Friday March 2/17

Witley Camp

Surrey England

My dear Mother, Father + Carrie

               Well dears here we are again and I am not exactly spoiling you yet by too many letters although I think I did pretty good last week.

               On Monday we started drilling in kilts and believe me it is a wee bit chilly yet. We are duty battalion company this week. On Monday morning we were inspected on our own parade ground and dismissed until 9:40 when as a battalion we paraded to the hill where we were taken over by the officers training school. We were dismissed at 1 PM and fell in again at 2:30 when we were inspected by General Hughes who in a son of the Hon. Sams and is in charge of the fifth Canadian division. In the evening I went to the picture show at Tin Town.

               On Tuesday we marched out to Thursley commons with full packs and between us we managed to take out a baseball outfit between us we staged a couple of attacks had a game of ball which was very weird and marched back to camp arriving here about 4:30. We were all pretty tired and took life easy. I had a dandy story which Annabelle sent me and it needed attention so I stayed in camp.

               On Wednesday I fell in with the Company but after the first parade I was told to take my section out on machine gun drill and believe me the way those boys are stepping makes me think we have a shot in this competition. In the afternoon we were on the same work in the evening. There was a concert party here from London and believe me they were all starts. One lady pianist, one lady violinist, one lady banjo player and a tenor singer and talk about talent. It was the best I have ever heard anywhere. I enjoyed it fine so did Murray.

               On Thursday we had physical drill and again went on machine gun work. In the afternoon we had a lecture in discipline etc. By our company commander and at night we marched out to the commons on field and trench work at night which was very interesting. I had charge of 4 boys, one observation post and 1 machine gun emplacement. So you see I was kept pretty busy. We arrived back about 9 PM pretty tired and it was just here that I realized between the concert the night before, and the field work Thursday night that I had missed a Canadian mail for which I am very sorry.

               This morning the company were to march heavy marching order to Thursley for more field work. I was on parade but was called out to carry on with my squad in machine gun work. We had drill the combined drill with AB+C co. Then some mechanism etc. until noon.

               I received your parcel yesterday and I enjoyed it more than any you have ever sent which is saying a mouthful believe me. But I have not had a letter for about two weeks. There is a mail in to-day and I hope there is some for Bobby.

               Well dears remember me to all, just watch the papers from now on, they are beginning to get quite interesting.

               I am very anxious to hear from home and hear how things are progressing.

               Murray received a couple of letters from Carrie.

                              As Every

                                             Bob

Will write again Sunday and send them both on the next mail. This is to make up for the one I missed.