Sapper Norman “Earl” Campbell2nd Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops779051Early LifeNorman “Earl” Campbell was born March 22, 1895, in Vaughan Twp. Earl was the 6th child of Jerome Campbell and Martha (McMurchy). The family lived south of Nobleton and moved to Kinghorn where Earl and his siblings attended the Kinghorn Public School. In February 1916, Earl was recruited into the 127th Battalion, York Rangers. He was sent overseas in 1917. He returned to Canada in 1919 after suffering a wound and gas inhalation when his gas mask became entangled in barbed wire. In 1925 he married Hazel Gambrill and lived on W ½ of Lot 8, Con. 4, King Township. Earl and Hazel had five daughters – Clara, Gloria, Gerry, Earlene and Shirley. During the 1930s he began a silver fox farm, which he named “Vimy Ridge” Fur Farm. Earl was an avid sportsman, playing soccer and he won a medal in speed skating competitions. Earl sold the farm in 1967 and built a new house on a reserved two acres. In his later years, Earl was the caretaker of the King City Cemetery. Earl died March 14th, 1971.Between 1916 and 1919, Earl sent over 100 pieces of correspondence, including letters, postcards, and photographs to his family in King Township. Through this correspondence, Earl captured the conditions of living in the trenches, the sights and sounds of constant bombings, and sadly news of friends and comrades that were killed or injured. Earl’s letters also capture the events that were happening at home in King Township. We are fortunate that Earl’s family, first his sister Merelda, then Earl’s own children had the foresight to preserve this precious correspondence.Earl attended Kinghorn public school and was taught by Walter Rolling. As a young child Earl had difficulties pronouncing the word “yesterday” instead it became “yekerday” and from that he was labelled with the nickname “Yek”.Throughout the letters Earl refers to himself as “Yek”.Jerome and Martha’s family:Susannah “Merle” born June 15, 1884Martha “Merelda” born February 28, 1886Mary Marjorie born June 8, 1888Barbara Margaret born April 12, 1891Harold Jerome born February 19, 1893Norman “Earl” born March 22, 1895Albert “Archibald” born January 10, 1897Mary “Pauline” born November 26, 1900Florence “Flossie” Eleanor born August 4, 1902Photo taken from Dugald & Katharine Campbell & their descendants

Earl was not the only member of the Campbell family to fight in the Great War.Harold Campbell (1893-1971)Brothers Harold and Earl, 1916On May 22, 1915, Earl's older brother Harold joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons of Toronto at the age of 17. Although Harold was too short to be a "regular" he would be allowed to stay if he played the bugle. Undaunted, he said he could. In May of 1915 Harold enlisted in the Van Doo's and was sent overseas. He saw action in Belgium and sustained head and leg wounds from shrapnel and was sent back to Canada.After his discharge, Harold took a job as a salesman for Maclean's magazine. He married Katie Irene Miller.Archibald Campbell (1897-1975)Archibald, the youngest Campbell boy, was drafted under the Military Service Act of 1917. In May of 1918 at the age of 21, Archibald was assigned to the 1st Central Battalion. In their sister Merelda's letter to Earl dated May 30, 1918 she writes"Archie has to go. He went to Niagara to train yesterday. We are going to do everything to get him off. Have a lawyer employed & are doing everything the poor dear boy does not want to go. It seems so hard to see boys who do not want to go be forced to. Conscription would have been a good thing if they had left it as they promised to before the election, promised to leave one able-bodied man on 100 acres but they are not doing it."Fortunately, for Archie the war ended before he was sent overseas. During the 2nd World War, Archibald was a member of the reserve army. Archie married Minnie Bottomley.Lorne Campbell (1897-1996)Earl's cousin Lorne Campbell was the one responsible for recruiting Earl into the 127th Battalion.Members of the 127th Battalion, including Lorne Campbell, Earl's cousin.Lorne enlisted in the 127th Battalion, York Rangers, January 6th, 1916, and went overseas on the Olympic that August. Lorne was part of the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Railway Troops. In January of 1917 the battalion was sent to France. Lorne had become fascinated with air warfare and in May of 1918 he transferred to the Royal Air Force and started his training in Hastings, England.Lorne Campbell

Earl’s Recruitment and the 127th Battalion In 1916, Lorne Campbell, Earl’s cousin came to King on a recruiting assignment for the 127th Battalion, York Rangers of Aurora and signed up Earl on February 14, 1916 – Attestation Paper at an auction sale in a barn on the same farm Earl purchased some nine years later in 1925. The farm was located on W ½ , Lot 8, Concession 4 in King Township.The 127th (12th York Rangers) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in York County. After sailing to England in August 1916, the battalion was designated the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops on November 8, 1916. The 127th (12th York Rangers) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. F. F. Clarke, DSO.Frederick Fieldhouse Clarke was an engineer and surveyor in northern Ontario. He was born on 22 August 1878 in Hamilton. He served for three years with the Royal Canadian Regiment and nearly twenty with the 12th York Rangers. In January 1916, Clarke was appointed commanding officer of the 127th Battalion of York County. As railway troops, the 127th Battalion specialized in building light railway lines close to the front, a Canadian specialty, for the rapid movement of troops and supplies from established railway heads. The battalion prided itself on its rapid bridge-building skills and an improvised turntable it crafted on several occasions.According to Fred F. Angus article entitled The Canadian Railway Troops in World War 1, written in Canadian Rail, November-December 1993 issue Angus lists the first five battalions of the Canadian Railway Troops:“The 1st Canadian Overseas Construction Battalion, which had reached France in October 1916 and was, working on Standard gauge railways, became the 1st Battalion, CRTThe 127th Infantry Battalion, then at Bramshott, England, became the2nd Battalion, CRT and proceeded to France on January 11, 1917.The 239th Battalion became the 3rd Battalion, CRT.The 4th & 5th Battalions, CRT, were organized at Purfleet, England and were sent to France in February, 1917.”“Things were now moving at ever-increasing speed in anticipation of the campaigns scheduled for 1917. In March, 1917 it was decided to organize five more Battalions of the Canadian Railway Troops, and as more units arrived from Canada they were sent to Purfleet to be organized. By April 1, there were six Battalions in the file, and by the end of June, 1917 all ten were fully operational. So quickly had official thinking turned around that the majority of these units were employed on light railway construction and maintenance and, from mid-1917 until the end of the war, all light railway construction on the British Western Front was carried out by the Canadian Railway Troops.”Earl’s training in OntarioThere were training camps set up in Ontario including Camp Borden in Barrie and Camp Denison in Weston. These camps acted as training grounds for the soldiers before they were shipped overseas. The soldiers were equipped with a bayonet, entrenching tool, annumition pouch, haversack and a pack with a greatcoat and blanket all carried on their back attached to a shoulder-harness with straps and belt.Earl’s journey overseasSailing from Halifax on the RMS OlympicOn Jul 31, 1916 Pte Earl Campbell wrote to his sister Merelda from Camp Borden:“We all got up here safe and sound. It was some hot day Sunday. In both ways to, you should see the bunch of men up here 60,000 in all. We started rife shooting to-day been it all-day at the ranges.” “I am one of the best shots in my Company B Coy. I made out 60 points out of 75. Three fellows in B. made 72 that was the highest.”“… we sail Thursday night (Aug 3rd). The 134th Highlanders will sail with us on the same ship.On Aug 3, 1916 Earl and the 127th Battalion set sail on the RMS Olympic from HalifaxDavid R. Gray in “Carrying Canadian Troops: the story of RMS Olympic as a First World War Troopship” notes that “Olympic” was an important part of Canada’s war effort. The Olympic was able to accommodate close to 6,000 troops at a time. Olympic made 10 round trips from Liverpool to Halifax between March and December 1916. On the return voyages she carried wounded soldiers and civilians back to Canada. For the next two years Olympic continued to ferry Canadian and American troops across the Atlantic, and in 1919, brought the victorious soldiers home.”Earl’s impression after arriving in EnglandAug 31, 1916, Earl wrote to Merelda saying:“We arrived across the waves allright. And also arrived in Camp O.K. Cannot believe that I am in England. The sun shines just like it did down at King” “The English soldiers and girls use us Canadians very good” … “ We have very good places to sleep in here. They called them huts. There are thirty-two men in each hut, we sleep on a board floor instead of ground”. “We had great meals on the Olympic all right, we even had oranges and apples at supper times. Two eggs apiece for breakfast and all the meat we could get.”In the letter dated September 26, 1916, page 8, Earl Comments on the huts: “They gave us all a bed with a tick full of straw. I put pine brush in mine and grass which makes a good bed. We all made a kick for sleeping on the cold floor. So they got beds for us. They are 6 inches of the floor no sides on them. Many a night I would wake up and find myself laying on the floor for they are only two feet wide.Life in Camp, Witley, Bordon, and Bramshott Military CampUpon Earl’s arrival in England he was assigned to Witley Camp in Surrey, England.Witley Military Camp was an army camp set up on Witley Common, Surrey, England. The camp was 7 miles from Bramshott and appears to have been set up in the early part of the First World War. Camp Witley was one of three camps in the Aldershot Command area; the others were Bordon and Bramshott. Canadian soldiers during the war used Witley Camp as a training base and it was also used as a “rest” camp for soldiers away from the front lines. Earl in his October 24, 1916 letter from Witley CampEarl sent letters back home to King from Witley Camp on Sep 26, 1916, Oct 4, 1916, Oct 25th, 1916, Oct 29, 1916 and Nov 18, 1916.The four month Battle of the Somme was a major Allied offensive that was fought from July 1 to November 18, 1916.Battle of Courcelette occurred September 15-22, 1916Battle of Thiepval Ridge occurred September 26-30, 1916Sep 26, 1916, letter from Earl to Merelda, Witley Camp, Surrey England.Dear Sister, I just received your letter this morning. The first I had from Canada. You don’t know how glad I was to get it. I fairly jumped when I was your writing on the envelope…. Well Merelda I heard good news last-night was a 128th fellow came into my hut bringing me the news that Harold was wounded again from shrapnel. Harold told him to hunt the 127th up and give me his address.”Earl in his letter mentions on page 3 his pay: “I am payed 4 pounds a month till I get in the trenches”.In this letters to his sister Merelda, Earl mentions several King soldiers including Leonard Robb and also on p. 5 – Sam Hall: “ I saw some awful sights in the Folkstone Hospital, fairly made me shiver to look at them. I had a long talk to a fellow by the name of Sam Hall from Schomberg, he knows Daddy he remembers seeing him throughing (throwing) the shot down the Seventh someplace”… He is in awful state, one arm of right up close to the shoulder. And his cheek bone is cut. You people over there do not know what this war is doing”“The papers you can’t go by them at all. Last night there was a Zeppelin raid close to our camp, the night before was another one two of them were brought down.”A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship named after the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin who pioneered rigid airship development at the beginning of the 20th century.According to Zeppelins over Sheffield entitled “The Raid” mention is made of the raid that Earl was referring to in his Sep 26, 1916 letter? “During the early afternoon of Monday 25 September 1916, five Zeppelins took off from their bases in northern Germany with orders to attack England. Three of the airships headed for London and the South of England. The remaining two, L-21 and L-22, were to attach the North Midlands industrial towns. Many of Britain’s leading armament and munitions firms were based in Sheffield; it was therefore a prime Zeppelin target. “Earl continues in his Sep 26, 1916 letter p.6 to recount previous Zeppelin attacks “And a couple of weeks ago one was brought down. I was out to see that one when on my leave. A bomb can make a awful mess of a town. I saw pieces of wood from houses thrown half a mile away. A key out of a piano was found fully a mile away. The key was valued at 6 pounds.” (Note that Earl was only paid 4 pounds a month)It is the one Lieut Robinson brought down. He was given the V.C. (Victoria Cross) and payed a large sum for doing it. I did not see him but I saw his driver. I was out to see the day after the fight thousands of people were there.”Sep 26, 1916 p.10 letter Earl mentions “We were inspected by General French last Saturday and yesterday by Old Sam Hughes the best place for him is a bulls eye for the Germans. He gave Col. F.F.Clarke a calling down yesterday and all us 127 men started cheering and booing at him for doing so. We told him to go back to camp Borden and die in the sand. General French is a nice man and Gen Alderson and Prime Minister of Ontario inspected us three weeks ago. They gave us a great name. Gen French gave us name of the best Batt at Witley. He said he would not split this Batt. So we all will fight to-gether.”It was not to be that the Battalion would fight together as Earl’s letter dated October 12, 1916, p. 2 : “The 127th Batt. has been broken up in drafts 60 men out of each Coy. A.B.C.D. were picked out this afternoon to go as a Construction gang. Such as Carpenters, Manson, teamsters and all that kind of work. I was picked for to go. But Jenkins took me out. He said I was to handy with the rifle and bayonet to go. They picked all the poor shots out. And the slow and weary when (sp) on a march. T.Wise, Frank Gamble, and old Happy Platte are the only ones you know that are picked for it. Old Happy got put in it on account of his slowness.Earl continues in the letter “240 men are to be picked tomorrow to go as a I.N.F. Draft right away. If Wallace and Paddy get picked for it. I will volunteer for it to. My name was called in front of the Batt. to go as a sniper. I kicked up a deuce when I was that none of my chums were with me. I got Major Bell to take me out. I told him I only won my good shooting by chance. In his Oct 12, 1916 letter on p.2 Earl writes about life in Camp and his training. He also mentions at the end that he is in 5th Platoon instead of 6th. “ We carry 90 lbs on our backs now. We have not reached 125 lbs yet. It is coming though. Last night all of B.Coy were out on night manoeuvres. We were supposed to be in at 11 o’clock. It was close on to 2 o’clock when we got in to bed. Capt. Jenkins and Lieut Draper got lost and took all over the whole country up mountains through buses water and even over the tops of the thimbleberry bushes. Jenkins told us to sit down and rest till he and Draper went to find out where we were. We had nothing to eat since dinner time. And that was not very much we had 1 Onion, a piece, 1 piece of cheese, 1 slice of bread with no butter. So you know how hungry I would be lucky there happened to be a large thimble patch not for. I must have eaten 3 or 4 pints of them.”Earl on p. 4 “Well Merelda you want to know if I want any clothes. Don’t send me any underwear or top shirts. I am loaded down with them now, but I would like some socks. I have been mending socks it is a nice job jabbing my fingers with the needle.”Oct 17, 1916 letter from Witley Camp, Earl writes: “The Canadian mail comes in here twice a week, Tues, and Thurs. There certainly was a lot this morning the bags were so heavy I had to run with them to get there all the quicker. Like Art Walker use to do” “240 men were picked for a Construction gang to go to France right away. Platte was picked for it. Russell Parker and Paddy and I got him out of it. On page 3 of his letter Earl speaks of General Sam Hughes: “The old 127 is all going bughouse. It is all through Old Sam Hughes the day he inspected us. He doesn’t think anything of Col. Clarke. He is going to get shot the next time he comes around here.” In the Oct 24, 1916 p.3 letter he refers once again to being picked as a sharp shooter and the fate of the other King boys. “I have some bad news to tell you. Wallace and Paddy are parted from me at last. 500 men are leaving for France this afternoon. They were up to our measeley hut bidding us goodbye last night. Bob Wilkins and I are the only two King fellows left. They picked Bob, Frank Platte and myself for sharpshooters or snipers. We were to to France on November 1st. But one of our fellows caught the measles in our hut. So they locked us up for 15 days. So we will not see France for a while yet.”Oct 25, 1916, p.2 reference to Earl going to France as a sniper, but they are in quarantine from a measles outbreak. “I don’t know when I will be going. I am picked for a sniper. I don’t think I can get out of it. I would give anything if I was with Wallace, Paddy and Sid Goodswain. I am going to try and get with them anyway after I get out of this measley jail.”Oct 24, 1916, p.5 “They give us some rotten rabbit for dinner on Sunday. It was the rottenest stuff I ever did taste. I would rather eat dogs than it. You should see us fellows is here at meal times every man for his self you know. I will be ashamed to go back to Canada. Instead of cutting butter with a knife we grab a hold of it with our hands and pull it off.”Oct 29, 1916, p.2 “Dr. Hillery was in this morning sounding all of us. I pass all right just four failed out of the 33. He would not tell us if we were going to France. He said we were going to leave Witley. Two Battalions came in last night from Canada. So we got to clear out of here. And look for another home The only officers we have around here are Major Bell, Capt. Jenkens, Major Campbell, Lieut Wallace, Lieut Clarke and Old Major Agdun. Lieut Beck went to the front when we landed here. We heard last week he has been wounded. He is the first of the 127 Batt to be wounded he was only in the firing line 7 hours until he was wounded.” “The only Sergeants we have now are Herb Tack and Serg McKenzie from Woodbridge. Serg McKetrick has been sent to France with the draft. There are only 70 men here out of B.Coy. 16 out of A. Coy, 23 out of C.Coy. All of the D.Coy has gone with the draft. So you see the 127 is no longer a Batt.”Nov 21, 1916 Earl’s letter comes from Bramshott Camp : “Well I am out of quarantine now was let out yesterday. As soon as we were let out a Sergeant of the 134th Batt. marched us down to Bramshott 8 miles with our heavy pack to carry. It was a hard march for us 36 fellows after beening penned up so long. We were in 31 days had no work to do atall. Only play football in the afternoons. We were a tired bunch of Tommy’s when we got in. Tis a dandy camp away ahead of Witley camp. The hut we were put in is a swell on to all big pine trees around it. But believe me it is someplace for mud. I have been mucking through it all day to-day. Bayonet fighting, bomb throwing, trench warfare and physical torture on the hands down in the mud.Nov 29, 1916, letter from Earl comes from Bordon Camp .“I just came in off a 12 mile route march over the country.” “We are having another medical exam to-morrow. It will be our last one in England I expect.” P. 2 “ We are certainly busy since we came to bordon Camp. And they are getting awful strict. The Imperial Soldiers are close to us. I guess that is why our Officers are getting so strict. 2 days pay stopped if we move our head when standing at attention. They have not got me yet.”Nov 30, 1916, p.2 Earl writes “I have’nt heard from Paddy, Sid, or Wallace since they left for France. I wish I could join them again. Billie Bowler is looking for a letter from you. Art Trent, Pete Machell are in France. Harry Bovair is with me in my own Coy yet. Jenkins, Major Bell, Lieut Clarke, Major Campbell, Lieut Draper, Lieut Wallace, Lieut Johnson, Serg Jack and McKiceric and Serg McKenzie of Woodbridge are all with us yet. Your Lieut was wounded some time ago in France. Beck of Richmond Hill.” p.3 “I can hardly waite until the day comes for me to go and fight. I could have been there long ago only for Harold. Harold told me if I went this fall he would go with me. I don’t want him there again.” …. “I am getting my manners back again since we have been moved into houses. I spread my butter with a knife instead of my fingers.” … “We made the English people look to-day allright. We were out on a route march through small villages in one of the Villages which we pass through our band played O’Canada. It is a very easy piece to keep instep to. And we showed them if a Canadian Band was any good. And that if the men were to. We have a dandy Band the same fellows are in it.” p.4 Earl writes of the duties of a soldier in Camp: “I have been scrubbing our house out to-day. Every Saturday we got to do our house cleaning. We try and do it all in the forenoon,then we have the afternoon off for football. Sat and Sundays are the only two days we have a little peace.” … p.5 “There were 20 teams of heavy horses brought into our Camp Friday. Allso a train load of harness and saddles, guns, ammunition, spurs and such like. So, you see we will not be going as Infantry men. Engineers are what we are beening put into.”“I have been playing up sick for 3 days now on account of my boots. There are no soles in them. I am going to play up sick until I get a new pair. About a hundred of us fellows are doing the same. A carload came in Friday so I will be on the job again Monday. “Jan 4, 1917 is the first letter written by Earl that was sent from “Somewhere in France.” He writes to his sister Mereleda “Last night I received your 22 page letter. I was sure glad to get it, no my eyes never got sore reading it. I had 9 letters last night what do you think of that. They were all brought in to me together. We were being payed at 8 o’clock last night and the letters came in just a little before 8. I felt like letting the pay go and reading my letters. But I thought the 15 Francs looked as good as the letters so I went and lined up for it.” “ I am keeping quite well France is a very healthy country lots of fresh air. This winter has been the coldest for 16 years they say, put me in mind of the few days up north with Colin. Well this is Sunday and I have the day off. 8 men out of each platoon that did not play up sick during the week gets off duty to day. So I am one of them.” The bottom portion of page 1 and the top of page 2 has been erased maybe from the censors. On page 2 Earl continues to tell Merelda …”They say Canadian soldier Dey all goot, Dey goot soldier they make us tro up our hands in de bayonet charge. The Saxons don’t like to fight. The bombardment last night was the worst I heard yet. It was something awful the noise. These here 15 inch guns can certainly bark some. Our hut was on the tremble all the time. And we are six miles from the Howizers. There is one big fellow about 2 mile down the track from us She would speak about every 5 minutes. We would stick our heads out of our blankets and say ‘there goes Old Lizzie again’ she jarred 4 candles of the window.”Jan 14, 1917, Somewhere in France“Dear Mother, You all will be surprise to hear that we landed somewhere in France. It is a pretty place far ahead of England. But the mud. We left Blithy the day of your birthday the (censored) of Jan. (the actual date in January was crossed out by the censors) The trip was great across the Channel a rough sea thou again. I sit down to write this the 18th. We had to move farther up the line on the 14th. So I had not time to finish the letter. There is about 3 inches of snow now all fell in one night. But before it came we could see women and men working in the fields as we pass through on the train.” In England the mail arrived twice a week, Earl remarks that since they moved into France they have not received any mail (p.3) “Did Henry and Merle come down this winter? I have not heard from them for a long time. None of us have received no mail since we came here. But expect it to come in any day now. The mules are still alive yet. A few of them were sea sick comeing over.” “Well Mother I will have to close now I cannot tell you all I would like to. Lieut Jenkins is our Company Censurer. “ Now be sure and write often and tell them all to write letters from home will be as good as gold here.” Earl includes a p.s. “excuse this awful writing I am writing on my knees.” And signs off“Sap. Earl Campbell,No. 779051,B.Coy, 127,2nd Rly Battalion, B.E.F., France.”Jan 21, 1917 Earl sent his sister Pauline a Field Service Post Card. Field Service Post Cards were issued to members of the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.). Field postcards were a form of censorship since soldiers were not allowed to divulge information in letters or postcards about their whereabouts when fighting on the front line in World War 1. Key phrases were pre-printed and the soldier could quickly indicate by deleting phrases that did apply, date and sign their names. Since there was no danger of strategic information being disclosed, inadvertently, this kept the Censors happy.Mar 26, 1917, Somewhere in France. Earl mentions to sister Merelda that they have finally received some mail. There were no letters between January 21st to this one received on March 26th. As Earl explains he was in the hospital between February 18th and March 21st.“Well Merelda, I got some mail at last. Last night the mail came for us. I the lucky guy got twelve. Only yours, Pauline & Flossie’s were dated Feb. 13th. I received Merle’s ok it was dated Feb. 28th. You can’t imagine how happy I was to get them.” “ Tell Mother the $2 she put in Merle’s letter was not to be found. Maybe she forgotten to put it in. I had two letters from May also a bunch of papers, a plug of Shamrock was rolled up in with it.” “ I had sometime in Hospital with Clarence and F. Lucas. We came out the 21st of March went in the 18th of February. Lieut Jenkins said we were as fat as a bunch of pigs ready for market. We join our Coy again and the next day my Birthday. We all packed up and marched 9 miles to another place. I been on many a march but none like this one. I’ll not forget my birthday in France.”“We are at a place where the Jerry’s had been in 14 days ago. They sure like to ruin things. They tore up the railroads and hid the steel rails. They … up big steel bridges so we would have to work hard at getting through. We are now at the wide gauge track. We made a good name at building the narrow track. So we were put on the wide gauge. A number of French soldiers are guilding one beside us. Yesterday while I was sitting on the bank watching the rest work I took my steel looking glass and shone it in one of the Frenchies face. He yelled & jumped around. He thought the Germans had him for sure.”Mar 29, 1917, p.1 letter to Pauline from Somewhere in France “No Pauline I do not see any bullets flying over my head. They come so slow it is hard to see them. I hear lots of wiz bangs but I watch out and not get in the road of them. I didn’t believe I could stop one.”Vimy Ridge Battle took place April 9- 12, 1917Apr 7, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.2“ I watched a G Plane come down this morning. Sure was a great sight. We threw the pick shovel & Jacks on the track and stood about an hour with our mouths open about 8 inches.”,,” Well Arch, I must close now and will look for a answer soon, If you find any chewing or smoking laying around be sure and put it in the next box that is sent. I can do without chewing, but dam if I can do without the pipe. The closest town is about 15 miles away. So you see it is hard to get it. What is issued to us is not enough.”Apr 13, 1917, Somewhere in France p.1 Earl writes of some of the lads from King.“Well I found where Wallace & them are now. Some of our lads were down to see them last week. Corp Lloyd of our Coy was talking to Wallace. Next day I am off duty I will take a walk down to see them. And I found where Percy Butler is. I was talking to a fellow that knows him well. He is only about 14 kilometers from us. And I have not seen F. Platte for two months. I do not know where D.Coy is at all. p.2 “We have a Coy of Australians working with us the 30th Batt. One of the first that came out. And there are 3 Coys of Q.V.R. Queen Victoria Rifles with us. They are all the time singing. Blithy, Blithy, Blithy. I want to go back to Blithy, Blighy is the place for me.Apr 26, 1917, France, written 3 weeks after Vimy Ridge. Earl in his letter speaks of the battle but he is unaware of the magnitude of the battle.“I had not time to write a long letter. But as long as you hear from me once a week you will know I am still alive.” Suppose you have seen by the papers that Lorne has been wounded. He is the third B.Coy lad wounded. It is only a slight wound so tell them not to worry about him. He was hit with shrapnel on the breast near his collarbone. He is lucky to get it so light. I was only 40 rods from him at the time. I could hear Old Fritz putting the shrapnel & wizzbangs over. Some of it would sing the tune of Tipperary. I think he will soon be back with us. Leslie S. had his tunic sleeve cut one day by the same medicine. I had the wits scared out of me by a shell to. But am over it now. Ha,ha, We made another 5 mile move again. We are in a dandy place now. But pretty noisy – by times. We play football every evening. B.Coy play the R.E. Royal Engineers tonight of course I have to play. Lieut Jenkins, H. Bovair, H. Boys also are playing. I must go down and see the lads soon. L.Robb is suffering from shell shock. But don’t let his people know. He is not very bad now. One of our D.Coy lads dies in Hospital to-day Harris from Aurora. He was hurt in a mine of Fritz’s which blew up. Allso big Wagstaff of Woodbridge is wounded. Dad will know him. He played with the127 football team at Aurora last summer.”Jun 16, 1917, Somewhere in Belgium writes to Merelda:“I received your 15 page letter of May 22nd tonight. 60 of us B.Coy lads have been up the line for 6 days. Came back to our camp to-night. Glad to get back believe me. We put in a very exciting time allright. We were very lucky never lost no lives tho. 3 were wounded and 9 gassed. The three wounded went to Hospital and one of the gassed went also. Fritz sent gas over to us 3 nights out of 6. We were working one night started at 10 o’clock, about 11 o’clock the gas came. Dock Boys and I had left our gas helmets about 20 rods away from us. I tell you we were not very long getting up to them. We both had our lungs full of it by the time we got them on. We were about a mile from our dugout. And the trick was getting back with the helmets on we could not see two feet ahead of us with them on. And we dared not to take them off. We both layed down in a ditch beside the track for over two hours. I heard Harry Bovair yell at us to come on. So we started on a very slow march to our dugout. If I tripped over the rail ties I bet I tripped 50 times. I will never forget that night. My head was as big as a barn the next morning. It is awful stuff. I can’t describe what it smells like. But it is worse than the skunks I use to catch. He threw lots of shells at us, but our guns put 200 over to his 50, that shows how he is getting it. Once more I was lucky a shell burst close to me and a piece of it cut clean through my tunic just beside my pocket, tore the skin off my leather belt I wore underneath. Only for it I would have been in Blithy, I guess.” p.2 “Chester Ward came up to our Camp to-night. He is in the 3rd Canadian Labour Batt. they are camped about 2 miles from us. He was awful glad to see us King & Laskay boys again. He is the same old boy. The 4th C.R.T. are close to us to. I do not know any of the lads in it tho.Jun 18, 1917, Belgium letter to Earl’s sister Pauline“We are having a few days’ rest. I do not know when we will be going up the pike again. I sure had an exciting time of it last wk. I am all over the gas now, feeling fine. H. Boys is well again to. I had my tunic cut with a piece of shrapnel. But I think it is quite well again. It did not get a Blithy” .Jul 2, 1917, Belgium p.2“Supose you heard of Harold Boys being wounded in the arm. It is not bad. He is with us here so you see he did not have to go to the Hospital.” “ Big Tom Reinford the man John Lawson had hired was wounded he is in Hospital he got a dirty one in the neck. My chum of A. Coy was killed last wk. Gordon Tait of Toronto. And two others of A.Coy was killed the same day. It is fierce around here. Harold was here last year.”Jul 5, 1917, Somewhere in France to Merelda & all“We worked all last night. So we have to-day off. I crawled out of my bed at half past three this afternoon. We had some rain last-night for the first in 8 wks.” “ I did something last night I never done before. I played football under the Fritz`s shell fire he broke quite a number of shrapnel shells above our heads. One of our balloons her was after. I think not us. One of the RE men said `Lord Brimmy mate. I will have to get my steel Lizzie on.`Jul 17, 1917 Belgium from Earl to Mother informing her that he had been injured:Dear Mother, Well I got it at last. We were working up the line yesterday. He was putting big stuff at us all day. A 8 inch burst close to me a splinter of it made a way through my steel helmet into my head. It is not very bad. The M.O. down here says I was awful lucky. I don’t know if I will be going to Blithy or not. Hope so, ha,ha,ha. I am in Hospital in Belgium. I am the only Canadian in it. Well must close Mother don’t worry about me. I am safe now. Supose the men will be busy haying now. Was it a good crop this year? All the rest of the boys were fine when I left them. Harry Bovair and Art Brown stuck right to me when I fell. I can never be to good to them now.”Jul 21, 1917 letter informing the family of Earl’s injuries“Deeply regret to inform you that 779051 Sapper Earl Campbell “Services” admitted to 20 General Hospital, Dannes Camiers, July 19th, 1917 gunshot wound to the head. Further word will be sent when received.Signed, OttawaJul 21, 1917 France letter to Merelda from Hospital “You will be wondering why I do not write. I just got out of bed to-day for the first. I am feeling fine. Does not bother me only at times. The dangerous part is over. I am in a very pretty place 15 minutes’ walk will take me to the sea. I left the C.C.S the 18th. I had a nine hour ride in the R.Cross train down here. The ward I am in there are some Canadians. 3 from B.C., 22nd Batt., 4 from the 13th Canadian Highlanders and 1 from the Q.O.R, Toronto. There are 36 of us in the one Ward. We are used great. I will stick here as long as I can. Maybe I will be going to Blithy, hope so anyway….. I will not get my mail for a week or so now. I will write to my Company and tell them to send it on.” There are a bunch of Americans training [the next portion had been erased by the Censors] . They wear a swell uniform. They will make old Fritz toe the mark. He is a hard old nut allright. Harold was right when he told me in England that there would be heavy fighting this summer.”Well Merelda I will close for this time will write soon.My address isSap. E. CampbellNo. 779051Ward S.320th General HospitalB.E.F. FranceJul 24, 1917, No. 6, C.C. , France “Dear Mother, Well I must write to you again and let you know how I am. I have been sent to a Convalescent Camp came here yesterday. I was examined this afternoon. I am sorry to say I have to go back to my Company in Belgium. I was sure I was going to get a trip to Canada. I nearly knocked me down when the M.O. marked ‘A’ on my paper. Active it means. I go back tomorrow night. Back the line with the best of luck. I think I will be able to get a pass to England when I go back. Will try hard anyway. Jim Jenkins will have something to say about me getting a pass. He and the Col. are the only men, gentlemen I should say in the Battalion.”Jul 26, 1917, Can Base, France “Dear Brother, I wrote home and told Mother that I was leaving for my Company the next night. I didn’t go to my company. I was sent down to the Canadian Base. I am not ready to go back yet, maybe I will be getting my discharge. I am going up to a Medical Board pretty soon. I passed one of them allright. I was marked for Active Service. I went sick down here. I get very dizzy at times. I had small splinters of shell taken out of my dome. There are an awful lot of Canadians here. I know quite a few of them. Some of the 129th, 128th, 134th, 72nd, and some of the 127 No. 1 CRT. 3 of our lads are here out of my own Company I mean. One of them is getting a Canada. I think I will be getting one also. So might be hunting with you this fall & winter.Jul 28, 1917, No.7, Canadian Gen. Hospital, France “Dear Pauline, I will have to write to you this time. Or you will be giving it to me when I get back. I did not get back to my Company in Belgium after all. I was sent down to a Can Base. I took sick there, so I was sent to a Hospital again. My head doesn’t bother me much. But the gasing I got some time ago came back on me. I can hardly see some times. I think they are sending me to England and from there to Old Canada. I will make you step around I bet if I get back. I had two little pieces of splinters of shell taken out of my head. I have them with me. Will try and hang on to them. I have not had a letter since I have been wounded the 16th that was you know that is awful for me. I allways got so many letters from all my little girls. Not many from the dear Baker sisters tho. I told a chum of mine in my platoon to tell the Orderly Corporal to send my mail to me. But I have been moved about so much around here. I think it will all go astray. There are quite a number of Canadians her, P.P.C.L.1. , 10th Batt, 14th, 21st, 172nd Highlanders. The fellow next bed to me was transferred into the 10th Batt out of the 35th. He knows that Gardiner that Harold use to run against. His name is Pte. Lemon, maybe Harold will know him. He forgets nearly all the 35th lads. He was gassed, 26 of them in this Ward have been gassed.p.3 “I cannot write to May or Harold I forgot their addresses. I left the addresses in my Great coat in a dugout up the line. So whenever you write to them or see them tell them why it is I don’t write. Au RevoirAug 1, 1917, No. 7 Canadian Gen Hospital “Dear Mother, Well I will try and write a few lines to pass the time away. I am still in Hospital in France yet. I am feeling fine. I have given up hope in looking for a Blighty. I was up to another Medical Board yesterday. I don’t know what the M.O. marked me yet. I have had no mail since I came down. There will be a heap for me waiting if I go back to my Co. I wrote to a chum of mine and told him to have it sent to me. But it has’nt arrived yet. How is Harold feeling now? He told me he was going to join Caromga Army or Uncle Sams But I guess he is a wise head now. Arch is the wise one, hope he keeps that way.”

