Letters from Scotland

Many letters were sent between Unionville and relatives in Scotland. On July 2nd 1916, Matthew’s grandmother, Mrs. Barbour, wrote to her daughter Bessie Rae:
My own darling
What can I say to you. My heart is very sore for Frank & you and you are never out of my thoughts. I got the sad message yesterday morning about 10 o’clock. I have been very very anxious these weeks and was trying to prepare myself for bad news but I found I was not at all prepared. Our poor dear boy if we only heard that he were living we would wait patiently and pray for news. This morning at prayers when I tried to pray for the Prisoners I could not go on. I thought I had our own dear boy suffering with them and how glad I would be to know of him among them. One thing Matthew will bear hardship and discomforts better than most of them….
She then reveals that Matthew had a sweetheart.
“I am thinking too of poor Lizzie! How does she bear up? I would like to write to her but I really do not know if she and Matthew are engaged.”
“Lizzie” was Elizabeth Russell, sister of Jim Russell and a member of the Russell family who in 1914 had built a home at 116 Main Street, just across the road from the Manse where the Raes lived.
“Oh my darling I wish I had you in my arms. Much love to you both from your loving mother …”