Wednesday May 2/16

Witley Camp

Surrey

­Dear Mother Father + Carrie

               I hope you are getting letters more regularly than we are here. I am afraid that some of our mail has been sunk by subs. We have not had any Canadian letters here for a couple of weeks although a few parcels seem to straggle in.

               We are surely working hard now and it comes pretty hard on us after being pinned up so long. Last Monday morning we were doing bombing + bayonet fighting in the afternoon. Had an inspection by the brigade general. We had our heavy packs and tin hats on for about 2 hrs and believe me I was glad when his nibs had finished after the inspection. They finished up the sports from our last field day. It was about 5 PM when we arrived back here, I had a bath and stayed in getting ready for Tuesdays parade.

               On Tuesday morning we got up at 5 AM and everything was just ½ earlier. We paraded with light equipment and tin hats for field maneuvering. We marched about 6 miles to Hankley commons. Staged a couple of attacks in which our M.G. section had a dandy position. We had dinner there and took a route march back which was in itself about 10 miles. It is just as bad as Camp Borden here now. It has been awfully dry + hot and the dust is pretty bad. We arrived back here about 5 PM, done right out. Had another bath and was in bed at 8 PM. I do not see very much chance of our getting passes and to make matters worse Murray is acting C.O.S. which keeps him in and I do not care a darn for a pass alone. To-day we were out to the commons again doing trench work and attacks. To-day was not quite so hard but it was awfully dirty. We arrived back here about 4:30 PM and to make sure I thought I had better write to-night as to-morrow is a brigade route march heavy marching order and here’s hoping about 10 miles is the limit.

               I hope everything is going along jake at home. I am sure you will find it a lot easier + more profitable now the way it is. I suppose the bungalow is growing more every-day. Just wish I could see it. But here’s hoping dears that it will not be long. I was sorry I missed the pictorial last week but I tried all over to get one and couldn’t. Everything seems to be getting scarcer.

               Murray + I are both feeling fine and we are burnt like n******. My knees are a dirty brown all the time now. Believe me the kilts are not the cleanest thing in the world to march with on a dusty day.

               Well dears I think this is about all for now, will write again this week.

               Remember me to all with love.

                              Your Son + Brother

                                             Bob