March 2nd 1916 Dear Em. The rounder of Feb'ry 13/ landed last evening. It is good to hear from all at once, especially when everyone is so well. You have had some cold weather eh! We have had lots of snow past week, most of it has already departed, but it has not been very cold. I don't suppose there is a thermometer in this part of the country, so I cannot tell you how cold it really was. However my ears are pretty good gauges and they did not register frost. No, I can't recall having seen in 'Rep' about Margaret Russell - Poor girl, and so young. Well everybody out on that line seems to be packing up. They used to live out near Aunt Lizzie's did they not? Poor Aunt Lizzie must be most dippy. To have both Ernest and Eva making the plunge, and practically together is too awful. But it adds to our family circle and we will have more places to visit when I get home. I suppose Bro Sparrow is a typical Westerner with lots of money and much �clat. When we make our coast to coast tour we certainly must call on them. Do you tell me they are getting a Ford? I can't recall B Elsley but I remember a young Elsley kid who was very short and fat and stout. Is that the family? It is very sad anyway. I am sure your Reception would be a huge success. It should be popular especially with home-made eats. I know I would not hesitate to patronize it if I were there. I shall expect to see the walls of the school lined with pictures when I return. Aunt Jean said in her last letter that she intended running up for a week end. I hope she and Uncle Bert were able to manage it. I hope also that the change will do Auntie good as I don't think she has been just up to the mark lately. The Winnipeg weather is very severe, and has been quite exceptionally cold and stormy this winter. I have just finished a large letter to Alf. There is nothing new in this one so you need not send it down as it would just be practically a repeater. It is certainly most wretched trying to write anything. There is nothing to tell, that is nothing one is allowed to tell. This morning, for instance, I was wakened up at 4:30 by a most terrific bombardment. It just lasted forty minutes but believe me it was good while it was on. No small stuff, just heavy siege artillery you might call it. All the way from 9.2" to 15" and the[y] all seemed to be trying to outdo one another. The Mother Superior was quite grieved because it knocked her picture down off the wall and broke the glass. I thought it would knock the whole blooming house down but it didn't. It must have been lovely at the other end of the line where the shells were dropping. Some of the shells weigh a ton and when they explode you know it. But we are in a very safe place and can survey the whole thing in peace and quietness. I think I have told you before this that we are still in our old billet with the priest. Our brigade however has been taken out for the time being and are put in at a different part of the line. Not far away from us though and they still can walk in to have their work done. We also have one or two other brigades to look after so we are not looking for work at all. I was greatly honored yesterday, at least I like to think I was although I don't suppose I will get any V. C. or D. S. C. While I was working away I was surprised to see some red tabs shove their heads thru the curtains. Who should it be but our old friend, General Alderson, O. C. of all Canadians. He was followed by a whole raft of nuts, Generals of lesser degrees and a smattering of Colonels. He had come all the way up from he headquarters to inspect our office and as I was the only one in at the time, I had to fall for all the rough stuff. He is a very genial old gentleman and chatted very freely with me. He congratulated us all and said we were very important and etc ad infinitum. But all due respects to our friend I was glad to see his rear disappearing out of the office. The worthy Gledhill is patiently waiting to mail this so I will close & hope it goes in good time. Lots of love for all the family and kindest regards to Miss Smith. Love, Wilbert.