27 October 1915 Somewhere in Belgium

Dear People in Toronto,

I have an hour or two this evening that I will be able to devote to writing letters etc. I wrote home on Sunday but it was not much of a letter and it was so cold in our hut that I could not sit still and besides I had no table to write on so I just had to stop and went for a walk to a village further up the road that had received its quota of shells and was in a rather dilapidated condition.

On Sunday night it started to rain and been keeping it up ever since on and off, except yesterday which was a fine day till late at night. It is very muddy and everything gets damp but if it is possible to become accustomed to wet weather, we may as well do so , for we have not much good weather ahead of us till the spring , except occasional days of no rain.

I expect we will soon be issued with the famous sheepskin coats of the 1st Division, and also waterproof cloaks with new boots soon. We haven’t had any new boots since the 24th of May when we got our big overseas ammunition boots. That was the day we moved our camp from Sandling to Otterpool and everyone who wore the stiff beggars had sore feet.

I have been receiving all your letters, so I got Maude’s last Thursday and Mae’s on the Sat. preceding. Orville’s came quite a while ago but I have not heard from Bill for quite a long time. I guess he has been pretty busy with his books and getting his affairs all wound up before enlisting. What has he joined? He will no doubt be writing me all about it soon however I don’t think I would enlist in the Medical Corps if I were he. I wish I could get a transfer but I guess it is too late now. The Artillery is the best Corps. to join I think or the cyclists are good too. The infantry get all the dirty work and the most hard work. It has the most fighting to do. But in this war the infantry just finish up what the guns start and then the ambulance steps in and has to carry most of them back – those who have that much luck.

In that engagement Mae referred to being reported in church as being won by the British and French was on while we had charge of the dressing station in Belgium, and was a considerable distance south of us. We could hear the bombardment for 2 or 3 days and when the guns ceased their incessant roar, there was hardly anything left to oppose our infantry. Not until they had penetrated a long distance into the German lines and as you will have seen by the casualty lists, they apparently met with some opposition back there.

The 28th (Northwest) Battalion has been most heavily hit of any 2nd Division so far. They have had the name of being the hoodoo ? Batt. of the 2nd Div. all along and have certainly lived (or died) up to it since coming over here. They had 490 some killed in a section of trench that was blown up by a mine. The other units have been comparatively lucky.

Orville was asking in one of his letters if the report he had from Geo. Christensen about the discontent among the Canadian munitions workers (was true). As far as I can make out from the papers here they are not being used as well or getting as much pay as they were led to believe they would receive. I saw a case of one of them taking his case into court, but judgement was not given. It appeared from the report in the report in the paper that the future action of a lot of the Can. munitions workers depended on the result of that case.

That was a pretty rotten trick of Dennis’. How are you making out with him now? Is business affected in Toronto this fall? Eggs here are 60 f (?) a doz. or 2 1/2 f (?) each. they have been that price all summer and do not seem to vary at all.

There was an inspection by Kings Albert of Belgium and George V accompanied by French Field Marshal (Foch?) and hosts of staff officers of all tanks today at a small village about 3 miles from here. Of course it would not be very practicable to have all the troops of the 2nd Div. out at one time so just 10 (?) men from each 50 (?). We sent 4 men and a staff Sargeant from our unit.

We had a trip last night to a dead city. I will not be able to give you a complete description of our trip but it was an experience I will not forget very soon. We had been sending parties up for 2 or 3 nights back for the purpose of getting bricks and fire wood. etc. and I was lucky enough to get going up last night.

The moon was just rising as we entered the ruins. All the way along the road the fields on either sides were full of big shell holes a sort of prelude to the sort of thing we were to see later on. Every building of any size that we encountered showed some signs of being shelled at some time or other. As our waggons got near the entrance of the place, we were held up by a guard for a moment and then we passed on through into the most terrible evidence of what has been going on here since last fall.

