Carman Stothers wrote this letter to his mother on board the H.M.T. Mauretania, when the 170th Battalion was sent to England.  It covers the trip from leaving Camp Borden (Ontario) to sighting land in England.

October 25, 1916

On board H.M.T. Mauretania

Dear Mother:

Am starting this letter today with the best of resolution regarding accuracy, truth, and good description.  But I must be excused if it falls far short.  We got away from Borden last Saturday October 21/16 and got to Toronto around 6 o'clock.  Saw Bailie & Ellis but did not see Mae.  Ellis gave Cannon and I each a parcel containing the best of eatables.  Terra & Viola Baker came down with some friends to say goodbye so had quite a send off.  After leaving Toronto I was train guard till we got to Montreal which we reached the following (Sunday) morning about 7 o'clock.  It's funny how you can always tell when you get into Quebec.  The dwellings & other buildings are always whitewashed & look like aged.  But they look awful nice.

When we stopped at station we would attempt to talk French since they could not talk English and if you wanted them to understand you, you'd have to shrug your shoulders & murmur something & raise your voice once in a while.

There are plenty of streams and rivers & they seem to tumble over each other in an effort to get away.  Hills, rocks and modulations are quite plentiful & with trees sure make fine scenery.  Another thing you would wonder at is the fact that there is so much wild land in Quebec. We passed thro one tunnel  & thro a rock during the daytime & another during the night.

On Sunday night we got off at Chaudiere Jct.  Which is about 10 miles from Quebec, had a route march.  On Monday at noon we got off at Campbellton N. B. (New Brunswick) & had another.  Then on Turesday at Milford Jct. just about 10 miles out of Halifax we had another & stayed all day in an open field beside a small lake.  During the night we pulled into Halifax & detrained at 6.30am the following morning.

We were 28 hours late for the biggest troop train (22 coaches) that went over the Intercontinental railroad. We got on board about noon on Wednesday & were alloted too our cabins.

N.B. We left Camp Borden at 2.30pm on Saturday (21) and were played to at the station by the 173rd Highland Bands & played away also.  C & D companies were in the second train & we picked up 250 men of the C.M.R. (Canadian Mounted Rifles) at Toronto.  A & B companies went in an earlier train.

Left Halifax last night at 11.pm  October 26/16, 9.05pm

Slept well last night & woke up with an awful appetite.  Have eaten well all day.  A new order has been issued to the effect that we must wear life belts on deck & to our meals.  Makes a fellow remember that he is on a transport.  This boat is armed with 2 12 pounders forward & one heavier gun afterward part of the ship.  Have had a headache nearly all day but feel fine & really you'd hardly know you were on the ocean.  You'd rather think you were in a first class hotel.  There is one drawback in being a private & that lies in the fact that you can't go all over the ship but are restricted to certain sections.

Oct 27/16

Found the canteen today & I suppose that was because we each got $5.00 today.  The meals are fair & altho served roughly & surely away ahead of what we got before at least since the army began to feed us.  Saw some mother Carey's chickens today & they look a whole lot like small ducks and seem to follow the ship.  The fog horn was blowing all day today which seems rather funny when there is no sub-chaser.  The 170th is quartered in the 3rd class cabins & they eat in what was the first class lounge.

Oct 28/16

The sun shone today which was certainly quite a change from the fog etc of the past few days.

The guns were tested & inspected today although about 20 shots were fired.  That sure did create some excitement.  Tonight we had a concert with the talent supplied by the talent on board.  Will send on the programme & a menu card if I can get one.  The thing went off well & Sir Thos. White, Minister of Finance, acted as chairman.  The proceeds which amounted to some 20 Pounds goes to the Seamens Charities.

Oct 29/16

Today we had a church service in the second class dining room and it was fine.  The first church parade that I've really enjoyed since we left the city.  Up at Camp Borden we had to sign up for church service was too tiresome.

Today we had saute chicken for dinner.  Really the Dept of Military Defense is getting too extravagent.  Had a storm of wind and rain all day but have been able to eat and drink well all the time.  We get after the English, Irish, & Scotch by baiting them.."so this is your country! Well! I don't think much of it!" & of course there is no such a thing as dry land within a day at least.

Oct 30/16 2.30 pm

Well I saw real land today and can tell you that it sure was a great sight.  At the present time we are 240 miles from Liverpool.  We have taken the south of Ireland route & will arrive in England tomorrow.  Any one could tell that we are in the Irish sea because it's green.  As yet we have no escort but don't need one badly as the sea is pretty rough.  Has been all last night & this morning & has been washing the decks.  But are still well and healthy.

PS. In saying goodbye at Toronto had quite a time kissing other fellows girls.  In more than one case they so far forget themselves to include me... just thought I would mention it.

Carman.

Back of envelope

Oct 31st/16

Getting a chance to mail these in Liverpool.  Arrived this morning. Carman