Letter of March 12th 1916 from Thomas Percival Elder to his sister in law Flossie Winnifred Elder in Ottawa, Ontario. Transcription: Address: Lance-Corporal TP Elder 129843 B Company 72nd Highlanders Hastings Park Vancouver Dear Flossie, I wrote you some time (months) ago and have been waiting ever since for a reply but in vain. When Will was writing you while he was here I told him that he was to tell you I would write and thank you and Bert for your very useful gift. It is a great failing of mine not answering letters etc. I should. I was going to say my one and only failing but you would misunderstand me not appreciating my character! However even at this late date I wish to thank you two from the bottom of my heart. The only trouble is that the time can be seen in the dark and I am sent home too early unless I remember to take it off. Military life is not an unmixed blessing by any means though much as I expected. We had a rotten winter, lots of snow and cold weather and were sleeping in buildings with an outside temperature. I went to bed with my boots under me so they would not freeze, and all my clothes on except my slacks or kilt which ever I happened to be wearing. Our knees may have been cold but they were not as cold as some civilians feet. I manage to get nearly every week end off from Saturday noon to Sunday night so I can see the girl. I've of course get out every night till ten and can get late passes almost as often as we wish so that helps out. Am in a hurry so must go. Again, thanking you. I am your brother, TP Elder.