Charley's letter dated January 12th, 1915 from France

And on the home front ...

Letter #15.  Written by Charley from the #2 Stationary Hospital in France to his Mom in Viceroy Saskatchewan

January 12, 1915

France

Dear Mother

          Just had a letter from Aunt Rache, and she was saying that you are all the time fretting.  Well there is absolutely no occasion for that as I am just as safe here as at home, and if you saw me with a mustache and as fat as a pig you would laugh yourself sick.  Answered Lavinia's letter tonight she will sure be surprised to hear from me.  I could not think of any thing of interest to tell her but I did the best I could.  It seems too bad that Albert has such hard luck with his investments but they might not be always that way. 

By the time you get this letter you will have heard about our boys at the front. And I guess they will bash a few Huns Helmets too. It’s great to see the spirit between the English and the French.  It would surprise you to see how many of the French can sing “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and it would make you laugh to hear some of the kids trying to sing when they know absolutely no English. 

          It is quite a topic of the day over here about the states and Italy but I guess you hear more about them than we do.  Sometimes I think they are going to be mixed up in it too, and at other times it seems impossible for the states to get in it.

The boys are all gathered round playing the gramophone that the nurses gave us for a Xmas gift.  Aunt Rachie's parcel contained cigarettes, socks and handkerchiefs.  She sent my favourite brand of Turkish cigarettes. I guess I made such a mess around her house with them that she could not forget even the name of them.

          It is funny there is not much action at the front on either side seems they are waiting for some big event to come off and when it does “Let's hope it will be in our favour".  I am learning more French here in the short period we have been here than I ever learnt at College and the pronunciation is all together different to what they teach you in Canada.

          Mother when the war is finished you want to be sure and send me your peoples address in Scotland as it is quite probable that we will be able to get leave for a week or so and I would sure like to see these Scotchmen that you speak so much about.

          As yet we have had no Canuck wounded but I guess about the first lot of them as we are established.  Every day puts us further away from the Germans by the time the Canucks get going they will be along way from here.  Well Mother Remember me to Father and tell him to spare a few minutes to drop a fellow a line or two.  As I am always anxious to hear from any of you.

Bye Bye

Chas

and on the home front ...

This 17 page magazine (which opens as PDF) is worth a read.

The Canadian War, January 1915

"Devoted Entirely to Propaganda for the War"

January 9th, 1915 Charley's 14th letter home from France

January 9th, 1915 written by Charley to his Mother in Saskatchewan 

Letter # 14 of 88

Jan 9 1915 (written as 1914)  France

Dear Mother.
This is my second letter to you since I received one from you.  Had word from E. Perrin in Montreal the other day he mentioned he was going to be married on New Years Day. But he did not say what his intentions were afterwards.

          Rc'd a parcel from Aunt Rach yesterday and rc'd yours just after New Years and you could not of sent anything better.  I gave the cigars to some of the boys and were considered quite a treat.  You know the French tobacco is much different to ours and a good American or Canadian smoke tastes fine.

          It has been raining here the last few days you see it is just in the heart of the rainy season now. At present everything is about the same as usual around here. Patients coming in and going out every little while.  The Hospital has a good name for itself around here and I guess it is nothing more than it deserves, as so far we have been quite fortunate with nearly every case.  The officers are very clever medical men and have proved it so far. 

Well Mother how do you like the Prairies in wintertime in comparison to Victoria, I guess you will feel the changes.  That picture V-V was quite natural and by the expression on her face she seems to be enjoying the fun.  That Nail Driving contest is a new one since I left the College.  Just as soon as the Canadians go into action we will be filled with Canadians in place of English but it does not matter I guess as long as who ever the Hospital has, does well.

          There is a golf link just behind our quarters and some times some of us play a round or two and I tell you it is not such a sissy game as it looks.  I have often made fun of the Chapies game but since I played I have changed my opinion.  Gee wouldn’t my friends in Winnipeg laugh if they heard of me ever playing golf.        

          What kind of a time did VV have at home for her holiday ~ I guess she would enjoy a holiday after four months studying.  Does Pa still like his new business or does the poor times effect it much.  Well Mother I cannot for the life of me tell you anything that will interest you.  You know all letters must be censored but if I can I will have my picture taken in my uniform and send it to you.  Remember me to Pa and write often

Chas

*Jan 4^th, 1915  Improperly dressed, absent without leave ~ 7 days confined to barracks

Sources:
Cnd Tobacco image from  http://mentalfloss.com/article/51405/14-wonderful-vintage-canadian-propaganda-posters
*WW1 service files of Charles Roy Bailey Canadian Expeditionary Force  #34260  (Files can consist of up to two or three dozen forms, dealing with enlistment, training, medical and dental history, hospitalization, discipline, pay, medal entitlements and discharge or notification of death.)

