Letters From the Front

Dated: November 6, 1915

Letters from Banff Soldiers

A letter from D. S. Bannerman to his mother contains an interesting account of his life in the trenches in France.

I will tell you how I spent my birthday [Sept. 30]. We went into the trenches the night before and, as it was raining cats and dogs, our rations for the next day were spoiled and we had nothing with which to break our fast. While poking around I found a tin of bully beef and a half tin of jam which my pal and I divided between us, spreading the jam on the meat to take away the salty flavour. We were fairly ready for a square feed when rations arrived next day.

In my father's last letter he mentions a divine providence watching over us soldiers. Well, I think the same providence is keeping a special eye on me. Have had several narrow escapes. One night while in my dug-out, which is simply a hole in the ground with a roof over it, a shell struck the roof and nearly caved it in. I got to the entrance when along came another shell, which exploded some six feet away. On the day we left the trenches a shell landed just outside the trench, completely burying me with dirt, but again I escaped injury.

Don't worry about me. If the German shells come so close without wounding me it is surely evident that I am predestined to return safe and sound to the loved ones at home.

There is something I would far rather you would send me than a birthday cake, if you don't mind. That is some germ destroyer to kill the pesky little vermin with which I am absolutely covered, and which annoy us far more than the German big guns. I would sooner not eat than be eaten. I will be pretty sure to receive anything you send as the mail service here is excellent.

Shot a pigeon this morning and am looking forward to a feed. Will have to cook the birdie myself, but can manage that all right.

Love and best wishes to all the folks at home.