August 31st, 1916.
L/6 R.W. Leach
#803022
A. Hut H. Lines.
Whitley Surrey, Eng.
Dear Mother, Father & Carrie: –
After all this explanatory address, I guess I had better start in where I left off. I was sorry I did not have time to write you all from the train, but I had been writing to Annabelle all along, and it was just my notes that I sent her, and I hope you got all particulars from her. I had intended to copy them off in a letter home but thought I had better mail them, and send the note home as they gave us about fifteen minutes warning that we could not send any more mail from Canada.
I cannot realize that I have travelled nearly 4000 miles since I left home on my last leave. I am feeling fine and we certainly had a great trip over. If you did not get my notes from Annabelle I wish you would as you will find them interesting, as I did when I was taking them. I left off at Bathurst N.B. and had better continue now or it will be a book instead of a letter.
August 20th.
We arrived in Bathurst at 3:15, which is 308 miles from Halifax. This was after we had passed through the Metapedia Valley, which is as I stated in my notes, beyond description as far as beautiful scenery is concerned. It is a valley running through the mountains, the river runs along the track for 120 miles, and we crossed this river five times. The foliage on the mountains in most places is so thick that you would think it was one solid green mass. The average elevation of the road bed here is 700 feet above the sea level, and is supposed to be one of the roughest road beds on the I.C.R. We crossed one bridge at Lac Saumon. The water was so clear that we could see shoals and shoals of salmon in the river. I guess this is how they derived their name. In Bathurst the main industry as far as I could learn were paper mills, lumber mills and a College was also there. A very noticeable fact to our fellows was the different reception we got in New Brunswick from that in Quebec. In N.B. everybody was out to wish us God’s speed and in Quebec no one seemed to care with the exception of the French children who came out more for curiosity.
We passed Gloucester at 3:30 and Newcastle at 6:25, which is as you the largest wireless station in Canada, after which we passed two wide rivers about half a mile apart. They were beautiful rivers, but their closeness is why I mention them. At 6:50 we passed the Barnabee River ad here we saw a most beautiful sunset, although it could not be compared with some we saw on the ocean. The clouds, the sun and the water seem to mix and it is beautiful.
The next place was Moncton. We stopped here an hour and had a little march to stretch our legs. It was a shame how our band showed up. The people here were the best ever. There were girls at the station with magazines cigarettes and fruit. I got a bag from a swell looking girl. What do you think of that? I had a good bed last night. The Rusty Hinge Quartette sang for the cooks, and they gave us bunks, which is away ahead of trying to sleep in a smoking compartment of a day coach.
August 21st.
We had kit inspection and arrived at Rockinham, at 7:20 A.M. We arrived in Halifax at 6:00 AM and had breakfast. We saw a couple of cruisers in the distance, which are the first I have ever seen. Troop trains were on each side of us. Fellows from Edmonton & Calgary and all the others who left Borden with us. It was very tiresome waiting on the train until time for embarkation. We came abroad at 5h20. I suppose you have already seen by the papers what boat we sailed on and who were with us. There were 127th, 129th, 135th, 137th, 138th #10 Western Hospital, a Draft from A.M.C. London, and some Supernumerary Lieutenants. For supper we had fish, bread and butter, tea, and believe me it was good.
August 22nd.
We slept in hammocks on “G” deck, and slept good. Although I kept on thinking the cement floor was not the softest place in the world to ligh on, but no accidents happened and we found hammock pretty good beds at that. We had breakfast at 5:30, porridge, sausage, bread and butter and coffee. The meals on the boat are fine only they taste different. It was a nice clear day we left dock at 7:30 and anchored about 1/2 mile in the Harbor. On the boat we came on it takes about 7000 tons of coal for the trip. They carry a reserve of 4000 tons. Her previous trip from England to Canada was made in 4 days and 4 hours. Her length is 890 feet. Tonnage 46,359 tons. She has four funnels, and is fixed up for a troop ship now, but must have been a floating palace before. The officers are travelling first, Sgts. Second and all others third. And they treat us all fine. To-night we had shepherds pie, and if I could have gotten more than my allowance I would have been better satisfied. If anything my appetite is increasing and you know what it is. Since supper there has been a continual stream of row-boats and launches around the ship. It certainly must be a great sight from a distance as they see us. It has been a nice day although at time misty. Military police are around deck, and no lights are allowed on deck after dark. The police put me in mind of London, they are very strict and believe me that is the only way.
