Tuesday December 26/16

Whitley Camp

Surry Eng.

Dear Mother + Father + Carrie

               I have been looking forward all day dears to this evening so I could write you a letter. I hope you all had a good time yesterday. I intended writing yesterday but was feeling like the Nova Scotia Highlander, bluenose. So I postponed it until now. I suppose you are all anxious to know how Murray + I spent our Christmas. I have my diary up to date again now, so think I had better start in about Friday the 22^nd + lead up to it.

               Friday Dec. 22/16 we paraded at 9 AM with kilts aprons rifles full packs etc. on, better known as full marching order, we marched through Milford Godalming + Farncombe where we turned about. We had both bands brass + pipes with us + had music nearly all the way. It was only about 10 miles, nice clear day although at times it threatened with rain. It is funny to see how all the people come out to see the Kilties we are sure a popular Battn. In the afternoon the bombers “ I am one” were called out and given a sort of examination on throwing + knowledge of bombs. It did not amount to very much and I think we all passed with honors. The remainder of the bunch had a fast inspection + a beathing parade. I guess they know we did not need it. Murray + I walked to Goldaming and had some bacon + eggs. The lights were on in Godalming “ I guess for the Christmas shopping and we hardly recognized the old burg, we came back rather early as I think there is a magnet hidden in our straw tick. I know it is there every morning at 6:30 AM.

               Saturday December 23/16. This reminds me of old times dears, writing from my diary it seems dull to me but I know by your letters you like it best therefore it must be done. It is raining this morning so we fell in hut # E 11 and had an hour’s physical drill. We were then given about 20 minutes to get our packs ready as in heavy marching and were inspected by the Senior Major after that we had a rifle inspection by our captain. Then we had rifle drill by numbers just the same as we used to get at the old masonic temple. In the afternoon Murray + I went to Godalming where we had our annual bath + some supper on the side. We came back early and talk about dark. We could see a foot in front of us. But we have walked to that old Burg so often that we could do it in our sleep.

               Sunday Dec 24/16. Our church to-day was voluntary. Murray + I went and the Chaplain was fine although he crimped all the chances of you getting a letter written on Sunday as per as he made me home sick as the dickens and I never write when I am blue as home sick. One of the corporals walked to Godalming for out supper and ended up by going to church. I wish though I could have stuck a pin in the minister as he was a pretty punk preacher. Nevertheless I felt better from going although his sermon didn’t even fige [?] on me. We came back to camp right after church. Remember dears every time I speak of Godalming it means a 3 mile walk each way.

               Monday December 26/16

Murray + I started the day off right by laying in and missing out breakfast. He folded the blankets while I started rustled around for something to eat, I managed to get some bread + butter + tea. I made toast out of the bread. Went to Annabelle’s box, got a tin of sardines so we had a dandy breakfast, here’s the menu:

               Sardines, toast sandwiches

               Tea

               Leaches Dundee

+ believe me we enjoyed it some, I was picked on a rifle team in a shooting competition. We went to the ranges about 10 AM. Our team came 3^rd out of 17 teams. There were 5 men in each team and each fired 15 shoots. We had dinner about 1:30 and it was certainly good considering.

               The mess room was very artistically decorated. All the mess orderlies had white coats + aprons + we had table clothes on the tables. The Colonel + also the Brigadier gave little speeches before we started. Here is what we had.

               Roast Pork + apple sauce, mashed potatoes, creamed carrots + peas, minced pie + plum pudding, apples, coffee + cigars.

Believe me we cut loost, after dinner I rolled up by the fire and it wasn’t many minutes before I was too lazy to move. It was not the happiest Christmas I have ever spent dears but under the circumstances I must not complain and we will only hope by next Christmas we will be altogether again. I have not had any mail for about a week but there are only a few letters coming in now. I expect I will have to hire a private secretary someday soon.

               Well dears we are now up to Tuesday Dec 26/6 and I’ll betcha my life you’ll be glad when this lesson endeth,

               Tuesday Dec 26/16

Well dears its pretty hard coming back to hard tack after plum pudding although it was only a day. We had squad drill until first recess and if you want to know how I like squad drill just ask anyone who has been doing it for 10 months. Physical drill and bayonet fighting until noon after dinner we had company drill for the 1^st period + bob throwing second period. We had stewed figs + prunes for supper this night and although they were jake they did not appeal to us. So here’s what Murray + I did.

               Bread + butter + tea, mess room M.L. Salmon. Annabelles box. Cake + Candies box from home so you see we had a real coo-coo of a supper.

               To-night I have been pretty busy. I have my diary up with the exception of just a few days.

               Remember me to Mrs. Mc N. A.G. All others and tell Bess I received her box and will write soon. Tell Fred Johnston to tell Annie I received her letter + will write.

               Your loving Son + Brother

                              Bob + Murray