The soldiers of King Township were fortunate to receive care packages from the Red Cross Society, Girl Guides of King, Laskay League of Girls, and Women's Institute. The communities raised money to send boxes to the soldiers. Every year Sir Henry Pellatt held gigantic Field Days and Dances on his 1000 acre farm "Lake Marie", the proceeds of this event was used to sending boxes to the soldiers. On September 18, 1918 Merelda wrote "We are going to have Field Day on the 18 Sept. at Pellatts & expect a big time. The sports start at 11.30 and there is to be a supper, concert & dance admission to all $1.25 it will break me alright. I'll send you a Bill as soon as they are printed. The Queens Own Band has to supply the music. Col. Pellatt is getting home on furlough & they expect him there. Old Sir Henry is helping this year so expect it will be a success. There is to be all kinds of sports, football, baseball, racing, throwing the caber, climbing the greasy pole & etc."
Merelda writes to Earl on Sept 15, 1917
p.2 "We sent away 15 boxes last week – Kate & I packed yours. Mother will be sending you one this week & King people will be packing soon the proceeds of Pellatt field day goes to the King boys about 80 of them to send to."
Sept 30, 1918, King letter from Merelda to Earl. Merelda writes of the Sir Henry Pellatt's field day and the raising of money that would go towards the packing of boxes for soldiers at the Front.
"We cleared over $60.00 at Pellatts Field Day. So that is to send boxes to you boys. I don't know when they are going to pack."
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The Schomberg Tweedsmuir history records their contribution to sending packages to the soldiers overseas. Many of the local women including Emma Marchant who was President of the Schomberg Women's Institute worked tirelessly for the war effort. During the busy war years she drove every Wednesday with her horse and buggy to sew for the Red Cross in the Masonic Hall, Schomberg.
The following appeared in the Aurora Banner, February 14, 1919:
The King City Red Cross Auxiliary was organized in October of 1915 with a membership of 90, afterward slightly increase; but with the passing of time the average membership may be considered as 75 thereabouts, and as the figures given below will show, The Auxiliary has no cause to feel ashamed of its production.
Total subscriptions of all kinds $1973.99
Donations for soldiers Xmas Boxes & Sundry donations $ 270.86
Paid for Flannel, Buttons, etc $1027.16
Paid for wool for socks $ 362.23
Suits of pyjamas mad up and shipped 983
Pairs of socks knitted and shipped 502
Balance on hand turned over to the Red Cross $ 182.84
When it is remembered that the district embraced by the organization is small one and that many of the lady workers were also very busy with other organizations, I think we may look back with pride at the record of the King City Red Cross Auxiliary. The special thanks of the Auxiliary are due to the magnificent work of the Laskay ladies who by their splendid efforts contributed so much to the success of the organization.
D.M. Farmer, Sec.
Letters from Home
Earl made references to the number of letters he received from home and the contents of the care packages. The people of King supported the King lad overseas through letters and care packages. October 25, 1916, p.1 "I had 10 letters from Canada this week. 2 from Merelda. The fellows in my hut say that I get more letters than the whole Battalion. Well there is nothing like letters from Canada over here from Home anyway."
Oct 25, 1916, p.2 letter to Mother:
"I have not received the box yet. I should have had it before now. I certainly would enjoy a box from home. So you had a jar of honey for me to. I know you all know that I like a bit of honey."
Oct 29, 1916, p.1 letter to Mother:"I am writing to let you all know that I received that long look for box. I got it last-night. You will know what a hearty supper I ate. I am sorry to say that the ginger bread was to mouldy for me to eat. I felt like going for it, it looked very good that was all that was spilt. I made myself a drink of OXO tea before I got into bed. It was a good drink will save the other one for to-night. Geo Teasdale's candies were very good as long as they lasted me. I know the tree them two apples came from I gave L.Robb one of them. Tell Merelda the pie was crushed like a pancake. But it tasted like the pie I use to hook out of the cellar. .. The jar of honey was safely landed the lid was crack. You should have saw the tin box when I got it hinges all over it."
Nov 18, 1916, p.2"I had a letter from May today also a box of home-made candy and a little pie. Grace made the candy…. It is very good of the Laskey League girls to send us boxes of eats. They know what we need most of all."
Nov 30, 1916 from Bordon Camp, (p.2)"I had a box from Vic Hall to-day a pair of socks, a shirt a kerchief and some tobacco. I will never run short of clothes this winter anyway."