Wherever we went through the whole city (he is talking about Ypres/Leper), there was not a house left that had not been ruined so much that it was just a heap of bricks. Some have 2 or 3 walls standing but a roof is a rare thing to see. I had seen a lot of photographs and picture cards of the ruins. They all looked pretty bad but I was of the opinion that they were taken from some of the worst parts of the city. These kind of pictures can be photographed in any part of the city. The big square in the centre of the city is strewn with bricks and debris from the surrounding buildings and the road itself is torn up in several places by the big shells falling there and bursting. The famous ‘cloth hall’ which I suppose you know of and where it is, has been wrecked completely and a Jack Johnston hole big enough to bury a couple of big motor cars is right outside the main entrance. The big convent college, several large hotels, cathedrals and a great big railway station have all been shelled time after time and even yet they occasionally drop a “coal box” down just to let us know they have a few to spare, I guess. We have a few batteries concealed there and probably they are the targets.

I had to stop last night as my candle was getting low and I had to put my blankets down yet. This is now Thursday afternoon and I want to get this finished before the mail leaves. I only have a minute or two to start in too.

There was a German aeroplane brought down near here on Tuesday. I saw the whole fight from the time it came into view, till the bally thing lighted near our trenches. It was attacked by an Allied machine and headed back toward the trenches again but when the Br. machine came close the anti-air guns were afraid of hitting it so they ceased fire but in a few minutes the Taube started back again and as they make better time than the Biplanes, he was getting away from our airman so he turned back and let our guns at him again. And didn’t they make him dodge. He began to descend in a very short time and was not long in coming down.

Well I got some more letters today. One from Orville and Rose, mother and Ettie. I am sorry Orville that Dennis is giving you such a hard rub.He won’t last long probably, if he gets a line of bum stuff. Doesn’t he ever get any trouble about the change of the wrapper on the butter etc.?

It is dandy snap of yourself and the youngsters. They sure are healthy looking and I can see a big difference in their size. have the other one too. You were asking about games etc. We don’t get much chance to play ball of any kind and now the rainy weather started we don’t get a chance to do anything in the sport(s) line. There is no window in our huts and only 2 small candles allowed a day so when it is wet and cold we have to keep all the places closed and burn candles. They cost a penny each to buy them and we can’t afford that very often on 1 franc a day. However I think we are going to get a lantern now but the difficulty is getting oil.

There comes the mail man so will have to ring off. Write often.
Lovingly,
Harold

1 September 1915 Otterpool Camp, Kent

Harold writes a letter to his mother from the hospital where he is working. The last pages of the letter are missing.

Harold Roy Skilling front right
Otterpool Camp
1915

5th Field Ambulance, 2nd Division Canadian Expeditionary Force

Dear Mother,
This is Wed. night and I am on duty in the hospital but have a few minutes of spare time tonight so must try to get a short line written home.

We have been very busy all week and today in the hospital has been busier than ever and we are crowded to the full capacity of the hospital tonight. It has been a rainy day, and also there is a big review by the King tomorrow so that is one of the reasons for a big sick parade. Orders are out in some units around here for the big inspection tomorrow, but there is not any out for us yet so I can’t give you the details.

Things are getting pretty well cleaned up now and all our equipment has been received. The transport have all been issued with new waggons and watter carts and we got our 3 horse ambulances as well which are all we will get here. The motor ambulances of which we are allowed 7, are in France now. (except 1 which the Col. uses as a joy car.)

The last time I wrote I was out on manoeuvres and did not have a very good opportunity to write much and did not feel very much like writing anyway as I was just about “all in” from the cold and thought I would have to report sick, but the next morning I was nearly better. We came thru’ our operations ok and went through a scheme of billeting in Ashford. Our unit was put in a brewery and the Col. was tickled but we were not allowed inside. He is a regular old soaker, but is better now than when we first came over.

Before I forget, I am sending my watch home. (The one I got from the boys) It does not fit in the case, I don’t think, and besides is not strong enough for the knocking around it gets. I was downtown last night for a few odds and ends and got a 13/ Ingersall wristwatch with luminous dial. It is a good reliable time-keeper and stands all kinds of rough usage. You can keep the other one for me and if you can get it fixed, it will do for some one to use. I would have gotten it fixed only the jewel shops around here are so rushed that they can’t accept anymore work to be done in less than a month.

In case my letters from the front will be very strictly censored, could some of you arrange to sent a film for my camera every so often, say once a week. They cost 20 cents and are no. 127 for the vest pocket Kodak (folding). I am going to try and get them sent out with men coming back and trusting to them being sent home. You will have to get them developed as I am not taking a developing outfit with me. I had thought I would like to take it but it is going to be too bulky and as we are only allowed 1 kit bag and 35 lbs. in that, I don’t know what we are going to do with our big boots for they comprise nearly all that weight in themselves.

