BX May 3, 1916
Eight Thousand Troops on Board H.M. Transport 2810 – A.H. Coles Interestingly Tells of his Trip Across the Atlantic in a Troopship Formerly the Pride of the Ocean – How the Glitter and Pomp of Former Days is Hidden by War’s Dull Gray.
Mr. and Mrs. F. Coles have received the following interesting letter from their son, Alfred Henry Coles telling of his trip overseas to Shorncliffe Camp:
Shorncliffe Camp
Dear Parents,
Even at last I have not forgotten you and all my past home ties, and now as I commence to write of my adventures, after some 4000 miles travelling and some three weeks away from home, I have at last accepted the opinion that "war is hell." Live on, kind friends and relatives at home in Canada and dream not of war until you chance to visit the motherland - and then your dreams will be in reality. Possibly this is too solemn for one like your own Brantford kid soldier but even so - I never thought of war while in Canada not yet while on the boat. Only when you are around this locality you realize in a small way what it means.
Now possibly you will be expecting much news and almost more than that which I am really capable of expelling from my system, but I will earnestly endeavor to describe some incidents of our trip. I got the cable away as soon as I was given opportunity and thought you would feel relieved by getting same.
To commence with we left Toronto on Wednesday, March 29, and arrived at Halifax April 1 after having some grand times at numerous stops on the way down. Then we embarked on Saturday afternoon and laid in the harbor until the following Wednesday, when amid very dense fog and rain, the great ship H.M. Transport slipped out of the river and into the great Atlantic with scarcely anyone's knowledge. I must now say that our voyage was simply grand and not for one hour or one minute was I indisposed; neither, did I suffer from any malady. The ocean was really much calmer all the way over than our own Lake Ontario between Hamilton and Toronto. Of course such a boat made travelling very comfortable, it being the largest British steamer afloat and has been carrying troops for nearly a year in the Mediterranean. I could never describe in writing the transformation the liner has had, from once a floating palace to now almost a dungeon. Imagine over 8000 souls on board whereas she formerly carried 3000, and now a dismal slate color in place of gay colors and many lights. The grand stairways and carved staterooms are all covered with boards and canvas to preserve the originality, and the former dining room now house thousands of troops and also accommodates them with sleeping quarters. Sleep! They slept everywhere - on the landings, on the decks, on the floors, hammocks two deep and staterooms simply packed. I would like to dwell on the beauty and grandeur of some of the rooms, but more important items arise. However I mustn’t forget the first cabin smoking room where the sisters and doctors and ourselves were at church service on the Sunday. This magnificent room is supposed to have cost over 250,000 and is finished in rose wood and solid leather seats and inlaid in floral designs with mother of pearl. Another item worth mentioning is that we the ambulance boys had freedom over the whole ship and hence saw everything. The hospital for the troops was likewise grand. Our boys were in charge. We had some 120 patients in all, but few were serious, only two being sent into hospital on arrival. The only inconvenient time occurred at meals.
Two sittings were arranged and on the whole the food was good, from rabbit to chicken and steak with those dreadful sea biscuits, which should be used to fill shells with in place of bullets. Then the companion-ways were just one living yelling mob and occasionally some unfortunate would lose all he had fought for in the rush just as the sailor said - 6 meals a day, 3 down and 3 up.
On the Monday afternoon away out through the clouds came the Irish green hills, and up went the Shamrock yell; then Tuesday morning found us entering the Mersey. Honestly I was surprised at the general appearance the green grass, the slated roofs and flowers, everything looked so fresh, as if to offer cheer and greeting to our noble ships arrival. Cannons bombed, whistles shrieked and we yelled "The Maple Leaf for Ah." We disembarked late Tuesday afternoon and then went direct into the little chicken coop affairs of English railway coaches and were locked in. Imagine what that meant to Canucks. At once down went the windows and out we got and the old guards said nothing. We arrived here at 3.45 a.m., detrained and experienced the damp dark cold air and were marched off for the hills to the song of the country birds, which were beginning their morning chorus. We covered over six miles and at last landed safely. Our first surprise was to meet several of our former Toronto pals, who left previously to us and some of whom are still here in training. Then came the rain, and we didn't bless it either - no tents were up. However, we are fixed up fine now. We are camped in a deep valley and the one striking example set before us is - to our left is a large golf course, all green and with sheep herding upon it. Of course, this is the property of an English lord, and he is showing his patriotism by allowing the Canucks to suffer in the valley while he goes on with his golf. The English discipline is much different from Johnny Canuck's but we buck right down and do our duty. Yesterday I was on guard some 24 hours. Hence I am off all today, so I took the opportunity of a trip here some five miles along the shore. This is a great summer place with many beautiful walks and promenades and the streets are much similar to "Smoky Hollow" roads, only more hilly and crooked.
Last Thursday I was sent to assist in unloading the Red Cross train of wounded direct from France. Really it was a sight to strain anyone’s memory and yet there were only 69 patients. I have written over 30 cards, so think my supply of news is almost depleted. I might say, in closing, our camp here is composed of over 1,000 C.A.M.C. men who are drafted from here to hospitals everywhere - so our training is educative and likewise interesting. With greetings and regards to all.
Your son,
A.H. Coles
