BX June 4, 1915

Private Alfred Neil McKinnon Is Prisoner In Hands of Germans – Former Brantford Boy Writes Home For Food, Money and Other Supplies – Was One of the Few Toronto Highlanders Who Came Through the Battle of Langemarck Alive

Mrs. E. Passmore, 82 Cayuga St., this week received a letter from her daughter, Mrs. Alex McKinnon of Toronto, and formerly a resident of Ontario St. Brantford, in which she states that a letter has arrived in Toronto, telling her that her son, Private Alfred Neil McKinnon was taken prisoner in the big battle at Langemarck and is now in Germany. Private Alfred McKinnon who enlisted with the 48th Highlanders in Toronto was born in Brantford, and left this city about 12 years ago to take up residence in the Queen city.

Mrs. McKinnon in writing to her mother re-tells the substance of her son’s letter, in which he makes a special plea for foodstuffs and other necessaries. The letter in part is as follows:

May 30, 1915
Toronto

Dear Mother,

You will be glad to know that we have heard from Fred. A letter came from him Saturday. He is a prisoner in Germany. He sent a card some time before he says, but we did not receive it. He did not say anything about how he was being treated or anything else, except that he was a prisoner. He asked for a few necessities. He says he was one of the few who escaped being hit for which he says he gives thanks for the prayers being offered for his safety. He says he fears that a good many of the Highlanders were cut up, and it was impossible for many of them to escape. Only 12 answered the roll call in H. Company so the papers stated. Of course, the prisoners do not know anything about it. He asked us to save the papers with the account of the engagement they were in.

They are allowed to send four cards and two letters only a month to their friends, but they can receive as many as their friends like to send to them. He would like us to advise all his friends of his whereabouts. He wants us to send him some food in a tin box and says he will need it every week. He wants cocoa and catsup, McLaren’s cheese, peel cakes, etc., and undershirts and some handkerchiefs, some canned meat and home-made graham gems, etc. I guess they do not get much to eat. He wants also a postal order for $400. He did not say what for, but we are going to send him what he asked for. Some say the Germans make them write and ask for things and take them for their own use, but we will know whether he gets them when we hear from him again. He says “I want you to understand I need those articles and hope you will be in a position to let me have them.”

I do hope they will not be ill treated. You read so many stories. But God has spared him through that awful battle and He will give him strength to endure to the end if a pestilence does not break out in the camp. I pray he may be able to be patient.

When writing to him or anyone else, do not write more than about two pages and only on one side of the paper, and be careful what you say as the letters are all censored. Do not say anything about war or Germans or he will not get them. They are not allowed to receive any newspapers at all. Pray for him mother. I think he realizes that the prayers of his friends perhaps have brought him through thus far and maybe now that he is resting from the strenuous drills, marches and trench fire, he may come near to God.
    
P.S. – Since writing on Sunday I have been down to the post office to make enquires about sending things and letters to Fred, and all letters must be left open, not sealed, and parcels must not be sent too often as they have such a lot of mail and things to look after. But I think we can send parcels twice a month.

I just received a telegram from Ottawa this morning saying as far as they know Fred was with his corp. since he was discharged from the hospital on April 14. He either did not let us know of it, or it might have been some other McKinnon. However, as you see, we know where he is. I have just posted him a box of goods and letters. Cards are more likely to be delivered promptly than letters. All letters and packages go free of postage.

BX February 12, 1916 

German Prisoner

Mr. Jack Lewis of this city has received from Fred McKinnon, now a prisoner in the German detention camp at Giessen, a card acknowledging the receipt of a parcel sent him by Mr. Lewis. McKinnon was a former resident of Brantford. He joined the 48th Highlanders in Toronto, and was captured by the enemy at the battle of Langemarck. The parcel received was dated December 10, 1915. “Received it in good condition a few days ago,” says Pte. Alfred Neil McKinnon, “it was certainly a treat.”