Clifford writes about the burning of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Rumours abound at the time that it was an enemy action. My Dearest Mother, They sent me to the big military hospital Friday with my terrible sciatica, so will most likely be here for a couple of weeks. Now, I hate to have to write you this news and cause you any undue worry but I thought it best to let you know now. I don’t want you to worry and I am not very bad, only not in fit shape for drilling. The sisters and nurses here are very nice indeed and look after a fellow fine. Jim was up to see me this morning and he said he thought he would fall and break a leg so he could get in here but I sure wish I was out of it all. We had our first snow last week and today the ground is white, so it looks more like home. Gla...

Dear Mother and family, I received your welcome letter today. I am feeling a great deal better now. Sciatica all gone but my hip is still a little stiff. I think I will go on parade tomorrow and see how it goes. You were asking me if we have a change of boots. I think I have had three pair since I joined. So I have done pretty fair. I sure had a laugh when I read the sentence about my timidness. I believe it all has left me. As for us being picked for the guns, we were the best for it and the rest for drivers. They have a cinch as they only take us out and then beat it back. Jim was one but will most likely be on the gun now that the draft has left. No danger Mother about my not being home again and I hope before this time next year. That sure must be some boy. I am as proud of him as ...

Dearest Mother, Here goes a few lines to let you know I am alive although at present in the hospital here. I have been in since Wednesday but hope to be out in a few days. I have sciatica in my right hip and leg. Caught it most likely at the ranges as I got soaked a couple of days while there. I don’t want you to worry about me for I am not very bad, only I had to stop marching for a while and they put me here to keep me quiet and out of mischief. Well, Musie, you will have to excuse this writing as they made me go to bed and I am writing while sitting up. Jim says he wishes they would put him in, too, for he says I look extremely happy and comfortable. He brings me the papers and all the smokes I want. There are about 25 in the ward I am in and none very sick, mostly laziness but that is...

Dear Fred, Your letter received last night, so I will answer same now. As I am off duty this afternoon but am on duty tonight. I am indeed very glad to hear of your and Jim’s enlistment. Accept my heartfelt congratulations, Fred, for believe me boy, all told you sure have to have the guts and spirit to leave home and friends. However do your work with a will and you will never be sorry for your actions. I missed the draft as they went this morning to re-enforce the 8th Battalion in France. I was sure disappointed. However it will only be a matter of few weeks before I am away. They certainly were a fine bunch of boys and we all lived in hopes till the last minute they would take all the section. We had a big sham battle here yesterday between the 44th and 50th Battalion and the 46th and ...