Here comes a case so I’ll have to ring off now and finish this the first chance I get.

This is Thursday evening just after supper and if I am going to catch the Canadian mail for tonight I must post this right away.

Well the big review is over and we were praised by the King. He said we looked better than any division he had yet inspected that was leaving for the front. He rode past our unit on horse-back about 11 o’clock a.m. and was accompanied by Kitchener and a score of staff officers. They made quite an imposing sight as all the prancing horses and distinguished men with their khaki uniforms trimmed with red. He passed directly in front of us and he scrutinized us closely as he rode by. Kitchener is a very heavily built man and wears a heavy brown moustache. I had always heard him described as one who seldom smiles, but his face was wreathed in smiles as he passed us. (I suppose it one of pleasure at out good appearance, eh what?)

It threatened to rain all day as it usually does on inspection days, but kept off pretty well until we were on our way home and then it started to pour. We got a good soaking as we had to march about 3 miles in it.

Altogether there would be about 22,000 reviewed, and they certainly showed well today. They presented arms at the Royal salute like one man, and there was not a movement as the King rode past. After the inspection they “marched past” in double columns of fours (eight abreast) the massed bands of the division playing regimental marches. At the conclusion of the inspection, and previous to the “march past”, “three cheers” were called for. When a person overhears 3 by 3 from a division of soldiers, it is not soon forgotten. It just seemed to quiver along the whole line, which extended for about a third of a mile and was 4 companies deep and then burst into a big roar.

When we got home all thoroughly wet from the inside out, and outside in also, we were met with few words of praise from the Col. when he was dismissing us. When he had finished conveying the message of Gen. Turner, he said that as we were not standing at attention when the Gen. came around after the inspection to give him this message and instead we were eating out lunch, which was contrary to orders, he would give us as punishment 1 hr. of standing to attention today and half hour every morning instead of physical drill. When we were dismissed everybody just booed and gave cat calls etc. It was ….

( More details on this incident after the King's inspection may be found on pages 50 - 53 in "Stretcher Bearers...At The Double" by Frederick Walter Noyes )

1 July 1915 Otterpool Training Camp, Kent

Harold writes home on Canada’s Dominion Day from Otterpool where they are having field day celebrations in camp. He mentions the  delays in getting all their horses, ambulances, general service wagons and other transport equipment as the War Office is so rushed. Although Harold doesn’t mention it, this was around the time all men made out a Short form of Will which was carried  in their pay book.




25 June 1915 Otterpool Camp, Kent, England

Harold writes to his parents in Teeswater, Ontario from Otterpool Training Camp where he is living in a bell tent.



Harold Skilling front right
Otterpool Camp
1915



 

Introduction to Letters of Harold Skilling

Harold Roy Skilling was born 31 July 1893 in Teeswater, the next older brother to my mother-in-law, Agnes Norma Skilling Jackson. He was 21 when World War One broke out and eagerly enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces on 21 November 1914. We don't know why he chose to join the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance Corps as a Stretcher Bearer, except that recruitment orders had just come down on November 11th to recruit a Field Ambulance Corps for overseas service with the Second Canadian Contingent.

At Exhibition Camp in Toronto, Harold was first examined by doctors,  measured and attested. He was one of the shortest men in the Fifth at 5 feet 3 3/4 inches. After 5 months of training in infantry drill, stretcher drill and first-aid treatments, other necessary skills and physical conditioning, the first units boarded the train on April 15, 1915 for Halifax. Harold left Toronto in April 1915 and sailed on the S.S. Northland (formerly the Zeeland) of the White Star Line.

Harold arrived in England at the Port of Avonmouth on 29 April 1915. Trains transported the men to Westenhanger in Kent. They set out on foot, marching two miles to Sandling Camp where huts awaited them. On the 24th of May the men moved from Sandling to Otterpool Camp where they lived in tents.

Harold's letters begin on 25 June 1915 at Otterpool Camp. These letters are in poor condition, written in pencil on onionskin paper or other scraps of paper. Many were written under difficult conditions by candle light. Some will be possible to scan but many will have to be transcribed.