11, Charles Street,
Berkeley Square, W.
London, October. 1St 1916

Dear Mother and All,-

I am now waiting for supper and resting after a rather long walk. We left. Witley Camp at 6:25. Friday night and after a fast run through the lovely English country we arrived at Waterloo Station at 7:30. Before we left camp we were approached by an English chaplain who said that those who wished to be "shown the ropes" in the big city could hand their names in, and take part in a tour of the city etc. Well a number of us did. They expected 150 in the group but were thunder struck when 700 accepted the invitation. I had the good luck to get in a rather small party which was marched to 187 marlebone Rd to "The Soldiers Club" managed by The Church Army. We have very comfortable beds and pay 6 d per night for them. We eat nearly for 1 s. per. meal or a penny more. It just depends on what one orders. One can eat for 8d.

I am just visiting this Club this evening with one of our boys. We meet Canadians here from many units. All are in the best of condition and are as cheerful as can be. Well, I hardly know what to say about London. It is so large that one feels overwhelmed altogether.

Yesterday we got up early and after a good breakfast walked to the London Zoological Gardens. We spent the whole morning there and the time flew very quickly. I saw many creatures that I have read about but now seen and some that I didn't know existed.

I had two amusing experiences while there. In the elephant house we were watching the "big" one when I saw a peanut just inside the outer barrier. I reached through and began pulling it towards me with my whip. Evidently I was too long about it, for "his majesty" squirted water over the party. We had a good laugh. The next moment he picked the nut out of my hand.

Down by the giraffe yard I was going to have my picture taken feeding the tallest one- who bent his neck gracefully over a fifteen foot fence. He [?] lifted my hat off my head and it was "going up" when I made a high jump and knocked it out of his mouth. They are very gently creatures however and will feed from your hand (I took few pictures- have taken but 3 rolls since leaving Canada- I will buy prints of these great places of interest. They are better than I can make)

The Hippopotamus interested me. It looked so funny to see his enormous mouth open to catch a peanut. I saw a tortoise that is getting up in years. It is a trifle over 300 years old.

I was amusing myself with a big corkscrew horned Billy goat or a cousin of a billy goat and got lost from the rest of the party. I just used that guide that Earl sent and had a perfectly easy time finding my way about. After dinner we hired two "brakes"- like "band-wagons" and set out to see some nights. We visited "St. Paul's" Cathedral first. It is magnificent inside. We went down into the crypt and saw the tombs of Wellington and Nelson. We saw Wellington's "funeral car"- a massive work of iron with wonderful carving on the outside illustrating his battles. Then tucked away in a dark corner under two crossed flags lies Roberts - "Little Bobs".

We next visited the Tower - Admission to soldiers was free and we surely enjoyed it. We saw the famous old grand room where Royal people were imprisoned in "the good old days". We stood in a little room about 10x7 where Raleigh lay for 12 years prior to his death. The only light and fresh air he got was when the door opened to admit the guard with his food. We saw the prison room where the boy princes were murdered and climbed the winding stairs under which they were thrown.

I saw their [tombs graves] in the Abby later. I saw the old fortieullis which dates back to days of William the Conqueror. Then we went up to the Jewel chamber and saw the wonderful jewels and regalia of the Royal personages. One diamond was about as big as Harold's fist. It is a beauty- It is in the sceptre. The whole sight is dazzling. We visited the armouries next and saw old relics of other wars. One Chinese cannon was used 500 B.C. and is in a better state of preservation than many of the more modern guns. We saw the guns carriage that carried the late King Edward to his tomb. It is a gun like we use - 18 pounder.

We now drove to see the Parliament Building and the Abby. - We entered the Abby and being soldiers were allowed into many places that the civilian [ ] not see now-a-days. Many of the most precious towns and places of interest are hidden, however, by sand bags piled many feet high, as a protection against possible damage from "Zepp" raids. I have talked with several "natives" and they have nothing but contempt for the "Zepp" raid. They are not afraid of them at all because they do so little damage. We then drove home after a fairly busy afternoon. We passed Buckingham palace on the way and saw an amusing thing. The sentry "presented arms" to an officer who crossed the road in front of us. The lads on the bus "jollied him" a bit and except when doing his duty but looks told volumes. - To make matters worse, one of the boys said, "Is George home"? The officer went smiling along and evidently enjoyed the joke. I had a good rest last night and got up in good time this morning. We went down to White hall and watched the "Changing of the Guard". They are splendid looking men and horses, the latter being coal-black and all the same size.

We then went to their parade ground and heard the famous French band play. It was very good indeed. It was Frances best band. After dinner I went down to the Thames and viewed the bridges. Tower bridge is splendid. I don't know what I shall do tomorrow but will be kept quite busy no doubt. The strange part about the whole thing is the small amount of money that is necessary to have a really good time. 2 d. will take one for miles through the streets on a motor bus. In very many cases the conductors are women. When in a hurry I go to a "tube" station and getting into a tube electric train we rush right where we want to go. It is very simple. Anyone with any sense need not get "lost" here. The traffic is wonderful and one has to step lively. I saw the largest crowd I even saw - this morning and it was great to see the bobbies manage it. There weren't many of them but they had a mob.(There were 150,000 in the crowd)

I haven't had a word from anyone yet. Our letters went to France so we hear. - I'm thinking of you all tonight. Lord French is reported dying, tonight. He is an old man and pneumonia will go hard with him (false report) I must close now -Good bye- with love and kisses for all.

Ray (am meeting fellow I now from the Front.-)
Show to Miss Padginton and the Girls.