Letters From the Front

Pte. John William Cook, 32982

Sgt. Cook's Experiences with No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance, 1915

Toronto Evening Telegram Published: May 3, 1915

Sergeant John William Cook's letter to his mother in Toronto was published in the May 3rd, 1915 issue of the Toronto Evening Telegram. The letter was introduced as follows:

PLACE BLOWN TO RUINS
Sergt. J. W. Cook is Included in Today's Casualty List.

Sergeant J. W. Cook, Toronto, who is included in today's casualty list as wounded is connected with No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance, and lived at 636 Ossington avenue. He is 27 years of age, and has belonged to the local militia for the past five years.

Dated: May 3, 1915

In a letter to his mother Sgt. Cook writes:

I am back with my company now, after being on detached duty with thirteen men for a month. While I was away I was praised by the General in a despatch for the great work done at ____.¹ We certainly had a very hot time, shelled every day and most nights. The General congratulated me personally for the way we worked and kept going under heavy shell fire. After we left we were sent to a rest station, and you can bet our nerves needed it.

The place we were in is a mass of ruins now, so you can guess how hot it was for us. The place we are in now is very nice, and you would not think there was a war on. The stores are open and everything is in full swing.

I am sleeping in a deserted schoolhouse at present. Most places we have been at we slept in old barns.

¹Censored.

Transcribed by: M. I. Pirie