On November 21, 1916, Dave Ross was in the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bearwood, Dokingham Berkshire in England, suffering from a knee injury. He wrote this letter to his mother in Chesley, Ontario.In the letter, Dave recounts his memories of his
mother's old stove. His remembrances, however, quickly develop into reflectons about family life and what is worth while in life. As the letter progresses, he reveals his deep love of and gratitude to his parents.
An excerpt:
"I learned more of you when you said, "Dave, I've been expecting this for some time" than I knew before. I'm an awful coward and hate danger and lice and mud but I'm your soldier and if I could do the work of twenty I would not be half worthy of you."
Dave ends the letter with an amusing description of his hospital clothes, and noting that, while he will not make it
to France this year, his knee is nearly all right and he'll probably leave the hospital by the weekend.
The Letter from Dave Ross to his mother is part of the Connell Collection at the Regina Plains Museum. The entire document is located online at the Saskatchewan War Experience.
