Dibgate Camp, Shorncliffe, England
29th June 1915

Dear Aunt Lily,

Just a line to let you know we arrived O.K. and am well. We had a glorious trip across the water, fine weather and comparatively calm sea. Only a few of the 2000 on board suffered from sea sickness, as for myself, I was really sorry the trip was so short, 10 days from Montreal to Plymouth. Plymouth as you know is one of the big naval bases and the harbour was alive with all kinds of fighting craft. The port itself is beautifully situated about five miles up the sound.

We left Plymouth about one o'clock noon travelling by the Great Western Ry across the South of England as far as London, where we switched on to the South Eastern and Chatham Ry and made for the south coast. Our camp is seven miles west of Dover on a height overlooking the sea. We have two very pretty coast towns close by, Hythe west of us about an hours walk and Folkestone, a popular sea side resort, east of us a couple of miles. On a clear day the coast of France shows up very plainly. Submarines and Torpedo Boat Destroyers are patrolling the sea all the time. Aeroplanes and dirigible balloons are a common sight.

We thought we were training pretty hard in Winnipeg but we are going at it even harder now. About another four weeks and they figure we will be fit for the firing line.

Well, I must drop a line to Birdie so will close hoping you are all well and that the crops are coming along satisfactory.

Remember me to John, Jean and Lena.

Love to all,

Lou