The Armouries,
51st O. Bn. C.E.F., Edmonton, Alta.
Feb. 6th 1916
Dear Mother;-
The papers state that you have had the worst storm and cold out there that you have had in the past fifty or sixty years. I trust that you have been let off by this time and that Father has set out for Los Angeles so that he will enjoy the companionship of a brother and the warm zephers on the Pacific tempered with the moisture laden winds of the Sierras to kiss his fevered brow and cool his neuraliatic nerves.
We all join in wishing you all the good things that are your due from living in such a fine climate but I would about as soon have old Alberta with its fine cold dry atmosphere than your home town with all its dampness and present snow. Then there is the thing that appeals to us all and you know what a certain human companionship means to you at times. One gets that sometimes here in Edmonton. Trust that you are all adepts there now on snow-shoes as we are here on skates and rifle exercises and also on musketry. I regret to state that last Monday the Adjutant went away and left his job again so that in addition to Musketry and Physical training throughout the Battalion I now have the Adjutant’s duties all on my head again. You know that I am seriously thinking of quitting this job and reverting to something more reasonable and normal until after the war. Of all the most disagreeable jobs in the world the Adjutant’s is the worst when he is only a Lieutenant, especially after a Captain has been in the job as there is a good deal of difference in the respective ranks. It makes me laugh to think of the position I find myself in sometimes. Of course it is no laughing matter no matter if I do laugh. I should worry like a boil and let the matter drop.
Well, Mother we expect to be getting out of here very shortly now. Just as soon as the transports are available. In that connection I may add that the Parl’t Buildings in Ottawa have not much to do with our movements except to show that the buildings could not have been continuously guarded and that we let the Germans in Canada have altogether too much rope. If I had my way about it I would intern the whole bunch of them and make them crack stones and dig ditches till the war was over. I think that that would get their goat as quickly as any thing else.
Church Parade is just over as I sat down to write this letter. I will say in this connection that we are now having our church parade right at home in the armouries as it is warm here and cold to march to a church outside. Then there is the satisfaction of knowing that there is a place home large enough to hold all the men to give them service.
It is very cold here yet and seems no sign of letting up. We practice hockey here again this P.M. and B.B. this A.M. I guess. I don’t feel much like it myself and do not know yet if I shall go out or not. All the folks were well the last I heard of them here. Have not seen Bert for all the time since Xmas it seems.
Those are the chief news so I guess that I shall close. I am living in hopes that I shall get a letter all round from you people and also a letter from Gladys written at your place.
Cargoes of love, embraces and kisses,
Eugene
