February 23, 1918 Royal Artillery Mess, Athlone, Ireland

Bill writes to his mother from the Royal Field Artillery Depot in Athlone, Ireland where he arrived around the middle of  February. He is trying to decide where to apply to the War Office for his next commision: Egypt, India or France.

 

 

October 1, 1917 The Sir John Ellerman Hospital, St. John’s Lodge, London N.W.

  

Bill is still waiting for his Board Examination and puts his time in by attending concerts (Clara Butt) and operas (Madame Butterfly and Ivan The Terrible) and sightseeing around London on the top of  doubledecker buses.

The “Roy” whom Bill repeatedly mentions may be Roy Thompson from Teeswater area who later married Gladys Jackson. Further confirmation is required.

September 24, 1917 The Sir John Ellerman Hospital, Regent’s Park, London N.W.

Bill writes to his mother from Sir John Ellerman Hospital telling her of his busy social life in London. He is awaiting a Board Examination to determine his fitness for further service and expects to be sent on to a Convalescent Home for further rest before returning to the front.

 

August 10, 1917 Notification Card Sent to Bill’s Father

Bill has collapsed and been evacuated to Abbeville Hospital.

 

February 13, 1917 Somewhere in Belgium

   

Bill writes to his father from somewhere in Belgium where the General of the Divisional Artillery paid a surprise visit when the Captain was away and Bill was in charge.



February 5, 1917 Somewhere in Belgium

Bill writes to his sister Mae mostly responding to news about the family. He mentions hearing of the death of Lincoln George Hutton, a friend from Victoria College at the University of Toronto. Bill is in A Battery, 180th Battalion of the Royal Field Artillery, British Expeditionary Forces in Belgium.

December 21, 1916 Newcastle-on-Tyne, England

Bill writes to his father from the barracks at Newcastle where he expects to be working over Christmas as orderly officer.
  

December 4, 1916 On Leave 16 Cathcart Street, Greenock, Scotland

Bill writes a short note to his father and the family from Greenock where he and his brother Harold are staying with the Munro family.

 

October 18, 1916 Lark Hill, Salisbury, England

Bill writes to his father, John Skilling,  from the Lark Hill Scool of Instruction at Salisbury, England. Bill's letters were circulated to all the family members by his father.



 

August 17, 1916 London, England

Bill writes a long letter to his mother telling her how happy he is to be at the Royal Horse Artillery Training School at St. John's Wood in N.W. London.