Friday, November 7, 2014

"Remember me to all the folks"

Letters from Private Dorval Augustus Saunders


Private Dorval Augustus Saunders (Source: 40)

Attestation Papers. Dorval enlisted on December 31, 1915, five days before his 19th birthday. (Source: 14)
*  *  *

Sandling Camp
Kent, England
July 6/16

Dear Zelma

Well Zelma how is the world using you. How are all the folks. Well we arrived hear O.K. all as well this morning 3 oclock. She sure is some place. We sure saw some sights. We are in this old English town. We where in London yesterday. I drop my fountain pen out the train window and now I have to write with pencil. Arval Juan was up to see Arthur this morning.

Soon as the men where let free this morning they went all over had to get police and round them up put them under open arrest. My but the little English lassy are thick. This English money sure has my goat. It makes you mad when you buy any thing. I can’t help but look at your picture every little while so lonesome.

I sure wish I was back to dear little Roseisle. We have medicle exams to morrow. Well this is all this time. From your friend Dorval. xxxxx
Be sure and write.
address
Pte. D. A. Saunders
101 Bat. C.E.F.
No. 700546 D. Co.
Sandling Camp
Kent
England
*  *  *
Roseisle, Manitoba, 1908, photo by J.B. Coleman. It's a long way from Tipperary. (Source: 30)

East Sandling Camp
England
July 11/16

Dear Zelma

Well Zelma I have nothing to do, so I thought I would write a few lines, just to let you no how I feel. I am in the very best of helth. Hope this will reach you the same. We are getting drilled pretty hard night and day. We get up in the morning and drill from 6 oclock to 5 at night. The Major comes round in the night about 3 oclock and tells us to scatter Zeplin rade. We sure do get out quickly and scatter. It’s a son of a gun Jimy. Airplains and Zeplin rades and Air ships going in the air all the time. We are only 26 miles from the trenches and can hear the big guns all the time. The grub is rotten hear.

I am going to get my picture taken soon as I go up town, Saturday I guess. Six mines from the big town. We go up in a car what do you no about that lots of rides ye. Well Jimy I am sure lonesome. I am going to the front with the first draft that goes. I am either going to get wounded and go back their or killed. I can’t stand this grub. We refused to drill unless they feed us. So we are getting an extra supper to night. Pay day to morrow 23 bucks coming. Lots of nice girls around here not a bit backward. But I don’t bother them. It is not safe. I am a good boy hear. Never totch a drink, just 6 rods from a beer canteen and never go.

By By.
From Loving Dorval. I don’t know weather that is write or not but hope so. Give best wishes to all xxxxxxx Write
Pte D. A. Saunders
101 Batt. C.E.F.
No. 7500546 D. Co.
East Sandling Camp
Kent
England
*  *  *
Recruits at CPR Station, Winnipeg, 1915 (Source: 5)

Aug. 9, 1916
Kent, England

My Dearest Zelma

I received your letter last Saturday and was very glad to hear from you. Well how are all the folks out their. My I do hate this country. We are getting worked pretty hard but don’t expect to be in the Infintry very long. I think I will get in the Canadian Jonquires Mounted on Horses. We are having hot weather hear cold at nights. We have good times at nights and Saturday after noons and Sundays. I was done to Heith, Folkstone and Shorncliffe on Saturday. Had a good time, was at show in the after noon and danced and roller skated at night. Lots of Canadian girls. I am certainly sick of this country. I am picked out for the next draft. The 101st is all getting transferred and brook up. The war will be over in 6 weeks. We get the real news hear. We can see France some days. We may be back for Christmas, I don’t think. I hope you will keep up record in answering I won’t.

It tickles me up the back to get letters. Have not hered from George or any of those people yet I guess they are sore. But my Dear Mother writes.  am sending you a picture. It is not very good the girls made me bluss as usual, you now. I can’t write to night every one is shaking the table and organ going and dancing hear in the writing room excuse paper and pencil. I will send you a new kind off fine 101. I wish I were their to night. I was to London for a week had a good time.

Well I guess I will close. Bye Bye From
your Respectfully Go mind
Dorval. xxxxxx
Give My Love to the folks.

