Camp Borden 1 — 8 — 16 [written on back of “Crime” sheet from Camp Borden]
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ont.
Dear Madeline,
All’s well, happy and busy. Captain of the day. Yesterday no one said a word. Capt. Trainor gave me chg of the Bn in afternoon.
Well Madeline I feel more pleasant since seeing you. I hope you are getting along O.K. also soon be with you again. Would you please see if those shoes are still at station, as I forgot them, no wonder Poor Billie loses his head.
Now it is near time to go my rounds. Will close. GoodBye
Be sure and answer this tonight.
Your darling Billie
P.S. over is my crime sheet
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Camp Borden Aug 2nd 1916
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ont.
Dear Madeline,
Your welcome letter was rec’d. Was certainly glad to hear from you and that were well. This is lovely weather, cool at night, really it is too cool now. I hope you enjoy this weather. We have had extreme changes of late.
Well dear I sure had some trouble today and also a broken heart. This morning I tried a prisoner and had him remanded to the Major, Major Macvicar. He dismissed the prisoner and called me down to a finish in the presence of Officers and men. Really I never had anything equal the feelings I had. Well I stood my ground and never said one word. Immediately after he finished I made straight for Brigade Headquarters to report the Major for reprimanding an officer in presence of men. Major Macvicar called me back, took me to one of the marquees and talked it over for an hour. I also write out my resignation and sent it in.
This all caused some talk here tonight and all the officers are on my side. Major Macvicar sure feels terrible over it and apologized to me. He would been cashiered for this if I had made Headquarters. Well they wouldn’t accept my resignation, and sure they all know Williams has some spunk.
Now Madeline will tell you all when I see you. Was so mad today could not ask to get off. Put in for pass for Saturday and Sunday. I will try to morrow if I feel decent.
My dear wife I am so glad you will like your new home. Have everything ready for Billie when he comes. Be sure and write often as you can.
Ernie Showler came in tonight. Cant Merrison also came back going away over Sunday. They sure hold the job down for getting away I hope you come down Saturday and I will go back with you. Be sure and write tonight. x
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[addressed to Mrs. W.A. Williams, Alliston, Ont. c/o Mrs Aberdeen]
Camp Borden 3 — 8 — 16
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ont.
Dear Madeline,
Just rec’d your welcome letter. Glad all is O.K. I bet you are at Mrs Aberdeen’s tonight. you spoke of meeting Mrs Bradley and wanting you to come down here. I spoke to Col. Bradley and he said be sure and come down as there will be few here. I will be captaining the day and can meet you last the train also show you around. Let me know when you will be coming in. Col. Bradley will be here about noon. I hope to be able to get off Sunday. They use you well at the hotel. You spoke of Mrs Aberdeen being struck on you. Why shouldn’t she as everybody does. Well dear I wish was up there tonight but have been out near Alliston all day and tonight have awful dose of officer work. I have charge here all the time.
Well my dear this has been a very warm day and I sure had a sweat. Will close, write me. Goodnight.
Your loving husband, Billie
P.S. Tomorrow will be away to Trench warfare. Would like to go up to Alliston. Will try.
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Camp Borden 7 — 8 — 16
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ontario
Dear Madeline,
As I promised to write you this evening I will endeavour to fulfill same. I am well, busy to day. How is my dear wife today and I suppose tonight is real lonesome for me. Today was nice until about 10 o’clock and then the dust began to fly and about 4:30 P.M. we had a real sand storm it surely was fierce one couldn’t see and tents flew every direction. About 5 o’clock we had a nice rain and tonight is cool and clear. The dust is laid for the time being. The boys sure look awfully dirty tonight. Several boys returned today but none from Arkona as yet.
I feel better tonight as there is more doing than days gone by. I hope we get nice weather now as we can get down to business. Well I will have to tell you about my trip home. I left Mrs Aberdeen’s at 11:15 P.M. and arrived at station 11:30 P.M. Train puled out at 11:40 and was just loaded with soldiers, where down at Baxter one of the men of the 180 Bn fell off and they sent back to Alliston for a Dr. I am afraid he was badly hurt if not to cause his death. He was bust about the chest. The train pulled in Borden at 12:20. I walked over and went to bed. No one to bother me. All the guards were afraid to halt me or else they know who it was. However about 3 A.M. some one blundered into my tent looking for D. Coy. He surely was lost. I got up and went out and showed him. It was a beautiful night and bright.
