Letters From the Front

Dated: November 10, 1915

News from Pte. Thicke
The following letter is from Pte. Chas. Thicke, who is now in France. It is dated Nov. 10, 15.
Dear Mother and Father:-
I am in my little dug out and writing this under difficulties. I have seen quite a bit of France and a portion of Belgium. The country is very nice, not saying anything about the weather, but they have a long way to go to beat Canada, the land of the maple trees.
I am in my little dug out just behind the firing line. We are not doing anything to-day, as we were out digging trenches from 6 p.m., until 12 p.m. Did not see Angus McLean or Billy Thomas yet, but we passed their billets. They are in the trenches and wont be out for a few days. I'll see them all right for we all fight together.
It is quite a sensation when the Jack Johnsons come whizzing over your head and when the Germans shoot out their star flags. It is just like State St., Chicago, or Broadway, New York. You can see for miles. I have not yet had the pleasure of picking off a Fritz, as we call them, but hope to soon, if they don't get me first, but as David Harum says “Do unto others as they would do to you, but do it fust.” They are going it night and day, a continuous roar, but we have them faded forty ways. Bang, I must put that one in. That was one of our big ones, 12 inches, takes a shell 750 pounds, some weight. Did you hear that one? another big one.
Have just got notice that we are going into trenches at 4 p.m.
Your loving son, Charlie.
Charlie is with the 42nd Batt., the Black Watch Regiment.