Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-03-21
William Smith Writes From Eng
land

The following letter is from William
Smith, known here by his many
friends as William Wallucks, who is
with the Canadian army stationed at
Kent, England:
West Sanding Camp, Kent, Eng.
February II, 1918.
Dear Friend:
received your letter dated January
Fl, yesterday afternoon, but as | went
to the hospital TO visit some of my
friends and one of my pals, l didn't
get a chance to write, so I'll do the
best | can now Camp is getting pref
ty dull again as | have practically fin
ished my training. I am to be put on
a draft for France which I expect to
be called the last Of this month or the
first Of next. | was for two weeks at
the rifle range. They have issued me
with the rife I take to France with
me- I get up at every morning and
put on full pack and march to the
range, which is about three miles from
camp. I then went through the gas
chamber First, [ went through tear
gas, which only affects the eyes and
makes tears come, next [ went through
poison gas which affects the lungs and
kills. Had a gas helmet on. They is
sued me with p. h. helmet and a
box respirator helmet now, so | am
all ready for gas attacks when l get
on the firing line. | have had wiring,
which is making wire entanglements,
bombing, firing rife grenades and bay
Onet fighting, which is the hardest, as
that needs lots of muscle and quick
ness, and fellow soon gets tired when
he gets over the top Of trench, jumps
a wire ENHANCEMENT, jumps over
another trench through more wires
end brush, then bayOnet some bombs
and over, and trenches and into anoth-
e1 dummy lying on the ground on the
ether side When I get across twice,
or sometimes more, all depends on
what sergeant I have, am pretty we'll
ell in, and [ am not very small boy
any more, either, as I weigh nearly 100
pounds, and am just about as hard as
I can get. l am getting pretty good
feed as yet, no complaint in that quar-
ter, but things are very high, so you
know I spend quite a bit when | get
to town. Fellows in my company used
to tell me how cheap things were in
England, but they won't be able to tell
me again Well, suppose by the time
this letter reaches you you'll have
heard that I am in Edinburgh, Scot
land and London on my landing leave
which was from January to 10. |
certainly had a great time, had about
SO los, or nearly $46, to go with. You
most likely will have heard Of some of
the places I have visited, for [ wrote
Mr. Kingsford a letter so he could read
it to the school. | had a look at all
the historical places in Edinburgh the
first two or three days, and among the
most important was the Edinburgh
castle, as I guess you remember it is
famous in history. I spent four days
in London and had IS tour Cor 81
the first day in London and saw the
famous places, such as the Tower OF
London, Royal stables, Parliament
building, kings residence and other
places. London is some place. | was
in Piccadilly and Lester square,
guess you'll remember the song about
them-also was on the famous Strand.
7 never got into bed until after mid
night every night I was on pass. One
night one Of my partners didn't get in
until after 8 in the morning. l never
stayed out that late when was home.
I stayed for the night and breakfast
at the American Y. NJ. G. A, or Eagle
Hut. Our bed there cost 8 pence
apiece for the night, or Is cents in our
money back home, and 1 and for
meal, or 80 cents. l went to quite
few shows, which cost all the way from
5 and 1, or cents, up to and 8, or
$13S.
Some of the boys made frst-class
marksmen on the range and got two
day leave for London. I only am
thirfI-c1acc mo rEC man r am only