Dec 9, 1916, p.3"I told you in my last letter the boxes which I have received and was so glad to get them. Annie and Clara sent me a box some time ago. Have not it yet tho I know it will be a dandy. And I am longingly waiting for it. The Girl Guides of King sent me a box with a pair of socks, a shirt, a handkerchief and some tobacco. I had a dandy box from May yesterday. I would like to send all of you something for sending me all these boxes. But you all know the amount of money a soldier gets. So little that it doesn't allow me to."
Dec 19, 1916, p.1 from Bordon Camp, Surrey"I have not the Girl Guides of King box yet or Clara's or Annie's yet. I hope they are not lost. We do so much moving that it is hard for all the boxes to follow us. I tell you how many boxes I have gotten 2 from home, 1 from May, 1 from Ruth, 1 from Gertie Patton, 1 from Vic Hall"
Jan 4, 1917 p. 4
" I sent some photo's home a few years days ago. Let me know if you got them A photo of Sam Gourley and myself. And one of Clarence Bowhey. Am glad you got the one of Frank and myself. It will be sometime before I can get some taken here." "I am glad to hear you are sending another box. I have not got the one with the Safty Razor yet." "Yes Reddy Osborne is still with us yes I see him ever day. But Art Trent is down the line 10 miles with No.1."
Jan 14, 1917, p. 2 Earl writes to his Mother from Somewhere in France. He started the letter on the 14th of January"I sit down to write this is the 18th. We had to move farther up the line on the 14th. So I had not time to finish the letter."..." I received the box you sent me from home. Allso the Laskay R.C. one which was packed by Lizzie Brown. And I had another one from Ruth. They all came the one day, the last day I was in England. It was sure a great treat in the boat and train. I finished the can of honey yesterday and the Shamrock which George sent me. I have it yet. I have great fun trying to talk with the French people. You might as well talk to a post as try to talk to them. They think a great deal of the Canadians tho. One station we jumped off. The women and girls gave us lots of eats."
Feb 6, 1917 postcard[image of postcard]
Apr 7, 1917,Somewhere in France (written in pencil) to Arch:
"Tell Merelda I received the box which Old Bert Ireland packed for me. I sure made short work of it. I wasn't long in finding the Stag in the toe of the sock. The candles were very useful to. It is sometime since I have saw a lamp. I have not the other boxes yet tho. I had a letter from Harold. He sent me a Dollar Bill. I will keep it for good luck. Am also keeping the Shinplaster Merelda sent me."
Apr 13, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.1 (in pencil)"I have been waiting until my birthday box arrived before I wrote home. The prize landed in to me last night. Everything thing is jake. Serg Ross brought it into my tent just before lights out, half past eight. You can be sure I had a meal before I went to sleep. The birthday cake was great. I can't call it ginger bread because it has the icing on it. In the toe of the sock I found the camphor. It was around my neck that night. Bill Wellman and Bill Harding of Richmond Hill sleep on each side of me. This morning when they woke up they started to scratch like theirselves in good shape. They said 'Yek' your – darn crawlers left me and got on them last night. I said 'I should worry as long as they get off me. It sure is dope for them.' I am writing in pencil which I found in the parcel. I will put the bathing suit on pretty soon. I also received the money order. I gave it to Capt. Adams to cash into French Money."
Jun 16, 1917, Somewhere in Belgium p.3
"I had a box from Clara. I took it up the line with me last Sunday night. I heard from May & Ruth to-night a big heap of letters was waiting for me here. A week is a long time to go with out mail over here." "Harold will know where we are here. I had a couple of cards from him. I know the place real well where he is working."
Jul 5, 1917, Somewhere in France p.2"I wrote to Mother last week & I sent her a few handkerchiefs one for each of you. I had been carrying them with me for ages. And I received another box from home. One with the underwear in it." "All of my camphor is gone that other dope you sent is not much good for the creatures."
Aug 22, 1917, BelgiumDear Merelda, p.4… "I had three letters from Clara since I came back tell Bertha Ireland I received her lovely card. I had a letter from little Mary Lawson last night. So you see old and young big and small writes to me. I was just saying to Art Brown last night a year ago we were on the old Olympic at Halifax. I thot I would be going home with my wound. But no such luck."
