December 18, 1916 Letter #51 "The Joke's on Me"

C.A.M.C Training School
Dibgate Camp
Shorncliff England

Envelope Dec 18th, 1916

Dear Mother

I am just awaiting orders to transfer to a medical depot to dispense and expect to leave here in the course of the next day or so it will be a decent climate but I cant say if it will be as good a job as I left but a fellow can always transfer back here if he does not like it. If I keep on transferring from one place to another I will get a name of being a kind of a wandering Jew but by gosh I am going to keep on moving till I get a place that I like and then I will stay there till duration of the war.

Things in general are just as usual; drafts are coming in and going out every day some to France and others to various Hospitals etc. in England. Some of the fellows that are just coming over from Canada are not getting any leave here at all but are rushed right over to France so I guess by Spring there will be one awful host of men across the channel and the big event is expected.

Now that Lloyd George has the prime ministers job the English people expect something great to take place in the Spring or as soon as the weather over there is permissible.

You remember that last letter I wrote you about having one more week to put in on twenty cents a day. Well I loused it that very afternoon I was doing (piquet) duty on a hut that was Quarantined for measles. Some of the boys I knew very well and of course when they asked me if they could run up to the corner and get some eatables I said “Yes”. They were seen by one of our Officers and I got five days confined to Barracks the result being “Bang went my twenty cents a day for another 6 months.

Gee the fellows are sticking there heads in the door about every three or four minutes laughing and kidding me about it. It sure is some joke but sorry to say the joke is on me that’s what I don’t like about it. It simply means that I wont be able to afford a day or so pass for six months however it sure is a great way to save money but most inconvenient.

A couple of the boys that I chum around with here are going out to a hospital as orderlies. They were just told they had to go a few minutes ago Gee they are running around here swearing like the devil, mad as wet hens, you see if you are not an x-ray man, a dispenser or something like that they shift you out of here to any old place but if you are connected with either of those lines they try to place you as such as there is such a big demand for us fellows.
Well Mother remember me to Dad and V-V and write to the above address.
Love Chas
PS: I will let you know my new address the very first day I get there. Chas.

 

December 11, 1916 Letter #50 from Shorncliff, England

C.A.M.C Training School

Dibgate Camp

Shorncliff England

Dec 11th 1916

Dear Mother

Just received your letter this a.m. and needless to say I was delighted to hear from you.  You were asking me about this money too, well I have had several letters from different people in Winnipeg all congratulating me on my good fortune but funny to say I have heard nothing about it from anybody who seems to know where it is coming from and when I get it.  Personally I think they are trying to kid me.

          As you see by the above address I at last made the move and am certainly glad to get away from there.  I think if I had the choice between there and the pole I would take the North Pole.  As yet you have not sent me V-V’s address and I can’t write her till I know where she lives.

This camp is situated not far from where I was stationed when I came back from Canada.  It is a great deal nicer climate and it certainly is not so cold and wet.  They tell me that Jim Ross was killed the other day, just imagine the last letter he wrote me he was trying to arrange to meet me in London when he came over on leave. 

          You said dad was figuring on joining the army when he gets here they won’t let him to France as forty three is the age limit and they are returning a bunch from here that are older than that.  As yet I cannot say where or when I am leaving here but I guess it will be in the near future.

So Richmond’s wife only stopped a few days, maybe if it was just in time to get married you know there is something strange between those two and long long while ago I formed my own conclusions on very good authority but it's none of our business and we should worry and they tell me that Ireland is the Candi Kid now.  Well if words could kill a man Ireland would have been dead long ago.  What do you think.

Did I tell you that I got mad one day and took the afternoon off so they put me on twenty cents a day for three months and it is up in about one week.  Gee just imagine me living on twenty cents a day never the less I did and made out all right.  You see after three months good conduct they release you.  So just one more week.  Mother this sure has been one great old experience and one that will be remembered to the end of my days.

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

Love

Chas

Charley's friend, Jim ( James Ross ) is the family friend Charley's been looking forward to visiting with. Jim had been employed by Charley's mom and dad when they owned hotels back in Saskatchewan before the war. Like Charley, Jim signed up in 1914 and was serving as a Sergeant with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, Saskatchewan Regiment.

I'm sorry we don't know more about Jim Ross. I have no photograph of him. It would be wonderful to connect with any of his descendants. Jim was killed in action at Thiepval Ridge on September 28th 1916 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.

Bill Barry and the Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial Project Inc share an online tribute "In memory of Sergeant James Ross " https://goo.gl/7WWAZ6 

The Vimy Memorial in France remembers those Canadians who lost their lives and have no known graves. Inscription – Jim's name as it is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial. Over 11,000 fallen Canadians having no known place of burial in France, are honoured on this Memorial. May they never be forgotten.

November 3rd, 1916 Letter #49 from Buxton, England

Envelope dated 3^rd Nov 1916

Can Red Cross Hospital

Buxton England

Dear Mother

Have not heard from you for some time but I know everything is all right or I would have before now.  Things in general are just about the same as ever here. Nothing doing only roller skating and the rink is only about the size of a shilling so it's not much fun on it.

