Letters from the Front
World War I
While indexing the vital statistics in the Evening Guide microfilms for 1914-1919, we also compiled an index of 200 published letters to family and friends from overseas. Many are extracts from full letters and all have been subject to military censorship. Some are detailed in their contents and many merely chatty letters home.
Included are the newspaper issue, page, and column number, and whether or not the person appears in the Book of Remembrance. The hyperlinked (underlined) surnames take you to a photograph and/or biography of that soldier or Nursing Sister.
Surname | Given name | Issue | Page/ Column |
Book of Remembrance |
Notes |
Adamson | Frederick Byron | 14 Feb 1918 | 1/2 | Yes | Letter to Fred from Brigadier-General Victor W. Salum awarding the Military Medal. |
Arkless | Frank | 11 Aug 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | KIA circumstances to his mother, Mrs. Henry Arkless, Cavcan Street. |
Ashman | John Charles | 26 Jul 1915 | 1/3 | Yes | From King George's Hospital, London SE, dated 12 Jul, 1st Canadian Contingent. |
Austin | George |
29 Dec 1914 13 Jan 1915 08 Feb 1915 02 Mar 1915 |
1/4 1/3 1/3 1/5 |
Yes |
Very brief Christmas greeting to his wife & children. To his wife from Salisbury Plains. Cable from Salisbury Plains informing his wife that he has spinal meningitis. Report to his wife re his recovery. |
Austin | Norman | 16 Nov 1918 | 1/6 | Yes | Letter to parents relating experiences in France. |
Baxter | Harry | 17 Nov 1917 | 2/1 | Yes | To his mother and sister describing the Vimy battle. |
Bell | George William | 26 May 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | KIA letter to Mr. Alfred Grice, a former employer, of Hope Township. |
Bennett |
Reuben |
10 Oct 1916 11 Jan 1917 |
1/3 1/5 |
Yes |
To mother, from France. A condolence letter to his mother from Sgt. Powell, after Reuben's death. |
Bowman | Miss Maude | 27 Aug 1915 | 1/4 | No | Former nurse at Port Hope Hospital. From Port Said, dated 03 Aug to Miss E.M. Elliott, Hospital Superintendent. |
Brethen | Clarence Arthur | 19 Sep 1918 | 1/5 | Yes | To his wife, assuring her that the report of his death was incorrect! |
Bridges | Percy | 28 Sep 1918 | 1/6 | Yes | To his mother, describing holidaying in London and Edinburgh. |
Bridges | Roy | 23 Nov 1916 | 1/5 | Yes | To his parents, describing his wounds and conditions in a French hospital. |
Carmichael | Grant Thornton |
08 Oct 1915 26 Apr 1916 |
1/4 1/5 |
Yes |
Short note on trench life to Charles Britton, British Hotel. Letter to Mrs. G.T. Carmichael regarding the death of her husband in action. |
Carruthers | Thomas | 15 May 1916 | 1/4 | Yes | Thanking Mrs. WE Long for sent gifts. |
Chambers | Thomas LeRoy | 11 Jun 1917 | 1/4 | No | KIA condolence letter to mother in Peterborough on his death. Nephew of Mrs. Frank Osland of Canton. |
Chesher | Ernest |
16 Feb 1917 12 May 1917 15 May 1917 30 Jul 1917 01 Sep 1917 14 Nov 1918 28 Dec 1918 |
1/3 1/6 1/4 1/6 1/4 1/4 1/2 |
Yes |
Letters to mother & brother, Clifford, describing an aerial battle. "Chatty" letter to parents re life in the trenches at Vimy. Front line news & mention of his "trench foot". Describing a London air raid. Describes excellent treatment of wounded in hospital. To father describing his work as a Gas Instructor. To father, A.J. Chesher, from Bramshott, England. |
Clark | Charles | 01 Aug 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Report of death to Donald Currie, South Street, from Captain J.W. Wayman (Chaplain, 87th Battallion). |
Clarke | G. Arthur |
06 Mar 1917 20 May 1918 30 Jul 1918 09 Dec 1918 |
1/4 1/6 1/3 1/5 |
Yes |