Aug 29, 1917, Belgium"Dear Merelda, Well I must write and thank you for the box you packed for me. The R.Cross box you sent it the 1st of Aug. and I got it Aug. 27th. It came in good time did'nt it. Everything was jake in it. Nothing mouldy at all, that kind of paper it was packed in is very good for keeping it from moulding. I sure enjoyed eating it. I think the icing cake was the best of all. But it was all good allright. The next night I had a dandy box from Clara. So you see I got lots of boxes. I wish Mother would send me some more money. I think I must be getting to rich by now. So the next payment she get tell her to keep 10 or 15 dollars out. To have a good time over here 30 francs is not enough for me might as well have a good time here while you have the chance. "
Aug 29, 1917 Belgium letter to Mereldap. 3 "Did Mother get the silk cushion yet? Well Merelda I can't write such a good long letter as you can. But I will write often to you all. Clara sent me a piece out of the paper with me being wounded. This is how it is worded
'Sap. Norman Earl Campbell of King, Ont. Is today reported wounded. His parents who live near King have received word to the same effect. Another Brother Harold has been invalided home. Norman Campbell before enlisting was a farmer. He enlisted in Feb 1916 and went overseas in Aug 1916. He is twenty two years of age and is unmarried',
hah .
What it is to be unmarried, eh. Look at the Girls You have when you get back. Well Merelda I will close now hope all are well at home. I am fine so far. Can't complain. But we are having awful wet weather. Wishing you all the best of luck I am your loving Brother Earl Please excuse this awful writing. I am getting worse than better. Jenkins does'nt get the chance to censor this one."
Last page of Earl's letter……[image of letter]
Sep 15, 1917 letter to Earl from Merledap.2 "We sent away 15 boxes last week – Kate & I packed yours. Mother will be sending you one this week & King people will be packing soon the proceeds of Pellatt field day goes to the King boys about 80 of them to send to."
Nov 8, 1917, letter to Pauline"Tell Merelda I received the dandy box she packed for me of the Laskay Red Cross everything was jake in it. I have'nt it all ate up yet. I keep the good part of it for the last. The light ginger bread & the dark ginger bread. I also had a box from Merle last week. Henry had a lot of old chum and cigars in it. Allso a new Canadian pipe. I am sure I get every box that is sent to me. And am might glad to get them. The eats that are in them you no are quite different from what we get out here. There are just the two of us in our dugout. Bill Wellman and I. And when a box comes we make ourselves sore from eating. You should see our little home of sand bags. We have it bomb proof, but not shell proof."
Dec 5, 1917, Rest Camp, France"Have you received the box I sent about 3 wks ago yet. A silk apron for Merelda and something for you, Floss & Arch. The ring is a German ring. I will not tell you where I got it tho. I am sending Mother a souvenir of France a silk purse. But no money in it. She can put the money in it. Let me know if you got everything. I have not the box with the khaki gloves yet. But I guess it will soon be her. Mrs. Edwards send me a box I have not it yet either. How many cattle is Dad fattening this winter. And how many skins has Arch got hid away. Art Brown says he never got Arch's letter."
Dec 17, 1917 Rest Camp, France"Dear Pauline……..
I wrote to Merelda a couple of days ago telling her I received five boxes one from Mrs. Edwards, one from Vic Hall, Mr. Farmer, one from home. And one from the Laskay League. I had one from Merle & Ruth the week before. I am sure getting fat now. "Feb 8, 1918, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
p.2 " Say, Merelda did you get that small parcel with the silk apron and some small truck in. I sent it last November and I sent a large box from Aberdeen. I put a kilt in which I carried with me for 9 months. It is a Gordon kilt. I forgot to put the socks and ribbons in. I also put a Brass cap made from a British 18 pounded. Frank Brown made it for me. And I put some German stuff in. I think you can easily guess where I got that. I have not had a letter since I left France. That is how I don't get to hear the news. The last letter I received from home was the one you sent with the 3 dollars in Gold to me. Allso the one dollar bill Mr. Rolling put in for me. It will be a great help to me when I get out of Hospital. Cheltenham is a big City so I will need lots of doe to go to the shows. We are allowed out in the town from 10 to 12. And from 2 to 6 at night. I wrote to Merle a few days ago I will look for a letter from her soon. I find it very lonesome to be without mail from home. I have been so use to getting it so regular in France. When I got back off my 14 days leave. I sure had some mail waiting for me. There were 5 boxes. I sure had a feed for once in France. I wrote to the Coy and told them to send it along to me if they could. But I am not sure if they are allowed to send parcels or boxes. So I guess that sweater Mother sent me will have to wait until I go back again. Well Merelda I will again have to close. I think I have wrote you a good long letter this time. But I can't beat you for writing long letters yet. It is easy seen that you are use to writing to lads. Well write soon. Love to all, Au Revoir,
Loving Bro.