1915, Charley Bailey's Letters Home

Charley volunteered in August 1914 as a Private with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.  

He arrived in France in November (among the first of the Canadians) and commenced his work as Medical Dispenser at the #2 Stationary Hospital at Le Touquet. 
 
1915 will be the first full year of World War One.  Charley just turned 22.

 
The 1915 calendar tells me what day it was 100 years ago, and tells us what days Charley wrote these letters home.  I've marked them on the calendar. 

I am certain I do not have every letter he wrote home (he mentions writing at least twice a week).  

I have a total of 88 letters spanning the years 1914 to 1919. These were lovingly saved by his sister (and my grandma) Vida Valerie.  

When Charley wrote to his mother, she would then forward the letters on to VV at college.  It's a wonder that any still exist. 

And so the story goes ...

January 3rd, 1915, The WW1 letters home of CR Bailey

Charley has just turned 22. New Years Eve has come and gone and the idea of this war being over by Christmas has faded into the dim distance.
This is Letter #13, January 3rd, 1915 from Private Charley Bailey to his Mother

Jan 3 1915 (though Charley has written 1914)
France
Dear Mother
I cannot understand for the life of me why you are not getting my letters, as I try to be very careful as to what I say and try not to mention any war news. There never a week passes that I don’t write a couple of letters to you.
On my birthday I received a very nice little signature ring from Winnipeg. But that is all the parcel I have yet received. So you see I do not get all that is sent to me either.
The weather here is very wet just now and you know damp weather goes harder with Canadians than real good cold snaps. Our quarters here are very comfortable and we consider ourselves very lucky in comparison to some of the troops, especially those that have to sleep in tents.
In your letters you never tell me anything about the new business. Tell Pa to write me and tell me how it is etc.
There were a couple of hundred more wounded came in the other day. The poor fellows were covered with mud and looked pretty bad still they were in better spirit than you could expect. It is surprising what a good spirit the English have as soon as they are fit for duty back they go to get a few more Germans and they sure do and just wait till Kitchener's big army gets over here. If they don’t make a showing wit will be the surprise of my life.
The villages in this vicinity are very pretty, but seem very old fashioned to us. The people of France look upon the British Soldiers with great favor and are very generous to us.
How did V-V make out in her exams. In her letter she led me to believe that she liked the college and the work was easy. I sincerely hope so.
We had some more English ambulances attached to us and the men are very nice. All our men are from Eastern Canada with one exception who is from Calgary. I expect to see Jim Ross over here soon, It will be a great change in life for him as he is with the Calvary and their work is all with horses and guns. Well Mother I have to stop as there is absolutely nothing to talk about. Hoping this finds you and father in good health and spirit
Love Chas

 

Jan 1, 1915  Absent Roll Call ~ docked 1 days pay  Le Touquet *

 _____________________________

Sources

*WW1 service files of Charles Roy Bailey Canadian Expeditionary Force  #34260  Files can consist of up to two or three dozen forms, dealing with enlistment, training, medical and dental history, hospitalization, discipline, pay, medal entitlements and discharge or notification of death.

Charley's 22nd Birthday

Happy 22nd Birthday Charley Bailey.  


Charley was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba to Jennie Howie and Charles Bailey Sr. on December 29th, 1892
He was the first and only child born to Jennie and Charles. 
The young family has set up house in High Bluff, Manitoba.
 
Sadly, before Charley was even a month old, his dad (who was just 30 years old) was killed in an accident while chopping wood in 30 below weather just outside of High Bluff.  




A Winnipeg Free Press newspaper article from January 26th 1893 mentions the death. It's titled "Portage Paragraphs" with the catchy byline 
"Snow-show Tramp and Entertainment, Wedding Bells, Sudden Death"    "The unexpected death of Mr Charles Bailey, of High Bluff, on Tuesday is regretted by his many friends here and sorrowing Friends have the sympathy of the townspeople." 

It might have been a blue day for Charley in 1914 when his birthday came and went without celebration or hugs from the people he loved. No doubt they missed him terribly too.

Through the portal of time Charley; Happy Birthday and much love!