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

Sep 2, 1918, King letter from Merelda she mentions the number of boxes sent overseas.

We are going to have Field Day on the 18 Sept. at Pellatts & expect a big time. The sports start at 11.30 and there is to be a supper, concert & dance admission to all $1.25 it will break me alright. I'll send you a Bill as soon as they are printed. The Queens Own Band has to supply the music. Col. Pellatt is getting home on furlough & they expect him there. Old Sir Henry is helping this year so expect it will be a success. There is to be all kinds of sports, football, baseball, racing, throwing the caber, climbing the greasy pole & etc. Dad is practicing throwing the caber & Arch is training for the races. He is going in the mile race against E. Orr, D.McMillan, ?? Cousins. Bill Trent & Finch. He would have beat Dan at Aurora on the 1st of July if there had been fair play. There is to be a relay race too. Arch, Cuttie & Trent against E. Orr, Dan & Vic. Orr. It will be some race alright. I wish you could be there to beat them all, eh? The proceeds all go to the King boys. We will have a time packing boxes then. There was 78 boxes sent last year after Pellatts field day and this year there are more boys to pack for because they send to all that's gone from King community. We had a League social at Laskay last Thurs. We made $23.00 are going to pack boxes next Tues so you'll get another one. I am Presd of the Social Com (Committee) now so I'll see that there's lot of boxes sent, ha-ha. I wonder if you got our last box with a suit of underwear in it and did you get the $20.00 yet. It was sent from the Bank a quicker way of sending registered. I guess I'll write on both sides so the letter will not be overweight.

Sep 23, 1918, In the Field letter sent to Mother

Dear Mother..
p.2 Tell Merelda I receive the Laskay R + box she packed for me. It was a dandy one. And I was as hungry as a timber wolf the day I got it. I knew she baked some of the cake which was in it. I can pick her cooking out of any box.

Sept 30, 1918, King letter from Merelda to Earl. Merelda writes of the Sir Henry Pellatt's field day and the raising of money that would go towards the packing of boxes for soldiers at the Front.

We cleared over $60.00 at Pellatts Field Day. So that is to send boxes to you boys. I don't know when they are going to pack.

Oct 1, 1918, King Merelda continues here letter dated Sept 30, 1918.

Dear Earl,

Just a few lines more this a.m. to say we are sending a box consisting of socks, honey, eats & smokes. Hope you get it o.k. Hope the little pies are not mouldy, be sure & tell me if they keep alright. If they do I'll send more. The handkerchief is from Harold it was one of his & the pies are made of his raisins, he gave them to us for you. Daddie has gone over to help Uncle Fred with the corn today. Arch is ploughing the field between us & Ireland north of the lane. The rest of us are packing your box. Aunt Barbara was up on Sun she would like you to write to her if you get time. She is going to knit a pair of mitts for you.

Well I guess this is all for this time. So Au Revoir, Love from All, Yours, Merelda

Dec 4, 1918 letter to Merelda from Earl. In this letter Earl mentions receiving a box from the Laskay Red Cross and the fact that the woman who packed it did not sign her name.

Dear Merelda

p. 2 ... 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 & souvenirs in France are so high they nearly reach the clouds. We will likely be in Blighty in another week.

p.3 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 31, 1918, Laskay letter from Mary to Earl

Dear Earl,

Your letter of Dec 1st received on Christmas Day, and believe me, it was welcome. I am so glad to know that your box arrived in such good condition. It was supposed to be a Xmas box and you should have put it away till Christmas (ha,ha). You know it was really from the League. The folks at home may have told you that on account of so much sickness around, we decided to each one pack a box, rather than get together to do it. So I asked to pack yours. Believe me, we never sent away such big heavy boxes from the League before. I feel real sorry that you got it so long before Xmas.

It is funny that you cannot recall the names of the folks in the snaps. I almost forget the ones I sent, but I guess Edythe is there is'nt she? Surely you know her. We are having real Canadian winter now, after having an unusually mild fall. Our first snow came the day before Xmas making it a real Xmas day. No doubt you hear all the news from home, so know about all the sickness that has been around here. The "Flu" was very bad the fall, but fortunately it did not come to Laskay til a few weeks ago. We are always slow are'nt we? Hamilton's were all sick, everyone but John and Jess being in bed at once thus they had it later, and Gordon's, Burne's and Pattons all had it. Gertie Patton was the most serious case, at one time it looked as though she would not get better, but she is getting along fine. Can you imagine Laskay without Gertie? Jim Clubine's were all sick too. And Howard's wife who lives there too, died last Sunday. She leaves a small baby which makes it very sad, but most people think it is a blessing that when was taken. So with all this sickness, we had a very quiet Xmas, not a blessed thing to do. Edythe and Frank and a friend of Edythe's were here so we had a lot of fun, then George and I took them to Young St. in the sleigh at night. Tomorrow is New Years and we expect some more company. You know there are only George and I at home now. Frank got his discharge a few weeks ago, but went back to Aurora at once and Edythe is a city girl now. You could'nt coax her to stay at home, but poor me has to stay here to help out. George is getting his skates and hockey sticks ready to go to the lake tomorrow. I would love to go but there is hardly a boy around her now to skate with they are all kids.

Now, Earl you want to be sure and remember what you said about bringing home a Mademoiselle home. We don't want to start learning French so leave her over there. Am glad you think the Canadian girls are good enough. Poor Ed has had quite hard time since he left here last June. No doubt he would have been in France had he not been sick most of the time. I expect he's on leave now, the first he has had, he expected to spend Xmas in Ireland then to go to Scotland. It is certainly sad about Telford Little and Charlie Williams got wound so quickly too. It will seem great to have you all back again. I think it will be hard for you to come knowing that some of you are not coming, and hard for the friends here to see some come and not their boys.

Do you ever see Edgar Badger? I guess Merle is looking forward to seeing him. Merle and I are the only girls of our age, that are left now. Oh, excepting Bertha and Maggie Ireland, you can have your choice there. Earl, I don't know of any one that will dispute you. Yesterday was Nomination Day and Norman Mac, was nominated for a councillor. I guess he will be left, but of course he has to make a start sometime. On account of the Flu we have had no Church or League for three Sundays and no Institute meeting. So I have not seen Merelda for quite a while. Flossie and Archie are over quite often.

You will likely see some changes when you come home, especially in the young kids. Our George has grown very much is far taller than I am. Lucy Allan is still back the Mill Road waiting for you I guess eh, Earl

Well, Earl, I cannot think of anything more just now. Don't forget my address, and I will look for an answer soon. Remember me to all the boys you meet that I know. They sure will be welcomed back to Laskay again. Hoping to see you all soon.

I remain, Yours Sincerely, Mary

p.s Jimmie Jenkins gave his people a great surprise a few days ago by walking in on them and they did not expect him.

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