Letters From the Front

Dated: November 14, 1918

We have been in France just one month today, and up to the present I like it fine. It sure is a great life. We see a lot of this country as you know: we (brother “Chum” and I) are with the cavalry, and we do a lot of traveling around and don't stay long in one place. I have been lucky, for it doesn't matter where I go I run into some officer or other rank that know me, and they all seem to be connected with the “eats department”.

At present I am sitting writing on an old empty wine keg in a little French village. We get out in the morning at 5:30, feed and water our horses; then breakfast of bacon, mush and tea. Then we drill, or have maneuvers of some kind: that is when we are not in action. Our meals are all very good and we get lots of cheese, jam and brand. I have no complaint to make, and have never been real tired since I have been in the army. I don't know what some of the fellows want. I think I could go out and play three twenty minute periods any old time.

We were stationed a few days ago at a rest camp and helped unload a few hospital trains. Some of the boys were pretty badly smashed up and some not so bad as the Toronto “pro” team when they came back from Montréal.

Talk about Germans! I never saw so many soldiers (if you could call them that). It was just at the time the boys had the big push on. They were bringing in prisoners at a rate of six and seven train loads a day - some of them were only kids and some 55 and 60, and they all seemed tickled to death to be rounded up. Some could speak a little English.

But talk about soldiers, our friends from the U.S. sure are a swell bunch of boys and attend strictly to business. We were up to one of their hospitals and played the staff a game of baseball, and they beat as 9-6. We pulled off a triple play on them. I will always remember that game. After the game they put up a swell meal - and seven piece orchestra. Would be pleased to hear from any of the boys. No. 238215, Fort Garry Horse, B.E.F.

Yours to a cinder.

Dick Irvin

PS I hear they are going to reinstate professionals who have gone overseas. Is that true? I hope it is, as this boy would like another chance at the old Allan cup.