Transcription
“France”
Feb. 5th/17.
Dear Mother!
Am just out of the trenches, + have some very sad news to tell which I suppose you have already heard about, poor Sid was killed on Feb.4th while being engaged in a raid on Fritz’s trench, it certainly is hard news to break to you, as I know how the people of Rich. [abbreviated: Richmond] + surrounding country will feel over it, especially Miss Dorras who I am now going to write too.
The rest of our lads are safe, but there was quite a few casualties throughout the Ottawa Valley, whose
(2)
names you will see in the casualty list. Harry Guy from Stittsville was also killed, there are two brothers of them one being away a present in the hospital with some sickness, besides these there are quite a few from Ottawa lads who I knew well + came over in the 77th.
Well poor Sid was wounded somewhere through the back + didn’t live long after receiving it, which was good not having to suffer much. Sid was always so contented + at home anywhere, he was sure a good little soldier of course he was anywhere he was put, as you all know that.
(3)
We are not certain of whether the cablegram would go to his mother or to Miss Dorras Rich, if it should go to his mother this would be the first definite information you would get. There was also two other Stewart casualties out of our own Batt. [abbreviated: Battalion] It is almost impossible to send any of his belongings home of course they are would be of little use at any rate. Ervie is sending his hat badge to home.
I am sure this will go hard on you people around Rich [abbreviated: Richmond], as there is so much going on here + so used to such things, that we can scarcely realize that he is gone, + there is always so many lads all together.
(4)
I think we are now done on the front, + are going out for divisional rest, it was a kind of a dangerous position we held here, they have been making these raids all along the line as you will see in the papers. There is great talk of peace at present as I am sure the papers are full of it, heard today the States declared war on Germany, but is hard to say whether it is certain yet, if so I think it will bring the war to a close shortly.
While in the Support Line I rec’d [abbreviated: received] quite a few letters from allover, also got a parcel from Clystal containing the razor blades, I expect you were
(5)
down in Ottawa when it was sent. I have a great many letters to answer not knowing when I will get them finished. The weather is now very cold, it being exceptional cold for France they say. There was also Harry Millar from Carp wounded, at least he has been living there for some time, he is a Irishman and very comical at that. Had a letter from Carl a few days ago he was doing nicely he said, but was suffering from a cold or something he is a lucky guy, + I hope he stays there, he said he thought he was be back soon again but he won’t. I told you in my last letter of seeing Arthur + that he had seen Lionel not long ago.
(6)
Well Mother I expect to able to continue writing for a few days so I will write soon telling you a little more news. You don’t want to get uneasy when hearing any of these reports as you will always get direct word. Well poor Sid is out of all troubles now the only worry will be to his parents and friends. Ervie has been very lucky together with myself
With Love To All
Sefton.Transcriber
Beth McLarty HalfkennyLanguage
English
