Bramshott Camp

November 24, 1918

Dear Ollie:

Will try and answer your last letter today if possible.  I started one to you two weeks ago but never got it finished so burned it and will start in again.

Well when we heard that the Armistice had been signed we expected to be sent back to our units but no such good luck they cut the course down and gave us our commissions and here we are at he reserve full fledged Lieutenants and no chance of ever getting back to the old Battalion again after fighting for a year and a half and then not got a chance set foot on German territory.

In a way, or course I am not sorry the war is finished, for I have had any fill of it but just the same this life over here does not appeal to me for I will never make a peace time soldier if I stick to it for twenty years.  But at the longest it will be only for a few more months before I get back to God’s country again.  I tell you it’s hard to believe that there is no more fighting to do.  It has been going on so long that it became a habit with most of us, doing our tour in the line and coming back for a few days rest month after month with an occasional trip over the top just to keep our spirits up.  I tell you Allie I often wondered how long before the one with my number on it would come along and finish me but I guess Fritz must have lost the one with my number on or else hadn’t had time to mould it.  It’s funny isn’t it?  Look at the hundreds of the boys that have gone through the Coy either killed or maimed for life and about half a dozen of us old chaps who have never got hardly a scratch.  I won’t say we are as good as we were when we came over, but it takes a lot of hard knocks yet to knock us out. 

Oh yes, about that question or yours.  Ask that chap if it wasn’t a German soldier he got all his information from.  They are the only ones I know of whose officers stand behind their men.  Am dammed sure the British or Canucks never did since I can remember and never will.  I think if he sifts the case down he will find that chaps never seen France.  It’s that kind of returned soldiers that can tell you all about the Great War.  I have sat and listened to chaps talk and it’s always the ones who don’t know what fighting is that has the big stories to tell.

Well Allie, we landed here in camp Fri. night and have done nothing so far but attend church parade this morning.  But suppose they will put us to work in the morning but the training is cut down and won’t have to work hard.  I tell you it’s just great to be able to sit back and se e someone else shining your brass and boots.  Just picture yours truly laying in bed and having a Batman to build the fire and heat water for shaving and looking after you like and old hen would one chick.  Well it’s a queer world isn’t it?  Three months ago sleeping under the stars and eating what ever I could lay my hands on and today living like a prince with nothing to worry about (except will we get leave or not) but I think we will.  Our kit allowance was cut down from ₤50 to ₤30 am sorry to say for it costs a Highland Officer something to dress I can tell you.  I have bought over ₤20 worth now and have not got half of it yet but never mind will be able to swank some when I get back you bet. 

Well I reckon I better saw off for this time.  It’s getting dark.  Oh yes, I got your box ok last week, also one from Mother.  Will try and write her after supper.  I sent her a cable yesterday with my new address for the school is broken up and it would be months before we would get our mail if we waited for an answer to a letter and I am going to tell you we will need something to cheer us up for this long wait.

 Love to all

Jack

Lieut. J. Hudgins  D.C.M.

17th Reserve

Bramshott

England

P.S.   Don’t let this scare you for it has to be done.