The Intelligencer December 13, 1915 (page 7)
“Nov. 23, 1915. Dear Father, Mother and all—Just a line in answer to your most welcome letter. … I am getting around all right again. My cough sticks to me pretty hard, but will soon go away. … I have stayed in the hut pretty much.
Don’t you believe that I can come home when I like. If they think you should go home they will send you. They don’t wait for one to say that he wants to go. I may go to the front again before I go home, and I may not, but I do not want to go home yet, as I came with the first and I want to stay as long as the war lasts. When it is over they won’t be able to get me home quick enough, for I would like to see you all again.
It will soon be Christmas, and I am as far away from home as I was last Christmas, but I will have to make the best of it. I think if I live until Christmas I may take a trip to Ireland, but I am not sure; it depends on how long they give me. … I think I have said all I can think of for now, so good-bye. Answer soon. I remain, Your loving son, TOM.”
The Intelligencer December 13, 1915 (page 7)
“Material Reduction in the Rates of Postage to Soldiers at the Front. The Honourable T. Chase Casgrain, Postmaster General of Canada, has been successful, as a result of negotiations entered into with the Imperial Postal Authorities, in effecting an arrangement with the British Government whereby parcels from Canada for Canadian soldiers in France and Flanders will be carried at the same rate of postage as applies to parcels from the United Kingdom for the Expeditionary Forces on the Continent. …
This means a material reduction on the cost of parcels, and it is hoped it will be a source of satisfaction to the Canadian public. This reduction has been brought about by Canada foregoing all postal charges for the conveyance of these parcels in Canada and on the Atlantic.”
First World War Belleville 