August 23rd.
Slept good last night, got up early. We were all fishing for a jelly fish, and managed to catch one in a pull. I do not think much of them and I wish I had had my breakfast before I had seen it. It rained last night and has been pretty mist all morning. We paraded on “A” deck at 8:30 and were inspected by the Duke of Connaught. It was pretty tiresome as we did not finish until 12:30 and we were standing most of the time. There was nothing else doing except loafing for the rest of the day.
August 24th.
Slept good. Raining and misty, but cleared near noon. We started at 12:35 and dropped the pilot at 2:30 outside the Bar. Passed a bunch of steamers on the way out; were escorted about 10 miles out.
August 25th
It is misty and cool this morning. The sea is very calm. We passed a bunch of fishing boats and I saw my first whale spout. It was quite a long way off, but we could see it quite plainly. I was pretty nearly sick to-day. Murray is feeling fine. We have been running pretty slow to-day on account of the fogs. When I wrote up my diary to-day we were just about 1,850 miles from London, and still going East.
August 26th
Didn’t sleep very well last night, it was either raining or misty therefore, we did not make very good time. Saw another whale and a bunch of porpoises. I was in the bow of the boat and saw one Porpoise very plainly. I could see its whole body in the water. It looked about 15 feet long. Body like a whale and looked to weigh well over 600 pounds. We are wearing life preservers and they are pretty awkward, to-day. I spilled my soup all over myself. I was sitting down and my preserver hit the edge of my soup plate and away she went in my lap. We passed a couple of steamers to-day. The sea is a little choppy to-day, but comparatively smooth to what I had expected. We only ran 409 miles yesterday on account of the fog.
August 27th
Slept good last night. It is a cool clear morning. The sea is a little choppy. At 10: A.M. we had church parade. Capt. Graham preached and his whole sermon was on taking the Lord’s name in vain, and if you could hear the fellows talking you would understand why he preached like that. It makes me sick sometimes to hear the fellows, not that they mean anything by it; but just habit. Sunday we had chicken and plum pudding for dinner. But sorry to relate my piece came over in the Ark and could not even get the chicken flavor. We had fire drill this afternoon and made a record. Every man was out in 3 ½ minutes.
August 28th
Slept good last night. Nice, clear choppy weather. Loafing all day and went to bed early.
August 29th
Slept good; got up early. Can see the coast of Ireland in the distance. Murray and I were on fatigue party packing lunches; the sandwiches were about 4 inches thick. But they tasted great when the time came to eat them.
August 30th
Slept punk. Got up at 3:30 A.M. We are anchored in the mouth of the Mersey River. The Brighton Tower is on the right also New Brighton which is a suburb of Liverpool, England, is a beautiful place, it puts me in mind of a fairy book. The cities are all laid out in seems it seems in plans; houses all the same and streets very regular. The farms are beautiful; either hedges or brick walls around the fields and the grass is a beautiful green shade. We arrived here last night and got to bed about 2:05 pretty tired.
Well my dears, my hand is about paralyzed. We are both feeling great and hope you are all the same. I hope you got our cable all right. Don’t worry about us, dears, we are all right, and I hope I will soon get some of your letters again.
Your loving son,
Bob,
Murray.
Commentary Title
From Canadian Shores to the Mersey River
This letter, penned on August 31st, 1916, finds Bob Leach settled in Whitley, Surrey, England, but recounts the detailed journey from Canada to Liverpool. This letter is a travelogue of the voyage, giving us a first hand account of the troop transport to England. Bob’s tone is optimistic and he remarks on the beauty of the Canadian and English countryside and the excitement of seeing whales and porpoises.
The Train Journey Across Canada
Bob begins by recalling the train journey across Canada, highlighting the scenic beauty of the Metapedia Valley in New Brunswick. His descriptions of the lush foliage, clear rivers, and abundant salmon offer a glimpse of Canada’s natural splendor. The contrast between the warm reception in New Brunswick and the indifference in Quebec is a telling observation, reflecting regional differences in attitudes towards the war. The stop in Moncton, with its welcoming citizens and generous gifts, underscores the support and patriotism prevalent in many Canadian communities.
Letter Summary
- Sender: Bob Leach (with Murray Sangster’s name included)
- Recipient: Mother, Father, and Carrie Leach
- Date: August 31, 1916
- Location: Whitley, Surrey, England (reporting on the voyage)
- Battalion: 135th Battalion
Our Part 