209th Battalion,
B Company,
Camp Hughes, Man.
Oct. 6., '16.

Dear Mr Aitkin

I am taking a last chance of getting an answer before we go overseas. We have a persistent rumour that we are to go overseas next Wednesday; if this is true I suppose I shall not get any letters for a long time after that date. Of course it may be that we shall still stay in Canada, but I don't know.

And how do you like the work of pastor? There are so many things I should like to know that I should use up this pad in asking them, & the last week of my stay in writing them down. I wont do that but will ask the question - what is, or is about to, happen? If there is anything I have left so that you do not understand it, I wish you would ask me quick before I "leave the country," - sounds like a runaway doesn't it.

There goes "first post" already, I am only just starting to write. Soon it will be "Last Post" & "Lights Out." By the way, what a sweet, but mournful call is that "Last Post." It is played fittingly at funerals I think. I wonder what God has in store for me during the next year!

Everything seems to be the ending now. We spent the last two nights in the trenches, using bombs and blank ammunition. The first night it was wet & miserable, & we spent part of it on guard & part of it in a dugout. Most miserable business. The next night we were the attacking party. That was better. To see the flash of the rifles from the defending trenches, & the blaze of light when a bomb exploded was just wonderful. Of course it was dark, with a little moonlight, but it showed up like a moving picture show.

Today we had kit inspection. We are to get new clothes for those things which are worn out. Whether I shall be able to get new clothes or not I dont know. I hope so of course. Tomorrow we get our final physical inspection, I may be rejected but I dont think so. I have always been glad that I got Dr Graham & not Dr Cairns to examine me. I feel very hopeful about the result whereas I would have been afraid.

Now everyone in the tent is in bed. My "wife" is fast asleep I think, & lest I should awake him I will got to bed too. May Lord give you his richest blessing, & give you great success in your work on you circuit. Give my kindest regards to Mrs Aitkin & the boys & Marjory.

Your friend & well wisher
Thos. W. Johnson