LETTER FROM ENGLAND.
November 8th, 1914.
Dear World:
As the Rev. Beattie has taken my place as correspondent for the Sentinel-Star for the 40th, I thought 1 would write for your good old paper and tell you what 1 can concerning the boys of the 14th Field Battery of Cobourg. We crossed on the Grampian with all well except Captain Raymond. We landed at Plymouth and received our share of the cheers which was equal to the best. Our horses did not look as well as when we left Canada.
We left Plymouth for Salisbury Plain at two o'clock in the morning, arriving there about ten o'clock in the evening. We then had the pleasure of a twelve mile march to our camping ground, arriving there at 4:00 A.M. the next morning. But we were well received. There was hot coffee, pork pies etc., waiting for us, which, needless, to say, was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us.
There have been several changes in the officers of our Battery, Major Ralston was promoted to adjutant of the 3rd. Brigade, and Lieut Craig was transferred to Senior Lieutenant, over the Toronto boys.
The weather here is not as favorable as in Valcartier, as it rains nearly every day and consequently makes it very difficult for our maneuvers, but our commanders say that we are doing fine under the circumstances.
We were reviewed by our King and Queen, also (the late) Lord Roberts, and the commander-in-chief Lord Kitchener. The King seemed to be a very friendly man. He walked through our lines and spoke very kind words to our officers and men. Lord Kitchener is a noble soldier in every sense of the word. (The late) Lord Roberts got his share of applause.
We work here from six o'clock in the morning until five o'clock at night, and it is very hard on the horses to say nothing of us drawing the guns through the mud, but we hope to be in shape to go to the firing line and show our Canadian friends what we can do. Of course, no one knows how soon it will be when we receive the call to go. It all depends on the commanding General, we don't know where we will eat our Christmas dinner, but wherever it is our hearts will be with the dear ones at home.
Some of the boys of the 40th came over to visit us to- day and we are certainly doing our best to entertain them, and from what they have to say they are enjoying themselves to the utmost. One thing the 14th prides itself on is that we always royally entertain in every way any visitors that may honor our lines with their company. We may say that all the 40th boys who came over today look to be in first-class condition and quite able to meet the old Kaiser himself. They are getting fat.
Wishing The World every success, signed by the boys of the 14th Battery especially Jim Beatty:
40th - Jim Beatty, J. Morrow, G. Earls, F. Cook. Old 14th - C. McDonnell, J. Mulhall, N. McIntosh, R. Crosgrey, A. Markle, Ted. Raymond.
(Note, - This letter was received by us on Tuesday, all the names given above were evidently signed by one person.) Address 14th - 9th Battery, 3rd Brigade, Salisbury Plain, England. Address 40th - 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, Bustard Camp, Salisbury Plain England.
