May 1917

Bramshott England
May 4th, 1917


Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Can.


My Dear Madeline,

Rec’d your letter of the 2-4-17. Was so pleased to hear from you and that you were well. I am well and trust this may find your the same. Returned from my leave on Thursday noon and was so glad to get back to here again. I had 5 days leave and spent the time in London. I was to write Wednesday evening and as I was to show missed until last night. However just as was writing your the Assembly call came and every man had to get out and stand to. All the men in camp left in the night for somewhere and I bid Alf Goodbye as no one knows when they will march in again and I leave for Bexhill on the Sea in the morning. Alf and myself will miss each other some of these times and no one knows when will meet again.

The boys are all well and enjoying life such as it is in England. The food is very good, no complaints. The are very soon to beth leave. Only a few of the officers have been on leave. Well Madeline London is a wonderful city and can only wait to tell tell you my trip. I visited all the large historical places and have about one hundred beautiful cards of the places. I enjoyed the Old Tower the best of all and have a history of it. Was to only two shows. Hanky Panky and the other play was called Seven Days Leave. There were both very good. I only wished you could of been with me and I would of enjoyed myself much better. I had an officer of Imperial Army to show me around. He lived here so could show me all. I never seen any of our officers until the evening before leaving and I met Major Moncrieff.

Believe me Madeline I was glad to get back and so thankful today my life has not been blotted with shame. Temptations in the city are very great and I feel after coming away without committing myself to have fought any enemy much greater than the Germans. I prayed so much that I may not be tempted and thought of you so much. I only wish I could enjoy myself like other boys do but it doesn’t seem natural to me. I do hope Dear I can resist all worldly pleasures and stay to the one great aim I have in life. I am very anxious to get to the front as I feel no harm will befall me and how I would love to have some of those experiences. My Great Grandmother was Annie Flora De Lene a cousin of Napoleon, so you see I have French blood and didn’t know it and also maybe a little fighting spirit too. I will tell you all when I get home. Everything is in my trunk and hope to be able to show you someday. 

I had a card from Torrington today. He is well. What are the boys doing at home? I had an officer tell me last night I was the most popular man in the 149 Bn. Don’t you think he was joking? Do you know offering to go as a private didn’t harm me at all. Now Madeline I will write Sunday from Bexhill and tell you all Business and address the letters to Army P.O. London and they will forward them on to me. How is all the folks? 

Remember me to all. Be sure and send me a picture soon as possible or I will forget what you looked like. GoodBye. 

Your loving husband. Will X

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
May 6th 1917

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont.Can.


Dear Madeline,

Arrived safely at above place, yesterday and am now comfortably located in the Metropole Hotel. I am real well and hope you are the same. Today is a beautiful day as has the few days past. Real spring weather and mostly sunshine. The trees are coming into leaf rapidly and the bloom in fruit trees quite full. The country as a whole is most beautiful and much like at home in May. 

Well Madeline I do hope you are enjoying yourself, and especially these nice spring days. I do hope you will get over your loneliness and be quite contented again. Believe me it’s nice to be at home in Arkona to what it is in this country. If you were over here and me knocking about I would be worried to death. This one awful unsettled life and impossible to tell where you will be next. However I am here for eight weeks. If nothing happens and after that will likely rejoin my reserve unit. At the close of this course we are fit for overseas but will have to wait out turn. There is a great demand for subs at the front these days and out time may not be long. 

All the boys were well when I left, and had returned from their long hike. the boys stood the test well and are getting great praise. This place is very clean and pretty, of about 20,000 population. It is a summer resort and during July and August has thousands of visitors. There are such large hotels and the beach here is great for bathing as the beach is sandy. The water flows in much like at the late at our home resorts. At the Metropole there are staying about 200 officers and we sure are some gang. Over 500 officers and cadets here all told. Mr Woodrow Stokes, Cheyne and myself are rooming together. Our room overlooks the water and the beach is only 50 yds in front. From time to time will tell you more about this place and what we are doing. The work is very hard and the hours long. We start out at the double at 6:30 tomorrow morning and will be there at 5:30pm. 

