Dear Mother:

West Sandling, March 18, 1917

Another week has rolled around and no mail yet except from France. Heard from Carman and some of the boys. Carman is back with the 75th and C company I think. Bremner one of the boys who went to Ayr with us has been missing since the raid in which the 75th had so many casualties. I feel very sorry for his family and for him, as he was a very nice fellow.

The chief topic around here is the Zeppelin raid on Friday night, March 16/17. I guess the Germans wanted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The area visited was in Kent County where we are now stationed and nearly everyone was awake part of the night listening to the bombardment, which shook the huts here. The aerial picquet were called out and stood too nearly all night. The papers have been very reticent about the results of the raid and apparently they got away safely. This is a great place for aerial activity. There are air ships floating around at almost every hour of the day. I saw a fleet of six yesterday.

Have just been interrupted by the "general alarm" blown by almost every bugle in the camp. It evoked a strong chorus of swears and objurgations of various kinds against the brigadier at whose instance the parade was called and to keep us busy even on the Sabbath day. We had to parade in full marching order with rifles to see how quickly we could turn out in case of attack. It has spoiled my letter by the interruption, but I must tell you that I got my kilt yesterday and paraded yesterday afternoon to Hythe and Folkestone. Had my picture taken and will send you a sample if they are good. If I do say it myself I make a braw "Hhelanman" and the kilt doesn’t feel so cold. Everybody said my knees were too white. Jimmie hasn’t worn his kilt yet but he expects to get a pass to Ayr next week and I’m going to see him properly set up in the kilt with sporran, spats, dice, hose-tops with all the flourishes. I have everything but the sporran and wear an apron instead.

I met Austin Chisholm in Folkestone, who used to go to Goderich C.I. when I was there. He was surprised to see me. I also ran into Charlie Cavell, Husky’s brother and he didn’t know me at first. But the biggest surprise of all was to meet Harry Armstrong, from Carlton School, Toronto, same school as Bill Buchanan. He is a Lieut. In Artillery like Omar K. and he used to visit us often at Willard Apartments. He has been married to an English girl and lives in Folkestone. So you’ll hardly think I’m save over here. He hasn’t been here long as I have and he must have been smitten suddenly. I must be slow. I haven’t even been out walking with a girl yet.

The 179th Highlanders of Winnipeg are at Dibgate camp and I think Doc Geddes’ son is with them. I’m going over to find out some time if Cameron Geddes if I ever get the leisure. I must look up Everett Henry as well. My feet are sore from walking from Hythe to Folkstone yesterday. They would be sorer if I hadn’t stolen a ride on a coal cart. The war looks better in today’s papers.

They’ve been certainly cleaning house in Russia. I hope the revolution has no adverse effect on the war.

Love from Cannon.