*  *  *
Canadian infantrymen at Sandling Camp, Kent, 1915 (Source: 29)

East Sandling
Kent England
Aug. 11/16

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma just a line to tell you my troubles. I am in troubles all the time now. I got crimed for missing parade yesterday. Got trailed to day and got 3 days C.B. Confined to Barracks. I have to answer defollers every hour in the day till 10 oclock at night. Well I fine only wish I could see Roseisle.  I am sending you a picture it is not very good you can see what is wrong with it. Give my best regards to the folks. It will soon be dinner time the Bugle will go. Come to the cook house door boys. I spend most of my money eating in the restaurant then you can’t get a good meal hear. I am going to France as soon as possible. I guess I will ring off.

From your friend Dorval.  xxxx

Dorval Augustus Saunders   (photo courtesy Dr. C. Grant Saunders)
*  *  *
Aug. 21, 1916
Kent, England

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma received your letter to day, and was certainly glad to hear from you. We are getting worked hard hear. I got four letters to day all at once, two from Dad. One from you and one from Ritchie. My but I wish I was back their. Well I guess it wont be long before I will be in the trenches. I heard to day that the 112 and 16th was nearly all in. We are reinforcements for them. We are attached to the 17th Canadian seaforth highlanders. I guess Dad feels pretty bad about me the way he talks. We will be through our musketry this week then will be ready for France. I don’t think the war will last much longer. Their was 60 cannons left on the train hear for France. We was watching them shooting last Saturday. It sure was worth while watching. Remember me to the folks. I wish Jack great success in his marriage if it is true no hard ships with his wife. Did you get that picture it was not very good was it. I still keep your picture in my hat to look at. That is where all the boys keep them. I made good in shooting. I think I got marksman. I will be able to go as a snipper. We have been getting up at three oclock for two weeks now we are 6.5 miles from Sandbury. We are at Lyad. We will be going back this week. Well Zelma this is all for this time as it is dinner time.

From your Sincere friend
Dorval. xxxxx
be sure and write
*  *  *
Cavalry, Vimy Ridge (Source: 1)

East Sandling Kent
England
Sep. 1/16

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma, just received your letter to night and was just as glad as you are to get one made a little bit more. Well I wrote three letters to night one to Mother, Dad and this one and received them all to night. I am in the 43 draft four France. We where to go away last Sunday but did not. We have been confined to Camp ever since expect to go away any hour. I had a chance to be turned down and go home on Monday there are 2,000 going back on Monday. But I am not that kind I am going to see as far as I can this through. But if I ever get back believe me they will never get me tied up again like this.

Remember me to all the folks. Write often I feel a hundred percent beter every letter I get. I will be back be for next spring or I will eat my shirt. Well Zelma I am certainly lonesome to tell the trought.

I hope you will answer every letter you don’t know how much beter I feel. We are getting Baynet fighting and bombing till we go over to France. Made marksman in shooting. I might be a sniper when I get over their.

Well Zelma I think I will close for this time expect to be in France when you get this letter. I will wear kilts when I get across to France. Some class yet. I write to you as my own sister. I will close.

Yours sincerely Friend
Dorval xxxxx

*  *  *
Canadians treating wounded German soldiers (Source: 26)

Sep. 14, 1916
East Sandling Camp
Kent England

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma received your letter to night was certainly glade to get it. And no your folks were all well. Well I am fine hope this will find you the same. I am not away yet to France. I was picked out yesterday to go to France with 43 Draft. I am going to get a picture of me in kilts my they are cool. We will go Sunday. This army in England sure would drive any young man to drink but I am controling my self like a good boy. Well Zelma it makes no different what boys are running around with the girls. You are the only girl I think of. If you are their when I get back I think their might be a show is that write. I have been down to London for 6 days and have two girls down their. They wanted me to marri them. I certainly struffed them but I would never do that. I wish you where hear I could certainly give you a good time in London. You would enjoy it. It is sure some place. Excuse my writing with pencil and this paper. It is not so fancy paper. My the girls do write in London. I have a good time with them. I spent 7 pounds in their that is $35. that is having a good time. I wish I was where I could spend some on you. If I could only see you Zelma. You don’t know how I miss home. If I could only put my feet under my father’s table again I would never leave.

