Transcription

76th Battlaion

Medical Staff

Barrie

Ont.

My dearest Minnie

Your lovely pair of socks came to day and thank you dear ever so much for them, they are just lovely. You said in your last letter not to examine them very closely as there were lots of mistakes, but dearest don’t please make the others (if any) any better, as I think these are just fine. I guess by now you have the brooch and got in on probably, but I must try and get two other badges for you, only they will be different, they are the maple leaf with 76 on them and I like them better than the one I sent but there will be hat pins.

There is about three or four inches of snow up here and it is turning cold, There is a case of mumps in the Barracks and he is put in an Isolation house which is going to be turned in to a hospital. The doctor picked me out as guard and I don’t have to let anyone in the house at all, our meals are brought to the door, and I take them upstairs to the patient and look after the furnace and read a book or anything else I like during the day so you see I won’t be able to go out much to get into mischief will I.

Only three weeks to Christmas, just think of that, but I guess I won’t be down till New Years but that won’t be long will it dearest. You see the ambulance corp. is the most important part of a battalion, and the doctor always likes to have us here in case of any emergencies such as accidents or broken legs etc, and we are learning all the first aid and red cross work now. I guess Bertha would be disappointed at seeing Billy with a bottle in his pocket. but tell her not to worry too much about him as the fashion is to have a soldier boy.

Now that's the reason I joined so as to keep you in fashion. Whenever I see a fellow without a uniform on, it always looks out of fashion to me, but the fashion will change when the war is over and then I will come back 2 to the civilian style again. Well I have just had supper of bread, cheese, and jam, butter and tea, but we are so used to it now that we look forward to it, and it certainly makes you feel good, I don't think I ever felt better in my life except when I used to come over to your place at night. 

I have fed my patient and put him on an extra blanket and made him comfortable, I guess you are busy too as it is now six-thirty, time you had the babies asleep and helping Sadie wash dishes.

What makes you think I shall forget Toronto, and you also said the people too, now dearest I don't want you to think that at all, as I never forget you even if I do forget Toronto and most of the people. 

I am reading a book called "In the name of a woman" and it is most interesting as things generally are, that have anything connected to women especially young women aged 19 or 20. Don't you think so? 

There is to be a rout march tomorrow but I am lucky I won't have to go. 

Now Dearie I guess I will have to close as I have no more to say now so good bye with fondest love from your ever loving friend

Dudley XXXXX

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¹  *Archivist note:* No calendar date on letter.

Page 3 references "three weeks to Christmas" — likely early December; year not stated.