Claro Times – 20th March 1915

Photo – Private T E Coe, a member of the 1st Canadian Contingent, now at the Front, was formerly in the Harrogate Borough Electrician's Office. He is a son of Mr and Mrs Coe, Cheltenham Parade. [Leonard Coe, Apartments, Gargrave House, 12 Cheltenham Parade]

Claro Times – 20th March 1915

Private T E Coe, who was formerly in the Harrogate Borough Electrician's Department, is now with the 1st Canadian Contingent at the Front. Writing to his mother, who lives in Cheltenham Parade, under the date of March 7th, he says : 

"Your parcel arrived today, and you can bet the boys swallowed the buns and biscuits without any delay. The Oxo and toffee I am keeping until we return to the trenches after a few days' rest. Len's pie came just in time to go into the trenches with us. The Harrogate papers are very interesting, and after I read them, I pass same onto Tom Anderson. The socks are OK, and I have given a pair away, and I am wearing a pair myself. we received a body belt and a pair of socks from Queen Mary, with a note, which I am sending to you.

We are billeted in a barn near to the trenches, and can hear the usual shower of 'coal-buckets', etc., every day, but they are treated by the fellows with no more concern than peals of thunder. Some of us take fresh meat with us into the trenches, and we will soon be expert cooks. Wood and cooking utensils are obtained from dilapidated house round about.

On coming back from the trenches we all had a hot bath, and expect to get clean underclothing issued to us. Give my best thanks to Mr Mullen for the cigarettes, which we all appreciate very much. We go down to the village for nearly all our meals when in the billets. Today, for dinner, we had steak, pork chops, eggs, bread and butter, and coffee. We are getting on very well with our 'Parlez vous Francais'. I am OK, and getting along fine.

Your affectionate son, Tom