This was Lawrence Pridham’s first letter sent from France to his Uncle Will – 2 February 1917. At the top he asks that it be circulated to Aunt Mary Parry, then his brother Harold and then be sent back to Will. He mentions having received letters from Will, brother Hall (Harold) and his wife Mary, and talks about the cold weather, spending his birthday (January 25) in the trenches and that he was now with the 4th CMR (Canadian Mounted Rifles – which despite their name, were serving as infantry.) Note the envelope which was opened and read and re-sealed with tape that read “opened by censor”. On the second page of the letter it appears that the censor erased information that probably referred to a specific locations for the other battalions he notes he has served with.
You can click any page to see a larger image or see the full transcription at the bottom of this page.
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Send Aunt Mary Parry, then Harold, and back to Uncle Will
France
Feb 15/17
Dear Uncle Will,
Yours of Jan 5th and 11th duly received and was very glad to hear from you. I have been over here since about the 20th Jan. Some country here very antiquated. We have had some pretty cold weather here, they say the coldest in years (1885) but it is a little warmer the past few days and snow is pretty well gone.
Got a letter from Hal and Mary to-night so must answer theres which is quite a job on account of the restriction of information. I had birthday in the front line wherein it was celebrated with various kinds of fireworks both German and English – very celebrious indeed. I had two days in the trenches altogether not long but sufficient for a starter. You can address me to the 4th C.M.R.s France. This is the 3rd Bn [battalion] that I have [erased by censor] .
I am well at the present and hope you are all the same.
Love to all
Yours Sincerely,
Lawrie
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- 27 September 1916 (Base Borden)
- 30 September 1916 (Tottenham)
- 07 October 1916 (Base Borden)
- 14 January 1917 (London)
- 15 February 1917 (France)
- 27 March 1917 (France)
- 5 July 1917 (France)
- 23 September 1917 (France)
- 31 January 1918 (France)
- 1 February 1918 (most likely from France)
- 21 April 1918 (France)
- 11 July 1918 (France)
