Gunner Hale
H.Q.S. 6th Brigade F.A.
2nd Division C.E.F.
Moore Barracks
Shorncliffe

18/3/15

My Dearest Alice,

I am still waiting for a letter from you but I guess I will get one soon now. I have put in for leave; I don't know when I will get it. We are having a good time here. I am on room orderly today. That is clean up quarters and scrub floors. Imagine me on my hands and knees. Last Sunday I went to church at Folkestone by myself. All the other boys went to the parade but I was on duty and could not go so I went at night and had to go alone. Well I walked into church and all hands stared hard but I kept on and sat down. I had just got settled when a sidesman came and chased me. I was in a private pew. We should worry. The service was nice - something like Whitley's. I was the only Canadian and from the way folks looked you would have thought I had committed a crime. While I was in the church I must confess I did not pay much attention to the service. I was wondering all the time what you were doing and thinking of the time when I used to go to church with you. Do you know Dear Alice; I am not a bit interested in England. I am just longing to see you but I want to go to the front first of course. I want to see my Mother and Father, but outside of that I don't like England now a bit. It is punk. How are you all getting on now? I hope you are all well. I have not sent your handkerchief yet because I have not got a strong envelope. Dear Alice, when I go to London I will send you all the news and something else. I have had my picture taken twice and as soon as I get them, I will send them along. I have not been to town since last Sunday and last Monday was payday so you see I don't want to go. I don't see anything down there. We drew L2.18.9 and they owe us up to today for 18 days. We will have lots of money. I am going to put some in the bank. We were at riding drill yesterday for two hours and I feel so sore now I can hardly sit down. Some of the boys are worse than me. You would laugh if you could see them. Well dear, I don't think I have any more to say now so I will close with best love to my dearest friend Alice.

I remain
Your loving Boy
Bob
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I hope you are keeping the account. Tell Ma and Pa I am going to write to them now. Remember me to Jock and Hobbs and give my love to Lily. They are going to draft 90 men from our brigade to the front this week. I don't know if I am one of them. Goodbye Bob XXX