R. Hainsworth 117282
June 15 - 1916

Dear Rebecca –

I was very glad to get your letter a few days ago and now I have a little time I will reply. Since last I wrote we have been through much. By now you will possibly have seen from the pape[r?] that the Canadians have been through some of the severest fighting and bombardment on record and when I look around my own Company I have to sigh for the touch of many a vanished hand and the sound of voices which are no longer heard. I never expected to come out alive and I never thought that a single man could possibly go through what we did and live so though I cannot say I am exactly happy I myself have much to be thankful for. I do not wish to say much about what we went through or endured. I believe if I reply to all your questions I shall have a letter. I do not think I agree altogether with Rev RJ Campbell. I know a good many who do not swear, drink smoke or take the Soldiers issue of rum. I believe I am pretty broad minded to suit a good many. When in Calgary I walked 14 miles to vote in favor of the Prohibition bill. Out here I would not try to stop the soldier from having his issue of rum. A day or two after coming out of the trenches after some very severe fighting we were handed some pamphlets headed “Dying on the battle field will not save you”. I was badly riled when I saw it and I said to myself “Would the man who wrote that go thro’ and endure, pain and suffering of the worst and then death like many of those I saw”. “Would he give up everything for the sake of those at home who were helpless and in the cause of justness and rightness”. I have seen men climbing over the parapet to bring in the dead and wounded and have fallen with a curse on their lips but I say what of it “They died for others”. They made the biggest sacrifice and none of us are perfect. Speaking on bombing being dangerous work. It is supposed to be but there is not much to choose out here. I think the man who goes in the trench and handles the rifle takes as big a chance as any.

At present we are billeted in barns away back from the front lines in a very beautiful part of the Country. Crops look fine and strong and the hop fields are a sight but Alberta looks just as good to me and a good deal better. Shap must be a nice place for a holiday. I hope your Father felt the benefit of a change. I hope you will forgive me for not enclosing recipe for cake, I can’t remember it. I always made it from the recipe. When I come home I’ll make you one if you will be satisfied with that. I guess you are saying “He surely must be a regular American bluffer”.

I met a fellow just lately in our Coy. by the name of Birnie. He comes from Gretna and says he knows you. He will be up that way soon as he got wounded last time we were in and is now in England. I do not think it is serious but would like you to call on him if you would. I know he would be glad to see you for I know him well.

I think I will close now with best wishes to you all.

Yours very Sincerely
Robert Hainsworth

[transcription reviewed and updated April 2023]