Today word was sent to Major MacIver of 146 Bn that the 149 Bn was the cleanest and most tidy of any in our Brigade. I was given praise for having this in such good order. I’m sure it made me feel proud because it came from Col. Wigle. Madeline just me a little praise and no end of nice things I will do for you. Just try some of these stunts.
Ernie Showder arrived into day and is going to sleep in my tent. He sure will be better company than some others. Now dear this all I can think of for tonight only Sergt. Major Dew and I will be up Wednesday if all’s O.K. meet me at station if you wish about 8 o’clock. How did you sleep without me no doubt you keep awake for awhile. Dear you must be patient I will come often and how I wish I were with you tonight. Be sure and be good wife and take those pills for mysake. Remember me in your prayers and a kiss for you I sent in my prayers. Goodnight.
Your loving husband, Billie
P.S.
Well Madeline it is only 9 P.M. and it seems along time until 10:30 so I thought would write you one more page. I feel better today for my step taken yesterday and you see the praise I get. Today without thinking I ate my dinner and supper with the men. I just enjoyed it and it sure pleased the men. At dinner I ate lots of dirt so dusty. Should I keep this in mind I surely will be successful. Always remember I picture you before me and the day we will meet again. I sincerely hope the time will be short. Remember me to all and sent my love to you. GoodBye.
Your darling Bille
[Letter contained announcement of “Williams - Lucas” wedding]
"Arkona, June 15 — A very pretty wedding was solemnized at the one of Mr and Mrs C.W. Lucas, on Wednesday, at high noon, when their eldest daughter, Madeline, was united in marriage to Capt W. A. Williams, of the 149th Battalion. The ceremony was performed by Rev. H.J. Fair, of the Methodist Church, Arkona, beneath a bower of bridal roses and lilacs. The bride was given away by her father Mr. C.W. Lucas.
The bridesmaid was Miss Lydia Lucas, sister of the bride. The duties of best man were performed by Private Alfred Williams, brother of the groom. The groom’s gift to the bride was a check and the father’s also a check. After congratulations the guests sat down to a sumptuous repast. The presents were numerous and costly. Capt and Mrs Williams left by auto for Goodrich and points north, amid showers of confetti and with good wishes of their many friends. About 50 guests were present from Alvinston, Brooke, Warwick and Watford."
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Camp Borden, Aug 10 — 8 — 16
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ontario
Dear Madeline,
How is my Dear Wife tonight. I suppose all is well, but tonight the phone rang for me and I am sure uneasy to know what might be up. Got home alright only 1.15 went to bed. Busy today. Tomorrow will parade to Bayonet Fighting away all day. Had letter from Lida and all are well. Am sending a card in return. She wishes we were home for a day something doing.
Well Dear I put in for a week end again and hope will get it. Will try and be up about 4 o’clock or so Saturday if possible. Tonight am awful lonely and sure tired. I wish I only knew what was wrong. I will close and see you soon. Be sure and get me a nice shirt 151/2. Goodbye.
Your loving husband, Billie
Hope you enjoyed your trip to station. x
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Arkona, Aug. 13/16
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ontario
Dear Madeline —
Well this is Sun. evening and Nettie & I have just came home from church so thought I would write you just a few lines before going to bed.
I have written two letters and a card today already one to W. McSean, & Beaumy Flake & card to Wilmer [?] so you can’t expect very much from me Madeline.
I am so glad that you like it in Alliston & I’m sure that you will enjoy yourself.
Nettie & I were out for a car ride with Verne this afternoon, it is a swell car & Verne first goes about forty miles and hour but that is my delight you know.
I am still in the store but think it will soon stop as Mother has too much work to do alone.
I took some more pictures today so will send you some snaps this week & will try & write oftener to you but you will surely not expect many now as Bill has gone back to Camp you know & I will have to write him.
Mon. A.M. 7:30
I will not finish my letter to you. Nettie & Lizzie stayed all night with us & I think they are going home today. Has Dan Donaldson reported yet? They say around here that he has deserted.
