Search The Archive

Search form

Collection Search
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
Date: November 24th 1916
To
Cousin
From
Spence
Letter

Witley Camp
24-11-16

Dear Cousin:
I have forgotten your first name and so called you cousin.

Well! I thought I would do as you wished me to when I saw you at Uncle Ruperts last winter; that is, write you a letter and give you my address.

We had a fine voyage across the Atlantic on the Olymic. She is certainly a fine ship; we had good sleeping quarters and had lots of good grub to eat which is the main thing in this outfit; We landed at Liverpool; didnt get a chance to see anything of the city; we stook the train there for Wiltey Camp, a distance of about two hundred miles, which did not take long; the trains travel very fast over here; they have a fine system of roads, you never see one road crossing another; they go under or above always. This is a pretty good camp, lots of water and other accommodations, the English ration is rather small but we are getting along find now. The handiest town is about two miles from here; that is a town worth speaking of; there are a few villages handier than that. Their towns and villages are very old fashioned, little old fashioned brick houses, the moss on them a foot thick.

I had a gravel trip to London a few after I landed, with a number of other boys, we had a fine time. We went to see a good many of the famous buildings and other places. We went through the Parliament Buildings, Westminister Abbey, St Pauls and St Mary Cathedrals, London Tower, Buckingham Palace and many other places of note. It was very interesting going through these places. Also say the Albert Memorial in memory of Queen Victoria's husband. In the evenings we went to some Theatre where we saw some classy plays. Hfx certainly seems small now since seeing London I think it is rather small in comparison, Ha! Ha!

How is everything going in Can, the same old way I suppose. There is certainly a difference between England and Can today. Can is not feeling this war at all incomparison to England, the women are doing the mens work in a good many places. In most of stores and on street cars and many other places, while in Can. there are many men walking about streets; isn't that right?

I am going to get a pass some of these fine days and go to see Duglas; he is not far from here, I would like to see him.

What do you think of the event that took place in Mid Musq. the 16th Nov., some class. I would like to be there to see it taking place.

Donnie and other boys from home are in this same camp. Don was down to see me the other day, so I got your address from him. Well I think this is all for this time. Hoping you receive this and write soon to Aff. Cousin Spence
Kind regards to Mathew.

Original Scans

Original Scans