the bush and do the chores and working harder than usual to keep the boys at school. Mildred told Aunt Tom that the boys would not do their homework right and seemed to take very little interest in their studies so at this time she had taken no notice of Lyle for 2 days at school. So this night he was so tired and miserable he could hardly drag himself in to supper, I just forget how the subject was brought up, but the storm broke and he lit into Mildred and he swears terribly when he is angry. Annie tried to stop him, but he kept on. Mildred did not say a word, but kept cool, but made up her mind she would not stay. However the [illlegible] would not hear of her leaving so she and Lafayette had a chat – some days after, and she consented to stay till June. Lyle apologized for his part in not doing as she should have done and they seem to be allright now. I told Lafayette I felt very angry at him for swearing at her. I thought he should have had better control over his temper and remembered that Mildred was only a young girl and her first school, and seemed to be trying to teach them as well as she could. My first impulse when she wrote and told me was to write L a good sharp letter but did not do so and then 2 or 3 weeks after Annie wrote asking me to come for a while I did not like to refuse as they are always very good to Blanche and I in fact I do not know sometimes how we should have got though that first winter and there was very little money to live on besides buying coal to heat that old barn at Plumas. The boys will do anything I ask them to do but Mildred is very short and does not care to make friends with them. Lafayette says he would still do anything for Mildred but she will leave at the holidays, it would be better for her to do so. I expect I’ll be going back soon I do not know what they would have done without me, as Aunt Tom has been sick and Dorothy too. Lafayette has not been well, is threatened so much with sciatica. They have named the baby partly after me, they call it “Mary Madeline”.

I was so interested to hear of your visits to Tunbridge Wells, Lilian does not seem to have much use for the English girls, but she has not seen them all, some of them that I can remember were very charming indeed. I am so glad you had such a home to go to. That was Uncle Jim’s own little girl Frances, they have adopted a little boy now. Mildred saw Mrs. Mill [illegible] in the city. [Illegible] had to have her eyes tested, her throat operated on and her nose, cost them over a hundred dollars, while they were in the city, they heard of Wesley [illegible] being wounded. She also met Mrs. Tom Ripley carrying an egg case she was going to St Boniface Hospital. She had brought Gertie in to have her tonsils out and the adenoids removed from her nose. Mrs. Goring had also been in the city for month had a bad leg. And Uncle Alan Baxter has had to have considerable done to his teeth. I told you before of Mr. and Mrs. Butchart being at the Hospital in January both for operations. And Alfie Williams also had something wrong with his throat and tonsils and Bruno Besser is dying with Bright’s disease so the Plumas people have been afflicted considerably with different diseases. Am thankful we have all been so well. I do not know what our future plans will be. Pa says he will not teach longer than July; he seems bound to buy some business at the old stand in Plumas. I wish he would sell the place and pay the rest in three lots. I have told him I think it would be foolish to start at anything until the war was over, and he had a little money ahead. One cannot live on this mind and ones money is at teaching. Living is so high now. Wheat is 2.40 a bushel and hogs 15.75 and 16.00. Lafayette is taking 9 to Treherne [illegible] will get 250.00 for the bunch. He also sold $600.00 worth of wheat at 2.00 per bushel. The farmers are making all kinds of money especially the farmers in Alberta. Someone told Aunt Tom last fall as she was coming from Vancouver that around Calgary some of the farmers were rolling in money.

Monday morning. I was going to enclose a letter form the Treherne Times, that a fellow by the name of Murray wrote, who formerly worked in the Can. B. of Commerce in Treherne, he is a Corporal now but is trying hard to get to France, he wrote from Bramshott but I cannot find it.

Aunt Tan has just found it. Well Georgie I must say good bye to you again. Remember you are always in my thoughts and always will be no matter what happens. I know you will do your best but in any case if you are spared to come back home great one joy. If not I know you will have died a hero

Adieu Tim, Edna, Jim, [illegible] Mother Dorothy says isn’t that nice “writer” seeing your letter on the table. She often talks of you.

No 4 Company Machine Gun Base, B.E.F. April 24, 1917

Dear Mother,

I have arrived at last in France and must say I like it fine so far. I was very fortunate in getting away as the bunch I came with are all fellows out of my hut in England and am personally acquainted with all of them. I was 5th waiting man on our draft, two were turned down medically, three others on pass so I just made it and that’s all. We don’t know when we will go up the line but I imagine it won’t be long as there are not an awful lot of machine gunners here right now.

We have just competed to-day a twelve mile march with packs, reaching here, and I assure you I am not the gayest feeling fellow to-night, although am quite well. They say it is not so bad here and lots of grub, so we should worry, in fact we have four meals a day, the night one at 8 being tea or soup, but it helps to say the least.

I have not had any mail from you for a long period. Lily’s was my last, but the overseas mail has been held up for some reason, likely some more quarantine.

