Duff & Morrison Collection
“I had sent him two boxes of apples from Eatons on Oct. 4th & 20th, thinking he would get them long before Christmas, but the government would not spare them the space for the Oct shipment…” Rosa Duff, Toronto 17 Jan. 1916
211 Fern Ave.,
Toronto
Jan. 17/16
Dear Lily,
This no doubt will be a shock, but really I have very little desire to write these days.
I have been so worried over Lou, not receiving any mail for three weeks. This morning I was wondering just what I would do if there was no mail, when the postman arrived with a letter. It was written on the 29th, his last was written on the 6th, so as you see there was some time between. Lou said he had been very busy for the last four weeks and spent Xmas in the trench, with very little cheer. They came out on the night of the 27th for a six days comparative rest; they expected to have a big spread in a convent near by on the night of the 31st with their band in attendance. It promises to be a big success, he says he will give us an account of it later on. Is it not wonderful how they can throw aside their troubles and come back to natural conditions, so near the battle front.
From all accounts he was a fortunate boy with all his Xmas boxes; he evidently had not received them while in the trenches, for they were piled up there when he came out. I had sent him two boxes of apples from Eatons on Oct. 4th & 20th, thinking he would get them long before Christmas, but the government would not spare them the space for the Oct shipment. But evidently my 1st order must have gotten in with the Sept. orders, for in this letter he said the 1st box had actually arrived and they were in excellent shape.
Lou said we must not think he devoured all the good things himself, He said some others got quite a lot and they divided up with the less fortunate.
I know I am shamefully late about it, but let me thank you now for the very nice pillow slip you sent me, and the girls wish me to thank you for their handkerchiefs. We had a very quiet time Xmas day. I did not have the family in, I was not sure enough of myself; only Elizabeth and Ruby were here for dinner. I had asked Girlie but she could not come. After dinner Clarence & Ruby went up to Skeans for a second dinner, they had 15 in for dinner. Alex went to the Camera Club, after a cup of tea in the sitting room Elizabeth left for somewhere else. The girls had a few things for the Isaac children so we, Rosamond, Jessie, Lilian & I got in a car and called on them. Mrs. Isaac had not been well so they had a quiet time. We were glad to hear Jean had such a good time. She did get a lot of things, but do you know the Duff twins are still getting lots of things. Their Aunt Elizabeth gave them rink tickets, the boys & Rosamond gave them money which they promptly spent on skating outfits, they are the rage this year. Gay coloured coats, caps & scarfs to match, all their girl friends have them and they make a rainbow when they are together. They also got white kid gloves, aprons, handkerchiefs, pictures, fancy bags, undershirt, middies, middie bows, etc.; their cash amounted to $25, so I think they are still remembered. I did not fare badly myself. Elizabeth handed me down a rug & rocker that did not fit in with her room, both in splendid condition. I got 2 pair kid gloves, handkerchiefs, pillowslip, Birdie send me a tray cloth, aprons, corset cover, towels, a pair of opera glasses from Alex, not that I will make much use of them but they are good to have, and Alex, Clarence & Rosamond each gave me $10 towards a piece of dining room furniture.
All the family are in bed so I must say good night.
Lovingly,
Rosa
Hope you are all well, Lilian had the grippe but is better now. I am not too well, I think if the war were over I might feel better.
R.
• Letter 1: 30 Dec. 1914 Toronto. letter from Louis to his Aunt Lilly
• Letter 2: 9 Jan 1915 letter from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother)to Lilly
• Letter 3: 26 Feb 1915 letter from Jean to her Aunt Lily
• Letter 4 18 Apr. 1915 letter from Tot (Lily’s cousin) to Lily
• Letter 5: 29 June 1915, England. Letter from Louis to his Aunt Lily
• Letter 6: 21 Aug. 1915 England. Letter from Louis to his Aunt Lily
• Letter 7: 24 Oct. 1915 Toronto. Letter from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother)to Lily
• Letter 8: 14 Oct 1915 France. Postcard to Lily from Louis
• Letter 9: 1 Nov. 1915 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother) enclosing Louis’ lengthy letter of 11 Oct. 1915 in France
• Letter 10: 19 Nov. 1915 Belgium. Letter to Lily from Louis plus enclosure for his niece Jean
• Letter 11: 6 Dec. 1915 Belgium. Letter to Lily from Louis
• Letter 12: 7 Jan. 1916 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother)expressing her worry over Lou’s silence
• Letter 13: 10 Feb. 1916 Toronto. letter to Lily from Rosa (Lily’s sister and Lou’s mother) with the cable explaining Lou has been wounded and will be in hospital in England two months
• Letter 14: 11 Feb 1916 England. Letter to Lily from Lou about his skull fracture from shrapnel
• Letter 15: 18 Feb. 1916 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Jessie
• Letter 16: 8 Mar. 1916 Winnipeg. Letter to Lily from Cecil Duff, Lou’s brother
• Letter 17: 16 Apr. 1916 Toronto. Letter to Lily from Harry Richey, Lily’s brother