Earl
Sapper Earl Campbell
No. 779051
Ward 2
Naunton Park Hospital
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng"
Mar 17, 1918, Cheltenham"Dear Mother,
p.2 Tell Annie Sturdy I got the cake she sent me. I thot I told you before I got that box. Clara sent me one before Xmas I have not it yet tho. I hate to loose a box over here. I have not lost any so far. Charlie Williams & Colin's has not arrive yet. Will let you know when I get them. How is Harold and his young wife."
May 18, 1918, 3rd C.C.D, Seaford, Sussex, England"Dear Merelda,
p. 3 ... I also rec the Laskay Red Cross box packed by Floss. And also one from the King Girls. So you see I have a great stock of eats in one hand now. Clara Ross's box to me went to France. So my chum Wellman got it."
Jun 1, 1918, C.C.D., Seaford letter to Merelda. Earl writes of the high cost of goods in Europe. Compare it to the letter May 31, 1918 letter his sister Merle sent to him with the cost of prices in King."Dear Merelda,
p.2 ... I will send you one. I have finished all my boxes. I had three in one week that's going some eh. That can of honey was dandy. I hope for another. I am sure some hog yet. But say Merelda, there is nothing so good as eats from home. The baking is far ahead of the stuff you get over in the stores here. If one wants a good fruit cake he has to pay about 10£ for one. Than it is not so good as that I get from home. Everything here is an awful price. I don't see how people live here. Eggs are 4 pence each that is 8 cents. Bread is 1£ a loaf than it is dark bread too. This war will have to end soon" .
Jul 7, 1918 letter from Merle to Earl – she writes about possibility of Government restricting sending boxes overseas.p.2 "I have been going to send you a box but have to learn how to bake with this awful stuff we have to use called war-flour, but some of these days you shall get one, if they don't stop us sending boxes. It is hard to say what the next order will be. I don't mind using the flour & doing without meat & etc. but if it comes to not sending boxes I think that is too much for they must be needed over there."
Aug 9, 1918, Somewhere in France"Dear Merelda, Not my ??? but I will have to something to pass away the evening. Well last night I rec two dandy boxes. One from the League packed by you. And the other one from Home. Everything is as fresh as tho it was baked a week ago. And how hungry I was for a box from home. It is sure a treat to get such boxes over here. You certainly had the two packed well. The honey. I just had some for my supper. It is jake and the very best honey. I will certainly enjoy it as long as it last me. The three plugs of chewing comes in very hand now. You know out on the track is very hard work doing without a chew. And the stuff you get over here is rotten to chew. The tin of salmon I took out for my dinner on the track. Clarence Bowhey and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks very much Merelda. You can't imagine how much I value a box from home. Tell Mother I am keep the suite of underwear until the weather turns a bit cooler. The crawlies will not stick to it very much ha-ha. I am thinking of doing like the chinks do. They wear no shirt at all! Their bodies are colour of a penny. One cannot tell when they are sun-burnt. I wrote to Mother a couple of nights ago. I hope she get it o.k. I heard from Ruth last night. Also had a letter from Frank Gambril. He is happy guy now. I only wish I was in his shoes now. But I must cheer up. I will soon be back again. And then the happy days, eh. Well Merelda this is two sheets is'nt it. So I will now ring off for another time. Hope all of you are in the very best of health. And getting along well. Merelda just one moment. Why not you send me a few snaps of home. I have nearly forgotten what it looks like. I would like to have some very much. Write me soon. Love to all. Au Revoir Bro Earl."
Sep 2, 1918, King letter from Merelda she mentions the number of boxes sent overseas.