Aug 4, 1917, Canadian Base France Dear Merelda, Supose you all will be wondering where I am now. Well I was sent from Hospital down to the Base again, came down yesterday. I do not know how long I will be staying here. But my next move is back to my Coy. When I came down yesterday who do you think I ran across Art Trcnt of No. 1 CRT, Tom Reinsford of No. 2, CRT, B.Coy and my old chum F.Lucas of our Coy. He has been away in Hospital for two months with a skin trouble. Big Tom was wounded and A. Trent had scabbies. In the afternoon Lucas and I were in a Y.M.C.A. We were talking about who all had been wounded from King. We mentioned Bert Kelly’s name just then I spied poor Bert coming in. I said Luke here is Kelly. I very near took a fit. And he could not speak for a while. Gosh he was glad to see us again. He was wounded in the breast in May and is here waiting to be sent up the line again. He is in the 19th Batt. He has change quite abit. Has that old soldier look on him. He went with us to a show last night. The first show I have been to since I left Eng. He is in the same Batt as Ab Hollinshead & Sam Armstrong. He says Ab is a brave fellow in the trenches. Afraid of nothing.Aug 7, 1917, France “My Dear Mother, I am still at the Base yet. I think I will be going back to my Coy this week. My chances are all gone for getting home. I was sure at one time I was going to be sent home. I told you before I guess they took two small pieces of shell splinters out of my head. It sure hurt some to. Kelly is still here. He, F. Lucas and I go to a show every night. It is a dandy show. I hear from one of my chums that Harold Boys has gone to a Hospital in England. He stayed around camp with us for three weeks where he should have had been in Hospital. His wound went to poison I guess.”Aug 10, 1917, Canadian Base, France “Dear Merelda, just a line to-night to let you know I am still at the Base. Kelly and Luke is here yet I call Locuas Luke for short. We go to a show every night. They are just fine the ones over here. I had a streetcar ride to-night for the first since I left England. I am having a high old time. But I don’t get any mail down here that is the worse of it. What a heap there will be for me when I get back to my Coy. I have not written to May or Harold since I have been wounded. I lost their addresses. So you write and tell them the reason I don’t write. I sent some souvenirs home the other day. I sent Mother a dandy. Did she get it? And Paul & Floss some silk cards. How is Dad & Arch getting along at the harvest. Guess they will be through now by the time you get this. I thot I would be back in time for Exhibition. But not now. Maybe Xmas. Will look that way anyway. I expect to leave for the Coy about the 12th Sunday. I very near been away a month from the noise of guns and shells. Well old girl. I think you are old. Close onto forty and never been kissed, ha-ha. I will close now, wishing you all the best of luck. Your loving Brother. The pie eater.”Battle for Hill 70 occurred August 15-25, 1917Aug 15, 1917, Canadian Base, France “Dear Arch, you all will be getting lots of mail from me now. I write home quite often I know. Jim Gillis will be cursing I bet. I am still at the Base. There are quite a number of the 2nd C.R.T. here waiting to be sent up the line again. Talk was going around here last night that we were to go into a Infantry draft. But I think it is all Bull. They won’t get this lad into it. Anyway I am not fit couldn’t carry a pack ha-ha. I hear that No. 1 Construction is down where we are. So I will see Old Wallie & Paddy, Sid and them when I get back. It seems like two years since I left them Kelly is still here. He is going up the line next week. He said yesterday whenever I write home again to tell Dad he wish he was back at King playing cards in Armstrong’s Hotel. He is Corp now. But never wears the stripes. He says he has’nt time to put the stripes up.”Aug 22, 1917 Belgium Earl refers in this letter to being gassed “Dear Merelda, Well I have been sent back to my Coy again. I came up on the 18th. I am feeling fine now. But sometimes my head ache pretty good. I think it is the noise of our guns tho that causes it. Fritz is more than getting the shells now. The bombardment is something awful now. They say I miss the worse of it. Luke came up the line with me.”p.3 “Fritz sent some gas over us last night. But he did no harm. I woke up sneezing I said to myself Gosh I am getting a bad cold. Very soon my eyes started to run tears so I was not long getting my helmet on. This is the third time my gas helmet waved me from being gassed. Harry Bovair is away in Hospital with the trench fever. It is a bad time of the year now for fever. So much dead stuff laying around. I will never forget this front line. There is more than me that will never forget it.”Aug 24, 1917, Department of Militia and Defence Ottawa Letter to Jerome Jacob Campbell, Esq, King, Ontario – father of Earl informing him of Earl’s injuriesAug 25, 1917, Belgium “Dear Pauline was very glad to get yours and Flossie’s letter along with Merelda’s. It was some class to the paper which Floss wrote me. 2 x 3 I think it measured. But them are the kind I like to get. p.3…. [a portion of Earl’s letter was erased by the Censors] “We are whacking the railways down now allright. It is the narrow gauge track we are at.”Aug 27, 1917 , Belgium, B.Coy, 2nd CRT, B.E.F.People were not the only ones displaced during the war. Earl wrote this letter from a dugout and he mentions that when he went to bed he found a dog in the dugout. . “Dear Merelda just finished writing a few lines to Annie Sturdy. So thot I write home again. I have to-day off being I was on gas guard last night. He did’nt put any gas over. I was sure he would tho it was such a calm warm night. I guess our guns made it to hot for him to get out of his dugouts. The bombardment our lads had last night was worse than any thunder and lightning storm you ever did see or hear. It is great to look at it in the night. I was relieved by another of our lads at half past one. And when I went to my bed in the dugout. I lit a candle and starring me in the face was a big white dog. And laying on my blankets. I knew where there was a bayonet so if he showed any fight. I would to. But a wag of his tail soon told me that there was no German in him. I layed down. And he layed at my feet all the rest of the night.Aug 29, 1917, Belgium “Dear Merelda, Well I must write and thank you for the box you packed for me. The R.Cross box you sent it to the 1st of Aug. and I got it Aug 27th it came in good time, did’nt it…… I think I will be getting a pass to England soon. We have been over here quite a while now. A year ago today we landed at Witley Camp, England . It seems a long time to me. I don’t think this war will last another year. So Chester Ward is missing, poor chap. I had a great chat to him up here in Belgium. He was in the 4th C.R.T. There is a awful lot of Can. Rly Tps over here as high as the 11th now. None of them can beat the 1st and 2nd tho. The 127 men are in them you see. Harry Bovair is still in Hospital with the fever. And little Leonard Robb is away to. His people will feel awful bad about him. But he is better with that than wounded. Wallace & Paddy were up to see us chaps. I was in the Hospital so I did not see them. They are only 4 miles from us now, so I will be going to see them soon. We expect to be relieved soon by A & D Coy. C & B have been up the line for 3 weeks now. Three B.Coy lads have been killed and some wounded since I’ve come back. Vanderburg from Richmond Hill was badly injured yesterday. Harold Boys is in England now. He was wounded in the arm from a flying butt of a 4 inch shell. It is a wonder it did not take the arm off him. He stayed around camp thinking it would be better in a week or two. It got so bad he had to be sent the Hospital I don’t expect he will ever be back with us again. Chances are he will be sent to Canada. I was sure I was going to be sent home when I got mine. My temperature was up to 103 quite a few times. I think I was frightened of the nurses tho. I was in a American Hospital for a few days. They use a Canadian awful good. Has Harold been home lately. I wrote to him, address it to 17 Condor Ave. guess he would get it. There are not many of his batt left over here now. There was a draft of men sent into our Batt last week one of the 14th Batt and there are two of the old reliable the P.P.C.L.1. But the rest of them are lads who first came across the Channel. They think they know it all to. It will make you sick to listen to them. Last night Fritzie started to shell our home of dugouts. He got our new lads wind up all right some of them were clinging to the ground. And the day before they were saying ‘We are not frightened of Fritizies shelling’. He can scare anyone believe me. My heart has been up in my throat more than once. When a fellow get hit once. He is allways nervous afterwards. “Sep 10, 1917 Field Post Card sent to Miss Merelda Campbell, King, Ontario, CanadaSep 16, 1917, Rest Camp Belgium Earl writing to his Mother “Dear Mother, I am on 24 hour guard to-day so though I would try and pass some of my time away in writing to you. We are having a great time down here. We just do 2 hours a day rifle drill and P.T. then we have the rest of the day to ourselves. We will be getting a three day pass to cities in France I expect. We are down for two weeks. Yesterday the 2nd C.R.T. played the 1st C.R.T. baseball at their camp about 8 miles from us. We beat them 16 to 4. The first man I ran into when I got there was Sam Moss. I was talking to him about 5 minutes then I asked him where I could find Wallie. He told me that he had been killed the day before. It nearly took my breath away when he said that. I had not seen him since he left England last year. And I was thinking all the time I was going to see him once more. It is awful sad about the poor fellow. What will his people think? He was so well thought of around home. He was hit with a splinter of a H.E. shell in the stomach. George Bainbridge told me the last words he was `hurry up with me or it will be to late` He died before they carried him 4 rods. Frank Gamble was also wounded with the same shell. But they say it was only slight. I did not see Sid Goodswain or Paddy they were away drawing rations. How did the corn turn out this year. Did they fill the silo? There are dandy crops around here. The farms are to far away for Fritz to destroy them. It is a very pretty place, 10 minutes will take one into France. Yesterday was Sunday and you could here the Church Bells ringing all over. Must tell you that we had the Prince to watch us play Base Ball. He is very young looking. Well Mother I will have to close for this time. I have not heard from home for a long time. I am expecting a bunch some of these nights. I sent Pauline & Floss a couple of cards yesterday.Sep 22, 1917, Belgium letter to Merelda “Dear Merelda was very glad to hear you again. And glad Mother received her Handkerchief holder. Yes I get all your letters. Yours last night was written the 22nd of Aug. I wrote to May this morning after I got her address from you. I wrote to Harold the other day. I address it to King maybe he will be home to get it…. We had a awful storm about 2 wks ago. We were washed out of our beds in the night. It was the worse night I ever saw. You could’nt hear the thunder for the noise our guns had. We are having a jake time now down the line for a rest. We are down for two weeks. Our time is up the 29th of this month. There is an awful war going on just now. We just can hear a faint sound of the guns. Let me know what you think of the photo. I will tell you their names. (No photo in the letter) Top row left to right – Yek of course you know him. Second is Bill Wellman of Richmond Hill an old 127th Batt lad. Third is Carl Jensin of the 114th Batt. N.B. who was drafted into our Batt in England He is a Dane and a very good Boxer. Second row sitting left to right 1st Frank Wilson of the 112th Batt Nova Scotia he was also drafted into our Batt in England. And the one sitting with the cigarret in his mouth is an old 127th lad Bill Fisher of Richmond Hill. His home is in Ireland. He worked 5 years ago at Badgers place King. They all are coming out to King to see me after the war. Luke and I had our photo taken a couple of wks ago. But have not received them yet. We had these taken in a small town in Belgium. Harold been in it.”Sep 25, 1917, Belgium letter from Earl to Pauline “Mon Cher Pauline received your letter also Flossie’s. I am glad you are getting all the Souvenirs I send home. That word Lucy Allan uses is a certainly long one. She will feel bad about poor Wallie being killed. Well suppose you had a high old time at Pellatat’s. Did you do any running or are you getting to old to run. That was a very nice guy you had for the best one. McKennin is his name I think. I think I know him I met him 3 (?) years ago. Bill Wellman of my Coy is related to him some way. It is a shame about poor Edith getting married. What will I do now you will have to hunt me up one. The mail call just went so I ran like a son of a gun to see if there were any for me. I was glad to get two. One from May & one from Merelda. Merelda wrote it the 7th of Aug. I had went to the Hospital I was in and then to the Conv. Camp and then to another Hospital and then to the Base then up here to me. It was pretty well marked up. What did she put two cent stamps in it for? I got the slip about me being wounded in it. I get everything that is sent from home.”Oct 2, 1917, Belgium letter “Dear old Sis, Receive your welcome letter of Sept 3rd and am glad you all are keeping well. And glad you all are getting the Souvenirs I send home. I am back to the line again. Had a good them the two weeks were on rest. I would had a much better time if the two weeks rest were to Blighty. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us now. Fritz has been driven back quite a few miles this last three months. We are running a narrow gauge track across a awful looking country. No mans-land is right. A person would not believe what it is like until they see it for theirselves.Oct 9, 1917 Letter to Merelda “Dear Merelda …. You asked me if Gordon Ross was wounded. Know he has not been hit yet. He is on the transport with his brother. I only see them about once a month. Lorne and Sam Gorley & Leslie Sturdy are also there. Leslie is working in the cookhouse there. So I guess he will never go hungry anytime. I know I would’nt if I was in his place. I could easy find the cellar.Oct 12, 1917 “Dear Mother. Guess you will do some looking at this fellow. I had it taken after I came back to my Coy from Hospital. You can see that all of my head is there. I am only minus a bit of skin and hair. Let me know if you get these two photos. I had this taken in a town where Harold had been many a time.Your loving son, EarlOct 25, 1917 Sap. E. Campbell # 779051, B.Coy, Can. Rly Trpe, Belgium “Dear Sister. Received you very welcome letter of Sept 19th today. And tell Flossie and Pauline I receive theirs of Sept. 17th also. Was glad to hear you all are keeping well. But sorry Harold has gone to Ottawa could’nt he get a job in Toronto. Do you think he will ever come over again? Keep him away from it if you can. Once is enough for any one. And it is to much. Three days ago I was walking on down the third line trench and I ran across Jack Mullen. I had not seen him since I came to France. And we were sure glad to meet each other. I see him quite often now. He is in the 123rd Pioneers. He was wounded in the jaw but is better now. And this afternoon I was in my dugout I call it mine anyway. It is only big enough for the two of us Wellman and myself. I was drying a pair of socks Mother sent me. Henry Bovair came along and hollered in ‘Yek’ there’s a fellow from King City wants ot see you. It was H.Wells. I was surprise to see him allright. And he is so fat, hard tack agrees with him, ha-ha.p.3 Earl continues his letter to Merelda the following morning 26th`Well Merelda I will write a few more lines this morning. I have`nt to go out on duty until towards evening. So I will write a few letters to-day. It is very cold this morning. But our dugout is quite warm with a blazer in it. I swiped some good pine boxes last night for fire wood. And there is plenty of mud. It would`nt be Belgium if it wasn’t muddy. I would rather be in France than here. The French people are far nicer than the Belgium’s. I have no use for any Belgie. Andthey are the same with us. Tell Pauline & Floss I will answer their letters soon. Had Dad all his cattle yet? And how did the roots turn out after the big hail storm you had. Lieut Jenkins has gone on 10 days leave to Paris. He will have some time there believe me maybe I will take my leave there. If I ever get one. Well dear Sis. I will be quitting for this time now. So write soon again with love to all at home. Au Revoir, Bro. EarlThe Battle of Passchendaele occurred October 26 to November 10, 1917Oct 29, 1917 letter to Mother from Belgium .. stamped passed by the CensorsMy Dear Mother Well I guess I`ll write to you this time. Tell Merelda I receive her long letter of Sept 25th. And I received one from her the same day written June 24th with 1 dollar in it. It had gone through all the Hospitals I was in. That’s why it took so long to reach me. I can say that I get all my mail and boxes to. I received that dandy box last night. That was a dandy cellar of honey. But was not large enough. ha-ha. Mrs. Merchant would be in an awful way about poor Wallace. It was sad news for me when I heard about it. I was very sorry I did not get to see him burried. I know where he is burried tho. It’s a very pretty place. And such a large cemetery. Many a hundred lives are buried in it.Oct 29, 1917, Somewhere in France – letter to “Dear Friend” think it is addressed to Harold as Earl is mentioned in the body of the letter not sure who it is from“Dear Friend Just a line as I was to write you well I hope you will excuse me for beening so long in making it good but its better late than never. I had a letter from Merelda and I see that things are about pretty well the same around King. I also seen in the letter that the news of poor Wallace’s death has cast quite a gloom around especially with those who has Sons or Friends in the firing line. I was up to see his grave yesterday he is buried in a British Military graveyard not far from here. We have got crosses and wreaths set up on all the graves of those who were killed that night they are of good quality and will last a long while. While the crosses will last for generations. I had a few with me who were pals of the others they were pretty sorry there is a good many graves in the graveyard where he is buried. Some reports say it was bombs that was the cause but that is not true. I was talking to some of the one two seven (127th) when we were on a long run a few days ago and the thought it was bombs but the truth is that it was shells and he was not wounded in the chest. I think for sure that he died not suffering very much for the shock was enough to kill anyone who was close and heavy concussion serves to deaden the brain. We had two services I was present at the one when we gave them a soldier’s funeral the other one was when the wreaths were put on. I was away for that one we are very busy now and owing to the weather I had to be on duty pretty steady. You were to see Mrs. Merchant I am sure she would be very sorry for him he was a fine fellow as I have had a good chance to know for we have been through so many tight corners together that I have lost the count and he was Johnny on the spot every time. I wrote to his Mother soon after it had happened I hope she has got the letter. Alright Sam Moss also wrote and I could not say for Frank Grambriel he went to Blighty with trench fever on the night that it happened. I have not seen Earl since he came out here he was quite close to our place one day but I was out at the time and did not know of it for a long after. I have seen quite a bunch of the hundred and twenty seven (127th) with Billy Bowler has some great experiences to tell. Well I will have to close as it is getting dark in here tell Dad and all the girls I was asking for them.. Au Revoir. I remain yours sincerely HarryNov 2, 1917, Sap. E. Campbell no. 779051, B.Coy, 2nd Batt. Can. Rly Tps, B.E.F, Belgium“My Dear Sister Just a few lines this time to let you see I am still able to write & am keeping well. Rec. your letter of Oct 2nd last night. And I also had one from another married woman Mrs. Edwards, I only received 21 letters this last mail that came in. What do you think of that? All from Canada to. But don’t you tell anyone or they might stop writing to me. Thinking that I have to many girls. No Merelda I have not get the $5 Mother sent me yet. But I guess it will come all right. I received the box you sent me. I have the underwear on. It is jake for the little animals, ha-ha. I wrote Mother not long ago did she get it o.k. How is Pauline’s cold, hope she is all over it by now. Has Arch got the stones & stumps cleared off the new land they broke up? It is to … bad that Libe was turned down for overseas duty. He is the only one I did want to see come. I hope the Watson yellow gang all were mark A.1. They will open their eyes many a time if they ever get over here. Maybe they will be like the Americans a long time in coming. Gamie Crossley was to see us B.Coy lads a few nights ago. He is looking good. He is more like old Bill now. Shoots great lines of bull. We are sure having lots of mud over here. It will be nice in Canada now won’t it. Well Merelda I am only writing a few lines this time. Will let you know if I get the money. Hope all are well at home.Au revoir. Your Bro. EarlNov 5, 1917 Belgium, letter to HaroldDear Bro Harold I received your long looked for letter last night. Allso the dollar bill with. I know you know that money is tre beans for a poor bugger over her in this bitch of a country, ha-ha. It will buy me a couple of good meals allright. I am glad you like your new job o.k. You are sure traveling the world allright. Will you be in the States all winter. I will never do any traveling when I get back if I ever do. It will be damn hard to get me away from home a couple of miles. Yes we had some awful weather here allright. Mud first to the belly. Yesterday & to-day the sun shone a little. Once darkness comes on a fellow is better in his dugout for there are plenty of shell holes to fall into. And some of them are 8 & 9 feet deep with water. I got into some of them. But only after a .. issue, ha-ha. I seen a few of your old Batt to-day the R.C.D from Stanley Barracks. They have not been into any scraps yet. But are standing too just now. The war will be over when the Calvary gets a day or two at Fritz. The Bengals Lan are down the line waiting for the order. God they are great looking lads quick as weasels on horseback. Well Harold I will have to close now and hope you get along at your job the best. And write me again soon. I will write soon, Your loving Bro, Earlp.s. I have been looking for Mr. Nelson over here. But I cannot find him. I think he is on a different front. I wrote to your May. But don’t you say anything to me. Ha-ha.Nov 8, 1917, Sap. Earl Campbell, No. 779051, B.Coy, 2nd Batt. C.R.T., B.E.F., BelgiumDear Pauline Well I think it is about time I am answering your letter. I should write to Floss also. But you tell her I said she could write for a little while longer. Tell Mother I received the money order she sent me $1 it was. I soon had it changed into Francs that is French money. I got 27 Francs for the $1. That will buy me some goodies for a while. I will be looking for some more this Xmas. I guess I will have Christmas over here all right. I would much rather be in Old King for it tho. Has Mother sent my black sweater yet? I will bring it back with me all right. Tell Merelda I received the dandy box she packed for me of the Laskay Red Cross everything was jake in it. I have’nt it all ate up yet. I keep the good part of it for the last. The light ginger bread & the dark ginger bread. I also had a box from Merle last week. Henry had a lot of old chum and cigars in it. Allso a new Canadian pipe I am sure I get every box that is sent to me. And am might glad to get them. The eats that are in them you no are quite different from what we get out here. There are just the two of us in our dugout. Bill Wellman and I. And when a box comes we make ourselves sore from eating. You should see our little home of sand bags. We have it bomb proof, but not shell proof. I had a letter from Maisie last night. She is getting to be some girl. She can write a nice letter. Did Dad go hunting this fall? And how is Arch getting along trapping. It makes me homesick to think about this time of the year in Canada. It has been a dirty fall over here, rain all the time. I never knew what mud was until I came to Belgium. Well Pauline I have to write to Henry to-night so you will have to excuse this short letter. I hope you all are well at home. I will write in a day or two again.Au Revoir, Bro. Earl`Nov 11, 1917, Belgium Dear Old Sis – I received your letter of Oct 10th with a dollar in it. Allso Pauline`s & Flossie`s sheets. It was a dandy fat letter the kind I am glad to get. So you got the photo of `Yek` and the other four lads. So you think I look thin, eh. Well is no wonder I am thin. This place will make anyone thin. Some nights I get no sleep at all. Old Fritz get shelling or bombing over our dugouts. And a person can`t sleep. Sometimes the shells light so close to the dugout that it will tremble all over. I then cling to the ground. No one will ever believe what it is like over unless they been to see for theirself. You asked me if Karl Jenson was any relation to the Jensen we had hired. Well I will ask him … had forgotten about Hans Jenson. So you know Wellman . He does`nt know you. He and I have slept together in a dugout nearly 3 months now. He is a nice lad allright. But only 19 year’s old, ha-ha. Fisher the Irishman is about your age tho. They are all coming to King to visit me after the war. Well Merelda this is another night. I could`nt finish this last night. I`ll try to to-night. You will be sorry to hear that Jack Kerwell has been wounded. He has been at Head Quarters right along. And last night Fritz came over with his bombing planes and dropped a few around H.Q killing one Serg and wounding five Sappers. You do not know any of the others. Jimmie Allan and Bob Wilkins brought our rations up to our Coy to-day and they were telling me. They are on the transport for B.Coy I will call them the Safety first guys. But sometimes they get it hot. Lorne is Corp over in Transport. Jimmie Laremount the old Corporal was killed in May. Serg Ross is the Serg. I was on the transport in England. But Jenkins took me off and put me back into the Coy. I had been in it ever since. The only King boys in the Coy now are the two Brown boys, H. Bovair, Serg Jack Dock Boys. He is in Blighty now. Any Lieut Jenkins & myself, and little Serg McKeckeric. I must tell you all the news I can think of now while I’ve the chance. When we left England last January we had 1200 men. But only 450 of them were the old 12 York Rangers, 127 Batt. The rest of the 127 Batt men went to No.1 Construction now called 1st Can. Rly.Trps. Would you believe it if I tell you that there are only 112 men left out of 450. I call myself mighty luck for being one of the lucky 112 men. Frank Grambil’s brother was killed last wk. He was in the 1st C.R.T. I think I told Pauline in her letter about receiving the Laskay Red + box. I sure did eat that night. There are just the two of us in my dugout. And what I own he owns, ha-ha. I also received a box from Ruth a few nights ago. I get everything that is sent to me. So my little Clara has a fellow, eh. Well I’ll fall back on Miss Sturdy now. And if she gets a guy I’ll get another one. I guess Harold will keep Arch out of the Army. It is a good job he is home to tell him a thing or two. I hope he will listen to him. I got the five dollars Mother sent me. And it is just about all gone up in eats now. I am a big eater yet. Whenever I get it to eat, ha-ha. Sure tell Mother I want lots of money till after this winter is over. I expect to get a 14 day leave after the 12 of January. We will be 12 month on active service then. And I want to get one more souvenir of Belgium. It will be a big one this time 40 or 50 Franc one. Well, Merelda I am getting sleepy so will come to a close for this time. Hope all are well at home. How is Mother’s cold. Tell her to take care of herself not to work to hard. And for to keep out of the wet. Bye Bye Your Loving Bro EarlReceived the snaps Mary Teasdale sent me. I know the most of ‘em”Nov 12, 1917, Sap. E. Campbell No. 779051 B.Coy, 2nd Batt. Can. Rly.Tps B.E.F. BelgiumDear Brother, I received the post card you sent me last-night. Surprise you are back in Toronto. I guess you would enjoy your trip through the States alright. A different looking country than France or Belgium is’nt it. I am .. sure she has England beat to. I think I’ll take my 14 days leave to Scotland & Ireland if I get one. We are due for a pass after the 12th of January. It will make us 12 months on active Service. Mothers Birthday it is easy to remember. I would like to go to Paris tho. I might change my mind yet and go there. I think the French people are very nice. But these Belgies are no bon at all. And when you are talking to a Belgium lassie and happen to say anything out of the way in which I am very fond of doing. They say ‘no conpre’. Mereleda said you where to see the World’s Series. How did they make out. I guess it would be a great game.p.2 of the letter is missingp.3 “There is heavy fighting going on now, has been this last 4 months. Well Harold old boy I will have to close for this time. I will write soon again. Take good care of yourself. And I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years.Your loving Brother Earl”“write soon”The Battle of Cambrai occurred November 20 to December 7, 1917Nov 29, 1917, France Dear Mother you will be all wondering why I have’nt written this week. The reason is . We left Belgium & moved back to France and it kept me very busy. We left Belgium the 27th and arrived in France the same night about 11 o’clock. We had a midnight march which took us till 4 o’clock in the morning to get there. It was a fine trip such a fine moonlight night and not to cold in the box cars. The Battalion is all here for a four week rest than we move up to our new front. I hope it is not as rough as the one we just came from. I don’t think it can be any rougher. We are about 40 kilometers from the line now so we hear no guns at all or no bombs to keep you awake at night. I am wishing we could stay here for the duration of this awful war. The French people use us jake, they are far ahead of the Belgiums. If one wants a drink of water from their pump they will get one. They gave us a dandy billets to sleep in for our four weeks rest. We are close to where we were billeted last winter when we first came to France. I suppose you will have the box of presents I sent home over a week ago. What do you think of my sewing of the box. Some class is’nt it. I’ll try and get you & Dad something. I have’nt received the box with the khaki mitts in yet. I guess it is close to me now. I had a letter from Mrs. Edwards the last night I was in Flanders she is sending me a box. I’ll have lots of boxes soon. But there is nothing like em. Say Mother will you send me about 10 dollars. I’ll not ask for any more after this. We are not on full rations now, just half rations. So money will be handy. I get all the money you send. And find it a good help to me, ha-ha. Has Henry & Merle come down yet. I had two boxes from them lately. Where is Harold now? The last I heard of him he was in Waterloo. Why don’t Arch write me a line or two. Maybe he is too busy trapping and going up to Aurora for a haircut. Tell Harold I had a jake time in … while I was there. But we are quite a few miles from it now. Well Mother I will have to close for this time. I have quite a bit of fatigue to do to-day. I’ll write again soon. We are safe now for awhile.Hope you & all have a Merry Xmas & a Happy New Years.With love your loving Son, EarlDec 5, 1917, Rest Camp, France letter to Pauline Dear Pauline, It is about time I am writing to you. I know it is my turn. I suppose you will be trying to skate these fine moonlight nights. There is no snow over here yet. But it is quite cold. France is far ahead of Belgium the weather has been jake everyday since we came down. The sun shines everyday. And in Belgium one hardly ever see the sun. Well Pauline our 14 days leave has come. A number of our lads are away to Blighty now. I expect to go in a couple of wks. But I don’t go to Blighty. Scotland for mine and maybe across to Ireland. I would like to see Paris but I’ll have to give it up. One of Sergents had a letter from Harold Boys in Eng. I only wish I was going with him. I will try & see him when I go on pass if he has not gone. Have you received the box I sent about 3 wks ago yet. A silk apron for Merelda and something for you, Floss & Arch. The ring is a German ring. I will not tell you where I got it tho. I am sending Mother a souvenir of France a silk purse. But no money in it. She can put the money in it. Let me know if you got everything. I have not the box with the khaki gloves yet. But I guess it will soon be her. Mrs. Edwards send me a box I have not it yet either. How many cattle is Dad fattening this winter. And how many skins has Arch got hid away. Art Brown says he never got Arch’s letter. Well Mon Cheri I’ll have to close now . Our Billet is’nt very warm for writing. One can see the stars at night thro the roof of it. But one good thing we have no shells or bombs to bother us. Au revoir Pauline. I want to hear from you soon,I wish you All Merry Xmas & Happy New Year, Your loving Bro. EarlDec 17, 1917, Rest Camp, France.Letters exchanged between the soldiers and family and friends at home was an important part of a soldier’s life in order to maintain their morale. Censorship of soldiers’ letters was undertaken by regimental officers. The purpose of censoring letters was to avoid mention of operational details. Information that was forbidden to be included in the letters was locations, number of troops, and criticism of officers. In a number of Earl’s letters we can see where the Censor has erased information that may have proven valuable to the enemy. Dear Pauline, I have received two letters from you this last mail. One was written on the ploughing match bill. Those are the kind of letters I like to get. Well Pauline this letter will not be censored. A chum of mine Sap Fisher is going on his 14 days leave to Ireland to-morrow. He said he would post it there for me. So I can say anything I want to in this one. I have been pulled up 3 times since I been over here for putting stuff in the letter I should’nt to. I am sorry to hear about little Norman Willis. I had a letter from Merelda last night. She told me all about it. Susie & Fred will be nearly crazy. So Dad sold old Joe. Its to bad, you girls will have no horse to ride now. Archie McLean will use him good allright. He use to use C…. pretty good. Does he come down to see Merelda very much. I am glad Arch got his papers…. [section has been erased.. assume the censors got a hold of the letter] I often think however I pull through as well as I have. I feel allright except my nerves are gone. I will try for my discharge next spring, ha-ha. I guess I’ll get it allright. I think this war will be over by the 1st of July 1918. I don’t see how it can last any longer. The Americans will give them something some of these times. I suppose you all will have the presents I sent home in a parcel Fritzie’s buttons and a ring. I took from one but don’t tell anybody. I took it from a German. Arch can have it. I have a lot more of German stuff. I will bring it with me when I go home. I suppose Henry & family will be down home now. I will write to them soon, I wrote to Merelda a couple of days ago telling her I received five boxes one from Mrs. Edwards, on from Vic Hall, Mr. Farmer, one from home. And one from the Laskay League. I had one from Merle & Ruth the week before. I am sure getting fat now. I have not had a hard tack for 4 weeks now. Our time will soon be up for going up the line again. I hope this new front will not be like the Ypres front, It was a son-of-gun. Harold been around it. Ypres is all blowing into dust now. I know it all off by heart now. I put six months in it. Last winter when we first came over here we were on the Somme front around…..[section had been erased by the censor]… and a lot more of these places … to-morrow after noon for a wild pig hunt. There are quite a few around here. Well Paul I will have to close now. B.Coy licked A.Coy yesterday in football. I got a bang over the skin which made me a little lame. Now write again soon and tell the rest. Take care of yourself, Au revoir your loving Bro. EarlDec 23, 1917, letter to Merelda from London, Waterloo Dear Merelda: I have arrived back to London at last. Heaven I should call it. I left our Battalion Dec 21st landed in Boulogne the next evening about 7 o’clock. We were staying in a big building for the night waiting for a boat the next morning. Old Fritzie came over with a Zepplin and dropped 35 bombs in about 35 seconds right close to where we were staying. The windows in our room were all jarred out. He killed & wounded 165 British & French people in 35 seconds that going some, eh. I seen a little girl about 7 years old get her head cut off. We sailed from Boulogne to Folkestone. The trip across the Channel was jake the sun shone all the time. And we sure had a swift ride across. One hour and 20 minutes was all it took the boat. Two sea-planes & two Destroyers kept guard on us across. I am writing this in the Union Jack Club House in The morning I am taking the train for Scotland. That is if I can get a bath and some of the crawlers off me in time, ha-ha. Thank God I will be away from them for awhile. I only wish I was on my way home instead of going to Scotland. If I ever I get a 3 month furlough to Canada I’ll never come back again. 12 months or very near is enough for me on Active Service. I think 10 days of it will cure anybody. Well Merelda this will only be short this time. I’ll write when I get to Aberdeen and tell you about the Bonnie Lassies. I hope you are all well at home. I have a bad cold just now. I caught it riding in the old open top cars through France. They thot they had a train load of dogs I guess. Oh, Soldiering is some life allright. Yes now be good with love to all at home. Loving Bro, EarlConscription was in force in CanadaJan 1, 1918 letter to Merelda from London, Waterloo Dear Merelda, Well I am down in London again came in from Scotland yesterday morning. I had a dandy time while there. I was to Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. They are all pretty cities. I think Aberdeen is the nicest city I’ve been to yet. It is close to the ocean and you should see the big hills that are there. I thot that hill of ours in front of the house was a big one. Some in Scotland are about 10 times the size of it. And nearly everywhere you can see sheep or goats feeding on them. I spent my Christmas in Aberdeen and I will never forget it. The Red Cross Women of that City gave all us lads who were on leave and had no place to go to a free Xmas dinner. Mostly every thing you could think about was on the table. I happened to be the lucky guy in getting the six penny piece in the plum pudding. They told me I would be lucky now. I hope my luck is I don’t have to go back to France again. But am afraid there will be no such luck. Anyway I think this war will end about July or August. So surely I can hang it out that long, eh. The biggest battle ever fought will be coming off this summer. I think the Kaiser will have peace before it does. He will suffer if he does’nt. The Yanks will be into it. And the Conscript of Canada will get a warming up. Fritz is a hard old nut. I can’t see where he gets all his men. I was through the Tower yesterday. And also West Minister Abbey. I was through them last year. But I thot it would do me no harm to see through it again. There are awful sights to see in the Tower. Some will just about frightened you, ha-ha. I will go to the Zoo this afternoon. I am surprise to see how London is bombed so much. It is awful the big buildings that are knocked out. He bombs every moonlight night. Bu the aircraft guns get quite a few of his planes & Zepplins. It is great fun when a raid is on. The people nearly go crazy. If it happens to be in the night you see all kinds of people in their night shirts beating it for underground. They even forget to put their boots on. It is dangerous to stand in the road of any of them. They run at such a rate that if they hit a fellow it would about kill you. The women are the worse for knocking you over, ha,ha I sent a big box from Aberdeen to Mother. I put my kilt which I got on the Somme last winter in it. I also put a brass cap made out of a 17 lb pound shell and a lot more of small stuff. Frank Brown made the cap for me. I hope you get it o.k. You should have it before you get this letter. I guess Henry & Merle will be home now. Did Henry bring any cattle down to Dad. I guess they would be all of the goat breed. I wonder what you all are doing now at home. It is New Years morning over here. I guess it is the same in Canada. How many skins has Arch got? I guess Pauline & Floss get a share out of them. Well Merelda I guess I have wrote you enough news this time. I will have some mail to read when I get back to France. They will keep it there for me. I hope you all are well at home. I am jake. Bye-Bye, your loving Bro EarlI wrote to Harold & May a few days ago.Jan 3, 1918, Bordon Camp letter to Merelda (look at his record why he was in C.B…) Dear Sister, again I write home. I have to do something to pass away the nights now. I got a few days C.B. and I am not allowed to go out to the town until my time is up. Which will be up to-morrow night the 4th. Yesterday was pay day of course I did not get any pay. So I will just be about broke when I leave for away. Well Merelda I don’t think our Batt of 1400 men will see France. By the way they are running things around here now. Close on to two hundred wagons come in here new field kitchens, 3 dozen water wagons, and the cork helmets came in for us, the khaki coloured ones the kind the English wore in the Boer war. So you see we are in for going to some war country. May be Greece or Egypt. It will be an awful trip if we go there. We were to leave for somewhere on New Years. But more talk or Bull. We have been all issued a new equipment for our backs. They took our old Canadian pack and give us these. They are a web equipment a little larger and handier than the old ones. I am kept quite busy these days, such as cleaning mules, harness, saddles, spurs, bridles, and we must not leave a hay seed on the floor. But I prefer Calvary before Infantry. The route marches which we take every forenoon are quite easy sitting on the mules backs. I was thrown about 10 ft high and slid down the side o/f the stable. Polly is a quite one. But Ginger will not allow any one to ride him. He can even put the Serg Major off. And he is supposed to ride anyone of them. And Bob Wilkins has an awful bad one. This afternoon he was breaking it in. It threw him twice the second time Bob lit on his head unconscious. He is feeling pretty stiff to-night. He says if he can’t break it in, he will break his neck in. Tell Arch they are harder to ride than Harry or Dave. I have not heard from Harold lately. Maybe he is on his way home. My New Years day was tending to the wild beasts. I had a letter from Lizzie Brown to-day saying that she packed the box for me from Laskay. She sent me a photo of the interior of Laskay Church. What a sight it was on Rally Day. I suppose Nobleton rink will be going by now? Or is the Laskay rink cutting it out? Well Merelda I will close now and write a line or two to Lizzie Brown. I allways answer ever letter that comes to me, let it be married or single, old or young, fat or thin. I wrote to Mother a few nights ago, hope she got it allright. With Love to all at home, Your Brother EarlMy address is changed again Sapper Earl Campbell, No. 779051, B.Coy, 127 Light Railway Batt., B.E.F. Army P.O. London, Eng.Feb 8, 1918, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng.Earl writes about the torpedoing of the Tuscania and American liner. Dear Merelda & All, Well how are you all keeping this winter. Are you doing much skating or is it the Dances you spend your time at. I will show you how to dance when I get home. I’ve done quite a bit of it out in France. Dancing among shells I mean. I am still enjoying my self in bed yet. It is a long time since I’ve been in a good bed. So I thot I would stick to one while I have the chance. I have no pain now. My legs are numb from the feet to the hips. Therefore I can not walk. TheNurse says there is a good chance of getting my discharge. So look out maybe I’ll be home to boy you around this summer. There is no chance of me joining my Battalion until Spring anyway. Thank God I am missing the winter in France this year. It is 10 years more to a person’s life to miss a winter & spring in France. I see by last night paper that the Tuscania, the American liner was torpedoed. That will get the Yanks wind up allright. They are in for giving Fritz something pretty hot this summer. But I think Germany will make Peace before this awful Battle comes off. It will be the hardest battle ever fought in this war. And there have been some awful ones.Feb 20, 1918, Cheltenham, Eng. Dear Merelda, I guess you are hearing from me often enough now. I believe I write home twice a week. My mail has not come from France yet. But I am looking for it any day now. There will sure be a bundle of it I had a letter from Bill Wellman & one from Bob Carney, those are the only two I`ve had since I took sick. Well Merelda still in bed yet. And on Monday I have to have a operation on my eyes. My eyes have been weak ever since I got gassed in June. And the Trench Fever has made them a great deal worse. They have to be scraped. It will be some job. But maybe it will get me to Canada. Ha-ha. I have to wear glasses. I got them today. I think I am a beaut with em on. The Nurse made me put them on to write this letter. The Sister of No. 2 Ward has been to Toronto and to Huntsville. She is a awful kind Lady. She will go out to town and buy grapes & apples for us with her own money. Her Husband owns a large castle not far from here. Sunday nights we can hear the bells ringing on it. They play the tune of Nearer My God to Thee. It nearly make ones hair crawl to listen to it. I see by the paper that Fritz been over bombing London last night. Lucky this place is away out of his course. Cheltenham is close to the Severn River which has the second largest tide in the world. The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada has the largest one. A English chap would`nt believe me when I told him we had the largest tide in the world. I got Sister Jackson to prove it for him. Well Merelda I will close for this time. When I get out town I will get you a few of the latest sheets of music. I must get Hazel & Walter a few things. I don`t think I sent them anything yet. I wrote to Arch a few days ago, also wrote to Harold. I hope you all are well at home. Love to all, Au Revoir Loving Bro, Earl Sapper Earl Campbell No. 779051 Ward 2 Naunton Park Hospital Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, EngFeb 28, 1918 postcard sent to Merelda, front is picture of Naunton Park Red Cross Hospital, Cheltenham, Eng“Dear Merelda I think this is your birthday, is`nt it. Must drop you a line. This is the main ward in the Hospital I am in. This one ward will hold 60 Patients. You will see 2 Ward which I am in. I am not in the photo. I am out of bed now. I got up yesterday. I went under my operation on my eyes Monday. I had them scarped. They are very sore just now. It will be a long time before I go back to France. I am going out town to-day. I will try and get you a few sheets of music. We had a gang of actors here giving a concert the other night. It was a grand concert. I guess I`ll have to ring off for this time. I have no letters from France yet. I guess they are not allowed to send them on. They will have to wait until I go back if I ever do. Love to all. Brother Earl.”Mar 9, 1918, Cheltenham, Eng. Dear Merelda & All, I received your 17 page letter of Jan 15th a few days ago. I should had written you before. You say that I can write awful good letters. Maybe I can. But I can’t beat you writing letters. I am allways glad to get your fat ones. I had a box from Ruth the other day same day as I rec the one Mother sent with the black sweater and streaked socks in. Ruth’s had a jar of chicken preserved in butter. It was jolly fine. The Nurse had some of it. She said she would have to go Canada if the butter was so good as it was. The Nurses and Sisters are awful nice here. It is a V.A.D. Hospital and is far ahead of the Military Hospitals. I have’nt seen a Military Doctor since I left France. And I hope I’ll never see one again. Harold Boys will enjoy hisself now. He sure is a lucky lad. Maybe I’ll be sent home to a convalescent home for 4 or 5 months. I will know in another week whether I go or not. I am playing the game as much as I can. You can be sure of tht, ha-ha. I am getting along jake. My legs are very weak yet. It may be a long time before I am fit for marching. My eyes are much better now. But have to wear glasses when I go out. The sun is hard on them without ‘em. I am glad the box with the kilt arrived home safe. I was afraid it would be censored and those live cartridges be found. The German ones are those with the rim around the bottom. Harold can tell you which is which. The mail Nurse just brought me in a registered letter. I opened it. And surprise to see it is £1. It has been on the way a long time has’nt it. Tell Mother I said I will keep it until I get my 10 days sick leave. I had to change the American gold piece I got 10 s. for it at the Bank of England here. I passed the other gold piece for 10 s to. It was a gold dollar only 4.s. So you see I still can stick it over people yet, ha-ha. I did not know where Frank Platte had gone to. Glad you sent me his address. I will drop him a line or two. Had a letter from Bob Carney. He is at Witley Camp now. So Harold couldn’t skate with my tubes. I wonder if I can wind them up when I get home. I have forgotten how to skate now. I sent you two sheets of music a few days ago. One is a dandy waltz or what ever you call it. I heard it played at a show in Etaples in France. How is Dad and Henry getting along with the checkers. I guess that is all they do now. I wrote to Merle a few days ago tell her not to forget to write soon. I had a letter from Mrs. Edwards yesterday. Another married woman eh. I hear that my dear Bessie is married. What a shame, they all are going. So you think Jean Burns wants one of us. Harold has the best chance to get her. But maybe he will miss her, ha-ha. I know she is a nice girl no need of you telling me so. And she would be a kind and true sister to you, ha-ha. Tell her I said the war will be over soon. So Dickie Badger has left the good world. He will open his eyes when he get where there is no world atall. I feel sorry for him. Well Merelda what a big letter this time, better save some news for next time. I will send a photo of little me soon, I thank Mother for the pound note she sent, money is a good friend to me, ha-ha. Love to all, Bro. Earl