I wish I could be back and see the school teachers. I have a chance to be turned down but I am stuborn. I came to go to France and that is where I am going. They can’t take me to quick to boot. Well I will close wishing you the very best of luck.

Bye Bye. From your respectfully friend
Dorval. xxxxxx
Write. I send my best regard to the family.

*  *  *
Canadian troops returning from the front lines, Vimy Ridge (Source: 24)

East Sandling Camp
Kent England
Sep. 17/16

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma, I thought I would write you a few lines this morning, as I was a bad boy and did not go to church. The parade is just leaving. The band is playing who’s the best girl in this town. I am nearly all in with a cold. I wish I was where you could rub my throut. Well I am picked for a nother Draft. We were examined by the Doctor and had two kit inspections. I am fine only a cold. Hope this letter reaches you in the bet of humour. I went to the Major and asked him if I could be excused from church parade he said Certainly so it was all fine. We are going away Tuesday morning. Give my best regards to all the folks. They make us keep all the windows open day and night my but it is cold. I sent you some cards about three days ago. You will get this letter the same time because they wait a will for the boats.

Dutch and Stanly and Baker all whent this morning for France. I am going Tuesday morning. I volunteerd to go a head of them and they took them and left me. Jack wont be going for a month. Orval tranfered and Juan is trying his best to now. He is pretty frightened. Yes bad about your old fellow but maybe he will come around all right. Remember him to me if you see him. All the windows in the hut are open and two doors 12 windows. There are just two of us hear all the rest are in church Parade.

Every paper we get in the morning there are about seven miles front taken and couple of thousand prisoner and guns captured. They are trading their prisoners. The Germans are trading their Canadian prisoners for German prisoners.

This will may be the last letter you will get. We can only write cards in the trenches and a letter every four weaks. I think I will go to Hyth this afternoon see if I can’t get a girl. About every three days I get girl sick that is two bad ye.

Well Zelma I hope you will still keep up your good ork and let me no how every one is. I will close now.

From your sincerely friend
Dorval. xxxxxxxx

*  *  *
Cigarettes and bandages (Source: 27)

16th Batt
B.E.F.
France
Oct 15/16

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma first a line to let you no how I am. I am in very best of health and feeling fine. Well Zelma I am certainly fed up. don’t know what to do. If I even get back I will never do it again believe me kid. I will be like a yearling colt. I am in the tent cigarette in one hand pencil and paper and a candle and cold as blue blazes. I certainly wish I was in dear Roseisle. How are all the girls remember them to me. Have not had any letters since I came over hear to France. I saw a lot of my chums go down but Fritz has not got me yet and he will have a hard time. Well I will close. And send my best regards to all the family.

Bye Bye From your sincerely Friend Dorval Xx
Be sure and answer what ever you do.

*  *  *
Cigarettes and a makeshift split (Source: 25)

Pte. D.A. Saunders
16th Canadian Batt B.E.F.
France
Oct. 19, 1916

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma received your first letter last night. When I got back from bombing school. I had 6 days course and am in the bombing secion now. I am feeling fine. Hope you fell the same when you receive his. I am scribbling this of to go down town so excuse it this time Zelma. I send my best regard to all expect to go in the trenches soon. again any time. Bye. Bye. From Your darling Dorval xxx
Don’t for get to write.

*  *  *
Hunkering down (Source: 1)
Pte. D.A. Saunders
16th Batt. B.E.F.
Grenade Co.
France
Oct. 28/16

Dear Zelma

Well Zelma first a few lines to let you no how things are. I am O.K. feeling fine. Hoping this leter will find you the same. Only received one letter from you since I bin over to France. Hopping to receive more soon. We have been on the hike for a weak. I was certainly tired last night when I got hear. We are resting to day. There are certainly are work over hear believe me Jimmie. I suppose you are having a fine time at the dances. And poor me Is having a hard time to duck from the old coal boxes coming over. I will be sacified if I can duck them all. Lots of gas but we got the rigs. All the Roseisle boys are still alive as far as I no. Well Jimmie how is Bernard. You never say any thing about him are you still good friends. I hope you wont get the not tied before I get back. I want to be at your dance.

