Series 2 Jack McNaughton part 1

4 training I have just received a short epistle and Xmas card from Bessie Marley. I remember her but she though I wouldn't. If I get a chance Sis I will ackknowledge receipt to her but in the meantime will you please do the necessary for me. I sure want to catch up with my mail before going back to the line. We had a very good Xmas dinner including a rum issue and a quart of French beer to wash it down You know Sis we are not issued with rum when in for rest but Lord only knows it is necessary in the line New Years Day passed off very quitely and was celebrated by the Coy having a bath at a nearby town We were

5 under a tired stream for four minutes. The Itchy Coos are still in force and they make one think there is something that sticks through thick and thin. Brantford is some place as today I saw some news from there printed in the Daily Mail, which is edited in Paris France. I see Jack Evans from your burg quite often and had the pleasure of dishing out his dinner and supper today, and breakfast tomorrow morning I was Mess orderly Xmas day and right off the bat had to peel potatoes for an hour and a half. The boys say I'm getting fat I know I'm getting awfully lazy This no doubt will be taken out of me next trip in the line. One thing I don't worry and that helps a lot.

6

We have a nice coal fire and shortly will be having a sing song. There are fifteen of us in the one room (it used to be a stable) and we have some time at night. I make mush nearly every night so you see I am still half civilized. Wooden plows, and drag harrows are in use over here, and there are the old -kind- you -read -about water wheels. Grain is threshed by treadmill when wanted, and is stacked into what is known as "ricks" and there is a thatch for the top. Well Sis this is all this time and I hope this reaches [struck-thru] finds you all in the best of health. If you worry about Oliver don't let him know it. With love to all, Yrs as ever, Jack. xxxxxx

[postmark] Toronto Ont Jan 29 10:30 pm 1917

Miss N. McNaughton, Granton, Ontario, Canada

Passed by Censor 1364 [illegible signature]

Somewhere Jany 12th/17

Dear Sis: Just a short epistle to acknowledge receipt of parcel which arrived last night and to thank you all very much for same. I might say some of the boys also said their thanks. It feels pretty nice you know to give ones' stomach a surprise party, but at the same time the stomach doesn't always agree to be fed from the straight and narrow path of the army rations, however this life is a chancec, all the time and I like taking all chances counting surprise parties on my stomach. Well Sis I think I told yo about our Xmas and New Years, so that vein is extinct of news. We are still in billetts, [del]