September 25th, 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.
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