[stationery letterhead of “Y.M.C.A.”]
WRITTEN AT  Willows  CAMP
11 C.M.R  BATT   B  COMPANY
April 25, 1916

Dear Dad.

Thanks for the welcome letter I received from you today.

We got four days general leave for Easter. Aunt Agnes very kindly put me up and gave me a fine time. Helen is looking rather run down so the Easter holidays will do her a lot of good. She had a week of very stiff exams before Easter. On Sunday she and I went up to the Gorge. While up there we hired a canoe for a couple of hours and had a fine paddle. Helen gathered flowers when we stopped. We paddled from end to end of the Gorge. By gum Dad, you dont know how good it feels to have a sister you can go and see in a house where you are always welcome. On Easter morning Helen and I went to the eight o’clock service. I thought of you all at home while there and wondered if any went to communion. When I heard you and Keith were at Wells I felt deuce of homesick for a little look up the North Thompson. Someday if you only hang on long enough we will be up there yet  –

I guess poor old Daddy Wells is getting to old to monkey round a team. Keith also made me laugh to beat sixty when he told me about moving the summer-house. He said that when they had moved it a few steps the door fell off and Mr Wells said D___! Then a few yards further the floor fell out. Mr Wells said  _ D__! H__! __! But when the roof finally fell off poor old pa simply howled in rage awhile he jumped up and down and tore the roof into little tiny bits. – Keith said he almost split.

Your loving Son.
Sid.

[postscript added to top of first page:]
P.S. Des. Vicars looks fine in his uniform. Im darned sure I could make an officer if he could. The question is how to do it. I’m heartily fed up with this sickly muddle. If we are to stay here much longer I might as well try for something higher. I’d like to transfer to the 172nd, if only I could do so as a non-commissioned officer. – Some big ideas Eh old man? – Do you think I could do it?