Mar 17, 1918, Cheltenham, My Dear Mother, Well Mother, how do you like this paper. A Austrilian lad gave me a few sheets of it. So that I would write a sheet of it home to you. Tell Merelda I received the 30 page letter this morning. And I was awful glad to get it too. So much news in it. One of the Nurses said to me. I got some awful fat letters from Canada. I told her that get well feed over there. Merelda’s letter had gone to France. Lieut Jenkins sees that my mail is sent ot me. He is very good that way. He is one of the best of Officers. The whole Coy has a good word for him. I would like to see his Brother. But if he is at Bagdad I don’t think I will ever see him. I think I told you in last letter home I received the Gold money and the English pound note. I am keeping it until I got on leave. I get a 10 days leave when I leave Hospital. Called a sick-leave. I don’t know if I will be sent to Canada yet. I have to have a Medical Board when I come off my leave. It will be a long time before I go back to France tho. I could not carry a pack a mile the way I am now. My legs are very weak, also my back. They may keep me in Convalescent over here somewhere. But I will look forward in sending me to Canada. I will soon get better if they send home allright. P. 2 Say Mother. What do you think of me. I have forgotten my age. I don’t know if I am 23 or 24. I am send you a photo of the Ward I am in it took 1st prize Xmas for Best Decoration and cleaness. Merelda asked if Paddy was with our Batt. He is with the 1st C.R.T most of the Aurora Sports are with it too. The Newmarket lads are in D.Coy in our Battalion. But there are not many of the poor chaps left. The old 127 Battalion has lost heavy in France. There are Drafts going across to join us every 3 months. I wish I could have seen Dad, Henry & Arch and Buster after the fox. I bet it would be a show. Dad with a stick of wood, Henry with the shot gun. And Arch with the automatic. I guess Buster legs would be to short to keep up to the fox and them. I had to leave my rifle behind when I left France. So if I get home I’ll not be able to bring it along to show them how to shoot foxes, ha-ah. Well Mother. I will come to a close now. This will be a fat letter I am afraid. Take good care of yourself. And Good Health to all, Your Loving Son, Earlp.s. I cannot get the photo of the Ward in this letter will send it in next.”Apr 1, 1918, C.C.H. Monk’s Horton, Kent, Eng.Dear Merelda, I received your dandy fat letter of Feb 25th last-night. I am sorry you are laid up with the grippe. How did you come to get it? … p.2 Now don’t any of you believe this until you hear for sure that it is the truth. Yesterday I was talking to a guy out of the 4th Can. Rly. Tps. He said he had a letter from one of his chums in France saying that Fritz captured nearly all of B. Coy of my Battalion at Cambri on the 24th of March. I hope it is not true. I don’t know what I would do if all my chums were taken prisoners. I wrote to Leslie Sturdy last night to find out for sure. There is a awful battle going on in France now. Fritz has taken land we been on for months. The City of Albert is in his hands again. It is a beautiful town too. I see the Canadians drove him back some yesterday. They are the bosy allright. Our lads will fool Fritz I bet being it is April fools day. He was badly fooled last April fools-day. I remember it quite well. Had a letter from Annie Sturdy yesterday also one from Harold. He told me all about his wife. He says I am to hurry home so I can help him to farm. I told him I was hurrying as much as I could possible do. My but it take a long time for them to give me a examination. I got the slip you sent about H. Boys reception. I ‘ll not have anything like it when I get home. I am too shy of guy for to make a fuss of. You just leave that question to me.Apr 21, 1918, Monk’s Horton, Kent Dear Pauline, I must write and let you know I received the beautiful box of chocolates. They are just swell ones. One can’t get good chocolates over here unless he pay an awful high price for ‘em. Thanks Pauline for them. You must not be buying me stuff like that. Put your money in the Bank. Tell Mother I said she could keep 10 or 15 dollars out of my Military wages, and let you girls have it to buy me stuff. I have not heard anything of being sent home yet. I had a Board on the 19th. Don’t know what I was marked tho. One of the Doctors examined the wound I got in my head very close. I told him it bothered me quite often. But it does’nt much, ha-ha. Cute ain’t I. I have to have one more it will be the final one. There is a chance of me getting home yet. Every damp day the trench fever bother me some. I don’t think the climate of England will ever cure me of it. I heard from one of my chums in France. Sap. Wellman he said that B.Coy, C.Coy and D.Coy were badly cut up in this offensive. A number of my chums have been killed and wounded. The only King lad hurt was Harry Bovair. He was badly wounded. B.Coy’s Trumpter was killed and some more he mentioned. I feel sorry for poor Harry Bovair. I hope the wound is not bad. B.Coy had 14 days and nights of hard fighting. I can imagine what it has been like. Wellman said he had hardly a stitch of clothes on at the last. I believe Wellman is the luckiest lad in the whole Battalion. You have his photo at home. He looks like a simp. But don’t you ever think he is. I have seen that poor chap thrown about 65 feet with shell. And never hurt. Jenson the Dane was wounded. He is the big fellow in the photo. A very nice lad he is. And Frank Wilson the small chap he was hit with machine gun bullet in the arm. Fisher the Irishman he came thro it o.k. being he was Irish, I guess. Lorne is back to the Coy. He was Corporal of the Transport. He gave his job up like a fool and went back to B. Coy. He is trying to get into the R.F.C. If I have to go back to France again. I believe I will transfer into the R. Flying Corps. You asked Dad & Mother what do they think about it. But I do hope I do not have to go back again. As Harold say, it is not a good Country for ones health over there, ha-ah. I had a letter from Annie Sturdy a few days ago. Say but she is a awful tease. But I allways give her the worse of it. I believe you just be giving her news about me. I hear F. Gamble back with is dearly beloved. p.5.. I have found a P.P.C.L.I. lad that knew Aubrey Marshall real well. He was in his Coy. The 14 of Sept at Moque Farm he lost track of Aubrey. This fellows home is in Sutton. He thot a lot of Aubrey. And was surprise when I told him that he was killed the night the P.Pats when over the top at M.F. He thot that Aubrey had got to Canada. This chap will be sailing for Canada soon. All the first Contingent are getting 3 months leave to Canada. Those that are left are very few.”Apr 24, 1918, Monk’s Horton, Kent, England Dear Merelda, Just a line or so to let you know I am leaving convalescent to-morrow. I am going on my 10 day sick leave. You had not better write until you find out where my next Station will be. I guess it will be perfect that is a Can Rly Tp depot. I will have another Board while there. Sorry to say I was marked D1 yesterday. That means Active Service again. I will try my best for Canada after my leave is over. I have just one more chance. Have you sent my name into the Gov yet? I think it would help a great deal. Men are needed so bad in France just now, it sure has to be a dead case before one get back home. I guess I will go to London this time. Lots I have’nt seen there yet. I will write in London soon. There is a picture show to-night in the Y.M.C.A so I am hurrying up so I can get a seat. I have my khaki on today for the first in 4 months. I just hate the looks of it. I hope all are in the very best of health. I am not so bad. But when the M.O. ask me how I am I say I guess you would know what I would tell him, ha-ha. I wrote Pauline a few days ago, telling her I rec. the box of chocolates. Love to all, Loving Bro Earl.May 1, 1918, London, England - telling his Mother about a “girl he intends to marry” “My Dear Mother, Well Mother you will be wondering how I am getting along on my 10 days leave. I have had a wonderful fine time up to now. I sent a cable to May for 12 £. She sent an a answer back. Do you want money. This morning I sent another one saying yes right away before I go back to my Depot. I will likely get the money Friday morning. I really hope so anyway. I am right on the rocks now. The first time I have ever been broke on leave. Oh it is a funny feeling, ha-ha. Well Mother I had better tell you now. I have to sometime anyway. I have a girl and I intend to marry her. But you said I was not to get married in England so I am bringing her to dear old Canada with me. She is a lovely little girl. I know you will all love her. I don’t think I could get one as good in Canada. I have been amonst a great number of girls since I left Canada. But none are like the one I have now. She is just longing for to go to Canada and some day before long you will see her. I could not waite for all my girls in Canada. I wonder what some of them will think of me, ha-ha. I sent Merelda a post card yesterday from here, hope she get it o.k. Well Mother I will close now. And will write again as soon as I get back to my Depot. I do not know what my address will be there yet. Hope all are in the very best of Health, Bye-Bye Your Loving Son, Earl.May 8, 1918, 3rd C.C.D., Seaford Dear Merelda, Well here I am back from my leave. I had a wonderful time in London this time. My little girl took me all over. I am at Seaford Camp, right beside the Coast. It is a very pretty camp. I am not doing any training yet. But expect to in a day or two. Well Merelda you all will be surprise when I tell you I meet Percy Butler to-day. He did not know me at all. But I knew him allright. He is just the same as ever. He has been here for 5 weeks now. His Father died last week so he is getting 3 months leave home to help with the work. He says George Tate is in Army Post Office having a soft snap. I will put in a high old time with Percy while I am here. I great number of the 127 lads are here. This camp is only for the rest oneself up. When they are ready for Active Service they go over as reinforcements. I guess I will be sent back with my own Battalion. Well Merelda I will close for this time. But will write in a day or two. My mail is a little slow this time. Have not had any from home since I left Monk’s Horton.My address is now Sap. N.E. Campbell No. 779051 2nd Can. Rly Tps, 3rd C.C.D. Seaford, Sussex, EnglandPercy will write to you soon. Hope all are in the best of Health. Love to all, Loving Bro Earl”May 18, 1918 3rd C.C.D., Seaford Dear Merelda, Just received a letter from you to-night. The first I had for 2 weeks. You had written it Apr. 18th and addressed it to Monk’s Horton. So Harold has been at Monk’s Horton to. He can’t say it is a pretty place anyway. I found it a very lonesome hole. But we could go into Folkstone twice a week that livened it up a bit. Pauline had put a line or two in with your letter. She had sent me all your photos, ha-ha. Some photos too. You just ask her about them. Am glad you like the music I sent you. Good Byee is a great song among us Canucks over here and in France. Yes I heard of Harry Bovair being wounded in the great fight. But is it right about poor Roy Wells meeting his doom. I heard that he was wounded. I hope he has not gone to the dogs. He was a great chum of mine. Henry will know him well. How does Henry & Merle like the new farm in King. I have forgotten where Jim Patton’s farm was. Tell them I will write to them soon. This morning I received my Birthday box from home. It is a beauty everything was jake excepting the little short-cake. It had taken sea-sick, ha-ha. I have not open the can of honey yet. Will have a feed of it before I go to bed tho. The 3 plugs of baccy looks jake to me. They will come in handy while I am doing P.T. and B.F also the route marches. They are certainly training us here. I say there must be a war on somewhere. I tried my hardest for to swing it for Canada, but nothing doing. I am too fit a guy yet. But maybe the war will be over by the time I am ready for going over again. I am not near fit enough for France yet, last week I reported sick my temperature was 101. The M.O. said Campbell you take easy for the day. Next day they had me at it hard as ever. I can’t sling it around these Officers here. One just had to be about dead before they will look at you. I hate the very sights of these gentlemen as we call them. On the top of the box I found a photo of a group of Nurses, Ruth is the only one I know in it. I also rec the Laskay Red Cross box packed by Floss. And also one from the King Girls. So you see I have a great stock of eats in one hand now. Clara Ross’s box to me went to France. So my chum Wellman got it. Yes I have certainly been a lucky lad for to miss that awful fight we had in France. The old 127 Batt done great work allright. They are with the best of fighters. No yellow streaks in Col. Clarke’s outfit. Dad and Arch must have had been working for to get the seeding in so early. I was sure I would have been home for to help with it. Percy Butler has gone home for 3 or 4 months. His Father was killed so he has leave to go home and work the land. He is the same old boy. But is much fatter now. If I get my draft leave. I will go and see him. But chances are I will get no Draft leave. They are sending troops right over without their leave. I did not go out to Eccles. I had not Duncan’s address. Eccles is a large place you know. And I don’t think I would be able to find his people. How is Colin getting along farming. Has he a man? He will have to get a girl I guess, ha-ha. There are & awful bunch of these W.A.A.C girls over here. They should be sent to Canada for on the farm. Harold will know what they are like for working. What was the matter with Harold when he was sent to the Hospital? I hope he is soon better again. I have not meet any of the Miller boys yet. Well Merelda, this will be all for this time. Write to me soon and often. Love to all, and hope all are in the very best of Health. Your Loving Bro. Earl Sap. N.E. Campbell No. 779051 2nd Can. Rly. Tps 3rd, C.C.D Seaford, Sussex, EnglandMay 28, 1918, Seaford Camp, 3rd C.C.D. Dear Merelda, Well must write home again or you will be thinking I am on my way home. No chance of that tho. It is awful hard for one to get to Canada just now. Men are needed so bad in France. I am keeping away from the Drafts for France the best I can here. And will continue. How did you all spend the 24th? We had a good day of Sports here at Seaford. I was into the football. My teamtook 2nd prize out of 6 teams. I did not do any racing at all, frightened of getting beat. I have not heard from home since I left Monk’s Horton. I had two boxes from home tho. My Birthday box and the Laskay R + one packed by Floss. The honey was sure a treat Merelda. I wish Mother would send me some more. Maybe she will if I keep good. We are having the best of weather here. A little to hot for drilling tho. But we have to do it. Yesterday we went on a 12 mile route march thro the country. It was some hot day to. We could not take our tunic’s off or on button them. We are a bunch of hot lads allright. Most of us went into the sea for a cool off last night. How many chickens has Pauline hatched out. Tell her not to be stealing Dad’s good wheat for them. She can go into the cellar and swipe cake and bread. I suppose you don’t seen any airships over in Canada. There are quite a few around here. Theyare a lovely sight in the air. And they travel like the wind. Well Merelda I will not write any more to-day. There might be Canadian mail for me to-night. Hope so anyway. Write me as soon as you like. And tell all. Hope all is well. Au Revoir, Bro. Earl Sap. N.E. Campbell No. 779051 2nd Can. Rly Tps 3rd C.C. Depot Seaford, Sussex, BlightyMay 30, 1918, letter to Earl from Merelda in King.We are fortunate that Earl kept and returned home with one of the letters written by his sister. In her letter Merelda writes about the young 19 year old boys being drafted and sent overseas to fight. She gives us a first hand account of life in King Twp and Canada during the war. My Dear Brother Earl, Your letters to Mother & myself arrived today. We are all very sorry you have to go back to France – but cheer up, dear boy. We will all be praying for your safe return to Canada before long. Everyone things the war will be over soon. There are so many men leaving Canada now, also U.S.A. all men are called up & in A.1 training. They are calling up B. men the 19 year old boys now. The next class is all men from 19- to 45. There is sure awful times in Canada, now. I have never told you before about it Earl. When you were sick, but I had better tell you now. There will be a rebellion in Canada before long if the envirnoment does not change, terrible hard times here. People can hardly afford to live. Meat & flour is so high & we are only allowed a little of it & sugar you can hardly get at all. Oh everything is gone up so high & they are taking all the men off the farms even. Archie has to go. He went to Niagara to train yesterday. We are going to do everything to get him off. Have a lawyer employed & are doing everything the poor dear boy does not want to go. It seems so hard to see boys who do not want to go be forced to. Dave Robb is in the same fix as Archie his only brother is in France his Mother & two sisters left to work the farm of 100 acres. They are appealing his case too. The Military Service Act exempted the sole remaining son of military age with a brother overseas, disabled or killed. So Archie & Dave stand a good chance of getting off if the Gov’t keep their word, but they are a rotten bunch of liars. Conscription would have been a good thing if they had left it as they promised to before the election, promised to leave one able-bodied man on 100 acres but they are not doing it. I went down with Archie Tues night. We stayed at Harold’s all night & all went with him to the boat. There were a lot of boys from around here going over in A.1 class between the ages of 20 & 23. There were Archie, Pick McQuarry, Jack Orr, Fred Judge, George Miller from Pellats, Bert Snider a Kaake boy, a Woods from Nobleton. The two Hillard boys & a Gunn?? Boy an Ireland from Kleinburg & Wilson from Teston & two or three hundred I did not know. Those are all ?? f. fellows Ralph Gillies, two Wells boys, Art Bovair & Billie Grey got in the artillery & train at Ax. Camp. B. class have all to report next week. Jim & Lucky Burns have to go in that. Art Gillham & lots more. I will be glad to see a lot of that class go especially those that spouted so much for conscription. Norman McMurchy & Burns, etc. Orrs they never though they would have to go but like to see our nice young boys go. The 19 yr. old boys have to report before the 15 June – Ed Lloyd, Jack Hamilton, Jess Richards, Alfred Gillham, Vick Orr, Ike McQuarry, Harold Cain, Dick Williams & lots more. Ed. Teasdale’s bunch left for Eng. yesterday. I had a letter from C. Williams today. He hates Eng. & all English things – also had a letter & photo of Fred Young to Pauline. Fred is a fine looking fellow now. I hope he gets back to Canada safely. Now dear Earl. I am going to say something you will not like, but it does not matter. You will Thank me for it later. About that girl, you imagine you are in love with, don’t you believe it. You have got roped in, the same as so many of our Canadian boys do. Harold says he was roped in the same, but got wise to it in time, before he got married to her. Also, Katie’s brother he wrote home telling them off the sweet little girl he was going to marry & first thing he found out she was a married woman & had just wanted his money & succeeded in getting it too. Ask F. Platt what he thinks of the Eng girls, also Harper Wells & lots more – oh yes the Eng. Girls have lively charming ways & are sure looking out for husbands & to get their way paid to Canada, but their ways are not like our ways, they are only laughed at here & looked down on. Harold says they are alright in Eng but no good here & Archie says for you not to bring any Bade over here. The Eng. Girls know there will be nothing for them but old maids after the war is over & are looking out for a soft snap by getting some rich Canadian so they imagine, but Earl, you must think of the future, Canada is on the verge of a rebellion. The returned soldiers can’t get work – living is most terribly high – farmers can’t get help only 16-18 yr. old college boys & girls – imagine what they can do re the farm. Earl if you brought a wife home to Canada you could not keep her- & she could not do farm work - & Earl, if Arch has to go to the war, our farm will be sold. Dad won’t work it himself & can’t so Earl think seriously before you marry a wife. Anyway Earl you are so young to marry, only 23. I guess you feel old. Harold got married young & he is not getting on very well. Katie is working out now in a candy store & Harold is off work half the time, the gas is effecting him more now than it did before. So Earl have all the good times you can with the girls over there, but don’t marry them or bring them to Canada & think of the nice girls here of your own kind who will be able to take care of you, & will have money too & it is a returned soldier they all want. If that girl really & truly loved you – you would not be spending your hard earned money on her – she would give you her money instead, it is her right to pay for things instead of yours. Harold if you brought an old country girl here, she would be looked down on their ways are so different from ours. Mother will send you $5.00 this time & will send more soon. It is all she has in the house at present, & we will send you a box too, but Earl be sure & spend your money on yourself. Now Earl I hope you are not angry with me for this, but think twice before you do such a thing as get married. We shall be worrying over you until you ans. This & hoping it is not too late. Harold promised me to write you & tell you not to have any old country girl. You are too good for them. Of course you are your own boss but you can imagine what Daddie says about it. I am afraid to tell you & poor Mother is awfully worried about it. It was noised around that Lorne was married to an Eng. Girl, but is not true – it sure was the talk of the country. Uncle Aaron was awful mad about it. I am so glad it wasn’t true. Well dear boy, you will think I am an awful crank, but perhaps some day you will think all the more of me for it. It is for your own self I am thinking. If the girl was an heiress it would be different but quite likely she is a poor working girl, looking out for someone to keep her. After the war it will be hard for anybody to make a living, every body is being ruined by this awful war. Canada is altogetherdifferent from what it was when you went away & will be worse soon. There will be a rebellion before another year if you could only see the newspapers, but the Gov’t will not allow us to send newspapers to Eng. So the post masters tell us. If my letter was read, I guess I would land in jail for calling the gov’t rotten, but it’s true, Canada is going like Russia went in govt. The poor class are being kept down & the rich men can get their sons out of the army some way or other, but the poor fellows have to go. This country will run by Jews & other foreigners soon. They are not conscripted. Now dear boy, I have said enough perhaps too much. Now ans. soon. We shall be praying & thinking of you all the time & hoping the letter is not to late. Best love & wishes from your loving sisterMay 31, 1918 letter from Earl’s sister Merle voicing her opinion on Earl’s upcoming marriage. My Dearest Bro, I have been thinking so much about you lately that I just have to write to you. I have been sick in bed for three days so am pretty shaky yet, but hope you can read this letter. I just heard yesterday that you were thinking about getting married, but my dear brother don’t you do it for married life is hard- even if you do get the best girl in the old country she is not good enough for you. You were always such a good hearted kid besides if you come home single we can all help you along for a year or so you know if you are crippled you would have lots of homes to come to and welcome but if you had a wife it would be different then after you are back for a while and get good & strong then take some good Canadian girl. I have lived among so many English, Irish & Scotch girls in the West and there is not one as good as a Canadian. Now my dear brother take your big sisters advise and don’t get tied up. Look at Harold he is worried to death trying to make enough to pay for two rooms, if he wasn’t married he could often be at home for a rest but you know Daddy never did like strangers around long. We have always tried to pay for our board in some way when we are there. It is for your own good I am telling you all this for times are so hard in Canada now we haven’t made a cent since the war started and you know Henry always was a good rustler. Of course we have had so much expense, doctor bill, moving and everything costs so much to live. Just think we are paying 50 cts a lb for butter, 50 cts a dozen for eggs and 2 dollars for a piece of beef that lasts about too days and they will not sell anyone living within a mile from the store any more than 25 cts worth of sugar that is just four cups full. Just yesterday Henry was in Toronto to the Dr. and he was talking to a returned soldier & he was awful mad. He said he got married in England just a month before he came home to the nicest sweetest girl over there then last week she gave birth to a baby. It belongs to some other man, but the poor soldier cannot do anything it is too late now. SO he will have to dig into the work & support his wife and someone else’s kid. It seems too bad for a soldier certainly deserves an easy time – after they come back if- any one does. Harold could have worked with Henry or Colin this spring & had a far easier time than in the city if he hadn’t been married. Now my dear good hearted brother don’t be vexed with me for I think far too much of you to let you do such a foolish thing without trying to stop it.I suppose you know that Archie is at Niagara we don’t know if we can get him exempt or not yet. I hope so for Mother’s sake. It will go hard with her to loose another boy. And Daddy intends selling out if Archie has to go and the girls will have to get positions. Pauline & Floss will be good for office work or anything but Merelda is not very strong. I don’t think she could stand a steady job. Pauline has been staying with me since I got sick. I just caught cold & it settled in my side & I couldn’t walk but I am getting along fine & I guess Pauline can soon go home for they are milking a lot of cows & Dad needs her to help him since Arch is away. I will close now for you will be tired of reading this. Please write soon. Henry joins in love to you. MerlJun 1, 1918, 3rd C.C.D. Seaford, Earl writes of 250 men being paraded down to the sea for a bath. Dear Merelda, Well I owe you a letter now. My mail stayed a week at Monk’s Horton so that is why I have been slow in getting it this time. I was sure glad to get your long letter of April 24th. You told me so much news. I wrote to C. Williams this morning maybe I will get leave to go and see him. I will be glad to see him again. I am sorry Harold is not well yet. That gas certainly stick to oneself. Quite often I feel the small bit I got last June. Yes, I don’t think I will home this summer. But cheer up all. I will be home sometime, ha, ha. Fritzie has never got me yet. Well Merelda, S.Ball of the 127 is here with me. He comes from the 3rd of King. Dad will know him. He and I are going to leave the 2nd C.R.T. At least I am going to leave the 2nd. He is leaving the 1st C.R.T. He was with Wallace Merchant the night he died. We are going to try for a transfer into the 15th Batt 48 Highlanders and 92nd Highlanders of Toronto. If we fail well we still stay as we are. I allways did want to get into the Kilties. In Feb 1916 Wallace and I missed the G.T.R. at King or we would have had been in the 134th Batt. I heard Col Clarke won the D.S.O. in this big battle. He stood on the top of the trench firing his revolver into advancing Germans. If I had had been there I might had won the V.C. , ha-ha. But I am mighty thankful I was’nt there. I might of got a R.I.P instead. Rest in Peace. If I do go back to France again the next gass or sickness I get will put me to Canada. I am sure of that. They will not send a person across to France to many times. It will be my sixth trip across if I go this time. I hear that Roy Sinclair had’not the heart to come and deserted. Am glad he was caught. He is one I just love to see go. I had a letter from Harold a few days ago. You think he will enlist again if I had to go to France. Be sure and not let him. Can’t you know it into his head? He wants me to hunt a girl up for him in Folkstone. Well the next time I am in it I will. And will look Miss Nurse Bydon up allso. I think Dad got a awful price for his big cattle. What will he do with all the money, ha-ha. This afternoon we were all paraded down to the sea for a bath 250 of us. I bet we left some dirt in the sea. We are took down every week like a bund of sheep. How is Arch getting along with the Jane up the 6th. I suppose he does a lot of fishing up at the lakes. I bet the mosquitoes bother him and her some. Lorne is trying for a transfer intothe R.F.C. I guess he will make it allright. I do think I will try for it. I did have the notion once. S, Ball and I are going to have our photos taking to-gether to night. I will send you one. I have finished all my boxes. I had three in one week that’s going some eh. That can of honey was dandy. I hope for another. I am sure some hog yet. But say Merelda, there is nothing so good as eats from home. The baking is far ahead of the stuff you get over in the stores here. If one wants a good fruit cake he has to pay about 10£ for one. Than it is not so good as that I get from home. Everything here is a awful price. I don’t see how people live here. Eggs are 4 pence each that is 8 cents. Bread is 1£ a loaf than it is dark bread too. This war will have to end soon. Well Merelda I have a towel and a sheet to wash so I will have to close for this time. Does Mother still hunt for hen nest in the grass? It took me to find them. Hope all are well and getting along fine. Love to all, Bro Earl Sap. N.E. Campbell No. 779051 2nd Can. Rly Tps 3rd C. C.D Seaford, SussexJun 13, 1918, 3rd C.C.D., Seaford, Sussex Dear Merelda & All, I have now two letter from you and Pauline & Floss had allso put in a letter for me. I’ll write them later. One was dated May 9th and the one I rec to-night May 15th telling me that Arch stands a poor chance of getting out of the army. I knew you had your ginger up when you were writing me that letter. It is not wonder you had. I know what kind of a sister you are. There are not many girls like you Merelda. Those men at the head of the Canadian Gov should all be sent in the line for a taste of soldiering. And if they have any brains at all they would not try to get the only boy at home the Father & Mother has to help with the farm. Why in the world don’t they get after the yellow backs that are slinking out of it. They should have some brains hammered into their rotten heads. And if they were sent to France they would sure get some or else loose all of them. I sincerely hope Arch does’nt have to come. I wish him the very best of luck in getting off. And if he does has to sign up tell him to just listen to what I say. While in Canada report sick every morning. The back is the best to report sick on. Not to carry a pack, not to do long route.”Jun 18, 1918 postcard sent to Pauline from EarlJun 27, 1918, Seaford, Sussex, England letter to Pauline telling her he is no longer seeing his English girlfriend. Also in the letter Earl mentions a Doris Smith in Folkestone… see letter dated August 1, 1918 addressed to Earl from Dorrie Smith. “Dear Pauline, I was very glad to receive yours and Arch’s letter last night. It came in very quick time this 16 days was all. No Pauline I have no Misses yet. And I will never get one over here. My little Babe happens to be no good. So I had to leave her. I never want to see her any more. Merelda is right about these English girls. She knows em far better than I do. I’ll now waite until I get home. Than you can be the Best one.. get that. Tell Arch I think it was about time he was writing to me. But I am awful sorry he is in army. Some awful government we have. I can call them a word a mile long, But I hope Dad’s lawyer gets him off. Any man with brains would let him off. It makes me savage to think of those families close home who has’nt shown theirselves. Tell Arch to sling the lead as hard as he can while in training at Niagara-on the-lake. And if he does have to come. I hope Mother & Dad and the rest of you will not worry to much. Cheerio all we will all be back home soon. And then the happy times will be. I see this war will not last longer now. But don’t tell Arch that. He will be in a hurry to go to Blighty. I had a letter from Fred Young today. He says he sent you a photo. He wants me to go back to the 2nd C.R.T. But I don’t know if I will yet. I am leaving here to-morrow for my Base at Purfleet. There I try for a transfer into the 15th Batt. It is made up of all Toronto Hilanders, 48th, 92nd and the 134th. I have a photo of myself and S.Ball. But I hate to send it home on account of my moustache, ha-ha. I had another letter from Merle today. She gave me the deuce about the girl over here. But I think Merelda gave me a good calling down. She certainly done right tho. I see she is quite right about the English girls. They only want a Canuck so they will get a free pass to Canada. But nothing doing here now, just mark it down on the wall. Ask Harold about a Miss Doris Smith in Folkestone she invited me to her place next leave, I get. But don’t think I’ll go. I will go to Witley and see my old chum Sid. I am sending some badges so you can put in that cushion you said you were making for me. Well Pauline I must close now and get read for my 80 mile trip tomorrow. I will write as soon as I get there and let you know how I made out in transferring. S. Ball is going along with me. I hope you all are in the very best of health. I wrote to Merelda a few days ago telling her I rec. the $5 Mother sent me. I will hang on to it until it is necessary for me to bank it. Tell Mother & Merelda they had to use my assign pay. I know times are hard in Canada now. But there will be good times soon. I wish Arch the very best of luck in getting off. I would hate to see him come on account of Dad & Mother. I know how they would feel. But if he does come tell them to cheer-o better times are coming. Au Revoir, Love to all, Bro Earl.My next address is this Sap N.E. Campbell No 779051 2nd C.R.T. C.R.T, Depot Purfleet, Essex EnglandWill send photo later.Jul 2, 1918, letter from Earl to Merelda – missing p.1p.2 “It was very good of Dr. Lockhart certifying that Arch was not A.1. The men that should come now are those unmarried between the ages of 25 and 35 not the ages of 19 and 24 – keep them at home for farming. But you are right Merelda those are the lads that they know are the bravest. I bet if I was home to-night I would trisse up all the Smetzers, Folliots, Cains, Bryson’s. And allso the gang of curs of yellow up the sixth. I hope Arch made out allright the 29th of May at Niagara. And I do hope poor Dave Robb get off too. I should worry a lot one could build on if the censoers opens this letter. I will not put my Reg. number down anyway. p.3 D.1 is what I am, that is as good as A2 in Canada. I am doing my best to keep in Blighty as long as I can. I smell a rough time in France soon again. The Yanks are going to end it by this fall. Hope so anyway because there is no one feed up on this more than I am. Yesterday was Sports day here. I go in for everything now. I took 2nd in the 100 yds dash, only A2 men ran. And I took 1st in the 440 yds race. The prize was small. Boot blacken and button polish. I have enough to do me for the rest of the year. Some day when I am broke I will peddle it off. The ginks here all have to wear their category number on the shoulder strap. There is the A.1 class, A.2 class, A.3, B.1, B.2, B.3 and the best of all B.3.1.7.9 that is a green tag which means CANADA. That class or B.3 and B.2 have nothing to do here. They are sent to some other place and sorted out for Canada. I wrote C. Williams a week ago but have had no answer. He must be in France with Badger. Yes G. Tate is a Lucky gink to get a job like he has. I wish I am as lucky. I have given up my notion for transferring into the R.F.C I have not put in for the 15th Battalion yet. If I have to go back again I will go with the Infantry this time. Sip Ball is going with me. And I know a few lads from Toronto in it. Alf Folliot from Aurora is in now. He transferred from the 220th into the 134th Highlanders. It is a all Kiltie regiment. One that has made a good name for itself at Vimmy Ridge over a year ago. Sip and I had our photos taken. I will send you one next week. They are not good of me tho. I can never get a good one of myself. I am allways fly catching. I like the Lady slippers and lillies you and Pauline had put in the letter. But I am afraid I can’t keep them very long. All the trunk I have is my tunic pockets. My kit is knocked about so much I could not keep much in it long without going to pieces. But I must keep this last letter you have sent me. Well Merelda, I must close now. I will be anxiously waiting to hear how Arch has made out. I will write to the girls soon. Au revoir, Best of Love and Wishes from Bro. Earl.Jul 5, 1918, Purfleet letter to Merelda from Earl. Dear Merelda, I guess I owe you a letter so I will try and scribble a few lines before bed time comes. I feel pretty blue to-night. I am on the reinforcement draft for France on the 8th of this month. 950 are going over to join the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th C.R.T. I made sure I would get to the 2nd again. We put in for our transfer Sip Ball and I. But it has not come thro yet. Maybe it will come thro before we leave, if not we will try when we got to our Batt. Sip is going to the 2nd this time. He thinks more of the 2nd than the 1st. Well you know it is hard to beat, ha-ha. It holds the record of the best railway troops in France. And there are 13 Batt of them. I had a letter from Lorne last night. He is at Hastings training in the R.A.F. He likes it fine. But I don’t think I would tackle it. Three of the B.Coy Sergents went with him, McKettrick, Joe Watts and Saigle of Aurora. There are very few of the old boys left in B.Coy now. Locuas and Bowley wants me to hurry and get back with them. They are very good. Pals of mine. That photo of Sip Ball and myself I hate to send one home to you. It is awful of me. But will send it in the next letter I write and you all can have a good laugh at me. How is Arch. And is he out of the army yet?. I hope so anyway. There are thousands of other can take his place. They are not needed as bad as he is. I had a letter from May lately, she sent me a few snaps of the family. Say, but Madeline has grown some these last few years. And Hester looks just like her. Well Merelda I will now come to a close for this time. I will write home again before I leave. You best send me mail onto France now. The same old address will do. Sap N.E. Campbell, 779051 B. Coy, 2nd Batt, C.R., B.E.F., France I wrote to C.Williams and told him I could’nt get to Witley to see him. So maybe he will come up to Purfleet for the week end. I have a good notion to beat it to Witley without a pass. But I would get soak went I came back. Maybe 21 days in the clink. Best luck and love to all, Au Revoir, Loving Bro, Earl Write soon and tell rest.Jul 6, 1918 postcard sent to Arch from EarlJul 7, 1918, King letter from Merle to Earl. Note that Earl sent his letter on June 20th and was received by Merle 17 days later. Dear Earl, I received your letter of June 20th today and will get busy & answer it or you will be sending me writing paper. We have had a very cool spring & summer here so far. Henry is toasting his feet on the stove damper, but I guess we will soon get it warm enough. I have a good garden & lots of fruit here when it gets ripe. I will be busy I guess. I wish you were here to fill the top of your cap with the harvest apples & pears & etc. I guess you would have more than your cap full, eh! Hazel and Walter don’t know what to make of apples growing on trees, they thought they grew like potatoes. They see lost o strange things down here & have a good time. They are both growing like weeds. Archie had to report at Niagara on Sat. he is not home yet but I think surely we can get him off, if he has to go no one deserves to get off. For you & Harold have certainly done his share too. I have been going to send you a box but have to learn how to bake with this awful stuff we have to use called war-flour, but some of these days you shall get one, if they don’t stop us sending boxes. It is hard to say what the next order will be. I don’t mind using the flour & doing without meat & etc. but if it comes to not sending boxes I think that is too much for they must be needed over there.Jul 8, 1918, Purfleet letter to Mother – informing her he is going to be leaving for France. He also mentions Ypres and the building of the Wide and narrow Gauge My Dear Mother, Being this is my last night in England for a while. I must write you a few lines. We were told to-day that we would leave her to-morrow night at 10.30. We will get to Folkstone about 1 o’clock and sail for Bolougne in the night. I am glad we are crossing the Channel at night. I received a big fat letter from Merelda to-day written June 13th. I am glad Arch is home for a while. But I only wish the Lawyer Dad has will get him out of the Army. I would not like to see Arch have to come. He is sure needed at home. They must know that the Campbell’s are good soldiers. What I think of our Government is very small. They all should be shot. So Kelly won the M.M. . Well his is a sort of a fellow that would get. He is not afraid of death. I guess you have a idea what sort of boy he is. He will get a good job now. If a chap win any kind of a ribbon he gets a safty job. I will try and win some kind of a ribbon. And than I”ll get a bomb prove job, ha-ha. There are a number of the 127 lads here with jobs. But I would not asked for a job here. If they would not give me one, will I can go back to France again. I never asked for a safty job yet. And I will not start. I am sorry we lost Jim Jenkins he was a good officer to B.Coy. All the boys had a good word for him. Now Mother, don’t you be worrying about me while in France. I went thro some awful times before and I am still alive, ha-ha. I will watch myself allright. I am very good at ducking you know, ha-ha. I do not know what front our Battalion is on. I hope thye are not on the Ypres front. That’s an awful place. I think they are on the Wide Gauge track now, so that will be far ahead of the narrow track. All the track we put down in the Ypres district last summer Fritzie has it all now. But it will be no use to him because our good artillery blow it all up as they retreated. I will answer Merelda’s letter when I get to our Base at Etaples in France. We may be at the Base for two weeks before we are sent to our Batt. Well Mother I will say Good Bye for this time. Merelda says that she was sending me another box. I will likely get it at the Base. Now take good care of yourself. I will not bring any girl home with me, ha-ha. I came very near getting married. But I did’nt, ha-ha. Merelda says there are lots of girls in Canada. So I will listen to her. Write soon and tell the rest. Your Loving son, Earl.On back page… “For Goodness sake don’t show this photo of me to any people it is awful of me. But I only send it home on account of my chum Sip Brown being in it. I look as tho I am going to kill someone or to frighten to do so. You all can have a good laugh at it anyway.Jul 11, 1918 letter to Merelda from France Dear Merelda. Well I arrived safe in France again. I arrived here last night. And the trip was very good. But crossing the Channel was not abit good. A very rough seas was raging. The worse I’ve seen yet. I was seasick to be sure. And there was not very many that was not. I feel all right now tho only I am awful lonesome. Things are different here than in Blighty you know. I have not gone to my Coy yet. But expect to go to it to-morrow. We have been to the bullring all day and I feel mighty tired. Harold will know something about the Bull ring here. I am near where I was when in Hospital wounded nearly a year ago. I was very glad to rec your fat letter in England. This will be a answer to it. I wrote to Mother the night before I sailed. I allso sent her in the letter a awful photo of myself taken with Sip Ball. Ball is here with me. He will be sent to No. 1. C.R.T to-morrow. He can’t get his transfer. Say how many different kind of papers have I sent home. I try and send all kinds I get my eyes one. The Huts here in France sure give out some beautiful papers. I did not get to see C. Williams before I left. I was very sorry I could not see him. Chances are I will never see him over here. France is a large country. And allso a large number of Canadians are in it. How is Arch getting along. I can’t say very much in the letter. But I do wish him the very best of luck. Some of his Batt came over in our draft. 1st C.O.R. they ware on there shoulders. Well Merelda you thot I would be sore at you for writing such a letter as the Registered one. I am not such a one as that. You certainly told me right. How every did you know what the English girls were like. I think all the more of you for doing as you did. I will not have a English girl to go back with me. You say there are plenty waiting for me. I wonder who they are, ha-ha. Glad to hear the Egard’s boys were clinked. But they should be sent over here for treatment. I know a box from home is close to me. I will likely get it when I got up to my Coy. I was glad I did not get it at Camp in England. I would have had maybe feed it all to the fishes in the pond, ha-ha. You can give the girls around home my address now, the same old one will be it. Sap. N.E. Campbell, # 779051, B.Coy, 2nd Can. Rly Tps, B.E.F., FranceJul 15, 1918, France letter to Merelda Dear Merelda, Well I am back to my Coy again. I find the boys all well. But quite a few of them are away in Hospital. I was very glad to see them again. In B.Coy the ones you know are F.Locuas, C. Bowhey, J. Allen, A.Brown. Serg Brown is trying for the R.A.F. Bowler is here, H. Jacks that is all the King lads that are here. We are on the Wide Gauge track now. It is jake here. No shells to get our wind up. I have not had any mail since I left Eng. Yet. But it will follow me over. Well this is the 16th a year ago today I was wounded. I have been out working to-day for the first since I left in June. We have a gang chinks working with our Coy. They are happy bunch of lads. But a awful lingo they have. I can understand a few of them. But I have to go some to make their language out. We are having very good weather just now. I hope it continues. Jim Allen rec his Laskay Red Cross box to-day mine will follow me from England. I sent Ella a little present not long ago from Eng. It was a centre piece. I made while in Hospital. I was sometime making it. I spoilt quite a few before I could get a decent one. I should have had sent her something long ago. I think it is the best present I could send her. Well Sis. I will now come to a finish for this time. Excuse this writing I am in France now, ha-ha. Write me as often as you can. Those big fat ones I like to get. Is Arch in safe hands yet? I hope so anyway. Be good and take good care of yourself. Love to all at home. Au Revoir, Your Loving Bro. Earlie.Aug 1, 1918 letter to Earl from Dorrie Smith, Heathwood Lodge, Stelling, Canterbury, Kent, England. In a letter dated June 27, 1918, Earl refers to a Doris Smith “ Ask Harold about a Miss Doris Smith in Folkestone she invited me to her place next leave, I get. But don’t think I’ll go.” The following letter is from Dorrie Smith.Dear Mr. Campbell I was pleased to receive your letter I’m sorry youre in France again. I’m sure after one being there ‘tis hatefull to return. We in England this last few days are melting under a broiling sun. I think of you brave boys over there & discomforts you all have to put up with. My Brother has been ill again. I wish he could come on leave. I like to hear from you when you can write. I’ll write again in a few days as perhaps you find letters a change out there. I’m rather busy & cannot write long at once. I do not know if Monte knew another girl in Folkstone, he was very chummy with me & when there always use to come & see us, but when he went to Ramsgate he got to know a girl called Ethel & she wrote to him when he was back in camp near F’stone before going to France second time he showed me some of her letters. Jolly nice boy Monte & a good pal. You can tell him in your next letter. I’m glad to know his Brother I often wondered what had become of him. Monks Horton is shut up now. I’ve got a cousin in the CASC & he’s been there convalescent. Everyone left last Monday. I think the Americans are taking it over. I biked over there to some sports week ago yesterday, saw a baseball match in the evening seems to be made of chewing gum & yellowing as hard as everyone after & then I biked back alone got back about 10.. I do not get much chance for dancing to keep with it guess my partners endured agonies! I cannot write more. Mother, I & my Brother are going to a farm to. There are six girls up there they can all sing, play & dance especially one. So you bet there will be something going on “some” for. Goodbye for this time. Yours very Sincerely Dorrie SmithBattle of Amiens occurred August 8-12, 1918Aug 9, 1918, Somewhere in France Dear Merelda, Not my ??? but I will have to something to pass away the evening. Well last night I rec two dandy boxes. One from the League packed by you. And the other one from Home. Everything is as fresh as tho it was baked a week ago. And how hungry I was for a box from home. It is sure a treat to get such boxes over here. You certainly had the tow packed well. The honey. I just had some for my supper. It is jake and the very best honey. I will certainly enjoy it as long as it last me. The three plugs of chewing comes in very hand now. You know out on the track is very hard work doing without a chew. And the stuff you get over here is rotten to chew. The tin of salmon I took out for my dinner on the track. Clarence Bowhey and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks very much Merelda. You can’t imagine how much I value a box from home. Tell Mother I am keep the suite of underwear until the weather turns a bit cooler. The crawlies will not stick to it very much ha-ha. I am thinking of doing like the chinks do. They wear no shirt atall! Their bodies are colour of a penny. One cannot tell when they are sun-burnt. I wrote to Mother a couple of nights ago. I hope she get it o.k. I heard from Ruth last night. Allso had a letter from Frank Gambril. He is happy guy now. I only wish I was in his shoes now. But I must cheer up. I will soon be back again. And then the happy days, eh. Well Merelda this is two sheets is’nt it. So I will now ring off for another time. Hope all of you are in the very best of health. And getting along well. Merelda just one moment. Why not you send me a few snaps of home. I have nearly forgotten what it looks like. I would like to have some very much. Write me soon. Love to all. Au Revoir Bro Earl.

