Dibgate Camp
Shorncliffe
June 29th 1915

Dear Mother,

We received the cards and tobacco and enjoyed them very much. I expect you will be wondering why the letters are so long coming. You should be getting our first letters now. Some of the fellows wives and mothers have been worrying about not getting mail. Once you begin to get mail I think you will get it pretty steadily. None of the fellows have had any answer to their letters up to date.

I saw "the captain" on Sunday. He had just been home for a few days as his father had just died. He is company quartermaster sergeant now and expecting to get a commission in the British Expeditionary Force.

We are getting up at 3 now as we have to get down to the ranges in time to get our shooting over by noon so as to let another bunch shoot in the afternoon, consequently we have to get to bed early. It is about six miles to the ranges with a long climb of about a mile up hill, done with heavy marching order, to say nothing of the 7 pounds of boots. It was pretty warm coming home today, my tunic and shirt were soaked with sweat. We have to keep two suits of underwear on the go, wear one suit while the other is drying out. All the boys are in first class shape and feeling fine. I can fire my rifle with one arm now. That bayonet exercise beats the physical exercise all hollow.

This is the darnedest country for hills you ever saw. Our camp is on a sort of plateau so no matter which way we come home we have a long weary climb. Nobody ever gets home drunk here because he heaves everything about half way up, so you see it is quite conducive to the discipline of the camp. I can easily see why some people live for 60 or 70 years and never go 3 miles off their own farm. A ten mile route march is equal to about 25 at home. You can leave here one night and be back the following night full of shrapnel. Thuis is the Canadian base so we see all kinds of wounded here. The shrapnel pieces are about the size of a marble. We had a 90th boy up here who showed us some that he brought home in his hip from Hill 60. I am sorry to hear about Billy Armstrong. I guess his lungs are done. That gas hardens them.

Our transport horses just arrived last week so Syd is back at his old job again. We are only a few tents apart so we see each other all the time. We see all kinds of airships and aeroplanes around here. We saw 6 airships tonight. It was some sight as they were all alike with aluminum hulls that shone like silver. On Sunday night a biplane lit on the parade ground. The boys crowded so close that it took the aviator a half hour to rise.

Well Dear Mother, it is getting dark so I'll have to quit. Remember me to everybody and give my love to all, that is all that want it.

Jack