France,
October 30th, 1918
Dear Home Folks:
Have some little time to spare tonight so will try and write a decent letter and tell you something of what I have been doing for the last month. But first I must answer some of your letters, and also thank you for some parcels received lately. Wrote a note on the 16th and told to that I had received two more, one containing butter etc. and the other, the registered parcels that Clemmie forwarded. Many thanks for both of them. I wrote to the you that I had got what Ben wrote for when in Scotland hoping that my letter canceling his would reach you before you sent it. However it does not much matter as I got sale for it as soon as it came. It comes in very handy and I have been making good use of it.
You say that Art Clark is in England. What kind of work is he doing? Something in connection with agricultural education for the soldiers is it not. Would like to run across Albert sometime. Wrote to him but I guess he had moved and did not get my letter for I haven't heard from him. Saw Joe Clark the other day. He is OK, the same old Joe. Also had a letter from Murdoch McLeod lately and one from Lois Clark and one from Claude the other night. He is getting along fine. I was certainly glad to see him win on leave and he was very lucky in getting a couple of days in London with me. You say that Carl is likely to go to Siberia. I can be in his truck for that to us would certainly be well worthwhile. I wish I had the opportunity and I would go quick but I guess my place is France or Belgium for the duration.
Have seen Rev. Taylor several times lately. He was off to our billets the other afternoon and I was talking to him for a while this afternoon. He is certainly a great worker, always on the go and with his experience in the west and his broad minded outlook on life he fits into this work perfectly. Yes I guess you will have a good deal of trouble to get a man to fill Stirling's shoes. He was hard to beat. I don't think McLeod is suited for the job at all. We need a younger man more broad-minded. One good that will come out of the war will be a better class of minister not only the chaplains over here but the boys in the ranks will finish their courses when they get back. The average minister before the war was too narrow minded simply because they had never had a chance to broaden out. He did not understand human nature and his own petty denomination was his chief worry. He did not understand human nature or existing conditions and consequently while he might preach an edifying sermon he did not know how to appeal to the better nature of the fallen and consequently to him they appeared hopeless cases and he did not want to be seen associating with them. But that will all be changed.
The Padre over here knows no distinction or no denomination. He understands human nature and every man to him is the same. He thinks it no disgrace to be seen sitting in an [?] smoking a cigarette and chatting with a bunch of boys as they drink their beer and although he does not drink himself he does not as a rule disapprove for he knows that it is a real comfort to the boys being out the line to sit down around a cozy fire and chat over a glass of three per cent. And for the student in the ranks this life is an invaluable experience. He mixes with all classes and gets to know their every impulse and to understand their outlook upon life. He gets to know them for what they really are and not what they appear to be. Personally I am proud to call some fellows friends who before the war I would scarcely wish to be seen with, men who have their fault but who are true blue, red blooded men for all.
Well they have just been in after us to go out on a job so I must ring off. Intended to have written a long letter but will try to do better next time. Will be going back home before long and be able to tell you all about it. I honestly believe that the war is very nearly over.
Love to all, Harold