My but it is a tough time hear. I expect to go in any time again Johny on the spot. My but I wish I was back just to say a few words and a good hug and kiss. I think I will close and go up to the litel French girls and have a coffee. My but there are some sweet little girls they got the English girls beat a hundred different ways.

I send my best love to the family.
Bye. Bye. From your Dorval
xxxxxx
*  *  * 
Cigarettes and cards (Source: 31)

France
Grenade Co.
Nov. 3/16

Dearest Zelma

Just a line to ans your letter as I got four a lot once hear. I am in the front lines of trench. I am writing this hear. I am well feeling fine have a fine time hear watching Fritz that is what we call him. Watch out shell hit line. Well Zelma I got 16 letters hear since I been in. 8 days. We got at first & more. I only been lousy once and that is hear it is awful. Rats eat your dinner they are as big as cats and as tame. I certainly wish I was their for dances. My but I do kick my self. We get rum twice a day. That is to put the ginger in you. It sure makes you feel fine. One could not live with out it. It is better than all the medicine in the country. We where payed to day so I bought a pad. Well Zelma can’t write much as I expect to be called on any time to do my duty. Your Sincerely friend Dorval.
xxxxxx

Best wishes to all.
The boys are playing cards in the dug out so they must be happy.

*  *  *
Canadians moving forward at Vimy Ridge (Source: 32)

France Nov. 12/16
Grenade Co.
No. 700546

Dearest Zelma

Well Zem just line to let you how I am kicking. I am still alive in Hospital. I am going out in the morning to Battalion Good Old 16th. I saw Jack More the other day in the trenches. The first for 6 weaks. I certainly was glade to see him – I thought their had something happen him. Well I am feeling weak but other ways in best of health. My I feel pretty blue at times. I feel some times when I am made and tired feeling blue just go and get full but I will leve it alone for my sake. How are all the folks remember me to tall. I wish I was their for the dances. I got a letter from Katie the other day. She certainly can write a sporty one believe me. How is George and Flossie have they gone to their own place yet. We will be going in the line in a few days again. Zem can’t you send me another picture want it so bad. To see if you are changing any let me no if Bernard Bott has left yet.

We got our hip rubber boots and sheep skin coats now ready for business.

Bye Bye From your sincerely Friend Dorval
xxxx

*  *  *
A mortar explodes over barbed wire (Source: 32)

France Dec. 9/16
Grenade Co.

Dear Zelma

Well Kiddo just a line to let you know how I feel. I am feeling O.K. Hope this letter reaches you the same. It is raining hear pretty wet weather. We are going in the line so again. I received your last letter a few days ago. But did not get time to ans till now. It certainly makes me feel lonesome when I get thoughs nice letters from Roseisle. How are all the folks. I suppose Bernard is having it hard now to. Wait till he gets over hear he will want to go back. I had a couple of parcels the other day from Mother. My but it is muddy hear. I suppose it is like that over on the Mountain. The old Hill would look good just now. We got a Draft of the __ in this Batt. now. How is Delmer getting along I suppose the sam old way. Tell him to write to his old stand Bye.

I am sending you a Christmas card Hope you get it. It is not up to much but is the best for France. I wish I could land at Learys some night and surprise you. Well I will close from your sincirly Dorval. xxxx
Remember me to all the folks.

*  *  *
Mud

 France. Dec. 25/16
Canadian Scottish
16th Batt.
B.E.F.

Dearest Zelma

Well Kiddo sorry but it is quite awill since wrote as I was busy. Well I am sorry that I have not writen but I will just not. We bin working hear all day. That what we do on Christmas tonight Kido. Yes I longt some potatoes and meat for Christmas dinner. I had a letter the other day from you I was glad when I got it.Well I will tell you the latus. The Dr. made quit smoking. I was to Hospital 3 times it was gong to hard on me So I give it up. It was putting all out. I could not do nother. I had lots of parcels so far. The Roseisle girls sent me one also The ladies aid. Well Zelma feeling fine just now only a bad cough and cold on my chest. I do have to write a lot of letters I got so many parcels I have to ans. And it sure keeps me going. It is pretty we weather hear all the time no snow yet. ‘This is some Christmas alright I sure mist it.

