Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.
My Dear Wife,
Your letters of Oct 14, 19, 21, 25, 28, 30th record on Nov 29th also cablegram arrived same date. Well my last letter to you was written Nov 23rd since that time have been unable to write to anyone. I went sick on the 25th and spent some two weeks in bed with a high fever. however I am up again and feeling very much better. Well my strength is absolutely gone, but I suppose it will soon gain up. My case is not serious but could have been sent to Blighty only I objected as the news would shock my Dear Wife who I did not know at that time had gone through her sickness. So that long looked for news came at last and was too sick to appreciate the good news. [Eileen Dorothy Williams was born Nov 8th, 1917].
Well Dear I do pray all is well at home and you are a happy wife. How I wish you every health and happiness for the future. That Baby Girl seems so strange but never the less it must be true. I am unable to tell you anything as to how pleased I am as my condition seems to rob me of anything cheerful. Tell the people all, hope to be alright very soon now.
Today is calm and raining, some days back everything was frozen up solid. I have no news to tell. The boys are all well. Some of them gone to the 1st Bn. How I wish they had all come here. Well the war still goes on, and Conscription has to take its course. What a shame to Canada. By the way Halifax got some blow, but we get lots of worse things here every day.
Those boys claim to be unfit, but if they seen what I have gone through would come on hands and knees to help. I wish in your letter tell me all about how conscription [is] in Arkona.
Madeline, when [I] get your letter will be so pleased. All the time I wonder how you are, and that wee baby. I wonder what a pretty baby it will be and also the name. I know everything will be alright and so feel contented. Lyda left my Wife after promising me faithfully she would write when you were sick. I think she made a poor start to make a nurse.
Well I must close and maybe write tomorrow if feel able. Remember me to all the folks and with lots of love and kisses to my dear Wife and Baby.
Your loving husband, Will xx
P.S. Rec’d two parcels from you and also one from League. Many thanks and will write them very soon. Will
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Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.
My Dear Wife,
Yours of Nov 3rd & 5th record today, also one from Lola and Alf. I am feeling much better and gaining rapidly. Ordered last night to join my unit tomorrow. Well I am in most wretched condition but here goes. I am very anxious to get at it again but hope get it easy a few days. The weather is very damp and I feel it keenly. Voted today and hope you will be kind enough to vote for conscription. [See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_Crisis_of_1917 for further info about conscription in Canada].
Lola spoke of sending a parcel. Well I think this Xmas will certainly be well looked after. I think people do too much for the boys and deprive themselves. I love to get things, but I know so many who just look for things. Madeline you are so kind sending things to your husband but I rather you keep things for the baby. I might tell you some boys get parcels every mail from all the girls they have met. Well I have only two girls in the world. Yourself and Miss Williams. Yes someday we will have a young lady who will be some beauty. I am getting conceited already, but with a nice Mother can’t expect anything different. I might tell you now I am going to bring her up to suit myself. There will be no fellows dare come around our house until she is full grown I have a lot of rules to lay down soon as I get back to Canada.
Now Madeline don’t get frightened but this little girl is mine. I do hope you feel proud of your wee baby and someday will be help to you. You spoke of a small house. Well maybe after the war will live in a dugout or some old shed. You spoke of Mrs Augustine. Who is Lieut Augustine? what unit does he belong. Alf will be over in a few days by his letter. Ed Smith and W. Wyatt went to 1st Bn. Is Mr Wyatt my intended brother-in-law or not? He seems to be a member of our family. Well Madeline you let the rest fight that out and you just look after the baby. He has scores of correspondents all over Canada and England. I love to get jealous don’t I Madeline. ha ha.
You asked me what our work was. Building trenches, dugouts, roads and a thousand other jobs. We work at night always and right up close to front line. I hope to tell you someday what great work we are doing. We get plenty shells and trust to luck each it will miss us. One just gives up as absolutely impossible to expect to miss them all. Providence is surely busy as so many do come so close and miss everyone.
Now my dear Wife don’t worry over me as I trust in God to look after me. Promise me this. Every night give the baby a kiss for me. God Bless you all, with love and kisses to yourself and baby.
Your loving husband, Will xx
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Mrs C.W. Lucas
Arkona, Ont Can.
Dear Mother,
Your letter of Nov 15th record 6 P.M. today.
Congratulations Grandma.
