I have an incomplete copy of an article that appeared in the Midland Free Press on October 24, 1918. It would appear to be part of a letter sent to the newspaper describing an event held in France on 20th September 1918 and arranged by a soldier. Unfortunately the author's name is not on the copy. There is a long description of the event and, for all family historians, a very long list of soldiers from Simcoe County who attended. Remember them when you stand to sing our national anthem next week. ".............the story of a little social function which I was able to arrange for the boys of the old 157th Bn. of Simcoe Co., who are still with the 116th Bn. in France. It will be remembered that about 400 of the home County Bn. were transferred to the 116th in December 1916 and the Bn. came across to France in February 1917. Only about 70 of the original 400 are now with the Bn. and several of these are wearing the wounded stripe, but have been returned to duty in France. This large draft from the 157th was made up mainly of the two Companies which had been quartered in Orillia and Midland, together with the brass band and some other details. I was delighted to find so many of my old friends still in such splendid fighting form after all they have been through. The Bn. had just come back into reserve after very strenuous experiences in the the front and support positions, following their splendid share in the recent offensive operations. Our plans were made in a hurry, but our good friends of the Y.M.C.A. came to my assistance and made it possible for me to secure enough real Canadian "Eats" of the fancy order to help the boys forget for a few minutes the monotony and plainness of the ordinary Government grub rations. I was told that I need not expect more the 50 present, but we were soon able to count 50, and then 70, and finally 79 names were written in my personal signature book. Of these 73 were bona fide members of the 157th Bn., two of them being on their way back to duty with the first Bn., Can. Inf., after having been wounded several months ago. Of the remaining six, one was visiting his brother of the 116th, and five were new arrivals from Canada, via England en route to their fighting units here in France. Everyone regretted the absence of our good old Battalion Sergt.-Major Johnston, who had promised to be present, but a "stand-to" order had intervened. He is now Sgt.-Maj. of the 2nd Can. Div. Employment company, and, as the boys all say, he looks 10 years younger than when he was trying to whip into line the unruly remnants of the 157th in Camp Borden two years ago. While the "Eats" formed an essential element in a most enjoyable entertainment, it would be unfair to say that this was the most important feature, for we had speeches, and songs, and recitations, and clog dances, and instrumental music from Percy Tipping's three piece Orchestra, which gave life and spirit to the whole programme (sic). It is unnecessary for me to say that the finest of good fellowship was shared and enjoyed by everyone, and it is impossible for me to portray the picture of those happy faces as they were crowded together in Corporal Bradford's "Post Office" hut. The maximum floor space of this hut is only 15 1/2 X 25 1/2 feet, but there was room for everybody, and then some. We had no lounges or easy chairs, but the boys are quite used to searching for the soft side of a hard board, and on this occasion there was "no complaints" about the accommodations. I would like to acknowledge with gratitude that the financial outlay involved in this affair was provided............." This is the end of the column in the copy. If someone is visiting the Simcoe County Archives and is be able to obtain the entire article, you would be blessed. The list of names will follow over the next few days. It includes each soldier's service number, rank, place of origin and Battalion number. Pam Tessier Penetanguishene Museum & Archives