Dated: December 31, 1915

Letter from Frank Parker

Bramshott Camp, Hants Co.
Dec. 31, 1915.
Dear Parkers:
Hear it is the last day of the year and I haven't had a scratch of pen from Canada except a few letters re-addressed from Toronto.
The weather here is still very wet and there is quite a bit of sickness. Three have died in the 35^th and half their band is quarantined at Aldershott. Last Sunday morning A. Moar R.M. sent me up to help their band out at the morning service and next day they came after me to go to a funeral with them. We went up to the hospital and after shivering around there for an hour they sent us back and to return at 12,30 noon. They hadn't got the coffin yet. I came right back to our band room, had practise then got an early dinner and went back, only to find them gone an hour before. They came back past our camp playing Chopins funeral march. The party consisted of about 12 of a firing party, one company, the band and a gun carriage carried the coffin which was covered with a big Union Jack flag.
Four of our band is in the hospital and the bugle is quarantined, altho they are not sick and so they have a high old time in there with bugles and drums. The Sergt. can't go in so they do as they like. The doctor has given every hut (or for the men in each hut) a bottle of stuff to gargle their throats every morning and night. This is a preventative of the disease. I'll try to spell it meningitis, better known as “muginnis” around here.
Time for parade, will finish to-night.
Here it is near supper time. I have to finish soon to catch the Canada mail, which goes Tuesday and Friday.
We had a very good Xmas here considering it being in camp. We played at officers' mess Xmas eve, then sampled their turkey and afterward serenaded them (11 p.m.) Tom Magladery was there also and said he thought the 37^th band had everything beat, but now he is doubtful.
Next day we had one big dinner when the officers and men ate together. We had lots of turkey and plum pudding, and in the evening we had a grand concert opened by the band and followed by some great singers and Comedians the Chaplan had brought from London. After the concert we had all kinds of Xmrs cake, nuts, oranges and apples, so under the circumstances of being so far from home we enjoyed ourselves.
Sunday the Sergts. had a feed of our own, more turkey, pudding and one of the nicest Xmas cakes I ever saw, made by our own cook too.
We have had a few night marches and day marches, always with full equipment.
We were inspected yesterday by General Steel and Lord Brook who highly complimented our band. They say the bands are to be cut down to 10 men. That will mean transfer 10 of our men to the ranks.
I have a very bad cold but it is getting better. Am sending you a couple of pictures.
Am also sending a picture of the folks I was visiting in Scotland, Bob Osborne, his mother and little sister Lizzie, she sent me a scarf and a pretty card.
Loving Son and Bro. Frank.