"The English are proud of Canadians, as are all the other allies, and I’m proud too to wear Canada on my shoulders and the maple leaf on my cap and collar."

Harry, 13 Jul 1916

"[S]ome of us must be killed and wounded because this is war we all hope for the less severe but we know that some must pay the great sacrifice and I believe that everyone if necessary is willing – but Dear this isn’t cheerful and everyone must realize this part of modern war."

Harry, 25 Jun 1916

" It seems Sweetheart almost impossible that I am so near the activity of the greatest and most awful war the world has ever known, everyone is so cheerful and bright but at the same time ever prepared for any emergency. "

Harry, 19 Aug 1916

" [T]he lumber in these board floors [in billets] is the hardest wood in the world but we are tired and sleep like logs but our poor bones are very tired and sore in the morning, but we are quite cheerful nevertheless, in fact Dear it is hard for you to imagine such abandon cheerfulness when so soon for some of us it will be quite the reverse, it is good Sweetheart to see such a spirit, because that is what wins our battles and makes our work much easier and more pleasant. "

Harry, 15 Aug 1916

" I have been under schrapnel [sic], machine gun and rifle fire already and though at first it started little shivers chasing each other down my spine, I am now used to it and I’m glad because we are bombarded some time during each day and night and yesterday a sniper took two shots at me which luckily didn’t register, but I didn’t stay around that place very long, it is quite thrilling to hear the whistle as they sing past and hear them slap into the mud... "

Harry, 21 Aug 1916

" [T]he best part of it is Dearest I really like it, it’s dangerous almost any minute a sniper may take a shot or a shell drop but I really do like it so far... I wish I could safely name the place but I must not it is very very well known, and famous for previous battles fought by Canadians earlier in the war and the place is quite covered in the rear with little wooden crosses marking the graves of our heroes. "

Harry, 21 Aug 1916

" [T]he trees at least quite a few have been literally blown up by the roots or every bit of their limbs have gone by shell fire leaving only a scarred trunk which presents in a ghostly way the once beautiful Belgium and the villages and towns are a heap of debris over run with rats – the fields once very fertile are now a barren shell pitted ruin through which run trenches... "

Harry, 12 Sep 1916

" [O]ne of my men, one of the best was shot down beside me last night – I will not describe the scene Sadie it was too awful, the bullet entered the back of his neck and come out in front and as soon as he fell – after telling the other men to go on with their work – I went to him and helped to bandage the terrible wound but he only lived a few minutes and was not conscious, he had been building sandbags and was comparatively safe but was thirsty and had gotten a drink and was just coming back when he was hit – I am writing a letter to his wife – poor woman and will try as best I can to make it a little easier if possible for her and their two little children – I will bury him to-morrow and after a while when we move from here will send the location and description of his grave... "

Harry, 8 Sep 1916

"Dear Lieut. Mason,

Your letter of praise for my husband & sympathy for me came when life seemed very dark indeed, & helped to cheer me & I wish to thank you for your kindness in writing. We like to know that those who are very dear to us are also thought well of by others. I try to take comfort in knowing that he did not suffer, & I shall know where he is buried, & surely if there is Justice & Mercy in Heaven, my Boy, & all the others who have given their brave young lives, are safe & happy. Yours most sincerely, "

E.M. Anderson, 14 Oct 1916