Today was to church and the sermon was good. We are compelled to go every Sunday to Protestant Church. I do home to be able to stand this course and pass with honours. I have a platoon of officers tomorrow first off the bat and my turn won’t be for some time again. They give prizes here for good work of course I don’t want any prizes. you remember Bert Watts who was with us in London? I hear that he is a prisoner in Germany. He will be safe now anyway and will have lots of money when he returns. I bought my binoculars, revolver and compass and only have my trench coat to get. I will wait until I go over before getting it. 

Now Madeline, I cannot tell anymore this time but will continue from time to time to write interesting accounts of our times. As Mr Lucas to write some time if he can find time and tell me of the crops and etc. Tell Lyda and All. 

Remember me to all and love to yourself from loving husband Will.


P.S. Please send me your picture at once as I am lonesome and want to see you. X

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
9 May 1917

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Canada


Dear Madeline -

Just a few lines this evening. I am well. Hoping this letter may find you in the best of health and also enjoying yourself. The weather is lovely these days and the growth is wonderful. No rain for days and becoming quite dry. As a whole the country is excellent and most beautiful. How I would love to see home these days and I bet your lawn is pretty now. Arkona was always so pretty in spring time. 

Well Madeline such time and harvest is alike all over the world and we enjoy it here also. This evening I am sitting in my room in the Metropole alone and the view is pretty out over the sea. Also looks right down front street. This is one of the best resorts in the south of England. How I wish you were here with me. We sure would enjoy ourselves but this life only lasts a few weeks and then somewhere else. I sure am lonesome but not one bit more than I expected to be. And believe me I am so busy. Have no time to feel homesick. The work is very hard, but I will be able to stand it and hope to be an all round good officer before leaving here. They give us lots of drill and lectures. They march us about 150 to 180 paces to the minute. This is about as fast as anyone can walk and they keep us to it. Well the P.J. is fierce but I have stood three days and I know I can stand it alright. The B.F. is sure lots of pep and all around we are getting the best course in the British Empire. The food is good and we have no complaints whatever. The course is 8 weeks. Mr Woodrow got a letter from Sarnia dated 23rd of April and I feel bad because I didn’t get one but I know there is one on the way here. Maybe tomorrow I will get some. I hear the boys went on leave and are now enjoying the long looked for leave. 

Well Madeline until I get letters more frequent it’s hard to write. I know they will be along soon now. Your husband is a pretty good boy yet but if you get careless in writing I might not be so good. ha ha. When daddy gets home you won’t know him because my hair is falling out so bad I will be bald in a few months, this will save being pulled out. No moustache for me. I must close and hope to get word from you tomorrow.

Best of wishes to all and lots of love to yourself. GoodBye. 

Your loving husband. Will X

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
12 May 1917

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont. Canada


My Dear Madeline -

Saturday evening (7.30) and no mail this week. All the boys are getting mail galore but Billie. Well I know there is some on the way by now, and quite likely up at Bramshott. I will write and have them forward it at once. I am well and enjoying myself. I do hope you are well and enjoying springtime in Arkona. The weather is ideal here and a little rain fell this afternoon. We find it quite warm for our work, and believe me enjoyment is only when we get a rest. 

Well Madeline I stood one week of wear and tear and I think I can stand seven weeks more. the works is very strenuous and long hours. Everybody is glad to rest when they get a chance. This course is a refresher of all the other courses and of this consequently I get some pretty hard work. I hope to pass out of here fit for any branch of the Infantry. The instructors are marking me good so far and hope to continue. The officers and men all complain of the gruelling we have to undergo. It is either make or break as no one is wanted in France unless he can stand this. There are two hundred officers here, and about three hundred cadets who have been to the front and have been recommended for commissions. They sure are a good bunch. There are about two dozen officers who come from Quebec and talk French. They are a chattering body and we have some laugh. A Battery of imperial troops are camped about one mile from here and come to spend the evenings. 

