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James Kay
Regimental Sergeant-Major
1880 ~ Feb. 18, 1919
"We are not any to safe here the huns just blew over a Church Tower about 2 miles behind us about an hour ago..." James Kay, Belgium 15 July 1915<
On Active Service
WITH THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Belgium
July 15
Dear Annie
Just a line to let you know that I am always alive and kicking hoping this will find you all well at home I have just come out of the trenches last night but we are only 40 minutes walk from them so we are not any to safe here the huns just blew over a Church Tower about 2 miles behind us about an hour ago that is there favorite pass time anyway they are devils and we hate them (them us)
I suppose you will be glad to hear that I got on for Regt Sergt Maj I came out in orders last night the S M got hit 3 days ago with shrapnel so I am taking his place I dont think he will come back again he is pretty well played out & will be kept for Drill purposes I expect to get W.O. if he don't come back it means more pay only it wont effect you as I have to pay a bat man to look after my kit 25 francs a month (franc 10 pennies) some class to the J Kay 965 Lipton eh. things have been fairly quiet here just now one or two pretty hot times when out in the trenches 1 Officer 1 private killed not my Coy Scott died of wounds same day as I told you about in last letter to bad but this is war we all take our chances I am quite a little bit safer now not for shelling but rifle fire in the trenches not so much to do either it is a snap to C. S. M
i had a letter from Bishopmill today they had a letter from you ah 1 tot rum & 2 raw eggs how nice I feel going back & fight fritz one came over to our Barbed wire 2 mornings ago through a field of corn our fellows seen him & fired at him he shouted dont fire you dammed fools dont fire one of the boys shouted whats the matter fritz and gave him beans he went down amonst the corn but we dont know whether he was hit or not I was out looking but could not find him. I am glad things are going pretty good with you as it is easies my mind quite a bit
I will have to quit now hoping to hear from you again soon
Love to all you all
Your Loving Hubbie
Jim
write soon
Wishing you had an ancestor photograph? Check out the 1800s photographs and antique photo albums on Lost Faces. There are over 2,500 photos in this growing genealogy collection
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Note from Jane Sherris: This is one of several letters written by RSM James Kay during WW1 to his wife Annie Kay in Winnipeg.It is not his handwriting but the spelling and punctuation are as written. I hope the letters will give you a feel for the time period.
We would like to thank Jane Sherris for her generousity in allowing the use of her great-grandfather's story, photos, and all sections of the memorial she has to James on her webpage at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/9402. Please visit Jane's site for more information
Note from Lorine: James Kay is one of the soldiers found on Veteran's Affairs Canada Virtual War Memorial. He is also found in the
First World War Book of Remembrance . His attestation papers are found on the CEF online database. See the Front of page. See the Back of page
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Find Canadian ancestors in War of 1812 letters, American Revolution letters, Riel Rebellion letters, World War 1 letters. Search your ancestry and find your genealogy. Find your roots and hear your ancestors' words. Discover your origins in old letters as ancestors tell their stories and details of family history. Learn how to preserve old documents, family treasures and heirlooms. 
