February 14th, 1915. Charley's 18th letter home from France. WW1

Set design for BBC production of Crimson Field, WW1 Pharmacy

February 14, 1915
France

Dear Mother
Just a few lines as I am pretty busy these days. We got our first Canadian patient today he had pneumonia “Poor Fellow”. 

I received Dad’s letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from him. He was saying business had fallen away considerable lately. Well Mother if you were to see some of the people of this country you would be glad you were in Canada let alone have a business. Mother it is funny how some of these people exist. Still they seem to be just as content as if they were millionaires.

At present there is but very little fighting going on but by the time things open up and the fine weather sets in there will sure be some big battles take place. Let us hope that they are in our favour when they do happen.

We have had three new officers attached to us just lately and seem to be very nice men. There was two Aeroplanes went over us yesterday but we could not distinguish of what nationality they were but I think they were French.

I was down to one of the neighbouring villages the other day and saw some very nice souvenirs if they would only get across the water safe I would like to send you some but I am afraid they would never reach you safe.

Dad was saying in his letter about Ina staying home etc. well if she does it will sure be against her grain but if she does not it will make it awfully lonesome for Aunt Rachie as there is nobody with her now at all.

Have not had a letter from V-V since she returned to College. I guess the kid is too much taken up with her studies. However I won’t kick as long as she makes as good marks on her finals as she did in the Xmas exams. 

It is raining like anything now. Gee I pity the poor fellows in the trenches today it must be awful. Well Mother I have got to get to work it is just gone one o’clock. So remember me to Dad and V-V when you write.

With love

Chas

There is a handwritten note from Charley's Mother to his 16 year old sister VV at the top of Charley's letter ~ Jennie; Charley's mom, would have sent Charley’s letters on to VV at Brandon College. She writes:

"Vevie, try mercolized wax I think that will fix your face, and Vevie never mind sending the combinations they will do in June when you come.  I will use these old ones.  Mother"

In 1915, the manufacturers of "Mercolized Wax” claimed it would make "all defects such as blackheads, tan, freckles, and large pores disappear. Skin is then beautifully clear, velvety and so soft - face looks years younger. Mercolized Wax brings out your hidden beauty."     Mercolized Wax was composed of zinc oxide (10%), ammoniated mercury (10%), and vaseline (80%). They noted that the mercury compound was a "dangerous poison".
'The combinations' Mother mentions may well have been measurements for garments.
And, in my Grandma (V.V.'s) defense; she was always very beautiful. Her face in no way needed 'fixing'. :) Teenage acne most likely.

Researching the #2 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Le Touquet France

I'm pacing. I don't like this. It's been a few weeks since Charley's last letter.  I can only imagine how his family must have felt in 1915.

In more than a few of Charley's letters he remarks to his Mother that they must not be getting a lot of his letters, and his mail too seems to go missing or to come in bundles all at once. He speaks of writing at least twice a week. I'm quite certain that the 88 letters I inherited are not the complete collection.  Perhaps other letters exist somewhere in a distant cousins attic and perhaps not. Regardless, I treasure this collection of letters and I am humbled to find myself with them 100 years on.   

It'll be another full week till we hear from Charley again. In the meantime; as of February 1915, Charley's hospital (The #2 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Le Touquet, France) is fully operational.  

I was excited to find this sketch by Cristina Casali, the production designer for the BBC production of The Crimson Field. The show lasted only one season much to the chagrin of many viewers and tells the story of a WW1 Army Hospital in France. The total of six one-hour episodes can be ordered on DVD so I think I will have to do that. For the time being, Ms Casali's lovely sketch is my screen saver. 

I just finished a book that dropped me smack dab into the middle of Charley's life. It was a disturbing and heartbreaking read and a fascinating glimpse into Charley's world.  The author describes his tale as "thinly coated with the sugar of fiction". 

The  fellow who wrote it worked in Charley's hospital and the whole scene was the subject of his book.  

Of course I hungrily looked for some mention of Charley within the pages and although I did not find him, I learned about the people he spent those years with, the conditions under which they lived, and I understand much better what Charley's days must have been like.

The book is titled " The First Canadians in France, The Chronicle of a Military Hospital in the War Zone . By F. McKelvey Bell.  Copyright 1917 
I found this mention of Major Bell in the official War Diary of the #2 Stationary Hospital. 

His book can be found here and freely downloaded.   

In his dedication the author writes:

"The efficient fulfillment of onerous duties by all, have given to the Canadian Medical Service a status second to none in the Empire: The sick and wounded soldier has been made to feel that a Military Hospital may be not only a highly scientific institution—but a Home."

and in his preface the Major writes:

"In glancing through these pages, now that they are written, I realize that insufficient stress has been laid upon the heroism and self-sacrifice of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Army Medical Corps—the boys who, in the dull monotony of hospital life, denied the exhilaration and stimulus of the firing line, are, alas, too often forgotten. All honour to them that in spite of this handicap they give of their best, and give it whole-heartedly to their stricken comrades."