Well I am so pleased with the letter I hardly know hat to write about.
I am quite well, gaining very rapidly and feeling more like myself again.
Am so pleased to hear Madeline is getting along so well, also the baby is growing fast. You sid the baby weighed 7 lbs. I think that a real bouncer.
Really Madeline is a wonderful Mother and going to raise the baby the old fashioned way. The old reliable.
You said the baby looked like its Mother. Well then the baby is good looking and believe me it it looks as pretty as its Mother we will have a beauty.
About the name I can say nothing as it’s Lida’s duty to name it I suppose.
I like Donna very well, any nice name will be alright.
Now Grandma I know you will be so kind to Madeline and the baby and when I get home will try and pay you for all the kindness.
You spoke of Mr Lucas and his bringing home a deer. I hope he had a good trip and enjoyed his hunt. I am on a for more exciting trip and plenty of game. Had a close call this afternoon.
Well I have no news to write as everything is going well. The weather is very damp and chilly and I feel very much on account of being unwell.
I might tell you on Nov 28th about 3 P.M. I nearly passed out of this world. No one will know until my return home what happened.
Now I don’t want any worrying over me because I will do my best to hang it out as no one in the world wishes to die out here. I am having a good life and leave everything in God’s care.
How I would love to see Madeline and the baby and everybody, but there is no chance as someone has to do this job and I feel it my duty to help on with the work.
I will write Madeline tomorrow and this letter is all yours.
By the way the election is on and how anxious I am that the union Gov. go in, but I feel pretty uneasy over those who vote in Canada. Everyday I have less use for those who have not enlisted long ago. Everybody over here will kill them when they get back. I hope the soldiers votes will show the people of Canada what we think of things.
I must close as it is now late and I go out early in the morning to work.
With my best wishes, hoping to hear from you soon.
Bye. Bye. Your loving Son, Will.
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Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.
My dear Wife,
I am quite well gaining everyday and feeling more cheerful. I sincerely hope you are well and feeling quite alright again. The baby growing and little trouble.
Well Madeline I received the letter your Mother wrote on Nov. 15th and I am so pleased over it am overjoyed. Just think we have a dear little baby and a girl too, which surely pleased me. They say it looks like you, another one of my wishes fulfilled. Don’t you think everything goes my way? Yes. Dear, you have suffered for me but God only knows how thankful I am for what he has given us. Your Mother said you were going to rear the baby, which really surprises me. I didn’t think you would be strong enough for that. You must give me some credit for a 7 pound baby. I believe you only weighed half that when you were born.
Now my dear Wife if I could only show in works how proud I am of you, but it’s impossible. Everyday I feel more proud of my brave wife and someday if God spares me to return home will be the happiest man in the world. That dear baby will be such a joy to us. I know many times you will be discouraged but just think of the brightness to our home. Madeline I can say so much but I leave it to my prayers. I hope you give the baby some nice names but they will suit me.
I think the people were good to you when sick and sending the baby such nice presents. When I get out or rest very soon will send something nice. Lou Moore is to get something from me for her good work. Mother and all when I get home will try and reward them in some way.
I had a long wait for the news of our baby and everyday seemed weeks. Today met Mr Omer and had a long talk with him, he told me Mr Wyatt told him about the baby over a week ago. I wonder where my mail is going and some have never reached me yet. Well I will try and have patience till your letters come again. Madeline I was unable to write for over two weeks so will have a long wait. I suppose I will appreciate your letters more when they come again. I certainly look forward to your letters. I must close and pray that yourself and Baby are both in the best of health.
Remember me to all. Love and kisses to my dear Wife and Baby.
GoodBye. Your loving husband, Will xx
GoodBye. Your loving husband, Will xx
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18 December 1917
Mrs W.A. Williams Arkona, Ont. Can.
