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1916 Frederick Charles Merriam fought in WW1. These are his letters home; and, letters from his Captain and his friend. Fred's nephew, Gordon Merriam, collected the letters adds to the story to make an interesting account of one mans time in war.
Flanders Jan 16th 1916
Dear Father and Mother, We were out for a short rest for four days. The weather here is fine, nice and warm. We have only had one cold spell that was two months ago. We have not had any snow this winter as yet. Guess we will get some before the spring. A few of the boys who came over with us last July and were wounded are now coming back again. It seems tough for some of us that we cannot get leave for a few days. We now have been in the army 18 months and have never yet been on a sick parade or missed a parade. Your loving son Fred.
Fred served in the 16th Battalion Canadian Infantry ( Manitoba Regiment) also known as the Canadian Scottish.
France April 27 1916.
Dear mother & father, We are having lots of excitement out here now. We have just finished eight days in the front line, it was hell all the time. The first six days it was rain and shells day and night. One night we had stood for four hours on the firing step in a pouring rain, were not allowed to put on our overcoats for we were looking for them to come over any minute….
..there was a few of them came over always on our right but they
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