The Dixon’s and Isabella Beaton do have a number of things to celebrate. Their first with 5 month old William Dixon who seems very healthy and is growing fast. And then there is the newly born baby Lorraine who is lovely and all smiles. On the other hand Isabella’s husband is not there. Unaware to Isabella he is on the Western Front in Ypres right now. And Robert will be leaving on a troop train in the new year. And at this point one assumes the initial excitement over the war must be starting to wane. It has been going on for well over a year. The cold reality of its horror is starting to sink in. In April and May 1915 the Canadian Expeditionary Forces fought in the Second Battle of Ypres. The 1st Canadian Division had suffered over 6,000 casualties and 2,000 deaths and faced chlorine gas attacks. Yes the Dixon and Beaton families bravely celebrate. The two sisters put on brave faces for Robert. They hide their worries as best they can. Robert has trained hard.. He is as physically fit as he has ever been. Still he is tired of all the training and is anxious to get to the war. He deserves a joyous holiday. Happy memories to carry with him across the ocean.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.