No. 37.
14th. Can Gen. Hosp.
Eastbourne
18/11/17.
Dear Dad,
I have just spent about an hour and a half writing to Floss, so must get yours off now and get to bed, as I expect some marching to-morrow. Seaford and back, as I have to go over to take various kinds of gas to get acquainted with them. It is rather a hard afternoon’s work, believe me.
Yesterday aft. and this, I spent in Hampden Park. Made four plates each day. Yesterday’s are really wonderful, but wont know the result of to-days till Monday or Tuesday eve, as I have some other plates to make before I develop. I will send some prints home if I can get paper an am here long enough, but everyone wants pictures now, and paper is scarce. I will soon be sending my plates home tho, and Nerta can print them. Do not know anything more about going.
I sincerely hope you are better, and am anxiously waiting a letter, telling me what is wrong. Hope you are not ill long.
I am enclosing a couple of snaps, showing the way gas is substituted for petrol. Across the top and down side of wind shield, you will see the pipe, by which the bag is changed, pet-cock shows white against the man’s chest. This is a taxi, but many cars are using it now, and, apparently it works pretty well. One bag runs them from five to ten miles I believe. Looks rotten tho.
The keeper at the Park was wild about me using a camera and said people had been at him about me using it yesterday. He called me everything but a spy and broadly hinted that I was. Of course he could do nothing, as my permit is good anyplace.
My inoculation last monday, did not make me sick at all, but I was very sore, and this week, I am to get twice as much this week, and it may go to me a little.
Our new equipment is in, and I think it is fine. Most of the Can troops get the Webb and think it the best thing out, but we have a leather and webb, 1914 Imperial, Infantry-style, and I believe it is a better thing than the webb, altho they dont all think so. It may be heavier, but is stronger and will wear better. I don’t see why they don’t equip with this stuff in Canada, as it is much better than the Oliver, which we, and most of the troops got.
Your affectionate son,
Worth.
[message added later to the last page by Nerta:]
Tues. 4.30 pm
Dear Sis.
Just got home and found your letter here. I forwarded that letter to you from here but mamma had sent an addressed and stamped envelope, however I’m glad it made you write to me. Our exams closed to-night. We had History this afternoon and it was great but yesterday was pretty bad. We have reading sometime this week. I do hope I get thro’ because mamma and dad would be so disappointed but I am none too sure about it.
I had a letter from Berniece written on the 27th and she never mentioned it so I don’t know what to think but I hope it is alright.
I’m going to try and make the kids celebrate to-night it is such a relief it is over. Don’t work too hard.
Lots of love
Nerta.
If you call Bernice up let me know what she says.