Aug 31, 1918 In France, letter to Earl from Merelda. Earl mentions that they must bury the dead before they can begin to lay the tracks. Dear Merelda, Well atlas I found time to write a few lines home. This is the first time I think I have miss writing home for so long. We have been so awful busy these last few wks. We are moved away for our good spot. And lovely Mackeral we have had some time coming here. We are now in no man’s land. So guess you know or have a little idea of what we are doing. We had to burrie a great number of dead before we could start on building a line. I would sooner be working at the track then burring the stiffs. The job is not up to much, ha-ha. I rec a letter from Pauline before I left the other camp. She had a bunch of flowers in it. They kept well, but to be sure they were dead. The boys are all jake so far. H.Bovair is’nt back with us yet. In the dugout I am in is A. Brown, J. Allen, B. Wilkins, C. Bowhey, F. Locuas, Jensen the Dane you have his photo at home. Fisher, Wellman and Wilson you have his photo allso. We all get along jake to-gether. Say Merelda did you know Dan McKenzie from Woodbridge. I think Dad and Henry knew him. This poor chap was killed. I forgot to tell you in my last letter. He was a fine head. And a good Sergeant. How is Dad getting along? Is Arch off for good yet? They did not keep his Batt long in Canada. Maybe I’ll see some of the lads over here soon. I heard the other night from Fredie Young that Bob Carney had been wounded and sent to Blighty. I hope he makes Canada out of it. I think he was sniped by a sharp shooter. Well Mon Cherie I’ll have to ring off for now. I have to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning. We are working from 3 oclock to 12 noon. That’s half the Coy. The other half goes on at 12 noon to 8 at night. So you think that last photo of me was good. Well I don’t think so. I think I am better looking than that, ha-ha. Don’t you believe me. I’ll not have any more taken until I get my 14 days leave about Jan or Feb it will be. And the war will be just about over by then. We are place now where we were when I got you a piece of music in a G.dugout. Do you remember reading of a town in flames. We are near that place, but there is not town to be seen, just dust is all what I can see of it. The first letter of it starts with a P. now think it out. So here goes for a close. And another fat letter soon.Best of Love and Good Health to all at home. Au Revoir, Loving Bro, EarlSept 23, 1918, In the Field (written in pencil).Earl mentions Battalions of Australian and Americans are with them. My Dear Mother, just a few lines to you tonight. I must let you know that I received the £4 3S 6 pence ok. I am golly glad to get it too. It will be a great help to me when I get a leave. That is if I can save it until I get my leave. I’ll try my best to anyway. Our leave is cut off now. That is our Paris leave. But Blighty leave still is on. But I can’t look for my Blighty leave until Jan or Feb anyway. Well we made another move we landed here last night. A dreadful looking place to. We were 3 days on the train. I sure enjoyed the trip allright. The Americans and Australians are with us now. The Yanks are a bunch of good heads. We can get any kind of tobacco from them. And it sure is best of tobacco. We have a Batt of Americans Engineers working with us. They started this afternoon. There are some big lads too. Mostly Southern lads. Some have been cowboys all their lives. I make some money out of them by selling my souviners of Fritzies. I had a card from Harold a few days ago. He wished to know if I was near the place he mentioned. Yes we were right beside that place, before we moved here. Tell Merelda I receive the Laskay R + box she packed for me. It was a dandy one. And I was as hungry as a timber wolf the day I got it. I knew she baked some of the cake which was in it. I can pick her cooking out of any box. I heard from May last week. She is near Lake Erie. I guess she will find it a pretty place in summer time. I will write to her soon. Well, Mother I guess I will close for this time. I will write home more often now. I guess we will be here for a few months now. Write to me again I always like to hear from you. And take the best of care of yourself. Good luck to all. Love, from Loving Son Earl.Battle of the Canal Du Nord and Cambrai September 27 to October 11, 1918Sep 29, 1918, France letter to Pauline Dear Pauline Now I have just finished my supper of stew & jam. So I think I am quite able to scribble you a sort of a letter. I know I owe you one anyway. I rec yours of Sept 7th last night. Allways had one from Ella & Colin. That Aster you had in the letter or is it a Aster. I am wearing it in my cap. Am glad to hear that Arch is still at home. There is no place like home you know. I found it out a million times. Well Pauline, Fritzie had his heart broken last night. The Yanks went over the top at them. They sure did get a licking. A licking that made Fritzie think that the Canucks were at him. All day long groups of prisoners have marched pass us. I am sure I’ve seen over 2000 of the dogs. Our Artillary and the French certainly put up a bombardment thro the night. One that kept me and my pals awake all night. But I did’nt mind loosing any sleep as long as we were winning. Well poor H. Jacks has been wounded. He only got it slight tho. But I guess his right arm will be stopped for writing letters for a week or two. He was hit in the arm by shrapnel. I had another letter from C. Williams. He was hit below the knee. The three shin-bones were cut in two. Am glad he did not get it in the thigh bone. So it will be a swell cushion eh. The stuff to give him eh. How does Dad & Arch look in their grey suits. Some class I say. But waite until I get my civie suit. It will be a long way off from the colour of khaki. I will wear yellow before I wear ------ again. Let me know how Arch made out in the foot-ball and foot-racing. Arch should be a wiz bang at it now. I think I am done at the short race. But I guess I can make you go some for 2 or 3 miles yet. I’ll show you when I get back, ha-ha. Well Pauline it is just about dark now. And I can’t keep a candle burning at nights. Some one might drop a message at us from the sky. So Au Revoir Sister. Hope all are well and doing good. Best of love to all, Bro Earl Write soon again.September , 1918Postcard from Earl to Flossie, Belgium Dear Flossie. Bonjour Floss how are you getting along with the weeds, suppose you are killing them while the sun shines. Have you been to the Ex this year. I am having a good time now, not guns to keep you awake at nights. And no wizz bangs to dodge from. We are only 10 minutes walk from ---------- (black out by the censor). Suppose Arch will be ploughing now or is he to busy kicking footballs with King. I hear they are the Champions this, well done for them. Does Cuttie play with them. I have not heard from May or Harold since I’ve been wounded, hope to hear from you all soon. Your Bro EarlOct 14, 1918 Postcard sent from Earl – French TroopsEarl writes on the back of the postcard: These are French troops and very good heads they are too. Be sure and keep the card will you. I will tell you all about it when I get home. These men don’t know what death is. Very brave. The lad was hit with shrapnel who I got this from. See how it is riddled up.Oct 21, 1918, France written in pencil Dear Sister Merelda, I was very glad to hear from you & Harold the other day. That photo of you, Dolly, Merle, Ed and two kids of Harvey’s is very good. I don’t think you look old in the photo. But I do think that you are looking better than ever I’ve seen you. You are much fatter now than you use to be. Not so much running about I guess. You are getting wiser eh. Yes it is a good photo of you allso good of Merle H. I forget all about Dolly, Ed and Folliotts two kids. I can hardly remember their appearance. But sanferyann to me. Glad you had a bon time at the Ex. I suppose you missed the train on purpose didn’t you. Something like I use to do in olden days, ha-ha. Days that are very close again. I haven’t rec Pauline & Flossies letter telling me about their trip to the Ex. But I suppose it will be here soon. Harold & wife will be in the States now I suppose. So He will spent all winter in the States. If I am home this winter he’ll not I bet. How did Arch make out at Sir Henry’s. Lick all up I suppose. I heard C. Williams the other day. He is at Convelsence now. Kelly is with him. And he said Sam Armstrong lost one of his strong arms in the last fight. I am sorry about poor Sam. But is sure of Canada now. His people will feel bad about it. But he is far better that way then been a stiff over here. What do you think? Sis. Am glad to hear of another box approaching this hungry boy. I wonder is that any baccy in it. Just give Arch a hint that I would like a chew of old Mac’s and a small pipe full of Shamrock. Well Merelda we are having wet weather now. But I don’t mind it at all as long as we are winning the war. He is sure getting a licking now. He will likely stick if for a few months yet. A few means a couple, ha-ha. I had a line from Bertha again. She is stuck on a red haired lad over here in my Coy. F. Ashbourne from Aurora. Every letter I get from her she allways tells me about him. Oh how she loves him. But I don’t tell Fred that. He just hate her as much as you love chubby. I had better shut up for this time. It is nearly bed time so I will leave it as it’s a long letter. But not as long as one as my big Sis Merelda writes to me. Take good care of yourself. And tell the rest to be good as they can. Write me soon, Au Revoir, Mon Cherie, Sis, Loving Bro. EarlOct 27, 1918, France letter to Pauline Many of the soliders at the Front longed for home and as you can see from Earl’s comments a simple photo of home brings back memories. Dear Pauline, Well I don’t hardly know which of my Sisters at home to write too tonight. But I will let it slide to you this time. Yours & Flossies of Sept 30th arrived to me last night. I was glad to get a peep at the old home one more. It is a good photo. The moose horns are still on the barn. I can make out Dad standing against the fence by the veranda. But I can’t make out who is bending for a pail of water. Merelda’s letter of Oct 1st arrived safe to me last night allso. So I had a good nights reading. I am glad you & Flossie beat in the Ladies race at Sir H. Pellatts. You two must had went some allright. You say you were at your supper when the rest finished. I am not going to run against you anytime. If that is the speed you travel. “My word what speed” ha-ha. Maybe young Ellsworth was beside you two when you were running. He cheered you on I suppose. Do you get that News FLYS fast. What did you keep him from coming over here for? Answer that question. Maybe he had a C. Category did he. That category is 15 and under, ha-ha. I am very glad to hear that Arch got off like he has. I was thinking every day about that. He will be jake now if he watch himself. But I hope the war is all over by the time he has to report himself in Toronto. Has the hen hatched off those eggs yet? The nest Mother found I mean. They will be off in time of Xmas dinner maybe. So Floss was a returned soldier one day. I see she still has her old ways yet. I had many a fright from her by dressing up that way. But I don’t think she could get my wind up now. Say has Rory Oflinn (cat) come back the second time yet. Is it a cat or man; It is a very wise thing what ever it is anyway. If I was home I would take it a hundred and umpteen miles away from home. I bet it would’nt come back then. I think you had better keep Tony. He will be a nice looking one after he grows another 3 or 4 years. I don’t think much of TinkerTory tho. Sounds to much like a Fritize’s name , ha-ha.So Floss is ready for College eh, good for her. She is a better scholar than her big long brother. But she must not ever let her brain get exhausted in writing to me. She sent me two hot candy’s in her letter. They were good to. My Annie was asking all about me. Why she doesn’t need to ask you girls about me. I write to her every night nearly. She sent me a snap of her. She had her football suit on. What do you think of my big Annie. She is the kind to have, eh. No C. Category about her eh. Well Pauline news has just about all ran up. I should write Flossie a few lines along with this. But I guess she will not mind. My officer does’nt like to see to many letters written to the same home at the same time. I’ll have to write Merelda soon tho. I owe her one now. I am glad she said she had sent me a box on the 1st. They are great things. Well must get into bed now. We are still in the blown down city yet. The French has a cinema in it . A bunch of we lads go to it at nights. Moonlight nights nothing doing at it on account of Fritzy’s bombing planes. If he ever see a light burning look out. This city has been a very pretty city in peace time. The 3rd largest in France I guess. But not now tho. Well I must get in. Light but has gone. So Au Revoir, Mon Cheri Sis, Best love to all at home, Loving Bro Earl.P.S. Write me soon again. I’ll write Florence some of these days. Fredie was well the last I seen of him. B. Good to yourself.ArmisticeDec 3, 1918, R.R. No. 1 King letter to Earl from Annie Sturdy. Dear Earl: I received your letter of Nov. 5 a few days ago. It was written just about a wk before the armistice was signed. My that is surely the greatest news the world has ever had. You seemed to know you had your job nearly finished too, eh? Well, we didn’t here. I bet you would hardly be able to control yourself. By the way how did you sleep when the noise had ceased? We have just heard Harry Bovair is expected home anyday now. I wonder if he’d rather be here or over there ‘now’. They say that her and Art met in Eng. Art was drafter you know. … Annie S.Dec 4, 1918, France Letter from Earl. On page 3 Earl makes reference to the War being over and what it was like when the guns ceased. In this letter Earl talks about being homesick and wanting to be home. It is the first letter he has written that he signed simply “Me” My Dear Sister Your welcome letter of Nov 5th arrived to me to-night. Allso Pauline’s of the 12th. I am glad you all have escape that Flu so far. It is a awful sickness to have. I’ll not forget when I had just a slight touch of it. It is no Bon, Merelda. I have been feeling very tough to-day. I was thinking I was getting the Trench Fever & Spanish Flu again. A chum of mine by the name of Blackwood and nicknamed Boston coaxed for me to go down to Le-Cateau Theatre. So I went along with him. I enjoyed the show fine. And now I feel jake. I guess I was only homesick all day and tho I was getting the Flu, ha. Say Merelda, those two photos you sent along in the letter are fine. You say you will not tell me whom they are. Well I will tell you who they are. The one in Harold’s khaki uniform is Miss Pauline and the tall lassie in the Conductor’s uniform is Miss Floss. But to save my bacon in the morning I don’t know who the lassie in White is. And I can’t guess the young gentleman either. He looks like a Maple or Teston Rube tho. What do you think eh. I am surprise to see how Pauline and Floss have grown. They sure look fine. I am afraid I’ll have my hands full when I get back. How ever can I handle you and those two young Sisters of mine. Arch will have to be with me tootsweet for reinforcement for me. A couple of nights ago I had a box from the Laskay R+ Mary packed mine. And say but she did pack it too. Such a heap came out of her box. She is no stingy girl I can easily see that. I am jolly glad the tart across the fields did not pack mine. Get me there, eh, ha-ha. I wrote Mary thanking her for her kindness to me. I must send her something. I’ll wait until we get to Blighty tho. Presents & souviners in France are so high they nearly reach the clouds. We will likely be in Blighty in another week. All we do now is a few hours Squad & rifle drill. The French came in to Le-Cateau yesterday. They are taking our line over. They can’t kick me out of this country to soon. I am fed up with the eyes on it. A homesick lad am this one, ha-ha. Take me back to Dear Old Canada. Put me on train for Toronto Town. I’ll not tell you the rest, ha-ha. Pauline was saying the night they heard the War was over. The guys with their legs chopped off were climbing the tele phone poles in Toronto. Lucky the live wires hang high in the air or they might try skinning the cat on them. I’ll not forget the day in this country when all the Guns ceased that noise of theirs. I turned umpteen hand springs in the air before I hit the earth. That’s something all can’t do, ha-ha. Well this is the 6th move I’ll make sure I’ll finish the letter this time. I have not started for home yet. But the time is soon now. I see by the English papers that some of the Canucks are on the way for home. Gosh I wish they would hurry up and put me on a boat for that good old Country called Canada. Well Merelda, I got another box last-night for the King people. I don’t know who sent or packed it for me. So you can tell them next time you see any of them. It is very nice box I know it has been some Daisy who packed it. But she was to shy to put her name in the box for fear I might write her a few well lines of love to her – ha-ha. Oh say tell Mother I sent her a German helmet. Tin Lizzie’s we call ems. I sent it about wk ago. I hope she get it ok. I put a hard tack in it for her. Floss can have it for her breakfast some morning. Tell her not to put it in boiling water for 24 hours or maybe it would get a wee soft. They are a jake biscuit for sharpen one teeth, mine are like razors now. Well Merelda, I believe I have shot you enough bull for this time. I had better save some for another time. I may be in Blighty for Xmas. But I do wish I was home for Xmas. I guess we could have a bit of skating eh. Oh gee, I am homesick so better close. I’ll write Pauline, next time. Au Revoir Mon Cherie, Love to all . Will see you very soon. Me.Dec 13, 1918, Belgium letter to Mereleda. Earl mentions the bridge they need to rebuild blown up by the Germans the day the Armistice was signed. Dear Merelda & All, Well here I am again, not on my way home yet! But hold on I am coming soon, ha-ha. We left France a few days ago. Now we are billeted in Old Belgium. In the town of Fontain-Velmont it is south east of Mons. There has been no fighting done here since 1914. All the civilians that were captured in ’14 are here and they can sure tell you something about the way they were used by the Huns. My Platoon is living in a lovely Chateau 3 stoves in it, tables of all sorts. It is the best home we had in Belgium or France. The people are so kind to us too. I must tell you what the old Lady next door to us done this morning. About 6 o’clock she came in we were all sprawled out in bed on the floor. Some awake and some snoring like hogs. She made her way to the stove and put on a roasting fire for us. We were all surprise to see what she had done for us. We have allways been use to making our own fires on in the mornings. That is if we had any fuel. Very seldom we had none tho. And last night she and her husband brought us in a large dish of roasted Belgium potatoes and a picture of Belgium Beer. They said we would sleep well on that. And we sure did. The young lads and girls around here are very nice to us to. They open a dancing Hall every night. And we must go to have a dance. I am a good dancer now. But I tell you it is a funny dance and hard on to do. I am afraid of getting dizzy and going off my head. It is something like a merry-go-round to me. The whole Battalion will be here in a few days, first B. Coy is here now. We will be here for Xmas and likely be on the way home by New Years, hoy-ray, hoy-ray. They say we will sail from Ostend been it is so close to us. Ostend to New York but I don’t care where we sail from as long as we get on the way for that dear old land over there. We have a big bridge to build here than we are finished. Fritz blew it up in the morning Armistice came. And they had 40 tons of explosives ready for a largerbridge the minute they got the cable. It would take us two months to build one like it if they ever blew it up. It is a bridge across the Mons river something in the style of the St. Lawrence Bridge. Only not so large, ha-ha. The bridge we have to build is about 100 ft long and about 30 ft high. Well Merelda I guess I have told you enough for this time. Let us know how you all spent Xmas. The Col will be giving the Batt a high old time here. He gave us a good time last Xmas in France. But I missed it. I had a time in Aberdeen. Well here wishing you all had a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Years. Au Revoir. Write me soon. Love to all, Bro Earl.Dec 24, 1918 – R.R. # 1, King, Pleasant View Farm from Masie to Earl. She writes of the war being over. Dear Earl Don’t it seems very strange to think the war is over and all the awful worry is a thing of the past. I am sure you fellows was glad when peace was proclaimed. Toronto went mad corn starch and talcum powder was tavished on everybody. Do you know knox was brought out and everyone you met was covered white, such a time it was awful. Well Earl I wish you had been here Saturday night Dec 23 is Albert birthday. We had a crowd and played all kind of games until 12 o’clock we certainly had immense time. Art Walker and family were here. The flue is very bad around here Folliott all have it, Hamilton all have it George & Mrs Patton and Gertie or down with it and lots of other. We have escaped it so far. Our crops turned very good (very heavy). We had 600 bags of potatoes and lots of roots. Jesse is teaming the potatoes to Toronto they are a good price. Well Earl I am sending you a snap. I want you to tell me who they are. They were sent to me. We were expecting you home for Xmas and don’t see why they will not let you come. I am sure the folks at home will be glad of your home coming. There will be a welcome for you anyway for you have done your duty for King and country. Now Earl as you may have time see all you can while over there for it is your last chance and them huns how they skunk the coward they are (they are beaten) Mother is stuffing two ducks for to-morrow (Christmas). Well Earl it is shame that I don’t write oftener for really I have been very busy. Dear Earl I hope you have escaped. News is getting very scarce. Will close. Hoping you are well as us. We join in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I remain as ever your Friend, Maisie RichardsP.S. Remember us to the other fellows around King & LaskayDec 28, 1918, Dear Brother Just a few lines to you to-day, hoping this finds you in the best of health and on your way for home. Well Earl I am writing this in bed. A queer place to write letters in isn’t it. I wouldn’t be hear if I could help it but it is the Doctor’s orders, for I was taken with the Influenza on Christmas night I never slept a wink. My legs, arms, back and head did nothing but throb. The next morning we got the Doctor. Doctor Lockard was sick so he sent a new Doctor. The other pages were missing.Dec 29, 1918 Belgium, Earl writes of coming home the 1st of January. Dear Mother, Just a few more lines from this Country again. I guess this will be my last letter from France to you. News is going around that we sail for England 1st Jan. It is good news for this lad allright. I’ll soon be home again. I’ll be home before my Birthday I think. Clarence Bowhey and Frank Locuas, Jack Stubbs went a week ago. Several more of my comrades went also. Old B.Coy is very small now. Well Mother what kind of a time did you all have Xmas. I hope you had a jolly time. I will have my next Xmas with you. We had a fine time her on Xmas. A big table was set out for us. And plenty of goose, mutton, beef, oranges, apples, beer, wine. Oh we had everything that day. Just the two Coys are here in this town. D Coy and B. A and C are 10 or 15 miles from here. The people here are awful good to us. They sure think a great deal of the Canadians. We are the first British troops they have seen in this war. The Germans had this town and all the people in their hands since 1914.I visit one family every night. They are learning me French & Belgium language. At least the only daughter of the family is, ha-ha. I allso learn her English. She is bound to go to Canada after I go back. She looks a great deal like Pauline. I think that is why Yek as she calls me took a fancy to her, ha-ha. Well Mother, I see the Xmas box you sent. A dandy one to, that honey and butter was a fine treat. And Merelda can sure make good ginger snaps and Xmas cake. I am using the blue pencil Floss sent me. The time is close so when Yek will not need a pencil or pen. Well Mother, I must close now. I hope this is my last letter to you & all form this Country. Hope to see you all again very soon. Best love and good wishes to all at home. Bye-Bye Your Loving Son, Earl

127th Battalion, CEFThe 127th (12th York Rangers) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in late 1915 in York County. After sailing to England in August 1916, the battalion was designated the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops on November 8, 1916. The 127th (12th York Rangers) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. F. F. Clarke, DSO.Frederick Fieldhouse Clarke was an engineer and surveyor in northern Ontario. He was born on 22 August 1878 in Hamilton. He served for three years with the Royal Canadian Regiment and nearly twenty with the 12th York Rangers. In January 1916, Clarke was appointed commanding officer of the 127th Battalion of York County.Lieut-Colonel F.F. ClarkeAs railway troops, the 127th Battalion specialized in building light railway lines close to the front, a Canadian specialty, for the rapid movement of troops and supplies from established railway heads. The battalion prided itself on its rapid bridge-building skills and an improvised turntable it crafted on several occasions.According to Fred F. Angus article entitled The Canadian Railway Troops in World War 1, written in Canadian Rail, November-December 1993 issue Angus lists the first five battalions of the Canadian Railway Troops:“The 1st Canadian Overseas Construction Battalion, which had reached France in October 1916 and was working on Standard gauge railways, became the 1st Battalion, CRTThe 127th Infantry Battalion, then at Bramshott, England, became the2nd Battalion, CRT and proceeded to France on January 11, 1917.The 239th Battalion became the 3rd Battalion, CRT.The 4th & 5th Battalions, CRT, were organized at Purfleet, England and were sent to France in February, 1917.”“Things were now moving at ever-increasing speed in anticipation of the campaigns scheduled for 1917. In March, 1917 it was decided to organize five more Battalions of the Canadian Railway Troops, and as more units arrived from Canada they were sent to Purfleet to be organized. By April 1, there were six Battalions in the file, and by the end of June, 1917 all ten were fully operational. So quickly had official thinking turned around that the majority of these units were employed on light railway construction and maintenance and, from mid-1917 until the end of the war, all light railway construction on the British Western Front was carried out by the Canadian Railway Troops.”Angus, Fred F. “The Canadian Railway Troops in World War 1”Canadian Rail, November-December 1993

Earl made several references to the 127th Battalion in his letters home.October 24, 1916, p.4 “The 500 men are going as a Construction Batt. It is a safe place. And I tried hard to get in it. The work they do is building up bridges, railroads, cutting roads through brushes and hills. They carry no rifle at all just revolver. And they get no pack to carry on their back for half a day. But I guess there is no chance for me to get with them now.”November 18, 1916, p.2 “I told Mother in my last letter that we are leaving for France on the 28th of Nov. I think we will go as a No.2 Construction Batt. So chances are I will get out of being a sniper. Thank God if I do for a sniper has the most dangerous work to do of all.”January 4, 1917, Somewhere in France, p. 3 Earl writes: “No.1 Construction is about 10 miles from B. Coy, D.Coy is just about 2 mile from them.” I have not seen Frank since we left La Harve Station. He is hearing some noise where he is allright. B.Coy expect to move soon. I hear that Mannie Brown of No.1 Construction has been killed. Dada will know him allright. He is a great friend of Billie Ham’s. None of the brave 127 lads have been hurt yet. Some have been frightened al little tho. There are lots Ghost over hear in no man’s land. Tell Arch the rats are as big as the ones we catch in the creek. I played football with one the other morning down the track. My big boots went pretty good at it. One of the lads in my hut lost 3 hardtack biscuits one night.”March 26, 1917, p.2 “The birds sing every day as tho there is no war at all. Yesterday the shells were singing at us. The 127 lads are hard to hit tho.” “ I hear from Wallace and Pat & Sid once in a while. Have not seen them yet tho. F.Platt is in D.Coy. I have not seen him for 2 months. F. Young is also in D.Coy. John Swettenham author of “To Seize the Victory: the Canadian Corps in World War 1” writes on p. 106 of the ‘bleak dreariness of trench warfare…and Blue and white cornflowers, blood-red poppies and yellow cabbage flowers sprang from the lisp of decaying trenches in sickening profusion among the rusty wire. Birds soared in the sky and insects scurried in the dust – while on a plane between the two, man crouched behind sandbagged parapets, bent on his own destruction.”Sept 22, 1917, Belgium – Earl makes reference to some of the 127th ladsI will tell you their names. (No photo in the letter) Top row left to right – Yek of course you know him. Second is Bill Wellman of Richmond Hill an old 127th Batt lad. Third is Carl Jensin of the 114th Batt. N.B. who was drafted into our Batt in England He is a Dane and a very good Boxer. Second row sitting left to right 1st Frank Wilson of the 112th Batt Nova Scotia he was also drafted into our Batt in England. And the one sitting with the cigarette in his mouth is an old 127th lad Bill Fisher of Richmond Hill. His home is in Ireland. He worked 5 years ago at Badgers place King. They all are coming out to King to see me after the war. Luke and I had our photo taken a couple of wks ago. But have not received them yet. We had these taken in a small town in Belgium. Harold been in it.October 9th, 1917 letter to Mereldap.3 “Fritzie is sure getting it now. We are winning every day. I see prisoners come down every morning tuff looking nuts to.”March 17, 1918, Cheltenham“Dear Mother,p. 2 Merelda asked if Paddy was with our Batt. He is with the 1st C.R.T most of the Aurora Sports are with it too. The Newmarket lads are in D.Coy in our Battalion. But there are not many of the poor chaps left. The old 127 Battalion has lost heavy in France. There are Drafts going across to join us every 3 months."

Published in The Aurora Banner, April 4th, 1919 upon the return of the 127th Battalion.“Nearing home is the 127th Battalion - the York County was the foundation unit of the Canadian Railway troops. A part of the battalion was on the “Empress of Britain” under Lieut Col. F. F. Clarke, D.S.O. , and landed Monday and the second party is on the “Coronia” in charge of Major J. H. Holdsworth, second in command. No body of Canadian troops had a wider or more varied experience in France or Flanders. Col. F.F. Clarke the commander of the unit was in employ of the Canadian Northern Railway before he enlisted and his ability and experience as a surveyor and railway builder were of great value. Many of his men were bright young fellows who had gone into engineering or surveying and there were also a number of students from the School of Practical Science so that the unit was well suited to its work. It was the immobility of the British armies in the Somme fighting of 1916 that gave birth to the Railway Troops. Just about New Year’s 1917, the 127th were moved to France and were shoved in on the Somme in front of a piece of line from Commecourt to Grandicourt – a piece of land that had been held by the Hun from the first month of the war. It was on the Ancre River Heights. All efforts to capture it had failed with heavy loses. With the 127th as “army troops” to prepare the way and follow up with materials of war, the British captured the Grandecourt and the Hun began his retreat. It was across this country that the York County unit had to lay the rails that enabled the British forces to crawl steadily ahead and maintain communications with their base. The e127th was in Ypres where they were located from June til Nov 1917. Here they were busy building narrow gauge railway, moving big guns by railway form one point to another running up ammunition and bringing back wounded and they kept at this night and day. Sixty men of the 127th were gassed around Nieuport on July 19th, 1917, during the famous fighting of the sand dunes when the Germans caught the British on the canal banks. The 127th were putting in narrow gauge railways for the batteries and running tracks up to the front lines when the Germans put on an attack. This was one of the most bitterly fought action sin the sector. The 127th men were caught in the gas waves that came over and the unit had a close squeak from being wiped out.

The Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in the following major operationsYpresApril-May 1915Festubert & GivenchyMay-June 1915St. Eloi CratersMarch –April 1916Mount SorrellJune 2-13, 1916SommeJuly-November 1916Vimy RidgeApril 9-12, 1917The ScarpeApril-May 1917Hill 70August 15-25, 1917PasschendaeleOctober 26-Nov 10, 1917AmiensAugust 8-11, 1918ArrasAugust 26 – September 3, 1918Canal du Nord & CambraiSeptember 27 – October 11, 1918Capture of ValenciennesNovember 1-2, 1918

July 29Britain warns Canada of situation in EuropeAug 2Canada offers Britain troops for overseas serviceAug 5 Britain declares warAug 6Britain accepts Canada's offer of troopsAug19The first volunteers begin to arrive at Valcartier Camp, QuebecSept 4 Approximately 32,000 men have assembled at ValcartierOct 3 1st Contingent Canadian Expeditionary Force sails for EnglandOct 14 1st Contingent CEF arrives in EnglandDec 21 Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry arrives in FranceThey are the first Canadian unit committed to battle in the Great War

Feb 07 1st Canadian Division begins moving to FranceMar 03 1st Canadian Division is responsible for 6,000 metre of front near FleurbaixApr 011st Canadian Division is moved north to Ypres SalientApr 22Battle of Ypres. First use of poison gas against the FrenchApr 24Battle of St. Julien. First use of poison gas against the CanadiansMay 05 Lt-Col John McCrae of CEF writes In Flanders FieldsMay 18Battle of FestubertMay 252nd Canadian Division formed in CanadaJune 15Battle of GivenchySept 19Newfoundland Regiment lands at Suvla Bay in GallipoliNov 16 Canadian launches their first trench raid at Riviere DouveDec 20Newfoundland Regiment evacuated from Suvla BayDec 25 3rd Canadian Division formed

Apr 06The Battle of St. Eloi CratersJun 02Battle of Mount Sorrel. Major General Mercer killedSept 15  Battle of Courcelette. First use of the tank and rolling barrageSept 26Battle of Tiepval RidgeNov  Sir Samuel Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defense fired by Prime Minister Borden

Apr 09The Battle of Vimy RidgeJun 11Prime Minster Sir Robert BordenAug 15Battle for Hill 70. Firs use of mustard gas against CanadiansAug 29Conscription became law in CanadaOct 26  The Battle of PasschendaeleNov 20The Battle of CambraiDec 06  The Halifax Explosion - French munitions vessel Mont Blanc explodes in Halifax Harbour killing almost 1600 people

JanConscription now in forceMar 21German offensive beginsMar 30Canadian Cavalry attack at Moreuil WoodAug 08The Battle of Amiens - the beginning of what is known as Canada's Hundred DaysAug 26  The Battle of ScaarpeSep 02The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant LineSep 27 The Battle of the Canal Du Nord and CambraiNov 02 The Canadian Corps capture the town of Valenciennes in its last major battleNov 10 The Canadian Corps reached the outskirts of MonsNov 11At 10:58 am Private George Price of the 28th Battalion is killed by a sniperTwo minutes later at 11:00 am. The armistice came into effect.The war was over!