Had a letter from Hess the other day and just because she had no mail from me for a month or so she thought it was her duty to give me a talking to well I answered that letter a few minutes ago and I don’t think she will write another with the same intentions because she is not popular enough to give me a calling down for one minute.  

I’m smoking a pipe now and holy gee my tongues as big and sore as if I had stepped on it but I am trying to stop the cigarettes as I believe it is them that give me a cough especially when I have no cold.

Well Mother just imagine Ireland a father.  Crazy as he has let himself in for it proper. Darn good job he got that fur coat a couple of years ago.  What do you suppose he would do if by any chance he was to make a slip and lose that job on the road.  Do you know when a fellow gets away from home and mingled in with every clan of people, it makes a person realize that this marrying proposition is a pretty serious question.

I guess Dad is pretty near sick of farm life well I can't blame him but for the love of mike tell him to get that Army notion out of his head because it is the limit and believe me it's not all soldiering like you do in Canada.

Have had no word from Ross* lately so I can't say if he had been hit or not.  The Canadians have sent over a new division and have had some pretty bad mix ups.  Old Hindenburg claims we can't get through in 30 years so when you see me again I will have grey hair if that is the case.

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

Love

Chas

Charley's friend; James Ross is also a family friend. He was employed by Charley's mom and dad when they owned hotels back in Saskatchewan before the war. Jim had also signed up in 1914 and is serving as a Sergeant with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, Saskatchewan Regiment.  

The Battle of the Somme which would end soon, would be what Charley is calling 'some pretty bad mix ups'. 

Charley and his horseshoes. Letter number 48 from France. Aug 8, 1916

France Con
Aug 8 1916

Dear Mother

I have not written you of late on account of not being able to give you an address but everything is all right now and I am back to No2 again. I expected to be sent to the front on field ambulance work from the base but I was fortunate enough to be there when there was a draft for No 2 Stationary and the result was I am back at the old place No 2 Stationary Hospital. I am quite well now and feel none the worse for my little accident. I received the cigarettes when I was in the Hosp and you can imagine how I enjoyed a good smoke.

Well how do you like your new home I suppose the weather is very warm there and it would be rather hot working at anything outside. Here it is hot during the day and cool in the evening. Just resembles BC weather. I have had my first swim in the sea and I can assure you I had the time of my life. It was the first real good swim I have had since we were in Dauphin.

I wrote VV while I was in the Hospital she seemed to be worrying about going back to Brandon I would sincerely like to help her, but from here it is an impossibility.

While I was at the base I met several of the 106th and they were telling me that there are very very few left of the bunch I came over to Valcartier with. Well Mother this is only a note to let you know I have got back to the unit again and am in the best of health and hope you all are the same.

Remember me to VV, Father and Albert and Lavinia and write soon.
Chas.

As soldiers of the First World War go, Charley had a sack full of horseshoes.  Once again he is sent on strength back to his first post as Dispenser at the Number 2 Stationary Hospital in France narrowly escaping being sent to the front as a Field Ambulance attendant. 
When he first arrived in England in October of 1914 and the troops marched from Devonport to Plymouth; he wrote to his mom about a old woman who threw her arms around him, kissed him and said `God Bless you my little man`.  I often wonder if the blessing from that old woman was Charley`s salvation. 
This, Charley`s 48th letter home will be the last we hear of him for almost 3 months.  I expect there were letters home during this time, but from today (August 8th, 1916) through to November 3rd, 1916 none have survived.  We will pick Charley's story up again in November. 

July 23, 1916 Letter #47

Can Red Cross Hospital

Buxton

July 23 1916

Dear Mother 

How is the world in general.  I have been very anxious to know if VV got along all right with her exams I sincerely hope she did.  Things here are very much the same I was at one of their English Dances last night and for the first time in my life I got up in a square dance and I created a lot of fun for the onlookers.  Gee it’s the most foolish dance I ever heard tell of hugging and jumping around like a bunch of Jack Rabbits.

There’s a big parade here this afternoon I guess we will be inspected by some General - or General Nuisance, both the same thing.  Some official comes around about once a week and nobody is allowed out of the building till he has gone.

I was very much surprised to hear that Albert was rejected on that Battalion as they don’t have to so very much mostly all fatigue duty and a person don’t exert themselves on those kind of jobs.

          Do you know I would like to be in France for this great move, Gee we are giving them just what the troops have been praying for this last 18 months.  When I was there is was always our fellows that were getting the worst of it and I sure like to see those square heads on the go, I suppose we will have some unsuccessful attacks but the line in general will be greatly changed.

          The wounded that came in to London from this great drive were met at the Station by about 100,000 women or more and literally covered with flowers, I wouldn’t like to write on paper what went through the tommies minds but a fellow who is half dead and hasn’t had a square meal for a couple of months or so, doesn’t feel just inclined to appreciate an instants of that kind.  England is mad over the troops progress and think it is the end of the war but you believe me it is just the turning point, and there will be more slaughter this month and the months following than there has been in six times the length of time in any stage of this war.

