Somewhere on the Globe
Dec. 21st /18

Dear Martha:

Just four more days till Xmas! Am not quite sure whether it was yesterday or the day before that we landed in Vladivostok. We should soon be here two months, but these two months has been full of inactivity in the war line. We are thousands of miles from the scene of any disturbance. There is a big possibility of us leaving for Canada in the spring, British regulars to replace us. Though I sure would like to see more of Siberia, I shall not be absent without leave (a.w.l.) when the last roll is called before leaving Siberia.
Am getting rather tired of army life now, as we get no week-end passes, there is no place to stop if we did have one as there is no English speaking element here except the soldiers. The grub is none the best, and the inactivity makes life more or less monotonous at times. However we have much to be thankful for, lack of danger, an ideal healthy climate and the war over. In less than a month I shall have two year's army experience, and that without a blot of ink on my crime sheet. A good conduct stripe will then be due to me. It is not my fault that my crime sheet remains unstained for many chaps have said to me, "How do you get away with it, Mac".

In my sojourn here I have made many detours throughout the entire city and over the many steep hills covered with small stunted trees. Only recently on one of my rambles I came across a series of trenches dug, on the side of a hill, almost through entire rock. Communication trenches were not lacking either. Forts, built of concrete, were right on the side of the hill, and on the wall I scribbled my name. Though I searched diligently for souvenirs, I found none- not even a human skull. Here a pitched battle took place not many months ago between Bolsheviks and Czecho-Slovaks, the former being utterly defeated and are now thousands of miles from here.

This city is splendidly fortified both in its situation, the surrounding hills and the forts. It is situated on a peninsula with a ridge of hills running the length of it. The harbor (sheltered by another peninsula) stretches almost around the city. Battleships, cruisers, destroyers, ocean steamers, transports and fishing vessels grace its harbours. Buildings stretch from the water's edge almost to the top of the ridge on both sides. It sure is an imposing scene to stand on a high hill and see the whole city and harbor with its vessels steaming to and fro. Gazing to the westward, across the bay, may be seen numberless mountains with the summits crowned with snow. Gazing eastward one can see the blue waters of that mighty body of water- the Pacific Ocean.

I think I have given you a fair description of things in general. Have had a cold and cough recently- one of those colds that leaves a dark brown taste in your mouth. It was I who had the "coffin" not the coffin had me.

Am enclosing a miniature picture of "His Royal Highness" with his sheepskin coat, fur cap and goggles on and part of his moustache. Write soon and often.

Your loving brother.
Douglas

P.S! Address the same as ever.