The Earl Campbell Story - Life In The Army

Battle of the Canal Du Nord and Cambrai September 27 to October 11, 1918

Sep 29, 1918, France letter to Pauline

Prisoners

Dear Pauline Now I have just finished my supper of stew & jam. So I think I am quite able to scribble you a sort of a letter. I know I owe you one anyway. I rec yours of Sept 7th last night. Allways had one from Ella & Colin. That Aster you had in the letter or is it a Aster. I am wearing it in my cap. Am glad to hear that Arch is still at home. There is no place like home you know. I found it out a million times. Well Pauline, Fritzie had his heart broken last night. The Yanks went over the top at them. They sure did get a licking. A licking that made Fritzie think that the Canucks were at him. All day long groups of prisoners have marched pass us. I am sure I've seen over 2000 of the dogs. Our Artillary and the French certainly put up a bombardment thro the night. One that kept me and my pals awake all night. But I did'nt mind loosing any sleep as long as we were winning. Well poor H. Jacks has been wounded. He only got it slight tho. But I guess his right arm will be stopped for writing letters for a week or two. He was hit in the arm by shrapnel. I had another letter from C. Williams. He was hit below the knee. The three shin-bones were cut in two. Am glad he did not get it in the thigh bone. So it will be a swell cushion eh. The stuff to give him eh. How does Dad & Arch look in their grey suits. Some class I say. But waite until I get my civie suit. It will be a long way off from the colour of khaki. I will wear yellow before I wear ------ again. Let me know how Arch made out in the foot-ball and foot-racing. Arch should be a wiz bang at it now. I think I am done at the short race. But I guess I can make you go some for 2 or 3 miles yet. I'll show you when I get back, ha-ha. Well Pauline it is just about dark now. And I can't keep a candle burning at nights. Some one might drop a message at us from the sky. So Au Revoir Sister. Hope all are well and doing good. Best of love to all, Bro Earl Write soon again.

September , 1918 Postcard from Earl to Flossie, Belgium

Dear Flossie. Bonjour Floss how are you getting along with the weeds, suppose you are killing them while the sun shines. Have you been to the Ex this year. I am having a good time now, not guns to keep you awake at nights. And no wizz bangs to dodge from. We are only 10 minutes walk from ---------- (black out by the censor). Suppose Arch will be ploughing now or is he to busy kicking footballs with King. I hear they are the Champions this, well done for them. Does Cuttie play with them. I have not heard from May or Harold since I've been wounded, hope to hear from you all soon. Your Bro Earl

Oct 14, 1918 Postcard sent from Earl – French Troops Earl writes on the back of the postcard: These are French troops and very good heads they are too. Be sure and keep the card will you. I will tell you all about it when I get home. These men don't know what death is. Very brave. The lad was hit with shrapnel who I got this from. See how it is riddled up.


Oct 21, 1918, France written in pencil

Dear Sister Merelda, I was very glad to hear from you & Harold the other day. That photo of you, Dolly, Merle, Ed and two kids of Harvey's is very good. I don't think you look old in the photo. But I do think that you are looking better than ever I've seen you. You are much fatter now than you use to be. Not so much running about I guess. You are getting wiser eh. Yes it is a good photo of you allso good of Merle H. I forget all about Dolly, Ed and Folliotts two kids. I can hardly remember their appearance. But sanferyann to me.

