Dear Mary,
I hope you and little Sammy are doing well. I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to write to you until now. As you know, I’m now part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. I’m in a training camp here in Valcartier, Quebec. It's intense and exhausting but it's a really massive camp, about sixteen miles long. Can you believe it? I bet you'd think it's pretty amazing. You should know though, that it’s definitely no playground. Our tents aren’t exactly what you would call luxurious and the skies are weighing us down with a lot of rain but don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I knew it was never going to be easy and I chose this on my own even though I know you truly didn’t want me to go. I just believe that as a true Canadian man, I should gladly serve our country where I’m needed. That is, I hope to become a real man when I get back to you two. I know that you guys can live fine without me as the Canadian Patriotic Fund will help out for sure. Despite the hard work, I'll get to explore the world (like you know I've always wanted), and it seems like this will be one great adventure. I'll confess that the posters encouraging volunteers to join this war somewhat intrigued me as well. But perhaps the posters are more influential than we think, considering there are at least 30 000 men here with me. We’ve all been incredibly busy and worked to the core. There were tons of preparation we needed to make with all of our equipment and medical exams to take. Unfortunately, it appears like I won’t be returning in just a few months like we had anticipated but there’s nothing to worry about. I’m part of the infantry unit now and as the First Contingent, we’ll be leaving for Britain in two days. I’d love to hear how things are going with the both of you as well. Fill me in and I promise to write back at every opportunity I can get. Take it easy, alright?
Sincerely yours, James Carter
No comments:
Post a Comment