I want you to keep me well posted, mother, for letters because I shall be quite lonely at times I imagine, your letters are so nice to receive and will be so welcome indeed. Mine will be shorter as we have all our letters censored by our officers and it is hard to know just what we can write. I guess the best parts of our jackpots will have to wait for a personal interview.

Best of love to yourself and Lily, Blanche

Your Loving Son George

Send this to Mildred

May 2nd, 1917 France

My Dear Mother,

Just a few lines as I am in a terrible hurry and will write you another letter when I reach my destination. I was put on draft for the line this morning and my address will be (Pte. GC Lamb 888053, 1st Division Motor Machine Gun Brigade, France). It had been my fond wish to get in something like this and here I am into it, just by chance as there are only a few who are so lucky with me. It is Sifton Battery organized by the premier of Alberta and I am quite tickled about it.

This has been an average place for France, but several jackpots which you must necessarily take with a smile. Last night I went down to a hospital and was getting some ball gloves to play a game to-night. I was going to pitch for the gunners, against the hospital staff team, but it has been knocked in the head now we are going up. I was just coming back when who should I meet with that old familiar stride but H. T. Rogers, in other words Harold. He looks absolutely played out and when I asked him what he was doing he said Oh, shoving --- pails at the hospital. He has been here fifteen months and should have a rest as he is getting grey through work, and he can’t get up the line on Blighty or anywhere, but kept on the jump with patients the whole time. He said Wallace G. came through their hospital and was quite tickled as he got to Blighty.

This shall be my last letter before leaving here and to any of my friends you can say I am going up the line with the best of luck. Write me often.

I am as ever Your Loving Son George Love to all XXXX XXXX

Somewhere in France May 19th, 1917

My Dear Mother

Received a letter from you a few days ago, and with it were seven others from different ones, including three from my dearest which were quite welcome indeed. Your last one was delayed as it was posted April 1st from Treherne arriving here the 16th, but I was sure glad to get it, as a letter here is valued about as much as a $20 bill, so don’t ever neglect to write. As I said before we have lots of excitement up here to keep us going and every day I enjoy it better, time flies like a honeymoon and it is now a month since I left old England. I was quite surprised to hear the other night of Jas Spalding being plugged, they say he was blown to pieces. Wes Kerr and Wallace Gorringe have both got to Blighty, lucky fellows. I went up to see the remains of our Kamsack bunch (print obliterated for several lines) not so bad either considering they struck some pretty hard fighting. I had a dandy talk with them, also met Cliff McRae, Jessie’s brother here, he has been out nine months and is sticking it well.

After we were paid our fortnightly magnanimous sum of 15 Franks or 3.00 I saw the Paymaster and changed my address of next of Kin to you in Wpg instead of Plumas. I also have assigned 15.00 per month to you which you can do what you like with, it should come on June 1st sometime because they have it charged to me from then. Write and tell me if it reaches you. I have 125.00 to my credit besides, but I tried to assign that $15 in England, and they wouldn’t but here is different. You can send me a parcel once in a while once a month, put in some sox, cake, peanut butter and Lily can make some fudge, that is my liking and can get along fine if you do that. Aunt Lizzie has sent me one with some stuff but I have not got it yet.

I imagine your surprise arriving at the station that day, quite a shock when you were unaware he was so sick. Aunt Annie is making sure of enough children anyway, but think she should consider other things a little, such as health, and bringing up the ones she has properly instead of letting them run on Mildred the way they did. It is just a little over a year since I was there, but after Lay. performance I shall not wish to ever darken his door unless to give him a little advice on the limits of his ignorance.

The war seems to keep a-going, but thank the Lord our morale as far as I see is the very best and it won’t be the Canadian’s fault if it goes another year because really they have done wonders and other troops probably just as good, although their accomplishments are not so marked. My address is always now 1st Can. M.M.G. Battery, B.E.F. France.

Things must be awfully dear in Canada now as prices have advanced in living at 60% since war started, however they will be rewarded like everyone else and a lot of good will come also, indirectly visible at present, but will unveil itself like a cloud later on. I have not said one way or another on Pa’s lots but he can suit himself. I made one bad bull once upon a time and my advice I consider since then is absolutely worthless. Tell Lily and Mildred I can’t write them both regularly, but it should be no excuse for them not writing me as they have far more opportunities. Will be pleased to hear from Aunt Tan also.

With Best love to yourself and the rest, I am, as ever Your loving Son Pte. Geo C Lamb, 888053

ca May 1917 Incomplete letter

Page 2 reign supreme. Up here the men understand predicaments, work and fight like the devil in the line with the Hun and lazy is their middle name out of it, anyway the results are so prominent that they get a good name just the same. I suppose you have read about Vimy Ridge well believe me by the accounts it was some task and its capture of such vital importance that every Canadian may well feel proud of his birthright. Lots of excitement up here in the way of bombardments the big guns roar from morn till night incessantly and at night the star shells make a very nice display of fireworks, got those old exhibitions of the ‘peg [Winnipeg] beat a thousand ways. Aeroplanes are like so many birds flying around the air, hundreds of them overhead each day scouting, observing, or watching for some canny Fritz plane who might take a venture over our lines, we see fights occasionally, and every day see one shelled by the Anti-Air-Craft guns which frequently hit their mark. The other day I passed through a few villages in ruins, not a sign left to show what sort of building it was even and graves with little crosses dotted here and there everywhere. In one place they had a lone Fritzie prisoner in a barb wire cage, he looked quite happy and I expect was glad of the rest for a while. They have hundreds of them working in the towns on streets in France, they treat them well and they are well satisfied here rather than fighting. My address for now and ever will be 1st Can. Motor Machine Gun Brigade B.E.F. France that is all, but any former letters coming to those other addresses will find me I expect. I have assigned $15 a month pay to mother and changed my next of kin to her address in Wpg in case of getting in the casualty lists. So long for now, Write often.

Your Loving Son Pte Geo C Lamb 888053

Binscarth, Manitoba May 27, 1917

Dear Geo

Your recent letters came to hand O.K. and you don’t know how glad I am always to get them and read them and I sure drink down every word. I wrote you a letter a week ago but your Aunt Annie and Nellie would not let me send it so when they censored it I did not get the time to write another.

Geo you have no idea how hard I have worked this spring I am so fatigued at night that sometimes I can’t sleep for some time we are putting in over 500 acres of crop besides all the garden truck which takes a lot of time and hard work and I tell you I am tired and poor Trueman he is worn right out and I have another boy 16 years old who is a swell kid and I tell you when we were putting in the wheat he was all in. Norman don’t do any more that [sic] his own job and he don’t look for anything to do for fear he would have to do a little more and it throws a heavy responsibility on me so forgive me Geo if I am a little slow in writing my heart is right though and I am [illegible] doing my best to provide food for the nation and I ever keep the object before my mind suppose I got nothing for it. I think I told you before I got in 420 ac of wheat. There is no such an amount of wheat in as other years and its very dry. I guess I have the most in of anyone in the municipality. Cecil left me this spring just as we were ready to start seeding and its sure put us all to a severe test still I hope to make the grade.

I feel very sorry to work poor Trueman so hard and your aunt Annie but Nellie does very well she milks 4 cows night and morning and feeds the calves also. Everything is very high eggs are 35c Butter 40c Pork $16.25 alive Beef 12c alive and Flour $14.50 a barrel so its hard for the poor of our land when everything is produced. I don’t know how laboring people will live. Well Geo even if you don’t hear from me as often as you should remember you have one here who is ever interceding for you at the blood bought mercy seat.

You are on my mind in the day at the close of the day and the first thing I think of in the morning hoping and trusting I may see you again. I remain your loving uncle Wes

J. W. Lamb

Somewhere in France May 27, 1917

My Dear Mother,

Sunday night has come around again and I must prescribe a few lines. May say the weather is fearfully hot and reminds me of the old days in August in Sept in Plumas when we used to have these scorchers when everyone would jump to the parlor for a quiet nap, it makes you feel awfully lazy when so hot and gets quite monotonous. A great many of us have cut our pants off at the knees which adds a refreshing breeze now and again, I did mine to-day and with the aid of a Jack Knife and a needle which had nearly rusted itself away made a very handsome looking job. One leg is about an inch shorter than the other, but when we realize that we don’t have much style for this part, they pass all right. They fit like the kind Mrs. Seeley used to make for me and a little more practice should put me in her class.

We expect to go up the line shortly again, but while out we have been drilling, doing physical jerks, fatigues etc, keeping in good shape. I have had four or five ball games and was wishing I had one of my uniforms and baseball boots out of my trunk, as there are none out here hardly, and these sod crushers which they [illegible] are rather heavy for jumping around the bases. If you ever see a picture in a Canadian paper with a lot of trophies in and a tree which resembles an umbrella, you can know it is where we are only our camp is half a mile from it. I saw my picture in some British papers so thought you might accidentally see it in Canada.

The other morning about 4 am we were awakened by heavy shelling, naturally it woke us up, we rolled out and looked up and saw that they were after a Fritz aeroplane, he was low and quite close, and the way they pasted shells at him was a sight while two of our planes also made haste, they say he never returned and it was not a surprise to me, as the shells bursting were something fierce. He had come over in the night and dropped bombs killing five men and nine horses. His mate must have got back because he has been shelling around here all day with his long naval guns, they have a funny whizzing noise, then burst, though about half that came over to-day were “duds” or ones which never exploded.

Aunt Alice says that your Aunt Lizzie is pretty near dead in England due to old age she says. I wouldn’t mind a little of her jewelry she leaves, she had a fine collection. She is 92, so suppose it is pretty near time she was pegging out. Eric has made a torpedo boat commander’s job which he was after, and Aunt was quite pleased as it means getting home once in 2 months instead of once in two years formerly.

Tomorrow, Monday, is pay day, thank heaven as it will enable me to get a few extras I need. Pay is pretty slim here and it is hard to navigate two weeks on 3 [illegible] when out of the line. This last two weeks our tent which has seven in it, has been getting a bunch of parcels, one fellow especially has got four and we always share everything up so that it helps out quite a lot. One fellow called Mac has a regular steady in Scotland who never fails every week and we feed pretty fair when it arrives. Let me know when you get your assigned pay, it should come in June sometime. I have a letter to write to Pa also to-night so must draw a halt. If you ever get a hold of a Saturday Evening Post for some week in April watch for a American lady writing an article on her boy enlisting, one out of four, it gets quite humorous, as she evidently imagines he is going to have a hard time of it and wished him to be under the best of officers get good grub and have all sanitary arrangements so he won’t get sick. The joke of it is she is serious and I was thinking it was funny she never thought of the many mothers in Canada who gave four and five and never said a word.

The G.M. is closing so I must stop

Best love to all Your Loving Son George

P.S. I will be pleased to hear from Aunt Fan send this to Lily or Mildred wherever you are.

June 2, 1917 On Active Service. Soldiers’ Institute, Chaplain Service, Canadian Corps

My Dear Sister,

I am afraid I have been neglecting writing you for the last while but have not forgotten you nevertheless. Only yesterday my attention was drawn to a letter from you and Aunt Fan which I just received, it was dated Jan’y 28th and had been travelling around the world, I think, as it was covered with addresses. I was very sorry indeed to have missed it as Aunt Fan had made a request that I write her a letter, and she will imagine I had neglected it. Of course, I tell mother very near every mail to forward them to you as I have as many correspondents that combined with our duties, I am quite a busy boy. But henceforth you can address all my mail to 1st Can. Motor M.G. Brigade, France, and it will come direct and reach me for sure. By the way Mildred I lost your dollar bill, I had it among my letters, meaning to keep it as a fragment of France in case I should return and then give it back. I was very sorry indeed, but will maybe bring something else if I can see any dead Fritzies with anything like a souvenir. Those helmets they use to get are a thing of the past and Fritz is not equipping them with such an elaborate one as at the first.

To night was quite a joyful one as we had occasion to have a pay, amounting to 3.00 or 15 franks [sic] which looks like a million out here, considering you have had no money for a week or so. This was a special one for a trip we are making to the lease, our whole battery has been so good up the line on Machine Gun work and overhead fire, that we are going down this sixty miles to demonstrate the creeping barrage to a bunch of Generals from the British army. Quite a compliment, indeed, but as our battery has been the first Canadian one in existence since the start of the war, they most certainly deserve the honor.

Am rather sorry you did not quit Lafayette in one way, but mother says things are going fine now and perhaps in a reconsideration you will be better off in sticking it to July. Am glad you are saving a little nestegg in the bank, as it will come in right handy any time. I only wish I could have did the same, I will sure be able to have some sense in money matters after this, as we live on pretty small diet, and it is really surprising what one can navigate on.

These last few days we have been having a lot of Fritzie aeroplanes over, he gets shelled pretty heavy and is darn lucky to ever return. The other morning I was on Aeroplane guard and he came over at 4:30 am, but we had our machine guns ready to scare him if nothing else. Unfortunately for him or us he never got close enough.

Saw Hugh Irwin last night he is billeted close from here. He has seen most of the Plumas boys and as a whole they have fared pretty well. Bill Ripley and Wes Kerr made England on their wounds, though he said Scotty Spalding was blown to pieces. Jim Ripley and Kief aber [illegible] were still going strong. They are in the line now and I must make an effort to see them should I have time some night.

There is a fellow called Louie in the Borden battery who comes from near Holland. He knows Lafayettes well and wish [sic] to be remembered. I see him quite often, although he is up the line at present. An awful nice boy he is too. Should you have time to bake us a cake or some candy, don’t hesitate, as a few crumbs of the real dope is awful nice to get after a continuous supply of bully beef and beans. The postage is only about a third as much as England.

Well Mildred I must write Aunt Fan a letter, so well Au Revoir,

Best love to all I am Your Loving Bro Pte Geo C Lamb, 888053

June 2, 1917 On Active Service, Soldiers’ Institute, Chaplain Service, Canadian Corps

Dear Aunt Fran,

Your letter of Jan’y 28 has just reached me, and I am indeed sorry, as I would have most certainly replied sooner. Of course you have no doubt been informed of my movements etc through mother, as I tell her everything I possibly can which can pass the censor. I see a few Canadian letters straggling along to-day dated the 16 May, so I imagine I shall have a few in the course of a few days as mine will go to Crowborough first. Before I left England I had a most enjoyable leave to Alice Longley’s at Tunbridge Wells, Rev. Thos Longley at Betchworth and Mrs. Holland at Brighton, formerly Maggie Dick, whom you would probably remember. At Thomas’ they have a magnificent home, orchard, small fruits, in fact everything your heart could desire, and they are so happy with all their farm stock, dogs, cat, etc. One week night I was at his church, he prays every evening for an hour for the soldiers, sailors and the triumph of our worthy cause. I was very much impressed and shall go back if I ever get the chance. His church is a most ancient one, several portions of the walls were built in William the Conqueror’s time, and a chest built out of a large tree was made in 1600 some time. He and I also walked to Dorking, and saw a Market day there, which was quite amusing, they handled cattle about as clumsy as an elephant in a toy shop and were quite a time sorting them here and there for auction. From there I went back and came to France two days afterward, have been up here six weeks and still kicking.

