Aineffe Belgium

Feb 10/19

Dear Mother

I received three letters from home today so I thought I had better write tonight I would have wrote earlier this week but have been too busy. Last Monday we went to Liege for a big Parade. The whole 1st Division Ca. was there each Battalion represented by one company of me. All the big tall fellows were picked out so I got in on it. We were supposed to march past King Albert of Belgium but he had a cold and didn't show up. Lieut General Jacques of the Belgium Army took the Kings place. We were there three days it sure is a fine big city. I had a fine time The parade only took about 3 hours the rest of the time was our own. You ought to have seen the crowd of spectators All through the city where we marched the road was banked up both sides with people. The Belgian soldiers were out to keep the crowd back. The cheering was something fierce. Just imagine not being able to hear yourself for 3 hours all that could be heard was (Vive Las Canada) and (Vive La Canadien) etc. We marched with fixed bayonets and with our arms at the slope so it was pretty tiresome while it lasted.

When we got back here I was pretty tired and the next day I had to go on guard for 24 hours I just came off this morning at 9 o'clock we have about 8 inches of snow here now and it is freezing hard. There was no danger of a guard standing too long in one place during his 2 hours on the beat. We had to walk the deuced to keep warm.

We were told on parade the other day that all the men who were on the parade in Liege would go to Huy this week for another Ceremonial parade. Huy is a city about 14 Kilos from here It is quite a large place so I guess we are out to see the country. It beats hanging about in this little village for a fellow sees a bit of the country.

I got a letter from Shindy today. It was the first I have had from him for quite a while. Last week I got a very nice letter from Mayme Dunsmuir I was surprised to hear from her. I havent answered it yet but will do so in a day or so. You say that you had a piece of Uncle Will's wedding cake I wish I could get at a chunk of it. I guess Uncle George will follow Uncle Will's example soon.

Well Mother this is all the news at present so I'll close with love to all

Your loving Son

John

PS. Tell Hannah I got here two letters of Jan 10 & 14th. I am glad her work isn't so hard as it was. How is Sonny's skating getting on. He'll be an expert by this time I suppose. I hope dad isn't working too hard. They say we start for home soon. I hope it is true. The sooner the better I'll like it

John