Ripon, England

November 19, 1918

Dear Bunt,

Glory be, we arrived here last night! How about it?

I don’t know how long we will stay in this camp, but we are here for a little while — maybe only one or two days. We don’t yet know for sure what’s coming next, but it will be soon enough when it does happen.

We had a good trip getting over here.

We left the wagon about 12:30 and got to Tunck at the start. I got off a freight car and was nearly played out.

We hooked up quite a bit that afternoon, heading toward Ettenham, where we had another long delay.

Finally, we got to the boat.

We were awfully crowded but were fed very well — in fact, it was the best meal I’ve had for a long time.

It was a pretty big trip for such a short distance!

Eventually, we landed at Hull, where we had the grandest reception I’ve ever seen.

We were just wading through the river of boys and civilians, everyone waving flags and cheering us in sight.

They had decorated all the buildings and windows up the river.

We were also greeted by aeroplanes flying overhead — which thrilled us all.

Of course, the most comical sight was our gang, upside up and down their sides — it was wonderful.

When we reached the docks, there were thousands of people cheering and waving flags.

They were also handing out bags of “kip” (food and snacks).

Really, it was great fun!

The Salvation Army Lounge and the Y.M.C.A. committee gave us cakes, sausage rolls, biscuits, chocolate, and tea — and plenty of good cheer along with it.

A bag containing tobacco, a pipe, cigarettes, chocolate, toffee, and biscuits.

Really, we had a welcome that was worth a good deal to us, you bet!

And I tell you, our boys raffled into good work like nobody would, and we were put on the train for the place — which is really about 4 miles north and west of the town.

There was a grand and neat reception with automobiles to take us from the station to the camp.

It was just like a movie — a boat ride, a train ride, and an automobile ride all in one day, also about 4 meals.

When we came to camp, we had a dandy supper dished up.

Then to bed, and believe me, I slept after 9 nights with barely any rest.

Yes, we are rather crowded as to beds, but joy, joy — you should see us eat.

They sure don’t scrimp on this country.

We expect to be sent back home in a day or two.

We had a medical inspection yesterday — how are you?

This is the tomorrow of the day of the letter.

I was passed as Grade A, which I understand means I am fit as a fiddle.

Every one of us has dropped about 10 years off our age since coming here.

I know I have, by way.

I feel better than I have for years.

Jim Wirth, whom I love to bother, is in better flow, and insists that I go to visit with the folks for a time as soon as I get home.

Charlie Giblin also made me come to visit his folks.

Both his brothers have been killed in the war.

Dad was just before the Armistice. Hard luck.

He is the last boy left in the family.

Now I have to go to Ayr to see Aunt Fannie.

I don’t know what they will do with me afterward, but maybe we will be employed here for a while.

I feel as good as I don’t know what to say!

All fine. I forgot in the early things I told you:

I got your “things” order of papers.

The others also possibly too, gone to Holland, and will be returned soon.

Really, everyone is so good to us here.

You can’t imagine how we feel.

Suppose it won’t be very long until I see you folks and tell you the story.

There isn’t much more to say now.

The boys are training the new recruits again, going and flowing up and down.

I am writing this on my knees!

Give the love to all the folks and all their families.

I am feeling like a fighting cock with his gut in me.

I am as full as a drum now and wrote it over at 7 o’clock.

Beat that!

They are only going to get us in shape soon.

A lot of the boys missed it badly too.

Well, tata for now.

I will write again in a day or two.

Possibly will have something more to tell you by then.

Happy days,

I am, as ever,

George

(P.S. — Prisoner of War — No more that.)