We are all more or less fed up of war, but on no occasion would I say, one of the boys lay down for a premature peace with Germany. We have a lot of first contingent men and they know what he is and how much trust to put on his word. Without a doubt the Canadians have made a most glorious name and if the people of Canada cannot welcome them or give them something in the shape of a fair deal when they return, they are pretty poor stiffs. I cannot attempt to tell you what some of these poor fellows have gone through, but enough to say is that their spirit and skill as fighting men has accomplished a feat with [obliterated] casualties, whereas another army of French lost [obliterated] and did not accomplish. As several writers have put it, “The most glorious achievement of the war.”

To-morrow is Sunday and I sure like it to come around to hear a good sermon. The spirit of Christ is pictured here every day in reality, and you will find more religion in France than I guarantee in Canada, though we don’t realize it as that. Our cause is the best and they say the hardest battles are the best worth fighting so we must carry on, whether there is a prospect of peace or not, its got to end sometime. I will be pleased to hear from you at any time, my address is to Geo. C. Lamb, 1st Can. M.G. Brigade, France. All letters will come direct and reach me sure.

With Best love I am Your Loving nephew Pte. Geo. C. Lamb (Excuse scribble)

Treherne, Manitoba June 3, 1917

My dear George,

This is a beautiful Sunday morning and I have been thinking and wondering where you are and what you are doing. Received two anxiously looked for letters from you, one dated Ap 20 [sic] and the other May 2nd stating you had arrived in France and were going up the line. I cannot share in your hope that you would have the chance to go. I have almost prayed that you would never go, but must try and reconcile myself to the fact that you are there and must hope for the best. Poor Harold [?] shot, a different life for him, he will have something else to occupy his mind from baseball write-ups and sport. I see poor Will Ripley is wounded and Clifford Halliday killed also “Scotties”, it brings the war very near when those you know so well are gone. It is really wonderful how brave the Canadians are, they have certainly distinguished themselves. They are trying hard to get Conscription in this country but there is a great deal antipathy [sic] towards it. Many think there should be a referendum to the people, as they are the ones who are sending their boys to fight. One great preacher in Winnipeg preached a sermon against Conscription of man power, unless they conscripted wealthy first and it seems that is how it should be. There is so much wrong that ought to be righted and things are assuming threatening aspects in the social and economic world and one wonders when the scene will end. I had a letter from Pa last week, he is leaving Pincher Creek on June 29th and is going to Plumas and try and sell the property if he can get enough down on it. For my part I do not much care to go back there as I am afraid everything will remind me too forcibly of the happy times gone by when we were all home together, and no idea of war. I was just thinking of you this morning when Charles came in with 4 little kittens and how you used to bring them in at Plumas, could not bear the thought of them freezing and thawing, not even a kitten or pup, and now you are trained to kill men. Oh it is awful indeed.

There are a number of my letters you have not received yet, as I wrote regularly every week, since coming here I have not written quite as often, as I could not mail them so often.

I am going back to the city this week, should have gone before but Aunt Tam was not very well and needed a rest so I took her place here, she writes she has enjoyed her visit very much, she has been to hear “Father” Christmas, and is quite taken up with him.

Last week Lafayette [illegible] Mrs. Will Darling, Lyle Mitchell and my self to Manitou in the car, the round trip 110 miles. It is a beautiful country around Manitou, such beautiful homes. One place where we had tea the people who are just young people no children, have a splendid home, when we got there they built up a huge fire in the fireplace in the dining room it was cold, and we certainly appreciated it, it is a very large house, built for electric light, nice grounds and the house from Ram and Overland C[?]. We went to George Darling’s on the 24th of May, but having an accident with the car we stayed at George’s all night, They have bought a nice home just 3 miles out of Manitou. The next day we motored to La B[?], a pretty little village about 8 miles west. It is built at the foot of a very steep hill and the Pembina River is also at the foot. Here the C.P.R. have dammed up the river and this is where we fished that afternoon G Darling had nets and we were only a short time getting a grain bag full of fish, [?] very large pike and suckers and catfish, they are almost as nice eating as trout. It was a lovely place to fish, such beautiful scenery, people come for miles. Mrs. [?] invited Blanche and I to spend a month or six weeks with them this summer, but I did not promise. They like Blanche so well, every one here around thought Blanche was the only girl. When [?] whose people kept [illegible] here was killed, we saw his name in the papers, she sat right down and wrote a letter to Mrs [?] his sister telling how sorry she was. They were here the other Friday and they were telling Lafayettes how nice a girl she was.