The soldiers of King Township were fortunate to receive care packages from the Red Cross Society, Girl Guides of King, Laskay League of Girls, and Women’s Institute. The communities raised money to send boxes to the soldiers. Every year Sir Henry Pellatt held gigantic Field Days and Dances on his 1000 acre farm “Lake Marie”, the proceeds of this event was used to sending boxes to the soldiers. On September 18, 1918 Merelda wrote “We are going to have Field Day on the 18 Sept. at Pellatts & expect a big time. The sports start at 11.30 and there is to be a supper, concert & dance admission to all $1.25 it will break me alright. I’ll send you a Bill as soon as they are printed. The Queens Own Band has to supply the music. Col. Pellatt is getting home on furlough & they expect him there. Old Sir Henry is helping this year so expect it will be a success. There is to be all kinds of sports, football, baseball, racing, throwing the caber, climbing the greasy pole & etc.”Merelda writes to Earl on Sept 15, 1917p.2 “We sent away 15 boxes last week – Kate & I packed yours. Mother will be sending you one this week & King people will be packing soon the proceeds of Pellatt field day goes to the King boys about 80 of them to send to.”Sept 30, 1918, King letter from Merelda to Earl. Merelda writes of the Sir Henry Pellatt’s field day and the raising of money that would go towards the packing of boxes for soldiers at the Front.We cleared over $60.00 at Pellatts Field Day. So that is to send boxes to you boys. I don’t know when they are going to pack.List of items packed by the Red Cross in SchombergTaken from Schomberg Tweedsmuir HistoryTaken from Kettleby Tweedsmuir HistoryThe Schomberg Tweedsmuir history records their contribution to sending packages to the soldiers overseas. Many of the local women including Emma Marchant who was President of the Schomberg Women’s Institute worked tirelessly for the war effort. During the busy war years she drove every Wednesday with her horse and buggy to sew for the Red Cross in the Masonic Hall, Schomberg. The following appeared in the Aurora Banner, February 14, 1919:The King City Red Cross Auxiliary was organized in October of 1915 with a membership of 90, afterward slightly increase; but with the passing of time the average membership may be considered as 75 thereabouts, and as the figures given below will show, The Auxiliary has no cause to feel ashamed of its production. Total subscriptions of all kinds $1973.99 Donations for soldiers Xmas Boxes & Sundry donations $ 270.86 Paid for Flannel, Buttons, etc $1027.16 Paid for wool for socks $ 362.23 Suits of pyjamas mad up and shipped 983 Pairs of socks knitted and shipped 502 Balance on hand turned over to the Red Cross $ 182.84When it is remembered that the district embraced by the organization is small one and that many of the lady workers were also very busy with other organizations, I think we may look back with pride at the record of the King City Red Cross Auxiliary. The special thanks of the Auxiliary are due to the magnificent work of the Laskay ladies who by their splendid efforts contributed so much to the success of the organization. D.M. Farmer, Sec.Earl made references to the number of letters he received from home and the contents of the care packages. The people of King supported the King lad overseas through letters and care packages. October 25, 1916, p.1 “I had 10 letters from Canada this week. 2 from Merelda. The fellows in my hut say that I get more letters than the whole Battalion. Well there is nothing like letters from Canada over here from Home anyway.Oct 25, 1916, p.2 letter to Mother: “I have not received the box yet. I should have had it before now. I certainly would enjoy a box from home. So you had a jar of honey for me to. I know you all know that I like a bit of honey.”Oct 29, 1916, p.1 letter to Mother: “I am writing to let you all know that I received that long look for box. I got it last-night. You will know what a hearty supper I ate. I am sorry to say that the ginger bread was to mouldy for me to eat. I felt like going for it, it looked very good that was all that was spilt. I made myself a drink of OXO tea before I got into bed. It was a good drink will save the other one for to-night. Geo Teasdale’s candies were very good as long as they lasted me. I know the tree them two apples came from I gave L.Robb one of them. Tell Merelda the pie was crushed like a pancake. But it tasted like the pie I use to hook out of the cellar. .. The jar of honey was safely landed the lid was crack. You should have saw the tin box when I got it hinges all over it.”Nov 18, 1916, p.2 “I had a letter from May today also a box of home-made candy and a little pie. Grace made the candy…. It is very good of the Laskey League girls to send us boxes of eats. They know what we need most of all.”Nov 30, 1916 from Bordon Camp, (p.2) “I had a box from Vic Hall to-day a pair of socks, a shirt a kerchief and some tobacco. I will never run short of clothes this winter anyway.”Dec 9, 1916, p.3 “I told you in my last letter the boxes which I have received and was so glad to get them. Annie and Clara sent me a box some time ago. Have not it yet tho I know it will be a dandy. And I am longingly waiting for it. The Girl Guides of King sent me a box with a pair of socks, a shirt, a handkerchief and some tobacco. I had a dandy box from May yesterday. I would like to send all of you something for sending me all these boxes. But you all know the amount of money a soldier gets. So little that it doesn’t allow me to.”Dec 19, 1916, p.1 from Bordon Camp, Surrey “I have not the Girl Guides of King box yet or Clara’s or Annie’s yet. I hope they are not lost. We do so much moving that it is hard for all the boxes to follow us. I tell you how many boxes I have gotten 2 from home, 1 from May, 1 from Ruth, 1 from Gertie Patton, 1 from Vic HallJan 4, 1917 p. 4 “ I sent some photo’s home a few days ago. Let me know if you got them A photo of Sam Gourley and myself. And one of Clarence Bowhey. Am glad you got the one of Frank and myself. It will be sometime before I can get some taken here.” “I am glad to hear you are sending another box. I have not got the one with the Safty Razor yet.” “Yes Reddy Osborne is still with us yes I see him ever day. But Art Trent is down the line 10 miles with No.1.Jan 14, 1917, p. 2 Earl writes to his Mother from Somewhere in France. He started the letter on the 14th of January .. “I sit down to write this is the 18th. We had to move farther up the line on the 14th. So I had not time to finish the letter.”...” I received the box you sent me from home. Allso the Laskay R.C. one which was packed by Lizzie Brown. And I had another one from Ruth. They all came the one day, the last day I was in England. It was sure a great treat in the boat and train. I finished the can of honey yesterday and the Shamrock which George sent me. I have it yet. I have great fun trying to talk with the French people. You might as well talk to a post as try to talk to them. They think a great deal of the Canadians tho. One station we jumped off. The women and girls gave us lots of eats.”Feb 6, 1917 postcardApr 7, 1917, Somewhere in France (written in pencil) to Arch: “Tell Merelda I received the box which Old Bert Ireland packed for me. I sure made short work of it. I wasn’t long in finding the Stag in the toe of the sock. The candles were very useful to. It is sometime since I have saw a lamp. I have not the other boxes yet tho. I had a letter from Harold. He sent me a Dollar Bill. I will keep it for good luck. Am also keeping the Shinplaster Merelda sent me.Apr 13, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.1 (in pencil) “I have been waiting until my birthday box arrived before I wrote home. The prize landed in to me last night. Everything thing is jake. Serg Ross brought it into my tent just before lights out, half past eight. You can be sure I had a meal before I went to sleep. The birthday cake was great. I can’t call it ginger bread because it has the icing on it. In the toe of the sock I found the camphor. It was around my neck that night. Bill Wellman and Bill Harding of Richmond Hill sleep on each side of me. This morning when they woke up they started to scratch like theirselves in good shape. They said ‘Yek’ your – darn crawlers left me and got on them last night. I said ‘I should worry as long as they get off me. It sure is dope for them.’ I am writing in pencil which I found in the parcel. I will put the bathing suit on pretty soon. I also received the money order. I gave it to Capt. Adams to cash into French Money.”Jun 16, 1917, Somewhere in Belgium p.3 “I had a box from Clara. I took it up the line with me last Sunday night. I heard from May & Ruth to-night a big heap of letters was waiting for me here. A week is a long time to go with out mail over here.” “Harold will know where we are here. I had a couple of cards from him. I know the place real well where he is working.”Jul 5, 1917, Somewhere in France p.2 "I wrote to Mother last week & I sent her a few handkerchiefs one for each of you. I had been carrying them with me for ages. And I received another box from home. One with the underwear in it.” “All of my camphor is gone that other dope you sent is not much good for the creatures.”Aug 22, 1917, BelgiumDear Merelda, p.4… “I had three letters from Clara since I came back tell Bertha Ireland I received her lovely card. I had a letter from little Mary Lawson last night. So you see old and young big and small writes to me. I was just saying to Art Brown last night a year ago we were on the old Olympic at Halifax. I thot I would be going home with my wound. But no such luck.”Aug 29, 1917, Belgium“Dear Merelda, Well I must write and thank you for the box you packed for me. The R.Cross box you sent it the 1st of Aug. and I got it Aug. 27th. It came in good time did’nt it. Everything was jake in it. Nothing mouldy at all, that kind of paper it was packed in is very good for keeping it from moulding. I sure enjoyed eating it. I think the icing cake was the best of all. But it was all good allright. The next night I had a dandy box from Clara. So you see I got lots of boxes. I wish Mother would send me some more money. I think I must be getting to rich by now. So the next payment she get tell her to keep 10 or 15 dollars out. To have a good time over here 30 francs is not enough for me might as well have a good time here while you have the chance. “Aug 29, 1917 Belgium letter to Mereldap. 3 “Did Mother get the silk cushion yet? Well Merelda I can’t write such a good long letter as you can. But I will write often to you all. Clara sent me a piece out of the paper with me being wounded. This is how it is worded ‘Sap. Norman Earl Campbell of King, Ont. Is today reported wounded. His parents who live near King have received word to the same effect. Another Brother Harold has been invalided home. Norman Campbell before enlisting was a farmer. He enlisted in Feb 1916 and went overseas in Aug 1916. He is twenty two years of age and is unmarried’, hah .What it is to be unmarried, eh. Look at the Girls You have when you get back. Well Merelda I will close now hope all are well at home. I am fine so far. Can’t complain. But we are having awful wet weather. Wishing you all the best of luck I am your loving Brother EarlPlease excuse this awful writing. I am getting worse than better. Jenkins does’nt get the chance to censor this one.Last page of Earl’s letter……Sep 15, 1917 letter to Earl from Merledap.2 “We sent away 15 boxes last week – Kate & I packed yours. Mother will be sending you one this week & King people will be packing soon the proceeds of Pellatt field day goes to the King boys about 80 of them to send to.”Nov 8, 1917, letter to Pauline"Tell Merelda I received the dandy box she packed for me of the Laskay Red Cross everything was jake in it. I have’nt it all ate up yet. I keep the good part of it for the last. The light ginger bread & the dark ginger bread. I also had a box from Merle last week. Henry had a lot of old chum and cigars in it. Allso a new Canadian pipe. I am sure I get every box that is sent to me. And am might glad to get them. The eats that are in them you no are quite different from what we get out here. There are just the two of us in our dugout. Bill Wellman and I. And when a box comes we make ourselves sore from eating. You should see our little home of sand bags. We have it bomb proof, but not shell proof.Dec 5, 1917, Rest Camp, FranceHave you received the box I sent about 3 wks ago yet. A silk apron for Merelda and something for you, Floss & Arch. The ring is a German ring. I will not tell you where I got it tho. I am sending Mother a souvenir of France a silk purse. But no money in it. She can put the money in it. Let me know if you got everything. I have not the box with the khaki gloves yet. But I guess it will soon be her. Mrs. Edwards send me a box I have not it yet either. How many cattle is Dad fattening this winter. And how many skins has Arch got hid away. Art Brown says he never got Arch’s letter.Dec 17, 1917 Rest Camp, FranceDear Pauline……..I wrote to Merelda a couple of days ago telling her I received five boxes one from Mrs. Edwards, one from Vic Hall, Mr. Farmer, one from home. And one from the Laskay League. I had one from Merle & Ruth the week before. I am sure getting fat now. “Feb 8, 1918, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Englandp.2 “ Say, Merelda did you get that small parcel with the silk apron and some small truck in. I sent it last November and I sent a large box from Aberdeen. I put a kilt in which I carried with me for 9 months. It is a Gordon kilt. I forgot to put the socks and ribbons in. I also put a Brass cap made from a British 18 pounded. Frank Brown made it for me. And I put some German stuff in. I think you can easily guess where I got that. I have not had a letter since I left France. That is how I don’t get to hear the news. The last letter I received from home was the one you sent with the 3 dollars in Gold to me. Allso the one dollar bill Mr. Rolling put in for me. It will be a great help to me when I get out of Hospital. Cheltenham is a big City so I will need lots of doe to go to the shows. We are allowed out in the town from 10 to 12. And from 2 to 6 at night. I wrote to Merle a few days ago I will look for a letter from her soon. I find it very lonesome to be without mail from home. I have been so use to getting it so regular in France. When I got back off my 14 days leave. I sure had some mail waiting for me. There were 5 boxes. I sure had a feed for once in France. I wrote to the Coy and told them to send it along to me if they could. But I am not sure if they are allowed to send parcels or boxes. So I guess that sweater Mother sent me will have to wait until I go back again. Well Merelda I will again have to close. I think I have wrote you a good long letter this time. But I can’t beat you for writing long letters yet. It is easy seen that you are use to writing to lads. Well write soon. Love to all, Au Revoir, Loving Bro. Earl Sapper Earl Campbell No. 779051 Ward 2 Naunton Park Hospital Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, EngMar 17, 1918, Cheltenham“Dear Mother,p.2 Tell Annie Sturdy I got the cake she sent me. I thot I told you before I got that box. Clara sent me one before Xmas I have not it yet tho. I hate to loose a box over here. I have not lost any so far. Charlie Williams & Colin’s has not arrive yet. Will let you know when I get them. How is Harold and his young wife.May 18, 1918, 3rd C.C.D, Seaford, Sussex, England“Dear Merelda,p. 3 . I also rec the Laskay Red Cross box packed by Floss. And also one from the King Girls. So you see I have a great stock of eats in one hand now. Clara Ross’s box to me went to France. So my chum Wellman got it.”Jun 1, 1918, C.C.D., Seaford letter to Merelda. Earl writes of the high cost of goods in Europe. Compare it to the letter May 31, 1918 letter his sister Merle sent to him with the cost of prices in King.Dear Merelda,p.2 … ”I will send you one. I have finished all my boxes. I had three in one week that’s going some eh. That can of honey was dandy. I hope for another. I am sure some hog yet. But say Merelda, there is nothing so good as eats from home. The baking is far ahead of the stuff you get over in the stores here. If one wants a good fruit cake he has to pay about 10£ for one. Than it is not so good as that I get from home. Everything here is a awful price. I don’t see how people live here. Eggs are 4 pence each that is 8 cents. Bread is 1£ a loaf than it is dark bread too. This war will have to end soon” .Jul 7, 1918 letter from Merle to Earl – she writes about possibility of Government restricting sending boxes overseas.p.2 I have been going to send you a box but have to learn how to bake with this awful stuff we have to use called war-flour, but some of these days you shall get one, if they don’t stop us sending boxes. It is hard to say what the next order will be. I don’t mind using the flour & doing without meat & etc. but if it comes to not sending boxes I think that is too much for they must be needed over there.Aug 9, 1918, Somewhere in FranceDear Merelda, Not my ??? but I will have to something to pass away the evening. Well last night I rec two dandy boxes. One from the League packed by you. And the other one from Home. Everything is as fresh as tho it was baked a week ago. And how hungry I was for a box from home. It is sure a treat to get such boxes over here. You certainly had the two packed well. The honey. I just had some for my supper. It is jake and the very best honey. I will certainly enjoy it as long as it last me. The three plugs of chewing comes in very hand now. Youknow out on the track is very hard work doing without a chew. And the stuff you get over here is rotten to chew. The tin of salmon I took out for my dinner on the track. Clarence Bowhey and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks very much Merelda. You can’t imagine how much I value a box from home. Tell Mother I am keep the suite of underwear until the weather turns a bit cooler. The crawlies will not stick to it very much ha-ha. I am thinking of doing like the chinks do. They wear no shirt at all! Their bodies are colour of a penny. One cannot tell when they are sun-burnt. I wrote to Mother a couple of nights ago. I hope she get it o.k. I heard from Ruth last night. Also had a letter from Frank Gambril. He is happy guy now. I only wish I was in his shoes now. But I must cheer up. I will soon be back again. And then the happy days, eh. Well Merelda this is two sheets is’nt it. So I will now ring off for another time. Hope all of you are in the very best of health. And getting along well. Merelda just one moment. Why not you send me a few snaps of home. I have nearly forgotten what it looks like. I would like to have some very much. Write me soon. Love to all. Au Revoir Bro Earl.Sep 2, 1918, King letter from Merelda she mentions the number of boxes sent overseas.We are going to have Field Day on the 18 Sept. at Pellatts & expect a big time. The sports start at 11.30 and there is to be a supper, concert & dance admission to all $1.25 it will break me alright. I’ll send you a Bill as soon as they are printed. The Queens Own Band has to supply the music. Col. Pellatt is getting home on furlough & they expect him there. Old Sir Henry is helping this year so expect it will be a success. There is to be all kinds of sports, football, baseball, racing, throwing the caber, climbing the greasy pole & etc. Dad is practicing throwing the caber & Arch is training for the races. He is going in the mile race against E. Orr, D.McMillan, ?? Cousins. Bill Trent & Finch. He would have beat Dan at Aurora on the 1st of July if there had been fair play. There is to be a relay race too. Arch, Cuttie & Trent against E. Orr, Dan & Vic. Orr. It will be some race alright. I wish you could be there to beat them all, eh? The proceeds all go to the King boys. We will have a time packing boxes then. There was 78 boxes sent last year after Pellatts field day and this year there are more boys to pack for because they send to all that’s gone from King community. We had a League social at Laskay last Thurs. We made $23.00 are going to pack boxes next Tues so you’ll get another one. I am Presd of the Social Com (Committee) now so I’ll see that there’s lot of boxes sent, ha-ha. I wonder if you got our last box with a suit of underwear in it and did you get the $20.00 yet. It was sent from the Bank a quicker way of sending registered. I guess I’ll write on both sides so the letter will not be overweight.Sep 23, 1918, In the Field letter sent to MotherDear Mother..p.2 Tell Merelda I receive the Laskay R + box she packed for me. It was a dandy one. And I was as hungry as a timber wolf the day I got it. I knew she baked some of the cake which was in it. I can pick her cooking out of any box.Sept 30, 1918, King letter from Merelda to Earl. Merelda writes of the Sir Henry Pellatt’s field day and the raising of money that would go towards the packing of boxes for soldiers at the Front.We cleared over $60.00 at Pellatts Field Day. So that is to send boxes to you boys. I don’t know when they are going to pack.Oct 1, 1918, King Merelda continues here letter dated Sept 30, 1918.Dear Earl,Just a few lines more this a.m. to say we are sending a box consisting of socks, honey, eats & smokes. Hope you get it o.k. Hope the little pies are not mouldy, be sure & tell me if they keep alright. If they do I’ll send more. The handkerchief is from Harold it was one of his & the pies are made of his raisins, he gave them to us for you. Daddie has gone over to help Uncle Fred with the corn today. Arch is ploughing the field between us & Ireland north of the lane. The rest of us are packing your box. Aunt Barbara was up on Sun she would like you to write to her if you get time. She is going to knit a pair of mitts for you.Well I guess this is all for this time. So Au Revoir, Love from All, Yours, MereldaDec 4, 1918 letter to Merelda from Earl. In this letter Earl mentions receiving a box from the Laskay Red Cross and the fact that the woman who packed it did not sign her name.Dear Mereldap. 2… A couple of nights ago I had a box from the Laskay R+ Mary packed mine. And say but she did pack it too. Such a heap came out of her box. She is no stingy girl I can easily see that. I am jolly glad the tart across the fields did not pack mine. Get me there, eh, ha-ha. I wrote Mary thanking her for her kindness to me. I must send her something. I’ll wait until we get to Blighty tho. Presents & souvenirs in France are so high they nearly reach the clouds. We will likely be in Blighty in another week.p.3 Well Merelda, I got another box last-night for the King people. I don’t know who sent or packed it for me. So you can tell them next time you see any of them. It is very nice box I know it has been some Daisy who packed it. But she was to shy to put her name in the box for fear I might write her a few well lines of love to her – ha-ha. Oh say tell Mother I sent her a German helmet. Tin Lizzie’s we call ems. I sent it about wk ago. I hope she get it ok. I put ahard tack in it for her. Floss can have it for her breakfast some morning. Tell her not to put it in boiling water for 24 hours or maybe it would get a wee soft. They are a jake biscuit for sharpen one teeth, mine are like razors now. Well Merelda, I believe I have shot you enough bull for this time. I had better save some for another time. I may be in Blighty for Xmas. But I do wish I was home for Xmas. I guess we could have a bit of skating eh. Oh gee, I am homesick so better close. I’ll write Pauline, next time. Au Revoir Mon Cherie, Love to all . Will see you very soon. Me.Dec 31, 1918, Laskay letter from Mary to EarlDear Earl,Your letter of Dec 1st received on Christmas Day, and believe me, it was welcome. I am so glad to know that your box arrived in such good condition. It was supposed to be a Xmas box and you should have put it away till Christmas (ha,ha). You know it was really from the League. The folks at home may have told you that on account of so much sickness around, we decided to each one pack a box, rather than get together to do it. So I asked to pack yours. Believe me, we never sent away such big heavy boxes from the League before. I feel real sorry that you got it so long before Xmas.It is funny that you cannot recall the names of the folks in the snaps. I almost forget the ones I sent, but I guess Edythe is there is’nt she? Surely you know her. We are having real Canadian winter now, after having an unusually mild fall. Our first snow came the day before Xmas making it a real Xmas day. No doubt you hear all the news from home, so know about all the sickness that has been around here. The “Flu” was very bad the fall, but fortunately it did not come to Laskay til a few weeks ago. We are always slow are’nt we? Hamilton’s were all sick, everyone but John and Jess being in bed at once thus they had it later, and Gordon’s, Burne’s and Pattons all had it. Gertie Patton was the most serious case, at one time it looked as though she would not get better, but she is getting along fine. Can you imagine Laskay without Gertie? Jim Clubine’s were all sick too. And Howard’s wife who lives there too, died last Sunday. She leaves a small baby which makes it very sad, but most people think it is a blessing that when was taken. So with all this sickness, we had a very quiet Xmas, not a blessed thing to do. Edythe and Frank and a friend of Edythe’s were here so we had a lot of fun, then George and I took them to Young St. in the sleigh at night. Tomorrow is New Years and we expect some more company. You know there are only George and I at home now. Frank got his discharge a few weeks ago, but went back to Aurora at once and Edythe is a city girl now. You could’nt coax her to stay at home, but poor me has to stay here to help out. George is getting his skates and hockey sticks ready to go to the lake tomorrow. I would love to go but there is hardly a boy around her now to skate with they are all kids.Now, Earl you want to be sure and remember what you said about bringing home a Mademoiselle home. We don’t want to start learning French so leave her over there. Am glad you think the Canadian girls are good enough. Poor Ed has had quite hard time since he left here last June. No doubt he would have been in France had he not been sick most of the time. I expect he’s on leave now, the first he has had, he expected to spend Xmas in Ireland then to go to Scotland. It is certainly sad about Telford Little and Charlie Williams got wound so quickly too. It will seem great to have you all back again. I think it will be hard for you to comeknowing that some of you are not coming, and hard for the friends here to see some come and not their boys.Do you ever see Edgar Badger? I guess Merle is looking forward to seeing him. Merle and I are the only girls of our age, that are left now. Oh, excepting Bertha and Maggie Ireland, you can have your choice there. Earl, I don’t know of any one that will dispute you. Yesterday was Nomination Day and Norman Mac, was nominated for a councillor. I guess he will be left, but of course he has to make a start sometime. On account of the Flu we have had no Church or League for three Sundays and no Institute meeting. So I have not seen Merelda for quite a while. Flossie and Archie are over quite often.You will likely see some changes when you come home, especially in the young kids. Our George has grown very much is far taller than I am. Lucy Allan is still back the Mill Road waiting for you I guess eh, EarlWell, Earl, I cannot think of anything more just now. Don’t forget my address, and I will look for an answer soon. Remember me to all the boys you meet that I know. They sure will be welcomed back to Laskay again. Hoping to see you all soon.I remain, Yours Sincerely, Maryp.s Jimmie Jenkins gave his people a great surprise a few days ago by walking in on them and they did not expect him.Souvenirs from the Front Earl would request that the family send him articles from home. In his October 24, 1916 p. 2 he asked Merelda (his sister) “You want to know if I want any clothes. I would like to have that Hockey cap of Pauline’s the one with the white trimming on. That one I use to steal from her when I was going skating. And I would like that scarf which Mrs. Boys gave me.” He also references money that he had sent home to Mother – “was glad to hear that Mother got my $20.00 cheque. Next one she gets tell her to give Arch 2 or3 dollars to buy some tobacco half smoking and half chewing. It will be a great treat at the front. We can’t get any good tobacco here at all.”Oct 29, 1916, p.2 Earl talks of sending packages home from the front. “I am going to pack up a box to send home for Xmas or New Year’s will let you know when I send it. It won’t be very big one because the things are awful expensive here. And you know the amount of money I get a month things you get for .25 in Canada I give 2 s (shillings) for it here .48 cents.Oct 29, 1916, p.3 Earl writes to Mother from Witley Camp: “I am sending you a English Oak leaf, Maple leaf and a Holly leaf. The leaves are turning their colour now.”“Tell Arch that little Peatrie the National Lacrosse player is locked in with us. Allso Jack Wise the ventriloquist is here with me. He is an artist to I will send some of his work.”Nov 18, 1916, p.2 letter to Merelda “I am glad you are sending me my scarf and cap. Because it is turning quite cold now.”Nov 30, 1916 Earl writes to sister Mereleda: “I received your 16 page letter to-day. Them are the kind of letters I like to get a hold of.” …. “ I hope you get the Xmas card which I have already sent you.. I only got 6 letters to-day all from Canada we get Canadian mail twice a week Tuesday and Thursday. I allways stick around the mailman them two days.” “ I wrote Mother the other night telling her I received the parcel o.k. with the cap, socks, scarf kerchief and bacco in it.”Dec 9, 1916, p.4 Earl tells his family “I am sending Mother a photo. I guess you will know who the two lads are, let me know if she gets I allright.”Photo sent to Earl’s Mother of Harold (sitting) and EarlMar 26, 1917, Somewhere in France,p.2 “I have some dandy souvenirs which I got in the Germans dug-outs & trenches. I wish I can take them back to Canada. I found this piece of music in a German dugout. It is French tho. Let me know if you can play it. I have a dandy helmet which I took from a Fritz. He was not alive when I took it tho.” “I am going to send some souvenirs which I got while down at the Hospital. They are silk handkerchief. They will follow soon. I carry them in my tunic pocket and it is hard to keep them clean.”Mar 29, 1917, p.1 “Did Harold get out home for the weekend? Did he take any souvenir home with him. I have quite a few now. A dandy Fritz rifle with bayonet and a dandy pike helmet. I will make you hop around when I get it on.” P.2 “I am sending you all a silk souvenir tomorrow be sure and let me know if you all get them. I guess I will register them.”Apr 7, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.1 “ I have not sent the silk handkerchiefs yet. I will try and send them sometime before next fall.”Apr 13, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.2 (in pencil) … Earl writes “ I have a dandy little souvenir to take home with me. It is a butt end of a 3 inch German shell made into a cap & 127 badge on it. And the name of the battle field I got it. I was offered 30 Francs for it, but I would not bite at that offer. I was afraid I would sell it so I got Serg Brown to put N.E. Campbell on it. Frank made it for me.Jul 2, 1917, Belgium p.2 “I am sending you another souvenir. I have Merelda, Paul and Floss one apiece. I will not send them home. I will bring them with me. A brooch and two rings with a name on one them. I am looking for another letter have not had one from home for a week.”Aug 7, 1917, France“My Dear Mother, … Say I sent you a Registered pencil on the 4th of Aug. It is a very pretty thing. I hope you get it in good shape. I meant to Merelda, Pauline, and Flossie’s souvenirs in with yours, but I forgot all about it. Did you get that other souvenir I sent you about a month ago. Harold was at that place. I was wounded there also. I think I had it registered also. Let me know if you get them tow anyway. I know you all got the others ones I sent home. I sent Pauline a silk post-card yesterday. I also send Floss one to-day. I sent Ella one yesterday to. How is Dad and Arch getting along with the harvest. Dad will be hiving swarms of bees most of the time. Maybe I will be home this fall to hunt up some more bee trees. Well Mother I must close now. I will write again in a day or two. Hope everyone is well at home. I am dizzy at times but I feel allright. Write soon,Your loving son, EarlTell Arch I have a G.ring for him.”Aug 15, 1917, Canadian Base, France letter to Archp.2 “Did Mother get the silk cushion I sent her. I had it registered. I sent Paul & Floss some cards to. I sent Hazel & Walter some beads. I have a ring for you, but will keep it until I go home. It is a G. ring get me. One night I bumped into him. Then it was him and Yek for it. I can say I handled myself in good shape. I was thinking of lots of things then.”Aug 22, 1917 Belgium“Dear Merelda, …… Well Merelda I had lots of mail for me when I got up here. The box from home was jake. Must write and thank Dr.Lockard for the figs he had put in the box. I also rec. your letter with Pauline’s & Flossie’s in Floss wrote to me with a big sale bill from Aurora. I sure had to laugh when I saw it. Glad Mother rec the silk handkerchief with the building on it. I sent her a silk cushion while I was down at the Base. I had it registered so I guess she will get it ok. I sent Hazel & Buddie some beads. You said that Miss Nelson wrote me a letter on the back of my address on the box. Will you can be sure I try hard to put the pieces together. It was badly torn up and I could not read it. So I will write to her. Maybe Harold will have a say in that tho, ha-ha.

Earl made it his mission to source out different letterheads to use in his letter writing. He sent letters written on letterhead from Canada, British Expeditionary, Australian Expeditionary, American Troop letterheads. He even wrote to his sister Merelda on the back of sheet music.Samples of Letterhead Earl used

Earl’s Lovelife at the FrontDuring the Great War over 600,000 men joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force and were sent overseas to fight. A number of the soldiers were housed in military training camps in England or spent time in British hospitals or travelled to the British Isle on their leaves. Many of these soldiers, including Earl fell in love with the women they met. Earl sent letters home to his family informing them of his intention to marry. “By war’s end Canadian soldiers were marrying British and European women at the rate of 300 a week, over 1000 per month.” Canadian War Brides of the First World War.War time marriages were a common occurrence and in his December 19, 1916, p.1 Earl mentions to Pauline about Leslie Sturdy marrying. “Yes Leslie married Pat, I bet his folks don’t like it. I had a letter from Clara she says Mrs. Sturdy feels very bad about him doing so. When I get married to Mrs. Kaiser I won’t let you know at home. But that will not be until we get into Berlin.”May 1, 1918, London, England - telling his Mother about a “girl he intends to marry”“My Dear Mother, Well Mother you will be wondering how I am getting along on my 10 days leave. I have had a wonderful fine time up to now. I sent a cable to May for 12 £. She sent a a answer back. Do you want money? This morning I sent another one saying yes right away before I go back to my Depot. I will likely get the money Friday morning. I really hope so anyway. I am right on the rocks now. The first time I have ever been broke on leave. Oh it is a funny feeling, ha-ha. Well Mother I had better tell you now. I have to sometime anyway. I have a girl and I intend to marry her. But you said I was not to get married in England so I am bringing her to dear old Canada with me. She is a lovely little girl. I know you will all love her. I don’t think I could get one as good in Canada. I have been amongst a great number of girls since I left Canada. But none are like the one I have now. She is just longing for to go to Canada and some day before long you will see her. I could not waite for all my girls in Canada. I wonder what some of them will think of me, ha-ha. I sent Merelda a post card yesterday from here, hope she get it o.k. Well Mother I will close now. And will write again as soon as I get back to my Depot. I do not know what my address will be there yet. Hope all are in the very best of Health,Bye-ByeYour Loving Son, Earl.May 30, 1918, letter to Earl from Merelda in King. We are fortunate that Earl kept and returned home with one of the letters written by his sister. In her letter Merelda Merelda also answers Earl’s letter from May 1, 1918 on his desire to marry an English girl.During the war many Canadian soldiers returned to Canada with War Brides.My Dear Brother Earl, Now dear Earl. I am going to say something you will not like, but it does not matter. You will thank me for it later. About that girl, you imagine you are in love with, don’t you believe it. You have got roped in, the same as so many of our Canadian boys do. Harold says he was roped in the same, but got wise to it in time, before he got married to her. Also, Katie’s brother he wrote home telling them off the sweet little girl he was going to marry & first thing he found out she was a married woman & had just wanted his money & succeeded in getting it too. Ask F. Platt what he thinks of the Eng girls, also Harper Wells & lots more – oh yes the Eng. Girls have lively charming ways & are sure looking out for husbands & to get their way paid to Canada, but their ways are not like our ways, they are only laughed at here & looked down on. Harold says they are alright in Eng but no good here & Archie says for you not to bring any Bade over here. The Eng. Girls know there will be nothing for them but old maids after the war is over & are looking out for a soft snap by getting some rich Canadian so they imagine, but Earl, you must think of the future, Canada is on the verge of a rebellion. The returned soldiers can’t get work – living is most terribly high – farmers can’t get help only 16-18 yr. old college boys & girls – imagine what they can do re the farm. Earl if you brought a wife home to Canada you could not keep her- & she could not do farm work - & Earl, if Arch has to go to the war, our farm will be sold. Dad won’t work it himself & can’t so Earl think seriously before you marry a wife. Anyway earl you are so young to marry, only 23. I guess you feel old. Harold got married young & he is not getting on very well. Katie is working out now in a candy store & Harold is off work half the time, the gas is affecting him more now than it did before. So Earl have all the good times you can with the girls over there, but don’t marry them or bring them to Canada & think of the nice girls here of your own kind who will be able to take care of you, & will have money too & it is a returned soldier they all want. If that girl really & truly loved you – you would not be spending your hard earned money on her – she would give you her money instead, it is her right to pay for things instead of yours. Harold if you brought an old country girl here, she would be looked down on their ways are so different from ours. Mother will send you $5.00 this time & will send more soon. It is all she has in the house at present, & we will send you a box too, but Earl be sue & spend your money on yourself. Now Earl I hope you are not angry with me for this, but think twice before you do such a thing as get married. We shall be worrying over you until you ans. This & hoping it is not too late. Harold promised me to write you & tell you not to have any old country girl. You are too good for them. Of course you are your own boss but you can imagine what Daddie says about it. I am afraid to tell you & poor Mother is awfully worried about it. It was noised around that Lorne was married to an Eng. Girl, but is not true – it sure ws the talk of the country. Uncle Aaron was awful mad about it. I am so glad it wan’t true. Well dear boy, you will think I am an awful crank, but perhaps some day you will think all the more of me for it. It is for your own self I am thinking. If the girl was an heiress it would be different but quite likely she is a poor working girl, looking out for someone to keep her. After the war it will be hard for anybody to make a living, every body is being ruined by this awful war. Canada is altogether different from what it was when you went away & will be worse soon. There will be a rebellion before another year if you could only see the newspapers but the Gov’t will not allow us to send newspapers to Eng. So the post masters tell us. If my letter was read, I guess I would land in jail for calling the gov’t rotten, but it’s true, Canada is going like Russia went in govt. The poor class are being kept down & the rich men can get their sons out of the army some way or other, but the poor fellows have to go. This country will run by Jews & other foreigners soon. They are not conscripted. Now dear boy, I have said enough perhaps too much. Now ans. Soon we shall be praying & thinking of you all the time & hoping the letter is not to late.Best love & wishes from your loving sister`”May 31, 1918 letter from Earl’s sister Merle voicing her opinion on Earl’s upcoming marriage.“My Dearest Bro, I have been thinking so much about you lately that I just have to write to you. I have been sick in bed for three days so am pretty shaky yet, but hope you can read this letter. I just heard yesterday that you were thinking about getting married, but my dear brother don’t you do it for married life is hard- even if you do get the best girl in the old country she is not good enough for you. You were always such a good hearted kid besides if you come home single we can all help you along for a year or so you know if you are crippled you would have lots of homes to come to and welcome but if you had a wife it would be different then after you are back for a while and get good & strong then take some good Canadian girl. I have lived among so many English, Irish & Scotch girls in the West and there is not one as good as a Canadian. Now my dear brother take your big sisters advice and don’t get tied up. Look at Harold he is worried to death trying to make enough to pay for two rooms, if he wasn’t married he could often be at home for a rest but you know Daddy never did like strangers around long. We have always tried to pay for our board in some way when we are there. It is for you own good I am telling you all this for times are so hard in Canada now we haven’t made a cent since the war started and you know Henry always was a good rustler. Of course we have had so much expense, doctor bill, moving and everything costs so much to live. Just think we are paying 50 cts a lb. for butter, 50 cts a dozen for eggs and 2 dollars for a piece of beef that lasts about too days and they will not sell anyone living within a mile from the store any more than 25 cts worth of sugar that is just four cups full. Just yesterday Henry was in Toronto to the Dr. and he was talking to a returned soldier & he was awful mad. He said he got married in England just a month before he came home to the nicest sweetest girl over there then last week she gave birth to a baby. It belongs to some other man, but the poor soldier cannot do anything it is too late now. SO he will have to dig into the work & support his wife and someone else’s kid. It seems too bad for a soldier certainly deserves an easy time – after they come back if- any one does. Harold could have worked with Henry or Colin this spring & had a far easier time than in the city if he hadn’t been married. Now my dear good hearted brother don’t be vexed with me for I think far too much of you to let you do such a foolish thing without trying to stop it. I suppose you know that Archie is at Niagara we don’t know if we can get him exempt or not yet. I hope so for Mother’s sake. It will go hard with her to loose another boy. And Daddy intends selling out if Archie has to go and the girls will have to get positions. Pauline & Floss will be good for office work or anything but Merelda is not very strong. I don’t think she could stand a steady job. Pauline has been staying with me since I got sick. I just caught cold & it settled in my side & I couldn’t walk but I am getting along fine & I guess Pauline can soon go home for they are milking a lot of cows & Dad needs her to help him since Arch is away. I will close now for you will be tired of reading this. Please write soon. Henry joins in love to you. MerlJun 27, 1918, Seaford, Sussex, England letter to Pauline telling her he is no longer seeing his English girlfriend.“Dear Pauline, I was very glad to receive yours and Arch’s letter last night. It came in very quick time this 16 days was all. No Pauline I have no misses yet. And I will never get one over here. My little Bade happens to be no good. So I had to leave her. I never want to see her any more. Merelda is right about these English girls. She knows em far better than I do. I’ll now waite until I get home. Than you can be the Best one.. get that. p. 3… I had another letter from Merle today. She gave me the deuce about the girl over here. But I think Merelda gave me a good calling down. She certainly done right tho. I see she is quite right about the English girls. They only want a Canuck so they will get a free pass to Canada. But nothing doing here now, just mark it down on the wall. Ask Harold about a Miss Doris Smith in Folkestone she invited me to her place next leave, I get. But don’t think I’ll go. I will go to Witley Au Revoir, Love to all, Bro Earl. My next address is this Sap N.E. Campbell No 779051 2nd C.R.T. C.R.T, Depot Purfleet, Essex England Will send photo later.Jul 11, 1918, France letter to Mereldap.2 You certainly told me right. How every did you know what the English girls were like. I think all the more of you for doing as you did. I will not have a English girl to go back with me. You say there are plenty waiting for me. I wonder who they are, ha-ha.Dec 29, 1918 Belgium, Earl refers to his “girlfriend” in Fontain-Valmont Dear Mother, just a few more lines from this Country again. I guess this will be my last letter from France to you. News is going around that we sail for England 1st Jan. It is good news for this lad allright. I’ll soon be home again. I’ll be home before my Birthday I think. Clarence Bowkey and Frank Locuas, Jack Stubbs went a week ago. Several more of my comrades went also. Old B.Coy is very small now. Well Mother what kind of a time did you all have Xmas. I hope you had a jolly time. I will have my next Xmas with you. We had a fine time her on Xmas. A big table was set out for us. And plenty of goose, mutton, beef, oranges, apples, beer, wine. Oh we had everything that day. Just the two Coys are here in this town. D Coy and B. A and C are 10 or 15 miles from here. The people here are awful good to us. They sure think a great deal of the Canadians. We are the first British troops they have seen in this war. The Germans had this town and all the people in their hands since 1914.I visit one family every night. They are learning me French & Belgium language. At least the only daughter of the family is, ha-ha. I allso learn her English. She is bound to go to Canada after I go back. She looks a great deal like Pauline. I think that is why Yek as she calls me took a fancy to her, ha-ha. Well Mother, I see the Xmas box you sent. A dandy one to, that honey and butter was a fine treat. And Merelda can sure make good ginger snaps and Xmas cake. I am using the blue pencil Floss sent me. The time is close so when Yek will not need a pencil or pen. Well Mother, I must close now. I hope this is my last letter to you & all form this Country. Hope to see you all again very soon. Best love and good wishes to all at home. Bye-Bye Your Loving Son, EarlJan 16, 1919 Letter from Earl’s girlfriend Flore written in FrenchTranslation of letterOne of the puzzling questions was how did this young farmer from King know enough French to correspond with his Belgium girlfriend. The answer appears in this letter as Flore hopes he finds an interpreter to read her letter. Dear Yek,Your departure has caused a large hole in our house. We keep expecting you to come back at any moment. I was so sad when you left. I think often of our last night spent together with my parents. I am now always alone, time passes so slowly and the nights are long. If you could write me often, to distract me from my loneliness.We are in good health, and we hope you are too. If you are England, please send me a souvenir. I hope you find an interpreter to read you what I’ve written you. They send you their love & kisses. Have a good year. Are you still . They send you their love & kisses. Have a good year. Are you still we are in good health, and we hope you are too. If you are in England, please send me a souvenir. I hope you find an interpreter to read you what I’ve written you.They send you their love & kisses. Have a good year. Are you still ??????I turned 17 years old on January 14th. The night during dinner, I said many times like you ???? eat ?????Apr 8, 1919 Earl writes to Merelda and mentions his ‘girlfriend ‘in Belgium.What I think of the English girls is very wee. But I do think a great deal of a little one in Belgium.Jun 8, 1919, Earl’s Belgium girlfriend, Flore writes to him again in French.Translation of letter written by FloreJune 8, 1919Melle Flore Mulquis Steno-Typist150 Reu St. Lambert 150Fontaine Valmont, BelgiqueMy Dear Yek,You must have without doubt received my letter from May 27th I will never stop writing with my lovely fiancé Yek.I do not know Miss Palmyre ‘s because I have never been to Anderlues, so for the moment I can’t send you her address but I will do everything I can to find it for my next letter. I am very happy to learn that you will be returning to Canada on the 20th. Your parents must be very happy.p.2I am also very happy to learn that you will be studying French so that you can talk with me when you return in June 1920. I want to thank you again for the beautiful little souvenir that you sent me. I will keep it safe always and when you return to Fontaine Valmonte you will be able to see it again.The whole family is in good health, except for me, I am a little sick. But do not worry because I am already feeling better. When you depart for Canada, write me to tell me you’re leaving for Canada and when you arrive in Canada, write me again to let me know that you arrived safely, I worry so much.p.3I will finish my letter for now. Mother and Father send you their best wishes. And from me, you get my best kisses.Your fiancée who loves you Flore.Lots of kisses for my fiancé Yek.June 24, 1919, Fontaine Valmont. Another letter from FloreI received your letter from June 21, this morning that gave me a laugh. But what I find funny is that if you’re writing me from England, are you not already starting to write your next letter? Let me know because I am worried.You told me how nice England is, but it is also nice here. If you were here with me, we could have had lots of fun, on long walks.Dad and Mom are in good health, and I hope you are too. I am getting better, and I already see an improvement.I am going to do my photography and I will send it to you right away. Don’t forget to send me yours, because I really want to see you my Dear Yek.Don’t forget to tell me when you write back when you are going to return to Canada. After that I will wait for you in the month of June in 1920, we will have lots of fun.I am finished my letter for now and my Dad and Mom send you their best wishes and I send you lots of kisses. Love your fiancée.Far from the eyesClose to the heartFloreJuly 29, 1919, Letter written from Flore, Earl’s girlfriend from Fontaine – Valmont,Translation of letter written from Earl’s girlfriendJuly 29, 1919Melle Flore Mulquis Steno-Typist150 Reu St. Lambert 150Fontaine Valmont, BelgiqueMy Dear Yek,I am writing you to remind you to not forget to give us your news as soon as you arrive in Canada, tell me if you received the letter I sent you just after you left for England.Father is no longer working at the sugar factory, he has returned now for 8 days since July 22nd.p.2To send time on your next letter tell me what your duties are and explain what it is like in Canada, here it is not nice anymore like when I wrote you in England.The merchandise/goods are still so expensive but hopefully with the war ending, the prices will start to go down little by little.The factories have called back their workers and everything is starting to work.I hope you are in good health and also that your dear family and your parents and everyone else is well. I am continuing to get better.p.3And what are you doing? Do not forget to send me your news, as soon as possible because I am getting very impatient.I will do my photography this week and then I will send them to your right away.I will finish my letter for right now. Father and Mother are sending you their best wishes. And for my dear Yek I send you lots of kisses.Your forever. Your fiancée Flore.I am very happy that the war is finished for certain. Yek will return June 1920. “After for good!”, heyAugust 18, 1919, Letter written from Flore to EarlTranslation of letter from Flore to EarlAugust 18, 1919Fontaine Valmont, BelgiumMy Dear Yek,Finally, with much impatience, I have received your news that explains your good trip. I was happy to read about it as were mother and father.I am now cured and healthy and my parents are healthy too. I hope you are also in good health and the same for your family.I want to do some photography and send some to you but I want to wait until reply to me. Don’t forget to tell me how I look now that I changed my hair because I am now a young woman.I want to thank you for the beautiful flowers that you sent me. They are just like the ones that we have in our garden.You asked me to marry you, yes I want to. Very good for Yek, eh?Tell me in your letter what your mother & father think about having a fiancée in Belgium.Now I will continue to wait for you, until you come to visit in June 1920 and perhaps earlier if it is possible. Time seems to pass very slowly, and it seems like a long time since I’ve seen you. Don’t forget to send me your pictures.Remember to tell your father & mother.Write me back soon. Mother and Father send you their best wishes.Lots of love for you, your love forever.For my dear fiancée. Yek, my xx and my dear.It is not known why Earl and Flore ended their courtship but Earl returned to Canada unmarried. In 1925 he married Hazel Gambrill and lived on W ½ of Lot 8, Con. 4, King Township. Earl and Hazel had five daughters – Clara, Gloria, Gerry, Earlene and Shirley

In the fall of 1917, Earl asks his mother to send him one of the comforts that reminds him of home: his 'dutch-belter black sweater'. His request appears repeatedly in letters beginning in September 1917, and finally, after six months, the coveted sweater arrives in a box on March 9, 1918. The significance of the sweater becomes clear in a letter dated May 13, 1919, where Earl writes: I’ll never forget that foot-ball match I played at Kettleby in July 1916. My Black sweater was like a rag that had been in a river for a year - the very same black sweater he had requested and received.Sep 25, 1917, Belgium letter to Pauline – reference to Mother sending his black sweater. “I wish Mother would send me my sweater the Dutch Belter one. That is if the war keep on for this winter. There won’t be many Fritzies left next spring. Be a good girl and write soon. And tell the rest to. Have not heard from Mother for 6 months, ha,ha. Au Revoir, Bro Earl.Did Merelda get the post card I sent her the one with the five brave soldiers on ha-ha.”Oct 9, 1917 letter to Merelda “Dear Merelda, p.2 … It will be looking like fall in Canada now. The mornings over here are quite chilly and towards night it starts and get cold. It makes me think of the mornings I use to go hunting at home. I will be glad when I get my Black Sweater to wear over here.”Oct 25, 1917, letter to Sister Merelda,p.2 Earl asks again about Mother sending him his Black sweater.Has Mother sent me my dutch-belter sweater yet. And the main thing some doe. (money). I expect to get 10 days leave this winter and I will need it up in Scotland & Ireland where I intend to go. I have not received the box you packed me yet. The one with the jar of honey in. And the gum Alex Walker sent me. I might have it by to-morrow night tho. Merelda, I`ll have to close now the candle spilt allover my pad. And I am talking backwards. So take care of yourself. Hope all are well will write girls soon. Your Bro. Earl`Oct 29, 1917.. once again Earl asks his Mother for his black sweaterHave you sent my black sweater yet. It will be a dandy one for this winter. I missed it last winter for it was very cold over here at times. I guess this war will hang on this winter allright. But I don`t see how the Germans can stand it. Our bombarding is something awful. I would not want to be on the other side of it. Fritzie side.Nov 8, 1917, letter to PaulineHas Mother sent my black sweater yet? I will bring it back with me all right.Feb 8, 1918, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng.p.3 I wrote to Merle a few days ago I will look for a letter from her soon. I find it very lonesome to be without mail from home. I have been so use to getting it so regular in France. When I got back off my 14 days leave. I sure had some mail waiting for me. There were 5 boxes. I sure had a feed for once in France. I wrote to the Coy and told them to send it along to me if they could. But I am not sure if they are allowed to send parcels or boxes. So I guess that sweater Mother sent me will have to wait until I go back again.Mar 9, 1918, Cheltenham, Eng.“Dear Merelda & All, I received your 17 page letter of Jan 15th a few days ago. I should had written you before. You say that I can write awful good letters. Maybe I can. But I can’t beat you writing letters. I am allways glad to get your fat ones. I had a box from Ruth the other day same day as I rec the one Mother sent with the black sweater and streaked socks in. Ruth’s had a jar of chicken preserved in butter. It was jolly fine. The Nurse had some of it. She said she would have to go Canada if the butter was so good as it was” .May 13, 1919, letter from Earl to Merelda from brings the Black sweater full circle. As I’ll never forget that foot-ball match I played at Kettleby in July 1916. My Black sweater was like a rag that had been in a river for a year.

