Dear Mother:

H.M. Troopship Mauretania

Sunday, Oct 29th, 1916

This is our fourth day aboard this ship and so far it has been a very enjoyable voyage. We had a concert last night and I sent a programme of it to Laura Archer. I’m sorry it was a soiled one but programmes were scarce and I had to rescue that one. Jimmie and I are quartered together. He says that I’m always in my bunk except when I have to be on parade. I was so thoroughly tired out by the train trip that I can’t take much interest in anything but resting while on board ship. I was just nicely recovered yesterday when they gave me a day of Orderly Sergeant, which took some of the go out of me. Carman seems to be enjoying the water very well. He hasn’t been seasick yet, nor have I.

The meals we get are simply grand—English style baking- lots of crusty bread and good tea. This is the boat Jimmie came over on. It has since been changed into a troopship or auxiliary cruiser. It is one of the fastest ships afloat. We may be in sight of land this afternoon. Jim P. showed me the cabin he occupied on his voyage out here. I was called away for Church Parade and so did not finish this letter. We were congregated in what is now used for a men’s messroom for church but all we did was to sing songs and read prayers. It was very impressive for all that- and I think we all enjoyed it to. It was a new experience. I cannot say I like ocean travel but I’ve enjoyed it fairly well. My stomach is never weak at meal times anyway. When you get this letter you will know that I’ve reached England safely as we hope to do if everything goes well.

We have the 154th Battn, from east of Brockville, the 172nd from B.C., and a draft of C.M.R., making about 3500 troops on board. The vessel if crowded would hold 6 or 7 thousand but we are lucky to travel in comparative comfort. Carman’s quarters are almost as comfortable as mine.

P.S. Bramshott Camp, Nov. 1st. We disembarked at Liverpool yesterday morning and reached here at 9.30 last night—and then marched from station 3 miles in rain but are all o.k. now. Address is the same as I gave you. Do not address to Bramshott but to Army Post Office as I directed before leaving. Yours, J.C.

Notes from Carman Stothers: This was the original Mauritania with a top speed of 35 knots. We left Halifax after midnight with an escort of destroyers. About noon the next day the escort turned back. For about four days the Mauritania traveled without escort, depending on her speed and the paravanes strung from her prow to escape the menace of submarines. On board were over 5000 troops. The main dining room with all its carved paneling of limed oak was the men’s mess room. The small tables had been removed and were replaced with long tables and wither chairs or benches. About two dozen men could sit at each table. At breakfast when the ship was rolling, the boiled eggs were rolled down when the serving end of the table was high. Some of the oak carving was protected against damage by a sort of fence of pine boards.