Christmas Eve
1918.

Dear Genevieve,

Seeing as I am not there to give you ’um-teen “pats” on the back shall just have to write them, and wish you very many very happy returns of this day. Also that Santa Claus has a good memory this year for you.

It isn’t the nicest kind of a night outside here, a mixture of snow and rain falling, but all days and nights, or nearly all, have been fine since hostilities ceased six weeks ago yesterday morn. No matter how hard it rains or how cold and miserable overhead and underfoot it is we have the satisfaction of knowing that we won’t have to go out into it at any hour of the day or night to answer an S.O.S. call. And other very pleasant thoughts are that this is probably our last Christmas away from home and that each day bring us nearer to the time when we will again see the shores of Canada.

Before me is your very welcome letter of Nov 19th, the only one received from home on that particular Canadian mail, all the more welcome for that reason. The “American” magazine and “Saturday Night” that you mentioned came duly to hand, many thanks for them. I’ve read the letter and shall probably peruse the magazine to-morrow. At present am just about through “The Weavers” by Gilbert Parker. It is a good story and one from which a few good morals may be taken. In it he seems to be striking at social conditions in England at that time and England’s policy in Egypt. I think there are a few weak points in the story, but they might not appear as such to the general public and, of course, that is who he is catering to.

You will be wondering what we are doing to-night. After supper, at the cookhouse (4.30) we came over here, lit the fire, and then I opened mother’s two boxes. They arrived a few days ago but I kept them until to-night. About 7 o’clock we made some coffee, had some of mother’s cake along with a can of preserved raspberries that I purchased to-day at the Y.M.C.A. After that we went for a walk around the village just to see what was or wasn’t doin’. Found there was nothin’ doin’ so returned here. Tell mother am going to thank her for the boxes soon. Also have two letters of hers to answer.

This unit is having its dinner to-morrow night at seven o’clock. I understand they have a few turkeys and ducks, also plenty of cigarettes and beer, am not much interested in the last two. We are faring very well considering local conditions.

We may be home yet in time for a skate, more about this later.

For the year 1919, Genevieve, you have my very best wishes

Your sincere brother,
Milfred