Virden 16/14

My darling wife,

Thought I would just write you a few lines to send with the livery man who brought Sinclair & McCheyne yesterday, am having a pretty good time, was over to Dr. Clingan's to supper on Saturday, I apologised to Mrs. Clingan for you for which I deserve your thanks, we had Church Parade yesterday to the Methodist Church & had a good sermon after which I had dinner at McClusis, the man who used to manage at Hamiota, he is now working with the M.H & L. here, had supper at Major Palmers. We have a fine body of men here, had quite a compliment paid me this morning, we were making one or two exchanges from the Cavalry to the Infantry, & one man in the Infantry who had an idea of changing wanted information after he got the information he asked me what branch I was going with & on being told the Infantry he said "Then I'll stay with the Infantry". Well girlie I must say I admire you more than words can tell for the way you acted in this matter, I know it is a tremendous sacrifice for you to make, & the wives & mothers of there [sic] men who have enlisted deserve twice the credit than the men themselves.

We got word last night that we would move from here before Wednesday anyway. We got news this morning of the death of Lord Roberts , all the flags in town are flying at half-mast I trust Miniota has followed suit.

I wrote you on Saturday but it's possible you may get this one first.
Fondest love to the kiddies & yourself, & love to my brothers and sisters.

Your loving husband,

Jim