I believe Charley falls in this latter category.  In my research it is not difficult to find a good deal of information about nurses and doctors, stretcher bearers, ambulance drivers and front line medics who served in WW1 but I have yet to find almost any mention of a pharmacist or medical dispenser save for 'my Charley' and his letters. 

Charley's next letter home is written on the 14th of February 1915.

January 30, 1915 Charley's 17th letter home from France. WW1

Jan 30 1915

France

Con

Dear Mother

Received your letter today and needless to say I was glad to hear from you.  Had a letter from Ernie Perrin the other day and I answered him and maybe you think I did not kid him. Gee when Ruby reads the letter she won’t be a thing but sore at me.  Where did they spend their honeymoon?  It will sure be lonesome for the poor girl being so far away from all the rest of them.

We had another train load of wounded; among them were eleven German soldiers. They were good intelligent looking men, but they were so downhearted that one could not help feeling sorry for the poor fellows. One of them told me, he did not want to fight the English, but if he did not, his officers would shoot him and it was sure a luxury for them to get good food and a good bed.

I have some picture post cards of two or here of us in a group and if the authority will let them go threw I will send you a couple.  Say Mother did you get my fur coat from Mr Scammel or is it still in the Storage.  Next letter let me know so I can drop him a line to instruct him as to what he will do with it. 

It is quite an ordinary sight for me to see aeroplanes now.  Most ever day there is one goes over here.  The weather is not so cold now but it is still damp.  It is rumoured that we are going to get a few days leave of absence if it is true, and I can get away, I will see Paris and some other important towns of France.

If it is not to much trouble to you would it be possible to send me out a Winnipeg paper once in awhile as those that write to me from there never tell me anything of the doings around town.  I am very glad to hear that V.V. likes the College so well, and it is sure that if she makes such good marks in the monthly exams, she will sure come out all right in her finals at midsummer.

Well Mother it is very near time for me to start work so remember me to Dad and VV and don’t forget to write often.

With Love

Chas

The illustration of German Wounded arriving at Hospital is from the book "First Canadians in France" by By F. McKelvey Bell.  Copyright 1917

January 22nd, 1915. Charley's 16th letter home from France.

January 22, 1915

France

Hello Mother

Just received V-V’s letter laughing at my upper lip, well if you could see it, you would laugh till you were sore.  It is perfectly white and as stiff as pigs bristle and it bothers me like anything.

           V-V sure writes some letter that is by far the biggest I have ever got and believe me she does not believe in wasting paper.  The hospital has been filled several times but as yet there have not been any Canadians.  Very lucky.  I suppose you heard about Princess Pat’s outfit making such a brilliant bayonet charge. 

January 1915 Princess Pats at rest.

Well if the others don’t do equal as well it will fool me, and I have seen all of the men in the first contingent.  The weather here is still very damp and wet.  I got pains in my lungs a few days ago so they put me in the Hospital but I am out now and feeling fine.  Seems funny to be in a Hospital in France and have a Winnipeg nurse waiting on you.  She was in that Hospital (1) on Sherbrook Street.

          It was reported around here that there were bombs dropped in the village near here.  How true it is I cannot tell you.  At present the Germans are playing havoc in Air raids of course you read all about those in the papers.

          The medical depot has drafted ten more men on to us. One of them used to be an officer in the Belgium Army but he is only a Private in this.  Very nice fellow to talk to.  

VV was asking for a picture, well the first opportunity I have of getting one I will send it to you.   Today three of us had our picture taken in (see note below _______)  If I can get one I will send it to you.

          Say mother I wish you would write to Mr. Scammell (2) on the corner of Edmonton and Portage and just ask him if my Coon Coat will be all right there and if there is any more storage to pay on it.  If it is all right then I can leave it there till I come back. 

          Had another letter from Lavinia she writes a very nice letter but why Dad don’t drop a fellow a line occasionally I don’t understand.  Tell him that I would like very much to hear from him if it is only a note.    The letter he wrote to me in Salisbury Plain I have yet, as there is one little phrase in it that makes me laugh every time I look at it. 

          Had another round of golf the other day and like the game better every time I play it.  Ina’s letter was saying that the day Ruby left, Aunt Rachie sat down and cried for two days after wards.  Gee she must of hated to see her leave.  Ruby was such a hand for staying home and you can bet your life that Ernie has his hands full for the next few weeks.

          Well Mother there is no news around here only the same old routine every day.  So remember me to Pa and the Kid and write often. Love Chas

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Dear readers of Charley Bailey. I need your help. There are two words in this letter that I cannot make out which I've outlined below with a blue square ~ Charley is talking about having his picture taken with two other lads.
He writes " Today, three of us had our picture taken in __ ____, if I can get one I will send it to you."
I have only three photographs of Charley and would love to find more so any clues to where and when a photo was taken of him is really important to me. Thanks, Nicola.  I've posted my question on Charley's Facebook page too.  Any ideas?

(1) CONVALESCENT HOME, for the Women's Hospital Aid Society, Elgin Avenue near Sherbrooke Street, 1910

(2)  Mr Scammell was a well known Winnipeg furrier.