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Date: February 15th 1919
To
Father
From
Rob
Letter

Seilles Belgium
Feb 15th 1919

Dear Father:

I have a letter from you so will answer it now. You letter is dated Dec 15th but only reached me yesterday because you forgot to put the number of the battery in the address. At the same time I received a letter from Evelyn dated Jan 27th so yours was about six weeks overdue. Evelyn's letter was torn around the edges but the handkerchiefs came alright and will be quite sufficient for my army needs. Many thanks.

Note what you have done with my assigned money and it is a good place for it.

You can depend on it I will not remain in the Army longer than I have to. While we have good quarters and fair meals and very little to do, still there is no satisfaction in staying around here with nothing to do and little chance for amusement. Summer would have been much better both here and in Germany. If we were in England it would be much better as we would be with English speaking people. The third division have practically landed in England now and expect to leave for Canada early in March. The First Division go next and it is reported we follow them which will likely be about the middle of March. We then get about 8 days leave in England and then get sorted out and papers completed, all of which will take about a month. From this it should work out that we should leave England about the middle of April. This is the way I figure it out unless the plans are different. Will let you know anyway what happens.

One of the girls in the Paris picture was English and the other was French, but spoke good English. They are good in getting around Paris and know just what trains to take and the shortest way to get from any place. You buy a ticket before you leave which includes all car fares, prices of admission to museums, buildings etc and also does away with tips to a great extent which you would likely pay if going alone and having a guide.

No I have not seen nor heard of Mr. Little over here. Do not know where he is.

The Montana people are doing well with their cattle this year. Cattle and Horses were a big price in Germany. The Army are selling quite a number around here now by auction. There is a sale of 600 next week. Many will be sold in France and also a number in England.

No the censor stopped work some time ago. Our letters are still liable to be opened at the Base and we are supposed to be careful what we say. We sign our names on the envelope so they know who the writer is.

The clippings are appreciated as it is nice to know who is getting home. Notice the names of 2 or 3 who came over when I did.

I have decided to get discharged in Guelph. We have papers to make out now. Also understand I can get transportation to Western Canada a month after getting discharged and it will be a good chance to get things put into better shape out there. May also go right through to the coast when I have such a good chance. I will think it over anyway.

I note what Evelyn says about Koch bringing up a picture taken when we left. I have written him a couple of times but never had a reply. I received a parcel a year ago which was the only word I had from him. Did not know what he was doing.

So the church intend getting a new Organ. It will take quite a little money but I guess it is about time for a new one.

Have not heard from Eliz for about two weeks. Had a letter from Will, and yesterday also one from Isabel enclosing one of the new Greenbacks which was very acceptable and also useful. The Canadian paper money is much superior to paper money over here, which tears so easily.

I have not much of a balance in my pay book, but I have some money which I sent for when I got leave and also a balance in England of about $50.00. Should I need more money when I get to England I will cable for it and state the amount and you can send it by cable from any bank. Hardly think I will need any more, but if I cable you will know what it means.

We got our kits yesterday which we stored about a year ago. I have already sold the raincoat I had for more than it cost me and expect no trouble in getting as much and probably more than I paid for the Rubber boots.

My last letter was dated Feb 5th to Isabel. Also a note on Feb 6th re pictures I mailed. On the 7th was on fatigues, also on the 8th. Were paid on 7th and had kit inspection on 8th. On Sunday 9th was on another job of moving about 500 rounds of ammunition here from another village. On the 11th mounted guard for 24 hrs. Yesterday about 40 men left for Namur to guard some Belgian boats in the canal loaded with provisions the Germans were taking away with them.

I am enclosing a postcard of Beethovens birthplace in Bonn and also one of the Kaisers monument. The Canadians did some damage to it, breaking the spike off the top of the helmet etc so they had a guard on it. Also enclose a couple of cards of the village across the canal or River Meuse from us.

Expect to visit Brussels next week as they are giving 3 day passes there. It is quite a large place and is only about 70 miles.

We had a spell of cold weather but it did not go down to zero. Have had a little snow. Today it is a little milder and most of the snow has gone. It has been a very agreeable winter and we have not suffered from colds or sickness.

I think this is about all the news I have just now. Will be writing again next week, although there is little to write about around here.

Trust everybody is well and with love to all, I will close.

Rob

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