Otterpool,
Aug. 17, 1915

Dear Folks; -

Another letter is about to go forward and a poor one it will be, I am afraid. Canadian mail today- I got a letter from Nita, a fairly good one and a nice one of the east. She seems greatly taken with it.

First and foremost, I wish to state that the Germans, as far as I have ever heard, have never attempted to poison any members of the Canadian Contingents. As usual, Blackwells are sensational. George may have [been] sick. I don't know, have only seen him once but the poison story is a joke.

Well, we had another kind of review this week. First the whole brigade or division, never know which, took a route march Monday. Never saw both ends of the parade at once-it was some length. Wagons and all, if we had a march past in Winnipeg of that length, it would have made them look. To finish up, we march past and give eyes right [to] Sam Hughes, General Steele and the Duchess of Tech and son (about ten years old). The son stood on the foot board of a car and gallantly swept off his hat when the command "eyes right" was given. It is easy to see how these kids are trained to think they are alright; no doubt he thought he was quite gracious to us. Rumoured tonight that we go out for a three days bivouac. Not a bad life when it doesn't rain too much. We have had a downpour last three days. Did not get wet as we were near camp and pulled in.

Have my six day pass in, to start Saturday morning. Am waiting in hopes that it goes through as if it does, and also if Scott's does, I journey to the highlands of Scotland with him to a little place called Crail, Fife. Promises tennis and all around good time. They are right on the coast North Sea so will get some idea of a rugged coast, a change from this low lying coast that has quite a sameness. Gos is away on his long leave now, up to London. Should have a good time. He has an uncle and aunt there.

Guess the recruiting campaign is getting quite stirring. Will get more so as time goes on, I guess, as Borden says 78,000 troops have already left Canada-not bad. Hard luck loosing that transport in the Aegean, the first though, pretty good. Guess Nita will be back at school now. What about Ina? Too bad she didn't get her supp. She did well enough though to get French. The only thing I regret is that she failed in history- too bad kid, I sympathize with thee.

Did not post this yesterday; this is now the 18th and we have just put in a fair day. Left about a quarter to eight this morning, got back about half past six tonight. We went out doing some scheme stopping the imaginary Germans from landing off the coast. A few fellows advance with flags and take positions. The others do the same and the positions are looked over and judged accordingly.

Four zeppelins came over last night, dropped four or five bombs near on Ashford, did no damage. The explosions were quite plain here. Those who weren't asleep heard them; I was asleep. Where we were skirmishing, a fellow saw one, the night before, pass over quite low. They phoned from the village to Ashford but don't think they had any guns mounted so no damage to zeppelins. They must have felt the same as we used to when geese went over and a person had no gun. Nobody worries on Zeppelins- their raids are never published and, so far, they have done no real damage.

Well, I must post this tonight. Wishing you all a goodnight advising as good a time as maybe I am [having]. Yours in Love, Perry

{On back of letter]

I get the Observer [local Holland newspaper]

If you can forward anything, as you have mentioned quite often, socks are in order. They get absolutely worn and black with these heavy boots, that are almost impossible to clean. Thanks.