My dear Wife,
Just received a letter from your mother dated Nov. 11th. Well I was pretty happy just now. Your mother described the baby pretty well and seems so pleased over it too. I am so tickled over our dear little baby and so glad everybody else seems satisfied. I hope dear Wife you are well and quite alright again. I only wish I could see you for such a relief it would be to me, and I pray for you so much that you might have health and happiness. I do hope you are happy and proud of our little baby. Your mother said it had dark blue eyes and dark hair. I am afraid the baby takes little after its daddy. Likely the hair will be auburn when older. Your mother says they are doty over the grandchild and say father please so much too. Well I only hope our dear little baby is a big strong baby and so good not any trouble. Lida is still in London and likely to stay there. I hope your mother gets along alright and you take great care of yourself. I had a letter today from Bessie Bates and it was surely funny. She seems to be so full of life and everything comic. I have no news. The weather is very cold and quite a lot of snow on the ground. I am quite well, and feel alright again. I go in the line everyday and feel quite contented. I will be very careful and only go where I am sent. There is plenty of danger without running into it.
I must close and get my work done up for tonight.
Remember me to all and lots of love and kisses to yourself and Baby.
GoodBye.
Your loving husband, Will xx
GoodBye.
Your loving husband, Will xx
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Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.
My dear Wife,
I am quite well, and getting along alright. I do hope this letter finds you well and enjoying happiness. Also that our little baby is well and growing everyday. I am now out for a rest and will be spending Christmas in a nice quiet village. The weather is awful cold and everything is frozen up solid. The ground is covered with snow. Last night the coldest we have yet had, but tonight is going to be bitter cold. I believe it has been below zero already and we feel it more than home. We surely suffer some these days, but it will soon let up, and we will be fine again.
I am sleeping in a hut which is something like your dive shed. Well i can stand it just as well as the rest. now I have no news only met Will Brooks last night and he looks fat as a butcher. The other boys are near here but am too busy to hunt them up. Rec’d your parcels sometime ago and they sure were a treat also one from one form the League which was so good of them. Had one from home yesterday and also a parcel from Mrs Jones people in England. Who ever was so lucky?
Yes Madeline they cheer us poor devils up so much, but it hurts me so much to receive anything. I might tell you it generally makes me cry when someone so far away goes to so much trouble. We intend to have a real dinner Christmas day, so will be so lucky. I hope to receive some mail before long from you. I will be so pleased to hear from you also all about the baby.
Madeline this unit I am with use me awfully kind and I think will get along extra well if only can stand it out. I believe Alf has been on leave again by a letter record from those people where I left my trunk. He sure was lucky to get 4 days more. Well I must close as it pretty cold and have not news. Keep the baby well covered up and don’t let her catch cold. Be sure and give her a kiss for me as my heart is right there, and in my dreams you sure get many.
Remember me to all and with lots of love and kisses to baby and yourself.
GoodBye
Your loving husband, Will xx
GoodBye
Your loving husband, Will xx
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21/12/17
Dear Cousin,
Received your letter a few days ago was very pleased to hear from you.
Thanks very much for your very kind rememberance.
I know the unit real well that Will belongs to Madeline and would surely have gone to see him as soon as I received your letter had I been in the country.
I had left France before receiving your letter it followed me over here [probably England].
I got a tap on the 15th of last month but am getting better quickly. Have been able to get about on crutches this last few days.
Everybody here is busy decorating for Christmas. The sisters of each ward are competing as to who is going to have the best ward.d
I am sure it must be very lonesome for you with Will away and Lida in London however I suppose she gets home quite often.
We are having nice cold weather here with a few inches of snow on the ground. It really looks like a Canadian Christmas.
I am very glad to see that you have conscription in Canada.
Remember me to all at home and Lida and wish all the compliments of the season for me.
Cousin Lorne
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[part of a letter from “Ada” addressed to Mrs Will Williams]
p. 4
Well I suppose you will be voting to-morrow. I lack two months of being old enough. But there is four votes from here that will help a little you bet.
Well we got Mary and Arnold married alright. They sure had a lovely day. they went to Toronto and London and then came back to Sarnia last night to Mary’s. Coming home Monday. Mary will have a nice home.
Well Madeline I will be glad when I can have a visit with you instead of writing. Would to have you and Babe come and make us a visit but I suppose you won’t come until warm weather but after Xmas I am going out if I can, will Lida be home for Xmas.
Well I guess I had better get ready for church. Now write Madeline. I would love to hear from you all. Wishing you all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. I am still looking for your & Lida picture.
Lovingly, Ada xxx
over
[on the reverse of the letter is written Sgt S. [C?] Lucas
Kitchener Hospital
Ward E2
Brighton, England
No. 112088
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Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.