To father, describing life at Crowborough Camp, England. To his father, George, Sherbourne Street, describing a "Port Hope get-together" in Surrey, England. To his family from Whitly Camp. To father, George, describing London's war-end celebrations. |
Coupland | Milford | 27 Sep 1918 | 1/5 | No | To his mother, Mrs. S.A. Coupland, telling her of his injuries. |
Craig | W. Edward "Ted" |
04 May 1916 12 Jan 1917 |
1/5 1/3 |
Yes |
To his mother about life in Shorncliffe Camp. To his parents, describing camp life. |
Currie | A.R. | 01 Aug 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Report of death to Donald Currie, South Street, from Capt. J.W. Wayman (Chaplain 87th Bttn.). |
Douglas | Fred | 15 Feb 1916 | 1/6 | Yes | From England, to the Girls' Bible Class, St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Port Hope. |
Eakins | James | 22 Jun 1915 | 1/5 | Yes | To TB Chalk from the front lines. |
Edmunds | George | 22 Jun 1917 | 1/4 | Yes | Zeppelin attack at Otterpool. |
Edmunds | Jack | 13 Aug 1915 | 1/4 | Yes | To his mother re Shorncliffe life. |
Edwards | Gilbert |
17 Sep 1915 25 Sep 1917 12 Oct 1916 |
1/6 2/6 1/6 |
Yes |
A "newsy letter from England" to JH Wilson. Letter to Miss Fox re death of her brother, Charles. How he met his death, from Lt.-Col. L. McLaughlin to his mother. Recommendation for Military Cross. |
Elliott | Ridd | 23 Apr 1917 | 1/6 | Yes | To mother, Mrs. R.R. Elliott, Walton Street, re the importance of mail time. |
Emerson | Lorne | 04 Oct 1916 | 1/4 | Yes | To Mrs. N.E. Jenkins, describing trench life in France. |
Fairhurst | John | 24 Jun 1916 | 1/5 | Yes | Letter describing his death. |
Fogarty | Harold Cecil |
12 Jul 1916 09 May 1917 07 Dec 1917 13 May 1918 |
1/6 2/1 2/3 1/5 |
Yes |
To his parents, describing life at Camp Borden. Continued 10 May: 2/1. To his mother during a lull in fighting. Extracts of a letter written in a Rouen hospital to his parents, detailing his wounding. |
Fogarty | William Charles | 17 Oct 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | Lengthy description of the battle in which he was blinded. |
Foster | Thomas | 07 Jun 1916 | 1/6 | Yes | Reply to the Baptist Church from hospital. |
Frenette | Emery | 01 May 1918 | 1/3 | No | From a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany to Mrs. J.T. George of the IODE. |
Garbutt | Harold |
15 Aug 1916 17 Feb 1917 07 Mar 1917 22 Mar 1917 |
1/4 3/6 1/4 1/3 |
Yes |
To mother, describing life in London. Daily life in the trenches. Death of Harold. Details of death. |
Giles | John | 20 Dec 1916 | 1/3 | Yes | To his wife, from France. |
Gould | George |
14 Nov 1916 10 Mar 1917 |
1/5 1/5 |
Yes |
To Mrs. A.E. Pipher, describing life at the Front. From Bear Wood Convalescent Hospital. |
Green | James | 27 Sep 1917 | 1/6 | Yes | Report of death. |
Halliday | James Thomas Wainright | 11 Oct 1916 | 1/5 | Yes | Report of death by Frank J. Whiting. Listed in the Guide as John. |
Harcourt | John Vernon | 30 Jan 1919 | 4/2 | Yes | To P.H. Horton re occupation life in Bonn, Germany. |
Harcourt | Robert | 22 Aug 1914 | 1/3 | Yes | From Robert of Cobourg Garrison Battery to his father, J.V. Harcourt, informing of his arrival in Vancouver. |
Harvey | Thomas | 12 Jan 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | To William McLellan, describing camp life in England. |
Harwood | John Vincent | 21 Mar 1916 | 1/5 | No | To the Guide from France. |
Haultain | Robin | 04 Dec 1914 | 1/3 | Yes | Of the 2nd King Edward Horse, from Hounslow Cavalry Barracks, Middlesex, England. |
Hayden | Sherwood |
07 Nov 1916 01 May 1917 22 Nov 1917 |
1/3 1/6 1/3 |
Yes |
Describing trench life, from Shoreham Hospital. To the Daughters of the Empire, thanking for parcels & describing daily life in England. Lengthy letter from France to his mother re trench warfare. |
