May Letter 2

MAY , EDWARD OSBORNE
Regimental number: 74220

“The custom of all the countries is different but I prefer the Canadian style….” Osborne May, France 1915

Dear Bro. Joe

A few lines to you and the boys of 828, which I should have written long ago. I suppose you have heard before now that I was wounded on Oct. 8th (then comes a description of the accident as given in previous letter). How are all the boys of 828? I have not had any mail from Canada for some time. Harry, my brother, sent me a B.R.T. magazine, I got it when I was in the trenches and I sure enjoyed it too, and after I had read it I handed it to some of the boys.

We don’t get much to read and any book, paper or magazine, is certainly appreciated. I hope you are getting steady work. I guess business will be good by now. The railroads here have a fine class of engines, something similar to the 700 class, and the freight trains are long. There is no caboose on the trains, only a big red lamp. The custom of all the countries is different but I prefer the Canadian style. Gee! I would like to get back with Allan McDonald, he was such a good cook, at least he gave me all the dainty recipes, Mulligan, Mock Duck, etc. No wonder he was so stout when we were pulled ____last spring. The only thing that is wrong with Allan is _______belong to the “Stingers”, but before I left I almost had him persuaded to be a double header. Well Joe, I guess I will have to pull the pin and run light to eat. Hoping you and the family are well, with best wishes to the boys of 828 and yourself.

From O. B. _____

*Letter 1: 18 Oct. probably 1915 from Hospital in France to his brother Bert in Rainy River Ontario
*Letter 2: Oct. 1915 from Hospital in France to his brother Joe Thomas May
*Letter 3: 29 Nov. 1915 from Hospital in Bromley England to his brother Joe Thomas May