The Earl Campbell Story - Life In The Army

May 1, 1918, London, England - telling his Mother about a "girl he intends to marry"

"My Dear Mother,

Well Mother you will be wondering how I am getting along on my 10 days leave. I have had a wonderful fine time up to now. I sent a cable to May for 12 £. She sent an a answer back. Do you want money. This morning I sent another one saying yes right away before I go back to my Depot. I will likely get the money Friday morning. I really hope so anyway. I am right on the rocks now. The first time I have ever been broke on leave. Oh it is a funny feeling, ha-ha. Well Mother I had better tell you now. I have to sometime anyway. I have a girl and I intend to marry her. But you said I was not to get married in England so I am bringing her to dear old Canada with me. She is a lovely little girl. I know you will all love her. I don't think I could get one as good in Canada. I have been amonst a great number of girls since I left Canada. But none are like the one I have now. She is just longing for to go to Canada and some day before long you will see her. I could not waite for all my girls in Canada. I wonder what some of them will think of me, ha-ha. I sent Merelda a post card yesterday from here, hope she get it o.k. Well Mother I will close now. And will write again as soon as I get back to my Depot. I do not know what my address will be there yet. Hope all are in the very best of Health,

Bye-Bye
Your Loving Son, Earl.

May 8, 1918, 3rd C.C.D., Seaford

Dear Merelda,

Well here I am back from my leave. I had a wonderful time in London this time. My little girl took me all over. I am at Seaford Camp, right beside the Coast. It is a very pretty camp. I am not doing any training yet. But expect to in a day or two.

Well Merelda you all will be surprise when I tell you I meet Percy Butler to-day. He did not know me at all. But I knew him allright. He is just the same as ever. He has been here for 5 weeks now. His Father died last week so he is getting 3 months leave home to help with the work. He says George Tate is in Army Post Office having a soft snap. I will put in a high old time with Percy while I am here. I great number of the 127 lads are here. This camp is only for the rest oneself up. When they are ready for Active Service they go over as reinforcements. I guess I will be sent back with my own Battalion. Well Merelda I will close for this time. But will write in a day or two. My mail is a little slow this time. Have not had any from home since I left Monk's Horton.

My address is now

Sap. N.E. Campbell
No. 779051
2nd Can. Rly Tps,
3rd C.C.D.
Seaford, Sussex, England

Percy will write to you soon. Hope all are in the best of Health. Love to all, Loving Bro Earl"

May 18, 1918 3rd C.C.D., Seaford

Dear Merelda,

Just received a letter from you to-night. The first I had for 2 weeks. You had written it Apr. 18th and addressed it to Monk's Horton. So Harold has been at Monk's Horton to. He can't say it is a pretty place anyway. I found it a very lonesome hole. But we could go into Folkstone twice a week that livened it up a bit. Pauline had put a line or two in with your letter. She had sent me all your photos, ha-ha. Some photos too. You just ask her about them. Am glad you like the music I sent you. Good Byee is a great song among us Canucks over here and in France. Yes I heard of Harry Bovair being wounded in the great fight. But is it right about poor Roy Wells meeting his doom. I heard that he was wounded. I hope he has not gone to the dogs. He was a great chum of mine. Henry will know him well. How does Henry & Merle like the new farm in King. I have forgotten where Jim Patton's farm was. Tell them I will write to them soon. This morning I received my Birthday box from home. It is a beauty everything was jake excepting the little short-cake. It had taken sea-sick, ha-ha. I have not open the can of honey yet. Will have a feed of it before I go to bed tho. The 3 plugs of baccy looks jake to me. They will come in handy while I am doing P.T. and B.F also the route marches. They are certainly training us here. I say there must be a war on somewhere. I tried my hardest for to swing it for Canada, but nothing doing. I am too fit a guy yet. But maybe the war will be over by the time I am ready for going over again. I am not near fit enough for France yet, last week I reported sick my temperature was 101. The M.O. said Campbell you take easy for the day. Next day they had me at it hard as ever. I can't sling it around these Officers here. One just had to be about dead before they will look at you. I hate the very sights of these gentlemen as we call them. On the top of the box I found a photo of a group of Nurses, Ruth is the only one I know in it. I also rec the Laskay Red Cross box packed by Floss. And also one from the King Girls. So you see I have a great stock of eats in one hand now. Clara Ross's box to me went to France. So my chum Wellman got it. Yes I have certainly been a lucky lad for to miss that awful fight we had in France. The old 127 Batt done great work allright. They are with the best of fighters. No yellow streaks in Col. Clarke's outfit. Dad and Arch must have had been working for to get the seeding in so early. I was sure I would have been home for to help with it. Percy Butler has gone home for 3 or 4 months. His Father was killed so he has leave to go home and work the land. He is the same old boy. But is much fatter now. If I get my draft leave. I will go and see him. But chances are I will get no Draft leave. They are sending troops right over without their leave. I did not go out to Eccles. I had not Duncan's address. Eccles is a large place you know. And I don't think I would be able to find his people. How is Colin getting along farming. Has he a man? He will have to get a girl I guess, ha-ha. There are & awful bunch of these W.A.A.C girls over here. They should be sent to Canada for on the farm. Harold will know what they are like for working. What was the matter with Harold when he was sent to the Hospital? I hope he is soon better again. I have not meet any of the Miller boys yet. Well Merelda, this will be all for this time. Write to me soon and often. Love to all, and hope all are in the very best of Health. Your Loving Bro. Earl

Sap. N.E. Campbell
No. 779051
2nd Can. Rly. Tps
3rd, C.C.D
Seaford, Sussex, England

May 28, 1918, Seaford Camp, 3rd C.C.D.

Dear Merelda,

Well must write home again or you will be thinking I am on my way home. No chance of that tho. It is awful hard for one to get to Canada just now. Men are needed so bad in France. I am keeping away from the Drafts for France the best I can here. And will continue. How did you all spend the 24th? We had a good day of Sports here at Seaford. I was into the football. My teamtook 2nd prize out of 6 teams. I did not do any racing at all, frightened of getting beat. I have not heard from home since I left Monk's Horton. I had two boxes from home tho. My Birthday box and the Laskay R + one packed by Floss. The honey was sure a treat Merelda. I wish Mother would send me some more. Maybe she will if I keep good. We are having the best of weather here. A little to hot for drilling tho. But we have to do it. Yesterday we went on a 12 mile route march thro the country. It was some hot day to. We could not take our tunic's off or on button them. We are a bunch of hot lads allright. Most of us went into the sea for a cool off last night. How many chickens has Pauline hatched out. Tell her not to be stealing Dad's good wheat for them. She can go into the cellar and swipe cake and bread. I suppose you don't seen any airships over in Canada. There are quite a few around here. They are a lovely sight in the air. And they travel like the wind. Well Merelda I will not write any more to-day. There might be Canadian mail for me to-night. Hope so anyway. Write me as soon as you like. And tell all. Hope all is well. Au Revoir, Bro. Earl

Sap. N.E. Campbell
No. 779051
2nd Can. Rly Tps
3rd C.C. Depot
Seaford, Sussex, Blighty

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