"We are going to have Field Day on the 18 Sept. at Pellatts & expect a big time. The sports start at 11.30 and there is to be a supper, concert & dance admission to all $1.25 it will break me alright. I'll send you a Bill as soon as they are printed. The Queens Own Band has to supply the music. Col. Pellatt is getting home on furlough & they expect him there. Old Sir Henry is helping this year so expect it will be a success. There is to be all kinds of sports, football, baseball, racing, throwing the caber, climbing the greasy pole & etc. Dad is practicing throwing the caber & Arch is training for the races. He is going in the mile race against E. Orr, D.McMillan, ?? Cousins. Bill Trent & Finch. He would have beat Dan at Aurora on the 1st of July if there had been fair play. There is to be a relay race too. Arch, Cuttie & Trent against E. Orr, Dan & Vic. Orr. It will be some race alright. I wish you could be there to beat them all, eh? The proceeds all go to the King boys. We will have a time packing boxes then. There was 78 boxes sent last year after Pellatts field day and this year there are more boys to pack for because they send to all that's gone from King community. We had a League social at Laskay last Thurs. We made $23.00 are going to pack boxes next Tues so you'll get another one. I am Presd of the Social Com (Committee) now so I'll see that there's lot of boxes sent, ha-ha. I wonder if you got our last box with a suit of underwear in it and did you get the $20.00 yet. It was sent from the Bank a quicker way of sending registered. I guess I'll write on both sides so the letter will not be overweight."
Sep 23, 1918, In the Field letter sent to Mother"Dear Mother..
p.2 Tell Merelda I receive the Laskay R + box she packed for me. It was a dandy one. And I was as hungry as a timber wolf the day I got it. I knew she baked some of the cake which was in it. I can pick her cooking out of any box."
Sept 30, 1918, King letter from Merelda to Earl. Merelda writes of the Sir Henry Pellatt's field day and the raising of money that would go towards the packing of boxes for soldiers at the Front."We cleared over $60.00 at Pellatts Field Day. So that is to send boxes to you boys. I don't know when they are going to pack."
Oct 1, 1918, King Merelda continues here letter dated Sept 30, 1918."Dear Earl,
Just a few lines more this a.m. to say we are sending a box consisting of socks, honey, eats & smokes. Hope you get it o.k. Hope the little pies are not mouldy, be sure & tell me if they keep alright. If they do I'll send more. The handkerchief is from Harold it was one of his & the pies are made of his raisins, he gave them to us for you. Daddie has gone over to help Uncle Fred with the corn today. Arch is ploughing the field between us & Ireland north of the lane. The rest of us are packing your box. Aunt Barbara was up on Sun she would like you to write to her if you get time. She is going to knit a pair of mitts for you.
Well I guess this is all for this time. So Au Revoir, Love from All, Yours, Merelda"
Dec 4, 1918 letter to Merelda from Earl. In this letter Earl mentions receiving a box from the Laskay Red Cross and the fact that the woman who packed it did not sign her name."Dear Merelda
p. 2 ... A couple of nights ago I had a box from the Laskay R+ Mary packed mine. And say but she did pack it too. Such a heap came out of her box. She is no stingy girl I can easily see that. I am jolly glad the tart across the fields did not pack mine. Get me there, eh, ha-ha. I wrote Mary thanking her for her kindness to me. I must send her something. I'll wait until we get to Blighty tho. Presents & souvenirs in France are so high they nearly reach the clouds. We will likely be in Blighty in another week.
p.3 Well Merelda, I got another box last-night for the King people. I don't know who sent or packed it for me. So you can tell them next time you see any of them. It is very nice box I know it has been some Daisy who packed it. But she was to shy to put her name in the box for fear I might write her a few well lines of love to her – ha-ha. Oh say tell Mother I sent her a German helmet. Tin Lizzie's we call ems. I sent it about wk ago. I hope she get it ok. I put a hard tack in it for her. Floss can have it for her breakfast some morning. Tell her not to put it in boiling water for 24 hours or maybe it would get a wee soft. They are a jake biscuit for sharpen one teeth, mine are like razors now. Well Merelda, I believe I have shot you enough bull for this time. I had better save some for another time. I may be in Blighty for Xmas. But I do wish I was home for Xmas. I guess we could have a bit of skating eh. Oh gee, I am homesick so better close. I'll write Pauline, next time. Au Revoir Mon Cherie, Love to all . Will see you very soon. Me."
Dec 31, 1918, Laskay letter from Mary to Earl"Dear Earl,
Your letter of Dec 1st received on Christmas Day, and believe me, it was welcome. I am so glad to know that your box arrived in such good condition. It was supposed to be a Xmas box and you should have put it away till Christmas (ha,ha). You know it was really from the League. The folks at home may have told you that on account of so much sickness around, we decided to each one pack a box, rather than get together to do it. So I asked to pack yours. Believe me, we never sent away such big heavy boxes from the League before. I feel real sorry that you got it so long before Xmas.
