[Page 1]
Letter #1
Bramshot Mar. 26/17
Dear Father:
Your welcome letter with Mothers of Feb. 18th Received yesterday “Sunday” afternoon + read with interest. I think I have received all your letters + papers up to the present. Have received all O.K. + once a week since we landed + I dare say that I have mailed you a letter weekly + sometimes twice. I presume you have received several of them by this time, I really do not know what to say but shall make a stab at it anyways. All the Battn in camp were mobilized on Sat. afternoon to prepare to go to France. Willie is warned but up to present does not know whether they will be going. They should know definitely by this evening if they are going + should

[Page 2]
they go I will drop you a line to that effect. I was put in quarantine last Thursday with scabbies + just how long I will be in I cannot say. My body was covered with pimples + felt very itchy having had very little rest for couple nights. I take a bath daily + then am rubbed well with sulphur ointment. I am feeling fine to-day + do not think I will be in very much longer. Harry Ellis + two other boys + myself have it + are kept in a hut by ourselves. We go to bed between 9 + 10 p.m. + this morning I did not get up until 8.30. It is giving me a good chance to rest up. Sat night the whole Battn were up until 1 a.m. in full marching order awaiting orders to go to France but as yet they have

[Page 3]
not got + I believe now that they are not going but one cannot tell. Yesterday they were around getting names of parties desiring to get into motor transport + I had my name put down. I hope that I shall be able to get on as a driver as I will feel more at home. This is Spring but does not look like it. It was very damp + cool yesterday + a steady drizzle while to-day it is much cooler + have had a few scattered snow showers. The snow here is very damp + one would be better off in a rain storm than a snow storm as the snow is very wet. Yesterday was wash day for me. I washed by hand two suits of underwear, five pr socks

[Page 4]
three towels, four handkerchifs, pillow slip + few other things. My hands were nearly raw when I finished up but I should [illegible]. I can do them as well as any one else. I also have taken in laundry from other boys. Do it more for pastime than anything else. I made two Shilling + sixpence one afternoon. How about my bank a/c. Ask Gladys my last monthly check received + what my balance is as I would like to know. I have only had one pay since we left Canada + that was for a £ which is $4.50. I have been broke for last three weeks + often wish I had money to buy extra eats. Food here is becoming quite scarce.

[Page 5]
The troops are complaining daily of not receiving sufficient to eat. I never felt so starved in all my career + feel like eating all the times. If you desire you can make up a parcel for me as I would certainly appreciate it. I received a letter from Walter dated Mar 1st + shall answer it as soon as I finish yours. What do you think of the war now. The allies certainly are chasing old Fritz now + I believe that all will be over this summer. That is the general opinion of all. We certainly do hope it will. Well father I do not know what else to say so shall pull down curtain for present. Am starting numbering

[Page 6]
my mail with this letter so that you can tell whether you have received them all. Kindly remember me to all the boys + Mr. Belcher. One more – Grant Hanper got the mumps + his hut is now in quarantine for twenty eight days. About half of our men are now in quarantine with same. Well I will close hoping to hear from you again. I remain your loving son.
Pte. Sheldon U.
25th Can. Reserve

751361

Bramshot Hants
Eng.
P.S. Tell mother that she had better write aunt Allie Showers + Rella for us as we are not allowed to send any mail to the States. S.U.