Madeline this is a beautiful place. The promenade on the beach is miles long and every evening crowded with people. The water is too cold for bathing yet although several of the boys have been going in. The trees are shooting into leaf rapidly and the flowers are in bloom in all gardens and parks. How I wish you were here but not while such a state of affairs exists as we have in England. The war looks bad to some people, but we will win for sure. Britons never know defeat. The food is somewhat serious and also those subs, but don’t lose heart as we can stand it. If those subs sing our boats in the future as in the past we won’t be able to get home for a day or two. When we get home there will be lots to tell and must not be written as information would be valuable to the enemy if fallen into their hands. Present time of writing a scrap is on in the channel, will had how it makes out tomorrow. The boys are on leave as yet and will be returning home the beginning of week. They will surely see some sights and have some time. It is now getting dusk and will close for this evening must go up town and get some trinkets as tomorrow will be a rest day except Church parade. Mr Woodrow Stokes and Capt Cheyne are also writing to friends of theirs at home and write their wives tomorrow.

 I will write some more tomorrow as will have time.

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
13 May 1917


Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona Ontario Canada


My Dear Wife -


Just a few notes today. I am well and enjoying the day. Church parade was over 10 A.M. Sermon was good. I think the sermons here are more interesting than those at home. I have written a letter to my father this morning, also sending my bank book up to London to get balanced. I hope to send you a cheque before long. Sorry unable to get it there in time for your birthday. How I wish to know how you are getting along and also some other matters of much interest to myself. Those letters of yours are long looked for but hope soon to hear. Be sure and tell me everything about your health.


How is Lida and yourself getting along. I bet after I went away you got along alright. Poor Lida knows I took her dear sister away and broke her heart. Well Madeline there are lots of girls over here and they are very pretty too but the Canadian girls are more sensible and have some respect for themselves. I try to mind my business so far, but where I see the other boys fading about get pretty lonesome. When we are busy drilling feel fine. I feel pretty tired today and my side hurts somewhat today. I hope the training won’t bring on the trouble again. Have just come in from the beach and it will soon be supper time so must close the letter now. The firing up the channel was the British bombarding Zeebrudge. I hope they gave that place all it wanted. This afternoon a great fleet of merchant boats passed by this place several miles out. Two airships were patrolling over the water. The airships come close to the beach and are some size. The Silver Queen passes here twice a day on her trip up the coast. Must tell you about the girls on the promenade as I sat and watched them pass today. About 50 per cent carry walking sticks, are all well dressed and are more or less stunning colours. The size of their feet vary considerable and all those who cannot walk are wheeled about in small carriages. This is all for now and do hope to hear from you before Wednesday so will give me better chance to write.


Remember me to all and write as often as you wish because there is nothing interesting to me over here. Best wishes to all and lots of love to yourself.


Your loving husband, Will


P.S. I heard E. Showler is in the flying Corp. and over in France observing. Did you hear any news from Brook. W.A.W.




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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
May 17-1917

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ontario Canada


My Dear Wife,

This evening will try and write you a short but interesting letter. I am well and hard at work every day. I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying yourself. Today has been quite wet and cool. This has been the first rain for some time, and will do much good. 

Well Madeline we worked all day through the rain and was sure the first time since coming into the army I wore my oil cloth coat and was not wet, but feel damp this evening. There is no way of drying oneself as this place has no heat. Orders were that no coal would be used after 1st of May and so we will see no more fire until winter. We will get used to this life before winter comes on and will be able to stand the cold. The work is very hard, and I felt rather tired many times but remember there are many more tired ones besides me. My side has threatened to play up, but seems to get better again. 

The other day we were bayonet fighting and at one move felt it terrible, and began at once to vomit but seem alright now and no signs of hernia. I do hope this won’t hold me up yet, as otherwise feel good. Met Mr Young last night, he had an operation performed on his head for ear trouble. Has two months sick leave and he came down here with some girl. He gave me an introduction but was not interested as so cannot tell the name. We had quite a talk and he wished to be remembered, and sends his love to you. Well you won’t want any as his is second handed by now. Some fellows sell their love for nothing. ha ha. Some body will get hurt yet if they keep telling me to send their love. Ethan told me to tell you the same. Well these two fellows are pretty good scouts, so won’t bother with them. None of the letters I get ever hint of the like. Well I guess they know there’s no use. I got a letter from Mrs Smith the other day that is all since coming to England. How I wish to get one from you soon, be two months and only two letters. By Jove it’s a terror, will have to read some one else’s or start smoking cigarettes to stop feeling blue. Mr Woodrow Stokes and Cheyne have rec’d more than a dozen each. Be sure and make them feel blue after this. 

