The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-01-24
HAROLD DAVIDSON WRITES
INTERESTING LETTER
OF TRIP TO ENGL AND

The following letters have been re-
ceived by P. G. Davidson of this city
from his son Harold, who is a member
of Company G, now stationed Some
where in England or France:
Somewhere in England,
Dec. 26, 1917.
Dear Folks-Well, here we are, al
ready across the pond; and it seemed
only like pond as our ship was so
big that we noticed very little of the
roughness outside. We sure did have
some ship, it was large enough to hold
about twice as many people as there
are in Valley City, so you can guess
for yourself and see about how big it
was. It is regular city in itself, the
kitchens, bakeries, ice boxes, butcher
shops and mess halls are as big as any
l have ever seen.
What do you suppose l saw about
two hours after we got on the boat?
l stood on the deck in crowd and all
at once some one yelled "gang way"
and whole string of sailors came
past; this was the first bunch of sal
lors we had seen so I was watching
them, soon noticed tall fellow with
a familiar look on his face so when he
went past me I said, "hello Bun1py,"
and he looked at me like he had been
hit with club. 1t was Mahlom Bonn
stad. Art and Harry told ME when
we were in Camp Mills that he worked
on the Vaterland, so I was kind of
looking for him. 1t sure was good
to see him and it didn't take more
than few minutes until couple Of
dozen Of his old Valley City friends
and neighbors were notified that
"Bumpy' was on the boat. He was
about as surprised as anyone I have
ever seen.
Our trip was very pleasant and
more than that it is an experience
none Of us will ever forget; each man
had bunk for himself and plenty to-
eat. We entered port here on Christ
mas eve, unloaded late at night and
had an all nights train ride across
the island, arriving at our camp the
Of Christmas Day.. We had
a fine turkey dinner with cranberries
and pie on the boat the day before we
landed, that was to be our Christmas
dinner. Our camp here is good, bet
ter than we expected. We live in
barracks, have mess halls and bath
houses, the whole camp is connected
with paved sidewalks, it is good but
not as good as the last camps we
were in, in good old U. S. A. III bet
you had a fine Christmas, but we will
nave good one next year as of
course we expect to have things over
with and be back home by that time.
at least we hope to. Say when you
ind out where Art and Harry are will
you let me know? They spoke of
going to an officers school but I
don't know if they made it or not. AS
here is no more news that I can tell
you I must quit for this time. Prob
ably you will not hear from me very
often from now on as there seems to
be limit to our number of letters.
but l will write as often as I get a.
chance of course. So, so long for
his time. With a Happy New Year
20 you all. From your soldier son, -
Harold.
Dec. %, 1917.
Dear Folks-Here l am again, got
back from a little hike about half hour
ago and thought l would have time
20 write you few lines before din
Ter: We were on little march YES
;erday afternoon, about eight or ten
niles. The scenery here is very beau
;lful, the trees are of some species
hat seem to stay green all the year
The roads are all lined with
Inc hedges and small trees. Some Of
me most beautiful locking driveways.
md lanes l have ever seen. l wish
you could all take little spin in the
ar and see it for yourselves. If I
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