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Date: May 6th 1917
To
Roy Gullen
From
Mary Gullen - (wife)
Read by:

Kristen den Hartog

Reader Bio
Kristen den Hartog is an award-winning Canadian novelist and non-fiction writer. Her work explores the intimate histories of ordinary individuals and families in times of war.
Letter

[Editor’s note: Roy Gullen, initially reported as missing, was killed May 3, 1917. The letter below was mailed but subsequently returned to sender as undeliverable.]

 

Echo Place
May 6th 1917.

Dear Roy.

We have not had any letters from you for more than a week am hoping to get one to morrow. Dear old Honey how I wish this would end, If the Huns would only rise up in Revolution in their own Country that would be the quickest and best way to end it.

Hope you are having better weather over there its been cold and rainy with east winds this week. we all have a little fresh cold but nothing to worry about will be better in a week or so. Nell came last Monday and we managed to get a petticoat and a pleated skirt for M. made. Grand Ma Little gave her the goods for her birthday, but sent it now so as to get it made up. It looks real nice, its black and white so will get her a little middy to wear with it for school. She sent Ruth a white dress too, so I must make that next before it gets warm weather.

the boys still wear their sweaters guess they will last the season out. Jack wears the Brown coat Don used to have I made the sleaves shorter and put a brown velevet V. in neck so it has been nice for school all winter.

Grandma and Grandpa and Irene have been out to Willsonvill all last week. they went by streetcar but Uncle Clare and Aunt Maud brought them home to night. They wanted to take Bruce home with them when I came home from church, he was ready with his brown suit on so I let him go. Aunt Maud said when she went home after Jack came home she just had a good cry she was so lonesome.

Grandma Kettle has knit you two pairs of sox Your mother is going to send you another box soon and them with it. Am hoping you get the pictures of Ruth and baby before now and also some of the parcels, in your last letter you said you got the one with the comb in, that was a small one, you would perhaps get the next one with the cake in the round can and sox and other can with it soon after. hope so,

(Monday 7)
Well Daddy dear we did not finish your letter last night, so baby and I are going to now, I wish you could see him. He is a six months old darling he is changing quite a little in looks, is quite a little like Don used to be only blue eyes and better natured than any of the others were. very often after being fed he goes in the buggy and sleeps wakes up and plays with his hands and goes to sleep again without getting up. I washed up winter caps sweaters and coats to-day am in hopes will not need them again this year but never know. I wore my fur coat last day I went down town and it snowed a little one day. We had been wondering if there should not be some water cress ready to use so Don, Stan, Jack and I went down to the field where we used to put our horse to see to-night after supper, we did not get a handful all together, it was good to get out for a walk though, wish you had been with us. Yes I remember the day you and I came over here that was a grand day and a dandy walk. I was looking out the window at the moon to-night when I put the children to bed, it is full, and wondering if you could see it too. Now the warmer weather is coming we will get another picture of all of us taken for you. The kiddies were too sleepy to write to night so I will send this on and theirs will come later. I see the 215th have arrived safely in England. Well Bye Bye Dearest, Oceans of Love. hugs and kisses, thanks for that nice pin, I always wear it when I am going anywhere

Love
Mary.

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Original Scans