Hemmick | Rev. Father William Anthony | 20 May 1918 | 4/2 | No | Extracts from a letter written to his father, Roland Hemmick of Idalia, Port Hope. |
Hills | Alexander | 09 May 1916 | 1/3 | Yes | To William Marvin, describing daily life in England. |
Holden | John |
27 Nov 1914 20 Jan 1916 04 May 1916 10 Apr 1918 |
1/5 1/3 1/5 1/6 |
Yes |
To Sherman Gifford re training in Kingston. To AE Pipher re lost Port Hoper, Albert Gloyne. To Mrs. H. Dore, from Belgium. Short, friendly note to J.R. Smith. |
Honey | Roy |
24 Oct 1916 19 Jan 1917 20 Jan 1917 17 Mar 1917 |
1/5 1/6 3/6 3/2 |
Yes |
To his father, describing his sea trip to England and daily camp life. To his father, describing upcoming Christmas preparations. To his sister re how he spent Christmas in England. A chatty note to his father, from East Sandling, England. |
Hopkins | Albert | 21 May 1915 | 1/7 | Yes | To wife re plight of refugees in France. |
Hopkins | Fred |
19 Nov 1914 19 May 1915 |
1/6 1/4 |
Yes |
Brief note to mother re Christmas preparations at Salisbury Plains. To mother, from Belgium, a chatty letter of calm. |
Hussey | James | Jan 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Life at the Front, France. |
Irwin | Delbert | 18 Jan 1919 | 3/3 | Yes | To mother, Mrs. Catharine Irwin, Lindsay, Ontario. |
Irwin | Edgar Edward | 13 Dec 1917 | 1/4 | Yes | A letter re his views on death. |
Joyce | Norris | 01 Nov 1916 | 1/4 | Yes | Letter to his mother. Listed in the "Guide" as Norman. |
Joyce | Wilbert |
26 Aug 1915 07 Jun 1916 13 Jun 1916 |
1/4 1/6 1/4 |
Yes |
To Harold Clarke, dated 10 Aug, 39th Battallion, Lydd, England. To Miss Brown, expressing appreciation for gifts sent. Reply to the Baptist Church from hospital. |
Lee | Joseph | 27 Mar 1915 | 1/5 | Yes | To Henry White, MP, from France, relating feelings of the war. |
Leuty | John Gill |
13 Feb 1917 17 May 1917 18 May 1917 23 May 1917 |
1/4 1/5 1/4 1/3 |
Yes |
To Miss May Rowden, thanking her for socks. Letter to his wife re his story of a trench battle. Description of a trench battle. Describing his accommodation at Clarence House in London. |
Lightle | William |
28 Dec 1916 30 Apr 1917 |
1/3 1/3 |
Yes |
Two letters informing father, David, & sister, Mrs. A.E. Fulford (Lucy) of William's death. Report of death. |
MacMillan | Myrtle |
23 Jul 1915 25 Jul 1915 18 Aug 1916 13 Sep 1915 |
1/5 1/4 1/5 1/3 |
Yes |
To mother re nursing chores in France. To her sister re daily nursing life in France. Description of nursing routines. To family re trip to Alexandria, Egypt. |
MacNaughton | Mary |
16 Aug 1915 11 Sep 1915 19 Sep 1915 13 Oct 1915 |
1/4 1/5 1/5 1/5 |
Yes |
From Queen's Base Hospital, 29 Jul, to "Dear Friends". From Alexandria, Egypt, re leisure life, dated 11 Aug. "Queen's Hospital is stationed in a desert": life in Cairo. To sister, Flossie MacNaughton, re hospital & work in Cairo. |
Maples | Richard |
09 Jun 1916 29 Dec 1916 |
1/3 1/4 |
Yes |
To his mother, describing life in the Belgium trenches. To aunt Louise Maples, about the "instincts of a horse". |
Mason | Harry | 30 May 1917 | 1/5 | No | Condolence letter to father, W.E. Mason, of Canton. Photo. |
McCallister | Walter Harold |
10 Nov 1914 18 Mar 1915 19 Mar 1915 31 Mar 1915 18 May 1915 09 Oct 1915 |
1/5 1/4 1/3 1/6 1/4 1/3 |
Yes |
To his dad, relating daily life on Salisbury Plains. A friendly letter to Percy Nixon from the front lines. To father, William, letting him know he was okay in France. To his mother, a lengthy letter about trench life. To his mother re trench warfare. Lengthy letter re Langemarck battle. |
McIntosh | G.O. | 11 Oct 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Description of trench warfare. |
McMahon | Norman |
23 Jun 1917 10 Dec 1918 |
1/3 1/6 |
Yes |
