#681036

Sergt. J.C. Stothers

5th Canadian Reserve Battalion Army Post Office,

Bramshott February 16th, 1917

Dear Mother:

Just received a letter from you in which you stated that you had not received a letter from me during the week. Well, you can lay the blame upon the irregularities of the mail service and I daresay that they have more than enough to contend with, although I have some feeling that there are parcels rightfully belonging to me between here and Canada.

I just met Ewart Cameron as I was coming up from the Sgt’s mess. He looks well and I hear good reports of him from the men of the 160th. They all say he is a good officer. I’ve been getting lots of mail from the trenches lately, 3 in one day, one from Carman, Bill Buchanan, and Reg Topp respectively. Reg and Carman are engaged in the same kind of work I think. They are all well and have no complaints to make. Buchanan says that the men in the trenches have an abnormal taste for sweets. I know that I have the same feeling but in a less degree, I suppose. At any rate I have not only a splendid but alarming appetite. I’m sure you would be surprised to see me eat my meals, knowing what a finicky eater I’ve always been. At Camp Borden I was the smallest eater in the Sgt.’s mess, but here I am a regular festal gladiator with an all-encompassing appetite and a corresponding digestion. I hope it isn’t only a passing phase.

There is considerable sickness here which has not been so heavy during the cold weeks of late but with the return of mud condition there will be lots of "influenza" as they call "grippe", congestion’s of the lungs and kindred complaints. This is no climate for any one with weak lungs. Gordon Smeltzer has been sent to a Convalescent Hospital at Hastings or Orpington, and will likely be sent back to Canada soon as this climate might finish him. He will likely be able to get squared around in Canada if properly cared for. Charlie Twamley doesn’t look any too strong but is one of the kind, "You couldn’t kill him with and axe".

That little Bible is a miniature of Burn’s Bible and Carman bought it at Ayr and left it with me to send home. Jimmie is still here and keeps dourly cheerful as is his wont. He may get transferred to a Railway Construction Battalion with a number of our Sergeants. He is category "B2" while I am category "A2" and so we have very little chance of going to France together. Only category "A" men go to the trenches.

Dick Johnston must be getting a fine house sure enough if he is getting Milton Brick (pressed brick) for it. I got a parcel from the Dungannon Women’s Institute the other day containing a pair of sox, Xmas cake, and other articles. It came as a surprise to me. It makes me laugh to think of the women making pygama suits, unless they are sent to the hospitals. Any fellows who wore pajamas were always made the object of jeers and kidding. But it’s different when they get to hospital. At the Soldier’s Club too in London they give you clean pajamas every night. So is guess that’s the purpose of the women’s industry--, I never understood what it was for until I happened to mention it in this letter. I had a letter from Anson and Janie lately. I got hold of some Goderich Stars and Signal of the New Year and saw the letters from Benson Case, Jack Roberts and other friends of mine.

Remember me to all, With love, Cannon