September 4, 1916
Dear Father,
I am enclosing photos taken by Aunt Nellie while I was on furlough. The little girl is Nessie, Uncle Willie's girl. You will recognize the rest easy enough. I am staying in this camp for a few weeks yet. I am to have another Medical Board on the 14th of September. I received the money you sent to Aunt Nellie for me. It will come in handy. There was a Zeppelin brought down in London last night. The crew were burned to death. A fitting end. This is a nice place here, looking on to the sea. We are only six miles from Brighton. It is a fine place for a swim. I went with Uncle William Young to see a pit in Wishaw but did not have time to go through the steel works with Mr. Sharp. We were looking for the "stane" on Leavenseat with your name on it but it must have been lifted as we did not see it. Your father and mother are both looking well. Aunt Annie took my picture with my grandfather and will send you one when finished. I got to Fauldhouse on the Tuesday and left on the Sunday. Grandfather took me out one night and introduced me to some of your friends as "my grandson from Canada, a chip off the old block". We had quite a talk with the shoemaker "Baldie Brown" or Archie Brown. I learned quite a few new Scotch words and enjoyed myself immensely. If I ever get leave again I'll head straight for Fauldhouse. I went by way of Glasgow and back by Edinburgh. I am feeling in the pink again and will soon be leaving here for my regimental Depot about September 15th, I think. I had a letter from Lily today, written when she was in the country. How is wee Archie and Annie keeping? They would like it on the farm. I will close now hoping this finds you all well at home as it leaves me here.
Your affectionate son, Ronald, #157629, Hut 14, PPCLI, 2nd Canadian Command Depot Shoreham-by-the-Sea, Sussex, England
PS They would all like to see you in Fauldhouse.
R