Letter #73, January 2, 1918

Ristow Barracks

Shorncliffe Kent England

Dear Mother

          I received your letter of Nov 22^nd today and the one written on Dec 10^th a few days ago so you see how my mail arrives.  By Jove Mother that was a nice little calling down you gave me I know when I asked you for that money that you were hard up and I said I would give it back to you as soon as I could and not to worry about me being in trouble as I was not but to believe me and some day later I will tell you all about it.

          Now Mother you talk about my nonsense will believe me it’s but very little fun I have had lately or for the last couple of years and when you speak of me troubling and worrying you well Mother it kind of hurts my feelings.  Believe me truly it is not nonsense or craziness Mother I am old enough now to know when to draw the line and since my trip to Winnipeg I have been anything but what was idiotic.  I know I can’t convince you by letters but it won’t be long till you will know for yourself.

          You asked me in your last letter if my friends from Buxton had been writing to me.  Yes they have and I told them it was impossible for me to get up for Christmas. Mother it was simply because I couldn’t afford it and if there had of been any where I would like to have gone it was there.  So you see its but darn little nonsense I am carrying on.  Yes my Christmas, Birthday and News was spent working and working hard.

          Things here are just as usual same old routine day in and day out.  The majority of the civilian population think the war is gong to end this spring at the outside but personally  think if we get home a year from now we will be lucky.  However we can live in hope.  You we speaking about sending me a parcel as mine was blown up.  Mother I know you would like to send me one but really I would much rather you spent the money on yourself or Dad, we get lots to eat and for what it costs to send one over here it is not worth it.  Yes I suppose the Richmond babies are very nice and all that but its men we need over here. Oh well they are enjoying life so let them alone.

Say mother do you ever hear anything about Harry Richmond and his whereabouts.  Well mother I am going to close, tell Dad it will have to be a princess that I marry and a darn good one.  Remember me to VV and Dad and write soon

Love

Chas

Letter #72, December 29, 1917

Ristow Barracks

Shorncliff

Kent England

Dear Mother and Dad

Mother I am going to give you a surprise. I am going back to France if they will let me.  In all probability it will be back dispensing again at least I am going to try and go in that capacity. This time I am going to prove to you that it's not my nonsense that keeps me in the ranks, by Jove if I can't get my old rank back again my name is not Bailey.  Yes Mother there is no use talking, I will be there before you get this letter so don’t worry.  I am not going to stand back and see these married men with kiddies etc go and a young fellow like myself stay behind just because I have been over before.  It’s not right, it’s not fair and I am not going to do it.   If some of those young fellows in Canada will not come then Mother you can tell them, there is some of the old boys that are not afraid to go back and do their share for them and your boy is one of them.

          I have got the old active service equipment again and I feel better, I feel as though I am doing right.  I have volunteered for this mother and I am as happy as a pig in dirt, never let it be said that I was picked.  I was there at the start and if I am spared, I will be there at the finish.  Dad will understand my feeling, and if everything comes out alright, I think he will be proud to say that I was not a quitter, just because some of them are.

          Things in general are just as usual around here, men coming and going every day, Young Faulkner came around to see me and one or two of the Dauphin boys, but they have almost strangers to me now, gee they have altered.    I received your parcel yesterday Mother, and I am sure enjoying the cigarettes but really I would rather you bought some little comforts for yourself and Dad.  I can manage alright, and the expense it takes to send a parcel over here is too much.  VV wrote the other day and by her letters she is getting to be a regular farmer, pigs, dogs, and animals seem to be her hobby.  Well Mother there is no use looking on the dark side of things, Cheer up because by the time you receive this I will be back in France.  I will write just as soon as I get there, don’t think I am foolish Mother, I am only doing what’s right. Remembrance to Dad and V-V

Love Chas

P.S.

I will write the day I land.  Chas.

            

Letter #71 Dec 18, 1917

Ristow Barracks

Shorncliff, Kent

England
Jan 18, 1917

Dear Mother

Ha Ha! Mother you make me laugh. For goodness sake don’t believe what those people try to tell you.  Mother I am further away from being a married man than I was the day I left Winnipeg.  Don’t think that I have lost all sense of reason all together.  (Newman?) if he only knew, happens to be the goat in this case, and the joke is on him.  I didn’t think that it would carry as far a Winnipeg or the rumour would never have started.  But believe me dear Mother you and Dad will be the first to hear of any time I do happen to get crazy enough to get married and you can bet your last dollar that it will never happen for a few years yet and maybe not then.

          Gee I have been laughing to myself all morning.  To think that you and Dad really believed it beats me, the darn fools just want something to talk about.

          Well Mother as you see by the address I have moved or at lest the whole CAMC have moved and I have a dandy job in the office.  Excused from all duties except Office work.  You ask me if I received your parcel. Yes I did Mother and I enjoyed it very much but if I were you I would not spend money sending me eats. Because all this talk of us fellows not getting enough to eat is simply to get people at home to send them parcels.  Every camp has a canteen that all eats and tea and coffee can be obtained at.  I received the smokes and Mother I do enjoy them.  You see in this country Murads can not be got but eats are plentiful and if we don’t spend our money that way it goes some other.

          The weather has set in like as if it meant winter.  Rainy and wet.  Do you know after this war I am going to some country where they never get snow or rain.  I have had enough of it the last few years.  I am not at all surprised to hear the price of wheat is away up and I have been hoping the farm had a good crop.

          Well I have just received VV’s letter and by Jove she has got that idea too.  Mother please do forget it.  It's foolishness and absolutely untrue.  I have to do something now so remember me to Dad and VV and write when you can. I will close now with love

Love

Chas

Letter #70, December 17, 1917

Ristow Barracks

Shorncliff, Kent England

My Dear Mother

          Why Mother do you so want me to let VV see that photo.  No I would much rather you let no one but yourself and Dad see it.  Rumors get about and I will be a Grandfather before I return Lord everybody even in this county think I am married.  One of my old friends says to me “CR I heard you were married I kind of believe its true too” I asked him what he was talking about.  Well he says “You don’t go out any more at nights and your not like the old CR at all.”  By Jove Mother when your own Pals think your married its getting things down pretty fine.  “Eh What” As far as those Winnipeg people go Mother just let them think what they like.  It will give them something to talk about but to you and Dad and VV I am further away from being married than when I left Winnipeg.  Women are like pets, they're all right in your spare time when you need something to amuse you.  I am still in the Office here and am getting on OK.

 I asked you for some money in my last letter, since then I find that with half what I asked you for I could get along with and would be able to pay you back sooner.  If it is possible at all Mother I would sure like it.  But if you can’t spare it then I can't have it and that’s finished with.  You no doubt have said to Dad “ I wonder what that boy wants with the money and I know it's hardly fair not to tell but in this case Mother you can trust me and you won't be wrong.

          Things here are as usual.  Nothing happening of any importance. Law and Ireland should see how these poor wounded and sick have to go through the mill then if they were men at all they would sacrifice a little.  But in both cases I think its cold feet and if they ever do come over the old boys won’t spare them much.

          Well Mother how have you and Dad been keeping winter has started here in earnest wet cold and miserable.  But I am more or less an Englishman now and the climate don’t seem to bother me much.  Yes mother I received your cigs and believe me they are appreciated.

Well Mother remember me to Dad and VV and write when you can.

Your Son

Love Chas