July 1916

Shorncliffe [England] July 4th, 1916

Dear Mr and Mrs Williams:

Gee but that looks funny doesn’t it? You know that I don’t want to shock you by giving you such a surprise by writing you a letter, but I thought i would send you my congratulations. First I must congratulate you on getting such a fine girl for your wife and secondly on your getting your Captaincy. I was certainly surprised to hear of your marriage but was glad to hear it. Say Madeleine I just wish I had a little more money on hand and  would send you some kind of a present but you know we privates are not generally very flush with money. I guess that is enough of that kind of stuff so I will go on and tell you of other things.

I guess the best way to start off is by talking about the weather as you have done yourself before now. “Ha Ha.” Say that is a hearty laugh isn’t it? That just puts me in mind of the many good times we used to have together. I wonder if we will ever get a chance to have some more? Well there isn’t much there about the weather is there? I hear you have  been having a pretty bad weather in Canada this year but it isn’t any worse that we are getting here at that. The only difference between the rain in this country and in Canada is that it is dry rain over here at least we never stop work here for it like we did in Canada. So much for the weather.

You will likely have heard about my trip over here by now so there is no use of me telling you anything about it except that it was the finest I ever had with the exception of the boat ride and I will admit, that certainly got my goat. You will likely get a chance to find out for yourself what it is like. And take it from me Madeleine don’t you let Will come without bringing you along. A lot of the officers bring their wives over with them.

I am taking a course in musketry, bombing and physical drill now. I started a week ago Monday and expect it will take three or four weeks. i like the course fine and we all have to take it before we go to France but I don’t like the idea of staying in England three or four weeks yet. Some of the fellows have been here for over a year and have never seen any fighting yet. If they try keeping me that long I will desert. There are six going from the signal base tomorrow morning. Nearly all the 70th are in France now. One officer and a number of men have been killed already. There are only about one hundred of the 70th left in England now and there are getting ready for draft as fast as possible. If my transfer goes through I will not be in this country very long as they send a draft from the Engineers every week. If I go with them I am going as a driver on a cable waggon or as a lineman. That is where you get some exciting times. My chum went over about two weeks ago and I got a letter from him last week saying that they were being sent up to the billets just behind the firing line. The allies are doing great work over there now. How is the 149 getting along? I suppose it is the best battalion in Canada? Word has just come in saying that the allies have captured 13000 prisoners and that 9 battalions and 750 officers are to go to France this week. There must be something doing, “Eh”. Fourteen trainloads of wounded came to Charing Cross station in London Sunday night besides what went to other stations. All the taxicabs in London were commandeered by the authorities to carry the wounded to hospitals. We can hear the firing quite plainly over here as we are only about thirty two miles from the firing line. I believe there must be a war on in France. You will have to excuse this writing as it is the best I can to under the circumstances. I am sitting on a pile of blankets outside my tent and the draft is sitting around cleaning their equipment. I wish you could hear the conversation they are carrying on. you would they were going to a picnic. I certainly would like to go with them as three of them are out of my tent and are bally good fellows. I will certainly miss them. I would just like to drop into London one of these nights to see some of my old friends. If you have as good a time in London as I did, time will pass quickly. Of course it will with you now anyway.

This seems to be a rotten letter to me but it seems to be all i can think of at present The flies are nearly eating me up. I never thought I was so sweet that they would bother me much did you? They likely die soon after biting me. if I have said anything that you don’t like why you can have me put on C.B. That isn’t much of a punishment here though as thee is as much going on in camp as down town. Our nearest town in Folkestone which is about two miles away. It is an awfully pretty place and is one of the fashionable summer resorts but there isn’t much doing there now. I guess I will close now wishing you all kinds of happiness and good luck. With love from yours truly

L/C E. Bates No 123853

Signal Base

1st Can. Training Bde,

Shorncliffe, Eng.

I don’t know what your right address is but I guess if I send it to the 149th it will get to you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorncliffe_Army_Camp

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Camp Borden, July 16th, 1916

From Capt. W.A. Williams

Lambton’s 149 Bn

To Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona Ontario

Dear Madeline,

          Sunday 1 PM. All’s well. This letter will be somewhat interesting as it will cover nearly everything. Excuse the writing and the dust which sticks to the paper. Today is sultry and windy. All the boys are in their tents, dust is flying. No rain in sight and the place is very dusty as result of dry weather. Cloudy just now. Well Madeline I arrived O.K. tired and ready for rest. Camp Borden was a surprise to me. Everything peace and quietness. Conditions here are no worse than reported. No doubt you have heard all about this place by now. The boys are nearly all on leave or furlough. They surely don’t act manly or soldierly either. After 7 months and act up like this is ridiculous and should never leave Canada’s shores. Discipline is no more. All the boys are crazy to go back on the farm. They surely put up a fine yarn to get away. However, when they get back from furlough they may do better. Gordon Brown is here now. All the N.C.O. are here now. Several of the boys are away for the harvest, and some went to Arkona. Alf is going home tomorrow and will call on you perhaps Wednesday. He is off for sometime. You must go out home now and have a visit. Surely the boys can take the place of one. Don’t elope or their will be a French leave here right away. Raining like fun just now.

