9 June 1916 Flanders

Dear Folks,
Have handed the hospital over to 4th Ambulance and are now in a camp behind our old one. We were intended to go up to the Advanced work (our section) but as two of our Dr’s were posted to other units, it left our section short of officers and so we had to stay behind. We have since got some more and will be able to go up when our turn comes around in a few days.
Well since I wrote last there have been some pretty exciting times. On Sunday night we sent 100 stretcher-bearers up to help clear the wounded from the copse. Half of them came back the next day and the rest stayed for two days longer. They were “C” section as they had been there before and were a little bit acquainted with the country. They report having a very exciting time and I only wish I could have been there.There was only one casualty. He was wounded in the leg and arm and will likely get a permanent blighty. The patient on his squad was killed and one of the boys had his arm around the patient when he was hit. Pretty narrow escape eh? We all wear the new steel helmet now when we go up there. It certainly saves scores of lives. One of our boys got a big dent in his, as big as a fist. Certainly saved his life.
The boys got great praise from the authorities. They had been carrying wounded out of the front line which is only 25 – 30 yards from Fritz’s front line and in full view of him. Their flares were falling right around them and they were forced to go overland not having any communication trenches. Some of the poor fellows had been lying there for as long as five days and were in very bad shape. Gangrene had set in in a lot of cases and all were in bad condition from lack of food and medical attention.
The bombardment was exceptionally heavy and the enemy evidently thought that they would have a complete walkover but they soon found out that those who were alive were very much alive, and the number of Germans left on the field testified to that. We had one German in the hospital here. He was a young looking chap about 25 – 26 and a very good looking chap. He certainly didn’t look starved and was in good condition. He only stayed with us a short time and we didn’t get much of a chance to quiz him.
I was very much disappointed that I could not get up but I’ll try and get up next time. We were lucky to get off with only one casualty.
I am quartered in a hut here and I got to work yesterday and made a bed. It is a dandy affair and is just like a spring mattress. There are 6 of us in this hut together, a double bed in two corners and a single in the other two. We made a table and bench as well so we are pretty comfy. We will only be here for a few days though, but we are enjoying ourselves while we are here. The roof is thatched with straw and is quite waterproof.
It is too bad about Al Ryan but I guess he was pretty sick though. I was glad to know you got rid of Mrs. Orr. She should have more decency than to impose herself on people like that way.
I hope Orville doesn’t have any more trouble with that fellow. It has caused him enough worry now. I don’t see how they can hold him libel for the costs.
I got Mae’s letter and also the parcel from Rose. I was glad Mae succeeded in getting her choir into Massy Hall. But I guess she …. and she will be very glad when the strain is over. Is she taking a playground for the summer?
Well I must ring off and get to bed. Hope everyone is well.
Yours lovingly,
Harold

24 October 1915 Somewhere in Belgium (near Ypres)

Dear Father and Mother,

Sunday noon and I have just come off of a 24 hr. guard over a prisoner and had to stand or lie on a stone floor all the time with a draught that nearly blew us along the floor coming in under the door.

As you will see we have crossed back here again although we are not in the same village as before we went across the border to that rest camp at the chateau. That was supposed to have been a rest camp for us as well as the patients who were there but it wasn’t very much like it and so while we are here we are not supposed to do too much until we take charge of the dressing station.

It is a beastly cold and cheerless place here. We are crowded 25 men to a small hut without a fire or windows. If we want any light we must open the trap doors in the wall and then it is so damp and cold that we have to close them to keep the wind out. I am propped up against the wall on my bedroll of blankets trying to get this written before dinner. I am afraid I am not going to get it done. My fingers are so stiff that I cannot write very fast.

Some of our men went up to a ruined city last night and were to bring back some bricks to use as a pavement to keep us on top of the mud around our huts. They got into a sculptor’s yard and filled their waggons with marble slabs in a few minutes and then searched around the ruins for a couple of hours. It was very light (on account of a full moon and clear sky) so they brought back quite a few souvenirs. Some of them even got going through the ruins of the famous ‘cloth hall’. I guess you have heard of it and where it is. I am going to try and get on the next fatigue forty that goes up. It is only about six miles by the main road.

There is not very much doing here these days and only a few cases are brought in every day. A man of the RFA whose battery is attached to our division had one of his legs amputated in our dressing station night before last. It seemed too bad for it was only an accident. There are a pretty large percentage of the wounded men who come in who are only hit by accident and some of them are maimed by themselves purposely so they can get back to the hospital.

I got your letter and parcel of sox. They are sure dandy sox and the brown pair are just fine. They fill up my big boots to perfection. The film was in the other ones ok but I guess you have my other letter saying not to send any more as my camera is in the custody of the Col.

The mail has just come in but there was nothing for me. I think it is the advance part of another Canadian mail.

Dinner is all over now and I am going out for a walk so I’ll ring off and get this posted so that it will go on tonight’s mail. Have not got the parcel Mae spoke of sending. Probably it will be on the mail that just arrived. I am feeling fine and am getting fat as a porpoise. Hope everyone at home is well. Tell Verne and Norma to write.

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 )