Roffey Camp, Horsham,
Jan. 28, 1916

Dear Everybody:
Received your two letters this morning, one dated January 2nd and the other the 6th. Also received one from Claude and from Dora, one from Captain Cross and a couple more from old college chums. I wrote you are few days ago. Some of my letters must have gone astray as I have written pretty regularly ever since I came. Don't think there is a great deal of news since I wrote last. We have been doing a good deal of line work lately. It is very interesting and we are getting quite proficient. The remainder of our time we are putting in on buzzer and flags. We might be almost ready to go to Lydd for firing practice in a couple of weeks time if it were not for the 97th battery from Halifax with which
we are brigaded - but their specialists are so behind that they will probably keep us back for three or four weeks. Then we will go to Lydd for about three weeks and then I hope get into action sometime early in April.

We are having splendid weather here now and are having a splendid time. The work is not nearly so hard as it was at first and when we qualify and get into action we will not have nearly so much work. Of course when we are in action we will be pretty busy, but there will often be days at a time when we will only fire an odd shell.

Now I will try to answer some things you speak about. To start with the first one you speak of us having a happy new year. To many it would seem a mockery to wish them a happy new year but to me it is the happiest time of my life. Of course there are a good many who because they have not all the luxuries they have at home do not enjoy it, and no doubt you will hear some of them growling even across the ocean but to be where there is real enjoyment in the work and, come what may I shall always be happy. You need have no uneasiness about me for I am far more contented here then I could ever be at home and even when preparing for a war there is a great peace in one's soul in the knowledge of duty done. Am going to send you some time a copy of a hymn which is our favorite here among the soldiers. It will express my feelings more than anything I can't say. Don't worry about my health. I never felt better in my life and have filled out so that you wouldn'tknow me. Have never been sick a day since I enlisted. Hope you are getting my letters but don't worry as I think of good deal of mail goes astray.

Now about socks. [a frequent theme!] I received a pair from Mrs. Albert today. Clemmie sent them for her. Besides that we are going to be issued with four pairs in a few days. Two pairs each from the ladies of P.E.I. and two pairs of regimental socks that we get every six months so these along with the ones I have already will equip me pretty well. You know our work is very easy on socks as we have practically no foot drill, only an occasional route march. We are being issued with new uniforms complete now so that we have almost more stuff then we can carry. In fact we will have to do away with a good deal of stuff such as our old caps etc.

Now about our washing. There is somebody around every day taking laundry and one can send anything at all and they do very good work and very cheap. As you can see we are getting on OK. Then the ladies through the YMCA will do any repairing to our clothes that we require.I just wish you could see us and you would not worry about us. Believe me I am not hiding anything. We are perfectly comfortable and happy.

I had a nice long letter from Mr. Taylor and also one from Mr. Cross. So Mr. Cross is going with the 64th. I would like to see him in uniform. Wish he was with us; he is certainly a wonder. He will make a fine looking soldier. Mr. Taylor says that the trouble about the command of the105th has delayed his appointment but says that both men assure him that his appointment is secure. He would certainly make a great chaplain - he is a born leader of men and has so much of the man in himself that this life would just suit him. I hope to see both him and Mr. Cross over here soon. I should say Captain Cross who said they would probably sail in about three weeks. I think Claude will probably
enlist before too long also by the way he spoke in his letter. I hope he comes in the new siege battery.

Don't think I have any more news tonight. Will write again soon. Oh, about sending stuff - I think the only safe way is to mail it. There is some talk of sending parcels much cheaper through the Red Cross but I have not been able to find out anything about it. If I do I will let you know.

Must say good night now. I want to answers some other letters. Have so much writing to do in a short time that I half to scribble pretty fast so please excuse scrawl.

Lots of love from your loving son, Harold