2 P.M. We have had a lovely rain and no more dust, cool and everybody happy. Was at church parade this morning. Service was short. Sermon preached by our chaplain. Well Madeline I surely was made use of here and all the boys wanted something. All the officers are away and have been unable to go to Allendale to get a place. However will be able to get a place. Most of the officers wives arrived yesterday and will stay in Allendale. May go up today or Monday evening. Waiting to see the officers when they return. Will write a letter at once re this. I surely won’t be a Captain long. Lt Edward is while push here now and is mean as he can be. Not one Lt is here the last two days. No wonder the men act as they do. Regarding the camp here this is the largest in America both in men and grounds. Excellent climate and the water supply is great. Quality is No. 1. The soil is sandy loam and needs no drainage. There are no flies, snakes or mosquitos and healthy as it can be as it is so dry and the nights cool and no dampness. Men say this place resembles Aldershot in England. The parade grounds are 15 miles square and level. We have no shade trees in the 149 but all over the grounds are a few pine trees and make shade for the men. The conditions here are the best only for the dust which is burnt muck and blows at being stirred up. We don’t walk in sand whatever and any thing different from this is false. The first few days here were hot the same as at home and they were not allowed water on the march [rest missing]


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Camp Borden, July 18, 1916

From: Capt. W.A. Williams

Lambtons 149 Bn

To: Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona, Ontario

Dear Madeline,

Yours rec’d today, certainly glad to hear from you. Am well and good and blue. No end to worries. The boys are all going home and of course are dissatisfied. They don’t like the dust up here and are no doubt awful lonesome. I sure done my best for the Arkona boys and I hope in return they will not use me mean. Ed Crawford was going home on furlough tonight and for his good conduct & work was made Serge. in the Transports. Ed is well pleased and so am myself. Ed is sure a good worker and certainly doing the best for the 149. Mr Wyatt made a fight to get home and believe me I did the best that could be done. I only wish all could be used alike and not having to do so much scheming.

Well Madeline I am sure discouraged tonight. Tomorrow am Captain of the day and will be on duty from 5 A.M. to 12 P.M. only 19hrs. It is now 10 P.M. all are away to bed. The boys are singing in their tents and sure sing sad pieces. We need a few ladies here to cheer them up. They miss their friends that was in London.

Mr Young left yesterday for Toronto and arrived just now. 5 letters arrived for him today. Billie could never answer letters like that. Shower is in Ottawa. Capt. Trainor is doubled up like a few more of the officers. It is very hot here and the boys are working hard today and will sure go to it  now. Madeline I wrote a nice letter to you Sunday and put it in my club bag for Alf to mail, was busy and he had to run to catch the train. I wonder did he mail or what? I was worried to know what to do. Surely he would find it. Now I got Mr Young to go and see about a place for you. He says the lady wants just one for company and is keeping the place until I go Thursday. All the others are up at Barrie. Allandale is handier and closer. Now I will do the best and expect to write you by Thursday night so you will receive word by Saturday. Will give you all plans. Hope you go out to my home before returning. Sorry to hear only weight 102lbs. Write Ethan for me and will do my best when get address. Be sure and have a good visit before coming to his lonesome place. No officer can get home for 4 or 6 weeks.

Must close now as it now very late. Don’t forget me in your prayers as I sure feel blue. Remember me to all. Wishing you health and happiness.

Goodnight.

Your loving Will

P.S. Your invitation was accepted returning same by wishes. Write me soon as well. 

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Borden 21 — 7 — 16

Dear Madeline,

Just a note. Am well. Did not receive any word in return for Sunday letter. Did you not get it? I hope it comes to-day. All the boys are going on furlough and I have to stay. Poor Billie. In the mad rush for a place Col. Bradley and all the officers’ wives who landed at Barrie or Allendale go put out and had to come up to camp and stay 1 day. They went up the line 5 miles to Alliston and have a good place. They want you to go and can get a good place for you if you go to Alliston. Madeline I can get no one to bring you up only Brown or Crawford will be going home next week end and will get one to bring you up.

