SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Lieut W.S. JAMIESON Writes From Egypt
The following letter was written by Lieut W. S. Jamieson on active service who has served two years in army, and was wounded last August, It was written to his mother, Mrs., Geo, Jamieson, Camborne.
Amrich, Egypt, March 17, 1918
Dear Mother:
Your very welcome letter of January received a few days ago, and when I heard what cold weather you were having I was very glad I was in Egypt. The weather here is very pleasant and resembles the weather in Canada about May. The desert around where we are camped is simply covered with flowers.
Do you remember the poet who wrote these lines, 'Full many a flower is born to bloom unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air.' to look at the desert from July to January you would never think that anything would ever grow again, but after a few good rains in January, the flowers and grass spring up everywhere. As you see by the address, I am now at Amrich with a couple of trailing squadrons doing gunnery work, that is, I am in charge of about 200 officers for gunnery, and consequently I am kept very busy. The camp is situated about 40 miles from Alexandria and we get in about once a month for a day or two. We have horses to ride whenever we want them, and so can fill in any spare time riding around the country.' Two of us are going to have tea at a camp about twenty miles from here this afternoon so that means that we will have a forty mile ride in front of us, so we will be pretty tired before we get back. About two days ago a man came to a squadron to fly and it turned out to be a fellow by the name of A.M. McBAIN who used to be the accountant in Dundas and Arthur branch, Toronto when I was teller there. Is it not funny how one runs across people in this war? I also met a chap at Aboukir when I was there who worked in the Dominion Bank, Cobourg, when I was in the Metropolitan Bank. His name was Perry and he was killed a few weeks ago in an accident at Aboukir. All the Canadians here subscribed and we put him up quite a nice tombstone, costing about $100 and sent his people a photo of it, and told them the circumstances of his death.
I received the parcel alright and it was awfully good. I have written several letters since, but they may have been lost. My ankle still pains me a little and I have to wear a special boot with support on sides. I have not heard from brother lately. He was in Orpington Hospital, England when I heard from him last, but no doubt he will be in France ere this helping to relieve the sufferings of some poor fellows.
Trusting this will find you all well, your loving son,
WALLACE
Address all my letters to: Lt W.S. JAMIESON, Royal Flying Corps, Egypt, Care of Cox and Co. Alexandria.