Your old friend Millie McAdams is visiting in town now.
How is Will? I got a card from him Saturday. We are anxiously waiting for time to come, so come if you can & tell me all the news.
Say Madeline I think I will get a new blue taffeta dress with Georgetta sleeves. Would you like that? Write right back & tell me what to get for fall & what is the latest. Irene is down at opening now & is going to bring me back a nice white felt hat. So will wait until you tell me what you would have. Well will close now as I have to go to the store. Other is going to write you soon but you know she has a lot to do so excuse her. Charlie was sick yesterday but is better. Let us know for sure if you can come Sat. & come if you can you and Will.
Write soon, Lida.
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[This is the letter Will refers to in his letter to Madeline dated September 13th.]
R. R. 1
20 August 1916
Pt Stanley, Wsh
Mr and Mrs Wm Williams
Dear Cousins,
We were so glad to receive your card a few days ago. Also glad all are well. and that we have another cousin to love. You certainly have all our good wishes. I am sure you will be happy without any wishing. We wish you joy in abundance and greatest of prosperity. And more than all, “as I understand if you go over the seas that your wife is going too”. You may both as well as. Alf may return home safe and well with donors. May you be victorious. It makes my heart ache when I think of you going. But I know and understand how you feel about it. When Jennie and I were back there at the time of the English Boer War. We many times have talked of how much interested you were in it. Well never dreamed that a time may come when you would take a real part in the war. I hope it may be settled before you reach the front. I don’t know what you will think of me for feeling this way about it. But you boys as our cousins were always very dear to us. When you all return and we can go, I want so much to see all the friends again and like no better pleasure than to meet your wife. Will surely pray for your safe return for all of you.
No one has ever told me who Harry married. Suppose Eugene is still with Aunt Emily. How is uncle Johny. and uncle Alfred also poor old Uncle Charlie. They are all left alone. I have not had any news from any of them since you wrote me a nice big letter long ago. That has been almost two years. Tomorrow August 21st Pa will be 78 years old. And they tell me he is real smart. And mother is real well and works hard as ever. I sometimes wonder if she will ever stop the hard work. It surprises me how she ever stands it all. They tell me Tom is doing pretty well this summer with the resort. The Sunday before they wrote me, he had 103 for dinner and 135 for supper at 75cts each. Of course it is not all profit. But I believe it is easier made money than the hard farm work.
Jennie has very poor health, since she had la gripe last winter she had had such spells with gallstones. It is the most terrible suffering. Has been about two months since I heard from Margret Ann. They were all well then. She talked of coming down to visit Pa and Mother. This fall I so much hope she will come. Is 13 years since she went up there. Fred’s [?] boys have been up to visit Pa and Mother. They say Alfred would like to stay with Tom. Pa was down to visit Fred’s grave but Mother said she could not go to see it.
You wanted to know how our baby was. I wish you could see her. She is just the joy of our lives. And we certainly are proud of her. I only hope to raise her so we may always be so. She is past 17 months and weighs 18 1/2 lbs. You see she’s not very large. She weighed about 2 1/2 lbs to start with and has been very delicate till she was a year old, then I stared to feed her cow’s milk and oatmeal water and she is getting so fat and strong. Is just starting to creep a little and has no teeth. We have worried moe over her than many who has raised a family of dozens. She is a great little girl and laugh has a smile for every one. Having no teeth she can’t talk only says Ma Ma and da da. But when she wants us she can make herself heard. I think her hair will be curly. Is brown and quite heavy on top of her head is so long I tie it up with a ribbon so keep it out of her eyes.
Well this is Sunday again Aug 27th and will try to finish my letter. All are well as usual. Geo. does not have good health. Since 8 years ago this fall he has not been able to do much work. Dr says he has diabetes. Some days he feels real good and can do a little light work or walk maybe two or three miles and again his back pains so bad he is not able to be out of bed for a day or two and is real sick. Dr don’t seem to do much for him. Says he feels about as well when he don’t take any medicine.
