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Duff & Morrison Collection

" I've got that [Supper] over, boiled potatoes and onions, boiled beef, bread, tea, and jam. Not too bad for troops on active service, eh, Lily...." Lou Duff, Belgium 19 Nov 1915

Belgium
19th Nov 1915

Dear Aunt Lily,

Just a line to let you know I'm well. We have been having awful weather, continual rain and getting quite cold. Occasionally the sky clears and the sun shows up to cheer things up. At present we are in reserve near the town of _______________ [name of town blacked out by censors]. We have been here a few days and we pull out again for the trenches day after tomorrow. When up in town this a.m. I got a few souvenir handkerchiefs, one of which I am enclosing for Jean. ¹ Hoping she likes it.

We will likely get this sometime before Christmas and I may be a little previous but you can hold it if so. There may be several unforseen delays on the journey. While writing this I can hear the church bell ringing on the Church tower in town and at the same time the continual boom of the enemy and our artillery. Half an hour ago or more, I witnessed an aircraft duck over our lines, both got away. These things would seem wonderful or terrible to you over home but we are getting hardened to it and take very little notice of it now unless we are in it and feel the effects personally which we have too many times for some of us.

Must stop for a few minutes. Supper is ready and it won't stay warm very long.

Hello. I've got that over, boiled potatoes and onions, boiled beef, bread, tea, and jam. Not too bad for troops on active service, eh, Lily. We fare pretty well in the trenches too and the most of us take in a few extras such as canned fruit, sardines, Grape Nuts, canned milk, coffee, cocoa, etc., etc. The Y.M.C.A. have a store just 550 or 600 yards back of our trenches which are 150 yds from the Germans at the particular spot and they sell all kinds of stuff - tobacco, chocolate, etc., etc. as well as all the above articles. So you see we live real civilized at times.

Well, I must close hoping this finds the family all well.

With love to all,
Your nephew,
Lou

¹ The letter of Nov. 19, 1915 had an enclosure of an embroidered handkerchief, with a little gift card reading "To Jean. Wishing you a Merry Xmas. Lou" Forget me not (printed on card). This was enclosed in a postcard/envelope with the following message:

Belgium
Nov. 19, 1915

Cousin Jean,

This is just a little souvenir from ______. Hope you are well and having a good time. We are having a fine time over here making Fritz run. Be good to Mother and Dad.

Love from Cousin Lou

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These letters were genereously submitted by Lilian Ione Heselton and they are copyright to Lil. They may not be used without written permission of the submitter.

These letters span the years 1914 to 1918, and were written to Lily (Richey) and John Morrison at Yellow Grass, Sask., and their little 4 - 8 year old daughter, Jean (in later years called by Reché). Their hired girl was Lena.

Duff & Morrison Collection

" I've got that [Supper] over, boiled potatoes and onions, boiled beef, bread, tea, and jam. Not too bad for troops on active service, eh, Lily...." Lou Duff, Belgium 19 Nov 1915

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