Letters From the Front

Dvr. Edward James Billings, 42078

Somewhere in Flanders

The Burlington Gazette Published: December 22, 1915

The Burlington Gazette was a weekly newspaper in Burlington, Ontario. The local war news relied upon letters sent from local soldiers. These letters generally reported upon the activities of the Burlington men at the front lines and other details that were of interest to the Burlington community.

Dvr. Billings was an early volunteer for the 1st Contingent from Burlington, Ontario, upon the outbreak of war. His name appeared on the list of "Volunteers Being Enrolled by "E" Company at Drill Hall". This referred to the 20th (militia) regiment (Burlington Gazette - August 12th, 1914). Burlington Volunteers

Before volunteering, "Eddie" Billings had been working at the St. Catharines Journal. He had worked at the Burlington Gazette newspaper office in the past. His parents were Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Billings of Burlington. (BG - Aug. 19, 1914)

His brother Oliver Sarfield Billings, 210159, also enlisted. A notice in the Burlington Gazette published on April 25th, 1917 noted that Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Billings had received a message from Ottawa that their son Ollie had received shrapnel in the right leg, and was admitted to base hospital. It was reported that this was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Billings who had been wounded in France.

Dated: December 3, 1915

Somewhere in Flanders, Dec. 3/15

Mr. E. A. Harris:

Dear Friend, -- Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living, and feeling in the best of spirits, with the exception of a slight cold, but, of course, that is to be expected under the circumstances. You would think we were regular mud larks to see us ploughing our way through the mud. Well, the mail call has just gone, so here goes for one more plunge through it, and it is very dark out too, but we wouldn't miss that call for anything if we could help it. There is just one more call that we would pass it up for, and that is the pay call.

Things have been very quiet along our front lately, but you never can tell when either side is going to start something. We would sooner be going ahead faster than what we are, because the farther and faster we push the Allemande back, the sooner the war will be over.

I was very sorry to hear of Art Groves¹ being killed in action. It was the first I knew that he was out here. That just shows a fellow's luck out here. I have been out here since February, and haven't had the slightest wound yet, but I have had some very close calls, but you know the old saying, "a miss is as good as a mile," and poor Art got it soon after he came out. I received the Gazette regular so far, and am pleased to get it, as there is nothing that cheers us up more than to get the news from home. Here is a little song that has been composed by some fellow out here.

Last night in the pale moonlight,
I saw you, I saw you!
You were fixing up your old barb wire;
We opened up a rapid fire.
If you want to see your home in Germany,
Keep your head down, Alemande.

I never see any of the boys from home, as they are nearly all in the infantry and I am in the artillery. I used to see Ross Lindley² quite often, but I haven't seen him for five months now. Well, I think this is all this time, so good bye for the present, and hoping to hear from you in the near future, I remain,

Ever your true friend,

E. J. Billings

P.S. - Remember me to all the boys.

¹Pte. Arthur J. Groves, 79083, 31st Battalion, had served his apprenticeship in the Burlington Gazette office prior to enlisting. (The Burlington Gazette, October 27th, 1915). He died on October 13th, 1915, and is remembered on the Menin Gate, Belgium, and on the Burlington and Dundas, Ont. war memorials.

²Ross Lindley, 25859, was born in Toronto, but living in Burlington at the time he enlisted. He was a painter with prior experience in the 20th Halton Rifles. He enlisted with the 1st Contingent in 1914.

Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie