Ruby Peterkin writes to her sister: “We are nearly there now, wherever ‘there’ may be”. Apparently “there” was to be Malta for the envelope is postmarked Malta, 6 Nov. 1915. Ruby isn’t quite sure whether she is on a hospital ship. However, the “SS Kildonan Castle” had been commissioned on the 6th of October as a British military hospital ship. She carried 16 nurses and sisters, 11 British officers, and 603 beds.
Sarah Agnes Campbell, who had difficulty sleeping on the ship, was 7 years older than Ruby. Agnes was born in Sydenham, Ont., and when she enlisted was living at 609 Avenue Road in Toronto.
Ruby learns that her brother Ernest Peterkin is moving to 161 Inglewood Drive in Moore Park. Ruby has a particular interest because her future husband Hugh Alexander McKay has been living during the war with Ernest and his wife Minnie. It is not possible here to unravel the back home domestic details and people in Toronto mentioned by Ruby.
Union-Castle Line
R.M.S. “Kildonan Castle”
October 27th [1915]
Dear Rene —
We are nearly there now, wherever “there” may be. We expect to land some time tomorrow and we know just as much about where we are going to be as we did when leaving.
It has been a wonderfully fine voyage. There was one day, when passing the Bay of Biscay, over which it is wise draw the veil. I had my three or rather four meals but it was not a comfortable day for any one. The first couple of days were cool, then it began to get warmer and all through the Mediterranean we have been discarding first one then another article of clothing. We had to keep out 100 miles from the coast of Spain so we did not pass Gibraltar till Saturday pm. As is usual, I believe, it was wrapped in fog, but we saw the rock fairly well, although we kept nearer to the African side of the Strait, and the mean things wouldn’t even slow down in passing to let us get a good look. We passed Sicily yesterday, and saw the trees vineyards and little white houses quite distinctly thro the glasses. We didn’t get a glimpse of Malta at all, much to everyone’s disappointment, for we all intended getting some leave there while the boat was coaling. Unfortunately, I fear the boat brought enough coal to last until our destination is reached.
The nursing sisters on the “SS Kildonan Castle”
We have been quite comfortable on the boat, except that our stateroom is right over the engine and Agnes Campbell cant sleep there at all so she goes away up some where in the bow and sleeps in an empty inside room. I couldn’t sleep in ours either if I stayed awake to listen to the engine, but as usual I am dead to the world as soon as I hit the hay.
The table is very good, except that if you want ginger ale you have to skip two courses because the steward disappears to get the ginger ale and is not seen again till every one else is at dessert. The dining-room is in what was the smoking lounge for they have the real dining saloon fixed up for a ward.
Our officers are not on board they are supposed to have gone on ahead, to get the arch of Maple Leaves ready to welcome us, the major here says. There are about ten R.A.M.C. officers on board, whose destination is supposed to be the same as ours, which we expect is to be Lemnos, after all.
I got your letter of Sept. 29th after I got on the boat also the announcement of Kathleen Wilder’s marriage to Hilly Norris. I don’t remember telling you that I got the announcement of Mary’s marriage, when I was in London. You must be sure and call on her. I wonder if she is going to have a reception or not. She is at home after Dec. 1st. I am going to write to her.
How is the dress coming on? If I were you I would get enough clothes now to see you thro the winter, so you will have enough to wear anywhere you want to go, and won’t have to worry about them. If you need it, you can get another cheap, you know, for whatever you want. Give my greetings to the sorority at the next meeting. I wonder if there will be many dances in Toronto this winter. I should think most of the men would be missing.
When does Ern expect to get into the new house. I heard the name of the street is changed again to Inglewood Drive. He is going on with it is he not?
If possible I shall add hereto for I don’t know when we will be able to post letters. I am sure I told you that matron-in-chief MacDonald’s address was changed to Cecil Chambers, 86 Strand, London.
Friday, Oct. 29th
We are still on board and have taken a little jaunt up to bring down wounded soldiers. I am going on night duty tonight. I told you before I think that this is a hospital ship.
They are taking up the letters now.
R.
Charles Peterkin's Journey 