Letter of December 14th, 1915 from Thomas Percival Elder to his sister in law Flossie Winnifred Elder in Ottawa, Ontario. It is written on Leighton & Elder Barristers, Solicitors and Notaries Public letterhead from Nanaimo British Columbia Transcription: Dear Flossie I have had intentions of writing you for some time but the effort to make a start has been to much for me. I am back in the old office for to-day. Ross the new partner in charge after Leighton and I left is in Vancouver for a few days and asked me to come over. Everything is going very well with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. Conditions are better than I expected as I had no delusions about army life. I have been inoculated three times for typhoid and it is a good thing to have over. The first time I was a sick woman, sore arm, couldn't sleep and every joint in my body creaked. The second was not so bad and the last only made my arm itchy. We have yet to be vccinated for small pox and also for something else. Murray and Dorothy are like two turtle doves, another vaudeville stunt in the family. I am glad she is his wife and not mine as I don't think we would make a congenial pair -enough said. I am going to have my picture taken in all the splendour of a Highland uniform and will send you one it may reach you by Xmas and it may not. That will be the extent of any Xmas present I make. I find it an utter impossibility to take care of a girl and save money on 1.10 a day and I thought I would be fairly wealthy after my days of impecuniousness, I should worry. Outside of a few business letters I have not written more than two letters and they have been to Will or the mother so you may consider yourself honored. You would if you knew how much I like the job. It is only the thought that you will have the goodness to answer that gives on the strength to take up a pin. It is a relief to be away from the constant sight of ink and paper. This has utterly exhausted me and I must get a little nourishment. With two exceptions I have been on the wagon since the first of September. The girl won't stand for it. I am still going strong if possible stronger. If I was of the mushy sort I might dwell at length upon the matter but again I said enough said. Now please write me a nice letter as you only know how it would be welcomed. Wishing you and Bert a very Merry Xmas. I am Your brother TP Elder Address: Pte TP Elder No 129843 B. Co. 72 Highlanders C.E.F. Hastings Park Vancouver, B.C. Will post in Vancouver when I get your address. No idea when we leave maybe February or March. TPE.