[transcription provided by collection donor]
To: Mrs. E.K. Ramsey
2703 Yakima Ave. North,
Tacoma, Wash.
C. Coy,
Canadian Expeditionary Force,
Cycle Corps
Dec. 20th 1915
My Own Dear Mother,
I was pleased to get your fine long letter yesterday and am answering it on some not so stylish paper. But it is the best I can get. To-day is Sunday. We had Church Parade this morning and after that we saw a very exciting air fight. Two of our planes got after a German and they were fighting right over our heads. They were dodging all over the place and shooting at each other. They carry machine guns but I think he got away unless our anti-aircraft guns brought him down. Last night the Germans tried gas but it is no use now we have gas helmets and it just blows away without hurting a single person. But all day to-day our guns have been teaching them that we are not to be played with. I think last night they also tried to rush our trenches but they were walloped back again as soon as they showed there faces and I think we have got them pretty scared. We had heard that they were going to try some game. We thought we would have to leave our billet and so spoil our Christmas dinner but there is no fear of that now. That is the first little bit of excitement we have had for a long time. Before yesterday you’d have thought there was no war at all. Everything was so quiet and peaceful. I suppose they got a sudden fit. But it is all over now. They will never get through here. All we have to do is hold the line which is as easy as holding a dead cat out of a cupboard. Well it is getting pretty late. It is nearly eleven o-clock. I am in bed after having a big supper. We made some tea and boiled a great big Christmas pudding one of the boys had sent him. There were four of us to eat all of it and there was enough for eight, but we finished it and it was very good. Then we sat round the fire and talked about our time in Toronto and Folkstone and we had a very happy evening. By gosh this is certainly the life. I think we will all be sorry when it is over. And they are such a nice bunch here. We, the seven batmen are all to-gether. None of them drink or anything like that. Most of them have been well brought up and we get on very well to-gether. I have not got the box yet but expect it will be here in a day or two. I will write as soon as it comes and let you know. This paper is very long and I do not know what to say to fill it up. I have met lots of Newcastle men over here but none I know yet. But I am keeping a sharp look out. I wish you had told me what part of Belgium that lady lived. Perhaps I am near there. Tell me in your next letter if you know. Well I must close now and go to sleep. I don’t get up till eight in the morning. That’s one good thing. Give my best love to Auntie and Uncle, Eve and Dad and also to yourself.
Ever your loving Son
Eddie
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P.S. I have met lots of 29the Battn men who I know who were in the 72nd Highs
