Chas F. Fearon Barker son of Chas. F. Barker by his 1st wife.
Fighting in the war in S. Africa.
Ladysmith, Natal. 28th March /00
My Dear Uncle Tom.
Hilda wrote & told me that you were writing frequently and anxiously inquiring after me. I would have written you only I have such little spare time for such when campaigning and I thought that if I wrote to Hilda she would distribute the news. No doubt you must have been surprised when you heard I was up at the front, but as I have had the misfortune to inherit some of the family nomadic spirit I think you will sympathise with me a little. From B. Columbia to Africa is going at a gallop yet the war fever claimed victims so I had to go. Some might I do think that I was a fool yet in another it has been a great lesson and experience for me. An experience which I might some day be proud of. It shows that the old warlike spirit of our ancestors hasn't deteriorated in the least. Also shows that the blood of the Strangeways has very strangeways of running in its course. I cannot write my experiences on paper as time won't permit, but I hope I shall be able to entertain you all of a few yards of storys when I come home which I don't think will be long now.
