Dear Mother:

January 14th, 1917

I’m sending you a copy of some correspondence sent by a Quarter Master Sergt. of this battalion to a Toronto daily. In it he has only said what I myself have said in my letter home but it gives another N.C.O.’s view of the situation here. Hope you enjoy it and preserve it. I also hope you preserve my letters home if that is not asking too much, not so much for their excellence but for reference as I do not keep a diary and have no other way of preserving data of military experiences.

Hope you got my cablegram on your birthday, conveying best wishes in as laconic style as possible. When I’m sent to France, be it sooner of later, I will send you a cable, and until you hear from me by letter send my mail via Albion House, Ayr.

If you want any more photos of me write to Elmer Cavell, 16 Macdonell Ave, Toronto and he will look after it for me.

I was at Whitley Camp last Sunday but missed seeing George Clark, one of Steve’s college pals, but I expect to see him again soon. Most of the 160th have been in quarantine for weeks with mumps, measles, etc. but are gradually being allowed out again. None of them have gone to France yet. I sent you a copy of their programme of Xmas, together with some Christmas cards I received from some of my pupils. Have you heard from Carman? He seemed to enjoy his entrenching experiences. I hope they keep him on at that employment. I got a couple of Signals from a Goderich boy here and found them very interesting. I never got the box from Etta Kilpatrick. I guess it’s been lost in the mail like many others.

Must close, with love, Cannon

P.S. Received Jessie’s handkerchief a week or so ago.