Last night at mess while the band played there is along long trail, the tears had a race and don’t know which side won. Well so much said, tell Lida to be sure and write the boys at the front as have seen enough of our boys getting letters and others none. Pte Martelli wrote a letter to me from Aldershot where he is seriously ill asking me to send him his mail if any and to foreword some writing paper and stamps. The letter was sent on to this place, and at once sent him a supply. War is not what people, some people, think, and every boy has a heart if he is rough and ready. Had a letter from V.W. Williams the other day and all is well. How is Lorne and have you any word of late? The scrap is pretty hot days, and gets lots of our boys. Hope Russia stays in the game or we will get trimmed. The Yankees make lots of noise but they have to have lots of wind to work. 

Must close. Your loving husband. Will x 

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
20-5-17

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona Ontario Canada


My Dear Wife,

Will try and write you today but as I am in bad humour will forgive me if everything doesn’t sound the best. I am well, busy doing nothing today but rest. Today is fine and warm and everybody out walking in the springtime. There are great numbers sitting on the beach while others are sitting around their lawns. This place is a rest place for so many, but not for us subs. The parks are simply beautiful with so many shrubs and flowers. Every house in England is covered with some sort of vine or creeper and makes the home beautiful. 

Well Madeline have not been inside an English home yet, but they are furnished grand, but ehte homes are not laid out like ours. All the houses are built of red brick, large and fancy with tile shingles and chimneys. The streets are often miles long and every house built the same. All the land belongs to one man in this district - Lord Delamaar who has 40,000 acres. He practically has a kingdom of his own, and nearly all these homes are rented as he wouldn’t sell them. There are quite a number of autos yet, but the petrol is so scarce impossible to run them. Most everyone rides a bicycle. The War has taken nearly all the good horses away. Was to church this morning and service was good. We fall in 8.45 A.M. and get dismissed about 10 A.M. It is now 10:30. The Sunday mail arrived already but the boat bringing mail for me got sunk somewhere I guess, because I know my wife wouldn’t forget me so soon. Well this makes up for the letter you missed sent from Camp Borden. However by and by some will come and they will sure be appreciated. Lt. Johnston whom we left in London Canada arrived here last night. He is in the flying corp and left one month after we did. Lt Baty 149 came over with cycle corp. Lt White went into Battery as a private. Lt Irwin is in the Special Service Coy. Mr Ille [?] went to Berlin to recruit Capt McGillvary recruiting in Woodstock. Waddell gone home. Kelly with the 7th London also. Lt Egan, Major Stewart is O.C. cavalry unit home. The 153rd Battn and 241st Battn have arrived in England. This takes all the overseas units away and now for the home guards. They tell me they won’t sign up in that even and will have to bring on compulsory service. 

Well Madeline I am not sorry for coming when I did because it’s utter disgrace to stay behind after all the troops have come over. How are all the Arkona boys and where is Riggs, Adams, Smith and Weedmark? Is V. Huntley married yet and what about the auto? I suppose Mr Porter is married before this, and a hundred things happened in the last two months. How is Mrs Lucas getting along with her fowl, these are the days of chickens and eggs. Eggs are 54 cts per dozen here (2./6-) They are making the people kill off the fowl so as to save grain for bread and animals. We sure get pinched on some things such as sugarless meals and meatless and potato less days. Margerine makes fair grease for the bread, powdered milk for tea. Well it’s alright and we can stand this if we can only beat the Huns. My belt is certainly slack now and don’t feel any the worse. Was the fruit bloom good this year and had your trees good bloom? Tell Mr Lucas to write when he finds time, Lyda never gets time as she will be busy of course. Hope she likes the store better now and getting along fine. Have you been out home yet and how are they getting along? 

