Moore Barracks Hospital
England, October 2^nd/16.

Dear Miriam,

Well Girlie, I hear from home that you are tickled to death with Wellesley, and I am sure glad. I am putting up with this place pretty well, suppose it is all right for war time, but at any other time, I would not consider it for a fraction of a second. I was moved to-day from ward 5 to 31. While 5 was surgical, very few of the cases went directly to the table, from it, they go to 31 first and remain there, till they have recovered pretty well, from the operation. I am sure it will be much more interesting, but it will also be much harder work. I will have absolutely nothing to do with preparing or serving the meals, which will be some relief. It has one disadvantage tho, I will not be able to get anything to eat there either.

I heard to-day on pretty good authority, that we would have a hospital of our own next week, and if we go to the place mentioned, it will be fine, as it is one of the prettiest places in England. Orders are changed so frequently tho, that it is hard to tell anything about it.

We have had some rain all day, and if it does not stop, I will have rather a wet bed, as my tent leaks. I have to put my rubber sheet over instead of under me, over head and all, as there is a leak right over my head. I have been fortunate so far, in that there has not yet been an all night rain since we have come. That is rather unusual too, as it is a very wet country, especially this time of the year.

It is not unusual to hear of a man commiting suicide here, and to-day we had a fellow come in who had been after his heart with a razor. He was quite successful till he hit his ribs, and required several stitches to close the wound. A funny thing too. Likely this wound will heal up perfectly; while those the doctors make themselves, with everything sterile, nearly always discharge puss. I do not know the percentage of infected wounds, but believe it must be quite high. Of course where they are wounds received in the war, we must expect this.

I tried to see Leonard Kift yesterday afternoon, but he was out, and it is some walk up to his camp too. Will try it again on a week day, when he is more likely to be in.

There is a chap a patient in the ward I am in, who knows Walt Bernard, but does not remember Pete very well. He thinks they are along the Somme now.

Up till Saturday night, we have been working on Daylight Saving time but it changed back then. It seems funny to be getting up by daylight now, and gets dark very early. I don’t know just when but at 6.30 when we get off, it is black as night. We have to put our lights out very early now too as the Zeps are over us every night now. They have not hit very near here since we came, but within two miles, just before we came. Some of the Zeps brought down have been in the next county tho, and we can see and hear the bombardments, occasionally. They are particularly careful just now, as the rainy nights are setting in, it gets dark very early, and it seems that Count Zepplin, who is very ill, has said that he will not die in peace, till they have destroyed Buckingham Palace. It is rumored that a raid by eighty of these air ships is going to be made. Believe me tho, they would lose some. They have left four behind lately and it looks as if this will continue. They won’t be so fresh after this.

Too bad about Warren Campbell and he never saw any of the real war either.

Well Dear, I must get back to my tent and to bed, it is about 8.15 and I want to retire early with my pet fleas. They are becoming very fond of me. Eat right out of my hands or my legs and feet even.

Lovingly
Worth.

You are quite near Christs Church, where Lewellyn, used to preach, I think Mr. Southam is still rector. If you go there, and get a chance at all, make yourself known to him. Ida likely goes there too.