Letter #65 September 25, 1917 "I am sure a lucky cuss."

September 25^th, 1917 (postmark)

Folkstone

CAMC Camp

Westenhaugen, Kent England

Dear Mother,

Have not heard a word from you for at least two weeks I can't make out just what is the matter.  I hope nothing is wrong at home.  I guess not or you would have told me.  Things here are as usual.  Yesterday I went down to the Docks to see a bunch of the boys off.  There were sure a happy bunch all going over for the first time and glad to go, glad to have the chance at the square heads.  It was good to see the spirit they went away in.  The boys were singing, bands were playing, the returned boys were shouting and women crying. Say, it was some mixture.  They will be over there by now and by this time next week they will realize what war means.

          I have the same old job here and by all accounts I will keep it for some time to come although a person can never tell five minutes beforehand what they are going to do with him.  

         My friends from Buxton are down here for a week or so and on Thursday I motored to Canterbury with them.  Went all through the cathedral and all through the hospital that I was put in on my return from France.  It's quite an ancient town and was very interesting.  We visited two of the places that Dickens mentioned in his books probably Dad will recognize the names “The ?? Inn and Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe”  That’s the way they are spelt or were spelt in the days of Dickens. 

          A lot of our boys were turned into infantry the other day and some of them transferred into the kilter’s.  Gee it is a scream to see some of them in Kilts.  I don’t think they are all overjoyed with their lots.  

       Well how is Winnipeg and all the people.  Irelands, Laws and the rest.  You never told me if they will have to join up if conscription comes into effect.  I hope to the Lord they do and then they won't be so darn quick to criticize.  They get a smash of it and then we will be able to see who’s got cold feet and have to hide behind their women folk.  I got no use for slackers and especially when they are from Canada.

          The weather here is surely ideal.  It's as warm as the middle of summer.  How does VV like her job I have never heard from her since she went to Westbourne I hope she likes it alright. I know it will be lonely for her but if she likes the work it will help a lot.  Oh say Mother did I tell you that the hospital I was in in Ramsgate is going to move.  Yes in one of the Air raids a bomb was dropped through the roof into the recreation room doing considerable damage, by Jove I think I got out of there just in time.  You know Mother I am sure a lucky cuss. It seems I have a lucky star that tells me where and when not to move.  Well I have got to get to work.  Tell Dad I hope he is well and that I will ans his letter shortly.  Remember me to VV when you write and tell her I am well.  I will now go back to work or they will be over after me.

With love

Chas 

The " ?? " Inn and the Olde Curiosity Shoppe" Any ideas?  I've darkened the letter and the text below and welcome your input. This particular letter is very faded and I'm finding it really difficult to make out the name of the Inn.  He may have visited "The Little Inn'  in the Sun Hotel. Dickens set a scene in his novel "David Copperfield" at this inn.

The Sun Hotel was built in 1503 and, although the name has changed, the building still stands today. The history of this famous stopping-in place is preserved with a small historic marker in the first floor, as follows

THE SUN HOTEL 

Formerly known as The Little Inn 

Made famous by Charles Dickens 

In his travels thro’ Kent 

Built 1503

The Old Curiosity Shop still stands ...

Charley mentions the air raid attack on the Canadian Hospital in Ramsgate where he had recently worked.  This is a link to an excellent account of that day written by another young Cdn soldier from Winnipeg. William Markle (Mark) Pecover  Company D, 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion.

September 3, 1917 Letter #64 "By Jove You Can't Beat the British"

September 3^rd, 1917 (postmark)

CAMC Camp

Westenhaugen, Kent England

Dear Mother,

          I just finished a letter to VV and told her I was sending you and her a photo.  The proofs came up all right and the pictures will be along as soon as this letter so I have kept my promise at last.  Gee the kid must feel lonesome out there all by herself and you and Dad must be just about lost.  But as I tell her it won't be long till the war is over and she has had enough experience to teach in a city school and then we will all be together again.  Some people seem to think the war has gone about its limit so let us hope it has.

          As yet there is nothing to tell you in regards what I am going to do or where I am going. There are more here than I have ever saw in the Depot before but I think another big offensive and a lot will be cleared out.  One of my old friends from the Buxton staff landed in here a few days ago and the poor devil got four days punishment before he was here a day. Gee mother is it fierce.  He sleeps in the same hut as myself and I don’t give him a minutes rest.

        Don’t criticize the paper, as it is all that is available at present.  

       The weather here the last week or so is absolutely rotten it is raining all the time and when a person is in camp on wet weather it is miserable.  Especially when you are three miles from a village and eight from a town.

          Did I tell you that I saw the last German Air Squadron that came over here, fifteen machines.  They were spotted away down the coast no sooner had they been seen than our fellows up and after them. They then headed down towards Ramsgate but our planes right on their heels firing away as fast as their guns could fire.  By Jove you can't beat the British, it was just like a big bulldog after a cat the way our men up and after them.  I would have given anything for Dad to have seen it.  Best race I ever saw.  Anyway our fellows got five of their latest giant type machines and the navy got another as they were beating it for home.

          Well how is things in general. I met young Rufus Lions from Portage last night.  Do you know Mother his is as big as I am now.  Gee it's fierce how those kids do grow.  Seem to spring up in a night.  By the way Mother you have never said anything to any of those photos I sent home did you.  I sincerely hope you don’t any way.  Because I don’t want anyone to know.

          How is Dad’s health is he looking any better than he did on the farm.  I hope so.  VV was telling me that the fellow on the farm may not be dishonest but he needed someone to watch him is that right.  I suppose men are so hard to get that he can do very near anything he likes and you can’t fire him.  Well Mother there is nothing here to write about that is of any interest.  I am as well as ever I was as you will see by my photo.  Remember me to Dad and VV and write soon.

Love Chas