Evershott Camp
November 5, 1916
Dear Marjorie,
I don't suppose you will more than have received my other letter but as there is not much else to do I will tell you about my weeks leave while it is still fresh in my mind. We returned late Friday night most of us having spent the week up in London. We went up the previous Saturday afternoon going to the Strand Theatre where we saw "Mr. and Mrs.". Most of the plays in London run for weeks at a time. It rained nearly all day Sunday but we saw what we could visiting the National Art Galleries attending a band concert and musical in the Palladium Theatre. Monday morning we spent in the Tower of London. It was very interesting roaming through the armour rooms etc. We saw the room where the princes were murdered, the crown jewels and many other historic spots and relics within the walls. Parts of the Tower date back over 600 years. In the afternoon we visited St. Paul's Cathedral. It is also very old. Wellington, Nelson, Lord Roberts and many others are buried in the crypts of this Cathedral. In the evening we went to His Majesty's Theatre where we saw another good play. Tuesday was spent visiting Westminster Abbey, all the ancient Kings up to Charles I are entombed here. The architecture is magnificent. We also went through the Parliament Buildings ending up by going to Drury Lane Theatre in the evening. On Wednesday I left the party I was with and went south to Shornecliff and Folkestone on the coast returning Thursday. I did not see the persons I wanted to see but saw Douglas Hyndman and others who are in the R.C.H.A. I expect Clinton W. will be sent there. Folkestone is quite a place in summertime. Friday was spent visiting the Zoological Gardens and other places of interest. We attended many other Theatres including the London Opera House and the Duke of Yorks where we saw "Daddy Long Legs", suppose you have read it, the play was very fascinating. London is very easy to get around in, particularly by the tubes or underground railway. All the streets in darkness at night, would like to visit here in normal times when everything is lit up. As a whole we had a very nice enjoyable week of it but six days is enough as I got tired of sightseeing, visiting museums etc., to tell the truth I was happy to get back to camp although I plan to go up for a weekend whenever I can, that is whenever I am in good financial shape again. London is all right, if you have a good pocketbook, I don't think many shillings could be collected in camp at the present moment. Today is Sunday, raining steadily all day and the wind is so fierce that one can hardly keep on his feet. Our roof is leaking in about 200 places, you just get seated when you have to move elsewhere. We are thinking strongly of converting our hut into a swimming pool. I suppose the days are getting cool and the evenings frosty in Canada now. We had a Church parade this morning, had to march a mile in the rain to Church so didn't enjoy the service much. You hate going to Church more when you know you have to go like it or not. Well will close.

Your sincere friend Gordon
1261650
271st Can. Siege By.