To father, a "newsy" letter from Shorncliffe Camp. To father, Alderman T.J. McMahon, informing of Norman's death of Spanish influenza on 15 Nov. |
McLean | Norman |
12 May 1915 13 May 1915 01 Jun 1915 15 Jun 1915 |
1/5 1/6 1/5 1/6 |
No |
To his father, Col. William McLean, Mill Street, written at sea. Written at sea. To father from West Sandling Camp, England, re "beautiful British countryside". To brother, Stanley of Toronto, re London life. |
McNaughton | Ivo | 30 Mar 1915 | 1/5 | Yes | A chatty letter to mother, Walton Street. |
McQuade | Edward Patrick | 23 Dec 1916 | 2/1 | Yes | As a prisoner-of-war in Germany, a postcard to his mother. |
Mercer | William | 06 Jul 1917 | 1/4 | Yes | His war experiences in a letter to the Guide. |
Micks | Robert |
12 Mar 1918 21 May 1918 |
1/3 1/6 |
Yes |
Letter to Mrs. Fair, sister of Robert Micks, reporting him missing in action and presumed killed. Letter to father, Alonzo Micks of Ottawa, reporting presumed dead after 31 Oct 1917 wounding. |
Millward | Frederick Louis |
09 Jun 1916 09 Sep 1916 18 Jan 1917 |
1/4 1/3 1/3 |
Yes |
To mother re trench life in Belgium. To wife re graphic account of a charge. A chatty note to his mother, describing New Year's Eve in London. |
Milne | Edward Charles |
22 May 1917 05 Feb 1918 |
1/5 1/3 |
Yes |
Letter of condolence. Letter to father, James Milne, Walton Street, informing him of son's death in France - killed in action. |
Mitchell | Gordon |
28 Nov 1916 23 Nov 1917 |
1/4 1/6 |
No |
To his mother, Mrs. William Mitchell, King Street, of his travels in Russia. A detailed letter to his mother from Vladivostock. Continued 24 Nov: 2/1. |
Ogden | Harold |
12 Jun 1918 29 Jan 1919 |
1/6 2/5 |
Yes |
Serving with the US army "somewhere in France". Short note to Mrs. D. Ogden, John Street. To mother, Mrs. I. Ogden, John Street. |
Ough | Charles | 09 Nov 1916 | 1/5 | Yes | A newsy letter to Rev. Spidell. |
Outram | Allan |
17 Sep 1917 18 Dec 1918 05 Apr 1919 |
4/2 1/6 1/4 |
Yes |
To his mother, describing trench life and his recent leave. To mother, from Russia. Sent by Allan Outram to his mother, Mrs. G. A. Outram, dated 06 Feb, from Russia. |
Parker | Eric | 04 Nov 1915 | 1/4 | Yes | Short note to his mother re trench life in France. |
Pomeroy | Arthur |
23 Dec 1916 02 Feb 1917 19 Feb 1917 24 Mar 1917 |
1/7 1/5 1/5 1/3 |
Yes |
To his father, describing life in the trenches. To father, describing night work in No-Man's Land. To father, describing trench life. To father, describing a gas attack on German trenches. |
Pomeroy | William Henry | 13 Nov 1916 | 1/3 | Yes | To his wife, a description of the battle in which he was wounded. |
Porteous | Harvey Robert |
13 Jun 1917 15 Aug 1917 |
1/3 4/1 |
Yes |
To the Guide, life in Shorncliffe Camp. Daily life in Roffey Camp, England. |
Powers | Allan A. | 18 Jan 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | To his parents, re Christmas in France. |
Ralston | George H. |
21 Nov 1914 06 Dec 1914 08 Jan 1915 12 Jan 1915 16 Jan 1915 02 Mar 1915 08 May 1915 29 May 1915 14 Nov 1915 |
1/5 1/3 1/3 1/4 1/3 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/4 |
Yes |
To his wife, about life in England. Life at Salisbury Plains. Salisbury Plains news. From New Copse Farm Camp. Christmas at Salisbury Plains to his wife. Daily life at Devizes, England. From Belgium. Progress in France. From the SS Grampian (Allan Line) to Salisbury Plains. |
Reynolds | Arthur |
26 Nov 1914 30 Nov 1914 13 Jan 1915 19 Mar 1915 10 May 1915 01 Jun 1915 08 May 1916 29 May 1917 |
1/5 1/5 1/3 1/5 1/6 1/4 1/3 1/3 |
Yes |
Interesting letter, dated 10 Nov, from Salisbury Plains to his brother, Henry. To his sister, Mrs. F.G. Bouskill, re trip at sea & life at Salisbury Plains. Arthur to RB Thompson from Salisbury Plains. To his brother, Henry, re daily life in the trenches. To his sister, Mrs. Fred Bouskill, re billeting in Belgium. To Charles Britton of the British Hotel: "now on the firing line". A letter to the Women's Institute, acknowledging gifts. To John Laurie re battle description. |