Glad you had a bon time at the Ex. I suppose you missed the train on purpose didn't you. Something like I use to do in olden days, ha-ha. Days that are very close again. I haven't rec Pauline & Flossies letter telling me about their trip to the Ex. But I suppose it will be here soon. Harold & wife will be in the States now I suppose. So He will spent all winter in the States. If I am home this winter he'll not I bet. How did Arch make out at Sir Henry's. Lick all up I suppose. I heard C. Williams the other day. He is at Convelsence now. Kelly is with him. And he said Sam Armstrong lost one of his strong arms in the last fight. I am sorry about poor Sam. But is sure of Canada now. His people will feel bad about it. But he is far better that way then been a stiff over here. What do you think? Sis. Am glad to hear of another box approaching this hungry boy. I wonder is that any baccy in it. Just give Arch a hint that I would like a chew of old Mac's and a small pipe full of Shamrock. Well Merelda we are having wet weather now. But I don't mind it at all as long as we are winning the war. He is sure getting a licking now. He will likely stick if for a few months yet. A few means a couple, ha-ha. I had a line from Bertha again. She is stuck on a red haired lad over here in my Coy. F. Ashbourne from Aurora. Every letter I get from her she allways tells me about him. Oh how she loves him. But I don't tell Fred that. He just hate her as much as you love chubby. I had better shut up for this time. It is nearly bed time so I will leave it as it's a long letter. But not as long as one as my big Sis Merelda writes to me. Take good care of yourself. And tell the rest to be good as they can. Write me soon,

Au Revoir, Mon Cherie, Sis, Loving Bro. Earl

Oct 27, 1918, France letter to Pauline
Many of the soliders at the Front longed for home and as you can see from Earl's comments a simple photo of home brings back memories.

Dear Pauline, Well I don't hardly know which of my Sisters at home to write too tonight. But I will let it slide to you this time. Yours & Flossies of Sept 30th arrived to me last night. I was glad to get a peep at the old home one more. It is a good photo. The moose horns are still on the barn. I can make out Dad standing against the fence by the veranda. But I can't make out who is bending for a pail of water. Merelda's letter of Oct 1st arrived safe to me last night allso. So I had a good nights reading. I am glad you & Flossie beat in the Ladies race at Sir H. Pellatts. You two must had went some allright. You say you were at your supper when the rest finished. I am not going to run against you anytime. If that is the speed you travel. “My word what speed” ha-ha. Maybe young Ellsworth was beside you two when you were running. He cheered you on I suppose. Do you get that News FLYS fast. What did you keep him from coming over here for? Answer that question. Maybe he had a C. Category did he. That category is 15 and under, ha-ha. I am very glad to hear that Arch got off like he has. I was thinking every day about that. He will be jake now if he watch himself. But I hope the war is all over by the time he has to report himself in Toronto. Has the hen hatched off those eggs yet? The nest Mother found I mean. They will be off in time of Xmas dinner maybe. So Floss was a returned soldier one day. I see she still has her old ways yet. I had many a fright from her by dressing up that way. But I don't think she could get my wind up now. Say has Rory Oflinn (cat) come back the second time yet. Is it a cat or man; It is a very wise thing what ever it is anyway. If I was home I would take it a hundred and umpteen miles away from home. I bet it would'nt come back then. I think you had better keep Tony. He will be a nice looking one after he grows another 3 or 4 years. I don't think much of TinkerTory tho. Sounds to much like a Fritize's name , ha-ha.

So Floss is ready for College eh, good for her. She is a better scholar than her big long brother. But she must not ever let her brain get exhausted in writing to me. She sent me two hot candy's in her letter. They were good to. My Annie was asking all about me. Why she doesn't need to ask you girls about me. I write to her every night nearly. She sent me a snap of her. She had her football suit on. What do you think of my big Annie. She is the kind to have, eh. No C. Category about her eh. Well Pauline news has just about all ran up. I should write Flossie a few lines along with this. But I guess she will not mind. My officer does'nt like to see to many letters written to the same home at the same time. I'll have to write Merelda soon tho. I owe her one now. I am glad she said she had sent me a box on the 1st. They are great things. Well must get into bed now. We are still in the blown down city yet. The French has a cinema in it . A bunch of we lads go to it at nights. Moonlight nights nothing doing at it on account of Fritzy's bombing planes. If he ever see a light burning look out. This city has been a very pretty city in peace time. The 3rd largest in France I guess. But not now tho. Well I must get in. Light but has gone. So Au Revoir, Mon Cheri Sis, Best love to all at home, Loving Bro Earl.

P.S. Write me soon again. I'll write Florence some of these days. Fredie was well the last I seen of him. B. Good to yourself.

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