A Company, 81st Batt., C.E.F., West Sandling Camp, Kent, Eng. May 18, 1916.
Dear Father,
I received two letters from you since I came here, one of them addressed to Toronto. I got a letter from Archie today; it was written May 14, 1916. He is well and seems to be having a good time considering. He has asked me to send him some lice powder as he is lousy as a bed-bug. I'll send him some when I get out of quarantine. I still have ten days to put in. It is not so bad now as we have good weather. It is not as hot here as it is at home but you feel it more. If this heat stays up, I'll be a nigger; I look like an Indian already! The R.S.P., that is, the Royal Sanitary Police, come and get us in the morning and take us to a big Common where we play football and baseball with an hour's physical drill all morning. In the afternoon we go for a route march, so you can see we have a pretty easy time. We are only five miles from Folkestone, three miles from Shorncliffe, two miles from the Channel, and 70 miles from London. I will go up to see my Grandfather when I get my leave. It will cost me 30 shillings to Glasgow and if I don't draw some money, I won't have much to go to Motherwell on but I expect to draw two pounds when I come out of here ( if I go to Motherwell). We do not get paid here like we do in Canada. I have signed $20. a month over to Lily and when [section missing] It sure is fierce the way they soak the soldiers. It costs sixpence to get a shirt washed but I wash my own. I had a letter from Aunt Annie today. She is anxious for me to go to Scotland. You can tell the soldiers around there that life here is OK if they are not afraid of a little hard work with 60 pounds on their backs. But it is alright if you are prepared to rough it. Give my regards to all hoping this finds you as well as it leaves me.
Your affectionate son, Ronald
P.S. I sent the Honour Roll to Lily to keep.