Letters to Miss Jeanne Reid
17 Stanley Ave, Chatham, Ontario, Canada
No. 338454
Bramshott Camp
Hants
C.A.D.C. (Canadian Army Dental Corps)
Apr 2, 1919
Dear Jeanne,
Received your welcome letter a few days ago and you are one of the few who write to me now. Guess they all expect me home.
It begins to look as if we may finish here about June but at the present time we are waiting for work and do not expect any more troops until about April 20th. Some of our boys have gone on leave this a.m. and I expect to have about five days next week. As far as I know I will spend it in London and hope to get to Ireland on last leave. Probably you will think we just live for leave but that is the only excitement we have over here.
Some of the boys have a stand in with the staff of R.C. Hut as we go every evening for lunch and they make good cocoa. They gave us a football last week so we are out every night getting exercise.
I am glad you cannot see me now as yesterday I had my hair clipped and shaved on top as it was getting so thin on top I was afraid I would so be bald; so I am taking advantage of where I am among strangers of trying to coax it along.
I have found a congregational church and have been to it the last two Sunday nights. It is about two miles from camp and I have to go alone as none of the boys are very strong on going to church. The first Sunday no person spoke to me but the last time the minister shook hands with me.
I have sent to Scotland for some views of the Orkney Islands but expect they will only be postal.
Was to a concert in the Y. last night – heard a new song. Tune of Katie, probably you know it.
Civies beautiful civies
You’re the only cloths that I adore
When I get back to my home town
They’ll be hanging on the K. K. Kitchen door.
And you ask me why soldiers wear red braces. I do not know and Jeanne you know you should always give the answer, just reminds me of one. Suppose you are keeping store and had only one scale that would weigh in (lbs no halves) up to 40 lbs and you only had four weights. The total of the four are 40 lb. Now what are they, this is no joke and can be done.
I know why soldiers wear braces, but why red – please let me know.
I will try to tell you how we were entertained in Scotland. Sunday the first night we met a Lieutenant on the train car and he asked us home with him. Met his sister, wife and parents, of course. On Sunday we just talked and had lunch. On Monday we went to an old place or home. She would be about 70 years of age. We were there for tea, four of us. She had a couple nursing sisters invited also for tea but they were late in coming and arrived just as we were finishing. Also, a couple of other young Ladies arrived and played the piano and sang for us. We had games of all kinds and another lunch and I went home with one of the girls and she sure did talk Scotch. She had red hair but was very nice.
Tuesday night a taxi called for us at Y.M.C.A. and we were taken to a swell home for tea and afterwards to the theater with the man and his wife. This was a swell home and they invited us out again Sunday, if we were in Glasgow. The next night was for tea to Mr. Bissett’s. His daughter is very musical and also, a girl friend of hers who sang for us. And our last night in Glasgow we went to a dance and supper given by the underground tube railway. 100 of us soldiers were invited and were seated at table leaving a vacant place between us for the girls as they arrived. I forgot the name of the one who sat beside me but she had a drink before coming and was in good talking humour. We had plenty of fun and afterwards, I met some very nice Girls and went home with one but do not remember her name. She was tall and good looking. We have just had a parade of 71 men and I met an old friend, Chas Furness formally, who traveled for Red Rose Tea.
Friday morning, we left Glasgow for Edinburgh. That night we tried to look up some friends of the boy with me but did not locate them. The Saturday night we spent at a house with three women and about five children, played games and plenty of music.
Sunday we were with a party looking at principle places in Edinburgh, about twenty soldiers and about ten or twelve U.S.A. sisters.
We left at 9:30 pm arriving in London about 8 a.m. the following morning.
I hear we get discharged as soon as we arrive so if I get a civie suit will that not do to come and see you in.
I am sorry to say I have not received the papers you sent me. I enjoy the clippings you enclose. You are having a big and busy time going to so many teas and parties.
I believe your sister-in-law is mistaken about the joke or if it was anything in eating line. (?) I ate all and tasted O. K.
I have your socks on for the 2nd time and they were sure made for my big feet as they fit fine. I am looking forward to meeting your Sister-in-law, also your Brother, who will not tell you everything without being asked. So – he is a Mason, they never tell. And not forgetting I hope to meet your Mother. My parents I believe have forgotten me as I have not heard from them in about six weeks.
You will think I am wound up and am never going to stop but as it is near supper time I will have to close. With love,
From, Ed
P.S. Please excuse any mistakes as I have not time to read this over.
E.V.G.
I may be home in June or July.