We had to give up farming last fall we rented the farm for a year. So he is not better able to work it now. And we are going to try to sell it. There is not much satisfaction in renting and leaving stock on the place. The crops all look good this year, threshing has began and grain is turning out well. Have had just enough rain to make things grow. The spring was cold and backward. Summer has been nice not too hot had three days last week which were uncomfortable - was 81 in the shade. The wheat crop is not as heavy as other years. I think the late frost hurt it a good deal.
I should have sent this letter long before now, but Geo got a chance to run an engine and felt well enough. So they insisted that baby and I should go too so they did not get along as well as they should and we did not get home till Saturday night. This letter is not the satisfaction to one that they used to be when I was on the farm. That was the dearest place on earth to me I was back to see it last week and again today. And I have been so homesick to go back there to live again. If we don’t see we will try to hire help and farm it again. This idle life don’t suit me. I can’t get settle in anything.
Now I hope this may find you all well. And if you cannot find time to write I would be just as glad to hear from your wife. Will close and say GoodBye for this time with all good wishes and tell me about all the friends.
Lovingly your cousins,
Geo, Sara & Baby Sara Gallanger
Pt Stanley, Wash.
[photo included which reads “Baby Sara and her Mama when Baby was 11 months old & weighed 11 lbs]
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| Baby Sara and her mother, c. 1915 |
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Signalling Base,
1st Canadian Training Brigade
Shorncliffe, Aug. 20th, 1916
Dear Mr & Mrs Williams: —
It seems pretty funny to start a letter doesn’t it? However here goes for a little note and if I can think up enough stuff probably it will grow into a letter. I received your letter quite a while ago but have had no time to answer until now, and to telly the truth I should be sleeping now. You certainly did write a dandy interesting letter. You have me beaten a thousand ways at letter writing.
I was sorry to hear that you were moved away from London into that desert of a place. You seem to speak highly of it but by what I hear from elsewhere it is some hole. I know how it is by you being an officer you get out of a lot of the hardships. You may work hard and all that but I know if you were to tell the truth you would have to say that you have an easier time than the privates do. I have seen enough of soldiering to know that. You think that you are doing the same over there as we do here. Well don’t let that fool you. Officers are not generally in this country any more than one month and a half. There seems to be an awful demand for officers at the front. That is the one and only reason that I would like to be an officer for. You get a better chance to get over to where there is something doing.
So you hope I get a chance to see Camp Borden after the war is over. Well take it from me I am not so struck on soldier’s life that I am going to be a soldier after the war. I will give some of those fellows who are scared to enlist now, a chance. To tell you the truth though if they know when they are well off they will stay where they are. I wouldn’t tell any of them that though. You will be thinking that I am getting sick of this life. Well I can’t say that I am exactly in love with it but I am glad I enlisted when I did. The only thing that gets my goat is that I can’t seem to find a way to get any farther. A person may as well be home as here.
The signal section is sure a good place for those who don’t want to go to France as you can’t transfer to any other branch and they only send about six from our base each month. That will mean that I will stand a chance of getting to France sometime next Spring. I am at a signalling school now for a six week course. Believe me it is work here. We have instructors from the front over us so we get the real stuff. Signalling requires a lot of studying, take it from me, or to speak in plain English it is a bloody hard job. Did I tell you that I am a marksman now and entitled to wear crossed rifles. I had a chance of a permanent job at the ranges as coach, but no permanent job for me. I came over here to fight. the 70th are pretty well all shot to pieces now. A number of my chums are killed. I had a letter from France today saying that they were going into action again. They all tell you over here to stay away from the front as long as you can but that makes me all the more anxious to go. There must be something doing over there. That is some joke, “the Ross rifle being condemned.” They are all sent over with Lee-Enfields now.1 We may have to take our musketry over again but I hope not.
So Mr Luckham has lost his position? Well I feel sorry for him losing a position like that as works is so hard to find now that most of the men have enlisted. You seem to think that Ella has made a mistake? Well I don’t, or if she has she could easily get better fellows than either Luckham or I, and is worthy of some person better. Well that is enough of that.
This is certainly a dandy camp over here where we are as it is so close to the sea. Most of us have bathing suits and we go for a swim nearly every night. Were were down this afternoon and it was great. The waves were about as high as your head and we had lots of fun diving into them. You can’t beat the salt water for bathing as it makes you feel so fresh. I am so sleepy now from getting salt water in my eyes that I can hardly write.