Roach | Hilton |
02 Jun 1916 21 Jun 1916 05 Feb 1919 |
1/5 1/5 1/3 |
Yes |
To his mother re battalion life in Belgium. To his mother re trench life. To sister, Lenore. Son of P. Roach, Port Hope. |
Rosser | Sidney | 05 Jul 1916 | 1/6 | Yes | To his wife "from the firing line". |
Russell | James E. | 31 May 1916 | 1/6 | Yes | To his sister, re trench life in Flanders. |
Smith | Albert | 13 Dec 1916 | 4/2 | Yes | To his sister, Pearl, Cranberry Road. |
Smith | Harvey |
23 Mar 1918 14 Sep 1918 |
1/6 4/2 |
Yes |
Lengthy letter to friend, Roy Adamson. Son of Joseph Smith, Durham Street. Lengthy newsy letter to Roy Adamson from Camp Witley, England. |
Smith | Robert | 11 Jun 1918 | 1/6 | Yes | Lengthy letter to parents, Mrs. & Mrs. J. Smith, Smith Street, Port Hope, describing army life. |
Snider | Cairns |
04 Aug 1915 07 Dec 1915 |
1/5 1/6 |
Yes |
To mother, Mrs. E.E. Snider. Caesar's Camp north, Shorncliffe, dated 18 Jul. To his father re life on the battlefront. |
Snider | Eber Egerton | 12 Jan 1917 | 1/4 | Yes | Letter of appreciation from Mildred Massie. |
Staples | Stan | 05 Dec 1917 | 1/4 | Yes | A letter to his mother re his being KIA. |
Sutherland | Donald | 09 Jan 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Life in the trenches in France & a witnessed aerial combat. |
Tarrington | James | 03 May 1918 | 1/3 | Yes | A lengthy letter of family desperation. |
Taylor | Arthur | 22 Dec 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | A letter about his Military Medal award. |
Trenouth | John | 10 Apr 1918 | 4/2 | Yes | Lengthy description of trip overseas. |
Trumper | William E. | 16 May 1916 | 1/5 | Yes | To his mother, from France, describing wounds. |
Uglow | Walter Denzil | 19 May 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | To his mother re injuries sustained. |
Wade | Matthew |
23 Jan 1915 25 Jan 1915 |
1/6 1/3 |
Yes |
Detailed Christmas doings at Salisbury Plains. To Miss Violet Carr re his recent illness. |
Waite | Charles Bertam | 05 Apr 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Letter of appreciation from Alfred W. Gunton. |
Walsh | Thomas Morrow | 13 Nov 1916 | 1/5 | Yes | Letter to father, Alexander, from Claude H. Hill, re Missing in action. |
Watt | Elmo Wesley | 15 Jun 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | At his aunt, Gertie Philp, re POW camp life. |
Watts | Alfred |
06 Nov 1914 08 Jul 1915 23 Jul 1915 23 Aug 1915 |
1/3 1/3 2/2 1/4 |
Yes |
From Bustard Camp, England to A.E. Pipher, Standard Ideal Co. Ltd., Port Hope. "All are having a good time!" To AE Pipher re trench warfare. From the trenches to his wife, Ada. From the trenches to his friend, John Hyne, dated 01 Aug, France, chatting about local boys. |
White | Benjamin | 13 Nov 1918 | 1/4 | Yes | Letter to mother in Hope Township from Nursing Sister in France describing his injuries. |
White | Charles H. | 23 Nov 1916 | 1/3 | Yes | Letter to parents, Mr. & Mrs. Henry White, King Street. |
White | Mark E. | 16 Mar 1917 | 1/3 | Yes | To his wife, describing his 3-day battlefield "burial". |
Wickett | Roy | 20 Oct 1915 | 1/4 | Yes | Letter to Norman Jennings from Shorncliffe Camp. |
Wilson | Lionel Benjamin | 25 Nov 1918 | 1/4 | Yes | Telegram to father, Leo, informing him of his death at sea. |
Yates | Willliam Lawrence | 28 Nov 1917 | 1/5 | Yes | Letter to father re son's death, with photo. |
Youden | Thomas William | 08 Aug 1917 | 1/4 | Yes | KIA letter to his brother. |
Peter and Barbara Bolton - Port Hope, Ontario
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