Alma Russell Letters
Letters of British Columbia men on active service with Canadian and British Expeditionary Forces, 1914-1918. Learn more.
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British Exped. Force. N. France
FEB. 8/1916
COPY
My dear old pal,
We are out of trenches now and arrived here yesterday afternoon after a march of 20 Kilometres. The roads were in a terrible condition, so much artillery and transport passing over it. There were many ‘fall-outs’ in the last 5 or 6 miles but I stayed with it and never felt better for a march. I have never fallen out once on a march yet and wish to keep this reputation.
We are billeted right in the heart of the city under the shadow of the old cathedral. It was strange this morning to wake up and hear the pipes playing “Johnny Cape” the same time as the bells were chiming for mass.
The garret skylight looks out on to the cathedral and from where I write I can see numbers of jackdaws perched on the turrets. This is the largest place we have been billeted in since we were in France.
Although I have been out here nearly 10 months now I have not yet been granted leave. When I get home if I am spared I will not forget wee David. It was good of you to send me his and Dorothy’s photo. I have it in my pay-book. Every soldier is great on photos or best girls or group of family. Since we have have left trenches our platoon has had a lot of sickness, several going to hospital. They say it is the reaction after being over 8 months in the firing zone without a proper rest. Our platoon arrived here in France 69 strong, of the original crowd left there is only 14 including myself. We have had 2 or 3 drafts out the last few months, but we are nothing like our old strength.
I received papers, safely, and thanks very much for them.
BC Archives, MS-1901 Box 1 File 5 / RUSSELL, Alma M., 1873 - 1964. Victoria; librarian. / Letters and associated items from Private Jack A. Gunn, 1915 - 1916.