September 1918

France, Sept 2, 1918

Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona, Canada

My dear Wife,

This is Monday morning and all is well. I wrote Mr Fuller yesterday and was going to write you but was called up and hard to bet busy. I have been up all night, and feel pretty cold and sleepy. Well our boys have gone over again this morning, and such a show it has been. You will read of our work and know full well we are some fighters and keep busy these times. I have no work of any of our boys since Amiens.

Met Bob McKie the other day also Brooks. They were well. I will find out before long if any casualties among our boys. The weather is fine again but getting like autumn. It will soon be getting wet and then the mud. The harvest is good back in the country and being harvested.

I have been all over France since 1st of July and my horses have had a hard time of it. There are now pasturing in No Man’s Land, and the feed is good. some are up the line this morning and won’t be back until night.

Had a letter from Alf yesterday and he is well. I suppose Lida will be home by this time. How are you getting along these times and that wee girl of ours. I have been so busy cannot get time to write. Tell me all the news and everything about Eileen. Excuse my writing as my hands are real cold. I hope to get plenty of time to write before long.

Love and kisses to Eileen and Yourself.

Your loving husband, Will xx 

__________________________________________________________

France, Sept 13/18

Mrs W.A. Williams

Arkona, Canada

My dear Wife,

Rec’d a letter from you today, also one from Girtie, Mrs R. Williams and Alf. Well tonight feel pretty well pleased with all. I have no news, only well, getting along alright. The weather wet and cool. Alf is well and is moving up my way, says he is getting along alright.

Now for a rehearsal of those letters which I received. What do you hope people with who  come to see Eileen? They write such wild stuff and really make me wonder if everything is true. If the baby is as pretty as people say you should be pretty proud. I think people write me a lot of stuff, thinking I’ll down it, gradually I am too. Mrs Williams says she is a mischief like myself, and has large dark blue eyes and some more. Girtie Lucas says she is the sweetest baby she ever knew. Now then Madeline tell me the truth and none of this exaggerations. Would give the world to see her. While Eileen and Yourself an visit you must do so because life will be so miserable for you unless you get out among people. So you will forget me as I told you to. Well I mean when I get wounded again not to worry so much. I could give you a darn good squeeze for such an obligement as I asked. Thanks for the jolt, but you really cut corners to short. I guess you know me alright by now, but don’t be cruel or I shall get feared. Eileen do doubt will be like her daddy and I do feel so sorry for poor little Madeline. I tell you what made her cry in church. It was the great harmony of the choir. I used to cry sometimes myself. I feel sorry for the poor baby.

So Newman Johnston is the next choice. I suppose it will be sometime before you reach the opera. I must buy a Thedford Tribute and see your fame as a duet. Don’t let Eileen ever hear you two attempt or she shall cry her eyes out.

Madeline if I were home tonight I should surely have a great time, likely Lida will be home and the baby tore to pieces. How much do you take for kisses now, should dI come home could I borrow a few until I get a chance to return them. As you will notice 4 letters is too much for me at one time, and I got my hair cut on the top of all.

Fritz tried to hit me today and of course the hurried trip to take cover, likely created a tendency to waken up. Well so much for nothing. When you write me please tell me all about our little girl, and do tell me about yourself. You act like somebody else’s wife to me. I shall attempt to kiss you when I get home, and not knowing might great slapped. 

I must close. Please write me soon. Love and kisses to Eileen and yourself.

Your loving husband, Will xx

__________________________________________________________
France, Sept 23/1918
Miss Eileen Williams
Arkona, Canada

My dear Daughter,

This letter will be read by you in years to come.
It is written on the evening of Sept 23rd and is in reply to a gift sent by you to mark my birthday. Today is one long to be remembered by me, as it brought from far off Canada "greetings" from one who I have never seen.

The parcel contained most useful things and coming from my own dear Child made it so precious. I shall cherish the thoughts of the sender forever. Your Mother shall tell the story of what you were doing while I was at war. When I get home will take many years to tell you all. This day has not been a happy one, but towards evening my thoughts have been turned to my Saviour. There is not peace on earth and my only comfort is thinking of my God who will someday bring be back to my dear Wife and Child.


I sent my best love with kisses to your Mother and to my dear Child. Your loving Father. XX

To Mother XX

W.A.W Williams Lt.
T.O. 5th Bn C.E.

[This is the only letter I've found so far that is addressed to Williams' daughter Eileen, who was only 10 months old at the time of writing. At the time I found this letter, my Aunt Eileen was 96 years old. I took the letter to her and asked if she'd known of it. She didn't. I read the letter to her and she was visibly moved by it. Looking at her, the years seemed to fade away and I felt I was looking at the face of a little girl. When I finished reading, she sat in silence for a few moments then said, "I never knew how much Dad loved me" and then a few moments later, she laughed a little. When I asked her what that was about, she smiled, "Just imagine," she said, "I was only 2 or 3 years old but I remember my Mother handing me over to this strange man. I kicked and pummelled him with my fists. To think he's spent several years fighting Germans and then he comes home and he's attacked by his little girl." I couldn't help reflect on the poignancy of delivering a letter nearly a century after it was sent, bringing a father's love to his daughter. Eileen Dorothy Williams, 8 November 1917 - 14 May 2015]