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the main work to be done is dodging work, of which there is f;n unlimited amount, ©11 of which of course has to be done by the poor privates. Talk about N.C.O.’s though, never saw so many in my life. Only about 35^ men aH told in camp and 42 of them are sergeants, and can’t count the lesser lights, A small squad of us, 22 in all, did a little drill yesterday morning and 16 H.C.O.’s were detailed to put us through it. Wouldn’t have stripes over here on a bet, A private can manage to dodge work once in a ntfiile, but an N.C.O. never.
Always had an idea that the English girls were very careless dressers, but have changed my mind. Seems to me that they put on as muoh "s^ank" as the girls do over there. Short skirts are in vogue here at present and as it is a windy district, hope my eyesight is spared for a while yet. The way the benches axe taken up at night makes me feel homesick at times.
Went over to Eolkstone last night to have a bath and incident* ly a good meal which stood me two and four pence, I never get tired wandering through the tiny alleys they call streets. Pavements on both sides, and just enough roadway for a wagon to pass through. Of cotxse the two main streets are larger but they all look as though they had been built to follow a cowpath. Talk about Nanaimo having crooked streets. Little two by four stores carrying everything but what you want. All of them out to do the Canadian soldier too. This talk about living being twice as cheap over here as in Canada may have been true at one time, but it certainly does not apply now. They spot your Canada badge as soon as you enter, and then bang goes a sixpence. Glad I assigned most of my pay, for if not, I’d spend it sure over here.
Your two letters readdressed and sent by registered mail from London were needless to say welcomed with open arms. Takes quite a time to start a correspondence when a fellow is so far away, but once it is set going, all is well. I wrote Annie about two days before I received Mother’s letter, but will write her again and thank her for her kind offer, which needless to remark, will be taken up with alacrity.
I’m afraid I’ll have to quit now as it is getting late, and I have two miles to walk back to can$>. Have to make my bed too and that is a very important matter these days. Harold wrote to Mother today so I’ll hold off till next week.
Yours lovingly,
PEEL
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