Mildred is thinking of taking a teacher’s course given at the [?] Technical during the holiday months. It is free and you can take up as many subjects as you please. Mildred would like to take up singing and dress making anyway. I think Pa took a similar course last summer in Edmonton.

Blanche is trying for her entrance exam, but I have not much hope of her passing. Harvey here is one of Mildred’s star pupils, three are going to Wpg from her school.

The inspector visited the schools last week and spoke quite flatteringly of Mildred’s work in the school, he said they read so well, you have all had that well drilled into you. He also examined the entrance pupils on History and grammar, and said there are answers were splendid [sic] so Mildred feels quite, quite encouraged. He said two of her pupils should pass, Harvey and Vera, they are both very young, and it will be a great feather in Mildred’s cap if they should succeed.

Lilian is thinking of taking a summer school in Sask. in the holidays, she and another teacher.

I notice there is an Art Doig killed from Birtle [?].

Well Georgie I must close once more it is dinner time and if they go to church this afternoon they can give this to Mr. [?] to mail. Now George write as often as you can and comfort yourself with the thought that you are now hardly out of our minds and thoughts. Keep up your courage. I know you will do your best.

Best love from us all Ever your loving Mother.

Edmonton Alb. June 3rd 1917

Dear Geo -

Your two last letters to hand one a week or more, the other on Friday last. Your last letter is dated May 1st from France. We are all well, except the Baby has got a cold in his head which I hope will leave him soon. I hope you are well, and in good spirits. Conscription in provincial election is all the talk here now. The election for p of Alb comes off on Friday next June 7th.

Our boy is growing nicely. Flora sent 3 shapshots of him. I hope you will receive them O.K. It was nice for Lizzie to send you a parcel. I would like to have her address. I have not heard from your Dad for some time, consequently I cannot tell you anything about him. You say that you were disgusted at not receiving mail. Well Geo we try and write to you once a week regular but sometimes it is neglected, on account of having so much to do. You know that I bought Mr. Lows oil business out. I got horse, wagon [illegible] to business etc. I sold horse and wagon, also [?]. I have a nice bay mare now.

While you may not receive a letter from either of us just when you expect remember I do not forget you. I always think of you and pray for you, that you may be kept, and preserving and be permitted to return to us once more, as usual. I suppose you are in the trenches or will be, by the time this reaches you. It will be a wonderful change for you. [?] seems to be in better spirits now, as she said she received a letter from you.

Do not worry about [?] and us. The weather has turned warm again. The farmers are busy with their crops. I have not seen Cassie for a few days but she is working at her trade.

I cannot think of any more news at present that would interest you, so good bye. Write soon. Flora and [?] sends their love and respects to you. I hope you will write often and I will try and do the same.

With love, your uncle.

Y.L Lamb 10223 – 106the Ave. Edmonton Alb Binscarth June 4th, 1917

Dear Geo

Your post card arrived O.K. and I hasten to reply. It’s not two weeks since I wrote but the busy timed seeding is pretty well over and I don’t feel quite so burdened and I hope to be able to write oftener. The weather Geo is very dry and we have had some very heavy frosts and it has froze some of the wheat off so you can’t see a [?]. I have 10 or 11 acres that I intend to sow oats on and its new breaking. If it keeps this kind of weather $3.00 wheat will look cheap. The crop is sure in a bad position at present. Well Geo I am doing my very best in the farming line to produce enough for ourselves to eat and some to spare but if it keeps as dry as this I am afraid potatoes will be a luxury and wheat will be very dear and meat of all kinds will be away out of sight. At present butter is 40cents and its June. Eggs are 38cents. Pork is down over a cent its $15.25 alive.

Cecil is still at Indian Head Sask. Frieman has quiet [sic] a crop in. He says he has 120 acres of wheat and I think he said 80 acres of oats down at Arden and he is just got his stuff in [sic]. He had the measles this spring but he only stopped work one day.

I might tell you Geo that Jennie and Eveline are both married Jennie to Russell Rice of Binscarth a farmer near home and Eveline to a druggist named McCalum and he has started in at Yorkton. She was married either 4 or 6 months when she gave birth to a baby of some kind. I can’t tell you whether it was a boy or a girl but it’s a baby anyhow. I have heard (I don’t know how true) that a whole ship load of Canadian [?] has returned to Canada full of young soldiers. I do hope Geo that this war will soon be over and I will be able to see you safe home. Annie says give Geo my love and best wishes. Nellie had a letter from Lenvard [?] Falloon and he said he was very lonesome. He said Scottie Ellise was wounded in the eye and would lose it and out of all he knew only 3 or 4 was left after the Vimy Ridge battle.