It is funny that you cannot recall the names of the folks in the snaps. I almost forget the ones I sent, but I guess Edythe is there is'nt she? Surely you know her. We are having real Canadian winter now, after having an unusually mild fall. Our first snow came the day before Xmas making it a real Xmas day. No doubt you hear all the news from home, so know about all the sickness that has been around here. The "Flu" was very bad the fall, but fortunately it did not come to Laskay til a few weeks ago. We are always slow are'nt we? Hamilton's were all sick, everyone but John and Jess being in bed at once thus they had it later, and Gordon's, Burne's and Pattons all had it. Gertie Patton was the most serious case, at one time it looked as though she would not get better, but she is getting along fine. Can you imagine Laskay without Gertie? Jim Clubine's were all sick too. And Howard's wife who lives there too, died last Sunday. She leaves a small baby which makes it very sad, but most people think it is a blessing that when was taken. So with all this sickness, we had a very quiet Xmas, not a blessed thing to do. Edythe and Frank and a friend of Edythe's were here so we had a lot of fun, then George and I took them to Young St. in the sleigh at night. Tomorrow is New Years and we expect some more company. You know there are only George and I at home now. Frank got his discharge a few weeks ago, but went back to Aurora at once and Edythe is a city girl now. You could'nt coax her to stay at home, but poor me has to stay here to help out. George is getting his skates and hockey sticks ready to go to the lake tomorrow. I would love to go but there is hardly a boy around her now to skate with they are all kids.
Now, Earl you want to be sure and remember what you said about bringing home a Mademoiselle home. We don't want to start learning French so leave her over there. Am glad you think the Canadian girls are good enough. Poor Ed has had quite hard time since he left here last June. No doubt he would have been in France had he not been sick most of the time. I expect he's on leave now, the first he has had, he expected to spend Xmas in Ireland then to go to Scotland. It is certainly sad about Telford Little and Charlie Williams got wound so quickly too. It will seem great to have you all back again. I think it will be hard for you to come knowing that some of you are not coming, and hard for the friends here to see some come and not their boys.
Do you ever see Edgar Badger? I guess Merle is looking forward to seeing him. Merle and I are the only girls of our age, that are left now. Oh, excepting Bertha and Maggie Ireland, you can have your choice there. Earl, I don't know of any one that will dispute you. Yesterday was Nomination Day and Norman Mac, was nominated for a councillor. I guess he will be left, but of course he has to make a start sometime. On account of the Flu we have had no Church or League for three Sundays and no Institute meeting. So I have not seen Merelda for quite a while. Flossie and Archie are over quite often.
You will likely see some changes when you come home, especially in the young kids. Our George has grown very much is far taller than I am. Lucy Allan is still back the Mill Road waiting for you I guess eh, Earl
Well, Earl, I cannot think of anything more just now. Don't forget my address, and I will look for an answer soon. Remember me to all the boys you meet that I know. They sure will be welcomed back to Laskay again. Hoping to see you all soon.
I remain, Yours Sincerely, Mary
p.s Jimmie Jenkins gave his people a great surprise a few days ago by walking in on them and they did not expect him."
The Earl Campbell - Souvenirs from the Front
Earl would request that the family send him articles from home. In his October 24, 1916 p. 2 he asked Merelda (his sister)
"You want to know if I want any clothes. I would like to have that Hockey cap of Pauline's the one with the white trimming on. That one I use to steal from her when I was going skating. And I would like that scarf which Mrs. Boys gave me."
He also references money that he had sent home to Mother –
"was glad to hear that Mother got my $20.00 cheque. Next one she gets tell her to give Arch 2 or3 dollars to buy some tobacco half smoking and half chewing. It will be a great treat at the front. We can't get any good tobacco here at all."
Oct 29, 1916, p.2 Earl talks of sending packages home from the front.
"I am going to pack up a box to send home for Xmas or New Year's will let you know when I send it. It won't be very big one because the things are awful expensive here. And you know the amount of money I get a month things you get for .25 in Canada I give 2 s (shillings) for it here .48 cents."
Oct 29, 1916, p.3 Earl writes to Mother from Witley Camp:"I am sending you a English Oak leaf, Maple leaf and a Holly leaf. The leaves are turning their colour now."
"Tell Arch that little Peatrie the National Lacrosse player is locked in with us. Allso Jack Wise the ventriloquist is here with me. He is an artist to I will send some of his work."