Throughout his letter writing Earl made many references to life in King Township. It was a way of him feeling connected to his family and King including references to Col. Pellatt’s and Walter Rolling.Oct 24, 1916, p.5 “Has Arch finished ploughing yet. It will be busy shining his traps up getting them in good working order. There is a large deer farm about half a mile from Camp, just like the deer Col Pellatt has.Nov 19, 1916 Earl writes from Witley Camp, Surrey, England to his 14 year old sister Floss: “I was glad to hear from you. It is the first letter you wrote to me since I came over. I was just thinking of going over and see how you were. I will keep the Honour Roll you sent me in my picket all the time. I think it is great. I guess you are not laying behind the stove after all. Kinghorn School should be proud for what it has done.”Jan 4, 1917, p. 4 Earl writes: “You must have had a wild time that night of anniversary at Laskay. That Crooks is some guy allright. I wonder who he is after you or Annie. Vic and Ike are a good team for Pauline and Floss. They will soon be as bad as you are for getting fellows. I hear Chubby has bought Al Wells farm. I wonder who he is going to get as a chicken”Jan 14, 1917, p.3 from Somewhere in France Earl ponders on what is happening at home:“I suppose Dad and Arch will be hunting these days. Or are they to busy feeding the cattle. Some of these days I am going to load the rifle and take a walk up the line looking for game.”Apr 13, 1917, p.2 Somewhere in France: “So the Bakers are moving away, by gosh it will be lonesome for me when I get back. I’ll have no place to go at nights, ha-ha. And I am darn sure I will not to near Old Blake’s. I hope that shell shocked old house of Burn’s is there when I get back. I’ll get Jean to help me to make a new one of it. I could love it quite well because I am use to them kind here.”Jun 16, 1917, p.2 “So conscription is in Canada now. Well we need men allright. But I think it will be soon be won, which we are all looking for”.p.3 “Are you real sure that Burns are building a new house.”Jul 2, 1917, Belgium, letter to Mother “I am feeling fine working on the track every day. We are having great weather. Suppose Dad & Arch will be at the haying now. Is it a good crop this year. I wish I was home to help to draw it in. Supose you heard of Harold Boys being wounded in the arm. It is not bad. He is with us here so you see he did not have to go to the Hospital.”Jul 24, 1917, No. 6. C.C. France “ How is Harold getting along. Has he been out home lately. He knows the place well where I was wounded” “How is Dad & Arch getting along with the harvest. How many load of hay had we this year.”Jul 26, 1917, Can. Base, FranceDear Brother, “How are you and Dad getting along harvesting? Are the crops good. Did you have much fall wheat? How are things down around Finch’s way. You have started to take a short cut home from League that way so I hear. I don’t know tho. Did L.Scott chase you away from his place. And I guess Tom Lawson has a fierce dog, eh. When you and Harold get out together I guess you make things fly. The French girls are tre-bon over here. But them Belgies are no bon.”Jul 28, 1917, No.7, Canadian Gen. Hospital, FranceDear Pauline, p.2 “ I wrote Arch the other day. Did he get it. I wonder if he will be ready to go hunting with me when I get back. Supose you will be behind the trip rope again by now. Floss will be watching the hens from going in the barn from up that Black Cherry tree behind the barn. Is Buster very big now, He was only the size of a kitten when I saw him last week. You & Floss better keep away from Aurora when you don’t know how to behave yourselves. News flys through the wind over here.Aug 1, 1917, No.7, Canadian Gen Hospital, FranceDear Mother,How is Harold feeling now. He told me he was going to join Caromga Army or Uncle Sams But I guess he is a wise head now. Arch is the wise one, hope he keeps that way. How is Colin’s little baby. I forget if it is a boy or girl. I must write to him some of these days. I owe Ella a souviner also. Did Merle get hers. I sent a bunch of them home some time ago. And told you to send one on to Merle. Did you get the, one for Merelda, Pauline & Floss & Merle. Has Ruth come home yet. The Sisters here are nearly all from Winnipeg and Brandon.Aug 15, 1917, Canadian Base, FranceDear Arch, you all will be getting lots of mail from me now. I write home quite often I know. Jim Gillis will be cursing I bet. I am still at the Base. There are quite a number of the 2nd C.R.T. here waiting to be sent up the line again. Talk was going around here last night that we were to go into a Infantry draft. But I think it is all Bull. They won’t get this lad into it. Anyway I am not fit couldn’t carry a pack ha-ha. I hear that No. 1 Construction is down where we are. So I will see Old Wallie & Paddy, Sid and them when I get back. It seems like two years since I left them Kelly is still here. He is going up the line next week. He said yesterday whenever I write home again to tell Dad he wish he was back at King playing cards in Armstrong’s Hotel. He is Corp now. But never wears the stripes. He says he has’nt time to put the stripes up. Supose you will be done with the harvest. There are great crops around here. But the heavy rain has ruined al lot of it.p.3 “Carney is in England yet. Best place for him to. Well Arch, how is the Finch family or did Hiram buy you back again.Aug 25, 1917, BelgiumDear Pauline …How are you getting along with the potato bugs. No bon of a job, eh. Floss will be busy with the apples to help you. So she pass the exam allright, well done for her. She must had got down to business this last year. I was’nt there to do her work for her I see. Homework I mean. How is Arch getting along haying does he make hay while the sunshines or does he set down in the shad and smoke while it shines. Dad will be wishing the bees would swarm oftener while it is haying time. We have had it awful windy these last two days. Sometimes the wind will take your steel helmet off. Have you been down to the Exhibition this year: I thot I would be home to go to it this year. But I’ll make it next year anyway. Well Pauline I will close for this time. I wrote to Merelda not long ago. Write soon. With love to all. Your Bro EarlAug 27, 1917, Belgium, B.Coy, 2nd C.R.T. B.E.F written from a dugout.Dear Merelda…. p.2 Have you been to the Exhibition yet? I guess it will not amount to much this year. I wrote to Miss Nelson And also wrote to Harold addressing his to Nelson’s place. I have not written to May yet. I have forgotten her address. I have not heard from her since I ‘ve been sounded. I should write to Bertha Ireland, But by gosh I have so many to write to of more importants. She will have to waite for a day or two. Tell Mother that chewing baccy was jake. Only thing it did not last very long. And that camphor is the stuff to knock them head over heels. I got rid of the brutes while in Hospital. But have plenty now tho. I think I’ll make a desert some of these nights with them, ha-ha. Call it Pork & Beans. I am glad that the King football team is Champions again. I hear Arch is a whirl wind at it now. Guess Susie Kerr learns him a few good pointers at it. Well I will close now. Wishing all the best of healty. Your loving Bro. Earl.”“p.s. What time did you make the 100 yds in . at Walton’s picnic. Did Mother get the Cushion I sent he from the Base.Sep 15, 1917, Letter from Merelda to EarlThis is a letter that Earl received from Merelda – Earl carried this letter with him until he returned home in 1919.Dear Earl, Just a few lines this a.m as Harold has a letter for you. So thought I write some more before he posts his. I rec’d your welcome letter last week dated Aug. 15 am glad you are well & behind the firing line & hope the weather keeps fine. We have had horrid weather here. It has rained every day for two weeks & has been very cold for Sept, but this morning looks as though it may clear up. The trees are beginning to turn their colour & everything looks like Fall . The Ex is over now. It was not so successful an affair this year as the weather was so nasty. I went down after all, did not expect to get, but Merle Hamilton wanted me to go with her - & stay at Rev. Mr. McKenzie’s overnight. So went Friday a.m. missed the train Sat. night so went to Ash’s at 78 Coldman Ave off Danforth you know Pearl Ash they are living in Toronto now. So we had a good time there and Mr. Ash brought us home Sunday pm in his car. Smeltzer’s two boys – the goslings – were there also. Pauline & Floss were down also. They were with Merle –Henry, Hazel & Bud – but they wrote you last week, so guess you will know how they enjoyed it.Arch did not get down this year or Mother or Dad. Pellats party is coming up this week on the 18th So Arch is training for the races there. I’ll bet you know how he makes out next time. If the weather keeps like it is –it will not be very nice. I guess I will write on both sides to make room. Harold & Kate are here now. They intend going to Cleveland for the winter & coming back next spring. Well, Earlie, you wanted some snaps of home will I asked Mary T to come over & take some of us while H & K are here & will send you them. I am sending you one taken the last Sun. Ed. Y was home. I guess you will know all of them. It was taken down by the old bridge below Hamilton’s. That was washed away with the hailstorm last summer, they never built it up again, just have a little bridge farther up the creek. They intend building a cement bridge someday, when they get time. Say Earl, I don’t look quite so old as the picture – ha,haWe sent away 15 boxes last week – Kate & I packed yours. Mother will be sending you one this week & King people will be packing soon the proceeds of Pellat field day goes to the King boys about 80 of them to send to…. I guess you will have heard that C. Williams is wounded – gunshot wound in leg – not serious. He was only in France about two weeks & Sam Armstrong is wounded again, too. The war looks good these days surly old Fritz will soon give up. The Yanks are sure doing some fighting now, eh? The Fritzies can’t stand out against the millions of Yankees much longer. Well Earl, I can’t think of much more to say just now, so will write again this week, when we send the box and will tell you about Field day. Bert Ireland rang up Sat eve to tell us she had a letter from you – was tickled to death & Clara had one also. They wure love to hear from you. Well I am going to wash this morning so I must get at it & Harold is ready to go to King to post this – so take Best care of yourself. With love from all at home – your old Sis. Merelda. Excuse lead pencil his time…Au RevoirSep 22, 1917 letter to MereldaDear Merelda was very glad to hear you again. And glad Mother received her Handkerchief holder. Yes I get all your letters. Yours last night was written the 22nd of Aug. I wrote to May this morning after I got her address from you. I wrote to Harold the other day. I address it to King. Maybe he will be home to get it. How does he like harvesting again. So his back bother him yet. You must had had a awful storm around home would it kill the mangles and turnips. It is a good job the flood took Allan’s bridge away. It will keep you away from Laskay for a while. And to go through Blake’s is to long of away. … p.2 Clara sent me a slip of paper with poor Edith’s wedding in. I did’nt seem to mind it tho. ha-ha.Sep 25, 1917, Belgium letter from Earl to Pauline Mon Cher Pauline received your letter also Flossie’s. I am glad you are getting all the Souviners I send home. That word Lucy Allan uses is a certainly long one. She will feel bad about poor Wallie being killed. Well suppose you had a high old time at Pellatt’s. Did you do any running or are you getting to old to run. That was a very nice guy you had for the best one. McKennin is his name I think. I think I know him I met him 3 (?) years ago. Bill Wellman of my Coy is related to him someway. It is a shame about poor Edith getting married. What will I do now you will have to hunt me up one. The mail call just went so I ran like a son of a gun to see if there were any for me. I was glad to get two. One from May & one from Merelda. Merelda wrote it the 7th of Aug. It had went to the Hospital I was in and then to the Conv. Camp and then to another Hospital and then to the Base then up here to me. It was pretty well marked up. What did she put two cent stamps in it for? I got the slip about me being wounded in it. I get every thing that is sent from home. I will be looking for that box with the jar of Cherries and Berries in. Also the Black chewing gum. I had a letter from Abe Hollingshed last week. He is well He has been buried twice tho. I should write to Floss tonight. But it is getting so dark and late I guess I’ll have to put it off for another time. I wish Mother would send me my sweater the Duch Belter one. That is if the war keep on for this winter. There won’t be many Fritzies left next spring.Oct 2, 1917, BelgiumDear Old Sis, … Suppose Dad & Arch has the wheat in. It will grow pretty good in that field because I did some good ploughing on them hills beside Harm’s fence. I got the slip Pauline sent me Edie’s wedding. Sorry to hear what she has done. But as you say there are two girls of the John Giplin tripe living on their place. Maybe I’ll have a look in with them. So they can sing like nightingales eh. Well they will be nice to be out at nights with. I guess they will be tre-bon girls, tell them the next time you see them that I still love them yet. Did Harold and Arch run at Pellatts the 14th Sept. I am in pretty good shape for running now. Fritizies shell has me trained jake. Suppose you all were down at the Ex. How is Pauline getting along without Floss at home. I hear that both of them have fellows tell them I said they had to cut that kind of work out or I’ll have to look into the matter. Have not received the box with the fruit in it yet. Tell Mother I want some money 10 dollars would do. She can take it out of my payment. Could she get it changed into English money in Toronto or in the Bank at King. It would be far easier for me to get it changed into French money over here if she could. Yes I got the 1 dollar you sent me. I tried to save it, but when I was at the Base I had to part with it. I still have the shin plaster yet tho. All my mail that was sent to me in the Hospital just arrived to me last week, nine letters. All were written in July tho. I wrote to May not long ago, also to Henry. I have not heard from Harold for a long time. Did you get the photo I sent you 5 of us chaps taken together. I will be sening you one of myself alone soon, I sent old Bert Ireland one, just so she would quit jogging my memory about it. Well Merelda I guess I wrote you enough this time, be sure and write soon. And tell the rest to. With love to all at home, Your loving Brother Earl.How does Charlie Williams like working at Blake’s. Do the girls feed him well. Tell him not to fall in love with Bert or Maggie and marry them. They would sure starve the poor fellow. That’s all I am keeping shy of, ha-ha.Oct 9, 1917Dear Merelda. I receive your letter of Sept 13th last night. I only got eleven pretty good eh. I had one from Annie & Clara and they were telling me about the time you & they had at the Exhibition. Clara sent me a bill of Pellatts big day. How did it come off. You all would be wishing it would be a fine day I suppose. Did Dad win the fat man’s race or did he take tossing the caber. I suppose Mother, you & Pauline were in the Ladies tug-of-war team. Floss would win the girls race under 12 years of age. Did Arch and Harold do any running? If Arch would stay in at nights maybe he would win a few races. I hear from Toronto saying that he goes up the sixth quite often. That is the nights he does’nt go to Aurora.p.2 “It will be looking like fall in Canada now. The mornings over here are quite chilly and towards night it starts and get cold. It makes me think of the mornings I use to go hunting at home. I will be glad when I get my Black sweater to war over here. Has Dad his winter cattle yet? It sure pay him to buy from Baker’s. $100 dollars for a old cow is pretty good. Well Merelda I will close for this time. I have quite a few letters to answer. I’ll let you know if I get the cellar of Berries &Cherries. Hope all are well at home with love to all. Bro EarlOct 25, 1917 letter to Sister on p.2 Earl talks about Pellat`s Field DayDear Sister, … So Dad made second in the throwing the caber eh. He must be getting back to his young days again. I guess Elmer Orr is pretty hard to beat in the Sports. Arch did well to get 3rd in the 100 yds. He was up against two good runners. Tell him I said He was`nt to let that Finch beat him tho. What does Arch think of Miss Coonie out at Young St. I suppose she is some nifty eh. Pauline said in her letter that Annie Harman was inquiring about me. Good job I have her to fall back on since Edith left me to the dogs. I had a letter from May Teasdale today. She sent me some snaps of around home. And of herself & Edith. And one of Frank on horseback. He looks tre-bon with khaki on. Has Mother sent me my dutch-belter sweater yet. And the main thing some doe. (money). I expect to get 10 days leave this winter and I will need it up in Scotland & Ireland where I intend to go. I have not received the box you packed me yet. The one with the jar of honey in. And the gum Alex Walker sent me. I might have it by to-morrow night tho. Merelda, I`ll have to close now the candle spilt allover my pad. And I am talking backwards. So take care of yourself. Hope all are well will write girls soon. Your Bro. EarlOct 29, 1917 Belgium letter to MotherMy Dear Mother…I just received a letter from Harold tonight. He was at Brandon When he wrote it. And was then going to Detroit and Chicago. He sent me a dollar which I am glad to get a hold of over her. Have you sent my black sweater yet. It will be a dandy one for this winter. I missed it last winter for it was very cold over here at times. I guess this war will hang on this winter allright. But I don`t see how the Germans can stand it. Our bombarding is something awful. I would not want to be on the other side of it. Fritzie side. Had a letter from Jean Burns the other night. She said Jim & Wib were marked A.1. Poor chaps I wonder if they will ever get over this far. Let us hope not any way. I had a bet with Clarence Bowhey about when this war would end. He bet me last Spring that it would be over by the 1st of Nov. this year. I bet him it would`nt. So you see I have only two more days to wait for my fifty Francs. I was wishing all summer that I would lose it tho. Say Mother did you get them awful photo’s of me. I may look tuff but I feel allright, ha-ha. If I ever get a leave to England I get a good one of myself. I can sure take a dandy picture because I am a nice looking fellow, allways was. Tell Alex Walker that black chewing gum was allright. It is great company while working under shell fire. I think it helps to steady ones nerves. Well Mother, it is near 8 o`clock time I was to sleep. I am writing this in my little dugout in the candle light. It is a fine home allright only room for us two. The only thing it is short of is a chunk of camphor, ha-ha. They nearly drag a fellow out the doorway. John Hacket . I will look for a letter from you soon. I will write the girls soon. Hope all are well at lhome. I am fine with love and good luck to you all. Your loving son Earl.Jan 1, 1918“I guess Henry & Merle will be home now. Did Henry bring any cattle down to Dad. I guess they would be all of the goat breed. I wonder what you all are doing now at home. It is New Years morning over here. I guess it is the same in Canada. How many skins has Arch got? I guess Pauline & Floss get a share out of them.”Apr 1, 1918, C.C.H.Dear Merelda, I received your dandy fat letter of Feb 25th last-night. I am sorry you are laid up with the Grippe. How did you come to get it? Going out to much at night, I guess. I hope it is all over by now. It is a bad time of year in Canada for sickness just now. So much damp weather. I wonder what you all are doing to-day eating eggs I suppose. We here had 1 egg for our breakfast. I bet if I was home I would have you frying them all day long for me. Did Arch and the gang go out sap drinking Easter Sunday. The gang will be two missing this year Sid Williams and myself. I told Mother in my last letter I receive the box from Charlie. I still have remains of it yet. Did Mother get any more letters from Nurse Waring. She was a wonderful fine Nurse. Gosh I was sure sorry when I had to leave that Hospital. Who ever told Colin I was wounded again. I am sure I did’nt tell him. I am sure some of my letters have went astray. Because I sent Pauline a photo of a Jane mine in Toronto dressed in a Nurse’s uniform. Yes Merelda that 6 penny piece I got in the Christmas pudding sure brought me some good luck. Now don’t any of you believe this until you hear for sure that it is the truth.Apr 1, 1918, C.C.H., Monks Horton, KentDear Merelda, p.4 How did the surprise party come off at Richard’s. Arch would make a pull that night I guess. It will help to buy himself a pair of waders to go fishing up to the Lakes. He will be a swell with his new teeth. I know I thot I was when I first had mine in. I had 3 taken out not long ago. Am getting some more in. The hardtack was awful hard on my teeth. The back ones were all cracked and they would certainly give me jip when ackeing. So I decided I would put a stop to em. Has Henry got a farm yet. He will have to hurry up. Skunks will soon be holeing up for the summer. I suppose it will soon be spearing fish time now. Gosh I wish I could only get home in time for that. I bet I would be spearing now. Four eyes are better than two, ha-ha. Has Charlie Williams left for England yet? If he has gone will you let me know his address of what Camp he is at. I will go and see him. Will tell him what to do. I wish Smupe Sinclair not bad luck but I wish he is sent right over to the line. He could be sure of frightened a hundred or two Germans to death. Well Merelda I think I have wrote a big letter this time. I am sending this one without a stamp on, let me know if you received it. Tell Merle I am looking for a letter from her soon. Write soon and tell all to write. Best Wishes and Love to all Your Loving Bro. Earl Sap. E. Campbell No. 779051 Hut 7 C.C.H. Monks Horton, KentI don’t know if I will be at this place long. But I will be here for 3 weeks anyway. My mail follows me right along.Apr 21, 1918, Monk’s Horton, Kent, EnglandDear Pauline, P.4… Has Dad sold his big cattle yet? You shouldn’t squeeze the things out of their backs. They would help to make them weigh heavier. Did you ever get a black eye from doing that. I came very near once, ha-ha. I guess that is how Dad got his blacken this winter. I can’t get on track of the big cow. Boy atall. I wrote to No. 4 General Hospital, Bassingstoke. But have no answer yet. Maybe he is on his way to Old Canada. Well how is Floss and Hazel getting along at school. Floss will sure to spoil Hazel as school You should have had seen the letter she wrote to me about what she does at school when Wab is over at Hollingshead’s getting his cup of tea. She is a real Bob Carney. I guess poor Bob is in France by now. I have found a P.P.C.L.I. lad that knew Aubrey Marshall real well. He was in his Coy. The 14 of Sept at Moque Farm he lost track of Aubrey. This fellows home is in Sutton. He thot a lot of Aubrey. And was surprise when I told him that he was killed the night the P.Pats when overthe top at M.F. He thot that Aubrey had got to Canada. This chap will be sailing for Canada soon. All the first Contingent are getting 3 months leave to Canada. Those that are left are very few. Well Pauline I have wrote you a long letter this time. Your eyes will be sore reading it. So had better close. Hope you are all in the best of Health and I hope to see you all soon. Au Revoir, Loving Bro. EarlMay 30, 1918, letter to Earl from Merelda in King. We are fortunate that Earl kept and returned home with one of the letters written by his sister. In her letter Merelda writes about the young 19 year old boys being drafted and sent overseas to fight. She mentions by name a number of young men who have been drafted under the Military Service Act. She gives us a first-hand account of life in King Twp and Canada during the war. Merelda also voices her opinion on the Government and on Earl’s love life and marrying when he is overseas.My Dear Brother Earl, Your letters to Mother & myself arrived today. We are all very sorry you have to go back to France – but cheer up, dear boy. We will all be praying for your safe return to Canada before long. Everyone things the war will be over soon. There are so many men leaving Canada now, also U.S.A. all men are called up & in A.1 training. They are calling up B. men the 19 year old boys now. The next class is all men from 19- to 45. There is sure awful times in Canada, now. I have never told you before about it Earl. When you were sick, but I had better tell you now. There will be a rebellion in Canada before long if the ??it does not change, terrible hard times here. People can hardly afford to live. Meat & flour is so high & we are only allowed a little of it & sugar you can hardly get at all. Oh everything is gone up so high & they are taking all the men off the farms even. Archie has to go. He went to Niagara to train yesterday. We are going to do everything to get him off. Have a lawyer employed & are doing everything the poor dear boy does not want to go. It seems so hard to see boys who do not want to go be forced to. Dave Robb is in the same fix as Archie his only brother is in France his Mother & two sisters left to work the farm of 100 acres. They are appealing his case too. The Military Service Act exempted the sole remaining son of military age with a brother overseas, disabled or killed. So Archie & Dave stand a good chance of getting off if the Gov’t keep their word, but they are a rotten bunch of liars. Conscription would have been a good thing if they had left it as they promised to before the election, promised to leave one able-bodied man on 100 acres but they are not doing it. I went down with Archie Tues night. We stayed at Harold’s all night & all went with him to the boat. There were a lot of boys from around here going over in A.1 class between the ages of 20 & 23. There were Archie, Pick McQuarry, Jack Orr, Fred Judge, George Miller from Pellats, Bert Snider a Kaake boy, a Woods from Nobleton. The two Hillard boys & a Gunn Boy an Ireland from Kleinburg & Wilson from Teston & two or three hundred I did not know. Those are all ?? f. fellows Ralph Gillies, two Wells boys, Art Bovair & Billie Grey got in the artillery & train at Ax. Camp. B. class have all to report next week. Jim & Lucky Burns have to go in that. Art Gillham & lots more. I will be glad to see a lot of that class go especially those that spouted so much for conscription. Norman McMurchy & Burns, etc. Orrs they never though they would have to go but like to see our nice young boys go. The 19 yr. old boys have to report before the 15 June – Ed Lloyd, Jack Hamilton, Jess Richards, Alfred Gillham, Vick Orr, Ike McQuarry, Harold Cain, Dick Williams & lots more. Ed. Teasdale’s bunch left for Eng. Y yesterday. I had a letter from C. Williams today. He hates Eng. & all English things – also had a letter & photo of Fred Young to Pauline. Fred is a find looking fellow now. I hope he gets back to Canada safely.Now dear Earl. I am going to say something you will not like, but it does not matter. You will Thank me for it later. About that girl, you imagine you are in love with, don’t you believe it. You have got roped in, the same as so many of our Canadian boys do. Harold says he was roped in the same, but got wise to it in time, before he got married to her. Also, Katie’s brother he wrote home telling them off the sweet little girl he was going to marry & first thing he found out she was a married woman & had just wanted his money & succeeded in getting it too. Ask F. Platt what he thinks of the Eng girls, also Harper Wells & lots more – oh yes the Eng. Girls have lively charming ways & are sure looking out for husbands & to get their way paid to Canada, but their ways are not like our ways, they are only laughed at here & looked down on. Harold says they are alright in Eng but no good here & Archie says for you not to bring any Babe over here. The Eng. Girls know there will be nothing for them but old maids after the war is over & are looking out for a soft snap by getting some rich Canadian so they imagine, but Earl, you must think of the future, Canada is on the verge of a rebellion. The returned soldiers can’t get work – living is most terribly high – farmers can’t get help only 16-18 yr. old college boys & girls – imagine what they can do re the farm. Earl if you brought a wife home to Canada you could not keep her- & she could not do farm work - & Earl, if Arch has to go to the war, our farm will be sold. Dad won’t work it himself & can’t so Earl think seriously before you marry a wife. Anyway Earl you are so young to marry, only 23. I guess you feel old. Harold got married young & he is not getting on very well. Katie is working out now in a candy store & Harold is off work half the time, the gas is effecting him more now than it did before. So Earl have all the good times you can with the girls over there, but don’t marry them or bring them to Canada & think of the nice girls here of your own kind who will be able to take care of you, & will have money too & it is a returned soldier they all want. If that girl really & truly loved you – you would not be spending your hard earned money on her – she would give you her money instead, it is her right to pay for things instead of yours.Harold if you brought an old country girl here, she would be looked down on their ways are so different from ours. Mother will send you $5.00 this time & will send more soon. It is all she has in the house at present, & we will send you a box too, but Earl be sure & spend your money on yourself. Now Earl I hope you are not angry with me for this, but think twice before you do such a thing as get married. We shall be worrying over you until you ans. This & hoping it is not too late. Harold promised me to write you & tell you not to have any old country girl. You are too good for them. Of course you are your own boss but you can imagine what Daddie says about it. I am afraid to tell you & poor Mother is awfully worried about it. It was noised around that Lorne was married to an Eng. Girl, but is not true – it sure ws the talk of the country. Uncle Aaron was awful mad about it. I am so glad it wan’t true. Well dear boy, you will think I am an awful crank, but perhaps some day you will think all the more of me for it. It is for your own self I am thinking. If the girl was an heiress it would be different but quite likely she is a poor working girl, looking out for someone to keep her. After the war it will be hard for anybody to make a living, every body is being ruined by this awful war. Canada is altogether different from what it was when you went away & will be worse soon. There will be a rebellion before another year if you could only see the newspapers, but the Gov’t will not allow us to send newspapers to Eng. So the post masters tell us. If my letter was read, I guess I would land in jail for calling the gov’t rotten, but it’s true, Canada is going like Russia went in govt. The poor class are being kept down & the rich men can get their sons out of the army some way or other, but the poor fellows have to go. This country will run by Jews & other foreigners soon. They are not conscripted. Now dear boy, I have said enough perhaps too much. Now ans. Soon we shall be praying & thinking of you all the time & hoping the letter is not to late. Best love & wishes from your loving sisterMay 31, 1918, letter from Earl’s sister Merle voicing her opinion on Earl’s upcoming marriage and the conditions at home.My Dearest Bro, I have been thinking so much about you lately that I just have to write to you. I have been sick in bed for three days so am pretty shaky yet, but hope you can read this letter. I just heard yesterday that you were thinking about getting married, but my dear brother don’t you do it for married life is hard- even if you do get the best girl in the old country she is not good enough for you. You were always such a good hearted kid besides if you come home single we can all help you along for a year or so you know if you are crippled you would have lots of homes to come to and welcome but if you had a wife it would be different then after you are back for a while and get good & strong then take some good Canadian girl. I have lived among so many English, Irish & Scotch girls in the West and there is not one as good as a Canadian. Now my dear brother take your big sisters advise and don’t get tied up. Look at Harold he is worried to death trying to make enough to pay for two rooms, if he wasn’t married he could often be at home for a rest but you know Daddy never did like strangers around long. We have always tried to pay for our board in some way when we are there. It is for you own good I am telling you all this for times are so hard in Canada now we haven’t made a cent since the war started and you know Henry always was a good rustler. Of course we have had so much expense, doctor bill, moving and everything costs so much to live. Just think we are paying 50 cts a lb for butter, 50 cts a dozen for eggs and 2 dollars for a piece of beef that lasts about too days and they will not sell anyone living within a mile from the store any more than 25 cts worth of sugar that is just four cups full. Just yesterday Henry was in Toronto to the Dr. and he was talking to a returned soldier & he was awful mad. He said he got married in England just a month before he came home to the nicest sweetest girl over there then last week she gave birth to a baby. It belongs to some other man, but the poor soldier cannot do anything it is too late now. SO he will have to dig into the work & support his wife and someone else’s kid. It seems too bad for a soldier certainly deserves an easy time – after they come back if- any one does. Harold could have worked with Henry or Colin this spring & had a far easier time than in the city if he hadn’t been married. Now my dear good hearted brother don’t be vexed with me for I think far too much of you to let you do such a foolish thing without trying to stop it. I suppose you know that Archie is at Niagara we don’t know if we can get him exempt or not yet. I hope so for Mother’s sake. It will go hard with her to loose another boy. And Daddy intends selling out if Archie has to go and the girls will have to get positions. Pauline & Floss will be good for office work or anything but Merelda is not very strong. I don’t think she could stand a steady job. Pauline has been staying with me since I got sick. I just caught cold & it settled in my side & I couldn’t walk but I am getting along fine & I guess Pauline can soon go home for they are milking a lot of cows & Dad needs her to help him since Arch is away. I will close now for you will be tired of reading this. Please write soon. Henry joins in love to you. MerlJul 1, 1918, Letter from Earl’s mother Dear Son Earl, I was so glad to get your letter and the card you sent to Arch and Pauline. I got the mail out of the box today and I opened the letter so I though I would answer for them this afternoon. I am all alone today except for Buster and 4 horses and fifteen pigs and seven cattle and about sixty hens and chickens and three geese and twenty goslings. The rest of the family are gone to Aurora to the Sports. I don’t thin they will have a very good time as it is very windy and cold today, rain this morning. Well Earl I hope you are well. Harold is home with is wife a few days. Harold does not look very well to me. But he says he feels well, I think if you were at home Harold would soon be all right. Harold tell sme to tell you that you better stick to your old Company. He says the Highlanders are very dangerous, they are rough lot of men. They get the roughest to do. Can’t you get some office work if they can’t let you come home. I wrote to you about two weeks ago and sent five dollars to you I will send you another five soon as I can get it posted. They tell Harold wrote a letter for you yesterday and sent you a snap shot picture of him selft and Kate with his uniform on they are both laughing. Dad and Arch started the hay last Thursday, hay is not very good this year – the other crop looks not to bad. Well Earl you will no before this that conscription is trying to talk our last boy away from us, but we have appealed his cases to the Head Commanding Officer. He says we have a sure case if any one has. Se we are doing all we can to keep Arch at home. Arch don’t want to go he nows Dad can’t get along without him and Harold is not able yet to do all the work you see. Dad will be sixty three. Now my Dear boy you must take the best of care of your self. I hope you will soon get home to take care of me. I will help you all I can. I am thinking times are going to be tough until our boy soldiers get home. If thye take many more away that is if they take many more of the farmers, the people are going to try to get the eimigrants out of the country and keep our Canadians tht is the famers. Well Earl Dearest I will have to stop as it is near milking time and I am alone to-day. SO you write me often you can write nicer then I can. So good by from your Mother.Take care of your self, by, by LoveJul 2, 1918, letter to Merelda from Earl – p. 1 is missing p.3 “Did you capture the den of foxes yet. Floss said she was watching the youing ones one day. She had better watch the young gosslings. No wonder the game is getting plentiful, the best hunter has left the Country. But he will be home again. D.1 is what I am, that is as good as A.2 in Canada”.Jul 7, 1918 letter from Merle to Earl p.3 “Daddy has quite a lot of his hay cut & in. Henry hasn’t started at his yet we haven’t very much & it will be a long time before the harvest will be ready. He has been making fence & having the root patch. Today he went to Kleinburg and bought eight hens. Road-Island Reds. Walter said they are just like old yellow skin. I hope they lay well for eggs are 40 cts. a dozen. The center-piece you are sending to Ella will sure be worth having. I am going up to see it if she tells me when it comes. It will certainly be a great souiveneir.I don’t think any of your letters written in England have been censored. Are ours censored when you get them? I guess I will close now for I done a big washing & the bed looks tempting so will write more next time. Hope you are real well & will not have to go back to the Front. From your loving Sis, Merle”Jul 8, 1918, King from Hazel age 9 years of age is the daughter of Earl’s sister Merle.Dear Uncle Earl, I received the hankerchief and the letter. Thanks ever so much it is a beauty. You must have known when my birth was. My holldays have started now. And I passed with honner into the Sr. II. My theacher is leaving. So will have a new teacher. The 1st of July we went to Aurora and I ran 2 races but did not win. I ran in the boat race and came in third but there was just 1st and 2nd prize…. And came in first and got 75 cents. We were picking blackcurrents today when I go back to school I will have a new room. For they are tareing down my room. When we go over to gramma’s they want me to stay and I was over and stayed 3 days. Marshal and I are going over to gramma’s some day soon. Marshall and Ruth were down Friday. It is getting late so will close. Write soon as you can. By Hazel Hambly, King, Ont.Aug 19, 1918, King letter from Mary L. to EarlDear Earl, Received your letter and was very glad to hear from you . I was sorry to hear you went back to France. I was down to your place last Friday (16th) for my music lesson. Pauline was helping with the harvest. She was a good farmerette. She had the overalls on anyway. It is wary day here, but not as warm as we have had. We are drawing in today. We will be through soon. The farmers around here have started threshing and that stops the harvest. It won’t be long until exhibition time. I think I am going down for a day. I was glad when holidays came. I was down in the city for two weeks. You should not make fun of our school photos. Flossies and mine are the best of the rest ha-ha. I will get a snap taken of myself sometime and send it to you. There has been a great many of the boys called up. Most of them has until November. Two boys up the sixth has to go the first of September. I never saw Charlie Williams in his uniform. Did you see Ed Teasdale over in England. Well I think I will have to close for now. Yours truly Mary L.Aug 25, 1918 postcard sent to Earl from his brother HaroldAug 28, 1918, King letter to Earl from his half brother Colin. Martha (McMurchy) Campbell was the mother of both Earl and Colin. Colin’s father was Alexander who died in 1882. Martha then married his brother Jerome, who was Earl’s father.Dear Earl, Your letter dated July 12 from France arrived here in good time, and we were glad to hear that you were well. And I suppose by this time you will be dodging shells of all description. Although by the papers the German gunners are getting shaky, we are glad. Can’t say how glad to see the Allies are winning now. First the Americans trounced them, then the French, now the British are hitting them heard. And the Canadians: Biff: The news today is that they have broken the first line of the old and famous Hindenburg line. Well I hope they keep them on the run till they reach the Rhine. When we could “Wind up the watch on the Rhine”, etc. I would’nt imagine your work would quite so dangerous in an advance as it would be in a retreat. But then there is no telling I suppose. Well we have finished the harvest but among the first to do so there is large quantities of grain out yet. The threshers are all busy. Henry H. threshes tomorrow if its fine. He and I changed work this summer got along fine. Of course you know Henry and Merle live in King City now and has bought the Nightingale place as well so his ranch as he calls it adjoins ours on the south, he keep the black polled Angus cattle. I suppose you will know that Arch has been granted extension of leave until the 1st of Nov and a good number of others as well, so after all their howling the farmers have got off mighty easy I think. There isn’t a bunch of men in Canada that can make as big a holler, over a small thing as a bunch of farmers can. I am just as glad as anyone that Arch has practically been released and the other fellows as well as Arch, but it’s the darned narrow, selfish spirit that so many have shown. I don’t mean Arch is that, so many of the boys in the class called out, but it’s the older men owners of farms and employers of help. These are the men that I call narrow & selfish. They are afraid they won’t have the chance to make such big money if they loose some of their help of course they say they are producers. Yes for the money there is in it for them. Then there are others that are endeavouring to make political capital out of it. Calling down the Government for forcing men to fight, finding fault with the conscription of food & daylight saving: complaining about the way returned soldiers are treated, etc. I think men that talk and act like that in a time like this, are anything but Patriotic. Well Earl I hope you still pull through, the men that are overseas are keeping the name of Canada bright whether the ones at home do or not. And it may be that the war will not last many months longer. Of course (It’s a long, long way to Berlin) yet I think the Hun will cave in before we reach Berlin. Ella is writing some. So I will close. Wishing you the best of luck and safe return home. I am … Bro. ColinAug 28, 1918, King letter to Earl from Ella.Ella writes of the drowning in King of Gilpin boy and also mentions the death of Neil McMurchy.Dear Earl, I am sorry I have been so long in letting you know I got that lovely centerpiece you sent over. It certainly was good of you to work it for sure, I know from looking at it that it must have taken a lot of patience and time to complete it so perfectly, we have it on our parlour table and it looks very pretty; I suppose you do not get time for any such work now, nor would you have the material to work with. I don’t get time either for fancy work now either, although I am very fond of it, I was out picking berries early very day for two weeks, of course just a part of each day. I preserved 35 qts of berries besides what we used on the table with was three times a day often, and in pies; so that wasn’t so bad was it for being alone and having a baby to take care of. Of course she plays out of doors a lot with the other two, they were greatly dissppointed this morn they were to go to your Mother’s today with Hazel and so went to bed early to have a good rest ready for the walk, and Henry rang up after they were asleep and said they would be threshing so they could not go, but anyway it is wet and so they are not threshing and the children are better at home. I guess Baker’s lived up the 6th when you went away, didn’t they? There is another family there now Gilpins is their name, and a couple of weeks ago one of their boys a lad 16 years old went to Boys lake on Sunday to have a swim, he and the ?? boy of McCallums, and somehow, no one knows what happened, but the Gilpin boy was drowned, the other lad was so frightened he went all the way home before telling anyone to try to get him out. Also Neil McMurchy who has been sick so long, is dead. He is to be buried tomorrow. Well I guess Colin has told you all the other news, and this letter willlikely be pretty full so I’ll close. Yours with love, EllaSept 2, 1918, King letter from Merelda to Earl. Merelda mentions Jimmy Gilpin drowning at Boys Lake and Neil McMurchy dying.Dearest Bro Earl Again I sit down to write to you. We have had no word from you for two weeks but perhaps it will come tomorrow. The Br. Mail has been very unregularly lately for some reason or other. The girls wrote you last week. I was over at Merle’s helping with the threshing & then Harold was home all week, so I did not a letter to you last week, but will make up for it this time. There has been lots doing this last week. Exhibition is on again none of us have been down yet too busy to go. Dad & Arch have been seeding. Sowing wheat in the field by Walkers. Scotts were threshing today. So Arch was there nearly everybody is through harvesting now. Only Burn’s & ?? Archie & Harvey Folliott. He has no man now. He had two different fellows this summer but both left him did not get enough to eat. Ha-ha. Also had to work too long of hours. Harold was home all last week but Kate was up at her home. Her Mother is very sick so Kate could not leave her. So Harold went up there on Friday. So you see he can’t stay away from her a week, ha-ha. They will both be here again the last of the week. Jim want’s Harold to go to Cleveland for the winter. He said he could get him a good job in a store if he would go. So I guess they will go for a while. They are going to send all their furniture out to their house at King & will likely come back in the Spring, but Harold had not decided to go to Cleveland yet. I wish he would stay in King. I think I told you in another letter that Arch got off until 1st Oct but expect he will get off for good because Dave Robb did. There will be lots have to go by 1st Oct. All the old the A.1 over 23 yrs. also B men. J & W Burns, N. MacMurachy, Jack Murray, Stanley Watson & Cain, Ab Kerr, Elmer Bryson, & lots more. Art Bovair is in Eng. Now. He & Henry met there somewhere. I guess the girls told you about the sad accident at Boys Lake last Sun. About Jimmy Gilpin being drowned there. There was no one with him but Roy McCallum (dummy). He was in the water two hours before they found him & then there was a boy drowned at Wilcox lake about a month ago. Jones from the 3rd, 18 years old. J. Gilpin was only 16 years but big for his age. Neil McMurchy died last week. He was suffering a long time with a cancer and old Betty McCallum at Kinghorn died last night. She is 93 yrs -& has been sick all summer. Now I have been telling you all about funerals – so will change the subject to weddings. You can’t guess who so I’ll tell you - & I don’t take a fit about it. Old Kate Ross & a Mr. Port of Toronto. Her first cousin & older than herself & she is 49 years some Bridal couple, eh? Also Mr. Herb Ross & Mary Chamberlain of Nobleton – not quite so old, eh. Hopes for me yet, eh? Ha-ha. When K.R. care get a man surly I can don’t you think so. Pauline & I went up to Newmarket with Willis last Sat. night. We sent to see the ??? at the ?? House there. We sure had some time too. They are good old sports, ha-ha, but brave old warriors. We are going to have Field Day on the 18 Sept. at Pellats & expect a big time. The sports start at 11.30 and there is to be a supper, concert & dance admission to all $1.25 it will break me alright. I’ll send you a Bill as soon as they are printed. The Queens Own Band has to supply the music. Col. Pellat is getting home on furlough & they expect him there. Old Sir Henry is helping this year so expect it will be a success. There is to be all kinds of sports, football, baseball, racing, throwing the caber, climbing the greasy pole & etc. Dad is practicing throwing the caber & Arch is training for the races. He is going in the mile race against E. Orr, D.McMillan, ?? cousins. Bill Trent & Finch. He would have beat Dan at Aurora on the 1st of July if there had been fair play. There is to be a relay race too. Arch, Cuttie & Trent against E. Orr, Dan & Vic. Orr. It will be some race alright. I wish you could be there to beat them all, eh? The proceeds all go to the King boys. We will have a time packing boxes then. There was 78 boxes sent last year after Pellats field day and this year there are more boys to pack for because they send to all that’s gone from King community. We had a League social at Laskay last Thurs. We made $23.00 are going to pack boxes next Tues so you’ll get another one. I am Presd of the Social Com now so I’ll see that there’s lot of boxes sent, ha-ha. I wonder if you got our last box with a suit of underwear in it and did you get the $20.00 yet. It was sent from the Bank a quicker way of sending registered. I guess I’ll write on both sides so the letter will not be overweight. I was down to Maple Sunday night with Uncle Fred’s. We went to Keys I expect to go up to Downie’s next Sun with Dew’s. Lillie Patton is teaching up there at Castlederg now. Barbara McCallum has got New Scotland school. Miss Clark from Uxbridge is at Strange and Mrs. Waterdown has the little room at King. Her husband is at the Front. Ethel Brown has the big room again and Miss Logan is down the sixth. You know school starts tomorrow. It will seem queer for us not to have anyone going to school Floss can’t go to Kinghorn anymore. She passed her public school graduation so I don’t know if Mother & Dad will let her go to Business College or what. They say perhaps she & Pauline can both go for a three month course after Christmas same as Clara Ross did. Clara is working in the city now. She has a good job. Mary Sturdy is still in Bank at King. And intends going back University in Oct. She will be trying for her B.A. there. You know she got sick studying so hard & had to stay home over a year. Dear sweet little Aggie Allen the hat maker has gone to St. Catherine’s for the Fall session. The rest of the girls are still around. There is quite a bunch when they are all counted up. All old maids to. I guess Kate & Jean Burns, Annie S., Ruley (?) Holt, Susie Finch & Maizies & we three gawks. Merle & Dollie & Lucy, Gertie, Mary T & Mary & Marjory, Mae, Rita & Ava. Jean Patton, Bert Patton is home now too. All the Strange bunch. Also a big bunch at King Rena Lloyd & Maud are both home now & Lorna & Leddie C. Josie & Blanch & Gladys Egan, Annie Bates is back again & Jean & Edith McDonald & Irene. Mary Curtis& Ralph Burns are to be married soon & oh there are the Watsons girls left too Minnie & Eva & Floss Cain another old maild. Her hubby got married to another girl that’s worse than being killed at the war, isn’t it. Arch & Roberta had a fight. He goes up to Aurora again & when he doesn’t go there he goes to Simmons up the hill at Laskay he get his old boots mended free. Doris Merchant is around again she is an awful pretty girl just looks like Wallace. But is going back to Toronto to work was only home for a month. Mary Lawson was here for her music lesson & she said she had a letter from you & was tickled half to death over it. She answered it, and was looking for another one, so be sure & write to her if you get time. Oh, say Earl I went up to the see that centerpiece you made for Ella. Say, it is just great, however could you make it so good. You’ll have to learn me when you come home and wherever did you get the sea-shells. Ella is awful pleased about you sending those things to her. She would’nt take anything for that centerpiece. I wouldn’t either if it was mine to think who it was that made it. Did the nurse’s learn you how to make it when you were in the hospital. Tues. morn. Well Earl, I did not get your letter finished last night, so I’ll finish it now. I must have it off with the mail today. It is raining this morning the men will not be able to so today. Old Betty’s funeral is today to King Cemetery. I guess we will be going, Mother & Dad anyway. That will be three funerals in King cemetery in a week. (Jimmy Gilpin, Neil McMurachy, & Betty). Old Jim Ferguson looks after the graves now. He will be busy. He will be making lots of money. Will be able to marry again. That will be another classy wedding. He & Annie Glass that’s right …ha-ha. The young girls can’t get married until after the war, so lots of chances for the old ones, ha-ha. Flo McCallum is still single. I guess she’ll be next. Well Earl, you’ll think I am crazy for sure, but I want to fill up the 14 pages & have told you all the news’s, so have to write nonsense. Have you had your leave to cities in France yet is so where did you go & I hope you had a good time. Also hope you get the $20.00 in time to enjoy it. I guess the weather will be cold over there now, is it? I am glad you are working on the wide gauge back of the lines. I see you have a new censorer & I guess he reads every word. I wish he could read my letters to you. I bet he would be sorry, ha-ha. Now ole boy I must close – so write soon & take best care of yourself. Love from all at home. Your old sis Merelda.Sep 30, 1918, King Letter from Pauline to EarlDear Brother, Thought I had better get to work and write a few lines to you or you saying I never write to you. How do you like spiking on the rail track. I am a pretty good hand at that for I had all the chicken coops and hen-houses to fix and make warm for winter. I have fifty-three chickens this year. And mind you ma found a hen setting yesterday on nine eggs. So we will have chickens in the winter time, what do you know about that.We are through with our grain thrashing and had a good turn out. We had pretty nearly 60 bags of goose-wheat off five acres of land. Do you call that good? We had a days of trashing. Harry Ireland thrashed for us. He has Billy Hams other machine. But we will have a days thrashing of Alsax of red clover. I just got through raking up the clover to-day. When I was raking Dad calking up and Arch ploughing. We saw a returned soldier coming toward us. He was lame and wanted to sell a magazine. Well he went to Dad and he never knew him till he got pretty close and then he came across to see if I would buy one and I never knew him till he spoke. And Arch never knew him either. Guess who it was? Floss dressed in Harolds returned clothes. She sure did look like a little boy about sixteen. We are going to get some pictures taken of a returned soldier and a conductor taken to-gether and we will send you one and see if you know who they are. Well the picnic at Sir. Henry’s is over. There was a big crowd there. King got up a team of football with Hope and King men and they played Green River but got beat three to one. King beat Pellets 3-0. They would have beat only Dan McMillen & Elmer Orr would not play good as they were saving themselves for the races which of course they got. Arch did not go in the races as he got kicked playing football. There was a mile race and Elmer Orr & Lev & Frank Cull went in that & Dan McMillen too I think. Lev got second anyway. I got first & Floss got second in the Ladies race free for all. There was about a dozen went in it. And Floss & I was eating our supper I think, when the rest got to the handkerchief. Aint I some blow, ha-ha. I got three dollars & Floss got two dollars. We haven’t spent it yet. We will save it for Xmas I guess. Harold & Kate has gone to Cleavland to May’s for the winter. Jim told Harold he could get him a job for the winter and they could live with them free. We had 3 cats, two old cats- Rory O’Flinn & Tinker Tory and a little yellow kitten, Lony, and Dad took Rory away to King for it was eating rabbits ( the usual cats food) and in a week back comes Rory. We were bound it wouldn’t go away again. But there is more little rabbits and its was eating them so Dad took it off to-day in the buggy. And if it comes home again it can stay for goo. For not many cats are so wise as Rory O’Flinn. There are about fifty pigeons yet. But they had to make near all their own nests as Earl wasn’t here to do it for them. But he will be hear next yea, if all is well won’t you old boy. Well I think this is a great big letter for me have written so will ring off for this time. Hoping you are in the best of health and enjoying life. Love from all at home and write soon to your loving Sister Paul.Annie Harman is a very nice girl.

