La Junta tribune., 1917-12-27
Rossss W. Bslt
American Rest Camp. Winchester.
EnGlsnd. Thanksgiving Day, 1917.

American Rest Camp. Winchester,
England. Thanksgiving Day, 1917.
Ny Dear Mr.. Mason: guess 1t
II is my turn now. received a Trib-
une through the mail yesterday
dated October 18th. read Henry
-Bomgardner's letter in It. and also
one written by Harry Knapp both
Of which were very interesting to
me.
We have completed our course
here In England and are mobilizing
In Winchester to cross the channel
I will tell you about my trip through
London. When the main company OF
machine gunners left Perivale for
Winchester was In the hospital
with the mumps and could not go
with them. Last Monday / was re-
leased from the hospital and given
transportation papers to Winchester
From Perivsle l went by train to
Ealing and boarded an underground
train for London. Here / left the
tube and went to the surface. Across
the street was tho House Of Parlia-
ment- This Il . very large, building
covering several acres. In one Of the
towers is = very large clock called
Big RAa. ! was not permitted to
20 into the building q parliament
waf not In session. ' ..sif
About two t5iocks fartnef down
was Westminster abbey. which /
visited. ! was lucky enough to arrive
there while services were going on.
The organ was certainly wonderful.
The church is so arranged that the
different notes blend into one. 1t
was over two blocks from the en-
trance to the pulpit. After the SER
Vices were over walked down
Bird Cage walk. passed by Queen
AIMS Palace. and then on to Buck
inGham Palace. This building Is the
home Of the greatest monarch on
earth. but II wasn't very impressive.
The old front was so shabby that
two years ago they put on q new
front. which IL a decided improve
ment. King George was not at home
when ] called. but they changed
guards while was there. The
Scots Guard" has the distin-
guiahed honor OF guarding the pal
ace. The ceremony incident to
changing tho guard was very impress
sive. the procession from the bar.
racks TO the palace being led by q
band Of bagpipes. Each man In very
highly trained and knows every de-
tail OF his work. Just now the palace
has a covering OF netting over the
roof TO intercept Gotha bombs dur
Ing the air raids on London. which
take place quite frequently. In front
Of the palace is . large memorial to
Queen Victoria, and around the pal
ace. at . distance OF 400 yards. In
. circle Of granite pillars. each one
presented by colony Of England
and named for them.
After ! had seen all there WAS 10
see at the palace ! walked down the
Mall and under the Approach Bar
I also went over 70 the Pail Mail.
and the Admiralty and War Offices.
Next was Trafalgar Square where !
saw the famous tank from Cambria.
and about twenty captured German
guns. Beyond. at tho point Of the
square. was the Nelson monument.
I then passed ChsrinE Cross. and
walked up the Strand through Pic.
cadiily Circus 10 the American Y. n.
c. A. Here I got my first dish Of
leo cream since arrived In EnGltud
about two months ago. The peopis
hare were very nice and treated me-
fine.
From. here ! continued down "a
the old city Of London. There IL IN
iron griffin In the middle Of the
street making tho line between Lon
don and Westminster. I then passed
the Bank Of England and the old
market that Ia controlled by Armou,
Of the United states. I also saw IN.
old Bailey Prison where criminal,
we're publicly executed. A little far
thsr on came 70 81. paui's csthed
raj. Here they were also holdln,
services and The choir certainly rem
dsrsd some voaAssfui music. I als,
visitsl ~ fA0sus whl,psrtns -,