From the Archives: News of Battle

Vol. XLIV, February 1918, No. 4

Many interesting letters have been received this month from Mt. A men in the service. The letters come from men scattered over two continents and in many branches of the service, but it is worthy of note that the spirit carried into the new activities is that of old Mt. A. and that the Alma Mater still occupies a large place in the heart of each of her soldier sons.

France, Jan. 2nd, 1918.

Editor, “The Argosy,”

Sackville, N. B.

Dear Sir :-

Just a line or two to thank you for the Mt. A. Christmas box. It takes a fellow back to college days with all their associations.

I have met very few Mt. A men during this year. I saw Ruggles away back in the spring and I ran into Jimmie MacLean one day, stepping along at the head of a platoon of full sized men. I met Baines a few days ago. I suppose I should say the Reverend Ernest Baines.

I am still at the same old job, signalling. It is a whole department in itself. It includes everything from wireless to carrier pigeons. It is really interesting work. First you have telephones and two or three different kinds of them. Then you have flares, all sorts of combinations of fireworks, each with its own meaning. When it is too hot to keep up telephone wires, you use lamps or flags or shutters or discs or pigeons or power buzzers or wireless. Signals must go through, no matter what the cost, and go through they do. Another branch is signals to and from aeroplanes. Then you have codes and all sorts of schemes for fooling the Hun. Connected with signals you have listening sets. They are of different kinds and are used to pick up or overhear enemy messages.

Best wishes for the new year to all Mt. A. students. Thanks again for the Christmas box. Here’s hoping you won’t have to send any more.

Yours truly,BECK. ‘13.

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