Well at this stage supper was brought in so I had to stop and eat. Of course it was a hard job for me to stop writing letters because I like it so well. We had pineapple, marmalade “or in other words the refuse of oranges,” bread & butter and tea. We get good meals at the school here but they were pretty rotten at camp. If the fellows in the 149th kick about the food they never over there, just tell them that “The worst is yet to come.” I hope that the 149th get over here soon as I would like to see some of the Arkona fellows again. I would like to have another of those old time talks with you but I guess those days are over.
So Will Williams is married? Well wouldn’t that get your goat? Say Mrs Williams or in other words Madeline, when are you going to write me that letter? I had a dandy letter from Lida and it went good. This makes six letters for me today and I have two more to write yet. I don’t know whether it pays or not but I do it anyway.
I am going up to Scotland when I finish this course for six days to see some people I have never seen before. I imagine I will have a good time too as they think a lot of Canadians up there. Well Will I suppose I could keep on writing nearly all night but I think I will close now and then I will have something to tell you when you get over here. For Goodness sake write sooner this time than you did before as I like hearing from you. Well I will now close with love to you and yours.
From an Old Chum S/C E. Bates.
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[The Red Cross Line, R.M.S. Florizel stationery]1
St. John’s
Aug. 24, 1916
My dear Madeline:
Your postal was indeed a surprise especially what was written thereon. How long have you been married. Are you going across the sea when your husband goes? How are your mother and family?
As you see I am now in Newfoundland. We took the boat from New York went to Halifax and then to St. Johns. We will not land in St. Johns for an hour or so yet. It is a beautiful trip been nearly two days. I was flat and deathly sick. It is a terrible feeling. We thought of stopping off at Halifax for a week on our return but upon seeing the place think we can see everything to be seen in the next day we have on our return, and will instead stay in New York. We only have to see the club and garden in Halifax. The passengers are always invited to the Club.
It is terribly cold on the boat and I suppose Newfoundland will be an iceberg. We shall stay in St. Johns 2 days. It is so rough now that I am glad we shall soon land because I am feeling anything but good.
Well, I shall now close hoping you will write to me real soon to Trenton.
With love,
Vivien
- Sadly, the RMS Florizel (or S.S. Florizel) was wrecked in 1918 at Horn Head, Cappahayden, Newfoundland with the loss of 93 lives. For more info on the RMS Florizel, see http://www.admiraltymuseum.ca/florizelHistory.html
Arkona, Aug 31/16
Mrs W.A. Williams
Alliston, Ont
Dear Madeline & Will —
Well Madeline, you will wonder what on earth has happened that I have not written sooner but really this is the first chance I have had and I am writing this letter in the store at noon.
By your letters I think that you are having a dandy time and glad that you are. I’m sure that Alliston must be a pretty place by all description.
We had our S School Picnic on Wednesday and had a swell time. Will and I went with Ila and H — in the car. It was a lovely day & we took a lot of snaps so will send you some when they are developed.
We are going to have company tonight. Lt. Aggie & Mrs Wilcox & Mrs Swan & we are having ice cream & two kinds of cake.
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| 1916 McLaughlin Motor |
Huntleys have a new car a Maughlin.1 Isn’t that great. I never was so surprised as when Verne came up yesterday & wanted me to go for a ride. It is the one that Wes Fuller had & Ila is going to learn to run it so we will have some time.
I am making a waist a voile with black stripe out of 1 1/4 yds of goods but it is real pretty. When are you & Will coming home. I am going up after awhile for a week when I get enough money saved up.
Bess & Bob have got it worse than ever now, he never leaves the store except meal-time. Well news seems rather scarce today. Lizzie & Nettie stayed last night with us & I think Nettie is going to sing Sunday night. I was up to Forest & saw Wilbert Beattie the other night. Fred Brown has been wounded again but not seriously I guess.
Well I guess this is all for now but will write more then next time. Give Will my love if you care to & tell him that I am going to write so Bye Bye.
Lovingly, Lida
excuse the scribbling
1 Probably refers to McLauglin Motors, a Canadian auto company which later became General Motors of Canada. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaughlin_Motor_Car_Company
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarviseye/6107253106
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