I wish to be remember to all the folks. As I am still kicking. Well I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon.

From your sincerely
Dorval xxxx
Write Soon.
*  *  *
Taking a break from shovelling mud (Source: 34)

France Dec. 28/16
16 Canadian Scottish
Grenade Co.
No 700546

Dearest Zelma

Well old girl just a line to let you no every thing is O.K. I am feeling fine. Let me no if you get that Christmas card. I will soon have a birthday on the 5 Jan. Well we are getting worked pretty hard. Hope you write often Zelma as I long to hear from you.

You don’t know how much I look for a letter from you. It would make me feel pretty blue Zelma if you should quit writing when I am out hear.

My how I wish I where back for some dances. Theirs lots of Frence girls but it takes good full to talk their French language. I wish to send my best wishes to the old folks. We are having pretty cold hear now. No snow yet. We will be in the trenches soon again. We had a bad accident the other day throughing bombs. One bust to quick and killed two men & injured seven or eight. It was sure a funny thing how it happened. Well Zelma I am sure fed up with it hear.

I will close. From your loving friend Dorval
Write Soon xxxx
xxxxx

*  *  *
Wounded awaiting transport (Source: 1)

France Jan. 1/1917
16th Canadian Scottish
No 1 Co.
No 700546

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma just a line to let you no I am still kicking and still alive – received your letter to night a Christmas card. I was pleased to receive it. Well I have a birthday in France in four more days. Tell George and Flossie to cheer up theirs a good time coming. Well Zelma I sure which I was back. I suppose Bernard is getting lonesome to if he is not he will over hear. We had a big feed of turkey new years night. It was sure swell. We had a big night that amt. I had a sore hand for two days. I will soon be in the trenches again. I saw Jack again on Sunday. I received four letters to night. There is not much to say only remember me to all the folks. Be sure and kiss my little girl Evolin. Well I will close thinking you very much for your card. Your Sincerely friend Dorval. xxxx

*  *  *
View over the ridge (Source: 1)

France. Jan. 12/1917
16th Canadian Scottish
1 Co. Bomber

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma received your very welcome letter to night. Well I am feelling fine O.K. We had a half day off to-day so I am writing a few lines. Well Zelma I hear from Katie once and a while but not very often. I suppose Bernard will be over hear soon. Theirs a big bombardment on we can hear it plain. It has been on four quite a while. Well Zelma it wont be much longer be for we are back. He has to much on his hands now. I have not saw Jack for about three weaks. We are going in the line soon. We was on a big march yesterday my but it was a hard one it was all I could do. Their was more than me. I can stay with the next in a march. Well Zelma all I ask is just keep up your good work in answering my letters. You are doing fine. It makes me feel a hundred percent better when I receive a letter. I have wrote to George and Flossie but have not got any answer. Well I will close. From your loving friend Dorval.
xxxxx
Remember me to all.

*  *  * 
Going over the top (Source: 35)

Feb. 3/1917

Dear Zelma

Well old girl how is the world using you. I received your welcome letter two nights ago. Well I am still kicking and feeling fine. I will be in the trenches in a few day. I think by the way things are going it wont be long before I will be back to Dear old Roseisle. I suppose Bernard is getting sick of thins now. I wish I was where I could have a little dance with Zelma. Do you now here? Well Zelma you will have to do something very bad to make me stop writing to you as long as you write. Well my hands are so cold I can hardly write.

Tell George and Flossie to write. I write every little while and never get any answer. It is froze hard hear. From now on it will be getting soft and sloppy. Well I will close hoping this will find all you folks in very best of health.