          There are thousands upon thousands of wounded coming across every day and Battalion after Battalion going over every day.   If we can hold out in shells there will be some fun.

          Well mother I have got to get all polished up for this parade so remember me to Dad and VV and ans soon

With love

Chas

Fighting In Delville Wood, The Somme, 1916

Ed. H.W. Wilson - Official British Military drawing. First published in "The Great War" Ed. H.W. Wilson, 1917 Military Artist drawing of the Battle of Delville Wood, The Somme. July 1916 

July 15, 1916 Letter #46

Can Red Cross Special Hospital

Buxton
Derbyshire England

July 15th, 1916

Dear Mother

Just a line to say I am all OK etc. Was out to Chapel on the Frith the other day and enjoyed it fine. But to cycle 60 miles in one day is a little too much for a person who hasn’t done any for six or seven years and as a result I am stiff yet.

Chapel-en-le-Frith's Old Town

It is raining again as per usual, darn this country for wet weather it is by far worse than BC. We have to have fires on the wards to keep the patients from freezing to death. I think I told you about the young English kid that used to set up pins in Barclays Bowling Ally being in here and he is in pretty bad shape he is suffering from shell shock and a piece of his head has gone. As a result, he goes a little bit nutty at times but when he gets that way the boys just sit on him and its all over in a few minutes.

I won a watch in a raffle the other day. Its value was about 50 shillings. I went down town with it and when I looked to see what time it was it had gone “Lost” so that is losing time in quick time but being a minister’s son I did not swear but believe me I thought something.

What do you think of me working over here. Well the other night I was called up on the Phone and was asked if I would mind coming down to Young’s Chemist Store. So when I got down there he told me that he would like to take his family to the seaside and see that they got fixed up for a week or two and that he would be gone a couple of days and asked me if I would come down in the evening and do the Dispensing as it was more than the girl he had could handle. I did and believe me their methods of doing business are so far behind the times that they don’t know they are alive.

Is Dad and VV in good health, there is no use asking you about your own because you wouldn’t say anyway. Well dear Mother remember me to Dad and VV and write soon.
Love Chas.

A note on the reverse of page 1 from Mother to VV.  Charley's letters were forwarded from Jennie to Charley's sister who was away at college.

"Vevie I forgot to say I have finished two tight waists that we started for you will I send them or will it do when Pa comes.  I got the gr--p, why didn’t you send your dress.

Source: Chapel en Frith's Old Town Photo  

July 11, 1916 Letter # 45 ~ The 4 month battle of the Somme has begun

Can Hospital

Buxton

July 11 1916

Dear Mother 

          There is absolutely no news to tell you only that I am quite well and as fat as ever.  It has been raining here for at least two weeks off and on every day.  Had a letter from Jim Ross the other day he has been in France for nine months and has never been hit yet.  Of course he may be dead by this time.  The general feeling of the people here is that the war will be over this fall I don’t say anything but people that talk that way are those that have never saw it.  This is sure one great offensive that the Allies are launching but it is small in comparison to the German drive from Mons.  This country is literally covered with Khaki, even the old ladies have their kids dressed up in a juvenile officers outfit.  The girls are having their dresses made in a military cut and the girls that are taking men’s places are using short shirts and leggings.  The girls that are helping on farms wear bloomers and puttees, looks very funny to us fellows but the College girls, Society people all go out on weekends and make hay etc.  They think they are very patriotic but they don’t do enough work to feed themselves, this is sure one funny country.

I asked one farmer what they had all those stone hedges up for “to keep one of those potato patches from running in to one another” He said no they were all fields when I started to laugh he got as sore as he could and told me “that you bleeding Canadians think you know everything” It sure is amusing.

This hospital is sure in full swing now but I can’t say as I am all together in love with it.  It makes on laugh to hear these 99^th Contingent ginks talking and flying around when about fifty patients come in I wonder what they would do if they were handling them by the thousands like we were in France.  Most of these fellows here are the men that just came over from Canada last spring.  Well I wonder if VV got through in her exams don’t forget to let me know soon.  Remembrance to Dad and VV and write soon

Chas

---

 This soldier of the Royal Canadian Regiment is wearing the Canadian 1903 service uniform. This is the Canadian version of the British M1902 uniform adopted after experience in the Boer war showed the value of a simple and inconspicuous uniform. This uniform differs from the British in that it has 9 buttons instead of 7 a standing collar, detachable shoulder straps and pointed cuffs. This uniform was used by the First Canadian Contingent for about a year and by new recruits in training for the duration of the war. The cloth wrappings around the lower legs are known as puttees. The detachable shoulder straps were coloured, dark blue for the infantry, green for rifles, red for artillery and yellow for cavalry

 "Gink" is a term referring to a man, especially one regarded as foolish or contemptible.

I'm travelling right now and seem to be missing a page of the original letter here ~ will re-scan it in once we are back home.  The transcription above is complete.