Dear Mother,

Well Musie, old Camp Hughes has got to be cleared by Oct. 26th and we are going to Winnipeg Saturday or Monday. Saturday, I believe. We are going to be in the Foley Larsen Building. I would have phoned you today only I can’t say much over the phone as it is too close to the orderly room.

I got the parcel on Monday night. Burton and I soon demolished the contents as that lunch Ada brought up on Sunday took the cookhouse fever away. Gee, I won’t be sorry to get out of camp as it sure is no place for a white man these days.

I am in a hell of a way here. I am in the pay office here and the paymaster wants me to stay. Gunning won’t transfer me unless I throw up my stripes. If it wasn’t for Fred I wouldn’t mind but I won’t lose my stripes and separate from Fred for the sake of any pay office. Gunning can’t take the stripes off me so I won’t give him a chance by asking for a transfer and a reduction to the ranks. So Fred and I will be together again.

The 203rd went away today. They won’t leave Canada for a time though as all troops are now being held in the East. Musie, don’t say anything about the movement of troops as I should not tell, it being against camp orders, you understand.

I had a letter from Laura today. She was well then only she had an awful fright from a mouse the night before. Did she tell you about it? I am sorry it ever happened as a bad fright never done anyone good.

Your loving son,

James