Sunday December 23/15 [Sic]

Bordon Camp

Hants

My darling Mother, Father, + Carrie

               Well dears here we are one week nearer to our goal, and also Christmas week again, we have been on Musketry all week and as per usual lectures every night. My notes are away behind + I have really tried to keep them up as I go along, so you can understand the pill we have got to swallow here.

               We are senior company here now and we have got to do all duties such as guards etc. and like everything else everything has to be absolutely correct.

I am down for co. orderly Sgt. Dec 24/17. I have certainly learned a lot since I have been here, we had to start right at the beginning and work down.

               As per usual we had quite an exciting time drawing for Christmas passes. 10% were allowed rail passes and 50% of the remainder were allowed road passes. I drew a road pass but gave my chance away to a chap whose wife was near here, so I will be spending my Christmas here + believe me dears I would just a soon spend it here as anywhere on this side of the pond. I miss my home at Christmas time more than ever and it doesn’t matter where I am I could not enjoy myself, so it would have been stingy of me to keep a pass when I know right well someone else could enjoy it.

               The Canadian mail has been playing some queer old pranks on me lately. I have had three letters, + one parcel from Annabelle. I am sure you will all love her dears. She is a darling and then some, one parcel from Mrs. Camp, one parcel from Sgt. John’s 209A, one “ from Talbot St. Church in the last four weeks but like that sign on Bon A mis not a scratch from home and I know you have written. Your letters mean so much to me just now about our new home etc, Health of all etc. Do not think dears I am finding fault I understand it is the fault of the mail but I do miss them dears.

               We have a pretty small family in our hut to-night. The chaps started going on pass at 4:15 AM this morning. This morning we had church parade in the Y.M.C.A. and the minute he opened his mouth I know I would like him. His voice was very much like Mr. Bingham’s + when I come to think of it he was not unlike Mr. Bingham in appearance either. I was feeling pretty blue + grouchy about marching down there but did not mind it when I had heard him.

               All afternoon I have been eating Christmas cake, candy dates etc. from other boxes and if I have not got a pain in my tummy to-night I’ll consider myself lucky. I also copied a bunch of notes and I certainly accomplished a lot only two lectures behind now.

               Yesterday afternoon I was all over trying to get some weekly mirrors but so far have not had any luck. The people running stores over here are getting so dog gone independent that you can hardly get a civil answer from them. Makes you feel like leaning over the counter and topping them one to see if they are really alive.

               I have been sitting around the stove to-night a listening to some of the adventures of some of the men from reserves. All men who have seen service in France. Some have one wounded bar up, others two, and one chap has been over there and wounded five times. I wish I could pass some of these experiences on but we never know when these letters will be censored.

               I think we will be getting it pretty easy this week because it stands to reason that we cannot go in advance of those who are away on pass. I am acting co. orderly Seargant [sic] to-morrow and all I am hoping now is that there is not much work connected with the job.

               Well dears I wish I was with you all to-night sitting around the Grote in the bungalow. Coal seems to be about as scarce at this camp as it is in Canada. We have only one stove in the hut and can only have a fire a few hours in the evening, not enough to heat it up. If we want to get warm we have to go to bed and believe me dears I think I’ll have to go there pretty soon as my hands are nearly numb.

               Well dears I think I’ll have to pull the pin now. I am feeling fine and feel as if I can add another 10 paces to the minute now.

               I hope you are all well dears and comfy. I suppose you have been pretty busy for the Christmas rush. But I hope you have been able to stand it all right.

               Well dears I guess I will say good-night.

               With love

                              Your loving son + brother

                                             Bob