Sept 30, 1918, King Letter to Earl from Merelda. In her letter Merelda mentions C. Williams, Bert Kelly & Sam Armstrong being wounded. She also mentions Carlton Crossley being in Egypt. Carlton’s son Allen ended up marrying Earl’s daughter Shirley. Merelda also mentions in her letter about the Government restricting Sunday driving to going to church or the Drs. “But the govt has stopped Sunday car-driving in order to save gasoline. That is one good thing they have done, because it’s only the people who have no one at the Front who have cars & nearly every Sunday they would be off joy riding some place or other. So I am glad the govt has done that much good. They can go to church in their car or for the Dr., but no joy riding”. Merelda also records the price of eggs, sugar and flour. She mentions as well that Susie & Fred Willis adopted a young boy, age 9 and girl from Alberta. Their Mother had died several years ago and the Father was recently killed at the Front.My Dear Brother Again I write a few lines to you hoping it finds you as well as it leaves us. Pauline & Floss are writing you tonight also so guess you’ll get lots of news this time. Dad is out robbing the bees tonight. Mother is sewing & Arch is in bed & we girls are writing to you. Harold & Kate left last Thurs for Cleveland so it is very lonely at home now. They intend staying there until Spring, although Harold has to come back on the 13 Dec for another board & to get his pension also. So will be home for Xmas, but guess Katie will stay there until Spring as it costs so much for both to come & then they have a lot of bother crossing the line now in war time. No one but returned soldiers can go to U.S. now unless it is to enlist in the American Army. Jim had to register last month expect he will be called up any time for the next draft from the States. They take married men & single alike over there. I sincerely hope he does not have to go or May’s & the kiddies ?? as well as his own. Well Earl you will be glad to hear that Arch has got off until further called for. But he has to report at Toronto every four months. 1st Jan, April, Aug unless he is called up again. So that is great relief to us. He & Dave Robb got the same. There will be a great many shaking in their boots on Nov. 1st. Nearly all the fellows left around have to report then. I guess you will have heard that Charlie Williams is wounded & back in Eng. He was only in trenches about a week. His leg is broken. I do not know what hospital he is in yet, but will get his address from his home & write to him. Bert Kelly & Sam Armstrong were both wounded again & back in Blighty. Carlton Crossley is in Egypt in the (sea-plane) whatever you call it & Gamie is still in Eng on sick leave. Lorne & McKittrick are still training in Eng. I seen a picture of them taken together in France last week at Uncle Aarons. But I guess you hear more of the boys over there than we do . So I’ll tell you what goes on at home instead. Well, yesterday was Rally Day at S.S. all the S.S. scholars took part in the service. The church was decorated with Flags & leaves & flowers. It looked real nice. All the girls were in white with wreaths of leaves & flowers on their heads, they sang & recited little pieces. Next Sun. in the Presb. Anniversary in Laskay they are getting Aurora choir or else the orchestra to give the music & a Mr. McDonald of Toronto to preach. I guess there will be a crowd as everybody to church now as there is nothing else to go to. But the govt has stopped Sunday car-driving in order to save gasoline. That is one good thing they have done, because its only the people who have no one at the Front who have cars & nearly every Sunday they would be off joy riding some place or other. So I am glad the govt has done that much good. They can go to church in their car or for the Dr., but no joy riding. Well there were two weddings last week. Herb Ross & Mary Chamberlain and Kate Ross & Mr. Park of Toronto, her cousin. Some youthful brides and grooms, eh! Geroge Williams is married. I think I told you before though. Well he is going to work Aunt Barbara’s farm next year. What do you think of that, he is going on the farm to keep out of the army is wife is a city girl so you can imagine how they will get along farming. Poor George. I wish him all good luck. Harry & his wife are both working in munitions in Toronto. Old Mrs. Ferm of King was buried yesterday & old Mr. Wells (Mrs Neil McMurachy’s father) was buried on Sat. quite a number of the old people have died this summer. Mrs. Harvey Folliott has a young son. They call it Bruce Henry. Susie & Fred Willis have adopted a boy, he is nine years old & looks quite a bit like Norman. He is from Alberta, his Mother died a long time ago & his father was killed at the Front. There is a little girl too. They are going to take her also. Bolton Fair is today & tomorrow, Woodbridge is on the 12 & 14 of Oct., Thanksgiving Day again. Schomberg is the last of Oct & Newmarket is over it was last Wed, Thur & Fri. It was awful weather for it rained on Wed , snowed Thur & was cold & windy Fri. All Sept has been very cold & wet hope it is warmer in Oct. The ploughing match is 31st Oct down the fifth at Weldricks. I guess we will go there, ha-ha. Paul & Floss will be crazy to go anyway. You know young Ellesworth is ??? them. He got out of the army for a while, was put in C. Category . So you can give them dig about it. Don’t tell I told you,ha-ha. Well Earlie we got the threshing done last week, the grain turned out good, but we have the alsae to thresh yet. Had a good crop of it this year. It is worth $14.00 bu. Now. Daddie was teaming out wheat last week. He got $2.05 bu for it that is govt price. The govt set a price on everything now & just allows us so much flour & sugar & meat. Of course we can eat all the vegetables we like, but we can only buy 25 cts worth of sugar a week & have to use corn and barley flour with the white. Eggs are 50 cts a doz. & butter .48 a lb. It must be hard for city people to live, but I don’t care if we have to live on bear-meat if it helps to get the war over & as long as you boys at the Front are getting fed. We cleared over $60.00 at Pellats Field Day. So that is to send boxes to you boys. I don’t know when they are going to pack. I hope its soon though. I think I told you in my last letter about the time we had up there. Say Earl did you get the $20.00 yet? & have had your leave yet. Hope you get the money o.k. It was a Bank Order, so ought to have went safe & in time for you to have a good time out of it. You have nearly $600.00 in Bank now, so can have a good time when you get home, eh! Well dear boy, I can’t think of anything more tonight. Only wish you the Best of luck & a safe & speedy return to us. With lots of love & good wishes from all at home. Am sorry no snaps yet. Your loving sister, Au Revoir MereldaOct 1, 1918, King Merelda continues here letter dated Sept 30, 1918.Dear Earl, Just a few lines more this a.m. to say we are sending a box consisting of socks, honey, eats & smoks. Hope you get it o.k. Hope the little pies are not mouldy, be sure & tell me if they keep alright. If they do I’ll send more. The handkerchief is from Harold it was one of his & the pies are made of his raisins, he gave them to us for you. Daddie has gone over to help Uncle Fred with the corn today. Arch is ploughing the field between us & Ireland north of the lane. The rest of us are packing your box. Aunt Barbara was up on Sun she would like you to write to her if you get time. She is going to knit a pair of mitts for you. Well I guess this is all for this time. So Au Revoir, Love from All, Yours, MereldaOct 31, 1918, King from FlossieDear old brother, I must write you another letter or you will be sticking one of those spikes into me that you hammer into the track. Well it will soon be time to start picking roots. It is some awful job. But if we work good we get new coats. Harold and Kate has gone to Cleveland to live there for the winter. Their furniture is packed in the old part upstairs. Kate sure is some chicken, her brother Jack who is in England says he intends bring back a wife from England she will be some wife won’t she. Leslie Sturdy’s wife is in New York now. She hasn’t come to King yet. Arch has got off till he is called for but he has to report January, April, every four months. We will get same snaps taken and mind now don’t get scared. I will put one in of the house. I got a great joke on Paul, Dad & Arch to day I dressed in Harold’s uniform and they didn’t know who I was. So old Bob Carney is wounded. I wonder is he the same as when he went to school. Mike Annings is working at Long Archie’s now. We had a big day at Sir Henry’s I got a knock down to all your old girls up there. Bertha Mount, Annie Harmon and two or three Miss Terrys. Blanch Robb told Annie Harmon I was Earl’s sister and then she was very very glad to meet me. She is some chick. We got home at half-past two in the morning, so you know there was a concert and a dance. We all was there and Buster had to keep house. I have not much more news to tell. I guess Paul has told you all . I have stopped going to school at last don’t you think it is time. I am ready to go to college now. If you were home we would both go together, eh! I guess my brain is exhausted for this time, but I will try and gather sufficient for next time. You haven’t wrote to me for a long time so I will be looking forward for a good old bouncer. I will close now with the best of love from your old sister, FlorenceWrite and let us know if the candy was hot. Annie said she knew Paul by seeing you. She ask all questions about you.ArmisticeDec 3, 1918, R.R. No. 1 King letter to Earl from Annie Sturdy. Mentions Hazel not sure who Earl married.Dear Earl: I received your letter of Nov. 5 a few days ago. It was written just about a wk before the armistice was signed. My that is surely the greatest news the world has ever had. You seemed to know you had your job nearly finished too, eh? Well, we didn’t here. I bet you would hardly be able to control yourself. By the way how did you sleep when the noise had ceased? We have just heard Harry Bovair is expected home anyday now. I wonder if he’d rather be here or over there ‘now’. They say that hear and Art met in Eng. Art was drafter you know. We are getting quite a lot of snow to-night. At least we were, the last time I looked out, haha, & I’ve been thinking it looks pretty good for sleighing to-morrow. Hurray! We had our first storm last Saturday night & it surely did blow. You say you know I like cold weather My! I though how I do like it. Clara stayed here all night & she could see the window panes coming through the chimney getting afire, etc, before she went to sleep. By the way, Clara has gone back to work this wk. She has had some holiday. The Flu is taking another visit around here. It is think on the 7th, nearly all the Flannigans having it, & 11 Jews all having in one house & quite a few others. And I’m sorry your once friend?? Jessie has just gotten better of it. Poor little girl, eh? It is really a terrible thing & killing a lot of people. Did you know Nellie Merchant’s husband? I guess you would He has died of it. I wonder what Nellie will do now. I think her people have sent for her to come home. You know they lived in the West. I have not seen Merelda for a long time. I am getting lonesome to see her. There! I should not say that when I live so close to her, should I? Well, we have not gotten Marjorie married yet. I am sure I don’t know when it will be, but I hope it is not till you get home for I’m sure you’d like to chivaree her, wouldn’t you? I would. O my, & I nearly forgot some very important news. Push has got an automobile. He has had it nearly 2 wks, & is in possession of his life yet also. Now that the snow is coming. I guess we’ll have Push for a neighbour until Spring anyway. And here is still news. They have Hazel Gamble yes, your old Mrs Gamble’s daughter, in the choir at King now. Say old boy, now that you’ve lost Mrs. G I’m sure Hazel would be more attractive, eh? Suse me for hinting it. She is really quite a lady now you will not know her when you see her once more. By the way I wonder if you’ll notice many changes & I wonder how long it will be, before they bring you back. One paper said that the Rly Troops would be among the first to leave France, do you think so? I believe I allways send you about 4 times is much writing ( I don’t say about news) as you send me. I is 9 o’clock now, little girls bedtime, eh? So I’ll close, with best wishes & hoping to see you back safe in old King before long.Yours ever, Annie S.

Jan 5, 1919, Fontaine Valmont, Belgium – Earl is still overseas. Dear Sister, Well still in this part of the World yet. Our Coy Major made a speech to us this morning. He said the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th CRTs are to be at the Base Etaples by the 18th of this month. Good news eh. This is true. Our Colonel told him. So Merelda, Mon Cherie Sis, I’ll soon be to see you all again. I bet you I am home before my Birthday (March 22). I hear that most of the Canucks in Blighty are gone home to their own Country where they can speak their own language. We are not very busy now, just passing away the time. I go out to work every morning. But no work I do. I sneak around thro the town back to my billet again. I find it far better in the billet than out in the rain and mud. We have rain here every day. I have not seen the sun for nearly 3 weeks now. I spent my New Year’s up at a small town called Anderlues. I had a high old time of it, didn’t get back until the next day at noon. My Serg gave me a calling down but that was all I heard about it. Tomorrow I am going to Brussels for 3 days leave. A number of my chums are going. Jim Allen is for it. I never been to Brussels. They say it is a second Paris. I guess you know that Hun had that beautiful city for 4 years. He left it in good shape for a wonder. How is Arch and Dad getting along at the trapping? I was out along the Mons river the other day. If I had rifle or gun I would have had a Fisher. I took it for a Fisher. I watched it for over 10 minutes. It was about as large as Nipper only not so long in the legs. Gosh I was sore I had not my rifle with me. How did Henry get along up North? I’ll shall be with him for next fall hunting. I’ll try and get my short rifle home. I’ll put in in the lining of my great coat before I am stuck, ha-ha. I have a couple of bayonets to smuggle home allso. Well Merelda, I must close for now. Well Merelda, I guess you can stop writing to me now. We will be on the move from now on. Please tell the rest of my dear friends to stop. They can write to me again when another war starts up. But maybe this one will not be in it. I don’t think so.” Well be good. Will see you all soon. But Love to all at home, Au Revoir, Loving Bro Earl“Will write again soon and let you know how close I am to home.”Jan 6, 1919, King letter from Alex Walker Hello you old port how are you making out. I suppose you are kicking around some place. We are all well at home. I had a birthday party last Saturday. I was 12 years old. I had the girls over and Richard asked Archy but he did not come. For presents the girls brought me a bottle of perfume from Pauline and handkerchiefs from Floss. We had a heck of a time. I went over to your home on Sunday Archy when skating the crick was frozen tight and good skating don’t worry about it, ha-ha. I was in the house Sunday for the first time since they had the flu. I was trying the helmet on I was sitting by the east window when taking it off the dam thing slipped and hit me a devil of a crack on the nose . I jerked back and hit my head on the windows frame, wowo. You’re a good shot at that Hun old boy some shot. Soon be coming back with a little wife old chap. Mother said in the other letter that I would write and so I have to. I suppose been a long time writing but you’ll have to forget me this time. For Christmas I got a board and 24 checkers you can play 10 different games on it. How is old…Your friend Alex Walker.Jan. 9, 1919 18 Lyned Ave, Toronto letter to Earl from MildredMy dear Earl Received your letter and was rather surprised, as I had thought they were a thing of the past, but nevertheless was very glad to hear from you. Glad to hear that were well and enjoying yourself, also that you see Billie sometimes, I am rather anxious to see him myself, but hope it may be soon. Everybody over in this part of the country are well. The “flu” has left Toronto, but has gone out into the country, as I suppose you will have heard. It is bad out home now, but we have all escaped it so far also in here. It must be scared of me, as the bookkeeper in the office has had it twice now, but as I said before eating prevents it. I was up home for Xmas & New Year. The sleighing just came the day before Christmas we had a good time although there was nothing going on, on account of the “Flu”, but we had a bunch of the well ones there and danced, played Euchre, etc. Then on New Year, we were to grandmother’s it rained all day, so we had no skating this year. But now the weather is cold enough to freeze anything, but I have not been skating yet. I have just got home from the picture show. It was good too, was Charlie Chaplin in “Shoulder Arms ”, and as usual it was crowded, and they were lined up outside when we came out. Herb Steele is here, they are busy playing “Five Hundred”, but there is enough without me, I just play to fill in, but we play ourselves nearly every night. Herb doesn’t seem to be any the worse of his experience only, he can tell some stories, he was down for his last medical examination last week, so he is nearly through with them now. They are quite a few coming home now, but not so many that we know yet. Jimmie Jenkins and Bob Kelly are back to King, but I think that is all, yet. Frank Teasdale is working at Aurora again now, but of course he has attraction there. I guess Ed will soon be back too. As he didn’t get any farther than England. Archie (my brother) has just got on his first longers, so I guess he thinks he is a man now, but I suppose Flossie will have told you all about that before this. He has grown since you saw him thought, he is almost as tall as I am now and we weigh just the same, so I am beginning to feel small, as the other two girls are both bigger than I am, but I should worry . But my all accounts I guess we will hardly know you now, so I hear you are such a big fellow that is if you come back here and do not go the Mexico. But you ought to come back to see Carey, they say she has teeth now so some class. Well I think this is about all the nonsense I can think of and hoping to hear from you soon again and give my best if not better to Billie when you see him. With all kinds of Love, MildredJan 14, 1919, King – Floss wrote the letter to Earl on the back of an envelope that was sent to Jerome Campbell (Earl’s Father) from J.E. Tankard, Cleveland, Ohio.Dear brother Earl: Well here goes another letter on fancy paper. Merleda and Pauline write so many letters they use up all the writing paper and I write on anything I find. I guess I would write on a newspaper if there wasn’t any other kind in the house. I haven’t wrote to you for an awful long time. I had that influenza, and it sure is an awful disease. We all had it except Mother and Arch. Mother says if you are not soon coming home to write her a big, long letter for she hasn’t time there is so much sickness around. Aunt Essie is so sick she is out of her mind and Merelda is over there. Arch made about seventy dollars out of furs already, and he is off again to-day and Dad is at Fry’s sale at Nobleton. Merelda over at Aunt Essies and Paul is washing, and Mother too, and I am writing to you. I have to be chore boy when the men are away. We had twenty-six head of cattle and sold six big ones and got eight hundred dollars for them. There are some of the boys back at King. Mr. Wess McBride, Bert Kelly, Lieut Jenkins. I had better tell you Ruth is to marry a Mr. Hugh ??? a farmer, “bah”. He has a big stone house, thoroughbred stock and I don’t know what date they have set for the big day. I am tired to death with farming this farmerette business don’t agree with me, but what the use of crumbling, who can’t be helped “ a better day is coming by and by”. Well I used up all my thought for this time, hip-hooray. You will soon be home again. Will now say good-bye your loving sister, FlossJan 15, 1919 Etaples, France to MerleMy Dear Sister, just a few lines to you all to let you know I am on my way to dear old home. The Batt is at the Base here. We’re getting cleaned up and fitted out with new uniforms just now. To-morrow night we take the train to Boulogne or Calais. I don’t know which dock we shall sail from, don’t care either. All I want is to see old Canada again. We had a medical inspection yesterday. I pass through it jake. We have another one at the Dock before we cross to Blighty. Then we will get another one before we leave for Canada. They are bound to send us back in the very best of health. How did Henry make out up north his fall? I hope he wasn’t chased by any bear or moose. I will be with him next fall I bet. No bear or moose in Northern Canada can catch me now. I am to good at the running business. How is Hazel & Walter? I’ll not know them when I get back. I suppose the weather will be very cold in King now. We have had no snow in this country yet. But we get plenty of rain, raining very day. If I was to see the sun I would probly die with heart failure. Well Merle I will now come to a close. This will be my last to you from this country. I hope so anyway, because here is a lad that is certainly fed up on this life in Flanders. No bon pour moi. I’ll write when I get to Blighty. I think we get 10 days leave in England. I must have those days. Well here is hoping to see you all in King before 1st March. Please don’t write me anymore. Do you know for why, ha-ha. Best Love and good Luck to all, Loving Bro Earl Will see you very soonJan 19, 1919 Havre, FranceMy Dear Sister,Well I am this near to home. We arrive here at Havre Rest Camp yesterday afternoon. We had another Medical exam this morning. I pass jake. Next one will be in Blighty when we mount the old steamer bound for Canada. We expect to sail for Blighty Tuesday. The Camps here are so full of troops one hardly know when they send you across the river. But I should worry I am on my way anyway, eh. A, C, & D went across yesterday. They beat us down by 24 hours. So poor B Coy and Headquarters has to waite for a day or two. How are you all at home. I hope that Flu is not around yet. Is Pauline all better by now. I hope she is. It is a dreadful sickness for anyone to have. Well Merelda I’ll call this a letter. I don’t know what you will call me for writing such a thing. But I can't write letters any longer. I am in to much of a hurry to get away home. Well be good Merelda. You need not write to me any more. I am real sore at you. Get that. Wishing you all the very best of Health and Good Luck. Au Revoir, Mon Cherie, Loving Bro, EarlJan 20, 1919, R.R. # 1 King, Ont, CanadaHello Yek Here I am, at once dis-obeying your orders. You told me not to write you anymore, but I thought maybe you’d have time to get lonesome before you’d leave “over there” and I’d just write. Now, what you think of me? By the by, how are the Belgian lassies using you. Is it them or their “mas” that use you so good! Anyway, I’m glad they are so good and that they give you a little comfort & happiness before you return. The Flu has just about gone it’s course here I think. The doc has only one case now, & that’s a McQuarrie girl, the one who used to teach school at King. O yes, Jessie recovered alright. We haven’t heard from her for some time tho. Well speaking of skating. I have only seen mine once this winter & that was when I lent them to Marjorie to go to Aurora that’s the only place there is to skate in this land. But remember what a be-ut-iful skater I was? Ha, ha Well if you come along soon, as you say. I think you’ll make it in time to see Marjorie married for I haven’t heard anything of it yet. By the way, we are expecting her over to-night but it’s getting a little late & she has not put in her appearance yet. I think I’ll have to get you to learn me French when you come home, then I’ll read the last page of your letter, eh? It looks nice & sounds nice when I read it, but --- that’s as far as I can make out (I can read it you know – In Canadian I ‘spose, but don’t understand. The English lasses surely are snapping up the Canadian boys, i.e. according to the … [The remainder of the pages are missing.]Jan 23, 1919, Bramsott to MotherMy Dear Mother, Just a line or two to let you all know I am in Blighty now. We left France the 21st and arrived at Weymouth the next morning. It sure went good to see Old England once more. I don’t know what I’ll do when I set my eyes on Canada shores. The trip across the Channel was not to rough. But some of the lads where feeding the fish in good shape, ha-ha. I don’t know how long we will be here at Bramshott Camp. I hope not long because it is a muddy camp these days. I think we will be getting our leave soon and then be sent right across to Canada. The whole Battalion of us are here. Allso all of the 1st C.R.T. I meet Paddy for the first time at Havre Dock. He is looking well the same as ever. I have not seen him here yet tho. This is a wonderful big Camp. I would far rather be at Witley or Borden tho. Well Mother I will close of this time. I will write in a few days letting you know where I am. Take good care of yourself and watch the rest. Best Love and the best of Good Health to All, Bye Bye, will see you all very soon. Loving Son, EarlJan 26, 1919Postcard sent to Mother from Earl, Bramshott CampJan 30, 1919, BramshottMy Dear Sister, I am sick of laying in the hut all the time so thot I would get up and write you a nice little letter for a change. I just finished my dinner of not very much. They do not feed one to much here. Stu & rice was my dinner. But don’t you for one minute imagine that I had a dinner like I use to get at home. It has snowed here for the first this year. I don’t like it at all to much rain comes with it. I suppose you have tired your skates by now. I hope I am home in for a skate or two. We have not heard anything about our 10 days leave yet. I guess I will spend mine in the Smoke this time. I would like to see the Old Smoke all light up. Every time I’ve been in London no lights were allowed light, not many. Oh say I’ve been wondering if Mother received the German helmet I sent her from Le Chateau. I hope it did not go astray. I have a couple of bayonets with me here. German & French. I sneaked them from France. So guess I can smuggle them to Canada, ha-ha. Will try hard anyway. The U Boats here would like to buy them from me. But nothing doing. The U Boats are those 1919 volunteers. I sold one of em 15 German buttons for 5 shillings. Not off putting it over them eh, ha-ha Most of the reinforcements for the 22nd Battalion are here. You know that Batt. is a French Canadian Batt. And all those Quebec lads which the R.C.D. from Toronto had to drive over are here. It is worse than around Skit-Quentin the jibbering of em. If you asked them anything No Compre is all they say. How is Arch & Dad getting along with the hunting. To cold for the game I suppose. Arch will be able to make many trips to Aurora now. He would get a good price for all those skunk pelts. He will make the baccy juice fly in all directions now. Well Merelda Mon Cherie Sis. I will now close for this time. Very long letter I think. But you need not answer it. So here is hoping to see you all again very soon.Best of Luck & Good wishes, Love to all, Loving Bro. EarlFeb 2, 1919, Bramshott Camp. Although the war was over. The soldiers continued to fight internally among themselves.Dear Merelda – Just a line or two to let you know I am still at this Camp. We are leaving to-morrow night for Yorkshire. We camp there for a while before we sail for home. We will get our 10 days leave then. The other 3 Coy’s are gone already to Yorkshire, Head Quarters & B. Coy are behind the time. Last night we came very near having a real war here. While here we are attacked for sleeping and meals with the 10th Reserve. That is the reserve where all those cannibals from Quebec are in. There are 2700 of them here. And just B. Coy & H. Quarters of the 2nd C.R.T. were up against the bunch last night. I will tell you how it started. One of your lads has been chummy with one of the N.A.C.B. girls here. The French Canadians are very jealous bunch of people. One of the animals hit our lad in the face twice before he could get his hand out his pockets. And when he did ready for fight the U-Boat ran back into his gang of comrades. About 35 of us were in the Canteen and over 100 of the French Canadians. So we thot we had better get out in the dark and beat it for our huts. We started for home and we heard them say in French, “Fall in - We will get em”. We got into our huts before they caught us. Then we had to get arms of some sort. When we landed here from France here the next day we had to turn our rifles & Bayonet’s into the stores. So we had not rifle or bayonets to fall back on. Some of our lads got there revolvers loaded. To be sure I made for my kit for my German bayonet. I fine thing for me. We locked the doors and stood too, waiting for them to knock the door in. Then they would soon know what a real Canadian was made of. They smelt the rat, I guess we had revolvers on us. So they thot it best to retreat, and so they did. After a little while we were all asleep. Today they give us many a hard look. Maybe to-night they will tackle us. But let em come we have the 21st and 23rd Reserves with us. The Jocks from Toronto are game for anything like that. I would just as leave kill one of these Quebec skunks as I would a Fritzie. Most of them have only been in this country six weeks. Well Merelda, I must now close for now will write when I get up to Yorkshire, it is 8 hours run from here. Tell Mother not to be surprise if I cable for money while on leave, I don’t know how much we will get for our leave. If not enough I shall Cable form London. The flu is not so bad here just now. Two of our Coy lads have died with it here. Hard luck eh. Well be good Old girl, ha-ha. Will soon see you all again, Love to all, Bro Earl.Feb 7, 1919, to Mother from Bramshott. Earl still waiting to go home.Dear Mother –Well Mother I am still at Bramshott Camp . Say but they are slow in sending us home. It is on account of the Flu which is around here. So many of the troops are getting it. Two of my chums died last week here at the Hospitals. Hard luck for those who die now is’nt it. We are getting our leave yet. But expect it soon. It is awful around this Camp, these days. The issue of coal and wood is very small. I spend most of my time in the Y.M.C.As and others Huts. Every evening we see London Concert Parties. Some are very good. I wrote to Merelda telling her about the time we Canadians had with those Cannibals from Quebec. The Conscripts they got their wind up over us now. We sent for the 49th and some of the 50th Battalion to give us a hand out if they started any more dirty work. They were quite willing to help us out. They have 4 machine guns with the two Coys. So we are well armed. We were to move to Yorkshire last week. But it looks now as tho we are not going. A,C. and D Company’s are up in Yorkshire. They might beat us home yet. I suppose the weather will be very cold in Canada now. It has turned cold to-day but I don’t mind the cold as much as this damp weather we have so often over here. Say Mother I lost May’s & Harold’s addresses on my way from France. I can’t write to any of the now. So next time any of you people write to them just tell them why I don’t write to them. I will soon be home than I’ll not need to write to anyone, ha-ha. Mother I may send a cable while on my leave it will be for money, ha-ha. Great lad for money ain’t I, ha-ha. But one may as well have a real good time while he is at it. Clarence Bowhey did not get to Canada after all. He took sick so was sent to Hospital at Havre Dock. He is with us now. F. Locuas has gone across. Well Mother I will close for now. Will write soon again. That is all one can do these days now. Hope all are in the very best of Health. Good luck to all. Bye Bye for nowLoving Son Earl.p.s. Will see you all soon.Feb 12, 1919Dear Mother,Just a few lines to-night to let you know where I am now. I am on my 8 days leave. And I guess I will spend the most of my time in this Smoke City. It sure is lovely here now. The lights are all lite up at nights. But of some crowd of people walk the streets. Clarence Bowhey is with me here and will stick to-gether like glue while here. He is a awful nice lad. I would not no better chum to be with. He was to go to Canada before Xmas. But he took sick and did not get away. We left Bramshott 8th of Feb and landed at our new Camp in Yorkshire the next night. The 11th we got our leave for London, most of our Coy is on Leave now. Say Mother I sent a cable for 100 dollars from here. I do hope I get it before my leave is up is up. We only got a small pay for this leave. And I want to get some things which I will need in life. And the next thing. I want to have a good time. Clarence sent for 100 so we are in for a ripon time to be sure. I”ll not spend it all here. It will be hand on my way home. I address, the Cable to the Montreal Bank here. It is about the best place in London. We have been out sightseeing all day. And mighty tired just now. But his Club we are in just now, is the place for tired people. It is some swell building. Harold will know the Union Jack good. Well Mother, I must now close it is near 12 o’clock so I’ll get to bed. Hope all are in the very best of health. Will see you all soon.Love to all, Loving son, Earl If anyone should write me my address will be Sap. N.E. Campbell, 779051 B. Coy, 2nd Batt, Can. Rlys Tps Ripon Camp, Yorkshire, EnglandFeb 18, 1919, from LondonMy Dear Mother, Just a line or two to-day to let you know I received the Cable of 100 dollars, 20 pounds and 1 shilling and 1 penny. Say but I was glad to get it to-day. I was broke and Clarence was very near broke allso. His cable came allso. So we are well away now. Mother, you were awful good to send me so much. I thot you would maybe send me £10 instead of 20. But anyway I will need it before I get back home. We are having a fine time to-gether here. It is lovely City in peace time as I should call it. The streets are all light up at nights which make it look so pretty. We take in Theatre’s every day. Some are very good ones. The weather has been very rainy since we arrived in London. Be we don’t mind, that, ha-ha. Well Mother I will close for this time. We go back to Ripon the 20th . I’ll write from there.My address will be N.E. Campbell, 779051, B.Coy, 2nd CRT, Ripon Camp, Yorkshire, England.Will see you all soon, Your loving son, Earl.Thanks very much for the Cable.Feb 23, 1919, Ripon Camp, Yorkshire, England.Earl mentions that returning King Soldiers are receiving gold watches.My Dear Sister, Just a few lines to let you know I am back off leave ready for Canada any day now. I sure had a dikam time of it in London this time. The 100 bucks Mother sent me sure gave me a gime. U never got away will all the 100 tho. Oh now that would never do. And Merelda I never fell in love with any of these girls either. The war is over now. So I will wait until I get back home ha-ha. Well Merelda half of B. Coy left here yesterday for Liverpool. Art Brown and Bowler are in that bunch. Jim Allen was in it, but he was taken out of it again. He has something wrong with is knee. A person has to real well to go home. That bunch will likely sail for Canada the last of this month. The rest of us will get our Canada Board in about another weeks time. Maybe leave the middle of March. Clarence and I stayed over our leave two days. We thot we would get punished for it. And we did’nt care. But nothing has been said to us yet. The Flu is around this camp now. That Flu is awful it is all over the World. In London, you see the women wearing masks over their mouths. The first I seen that I thot gas was in the City. It got Yek’s wind up. I believe the 1st CRT are on their way across the Pond. Well my dear Sis, I must close for now will write in a couple of days.Best of luck and Love to all. Will see you all soon, Loving Bro. Earl.p.s. We get lots of Yorkshire pudding here!On the page 3 Earl writes… “I see by the Aurora Banner that the King people are giving the Brave King lads a gold watch.”Feb 24, 1919, Moore Barracks, ShorncliffeMy Dear Sister, Well Merelda I have not very good news for you this time. I’ll not be home for two months yet. Maybe sooner I hope so anyway. I am in the Hospital here at Shorncliffe. I left Ripon Camp in Yorkshire yesterday morning and landed here last night. None of you need worry about me. It is not the Flu I have. The Grippe is all whats wrong with me. I may be in Hospital a month and maybe only a couple of weeks. But I am going to have my ankle fixed while I am here might as well let the Army do it. I”ll have nothing to pay. In Civic life it would maybe cost me a bit of money. It is a good Hospital I am in right beside the Sea. I can look out the window and see ships pass along. I guess you can write to me now. I may not get home till June. A letter would sure go good now. And I wish you would send me some chewing bacey and smoking the bacy here is no good and such an awful high price. I suppose A. Brown and those lads in my Coy will be home by the time you get this letter. How unlucky I was to miss that Draft. By maybe I would have taken some illness ion my way home. Well, Merelda I must now close for now. Write me as soon as you can. I am not very sick. But U have a very heavy cold. But the nurse will make that better. They are all Canadian nurses here. Hope all are well at home. Tell all to write.Love to all, Loving Bro EarlSpr N.E. Campbell, 779051, Ward 15, No X1 Can Gen Hospital, Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, Kent, Eng.Mar 3, 1919, Shorncliffe, Moor BarracksDear Arch,Well how are tricks with you this winter. Did you do well with furs. I will be with you next fall. We will make the skunk and mink go to their death. I am sorry I can’t get home to help you and Dad with the Spring work. But I shall be home for haying anyway. This sickness is awful. I would not mind it at all if the war was on. I would had been home the last of this month if I never took sick. I suppose Art Brown is in King now. All my Coy is on the way home. I am in the Hospital, I have the grippe and a touch of the Flu. But I shall soon b well again. I would like to be home for the spearing this spring. But guess I’ll be spearing fish over here in the sea by that time. The sea is only 20 rod from the Hospital. When the weather is rough it sure makes a noise. I often think I am back in France. Has Dad sold his steers yet. I hope he has so maybe I could get some of the meat over here for my dinner. The W.A.A.C cook for this Hospital. And they sure can put up good junk. There is 900 of us here. So you see all the Canadians are not back yet. And this is only one Hospital. The 1st and 2nd Divisions are still in Germany yet. 3rd and 4th are going to Canada every day. Well Arch Old Boy. I will close for now. Had better close or I will get my wind up and not know when to stop. Take good care of yourself and write me soon, tell the rest to write. Best of luck to all, Love from Bro Earlp.s. send me you know some ha-haMar 8, 1919, Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, No XI, Can Gen HospitalDear Mereleda,I am getting along jake in Hospital. It is the Flu I have now. I knew it was the first day I felt it coming on. The Doctor called it Flu now. It is only a slight touch. Thank God it is. But it is bad enough for me. I suppose all my chums will be home now. There are two out of my Coy here with me. But they are not Toronto lads. K Syda from Nova Scotia and a French Can from Montreal. They have been in my B. Coy since we were turned into Rly Troops. The weather has been very rainy here. But I am in side all the time so it doesn’t bother me. By the time I am able to go out it will be lovely weather. The Hosp. is right on the Cliff. It is a very good place for a Hospital. But it is not up to the V.A.D. Hospital I was in last winter in Glousceshire. The meals are very good we get and lots of it. The W.A.C.C. are the cooks so why should’nt they be good. I see by the paper this morning that the R.C.Rs and the 42nd landed in Halifax. I will be landing in Halifax about the 24th of May. Just you see if I don’t. I wrote to Arch a few days ago. Did he get my letter? I lost May’s and Harold’s addresses on my way from France. They will be thinking I have died. Would you give me their address and I could drop them a line or two. I was surprised when I read Pauline’s letter that Ruth was to be married soon. You will be the next one to do the rick I suppose. But do waite until I get home. I will get a good stock of shot gun cartridges in. What do you think of my paper? This is the Hospital issue. Do you ever hear where Lorne is? The last I heard of him he was flying in the North of England. And that he had signed on for 4 more years in the Imperial Army. Well Merelda I’ll close for now. I can’t think of much more news to-day will write in a few more days. And you be sure and write soon it is a long time since I heard from home. But I told you not to write didn’t I. So me to blame. Ha-ha. Love to all, Loving Bro. EarlMar 13, 1919, from Merelda in KingMerelda in her letter writes of the King lads coming home and receiving their watch and chain.My Dear, darling Brother It seems years since I wrote to you, but we have been looking for you home on every boat that has arrived lately, and now tonight I got your letter saying you are in hospital in Shorncliff. I do hope you are better now & that it is not the Flu. I have been going to write so often lately but did not so I am going to ans. Your letter now tonight if I have to sit up all night to do it. There is so much to tell you I don’t know where to start. But I’ll tell you the worst news first Katy & Harold had a little son born on 3rd March, it only lived a week. We just got word of its death yesterday. We are all so sorry. They called him Charles Jerome and Daddie was so tickled. They are still at Mary’s in Cleveland – 302 Society for Savings % Mr. J. Lockard, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. if you have lost it. .Well Earl, I am staying at Merel’s now. She has a little baby girl (Martha Merle Louise) was seven weeks old last Tues. So I have been here six weeks, but I go home every Wed to give music lessons. Went home yesterday but just came back this p.m. C. Williams arrived home last Sat., so he was at our home last night & I stayed to see him. He looks well & weights 180 lbs., but is a little lame. Ab. Hollingshead also got home on same boat as Sid, also Paddy and Fred Judge. Paddy is still in Toronto, coming to King tomorrow night. Ab look well, a great big fat fellow & F.J. is well too. Now I’ll tell you some more good news. Ruth is to be married next Wed. Mar. 19 to Mr. Hugh Whaley of Grandview Man. A rich farmer & she says an awful find fellow (ha-ha) She will be married at Aunt Barbara’s, Strathclair, & they are giving her a swell wedding. She does not expect to get home on her honeymoon but is coming in the summer time. We are all anxious to see our new brother. So Earl our family is growing fast. I guess you’ will be next one, but wait until you come home first. No one like the Canadians girls & especially the King girls, don’t know what we girls are going to do, so many of our nice Canadians coming home with Eng., French or some other kind of wives, guess there be nothing but old maids in Canada soon. I received your last letter from Ripon Camp yesterday am awful glad you didn’t fall in love while on leave, don’t do that until you get home. When we got the cable for $100 we were just thinking you had been “trapped” again, but am so glad it wasn’t for that. We don’t care how much money you want when it’s for yourself or your comrades, but beware of girls, Earl. Our nicest boys are all coming back safe (unmarried). We had a reception in the hall here on 28 Feb for twelve of the King boys who are back. Lt. Jenkins, H.Bovair, Sam Armstrong, Bert Kelly, W. McBride Bert Law, (or Bert Stanfield as you used to know him), Walter Barrett, Jack Stubbs, Sergt. Hulme & his son Cadet Hulme (both 127 fellows), Frank Rolfe, Willie Grey (he never got any further than Eng.). They all got a watch and chain. Since then C.Williams, A. Hollingshead, Len Robb, Harry Malsead, Fred Judge, Wm. Riddell, Alex McDonald, Farren Cairns, & oh yes your old friend S. Ball & another fellow from out by Yonge St. have arrived . Bert Law is the only one out of all the bunch home that got married over there, & he married a French girl. She is not over here with him, but he intends going back to France in summertime. There is another Reception for the last ten boys next week. They have been waiting for 127 to come back now as they are not all coming together. They are going to have a big time for all in the Spring, or when never you all get back. King community has collected over two thousand dollars ($2,000) for to be divided among you boys about 85 I think. Henry, Captain Billie Ransom, and Jim Burns are head of the committee, & Harold. Mr. Gambriel & Harold Boys are Hon. Presidents of the Soldiers Welcome League. So dear Earl, hurry up & get well & get home as fast as you can. We are dying to see you again. Talk about the Welcome the Soldiers get in Eng, it isn’t half as good as they get in Canada. What is the matter with your ankle? I hope you were not in the riot at Kimmell Camp, … but I guess you would be in hospital then at Shorncliff. I do hope you are soon better. This has been the nicest winter we ever had in Canada. Nice warm weather and no snow cars have been running all winter. There has been lots of skating too. The girls & Arch have been out often, but I have only been out once & that was to Aurora rink. I just had as swell time, so many of the Aurora old sports are home from the war. Well Earl, we all got over the Flu alright, excepting poor little Buster & he died, he was sick two weeks so Arch & the girls buried him under the old wine cherry tree & put up a tombstone. We all felt bad when Buster died he was such a nice little fellow & a great hunter he would go with Arch every time. Daddie sold Rowdie to Williams the horse buyer he got a big price for him. We still have Don, Harry & Doll, and the new colt we got last fall. Pauline is chief cook at home now while I’m away. Floss puts in her time reading. Mother is busy preparing for your home-coming. Dad & Arch have been busy in the bush lately. Dad bought a lot of wood up the fifth on sideroad above Neil McMurchy’s. Colin’s are all well. Marshall is quite a big boy now & Ruth & Helen are growing like weeds. You will not know all the little folks when you get home. Hazel & Walter have both grown so much lately. Buddie thinks a lot of his little baby sister. May, Jim, Madeline Hester were al well, but we are so sorry for poor Katy & Harold to lose their little son. Katy returned brother Charlie died with flu last Aug. & about two months after, her oldest sister died with flu & left three little children & now her little son. Harold has been feeling fine since living in Cleveland right on the Lake shore – the damp climate agrees with him. But they intend coming back when you come home. Arch & Dad have done well trapping this winter. Daddie sold the clover & Alsace seed to Bailie at Maple got nearly $400.00 for it. Your bank book is crawling up Earl. You’ll be a rich man when you get home, ha-ha. Wish I had a quarter as much. I’d take a trip over to see you. You’ll be surprised to hear about Ruth. We were too. We are busy getting presents for her. Ralph Gillies is married now to Miss Upitogo or some such name. All the drafters are home again excepting those who went overseas & some of them are back. Chester Ward is home but his home in in Vaughan so does not get a watch from King. To the parents of the boys who were killed they are giving nice clocks as a memorial. Old Mr. Malcolm McCallum died today he has been sick all winter. There is a checker match tonight at Armstrong’s between King & Kleinburg. King team is Daddie, Uncle Aaron, Henry, Mr. Jarvis, Vic Hall, & Mr. Lriety, the new school teacher at Strange. Kleinburg – Dr. Robinson, Bob Wallace, Ireland & I don’t know the rest. Tonight is the third match King won every time. Dad & Henry are not back yet & its near twelve o’clock so guess I’ll stay up till they come. You will be tired reading so much but it’s so long since I wrote you. I have so much to tell you. Sure Earl we’ll send the tobacco along as soon as we can get it off. We have all being saving up to go down town to meet you, but I guess now we’ll have to wait a long time if you don’t get back till June. Arch says he is going to Halifax when you land. I think the 127 Batt is more talked about than any other Batt in Canada. Every one though they were coming home as a unit & Toronto is preparing for a grand reception for them in St. Paul’s Hall. Jim Jenkins is one of the Committee to get it up. I bet the whole of north York will be there to welcome back her warriors. I guess you will have seen in the papers that old Sir. Wilfred Laurier, the good old chief died. Well old boy. I guess I have wrote enough for this time, but I’ll write to you again soon if you have to be in Eng so much longer. Now write often and let us know how you are getting along and Earl if you are able to get back to Canada soon the gov’t here fixes every fellow up good they don’t get discharge then & have no more to do with them but they get medical treatment until cured & pay goes on six months after discharge so don’t stay in England to get your ankle fixed but come as soon as you get better of the grippe. I am afraid some of those Eng. Blokes will be nabbing you so be wise there’ll be a good time in Canada for you when you get back. So don’t come back tied up. Well dear old boy I guess I have said enough for this time. So take best care of yourself & let us know how you are. Hoping to see you very soon and heaps of love and best wishes from all.Your loving sister MereldaMar 29, 1919 from Earl in LymingeDear Merelda,Well must write you a few more lines to-day to let you know how I am doing. I have been up out of bed for 3 or 4 days now. A rash came out all over my body so I was turned out of Moor Barracks and sent over to this dump, it is only about 5 miles from Shorncliffe. It sure is an awful hole tho. I am getting treated here for scabies. They are awful for one to have. Worse than the lice I use to have in France, ha-ha. I do not know how long I will be here with this. My blood will be pure when I come out tho. I get very good treatment. I am just about fed up on this sickness. It looks as tho I’ll never get back home. I have not received any mail from Canada since I took sick. I told them at Moore Barracks when I left to send my mail to Lyminge Hospital. I’ll be getting some of these days. It snowed most of last night. And to-day the sun most if it away. I think we will have spring weather after a few more days. I thot I would had been home for the 24th of May, but now since I’ve got the scabies I don’t think I will. Well Merelda I’ll close for now. And write me often and tell all to write me. How are the lads of my Coy getting along in King and Laskay. Bill Bowler will be shooting great lines of bull, eh ha-ha Will best of luck and Love to all. Write soon or sooner. Loving Bro EarlApr 1, 1919, Can Hospital, Lyminge, EnglandMy Dear Mother, Just a card this time. I am having a great time with the scabies here. I am just about over the Flu. But feel a wee bit weak. We are having very nice weather now mostly everything is green now. I had this photo taken when I came out of Hospital at Moor Barracks. You cannot see any of our pretty faces. This Hospital is not near as good as Moore Barracks. But I can stick it out for awhile anyway. I do not know how long I’ll be here yet. But write me anyway. I have not had any mail from home since I left France.Best of Love to All, Loving Son, Earl.Apr 3, 1919, King.In the letter Merelda mentions the names of the some of the soldiers from the 127th Battalions that have returned home and also the fact that they are having a reception for them.Dear Old Earl, Just a few lines tonight to say your card arrived O.K. today. Am sorry you are still in hospital we have been watching for your name every day in the papers. Nearly all the 127 are back now, but no Earl yet. Art Brown, Sturdy, B. Bowler, Paddy, S, Ball, & Hulme’s, L. Robb, S. Stratford, J. Stubbs, Billie Riddell, A. Hollingshead, Alex McDonald, Geo. Bainbridge, J. Kewell & some more boys from out around Yonge St. are home. Their reception is tomorrow night in Armstrong Hall. We expect a big time. I told you in another letter of cast reception & what boys were there. We are patiently waiting for you. All the boys who are back look well. We have heard some great tales about you. Old Yek, eh, the scrapper. They tell us you are a giant man so guess we’ll have to stand around where you get home. We are having nice weather now, the roads are dandy. Cars running all the time. Looks as though seeding will be early. Harold is back in Toronto again. He is going into hospital to be cured of shell-shock. A six month trial & is given a chance to take any course he likes, free of cost so that is great chance for him. Don’t know what he will go at yet. He was home until Tues. so we have not heard. Katy went up to her home for a visit, until Easter & then she is going to take a room in Toronto. Harold has to stay at hosp. all the time though. Sleeps there, so it will be lonely for Katy alone. May & Jim & kiddies were fine when they left there. May & kids intend coming home this summer some time. Ruth was married on 19, March, so we have another brother now. They are coming down sometime soon too. Colin’s are all well. I am still staying at Merle’s, but go home often. Henry has to go on jury soon, so I’ll be staying until he is through there. The girls & Arch were at a party at Teston last night. I was over home yesterday p.m. They are all coming over to the Reception tomorrow night. We are having good time again lots of soldiers around King now, ha-ha. But wait till they all get back. Oh joy, Oh boy. Well Earl it’s ¼ after 11 & a party tomorrow night so will have to stop & I have used up all the paper too. Perhaps you will be home before this gets there, hope so anyway. Be sure & let us know when you land at Halifax because the whole family is going to drive to Toronto to meet you. Hope you can read this the pencil is dull, like the writer eh? Well good bye for this time. Hope to see you very soon Love from all, Your old sis Merelda.Apr 6, 1919, Grandview Manitoba I am sorry you are not at home before this, but am glad to be able to write you again. You most likely have heard from home that I am married. I wrote you in December telling you I intended to be married but could not write to you any more as I did not know where to address your letters and I know by your letters you had not got my last letter now. I hope when you do come home that you will come out to Grandview and make one a nice long visit. We have a car and I will be able to let you see a lot of the country, you will be entitled to a farm will you not or is it just the Western boys who will be getting farms. I am living on a farm and married to the best man you ever saw he is so good and kind to me. We were married at Aunt Barbara’s, she done it up fine for us, the we went to Winnipeg for about two weeks. We did not go far way on account of Hughes father not being very well he has had two strokes and so has not been very well since. Hugh was exempt from going to war on account of his father, but I must tell you he did not try to get off himself. He wanted to go, but the people knew how he was situated no would so would not take him. Now Earle I do hope you are better and what is wrong with your ankle you never mentioned anything about it in any of your letters you might as well tell us all about it. Do you ever hear of Lorne is he still in your company and is he in a good fit condition. Well I guess we will soon be at the spring seeding again it seems quite natural for me to be on the farm again and I hope we have a good crop. Will close now with fond Love. Hugh joins in sending best wishes and love. Your loving sister, Ruth Whaley.Apr 8, 1919, from Earl Can Hospital, LymingeMy Dear Sister,How glad I was to rec your 16 page letter today. I sure got some news in it. Some good and some very bad news. It is awful about Harold and Katie’s little son dying. I sure feel sorry about it. I must write to Harold now since you gave me his address. So Merle has a little baby girl, eh and now it is nearly 3 month old. I am Merelda that I’ll have some time when I get back keeping in track of my relations. So Ruth found a very rich man eh lucky isn’t she? I suppose you have your eye spotted on a rich young fellow, ha-ha. It will be a great change in King now since the boys arrived back. I guess I’ll be the only King lad that is’nt home now. The 127 would land in about the 20th of March. So you were thinking I would my Canada leave to London. Oh now I was to wise this time for the London tarts. They are awful girls Merelda. Once down the Strand and up Piccadilly sure opens a guy’s eyes a little. None of em got much of that £20 I got from home. I have a great story to tell you when I get home by have two Janes try to do Clarence Bowhey and myself in one night on our leave. Clarence & I will never forget it. What I think of the English girls is very wee. But I do think a great deal of a little one in Belgium. I am glad Charlie Williams got back safe. He was not long in the khaki was he? But long enough for anyone tho. You asked me what is the matter with my ankle. It is all better now. I hurt it at Bramshott one night just a wee bit knocked out of action. I am just about over the Flu now. But the scabies are still on me. I am getting good treatment here so when I am cured it will be a real cure. I will be home in June. I go from here to Kimmell Camp that is very close to Liverpool. So Arch is going to meet me at Halifax when I land. I do not believe I would know him now. And I am sure he would not know me if I kept my ‘stache on. It is a real Charlie. It sure is hard luck of Buster dying. He took the Flu I guess, I hope Arch and the two wee sisters put up a good tombstone for him. Has Dad sold his fat cattle yet? He got some doe for his clover see allright. I wish I was home helping him and Arch to slay that wood down he bought up the fifth. I feel tho I could cut 6 cord per day, ha-ha. So King checker team put it all over Kleinburg. Well no wonder King has 3 pretty hard nuts for a checker player to run into. I am very glad you are sending me tobacco. This English stuff is not much good. And I can’t go cigarettes at all. J’ tril donnez voud un bon baisers pour doing so. How is Mother these wet days you will be having Canada now. I hope she is in the very best of health. Pauline & Floss will be like young game roosters being spring is with them. I’ll take it out of em when I get back. It is spring here now. The land girls are at it in the fields near by. They look jake in their dress. Well Merelda I will close for now. I must write to Harold to-night. Now you write me again soon and tell the rest to write. I told you in my last letter that I have been sent away from Moore Barracks to another Hospital 5 miles away. I am ashamed of this little letter. You write such big ones. But I can write long letters. Wishing you all the very best of good luck and good health.Au revoir Mon Cherie, Sis. ecrise bienitot Love to all Bro. Earl.Spr N.E.Campbell, # 779057, Can Hospital, Lyminge, Kent, EnglandApr 16, 1919, King – Merelda writes to Earl about the land in Northern Ontario that the Government is offering up to returning soldiers. The Soldier Settlement Act (1917, 1919) allowed veterans of the First and Second World Wars to purchase land with the help of government loans, with additional funds for livestock and equipment.She also mentions Brother Harold who is receiving electric treatment for his nerves after returning from fighting in the War.My Dear Bro. Earl. Your most welcome letter received yesterday & so you are still in Eng. Where ever are you going to get home anyway? Nearly all the other boys are getting home before you. We sure do hear some great yarns from some of them- Gen Buller, ha-ha. Jack Stubbs or (Wooby) he says “Olle is a great fellow, a real ruffian, ha-ha he was here yesterday helping Henry to draw hay down from the other place, so we heard lots of yarns. Poor old Paddy can tell lots of comical yarns too. He has gone up to New Ont. to look at some land the gov’t is offering returned men. C. Williams has also gone up there, but guess it’s not much of a snap. Harper Wells & Dickie Badger have both arrived home this week. I hope you have got our letters by this time. I don’t know what can have happened to them. Also the box you have had lots of time to have them now. I am still at Henry’s & I expect to be here for some time yet as Henry has to go on Jury 5th of May and he wants me to stay until he is through down there. He will have to hire a man for the seeding, so Merle cannot do all the work. They are getting along o.k at home without me. Pauline is chief cook now. Art Walker is there papering this week getting ready for you home coming. We are going to have a dance then, ha-ha. I was down to Toronto for a couple of days last week, went to see Harold at Central Military Hospital. He is feeling better & likes it there o.k. He is taking electric treatment for his nerves, gets a $1.10 a day & $30.00 a month for Kate, but has to stay at the hospital at nights only when he gets a leave off when they get through with his treatments to take up some special course, free. Katy is still up at her home, her brother is to be married and they want her to stay until after the wedding. Ruth & Hugh got married o.k. they had a swell wedding for her. She went to Winnipeg on her honeymoon guess you will be the next one in our family but be sure to wait until you get home, ha-ha. So I can go to it. I think Arch & Dollie have made up again, ha-ha. Pauline & Floss are great girls now, off to everything that comes off. We have had nasty cold weather lately. It is raining today, the road are terrible now looks a though there would be no seeding for a long time yet. Daddie sold the last of the fat cattle this week. Cattle are very high now, also horses. Well it is Easter time again, and no Earl home to eat eggs, eh? Wonder if you will get any over there. Our hens are laying pretty good this winter. Pauline feeds them well. Ralph Burns and Mary Curtis were married a couple of weeks ago. They are home and settled down on the farm. Old John, Mrs. Jean are living out here in Miss Fisher’s house. Old Willie is going to live with Ralph & help work the farm. Bill Bowler is going to work for Jack Lawson this summer. Jack Kewell for old Blake- Sid Straford at C. Archibalds.Apr 22, 1919, Lyminge, EnglandMy Cher Sister,I was very glad to receive your letter of Apr 3rd to-day. But why did you write so short a letter this time. You only wrote me 5 pages this time and you allways write me 10 and 15 other times. But I’ll let you off this time being you are putting in very late hours at nights, ha-ha. I don’t blame you. Have a good time while life is Young, eh. That is the way Yek is doing. I am glad most of my chums are back again. I guess some of em will never leave home again. And who has been telling you tales about moi. Yek the scraper I laughed when I read that well I have been into a few scraps since I left my home. And they tell you I am a giant in size eh. Well I am not over the 200 ponds yet. But I must be near to it. This sickness has took me down some. But I am building up every day now. I take a ramble every fine day around the hills and cliffs. It is hard for me to spend days in the Hut here. And in Folkestone or Shorncliffe or Sangate I can only enjoy.May 2, 1919, LymingeMy Dear Sister,Your most welcome letter of Apr 16th arrived to me to-day. Allso Pauline’s of the 15th. So you see I had some good reading this afternoon and some very good news. You asked why I don’t hurry and get home. Merelda I am hurrying as fast as I can. But I find it a long long road to travel. I’ll be home some of these fine days. I will land at Montreal Dock. Most of us will land at Montreal since the river is open. So you hear lots of yarns about me eh. I guess I’ll have to won up that I am a ruffian. My Pals have already told you so. Petite Bowler will sure shoot some great yarns won’t he? You tell Jack Stubbs he better not be telling you yarns about me.Or I will go into action and tell Miss Holt about him. So most of the lads are away seeing their land. I wonder if it worth taking. I have a good notion to take my land in Western Canada. Do you think a Eastern guy could take it in the West. I had a letter from Ruth she told me all about her wedding. I thot she would have taken her Honey trip down home. So you think I will be the next one to do the trick, eh. What about you hey. You better think it over again. Don’t you think so. Hey Sis. So you and Merle are sending a box for me, eh. Good news. I do hope I will get it before I leave for my Depot. Please don’t send anymore boxes from now on. I expect to be on my way home before long and the boxes would not follow me up the same as letters. I would hate to loose any of the boxes from home. But you can keep on writing. Letters will follow me where ever I go. My scabies are just about all gone and I had my Medical Board last week. I don’t know what my category is yet. But I should worry what it is ha-ha. How does Henry like the Jury? And who has he for a man. Well I must close now it is just about supper time and after supper I am going to a cinema here. Wild West and Southern States pictures are shown. Take good care of yourself. And best Love and good wishes to all.Au Revoir, Love to all, Loving Bro. EarlMay 3, 1919 newspaper clipping of further delays of the 127th Battalion returning to CanadaMay 3, 1919, LymingeDear Pauline,I was very glad to hear from you again. That paper of the Government you wrote on and sent to me made a fine large letter. Am very glad you and all are keeping in the best of health. I hear you are chief of the cooks since Merelda has went to Merle’s. Have a pie for me when I get home. I will be sure to eat the biggest part of it. What I’ll leave for you will be small, ha-ha. Well Pauline I have good news for you to-night. Yes very good news. I go before the O.C. of the Hospital Monday morning May 5th for my discharge out of Hospital. I will be sent to my Depotin Liverpool and will probably be there for a week or two. Than after that I sail for you know. Gosh that will be a happy day when I get on that old boat bound for good old land far away. I can hardly waite until the day comes. And when I land on Canada shores it will be the happiest day of Old Yek’s life. I feel good now no scabies and no nothing. I spent most of my days on the cliffs around here. It is awful beautiful on them. I believe it had a great deal in helping me to get back to my own health again. Blighty is a fine country in springtime. But not like our own country tho. How are you getting along fishing this spring? Arch will be out every night I suppose. But maybe not out fishing, eh. Poor Hiarm, man o’man. Well Sis being I will soon be home again. I’ll not give you all my news. I believe my Pals back home are telling a good many tales of Yek. I’ve a few to tell of all of em believe moi. Me with the kilt on on parade is nothing to what some of em had on some parades. I’ve seen them running over the battlefield with only a shirt on. What do you think of that, eh. Well will close for now will write to you when I get to some other dump.Au Revoir, Mon cher, Love to all, Loving Bro Yek

