The Earl Campbell Story -
Red Cross Boxes from Home & Souvenirs from the Front

Earl made references to the number of letters he received from home and the contents of the care packages. The people of King supported the King lad overseas through letters and care packages. October 25, 1916, p.1 "I had 10 letters from Canada this week. 2 from Merelda. The fellows in my hut say that I get more letters than the whole Battalion. Well there is nothing like letters from Canada over here from Home anyway.

Oct 25, 1916, p.2 letter to Mother:

"I have not received the box yet. I should have had it before now. I certainly would enjoy a box from home. So you had a jar of honey for me to. I know you all know that I like a bit of honey."

Oct 29, 1916, p.1 letter to Mother:

"I am writing to let you all know that I received that long look for box. I got it last-night. You will know what a hearty supper I ate. I am sorry to say that the ginger bread was to mouldy for me to eat. I felt like going for it, it looked very good that was all that was spilt. I made myself a drink of OXO tea before I got into bed. It was a good drink will save the other one for to-night. Geo Teasdale's candies were very good as long as they lasted me. I know the tree them two apples came from I gave L.Robb one of them. Tell Merelda the pie was crushed like a pancake. But it tasted like the pie I use to hook out of the cellar. .. The jar of honey was safely landed the lid was crack. You should have saw the tin box when I got it hinges all over it."

Nov 18, 1916, p.2

"I had a letter from May today also a box of home-made candy and a little pie. Grace made the candy…. It is very good of the Laskey League girls to send us boxes of eats. They know what we need most of all."

Nov 30, 1916 from Bordon Camp, (p.2)

"I had a box from Vic Hall to-day a pair of socks, a shirt a kerchief and some tobacco. I will never run short of clothes this winter anyway."

Dec 9, 1916, p.3

"I told you in my last letter the boxes which I have received and was so glad to get them. Annie and Clara sent me a box some time ago. Have not it yet tho I know it will be a dandy. And I am longingly waiting for it. The Girl Guides of King sent me a box with a pair of socks, a shirt, a handkerchief and some tobacco. I had a dandy box from May yesterday. I would like to send all of you something for sending me all these boxes. But you all know the amount of money a soldier gets. So little that it doesn't allow me to."

Dec 19, 1916, p.1 from Bordon Camp, Surrey

"I have not the Girl Guides of King box yet or Clara's or Annie's yet. I hope they are not lost. We do so much moving that it is hard for all the boxes to follow us. I tell you how many boxes I have gotten 2 from home, 1 from May, 1 from Ruth, 1 from Gertie Patton, 1 from Vic Hall

Jan 4, 1917 p. 4

" I sent some photo's home a few years days ago. Let me know if you got them A photo of Sam Gourley and myself. And one of Clarence Bowhey. Am glad you got the one of Frank and myself. It will be sometime before I can get some taken here." "I am glad to hear you are sending another box. I have not got the one with the Safty Razor yet." "Yes Reddy Osborne is still with us yes I see him ever day. But Art Trent is down the line 10 miles with No.1.

Jan 14, 1917, p. 2 Earl writes to his Mother from Somewhere in France. He started the letter on the 14th of January ..

"I sit down to write this is the 18th. We had to move farther up the line on the 14th. So I had not time to finish the letter."..." I received the box you sent me from home. Allso the Laskay R.C. one which was packed by Lizzie Brown. And I had another one from Ruth. They all came the one day, the last day I was in England. It was sure a great treat in the boat and train. I finished the can of honey yesterday and the Shamrock which George sent me. I have it yet. I have great fun trying to talk with the French people. You might as well talk to a post as try to talk to them. They think a great deal of the Canadians tho. One station we jumped off. The women and girls gave us lots of eats."

Feb 6, 1917 postcard



Apr 7, 1917,Somewhere in France (written in pencil) to Arch:

"Tell Merelda I received the box which Old Bert Ireland packed for me. I sure made short work of it. I wasn't long in finding the Stag in the toe of the sock. The candles were very useful to. It is sometime since I have saw a lamp. I have not the other boxes yet tho. I had a letter from Harold. He sent me a Dollar Bill. I will keep it for good luck. Am also keeping the Shinplaster Merelda sent me.

Apr 13, 1917, Somewhere in France, p.1 (in pencil)

"I have been waiting until my birthday box arrived before I wrote home. The prize landed in to me last night. Everything thing is jake. Serg Ross brought it into my tent just before lights out, half past eight. You can be sure I had a meal before I went to sleep. The birthday cake was great. I can't call it ginger bread because it has the icing on it. In the toe of the sock I found the camphor. It was around my neck that night. Bill Wellman and Bill Harding of Richmond Hill sleep on each side of me. This morning when they woke up they started to scratch like theirselves in good shape. They said 'Yek' your – darn crawlers left me and got on them last night. I said 'I should worry as long as they get off me. It sure is dope for them.' I am writing in pencil which I found in the parcel. I will put the bathing suit on pretty soon. I also received the money order. I gave it to Capt. Adams to cash into French Money."

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