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| Lashburn Comet, June 28, 1917 Letter from W. A. Vokins dated June 21st, 1917 somewhere in France. Just a few lines to let you know that I am still well and getting along fine. I am back again for the third time from the trenches and am staying in a lovely park for a rest, having nice weather and everything lovely. You will see by the address that I am now in the scout section and I get lots of chances to see the Boche in his own trench. I am what is known as a Sniper, quite a change from being in the compnay, also have one or two notches on my rifle, (each notch signifying a Fritz). I hope they will let me bring back the rifle with me. When I told them at home what I was doing, they did not seem to like the idea, but it is a case of snipe Fritz or he'll snipe you. Please keep the photo of my platoon I gave you as several of the lads from Lloydminster have been killed as our platoon suffered rather heavily, so I would like to keep the photograph. Nothing happened to excite me this time in the trenches. Of course if you want to execute yourself, it is very easy to do so, but I don't take that much notice of it. -- just take what is coming and keep smiling. This is all for now, will write again soon. Pte. W. A. Vokins Lashburn Comet, August 9, 1917 Pte. W. McArthur Vokins of the Canadian Armed Forces writes: Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and well and I am once again out of the line, but before you get all this I shall have been up again and hopefully out. Also I saw a letter in the Comet from Stanley Hayhurst describing the front. He didn't say half enough but I suppose it was all he was allowed to say. I was there also and it was some time -- I shall be able to tell you all about it when I come back. The last time we came out I stood on a high ridge and looked back over the line and could not help but think what a sight it was. Fritz must have had his wind up, as he was sure busy with the fireworks. Every colour and design to lighten up the night was in the air. Had you not known you would think you were watching the fireworks back in England. I don't think fireworks will interest me much when I get through with this however and I don't care how soon that is. I want some more Canadian cooking and a game of chess where there is no danger of the whole outfit being upset with the live shells. He is very fond of spoiling our dinner or sport. It is a dirty deutschen trick of his. I hope to be back to snipe chickens and ducks next year. I suppose the Canadian Conscription scheme is upsetting some of the Lashburn boys. But there are those that should be doing their bit. No doubt we will soon be having the Americans over here to give us a hand in the struggle. Well good luck to them all. Tell Dogee Barker I am often talking to his brother and he is well. Remember me to all old friends. Pte. W. McArthur Vokins September 1, 1917 Pte. W. McArthur Vokins was slightly wounded. |
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