My dear Wife,
Xmas. 2 P.M. I am quite well, enjoying myself today. I hope you are all well and that today will be one of happiness at your home. Today is mild but stormy and we stay inside to be comfortable. We sure had some very cold weather of late.
Well I am in a quiet village and out on rest. My Christmas under conditions existing here could hardly be more pleasant and will not forget it for many reasons. I sure often think of the one spent at your place two years ago. I wonder how I ever come to get so much nerve. Well Dear time brings something new every day. I will soon forget them and think of those which are happening here every day. This morning went to church service in a Y.M.C.A. and stayed for communion, and enjoyed the remainder of the forenoon reading. We will have a Xmas dinner at 7 P.M. and will not fare too bad. We bought a turkey for our company mess and so will be having a feed only six of us officers.
We are not working today so are spending Xmas quite like home. Madeline I had no mail as yet from you and felt disappointed when none arrived before this. All the boys get so much mail I had none. Well I am getting used to bumps and I guess they are coming to me. I was outside just a few minutes ago and two brothers met who had not seen each other for fourteen years. Everybody was touched so much and has spoiled all our fun. The two boys just broke down and seemed unable to master themselves for the time being. The war surely is doing some wonderful incidents everyday.
Now I cannot write anything until I hear from you. My baby seems like a dream, and I do hope your letter comes soon. I have no news. Wish could of been with you today. This my third Xmas in the army. Wonder where the fourth will be spent. Now Madeline I do pray you are alright and also the baby and tell me all the news. Tell your Father to write as I am lonesome out here and nothing to write about to you. It’s now time to close and go look after dinner for the men.
With love and kisses to yourself and Baby.
Your loving husband, Will xx
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France, Dec. 28, 1917
Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.
My dear Wife,
I am quite well, and getting along alright. I trust you are well again, and enjoying complete happiness. Our little baby girl growing everyday and good as she can be. I hope you will not be angry if I should say hope does not take after its mother. Your folks claim you cried all the time now if the baby is good it takes after me. “ha ha”.
Well Madeline all children cry when they are little and so don’t get angry. I would love to see our little baby just to satisfy myself. I really believe the baby will be good looking and your Mother says has nice fat face and so many other nice things. I might just as well tell you now I am just dotty over our baby and feel proud of my wife who is such a good mother. When I come home after the war don’t care who says different it will be something joyful to me. I guess you never knew I loved children, but only our own.
Has Lida seen the baby yet, and has she picked name by now? I like Donna for a name, but Huffmans will think we are following them. When you buy a buggy get a dandy because we will need it quite likely. I know you will be anxious for more children. Now I must be careful because I know you suffered for mysake. But you pleased me so much you will never know how proud I feel of you and also thankful.
The mail came in again today and none for me. I sure feel disappointed and makes one lonesome. One Officer rec’d three large parcels and some letters. Mr Marshall from London. I guess his people are well off because he gets stuff all the time. Well no news is good news so will just have patience until your letters come. Your mother was so kind in writing me those two letters. I am out on rest, but going in again very soon. I hope am lucky and get on a quiet sector. I will get leave in about three months and may go to Paris if alive at that time. However will not build on much as things are so uncertain out here. We hear having a steady winter and much like home, no nice beds to sleep in, but plenty to eat. There are plenty of crows and ravens stay here all winter and are in large flocks everywhere. Have been unable to get back to a store to buy something to send home. The village am in is badly smashed and the people are all moved away. We cannot send cablegrams across from up near the line.
No news of any kind as the boys are miles from where I am. The war is going alright and will finish soon. Never give up hopes and keep a cheerful look on all the time. I am just as enthusiastic as ever and more so, never sorry for coming over and doing my bit, but get lonesome sometimes which cannot be helped. I am very close to the line while on rest, and the guns are steady pounding away every day. I get anxious to get in again. I guess Madeline am not human, because no one seems to be the same kind of a guy I am.
Has Mr Lucas got over his trip and did he get a large deer? Tell him to write. About the elections they sure went fine and completely fooled me. I hope you were able to vote in the election just passed. I bet your mother will be getting in Reeve of Arkona someday. Votes for women seems certain.
Well I must close and go to dinner and wish you and the baby every health. I wish the new year will be a happy one for you. Remember me to all.
With love and kisses to Wife and baby.
Your loving husband, Will xx
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2nd Canadian Pioneers, France
Best wishes,
Your loving husband, Will xx
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