Well Madeline am much interested with things at home and hope you don’t think it’s wrong. When I get home will show how to make things good. Should I get my bean knocked off your allowance is $62 1/2 per month, so you will be alright anyway. This is the latest orders and each of us guys cannot revert so hope you will not worry about me doing wrong. Have ordered a new uniform and hope to get it before long. My uniform is getting pretty well worn now, consider what it had gone through since June 14th 1916. What are you going to do with the cake when the year is up? Be sure and celebrate the 14th for me. Fly the big flag until I come back by draping if over the Camp Borden picture. 

Well Dear this is a pretty good letter, and hope you will copy from it. Be sure and have a good time and get anything you want. I will try and save all I can for you. I have bought everything now and about $100 saved to my credit. will send it over when I get chance. Madeline I get pretty lonesome for a friend, but those golden rules must not be broken. Have spoken to several clerks and they are friendly. All girls working in the stores now and on trams, selling booze, chimney sweeps and every thing a man can do. 

Must close and wish for a letter soon. Remember me to all, that your birthday was happy and your wedding anniversary was bright. 

GoodBye your loving husband. Will x

P.S. send your photo or will be angry, will return the compliment if requested.

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24 May 1917

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona, Ont, Canada


My Dear Wife,

Am well and hope this letter may find you well and enjoying this best of everything. This is Victoria Day and a beautiful day it is. The people here are flying flags and the children paraded. We had a march past in the park and thousands gathered to see the ceremonial. Had a letter from Pte Martell this week and he is getting along very well. One month in hospital and pretty lonesome. I write him today and sent him some money. No word from Alf since leaving Bramshott. I guess the boys have been on leave and returned by this time. I wish Alf would try and scribble a few lines but they are busy and no doubt tired. I am bushed every evening. Believe me these days are warm for 160 pace per minute. We are winded several times through the day and the flesh decreasing and the appetite increasing. Was out in the country yesterday and there everything was grand. So many hedges makes this country one giant park. 

Well Madeline no word from you yet and I feel pretty uneasy but know they will come sometime, perhaps you only wrote two letters and the next will be in reply to those sent from of our arrival in England. Well my promise was kept in spite of the difficulties and have written some 20 letters by now. Was going to write last night but held off hoping to get word from you today. Capt Cheyne got three letters from Canada yesterday dated the last week April. My Dear Wife if I did as other officers do would not be lonesome, please advise me before July if you wish another husband. Ha ha. I have indeed been faithful but it’s terrible on the will power to be true with temptations like we have here. Thousands of girls blinking their eyes for a fellow. Well it means this much if I break the rules I die in France. Now you can write me wherever you get time and will not be angry because I know did wrong in leaving you and hope to suffer for it. Soon be one year since we were married. 

With the best of good wishes and lots of love. Your loving husband Will x
Remember me to all.

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
27-5-17

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona Ontario Canada


My Dear Wife,

Will try and write a short letter to you. I am real well and enjoying myself. I do hope this letter may find your the likewise. Today is one beautiful day, so bright and clear. The weather is remarkably fine for this season of the year. The people here claim this unusually dry. The crops are late and no doubt will be short. Everything looks so green and nice just now, but the season is one month behind other years. At this moment a biplane just came down from the east straight over the metropole flying rather high and going perhaps over 80 miles an hour. We see lots of them here. One fell the other night abut 2 miles from this place. Last evening the airship (Silver Queen) passed right up the promenade about 100 feet high. She is rather of a pet and patrols the coast here every twice a day. 

Well Madeline there are so many of things happening, we forget to write about. The Warships, patrols and merchant ships are passing out of the channel by the hundreds. Often see dozens of large boats at one time only a few miles out from shore. Those Huns sank those Hospital ships right off here about 20 miles out. Some things drifted in here. 

