Letters to Miss Jeanne Reid
17 Stanley Ave, Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Bramshott Camp
May 15, 1919
Dear Jeanne,
I received your letter Tuesday and was very pleased to get same as it had been some time since I had heard from you but I understand you have been busy. And I would have enjoyed very much being there to see you as Mrs. Jonathan Highborn. I believe you must have a good time in Chatham – too bad it is not a large city like Hamilton.
I still have the piece of poetry you sent me of Chatham tucked away in my trunk. I am pleased to tell you we expect to leave this camp very soon as several of our Boys have gone this week and the few who are left are doing very little. I am afraid if they keep me here much longer I will be getting lazy, as we are not worked very hard in the Dental Corps.
I am glad to hear of you being to Toronto. Sorry I was not there as we would of probably tore Burr’s Store down.
I must thank you for the Easter greetings and will say you are the only one who sent me an Easter card. When I see you, you will have to tell me all about Aunt Susan’s visit. And it must of been a success. Imagine taking in the sum of money you did – think probably we had better go on stage but the only thing I could do would be to take tickets or probably act as usher.
The other Boys, as well as myself, enjoyed Jeff & Mutt and I have them pinned up in our board room.
I think the Paris – Grun one is the latest. Over here they are just commencing to spring the old jokes we had in Canada before the War broke out. Later after tea – we were told to report at our Quarter Stores and when we arrived we were given 1 pair of socks, tooth brush, tooth paste, shaving stick, pack of tobacco and several packs of gum. Do not know who is giving it to us but guess they are from Canadian Government. The socks have been knitted in Victoria, B.C. Also, a cake of soap.
I have just had a game of tennis, we lost. We play at Y.M.C.A. We have a football, baseball outfit. Also, a soft ball outfit but the weather the last few days has been too warm for playing ball. I spent last weekend at the Witley Camp with some of my old friends of the Artillery and had a real good time. Two weeks ago, I was to London to see the Review of the Colonial Troops. A dandy parade and the Canucks led the parade something like 1000 strong, followed by Aussies or Australians, about the same in number, and then New Zealand and Newfoundland. I watched it from the Strand and think all of London were trying to see them from the same place. As the crowds were so thick they were walking on one another.
I believe the Burr’s would be somewhat excited when they could not find you. Just now I cannot say what time I will be home, as one never knows in the Army just where he is at. I would like to go to Detroit with you and would have been counting on visiting you for a long time, so hope we can arrange it when I return. I have a sister living in Rochester and I have promised her a visit when I get home. The fellow I sent with for the views of Scotland forgot to get them and has got his discharge.
Speaking of my hair, it is growing in about half inch long but would prefer sending you a snap with my cap on.
The answer to that 40 lbs. affair is – 1, 3, 9, 27. They total 40 and you can weight anything from 1 to 40 lbs. with them.
I am enclosing a leaflet about Imported Brides, thought it rather funny when reading it.
I am surprised at you keeping such late hours as three a.m. I used to myself but do not believe
I could stand it now as I have the habit of retiring about 10 or 11 p.m.
We are having a tennis tournament Saturday. We will get one game anyway. That is the main thing, we are not very classy players.
Hoping to soon hear from you soon again but after you receive this you had better not write me over here anymore, as I hope to be on my way.
Remain Sincerely,
Ed
