Moore Barracks Hospital,
September 27^th/1916

Dear Mother and All,

I have been putting off writing this week because I expected a letter, but so far, none have come. I had one from Floss to-day posted on the 12^th, which is going some, from away down there. I have had only one Observer, the issue of Aug. 17^th, I think. If I am correctly informed, there is one or at most two mails a month, carrying newspapers. If they can do it, you might have the Free Press people send me two issues a week say Monday and Thursday, or if there are any two days, they print special Western Ontario news, send those two days. I would like to get some news but every day would make for too many papers at once. I hardly ever see any war news here, in fact there is very little of it printed in the papers here. I suppose you know about the three Zepps being brought down recently. Our airmen and guns are sure doing some good work. From all reports there is some work being done by the troops too. There is some talk of a few Canadian Hospitals being sent in around Roumania. Don’t know whether or not, they are considering us. I may take a notion to cable anytime I am down town, giving you any news or the state of my health, so tell Dad not to get excited if he gets a cable to ‘Sivade’ Tillsonburg.

I am still working hard and feeling particularly well. We get, every day, extra custards, blanc manges or puddings on the ward, and I can generally get away with a couple, have even eaten four, and this is in addition to my regular dinner. The custards some days are really grand, just like you used to make, only no grape nuts on top. I should certainly gain, but if I am put on nights, I will miss all that. I really was ordered on nights, yesterday, but the order was cancelled again. The regular Wardmaster is away, and one of our Sgts. who is in charge made the change, and it seems he should not have. But I may get it yet.

I have a dandy chap in my ward, from the West. He was only here four weeks, and learning to ride, when his horse slipped and broke his leg in three places. (He does not know tho that he has three fractures.) He surely suffers, but gets along pretty well. Opposite him is a St. Thomas man who has a badly scalded foot, outside of these two, they are all able to be up and help themselves. While I was away to-day tho, they brought in a sprained ankle, but I have not seen him yet. This was my afternoon but we were paid (£1) and it was 3.15 before I got away. I had to cash one of my drafts (£5) on Saturday, to buy some truck, but have quite a wad left. About £5/10s. I can handle the Eng. money fine now. We do not get any gold tho, 10S. and £ notes, printed one side only on thin white paper. They don’t seem like money at all. Then half crowns (about 60¢) and florins (about 50¢) both of which are about the size of our half dollar, then the shilling, about like our quarter and the six pence (or Tanner) like our 10¢. The penny is used a great deal and is very heavy if you have many to carry.

I went down to Sandgate, this afternoon, It is a small town at the foot of the hill. I took my shoes down to get soles and rubber heels put on as they are badly worn. They are charging me 7/6 which is $1.80, almost enough. Eh? That is for a full sole tho, not half sole. The rubber heels I think will be easier on my feet which are tired, and will make less noise on the wards. I had to come up early as I am on a waggon, which calls at two cook houses for meals, and take them up to the wards. It is rather hard, lifting and pulling but gives me a chance to be outside for a few minutes and only lasts a week. I report at 6.45; 11.45 and 4.45 and it takes about half an hour. All this gives me as well, a look at the inside and I get an idea how things are run.

Lorie cylinders, regular shape, bring here, 27/ which is nearly $6.50, so things are not as cheap here as we have always thought. Naturally tho, they are higher now.

Among our ambulances, are seven, eight cylinder Cadillacs, and believe me, they are sure fine cars. They ride crossings just as if they were not there, and the engines are very silent. I don’t know how long they have been in use. I also see several like Van’s car with ambulance bodies.

Sometime, send me two or three sets guide lines for paper about this size, but do not fold them.

Do not subscribe to any tobacco funds over there, if you want to send any. I can see that those who need it on the wards I am on, get it, most of them, tho are pretty well supplied, but I do not know the source. Thro some fund, each patient is allowed 10s. per. month, for tobacco, stamps, soap etc. Pipe tobacco here is very expensive, while cigarettes are much cheaper than in Canada. I am not smoking at all now. Gwen gave me a box of 50 cigarettes at the station, some of which I have smoked, but I do not have much desire and feel that I am better without them. I do eat a good deal of chocolate tho, and it is very cheap here. A bar nearly as large as Canadian 5¢ bars costs but a penny, or with nuts, three half pence.

My ft pen has not come to hand yet. Any word of it?

There is a good deal of talk here, of the Shorncliffe district, being vacated by the Canadians, for use by the British. I don’t know what there is in it as there are so many rumors, but as it would mean the moving of this hospital too, don’t be surprised if you hear I have moved.

Last night, I wrote Aunt Mart, Rod Fraser and J.M. Clark, just let him know I was here, in case he was down here and to let him know I am in England. If such a thing happens as No. 10 being split up, he might be able to do something for me.

This will do for now. More likely Sunday. Hope you are all well.

Lovingly,
Worth.