Otterpool, Aug. 10, 1915 Dear Folks; - Am just writing a note while we sit around before falling in at one o'clock to go out and "bivouac". Come back tomorrow night-one night in the open. Not a very serious affair as it's just as easy to sleep on the ground, with a knoll for a pillow, as to sleep on the boards in a tent and they seem fine. A fellow can sure eat and sleep under conditions that now that, years ago, would have been well nigh impossible. As for me having a weak stomach- think it is cast iron. Can't just recollect when I wrote my last letter but, if I did not mention it, we had a review by Bonar Law & Sam Steele. It was a rotter- poured and rained. We were out in it for about five hours. Worst soaking yet. While we stood in line waiting it simply poured and the whole brigade joined in such songs as Throw out the Lifeline, What the H..l do we Care, other appropriate songs. No one suffered any from the damp as we are getting used to it. It has rained every day lately, not very much, still a little. Today is one of the hottest days-it sure is hot. The sun has to be shining here to be hot, otherwise it is pretty cool. Enough on the weather. I had hopes of missing this trip as I am on reserve machine gun section, a three- week course. I think we went out by ourselves but they came and collected us amid much evil temper on our part as the trip means work and the other is principally lectures, taking the gun to pieces and so on. Very interesting for a change. Machine guns and bomb throwers are the best actors at the front. At the present time, everybody has to take instruction in bomb throwing. Everybody is on something special these times. Only about 15 to 20 in a platoon regular now. Rest are bomb throwers, stretcher bearers, first aid, machine guns and so on. Holland seems to be doing pretty well in baseball now. Cliff was sure in form in Wawanesa. Spent Sunday with Jack Crawley in Folkstone. He seems O.K.- has all the Holland news. Don't know what part of the country C. Mawhinney is in. As you mention, there are times when I am a bit depressed and would like to stroll into Holland but I realize that you have a far lonelier time and more chance to think and worry, as everyone here is either in good spirits or else acting it. No chance to tell any troubles in the tent. Example: One of the fellows, as we started out, his knee went out -an old trouble. He had to fall out. When we came up, no one sympathized but everyone told him how slick he got out of the march and what a smooth piker. As a matter of fact he never fakes; in fact, parades when he is not in shape. Nita has apparently had a good time east, Ina at Rock Lake. As usual, the fruit always arrives at night or when you are played out. Say, do you remember a Miss Stubbs, used to be around Holland. She sent Gos a fine hamper yesterday-roast duck, lots of cake, a few cookies, box of cigarettes and a box of chocolate. Certainly pretty good. Personally, I don't think Gos even knows who she is or what part she took in the social life of Holland. Claims he does but he is pretty vague on the subject. Anyone takes this stuff-always speaks of her as our girl, the stuff our girl sent. You said Maunders & Clifton had written-have not receive them Guess the election excitement is over by now. Kind of hope J.A.M. won. This letter has just developed into thoughts as they crop up. Banana skin bombs and so on are flying up and around the tent. Quite a roughhouse so am a bit missed[?]; hardly know what I have written. The Russians are doing well, strategic movement of course. Zepplins over Dover night before last. They got the searchlights on them and did some firing but they were too high, I guess. No damage on either side. Sam's to be, no doubt, in this country. As to the results of the war- they are gradually learning how to make war. There is no doubt they have got a lot of points from the Germans. Have some good photos to send this time, of the Zoo and elsewhere. So au revoir and keep in good spirits. Wish it was not so lonesome there. Love to all, Perry Have had a good week on eats as Scott & [?] each have had a hamper. [?] people send him something every week. He must be the real thing at home. He's a real nice fellow. Has a bachelor's home in the Kootenays. Is a real bachelor-has a place for everything and everything in its place. We, who are too far for such luxuries, profit by these hampers as everything is split up. Your letters are all rolled in my overcoat so can't trouble to look it up for reference. May have overlooked some questions.