The Earl Campbell Story - Life In The Army

Armistice

Dec 3, 1918, R.R. No. 1 King letter to Earl from Annie Sturdy.

Dear Earl: I received your letter of Nov. 5 a few days ago. It was written just about a wk before the armistice was signed. My that is surely the greatest news the world has ever had. You seemed to know you had your job nearly finished too, eh? Well, we didn't here. I bet you would hardly be able to control yourself. By the way how did you sleep when the noise had ceased? We have just heard Harry Bovair is expected home anyday now. I wonder if he'd rather be here or over there ‘now'. They say that her and Art met in Eng. Art was drafter you know.

… Annie S.

Dec 4, 1918, France Letter from Earl.

On page 3 Earl makes reference to the War being over and what it was like when the guns ceased. In this letter Earl talks about being homesick and wanting to be home. It is the first letter he has written that he signed simply "Me"

My Dear Sister

Your welcome letter of Nov 5th arrived to me to-night. Allso Pauline's of the 12th. I am glad you all have escape that Flu so far. It is a awful sickness to have. I'll not forget when I had just a slight touch of it. It is no Bon, Merelda. I have been feeling very tough to-day. I was thinking I was getting the Trench Fever & Spanish Flu again. A chum of mine by the name of Blackwood and nicknamed Boston coaxed for me to go down to Le-Cateau Theatre. So I went along with him. I enjoyed the show fine. And now I feel jake. I guess I was only homesick all day and tho I was getting the Flu, ha.

Say Merelda, those two photos you sent along in the letter are fine. You say you will not tell me whom they are. Well I will tell you who they are. The one in Harold's khaki uniform is Miss Pauline and the tall lassie in the Conductor's uniform is Miss Floss. But to save my bacon in the morning I don't know who the lassie in White is. And I can't guess the young gentleman either. He looks like a Maple or Teston Rube tho. What do you think eh. I am surprise to see how Pauline and Floss have grown. They sure look fine. I am afraid I'll have my hands full when I get back. How ever can I handle you and those two young Sisters of mine. Arch will have to be with me tootsweet for reinforcement for me. A couple of nights ago I had a box from the Laskay R+ Mary packed mine. And say but she did pack it too. Such a heap came out of her box. She is no stingy girl I can easily see that. I am jolly glad the tart across the fields did not pack mine. Get me there, eh, ha-ha. I wrote Mary thanking her for her kindness to me. I must send her something. I'll wait until we get to Blighty tho. Presents & souviners in France are so high they nearly reach the clouds. We will likely be in Blighty in another week. All we do now is a few hours Squad & rifle drill. The French came in to Le-Cateau yesterday. They are taking our line over. They can't kick me out of this country to soon. I am fed up with the eyes on it. A homesick lad am this one, ha-ha. Take me back to Dear Old Canada. Put me on train for Toronto Town. I'll not tell you the rest, ha-ha. Pauline was saying the night they heard the War was over. The guys with their legs chopped off were climbing the tele phone poles in Toronto. Lucky the live wires hang high in the air or they might try skinning the cat on them. I'll not forget the day in this country when all the Guns ceased that noise of theirs. I turned umpteen hand springs in the air before I hit the earth. That's something all can't do, ha-ha. Well this is the 6th move I'll make sure I'll finish the letter this time. I have not started for home yet. But the time is soon now. I see by the English papers that some of the Canucks are on the way for home. Gosh I wish they would hurry up and put me on a boat for that good old Country called Canada. Well Merelda, I got another box last-night for the King people. I don't know who sent or packed it for me. So you can tell them next time you see any of them. It is very nice box I know it has been some Daisy who packed it. But she was to shy to put her name in the box for fear I might write her a few well lines of love to her – ha-ha. Oh say tell Mother I sent her a German helmet. Tin Lizzie's we call ems. I sent it about wk ago. I hope she get it ok. I put a hard tack in it for her. Floss can have it for her breakfast some morning. Tell her not to put it in boiling water for 24 hours or maybe it would get a wee soft. They are a jake biscuit for sharpen one teeth, mine are like razors now. Well Merelda, I believe I have shot you enough bull for this time. I had better save some for another time. I may be in Blighty for Xmas. But I do wish I was home for Xmas. I guess we could have a bit of skating eh. Oh gee, I am homesick so better close. I'll write Pauline, next time. Au Revoir Mon Cherie, Love to all . Will see you very soon.

Me.

Dec 13, 1918, Belgium letter to Mereleda. Earl mentions the bridge they need to rebuild blown up by the Germans the day the Armistice was signed.