I am your Sincirly
Friend Dorval
xxxx
*  *  *
View from the ridge (Source: 1)

Feb. 23. 1917
France

Dearest Zelma

Well Zelma just a line to let you no every thing is O.K. And feeling fine. Received your two letters latly and was certainly was glade to get it. I got one when we went in the trenches and on in their. But could not answer till I got out. We certainly had a hard trip this time. Its mudy and wet hear raining also. My but she was mudy in the line this trip. I got a letter from Bernard the same night I got yours he is in the 78th. They are in the fort of the line we left not far from hear. I might run across him. Have not seen Jack for some time hope he is alright. I am writing with a candle for light. The boys are jumping and singing yelling they had a few drinks but you no I don’t touch it you know that. Well Zelma wish I was back believe me I wont leave home again. How is eery body their. Why dont George write is he sore at me ask what is wrong. Tell him to write. He would write if he new how I apreciate a letter out in this country. Well we will soon start the big work then it will tell. Well Old girl I am sure home sick. I am nervous and shaking to night I can hardly write. I will sure answer your leters as they make me feel as good as the rum issue some times it makes me feel pretty like the old soldiers word. What is Delmar doing is he still around. Well Zelma I think your Birthday is on the 12 of March is it not. Well you will have to excuse that seeing where I am. I would like to see Bernard to see how every thing is. And have a little talk with him. My but I am shaky to night can’t hold my hand still. Remember me to all the folk tell them I love them in the same old way. To bad about the baby hope she is better by now. To bad about your uncle Billy he was getting up in years. Hope you excuse this scribbling as it is the best to night.

I will put this in a green envelope so it wont be centured. My but I wish I could land in Old Roseisle again it would not be long be for I was up to the Mountain. I guess you have cold weather their yet. Well I will ring off. Hoping this letter reaches you in very best of health. From your loving friend
Dorval
Some where in France
xx xxxx lots of
love and kisses

*  *  *
Inspecting a captured gun (Source: 1)

Mar. 6/1917
France

Well Zelma just a line to let you no I am O.I. And feeling not to bad. I am writing this in a nice deep dug out by candle light. The boys are playing cards every one is happy. We have sure got some muddy weather hear. Up to our knees.

Nice moon light nights hear and not very cold. Well Zelma I am waiting for a letter from you so I had nothing to do so I thought I would drop you a few lines.

Well Zelma Bernard is right around hear. But I have not found him yet. I wrote to him answered his letter but have not had any word yet.

They had quite a few causaltees hear. I was just wondering if he was unlucky or not. I saw Jack the other day he is alright getting along fine. We sure have some long talks when we meet. The boys in the 43th are still alive as far as I know. She is pretty lively up hear. I sure have a nice cold just now. Wish I was where you could rub my throat. Well Zelma their will be a lively old face if we all get back. To bad I could not get you a birthday present well this is sure some life. Well I will ring off. Sending my best wishes to all. From your loving Friend Dorval
somewhere in France
xxxxxxx

*  *  *
Captured German prisoners marched through town (Source: 1)

Mar. 14/1917
France

Dearest Zelma

Just a line to let you know I am still alright feeling fine. Have not had any mail for a weak or maybe more. We have been in the line. My but it is muddy. We are in mud up to our hips, Rainning all the time. Well I met Jack going in the line as we where coming out. The mud is something awfull. Well I wrote to Mother yesterday so thought I would write to you. She is certainly some war hear. I think we will all be home soon. We took up some good posions lately. I guess I will close. From your loving
Friend Dorval. From One who never forgets you. xxxx

*  *  * 
Returning troops - the lucky ones (Source: 1)

April 7/1917
France

Dear Zelma

Well old girl just line to let you no I am in best of Health feeling fine. I had a card from Bernard he is alright. Well Zelma have not received a letter for a long time from you looking for one soon. Well Zelma I would like to tell you a lot of new but I can’t. Well Zelma cheer up a good time coming it wont be long before we are all back again. I hope you excuse this paper as it is all I can get. I have received lot of mail lately. Hope this reaches you folks in best of health. Their great things happening hear. Remember me to all the folks.

You can give my good little girl a kiss. Hug her good for me. What is George and Flossie doing? My it is muddy hear all the time. Raining snowing hailing. Well this is all I can tell you. I will have to close from your Loving friend Dorval
Write soon. xxxxxxx