February 1915

Glencoe, Feb. 2/15

Mr Will Williams

London, Ontario

Dear Friend, —

Here are we girls now in Glencoe enjoying a lovely visit. It is terribly stormy today. We intended to go home this morning but it was raining so hard we decided to wait till tomorrow. The train leaves here at 7:30 A.M. & it’s so early I don’t whether we will be up in time or not. It’s usually ten o’clock when we get down stairs.

Lyda wrote to me last Monday (Jan 25) & sent me your letter too. It didn’t reach there until I had left. I’m sorry you’re finding your work so hard. Lyda told me in her letter that Fred Brown had left for Ottawa to join the 2nd Contingent. I’m sure his people will feel so sorry to have him go. Gordon is not going back to Hamilton but is going to take Fred’s place in the store. She also said that George Lampman was talking of going too.

I’ve never been a bit lonesome since I left home but still I do hope we can go tomorrow. It will be nearly be two weeks. Where we are now is Dr Copeland’s brother’s home. He has a daughter Ethel & she is so nice. We were nearly a week in Alvinston. The girls are both busy reading. I’m not very fond of reading.

Last Tuesday night there was a horrible fire in Alvinston. It was a Millinery Store. We hadn’t gone to sleep when we heard the bell ring. It sounded terrible.

I’ll miss Ella so much when I go home. We’ve had so much fun together. Well you couldn’t guess what we girls learned to do last night. Ethel taught us how to play Euchre but I’m sure she wished she hadn’t started because I couldn’t get it through my head at all. While we were in Alvinston Susie learned us how to play “Lost Heir”. I liked it best so you see when we go home we will be regular “Card Players”. 

There is the cutest little baby in this house. She is one year old. I dread to start out tomorrow. We go to Wyoming from here and then to Kingscourt & have to wait there for 2 or 3 hours before we can get a rain for Watford and worst of all the drive home from Watford. We’ll certainly earn our rest. I do hope it clears up before morning. I’m going down town now so must close this letter. Write some time again. bye bye

Madeline 

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London, Feb 7th ,1915

Miss Madeline G. Lucas,

Arkona, Ont.

Dear Friend — 

Your welcome letter was rec’d. Many thanks. Glad you are well and that you are having a good time. This is a very nice day and our winter has been nice so far. Sundays are always nice as a rule this winter. How is Lyda, that card she sent was a beauty. The ones Dan, Della, & Frances sent were all nice. Now I know how many friends I have.

Say Willie Torrington came down here and I had the pleasure of entertaining him. He says he is going to the war. Poor Maggie won’t she miss him? I think I should go in his place and let him work for his father-in-law. He would take more interest. He told me that you said Maggie thought a lot of him and I believe it too. Willie likes that name. I don’t know how you will get along without him to run the Methodist Church. Pat Brown was the last man I thought would go to the war. I am glad someone can must up enough courage to go. I wish him luck. He will be missed in the store as he was a good fellow. Gordon is taking his place and quitting the bank. Perhaps Hamilton was not Central and phoning costs like sixty so they say. Stationery is up and the Gov. is going to raise postal rates.

Now I am on my last week and the time will soon go. Believe me the study here is hard and my few brains are about exhausted. Failure is the word for me and don’t be looking for anything else. I only hope my health holds out this week. We expect to finish Saturday night and will go up to Watford 9:20. The captains course is too much for me this time and if I fail will try again some other time. I would love a few days rest when I go home but I guess will not be able to take any more time just now. I am clad in a dandy new uniform and it looks some 100 per cent better than the other one did. Soldiering is an expensive game and one has to have a few bills in his pocket. 

Now Madeline I must close my lingo and I only hope you will forgive me for past letters as I had no news, and somewhat foolish as you know. May I have the pleasure of calling on you sometime soon and see a Methodist play cards.

Goodbye. I am

Yours sincerely, W.A. Williams 

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Armouries, London Feb 23/15

Miss Madeline G. Lucas.

Arkona, Ontario

Dear Friend — 

I now take the pleasure of writing you. Have just returned from my lectures. This is a very disagreeable day and I am much discouraged over the dullness of the day and the hard work I have to do to night. This course is simply fierce and fail I will for sure. Just add a little more to your prayers tonight for me.

Well I hear that I passed my other O.K. and I am glad too. Mind you they are giving us the worst lot of study you ever seen and I never get to bed until 12 o’clock. My face is just pulled down like the Kaiser’s. Verne and Ethan are getting along alright. I see them often and we chum quite a little. Will Torrington is here, we boys often be with with him in the evenings. I was out to Park on Sunday and saw Lorne. He was busy on fatigue duty and so could not have a talk. There are several boys here that I am acquainted with. I still have some war fever left and I think when through with this course will be satisfied. This officer business is a fine job and lot of fun connected with it. All work and no pay.

Say how are all in Arkona, was Ella very lonesome on Sunday? Tel her to be sure and write for I am sure there will be a case here if she does not. Verne walks the streets like a giraffe looking for something to pop up. Now passing all jokes aside don’t forget the boys like you did me. I was six weeks here and rec’d about 1 card & 2 letters and now two weeks more and none. That what when you have no sisters. I am sure Verne would like to hear from Lyda. Never worry about Ethan.

Now I must tell you that I took in the Grand last night and it was good. All the officers held the front seats, and it was quite a military show. Well I said I would not go to any enjoyment while the war was on but I consider this different. I will tell you about my time in London when I get a chance. I have a good stand in here with the Captain of the Armouries and he allowed me to take the captain’s course. In was the only one out of the last class, and I feel proud. Will be home on Monday next or Tuesday if all goes well. 

How are all at the store? I will have to write Wes and tell him that I cannot make the grade sooner. I must close thanking you for allowing me to write you and hoping a reply would not be asking too much. Excuse scribbling and bad English please. Have no pen, ink or writing paper.

I remain,

Your sincerely. W.A. Williams Lieut.

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