7th Canadian Artillery Brigade,
Canadian Expeditionary Force,
Westerhanger, Kent.

November 28, 1916.

My dear Win,

Thank you ever so much for the fine pair of socks which I got all O.K. on Wednesday. I was awfully surprised and pleased to get them. It was dear of you to remember me, and to have gone to al that trouble. They fit perfectly.

We are kept very busy at present, and don't get much time to ourselves. There is no leave except one officer at a time, and then only from Saturday noon until Sunday night, and as there are five of us it only comes around once every five weeks. We expect to get over to France about the end of January, although there is a chance of our being sent to Servia. The weather at present is miserable, rain nearly every day and lots of mud. Quite cold today though, and everything is frozen up and about an inch of snow on the ground. I see from today's paper that there is skating in some parts of the country, which must be very unusual. I think nearly everyone knew in Canada is over here or in France. I have seen quite a number of old Grove boys. Ralph Burnett is with the 5th Brigade, and came over in the same boat with us; and the other day, while on an excercise ride, we passed some Infantry and I saw Jack Harman with them, but I didn't get a chance to speak to him. I have also seen, at different times and places, Hugh and Peter Lumsden, Jimmy Atwood, Newburn, cooke, Robin and Joe Crombie. Eldred Cumberland is also with us, and is now a bombardier (one stripe). Mr. Hall is in the same branch of A.S.C. as Otter Stewart (Pay and Records) and I see them both from time to time. Dr. Blakeman was here for a few minutes one afternoon a couple of weeks ago but couldn't stay as he had to catch a train to London where he is stationed.

This is a very comfortable camp; wooden huts with stoves in them and lots of coal so it is not hard to keep them warm. We are seven miles from Shorncliffe, and eight from Folkestone, and we are right beside the railway so that it is not hard to get around as there are lots of trains. We are only a little over two hours from London.

Give my kindest regards to your mother and Dad. If you can find time, I would awfully appreciate it if you would scribble me a line telling me what you are doing and the school news. I am afraid Lakefield will be pretty dull this winter with so many away.

Yours very sincerely,
George Hilliard.