Letters Home

A genealogy list pointed me to the Canadian Letters and Images Project, an online archive which preserves Canada's wartime correspondence, photographs, and personal materials. The archive spans almost a century from the South African and Spanish American War to the poetry of Peacekeeper William Willbond

From the WWI archive, the John WalterEllis collection.

Saturday 14/4/17

My Own Darling Kitty,

Hear I am sitting in my dug out back of the line and have found a minute to write you a wee line, as I know how you'll be worrying & wondering how I'm keeping. Well darling no doubt the papers will be full of the great Canadian advance & I must say I'm truly thankful & the Almighty has spared me this far & I only trust He will bring me safely through & back to my loved ones. Our Company were lucky & we were a "carrying party", we had to bring up ammunition & supplies for the attacking party. We were sent up to hold the front line for a while after the advance was over, although since Fritz has retired further back. We had a few boys killed & wounded Poor George Mowforth was killed & a couple more Tillsonburg boys, Stuart & Bolgarters & Hearsy was wounded. I had several narrow escapes but thank God I'm yet safe & well. I do hope & pray it will soon be all over as I don't want to see anything like it again. Things certainly look better every day & I hope they'll continue.

Saturday 12/5/17

My Own Darling Kitty

I felt I must write you a wee line today as I know sweet one how you will worry all the time. Well my own pet I am getting along fine & am still at the Clearing Station.

I had an operation the other day & they took a piece of shrapnel out of my chest I can breath much easier now. That is why they have been keeping me here & now as soon as I get strong enough I'll be sent to the Base & then if the doctor at the Base decides to send me to England I'll soon be home to see you my darling & also my little babe.

May 14

5928 Pt. Ellis
2nd Canadians

It is with much sorrow I am writing to you to tell you of the death of your husband he was admitted her & 30 @ C/[?] very severely wounded in his chest - on 3 5-17 he died
6 45 pm 13 5-17 he at first did very well & we had great hopes of his recovery, he got suddenly very much worse, became unconscious & died shortly after. He was always talking about your & his little one & hoping to get home to you. We all feel so sorry for you hour husband was a great favourite with the interns & orderlies He will be buried at Aubigny & will lie with many other brave men who like him have give all for others. His grave will be marked by a cross with his name. Please accept my very deep sympathy in you great trouble

With much sympathy yours truly
Lt. [?]/C JR Harwill [?]