The trains are loaded with soldiers, and so many drunk you dare not come back with these. These all get back Monday. Will get Serge Brown off till a Tuesday. Now I cannot get off for 1 month. Will write a letter Sunday. Be sure and write soon as receiving this. Now I will have to get to work and give this to Riggs who is going on furlough. Madeline the next letter will be improvement.

Good Bye

Your loving Will

P.S. Enclosing time table. Remember me to all and one for yourself. W.

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Camp. London July 23 - 16

Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona, Ontario

My Dear Wife,

Your letters rec’d on Friday and Saturday. Sorry to hear of your disappointment. I was afraid this would be the case but I hope you have the first letter by now. Poor girl, some blue in that nasty letter Well Billie doesn’t forget you and this trouble was a mistake. I hope you are a happy girl by this time as I think this 4 letters or more. 

How are you getting along, only 102lbs that’s awful. You listen to me and please take that medicine. I didn’t marry you to look at or to die. I want to see you healthy. If you don’t take Drs medicine, I will sure give you something that will make you fat. Take warning. No more, now you must not. It will be safer to take my remedy any old time.

Madeline this is one awful hot day and every one is puffing around. I am alone in the orderly tent and of course wrote a letter to Ethan. I forgot but had a dandy letter from him the  other day. He wrote it to Mrs Williams too. I am to be sure take you to England. Well I haven’t got you up here yet but how will I dare leave you up here and me in camp. Visitors are welcome Saturday afternoon and Sundays. You come down here on either day and perhaps I can get way once a week. However you must come up. I will surely get things to work out right yet. I will maybe go down and bring you up myself if not some one coming up will see you get up. I only wish you could come Saturday and Sunday.

How is Lyda? and Mrs Wyatt getting along? I suppose the boys are having a picnic in Akron

Say my dear there is some more money for you, will I send a check or not or keep it until you come up. This one awful place to spend money, nothing to do but go to canteen.  I don’t mind it like the boys do.

Today hundreds of autos have passed by our lines and the camp is a cloud of dust. There are lots of girls here today and the boys sure rubber, a girl is a great a wonder here as an aeroplane at home. Oh say I forgot my Bible and only say my prayers. This life is awful the swearing and bayonet fighting which I am taking is awful. This is Hell on earth. Just the thoughts of killing a man, but will have to do it I know and I really haven’t the heart. I have a busy time of it here now.

I will be Captain of the day and Mr Tows will be Lt. This is my turn all to quick. Also on a special class of Bayonet Fighting and Physical Training. This is sure heavy work and gets some of the boys. Route march last Thursday and stood it fine. You know weigh 158 lobs and feel dandy, must take great care of my self in order to beat Fritz. Take from me the boys are sick of soldier’s life. I have more troubles than they all.

How did you like things out home. I only hope you had a good time. Did Alf and Gene use you good. Please write and tell me all the news. I would like to have some one come up with you. With these fun stories will close tonight, am sending the first paper printed here. Will try and get some news to send in the morning. Mr Young is away and the officers are all angry at him. He has 6 letters here waiting.

Monday

Another day has arrived and it sure is a warm one. The boys will get it hard today. I have a snap as far as labour is concerned, but keep one busy. Now my dear this is a work day and will excuse my writing any news. Tell Lida not to forget what I promised and mail one by registered. Remember me to all. Call on Miss Menhenick and smooth things over. Now is is all, write at once. 

GoodBye, lots of love and a bundle of hugs and kisses.

Your loving Billie 

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Camp Borden, July 27 [1916]

[Addressed to Mrs W.A. Williams, Alliston, Ont., to Dominion Hotel]

Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona, Ont.

Dear Madeline,

Just a few lines. Am well. Very warm in this country. Just came in from Angus with Bn. We only have 300 men up here now and I had charge of them down building trenches. Sergt. Brown told me was going home. I enclose $20.00 for spending. Also a note telling you I am trying to get off Saturday and Sunday to get a place for you. I will go to Alliston and you be sure and come Saturday and I will stay there and meet you. I have to come back 11:30 P.M. Saturday or Sunday.

Now surely we can get place for you. I will stay there until last train. Sunday we will have a day to ourselves. I hope this is satisfactory. If should happen I wasn’t there you phone on arrival and be sure and stay at the best hotel. I be there or break camp. Bring my necessaries also a lady friend of yours. Alliston is about 9 miles from Borden. You should arrive here about 9 o’clock P.M. leaving Watford 11 o’clock A.M.

Now dear be sure and come as I will have kittens. Take a Pullman all the way so will not be tired. GoodBye.

Your loving husband, Will