Nov 18, 1916, p.2 letter to Merelda"I am glad you are sending me my scarf and cap. Because it is turning quite cold now."
Nov 30, 1916 Earl writes to sister Mereleda:"I received your 16 page letter to-day. Them are the kind of letters I like to get a hold of." …. " I hope you get the Xmas card which I have already sent you.. I only got 6 letters to-day all from Canada we get Canadian mail twice a week Tuesday and Thursday. I allways stick around the mailman them two days." " I wrote Mother the other night telling her I received the parcel o.k. with the cap, socks, scarf kerchief and bacco in it."
Dec 9, 1916, p.4 Earl tells his family"I am sending Mother a photo. I guess you will know who the two lads are, let me know if she gets I allright."
[image of photo]
Mar 26, 1917, Somewhere in France,
p.2 "I have some dandy souvenirs which I got in the Germans dug-outs & trenches. I wish I can take them back to Canada. I found this piece of music in a German dugout. It is French tho. Let me know if you can play it. I have a dandy helmet which I took from a Fritz. He was not alive when I took it tho." "I am going to send some souvenirs which I got while down at the Hospital. They are silk handkerchief. They will follow soon. I carry them in my tunic pocket and it is hard to keep them clean."
Mar 29, 1917, p.1"Did Harold get out home for the weekend? Did he take any souvenir home with him. I have quite a few now. A dandy Fritz rifle with bayonet and a dandy pike helmet. I will make you hop around when I get it on." P.2 "I am sending you all a silk souvenir tomorrow be sure and let me know if you all get them. I guess I will register them."
Apr 7, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.1" I have not sent the silk handkerchiefs yet. I will try and send them sometime before next fall."
Apr 13, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.2 (in pencil) … Earl writes" I have a dandy little souvenir to take home with me. It is a butt end of a 3 inch German shell made into a cap & 127 badge on it. And the name of the battle field I got it. I was offered 30 Francs for it, but I would not bite at that offer. I was afraid I would sell it so I got Serg Brown to put N.E. Campbell on it. Frank made it for me."
[image of badge]
Jul 2, 1917, Belgium p.2
"I am sending you another souvenir. I have Merelda, Paul and Floss one apiece. I will not send them home. I will bring them with me. A brooch and two rings with a name on one them. I am looking for another letter have not had one from home for a week."
Aug 7, 1917, France"My Dear Mother, … Say I sent you a Registered pencil on the 4th of Aug. It is a very pretty thing. I hope you get it in good shape. I meant to Merelda, Pauline, and Flossie's souvenirs in with yours, but I forgot all about it. Did you get that other souvenir I sent you about a month ago. Harold was at that place. I was wounded there also. I think I had it registered also. Let me know if you get them tow anyway. I know you all got the others ones I sent home. I sent Pauline a silk post-card yesterday. I also send Floss one to-day. I sent Ella one yesterday to. How is Dad and Arch getting along with the harvest. Dad will be hiving swarms of bees most of the time. Maybe I will be home this fall to hunt up some more bee trees. Well Mother I must close now. I will write again in a day or two. Hope everyone is well at home. I am dizzy at times but I feel allright. Write soon,
Your loving son, Earl
Tell Arch I have a G.ring for him."
Aug 15, 1917, Canadian Base, France letter to Archp.2 "Did Mother get the silk cushion I sent her. I had it registered. I sent Paul & Floss some cards to. I sent Hazel & Walter some beads. I have a ring for you, but will keep it until I go home. It is a G. ring get me. One night I bumped into him. Then it was him and Yek for it. I can say I handled myself in good shape. I was thinking of lots of things then."
Aug 22, 1917 Belgium"Dear Merelda, …… Well Merelda I had lots of mail for me when I got up here. The box from home was jake. Must write and thank Dr.Lockard for the figs he had put in the box. I also rec. your letter with Pauline's & Flossie's in Floss wrote to me with a big sale bill from Aurora. I sure had to laugh when I saw it. Glad Mother rec the silk handkerchief with the building on it. I sent her a silk cushion while I was down at the Base. I had it registered so I guess she will get it ok. I sent Hazel & Buddie some beads. You said that Miss Nelson wrote me a letter on the back of my address on the box. Will you can be sure I try hard to put the pieces together. It was badly torn up and I could not read it. So I will write to her. Maybe Harold will have a say in that tho, ha-ha."