Edward Ellis Perrell, No. 126608, 1st C. M. R. Batt., 8th Inf. Brig., 3rd Can. Div.
“we are in the thick of it now. I am lying in the dugout with the shells and shrapnel flying all around….” Ed E. Perrel, France circa 1916
Dear Mr. Hunter:-
I write these few lines to you in answer to your letter. I received it on July 11th, so it was 36 days in coming over. I am very thankful for the trouble you are taking in looking after my wife, and glad to hear she is some better, but I think she will improve when the warm weather comes.
Well, Mr. Hunter, we are in the thick of it now. I am lying in the dugout with the shells and shrapnel flying all around. You can hardly hear one another speakfor the noise is something awful. At night, to put it in strong language it looks like hell up on earth.
Some of my pals are wounded and are in England again. You should see the boys when they mount the parapet to go have a look at Fritz. The machine gun is the worst we have to put up with. I think all the boys will be glad when it is over. They are never so happy as when they are running after Fritz. I can tell you one thing, it is different soldiering out here to what it is in Canada and if they could just see the ruins about here which are most shameful, there be a lot more enlist than what there is at the present. But thank God, I am glad I came to do my little bit. The sights sometimes are awful-enough to send one crazy, but I have pulled through safe so far. You should have seen the advance the boys made awhile back. It was something grand. But I am sorry to say there are lots who will never come back to Canada, but they died for a just cause. We will never give in. The Germans call the Canadians the “White Gurghkas.” That is, they don’t show them any mercy at all with the bayonet, which they don’t like to see in the hands of our boys.
I have seen some sights which I hope never to see again but you never think about that when you are in the thick of it, for you are simply crazy with excitement. The only thing you want to keep is a cool head, a clear mind and a quick hand, for if you don’t get Fritz he is going to get you, so the best one still lives. I have had some near shaves but pulled through somehow which I am hoping to do till the end of the war.
Just remember me to the boys and give my kind regards to them and tell them I am hoping to be back with them by Christmas, that is, if I am spared to see it through.
France is a fine country in the summer–the most beautiful scenery. The main roads have a beautiful avenue of trees along them. The crops look fairly good in the country. Most of the work is done by women for you hardly see a man about out of uniform.
I have been transferred to the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. I left England in less than 36 hours notice. That was quick work but we got over safe. Remember me to Gordon when you write to him. I guess he will soon be coming over to England. I have not heard from Bill Near at all. Don’t know whether he is over here or not for the 33rd were all broken up, too.
I think this is all this time so give my kind regards to all enquiring friends and to Mrs. Hunter and Hally, also Mrs. Richardson.
So I conclude with best wishes to all. So Good-bye,
From Your Friend,
ED. E. PERRELL
No. 126608, A. Company,
1st C. M. R. Batt., 8th Inf. Brig.
3rd Can. Div., B. E. F., France
St. Mary’s Journal Argus 1916
Pte. Ed. E. Perrell of St. Marys, who writes his former employer, Mr. R. C. Hunter (J. D. Moore Co.) the following thrilling account of the battle-front.