Canadian Troops from WWI from YouTube video.
“Alternately depressed and elated during more than a month past, owing to confusing reports stating one time that hsi son, Lt. P.G. Tucker had been killed in action and at other times that he was only wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tucker, 36 Lorne Avenue, have finally been reconciled to having their son dead, because of three letters received from his battalion in France..Three telegrams were received by Mr. Tucker, the first saying that Lt. P G Tucker had been killed, the second that he was wounded and the third that he was dead. Since the receipt of the last wire, however, a personal letter from the Minister of Militia congratulated Mr. Tucker on the fact that the reports of his son’s death were erroneous..until the letters came from France.”
This is a blurb from a 1918 Montreal Gazette article. The family in question were friends of the Nicholsons, indeed the girls roomed in that house. I have a 1918 letter from Flo to Margaret telling about a visit made to the Tuckers, and how they heard the son was alive, then dead, and how confused they were.
More than that, I have letters from another son, also on the front, to Flora. Apparently, she was the girlfriend.
Here are three letters, shortened.
Dear Flora,
I have received more letters from home since I came to this country than I received all the time I was in England. You say you would like to come over here as a nurse but take it from me and stay as far away from this country as you can. It’s no bonne over here. If you want to drop me a letter again, which you can do as often as you like, send them to #349412.4th CDAC France.
Love Herb
France, Feb 14, 1918
Dear Flora,
I wrote you a letter the same night as I received your parcel. I got a letter from Bid last night and she says you wouldn’t go to church with her and pray for me. Mr. Craig wrote me a very interesting letter, telling me all about the fine work done by the Aid Society and all other branches of relief societies etc. in which I am very interested. How is the world using you? There isn’t much to do now, so there is nothing much to write about. I got a letter from Percy at last. He is now an officer and is expecting to come back soon. I started to write this letter last night, but had to stop. I got another letter from Percy to-night. He is in Bramshott. Well, Flora, I guess I will quit.
Epsom, 27-10-18.
I received your letter last night and was glad to hear from you. I feel pretty blue over Percy as he refused to go back to Canada when he was here last time. It doesn’t pay to be a hero here. He must have been killed outright as he wasn’t admitted to any hospital. There are quite a few 24th boys here and they all speak very highly of him. I don’t know how I got away with what I did. It is only a miracle that brought me here alive. If I had fallen, I would have been killed but as luck would have it, I stood up and got away with a crippled finger. It might come back in time but I doubt it. The piece went through the back of my hand and came through the knuckle of my first finger. I can’t use my finger at all but can get on without it. I’ve had a swell time since I came across. I was in hospital away down in Devonshire. I only came here on Thursday and the sooner they send me out the better. I expect to go on leave Friday. I am going to London for a while and then I am going down to Exeter in Devonshire for the rest of my leave. The meals here are punk and good grub is half the battle. Do you love me as much as ever, because if you don’t I will get downhearted and marry my nurse and stay here after the war. Well, Flora I think I will quit for today as I have written four letters today and can’t write any more. Remember me to your people and take care of yourself,
Love Herb.