From your loving Uncle I.M. Lamb Binscarth, Manitoba

Somewhere in France June 7, 1917

My Dear Mother,

Thought I must drop you a few lines to-night while the opportunity is good. I think I told you in my last epistle that our battery was coming to the base for to give [sic] a demonstration in Machine Gun work, so we came down the other day, rode down the sixty miles in our Cherubango or cars which hold about thirteen, also bringing our guns, necessaries, etc. We have been here four days now, and outside of doing a little preparation for our work have had a jake time, we are stationed right at the sea, just about 100 yards to the beach, and we are taking advantage of our seaside experience by bathing every day, they used to tell me that sea bathing was far easier than fresh water, but I can’t see any difference only that the water gives you an idea of a dose of salts or maybe worse if you get a mouthful. The beach though is very nice, when the tide is out, so level and millions of shells and all sorts of dope that has been washed up. Lots of ships are out also, I guess Fritz has not go them all yet, and not likely to as long as our navy keeps up the good work it has been doing lately. We will be starting our demonstration any day and are most likely to be here two weeks or so. I would rather be up the line but so long as we are here we won’t be in any danger, and that is some consolation. This is about five miles from where Harold Rogers is, so I went and seen [sic] him to-day, incidentally arranged a game of baseball for Sunday with the Hospital staff. Harold looks a 1000% better than he did, but now he is going up the line to some Field Ambulance so that it will be a change. You remember those fellows in our M.G. section who I said went to Witley when they left a few of us behind, well we thought we were out of luck then, but it sure was a providential blessing for me that I was left behind because I met the same bunch in the Infantry to-day, they were quite pleased to see me, including my old pal Moffat, who will try for a transfer with our bunch if possible. I had two letters from Cassie to-day, they are feeling quite blue as their brother Ham has been wounded, and they of course don’t know how serious it is so they were kind of sorrowful about it. She sure has been a great girl for me, I wish you could see her for once and realize what a jewel she is. Uncle Will writes me of her sterling qualities every letter, and I will have no hesitation at all when I return, supposing I have nothing to start with at all.

How is everything? Pa has not written me lately, I would like to hear regularly as I write all my correspondents on that system (if I possibly can) and wish he would write. Letters are such a source of joy to a fellow up the line when the atmosphere smells danger everywhere, your thoughts are always turned to home first, and what it would mean if one happened to hit you.

France is really at its best right now, the crops cultivated mostly by the women present a beautiful picture, I would sure love a farm like one here just planted out west somewhere. I do hope they have a good crop as it will mean so much. I little wonder why France was a rich country when I see such wealth and green fields, combined with such a very industrious race as they are.

I had a letter from Wes yesterday, he seems to be working hard, and to cap the climax, has lost his best man Cecil, who is working for another farmer at $65 per month, some internal scrap or something I guess. Wes feels it too, believe me, but after all it is his own fault, because all have left in the same way.

Best love to all and any friends who may inquire.

I am, Your Loving son, George

Edmonton June 10, 1917

Dear Geo

Just a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present, hoping that this will find you the same. We are having rather a dry spell of weather just now, but it looks like rain to day and we may get plenty of it before long. I suppose that you have been in the trenches now for some time trying to give the Huns a knock out blow. I sincerely hope and pray that you may succeed in your efforts.

Hollidays [sic] will soon commence now in the schools and probably we may see either your father or sister, before the summer is over, at least, I hope so. Our boy got up on his feet all alone to day for the first time in his life. He thought that he was doing something big. He did not forget to tell us about it after he had accomplished his little task. He said OH and he laughed and patted the chair in great style. He has been doing well of late. You will have his photo before this reaches you. I was in hopes that the war would be over this year, but I guess the russians has spoiled it for that. The provincial elections was held [sic] on Thursday last 7th. The Sifton government was returned to power. Edmonton elected 3 conservatives this trip.

I wrote you last Sunday and I guess that you will have it long before this reaches you. I hope you do not think that we forget you when you do not hear from us. We always think and talk about you.

We have not seen or heard from Cassie for some time. She and her mother was to of been down here [sic] sometime ago but have never put in an appearance. Flora and M McGuinness sends their love and best regards to you. Mrs. Lies of Evlin was down here last week.

I will close for this time. With love and best wishes Your uncle Wm. L. Lamb Write soon.