May 5, 1919, Postcard from D. Smith to Earl.Earl had received earlier correspondence from Dorrie in Folkstone.May 5, 1919 from Earl’s sister MayDear Brother,We were sure glad to get your letter twas so long since had heard from you . Sorry you have been in Hospital so much, only hope you get home in June. I had a letter from Merle today. I will send it along so you can read what she says she speaks of Madeline getting hurt & well she did have a fall. She struck her head on the coal scuttle and cut it pretty badly but is healing nicely. Don’t think it will leave a mark. She feels fine now and Hester, she is quite the little talker and as far as can be just like her Dad. Jim is busy fishing these nights he brought in three nice fish to-night wish you were here to enjoy them with us. Yes you certainly will see some changes when you get home with all the new sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews. It will keep you busy knowing them all and Colin and Henry are farmers at King. Henry was out west when you were home was he not and Harold has not decided where he will settle yet. Hope you get well soon. Jim has quite a hen house, but has only two hens they are Rhode Island Reds and one is set then we have eight little chicks bought them they are B. Rockers, tis rather chilly at night so we bring them in to the house at nights so we are still in the hen business and we have quite a large garden and is coming along very nicely nearly all my flowers are coming up. So think I will have quite a nice assortment this summer. Have you heard from Ruth since she is married she has gone to the farm and says it is fine and she is quite at home. Well now Earl I hope this finds you real well and the next we hear you are on your way home. Will be so glad when you get safely home. You sure have did your bit. Best of good luck to you, lovingly Madeline, Hester, Jim and May.by, by. 302 Society for Savings, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.May 13, 1919, Can Gen. Depot, Seaford Earl writes in his letter about the number of Canadian soldiers killed during the war “If Canada did have 52,000 killed in this war, She still has a lot of rust old tuffs yet.” Earl mentions in his letter home the number of riots that were happening. Earl also writes about his black sweater that he has asked his Mother to send him. The significance of the black sweater is that he placed football in in in 1916 in Kettleby. “My black sweater was like a rag that had been in the river for a year.”My Dear Sister, just a few lines to let you know where I am. I am still at Seaford some of my papers are not here yet so I awaiting for those to come along. I have already signed all my others. I will be sent to Ryle from here that is near Liverpool Awful numbers are leaving here daily. If Canada did have 52,000 killed in this war. She has still a lot of rust old tuffs yet, ha-ha. Do you hear about the riots over here at the Canucks Camps? It there is another one starts here at Seaford and I am here I am going to get out as far as I can in the sea. I must keep away from danger now. I want to be finished with the hospitals for a while now. A riot was to Witley Camp two days ago. The Woodbines thot they could like the Canucks and they had a hot time of it for a while. I do not know who came out best. But I guess the Canucks, ha-ha. The weather is pink here. I suppose it will be far pinker at home tho. I forget what kind of weather we have in Canada in May and June. I know what July is like tho. I’ll never forget that foot-ball match I played at Kettleby in July 1916. My Black sweater was like a rag that had been in a river for a year. I will be home for the 1st of July this year and tell the people I will take them to the fair inthe new wagon of Dad’s. Arch can take his buggy and go around by the Mill Road. Hiram would lend his buggy for a shilling or two. Are you still at Merle’s yet? I wrote to Merle not long ago. But she did not answer my letter. And you need not answer any more. Get dat old Gal. Something doing when I tell people not to write to me. My mail has not come up from Lyminge yet. I expect a bunch of it from there. Now I will close for now. And will write again soon. I shot a card to Flossie a few days ago. Hope all are well at home. And will see you all again in short time.Love to All, Your Loving Bro, YekMay 23, 1919, Witley CampMy Dear Sister,Well I am at Witley again. Arrived in here this noon time. 800 of us came up from Seaford. Had a fine trip on the train. But the march from the Station to the Camp was not nice. A very warm day it has been and we had heavy loads to march with. Everything looks the same around here as it did when I was here before in 1916. Some of my old girls knew me and some did not. They say I’ve changed a lot. Got tuff I guess they mean, ha-ha. But I shan’t let the gals of Surrey County worry me. Very large, ha-ha. Well Merelda, I can’t say when I will be leaving for home. Pretty soon tho. I’ll see the 1st July in Canada all right. One of my papers is lost somewhere over here. It may be a week before it is found. They do a lot of losing papers in the London Office. No wonder riots started in so many of the Canucks Camps, I may put in for a few days leave. We can get leave now. I will go to Blackpool if I do go. But if my papers show up soon I will not put in for any at all. The weather is jake here. I am as brown as a nig. I suppose Dad & Arch will have the Spring seeding all in by now. Ready for the big day the 24th. I’ll spend mine here in Blighty for the last, and Thank God it is the last to. They will likely have sports here. I may take some of them in. But I am afraid I will stand a poor chance at any of them. Me been in the Hospital so long my wind is all gone. I see a few of the Toronto boys around here. Those I meet while training in Toronto. Well Merelda I will now come to a close for now. Will drop a card in a few days. Best of Love to all. Loving Bro. Earl. “Will see you all very soon”May 25, 1919, Witley Camp, Surrey Earl mentions that he hopes to be home by the 1st of July.My Dear Mother, Just a few lines to you to let you know I am still in the Country yet. I am at the Camp I was in in 1916. Everything looks very nice around here now. I took a stroll out this morning along the English roads. They are some very pretty places. I was through a bush which made me think of Northern Ontario. I frightened lots of rabbits & pheasants up. I suppose you all went away for the 24th. I spent the day here. A baseball match I attended to in the afternoon. I did not play tho. It is a game I don’t like playing. I like any game but baseball to play. But I can enjoy watching a good game of base-ball. In the evening I went to the cinema in one of the Y.M.C.A.s here. How is Dad & Arch getting along with the work. I’ll soon be home to give them a help. I will be sailing in about two weeks time if everything goes well. So when you receive this letter you can say that Yek is on his way home at last. I wrote to Merelda a few days ago, day before the 24th, telling her what a good boy I have become to be, ha-ha. Mother I don’t know however I will fill the next page up. But I will make a good try of it. I suppose there will be high doings the 1st July around home. If I am home I will have to take a load up the Kettleby like I use to do. But I will have no grey horses to ride behind. Well Mother, I don’t think I will be able to fill this page today. I could talk to you far better than write. And very soon. Take real good care of yourself and hope you and all at home are in the best of health. Well Mother you need not write to me anymore. Guess you know why, ha, ha. Love to all at home, Loving son Earl.Jun 10, 1919, Witley – portion of this letter was damagedDear Merelda & All Well Merelda I guess I can say this will be my last letter home form this Country. And how glad I am to think that it is my last one. The day has come for me to be sailing home to see you all again. I will be sailing on the 17th of this month. Maybe before ha,ha. ..... I tell you it is wild days around here now. The draft men are so happy they can’t sleep at nights. I slept outdoors last night. The tents are so awful arm these warm days one can hardly stop in em a minute. Most of the Coy I am in here sleep out in the woods. It is nice but oh the mosquitoes they nip like bumblebees. I took a run up to London Saturday evening stayed until Sunday evening. No one here knew I was absent. So joke a-loo I was. I went to the zoo to see the pretty little monkeys. Some of em would try hard to talk their own language to me. The zoo is sure a lovely place this time of the year. Every animal and thing you can think of is in it. Riverdale Zoo would just go in one corner of the London Zoo. It is sure a wonder of the world. Well Merelda. I guess I will have to close my last letter to you. May drop a card. … [Rest of letter damaged] Best love to all, Your loving Bro. EarlJun 17, 1919, Witley Camp, EnglandMy Dear Sister, This is the day I was to sail away home. Does’nt look very much like it does it. I guess you7 know why we are held back for another week. The Atlantic sailors went on a strike for higher pay, so we are held back for a while. I suppose you have read about the riot we had here was some thing like over in France. The first night 14th was not so bad as the 15th. Shooting up was done the 15th. You can be sure I made tracks for the tall timbers when I heard the first bullet giving a lovely song in the air. Some were killed and some wounded. The tin-town here was all torn down and the goods token. And after the troops got their stomachs filled and all the good stuff they wanted. They put a match to the remains. London could see the light from the fire. It was some fire believe me. The garage had tons of gasoline in it and a fine sight was it when she went up. They didn’t burn enough the first night they started some more fire and it ate up a few more buildings. A guard of Canadians from Bramshott were sent up in a Lorry armed with revolvers, rifle and bayonet. But only twenty guards to over 10,000 troops. They were soon bottled and stoned back to where they come from. Many of them went to Hospital. I saw some of them get some awful wounds. Last night all was quite. Word going around here now is the Imperial troops are coming up with their armour motor machine gun cars from Aldershott if we start another riot. Allso the Woodbine Calvary from Aldershott. But I don’t think anymore Riots will start. The ring leaders were caught and sent to London for safe keeping. V.C. Turner was down from London on Sunday and gave us all a lecture. He said he would try and get us all back home by the 15th of July. I believe he is a wee bit full of prunes tho. You know there are over 40,000 troops here yet just at this Camp. He had better get England’s Battleships, submarine chasers and all the boats that are able to cross the Pond. Maybe he could get us all back then. Say but I am fed up on this waiting about. It just gets my nerves where they are weak. Ha-ha. Lots more like me too. I may be home for the 1st, I hope I am. It will be around that time I shall land I think. I had a letter from May today. And one from old Pal in Lindsay, Clarence Bowhey. He is in civvies now and look at me. Well Merelda my dear Sis, I will close for now. But will write soon again. I may go for a few days leave to some part of this world. I am fed up of around this Camp. The only place I can enjoy meself is out in the Bush with the mosquitoes, ha-ha. No theatre here now. It went west the other night. Hope all are well and hope it is not to warm for you. It is fierce here just now. No rain for over three weeks. Love to all, will see you all soon. Adieu, Don’t write. Loving Bro, YekJun 24, 1919 Witley Camp – Earl mentions “Peace was signed to-day and London was wild all day”Dear Brother, Just a few lines of bull to let you know I am still in the ail land pretty slow in getting home, eh. But I can’t help it. I don’t like this part of the World at all so I am not trying to stop here for the good of my health. Or no’wee Jane is keeping me here. I will likely wander in to Toronto about the 10th of July. I am fed clean to the neck of laying around camp. So yesterday Lefty Syda a B. Coy chum of mine and I took a run into London and stayed until to-night. None knew we were always so guess we will have no defaulters calls to answer to. Peace was signed to-day and London was wild all day. Some went nuts I think. The Woodbine women were nearly all drunk beaucoup of em were runed into the clink. I got my wind up so I beat it for Witley. I suppose you will be hard at the haying by now. Crops look good over here. I hope they are as good in Canada. Are you getting in trim for the 1st. I am sorry I didn’t make it home for the 1st. I can’t make it now unless I sail to-night. But small hopes of me sailing to-night or this week. I had my Dental Board a few days ago. My Medical Board is to come yet and my L.P.C. Is not signed yet. All my papers are lost new ones will have to be made out for me. But if I am not out of this by the 10th of July I am going to start off on my own hook. I will make it jake leave it to moi. Well Arch must close for now and get into bunk. Take care of yourself and best Love and good wishes to all at home. Loving Bro Earl, Will see you all soon.Jul 8, 1919, Mid Ocean Finally Earl is on his way home.My Dear Mother At last I have started on my way home. Just about home now just imagine it. I can hardly believe it. I am on my way homeward. We left Witley Camp July 3rd and arrived at the Boat the same night at 4 o’clock and sail out at 8 o’clock. We are a few miles over half way now. The trip has been not to bad so far. Sunday was very rough tho. But the fine large ship was to heavy for much knocking about. The Empress of Britain. This morning has been very foggy and she is not making fast time. Some icebergs are drifting about allso. So that shows we are near to Labrador. Land is supposed to be sighted this afternoon. It seems a few weeks since land was sighted. There are about 3,000 men and officers on board. And about 70 Nursing Sisters. Sports are held every day on Deck such as Boxing, Wrestling and foot racing. The prizes are cigarettes and cigars. Well Mother I will stop writing now. Will soon be able to talk to you instead of writing? Please excuse this writing. As I am doing it in the dining room and it is on the rock all the time. I have not feed the fish any yet, ha-ha. But I had better not blow about it. I have a few more miles to go yet. The Boat is due in Quebec the 11th. So watch for me knocking about very soon. I missed the good ship Olympic by 1 day. But a raft is good enough for me as long as it takes me to God’s Country.Hope all are well at home. Will see you very soon. Bye-Bye, Your Loving Son, EarlSep 21, 1919 letter from Merelda to Earl in Davisville Military Hospital, (North) TorontoMy Dear Earl, I guess you would be looking for me today. Susie and Fred Willis had promised to take Mother & I down to see you today, but it has just poured rain all day. So we could not go at all, but I will try & get down some day this week will go on the train. I was talking to one of the official at the hospital yesterday, phoned down. He said you were operated on, Friday & was doing fine & he said he would tell you I was phoning you. I hope you are feeling much better & hope the days don’t seem to long. I suppose Harold & Kate would be up to the hospital today to see you. We have had very wet weather lately. It has rained nearly every day for a week. Kettleby Fair was yesterday Henry & Hazel went to it, also Pauline, Floss, Arch & Daddie. Mother was at home alone & I was busy at the store. Merle was expecting a lot of company today so had to stay home to prepare for them & then they didn’t come after all. Maud said she would go down with me next Sunday to see you, but if I can get a day off before then I will go myself, can’t depend on her and then tho it is Rally Day at our Church & there want me there. I am glad H & K have got some nice rooms now. I must write them I don’t get much time for writing letters now. Well, how is old Bert? And have you found Tom yet. Tell Bert that Merchants have moved to Toronto now, left last Thursday, they are going to live at Sunnyside. Well Earl, how are you fixed for clothes? Do you need some more underwear or does the hospital supply that, if there is anything you would like we will send it. Well I can’t think of any more to tell you now so will close. So hoping you are getting along fine and don’t find it to lonely lying in bed and write as soon as you are able to. Well love & Best Wishes from all, Au Revoir, Mon Cheri Bro, MereldaSep 30, 1919 from Flossie Ross. Flossie mentions in her letter that the talk is all about an election and mentions women being allowed to vote: “The women have a vote this time you know so instead of about 800 voters around here there are 1400. Now some difference isn’t it?”Dear Earl, I’ve intended writing to you ever since I came home but I haven’t done much writing only one letter to Clara. We heard from her and she said you were getting along allright, and we were quite anxious until we did hear from her, so we hope you are still doing well. She said the place was real cheerful and comfortable where you were and that makes a lot of difference when a person is sick. All the talk around here is election. Lennox has had meetings in Newmarket and Aurora and is to have one in King soon. Then the Farmers have their meetings, there is one at King tonight at which, Herb Ross and Jim Burns Jr. speak; also this is the night Toppy McDonald is to come home after being married, so they are preparing to charavari him (that word is chivaree hits, some word to spell – I must say, ha-ha).Women have a vote this time you know so instead of about 800 voters around here there are 1400. Now, some difference isn’t it? You would hear Lorne Campbell is home – I haven’t seen him yet but hope to before I go back to the city. I haven’t been many places since I came home. I went to church Sunday up to the Stone Church. It was Flower Sunday or Children’s Day & was a gran warm day too. From Church I went to Nobleton with Gar McCallum & stayed till Mon afternoon. I was all over the country out there, down to Kleinberg Sta. & at the Mill etc. and at the mill etc. but I wouldn’t want to stay long over there among the hills. I couldn’t sleep Sunday night for owls hooting, it all sounded too wild. I was out to King this p.m. Ern Hollingshead little girl, Zelta & I went out with Mr. Rolling in his car from school & we got a ride back with Slimmy Watson so were away long then she came home with me for supper & I came back from taking her home just a while ago. She’s a great little girl alright. The small kids around the burg & Hughie & I play football some nights but outside of all these exciting things nothing else happens. Anna B. has gone back to Toronto to University again, she’s awfully friendly never phoned or came to see me & she’s been home all summer. The Sturdy girls aren’t friendly anymore either their barn raising or dance is to be this Thursday, they haven’t asked me, but I don’t care if they ever do or not. I’ll go anyway, ha, ha. I haven’t any idea who I am going with so far. I don’t know of anything more to say Earl. If it were winter time I would be telling you how many skunks I had trapped & how many rabbits I had shot but it’s just fall yet a while. I had a big birthday the other day – was 23 on 23rd Sept, some old lady ain’t I. I’ll be back to work next Monday & I will go up to see you 1st opportunity, & in the meantime be good & make them all wait on you down there & look after you – that’s what they’re there for. Hope you continue to improve & feel fine. Just keep in good high spirits & you’ll be jake. I have a vote this time. I’ll see if I can get you some real spirits, ha-ha! All this time. Sincerely Flossie RossJul 12, 1919Discharge Papers of Norman Earl Campbell,Letter to Sapper Norman “Earl” Campbell, 779051 on his discharge.The letter reads:Honoured Friend, It is indeed with pleasure that we welcome you home again. We fully realize that it is utterly impossible for us to adequately compensate you for the sacrifices you have made in our behalf. Sacrifices that entailed discomforts and privations untold and dangers never before dreamed of. The self-satisfied, stay-at-home man would never have made an allied victory possible. That noble sense of patriotism that induced you to answer the call of your country in her need cannot be too greatly appreciated, and the desire and determination in you to fight and to die if necessary for the cause of Justice and of Right makes us proud indeed to call you Friend. It is you and such men as you who have built for Britain an Empire on which the sun never sets. Never yet has Britain lacked support of her sons. As far back as Elizabeth’s reign their caring and enterprise extended her boundaries to the New World, and down through the centuries they have valiantly upheld the tradition of the race. Through your noble efforts we now hold a vaster Empire than has been. In presenting this slight token of our appreciation we are not endeavouring in any way to recompense you for the dangers and privations you have so cheerfully undergone, and we feel that men who fought so nobly for Right and Justice in Flanders Fields can be trusted to fight for Right and Justice in the country of their birth or adoption. You have made the word Canadian honoured by all the allied nations. Your country-men delight to honour you and we who know you best are proud indeed to take this opportunity to thank you who have so nobly, and gallantly upheld the fair name of Canada in a war stricken world. To Sap. Earl Norman Campbell.Letter dated February 7, 1921, from the Department of Soldiers’ Civil Re-Establishment reads:Mr. N.E. Campbell,King, OntarioDear Sir,In furthermore to our letter of February 4th, when you are next in the City please call and see Mr. H.L. Blake of the Employment Bureau who can probably obtain something suitable for you.Faithfully yours,J.W. BernardEmployment Department,For District Vocation Officer “D” Unit