-6- Does the pony ever get loos now? I hope not. It is a shame I cannot tell you on what part of the line I am, is it not, but I think you should have a pretty good idea. It must be rather quiet at home now, but how I do long to be back. Mind, I would not be out of this for anything, it is great to be doing the things of which the papers are full, and whatever happens I have seen the Prussian Guard break and run like sheep in front of the Canadians. I fired two hundred rounds that day, it was just after I heard that poor Browne was killed. If I do not close now something will stop me and I shall never get this mailed. I often wonder if my letters get censored much, I hope not. I think we go up to the front line for a week in a day or two. I am glad to say I am to take charge of the pigeons, so I have finished with that frightfully dangerous running job. The great danger here is being drownded in mud. I am quite well, but rather worn, but my nerve has not gone a bit and shells don't scare me at all yet, that comes later though. I don't know why I don't have colds, but I don't, and though I have lost all my kit once more, I still have a bottle of Pape's Cold Cures. Each time I have been in the trenches my coat has been taken to cover a wounded man. Now I have got a nice officer's coat, rather short, but warm. Good-bye, hope parts of this letter are not too horrid, you know "there is no need for you to keep a pet coon" the phrase is Canadian. Hoping to soon be with you again and with fondest love to all from your loving brother, Cecil. P.S. Have you heard the story of the Tommy at home who was asked by an old lady if he had killed any Germans. He replied "Well, mum, I dont like to say, but once my pal calls out to me: "Shake yer bayonet Bill, there's six of 'em on it!

BC Archives, MS-1901, Box 1, File 19, RUSSELL, Alma M., 1873–1964. Victoria; librarian. Letters from Cecil Harrow Unwin, 1916–1917.