Suite 26 Woodlawn Apts June 21, 1917

My dear Georgie

Your very welcome letter came to hand day before yesterday dated May 27th which Mildred forwarded to me. I came back nearly 2 weeks ago, Aunt Fan came in and stayed with the girls 3 weeks for a rest and holiday which she enjoyed very much. She likes the city [illegible] Sunday she went to church 5 times which always affords her great pleasure. The Sunday after I came in was Conference Sunday held at [?] church and Rev. A.E Smith who was the first preacher who preached in Plumas and whom I know before he was married he has just now been elected President of Manitoba Conference for 2nd time. He saw me as I was coming out of church and ran after me saying you must meet my wife, of course I had seen her before, as they were married at Plumas. I also went again in evening to hear D.E. Soames of Chicago University supposed to be one of the best lecturers in the States, he certainly is fine he spoke a great deal of the war, he gave 4 lectures during the Conference and preached once getting $350.00 for so doing. That Sunday I also met Mrs. Hamm, Weaver, Stokes, Howarth, Spence, Malley and saw several others. Mrs. Hamm is at Selkirk and [illegible] is at Salmika. Mr. H. looks just the same, I always liked him. As soon as I got into church that day, I looked around and saw old Mr. and Mrs. [?] and Dick and wife, they had motored in about a week before, were visiting Jim. Dick and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Malley were here for [illegible] Monday evening and went to the Patriotic meeting held in [?]. Hon. James Aikens was chairman and Hon. T.C. Norris was chief speaker of the evening. The stars and stripes were [?] together around the platform, the first exhibition of the kind. The choir which was augmented by the best of the other city choirs gave special music. One of the selections being “Lest we forget” by Kipling it was grand. The poor old Methodist Church at Plumas is closed, so many have gone away that it seemed impossible to keep it going any longer, and really Church Union has come to pass in Plumas without any sanctioning by Synod or Conference. The Sunday school is also a Union affair. Mr. Baxter was chosen unanimously by both congregations to be the Bible Class teacher, and Mrs. J.M. McDougall as the Secretary!! What do you know about that? Walter Ramsey is the Bible Class teacher and Jack Butchert – Sec!! Great changes, eh? Things deemed utterly impossible 3 years ago, but it had to come. Mr. Bell and Mr. J. Anderson are afraid they cannot worship in this church but guess they will have to or stay at home. Mrs. [?] is more badly wounded than thought at first. Poor Scottie, he would never know what happened him at all [sic]. Lily read in the paper that Jack McRae of Arden was killed, it was in last night. There are so many. Art Goig who often came up here is killed, very shortly after their arrival out there.

Lily received another letter from Billy Emerson last night - he has been wounded, and had just received a military medal the day before he wrote, he says he does not know what for unless it was because he kept staying on duty after he was hit; said he had been playing tennis in between times they were having a rest just then. He said he hoped he would run across you. I am sure you must all feel just hungry to see some familiar face, some one you used to know. I was wishing we had a little of your heat right here in this suite, I have had to sit with a coat on to keep warm, we have hardly had any hot weather, about ten days ago we had a nice rain the first we had this spring and the outlook for the crops was not very bright but now every thing is looking fine but the weather has been very cool since. You would not have to cut the legs off your pants here. I’ve laughed over your attempt at tailoring. You are not looking so immaculate as you were looking 5 years ago at this time. Do you remember getting on the train at Portage and Pa and I were on our way home for Winnipeg? I never saw you look better, you had that nice grey suit on and a round straw hat. It is either 4 or 5 years ago about now one Saturday night. [?] and his partner were on the train and he remarked how proud he would be if he had a son like that to come home and see him. How I used to look forward to your holidays and watch you play ball in the park, it is about this time, they usually have sports day, but guess they will never be as good as they were formerly again.

Blanche finishes writing on her entrance exams this afternoon, she commenced Tuesday. She passed in music, reading, bookkeeping already. They were given before these exams started. She is a little afraid of Grammer, she hopes she is allright [sic] in History and Geography. And thinks her Mental Arithmetic will be allright. This afternoon they have penmanship, she will be allright in that and I think she would take nearly 100 marks in spelling. Mrs. Ellis the principal presided over the exams herself, and gave them several hints on things. Blanche loves going to school here, the children are a nice class of children, several of them live in Wellington Crescent and Academy Road. I hope she passes and I hope Mildred’s do too.

Lilian has had quite a promotion. The teachers had a meeting a few weeks ago and afterwards the principal called all the teachers 20 of them each one along to have a private interview. When he called Lilian she expected it would be to reprimand her in some way but when he told her not only that he was perfectly satisfied with her teaching, but that in order to get the $125.00 of a raise next year, he would give her a picked class of Grade IV and that she was to take the lead in Grade IV. Lilian could hardly believe her ears, She has been having Grade III and the principal was always putting as she called them the “mentally and physically unfit” in her room, as he told her he believed she could manage them as well as anyone. With all Lily’s foolishness when it comes down to the fine things she does her work well in every way. She feels sore at you for calling her down, she wrote as she did more to cheer you up not to take it seriously. She intends either to take a school, or work for part of the holidays, but she should have a rest. Mildred is talking of taking a free course for teachers at the Kelvin Technical, we are quite close to it here. Pa is leaving Pincher Creek the end of June, and is going to sell the property at Plumas if he can to any advantage. I don not know what he is going to do then or if we are going to Plumas or not. We might have a chance to rent the suite for a couple of months. Well I must close. I was sorry to hear of poor old Aunt Lizzie, Grandpa will feel badly. Yes they had some fine jewelry I know.

Well Georgie goodbye. Am so glad you write so regularly, I wish my letters went more quickly, but you will get them sometime.

Lots of love Ever your loving Mother