Madeline I am getting along pretty well with the course. Had examination yesterday and did well. Was very nervous before the time came to write. I feel today very cheerful over the brave attempt I made. Before I went into the room to write I prayed for help and got it too as I thought it was easy and everyone else hard. My side is alright and my appetite too. Eat most anything very fond of children. Several boys have had arms and shoulders broken through bayonet fighting. I am under the best instructor. I believe after this course no one will need show me how to handle the steel. They make us shout every time we make a point and that puts the life to it. Wait until I see Huntley and his line of Canadian training. Well so much for the course would like to take another after this one. Maybe go to Aldershott for musketry, as I have to take it before going over to France. The hard drill and the food am getting pretty thin but the next 5 weeks will be easy as will be so many lectures on tactics. Major Morrison is in hospital at Cambridge. His case is not serious but rather of a suspicious form. Guess. Please keep to yourselves because you don’t know. Well, Billie never plays with sharp tools, so many little fellows burn their fingers on the stove. Enough said. Beware where you go. From my window can see over so much of the beach. There are crowds on the promenade this afternoon. I was to church parade this morning and have not been out since. I feel tired and one can see so much from here. Another biplane has just passed over going at a tremendous speed. There is another raid on like we had the other day no doubt. The Huns are good sports, but they kill too many women and children to call it fun. Never mind they will pay up for this someday. I wish I could get into the flying corps. They say it’s awful on the first trip one is so sea sick, and usually leaves his meals in mid air. Remember sea sickness is kind of dying sensation or worse. 

My Dear Wife have no word from you since one written 7 of April. I hope to get one before July. Now don’t hurry because there is lots of time and don’t worry because the Huns get a few boats with mail on. Just keep writing whenever you get time. Madeline be sure and enjoy yourself because there are so many boys here and so busy we have a lively time and don’t worry because when I come back you shall have had all for no good. 

Remember me to all. Tell me all about your clothes and buy lots of them because I don’t want Mrs Williams looking hard up. 

GoodBye. Your loving husband, Will.

P.S. Another biplane going over. 3 in last few minutes.

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Bexhill-on-Sea, England
May 30th 1917

Mrs W.A. Williams
Arkona Ontario Canada


My Dear Wife,
This letter will surely be brief and dry. Well as it leaves me all is well and I do hope on its arrival will find you the same, and also the rest of the people.

Today is now fine, with some rain this afternoon. We were in our training at bayonet work right through the rain. There is no let up here for us guys. I never felt better and muscles are getting hardened. Must be getting along well because I was only called down once for letting my rifle fall and once for turning left instead of right. Have had several compliments. This afternoon was out in company in attack and sure had some hard work. We are all tired, and this evening the four of us are writing letters. We had a final assault of about 100 yards and up a steep hill. Believe me we were all out of wind on arrival at the top. Now we sure are whipping into shape and five weeks more will make a fine race horse.

Monday was a holiday throughout England (Whit Monday). We all went to Hastings and attended the sports. This school took all the prizes but one. We sure have some sports in this bunch. Capt Kerr who was champion sprinter of the world is with us, he sure can run, but in the two events was beaten, 110 and 220 yds.1 This training sure brings out some wonderful athletes.

Madeline I really don’t know what to write about, as it is all drill and study. The girls here don’t bother me in the least, and I don’t bother them. I was dreaming of you last night and seemed to be meeting after some time of being away from you. I shall never forget the sweet kiss that you gave me. Well it was only a dream, but some day I hope the dream will come true. I tell you it makes an awful difference to me those days being away from my wife. I just feel like doing anything reckless in the way of bravery or for honour just to please my wife at home. Before I get back I hope to make you just one proud wife. Now excuse me for boasting but the old time spirit is back and it’s hard to stop that determination. If I can only carry out my intentions in the future they won’t be anything very easy but great.

Now Dear don’t get angry for writing as I feel but just forget it, and say to yourself, Let him break his neck for no one cares. Be sure and tell me all the news when you write and that picture. The boys tease me because I get no letters, saying it’s someone else now. Have rec’d no word as yet. I believe Alf is in Hertford taking a N.C.O. course. Also hear the Bn is in Whitby with 101 Bn The 5th Division.

Remember me to all. GoodBye. Your loving husband Will x

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kerr_(athlete)

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