Jimmie Forrest
Miss Monica McCarville has received a letter from Jimmine (sic) Foriest [Forrest]who has been in the English army for two years as follows:
Somewhere
22-9-18
Dear Monica:
Not knowing whether I answered your letter or not I will answer it now. I wish I could go to Bellytown today instead of where I am going it would be a lot nicer I think but will be back some of these days and before we leave we will clean them up in real style. I was very sorry to hear that M.J. McClusky had died it is sure is too bad. I hope Bessie an Willie are progressing favourable in renting Johnies place. I sure wish that I was over there to take in the hops but I think my dancing days are over on account of my leg but hope not. We had a fine celebration th 4th lots of fireworks and everything that goes with them.
I sure would like to sit and listen to your Edison even if I could not take part in the dancing just about this time. I have not seen Leo or Willie yet but I am keeping an eye on all U.S. troops hoping to meet them. I had a letter from Pat and he told me he was going to camp. As for souveniors, I can’t send anything that I would like to send, only a German helmet and that is by no means a pretty thing, but I will send something when I goon leave which I hope will be soon.
Hoping this finds you in as good shape as it it leaves me.
I Remain yours as ever
Jimmie
PS. Write soon with love
Miss Monica McCarville has received a letter from Jimmine (sic) Foriest [Forrest]who has been in the English army for two years as follows:
Somewhere
22-9-18
Dear Monica:
Not knowing whether I answered your letter or not I will answer it now. I wish I could go to Bellytown today instead of where I am going it would be a lot nicer I think but will be back some of these days and before we leave we will clean them up in real style. I was very sorry to hear that M.J. McClusky had died it is sure is too bad. I hope Bessie an Willie are progressing favourable in renting Johnies place. I sure wish that I was over there to take in the hops but I think my dancing days are over on account of my leg but hope not. We had a fine celebration th 4th lots of fireworks and everything that goes with them.
I sure would like to sit and listen to your Edison even if I could not take part in the dancing just about this time. I have not seen Leo or Willie yet but I am keeping an eye on all U.S. troops hoping to meet them. I had a letter from Pat and he told me he was going to camp. As for souveniors, I can’t send anything that I would like to send, only a German helmet and that is by no means a pretty thing, but I will send something when I goon leave which I hope will be soon.
Hoping this finds you in as good shape as it it leaves me.
I Remain yours as ever
Jimmie
PS. Write soon with love
November 2009 Update...
From James Forrest:
My grandfather, Jimmie Forrest, was in the Canadian Army in France at the time of this letter. The son of a dairyman, he emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to Sauk County in 1911 and enlisted in the Canadian Railway Troops on December 31, 1916. He returned to Sauk County in September 1919 with his new bride from Scotland and worked on Michael E. Croal's farm. He died in Chicago in 1922.
Monica McCarville (1893-1978) was the daughter of Frank McCarville and Julia Farley of Bear Creek. Her sister Bessie (1894-1965) married William A. Dwyer, referred to at Willie in this letter. Leo is Leo Phelan (1885- ), son of Denis Phelan and Elizabeth Quinn. Jimmies Canadian pay records list Leo as payee for a $15/month allotment. "M.J.McClusky" is a misreading; the letter refers to Mrs J. McClusky, Mary, the wife of John McCluskey. She died March 23, 1918 at the age of 37. These were all people who lived near Jimmie.