Dear Merelda & All,

Well here I am again, not on my way home yet! But hold on I am coming soon, ha-ha. We left France a few days ago. Now we are billeted in Old Belgium. In the town of Fontain-Velmont it is south east of Mons. There has been no fighting done here since 1914. All the civilians that were captured in '14 are here and they can sure tell you something about the way they were used by the Huns. My Platoon is living in a lovely Chateau 3 stoves in it, tables of all sorts. It is the best home we had in Belgium or France. The people are so kind to us too. I must tell you what the old Lady next door to us done this morning. About 6 o'clock she came in we were all sprawled out in bed on the floor. Some awake and some snoring like hogs. She made her way to the stove and put on a roasting fire for us. We were all surprise to see what she had done for us. We have allways been use to making our own fires on in the mornings. That is if we had any fuel. Very seldom we had none tho. And last night she and her husband brought us in a large dish of roasted Belgium potatoes and a picture of Belgium Beer. They said we would sleep well on that. And we sure did. The young lads and girls around here are very nice to us to. They open a dancing Hall every night. And we must go to have a dance. I am a good dancer now. But I tell you it is a funny dance and hard on to do. I am afraid of getting dizzy and going off my head. It is something like a merry-go-round to me. The whole Battalion will be here in a few days, first B. Coy is here now. We will be here for Xmas and likely be on the way home by New Years, hoy-ray, hoy-ray. They say we will sail from Ostend been it is so close to us. Ostend to New York but I don't care where we sail from as long as we get on the way for that dear old land over there. We have a big bridge to build here than we are finished. Fritz blew it up in the morning Armistice came. And they had 40 tons of explosives ready for a larger bridge the minute they got the cable. It would take us two months to build one like it if they ever blew it up. It is a bridge across the Mons river something in the style of the St. Lawrence Bridge. Only not so large, ha-ha. The bridge we have to build is about 100 ft long and about 30 ft high. Well Merelda I guess I have told you enough for this time. Let us know how you all spent Xmas. The Col will be giving the Batt a high old time here. He gave us a good time last Xmas in France. But I missed it. I had a time in Aberdeen. Well here wishing you all had a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Years. Au Revoir. Write me soon.

Love to all, Bro Earl.

Postcard sent in December 21, 1919 letter – Fontaine Velmont Bridge

This pastel drawing of a boy was also included in the Dec. 21, 1918 letter




Dec 24, 1918 – R.R. # 1, King, Pleasant View Farm from Masie to Earl. She writes of the war being over.

Dear Earl

Don't it seems very strange to think the war is over and all the awful worry is a thing of the past. I am sure you fellows was glad when peace was proclaimed. Toronto went mad corn starch and talcum powder was tavished on everybody. Do you know knox was brought out and everyone you met was covered white, such a time it was awful.

Well Earl I wish you had been here Saturday night Dec 23 is Albert birthday. We had a crowd and played all kind of games until 12 o'clock we certainly had immense time. Art Walker and family were here. The flue is very bad around here Folliott all have it, Hamilton all have it George & Mrs Patton and Gertie or down with it and lots of other. We have escaped it so far. Our crops turned very good (very heavy). We had 600 bags of potatoes and lots of roots. Jesse is teaming the potatoes to Toronto they are a good price. Well Earl I am sending you a snap. I want you to tell me who they are. They were sent to me. We were expecting you home for Xmas and don't see why they will not let you come. I am sure the folks at home will be glad of your home coming. There will be a welcome for you anyway for you have done your duty for King and country. Now Earl as you may have time see all you can while over there for it is your last chance and them huns how they skunk the coward they are (they are beaten)

Mother is stuffing two ducks for to-morrow (Christmas). Well Earl it is shame that I don't write oftener for really I have been very busy. Dear Earl I hope you have escaped. News is getting very scarce. Will close. Hoping you are well as us. We join in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I remain as ever your Friend,

Maisie Richards

P.S. Remember us to the other fellows around King & Laskay

Dec 28, 1918,

Dear Brother

Just a few lines to you to-day, hoping this finds you in the best of health and on your way for home. Well Earl I am writing this in bed. A queer place to write letters in isn't it. I wouldn't be hear if I could help it but it is the Doctor's orders, for I was taken with the Influenza on Christmas night I never slept a wink. My legs, arms, back and head did nothing but throb. The next morning we got the Doctor. Doctor Lockard was sick so he sent a new Doctor.

The other pages were missing.



Dec 29, 1918 Belgium, Earl writes of coming home the 1st of January.

Dear Mother, Just a few more lines from this Country again. I guess this will be my last letter from France to you. News is going around that we sail for England 1st Jan. It is good news for this lad allright. I'll soon be home again. I'll be home before my Birthday I think. Clarence Bowhey and Frank Locuas, Jack Stubbs went a week ago. Several more of my comrades went also. Old B.Coy is very small now.

Well Mother what kind of a time did you all have Xmas. I hope you had a jolly time. I will have my next Xmas with you. We had a fine time her on Xmas. A big table was set out for us. And plenty of goose, mutton, beef, oranges, apples, beer, wine. Oh we had everything that day. Just the two Coys are here in this town. D Coy and B. A and C are 10 or 15 miles from here. The people here are awful good to us. They sure think a great deal of the Canadians. We are the first British troops they have seen in this war. The Germans had this town and all the people in their hands since 1914.

I visit one family every night. They are learning me French & Belgium language. At least the only daughter of the family is, ha-ha. I allso learn her English. She is bound to go to Canada after I go back. She looks a great deal like Pauline. I think that is why Yek as she calls me took a fancy to her, ha-ha.

Well Mother, I see the Xmas box you sent. A dandy one to, that honey and butter was a fine treat. And Merelda can sure make good ginger snaps and Xmas cake. I am using the blue pencil Floss sent me. The time is close so when Yek will not need a pencil or pen. Well Mother, I must close now. I hope this is my last letter to you & all form this Country. Hope to see you all again very soon. Best love and good wishes to all at home.

Bye-Bye
Your Loving Son, Earl

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