Duff & Morrison Collection
“After being 10 days in the trenches they had two days rest, and they had their first bath, and some swim it was, he said, each man had a tub with about 4 or 5 inches of hot water….” Rosa Duff, Toronto Oct 24, 1915
211 Fern Ave,
Toronto
Oct 24, 1915
Dear Lily,
Received your letter long ago but as usual put off writing.
Well, Alex gave me the price and I went to the Provincial Convention (W.C.T.U.) at Ottawa last week. Rosamond was there also. Before going I had a letter from Lou saying on account of the condition of his ankle, which he hurt taking part in the Dominion day sports, he was afraid he would not get away with the 28th, but the Colonel got him a position on the orderly staff and he thought it would be two months before he would be able to get in the fighting line; naturally I was not sorry and felt satisfied when I was away he was all right.
But when I came home there were three letters waiting for me and a field card and he has been in the trenches for some time, their last march to the trenches was in a down pour of rain, they were soon soaked to the skin. After being 10 days in the trenches they had two days rest, and they had their first bath, and some swim it was, he said, each man had a tub with about 4 or 5 inches of hot water. However, it refreshed them some and a change of clothing made them feel much better. He is in good health and has a good appetite, they get plenty to eat. Bacon, bread & tea for breakfast, a mulligan (Meat, potatoes & onions stewed up) bread & tea for dinner, Bully beef (canned meat), bread, tea, cheese & jam for tea. While in France they only receive 2 francs, equal to 40 cents of our money. The rest is credited to them in the pay office and can be drawn when they return or have been wounded. I asked Lou if they ever saw any of the Red Cross socks. The 28th have yet to see the first pair come their way, he could not speak for any other Battalion. When they left Shorncliffe they could only take two pair of socks, so he said a pair now and again would not go amiss. I finished a pair I had on the way and Mrs. Isaac had sent me a pair for Lou and I got three pair from our W.C.T.U. and mailed at once along with some Chicklets, Oxo, biscuits, soap and shaving stick. I told him to pass some on if he had more than he needed.
Well, Lily, there is no need to tell you how I feel, every time the phone rings I am in dread of a message from Ottawa, and God only knows how we are going to live through these times. I can only pray & trust & wait.
We are all well. Lovingly
Rosa
• 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