This J.C. Wilson Anglo-Saxon League Type E-3 cover was sent from Montreal May 1, 1900 to No. 7695, Lance Corporal D.C. Sword of “E” Company in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, Field Force, South Africa. The letter was probably sent from his mother, Mary, listed as his next of kin in his attestation papers, living at 165 Atwater Avenue in Montreal. His service number, 7695, is incorrectly listed, as his brother Andrew had the number 7695, while Duncan Sword’s number was 7694. Both brothers enlisted October 23, 1899, and on October 30, 1899, the eight companies (A to H) of the First Contingent set sail from Quebec for Cape Town aboard the “Sardinian” of the Allan Line. The 44 officers and 995 men arrived November 29, 1899 in South Africa.