Shornecliffe Camp, Eng.,
September 4th, 1916.
Dear Mother and All,
The Y. closes at 9 P.M. so I had to clear out last night before I was really thro. My first letter came to-day. It was from Victor Sinclair in reply to one I wrote him. He asked what the money was to be used for etc. It was forwarded from London on Aug. 18th, the day we left, so you see how long it takes to get a letter here.
Before I forget, please have the Observer sent regularly and send the Free Press when there is anything of interest to me.
I heard to-day, we will have some drafts sent to hospitals, this week or next. One draft will be to an Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital at Folkestone. I don’t know whether I would rather be there or Orpington. They say we will not leave England this year, and if I can get anything which looks at all good, where I am drafted, I will likely try for it permanently.
I am enclosing two souvenirs. One is the card which was handed to me when I entered the boat at Halifax. The other the cupon from a ticket of admission to a movie theatre at the end of a pier at Folkstone. The Theatre is right out over the English Channel.
I will as soon as I can get a suitable box send you a souvenir spoon. For goodness sake take care of it as I prize it very highly on account of it associations of which I will tell you, after you see it.
The English money was very confusing at first, but I think I can handle it fairly well now. It makes an awful load to carry tho, as we use very little paper, silver and coppers.
I intended writing Floss last night too, but did not get too it, so I came right down here from parade and have been writing ever since (now 7.30). I stopped a few minutes for a tea of hot chocolate and biscuits.
We are kept some busy. 5.30 A.M. first bugle, 6.00 roll call dressed any way at all, 7.00 breakfast and 8.00 physical exercise. At 9 o’clock regular parade for which we are expected to be shaved, shined and dressed. Parade dismissed at 12 to 2 for dinner, then continues till 4.30. Have to be in camp at 9.30 with lights out and everything quiet by 10.15. It sure keeps us busy making all these on time. We were issued with another blanket each to-day, which means three each, and comfort.
Say Mother, some of the boys have h’dk’f'’s made from a thin Kaki cloth they got at Smallman’s. Please see if you can get it. They take up little or no room and are quite strong. Just hem the edges, and about a dozen will be enough at present. If you can’t get this cloth don’t bother about any, as I can get all the regular ones here, cheap enough.
The roads here are really wonderfull. From here to the lake, nearly five miles is all paved. They are very narrow tho, as are the walks, and the streets are so crowded we usually have to walk on the road. Even the roads thro the camp are paved. They sure are strong on good roads.
One day last week, we were ordered to parade with packs to the A.D.M.S., for inspection and before we had marched out of camp, a stop order came, and we returned.
This morning at 9.25 orders came to parade at ten o’clock. There was a great rush to get shined up, and we arrived there about 10.30 but he would not look at us, being 30 min late. We simply had to return. About a four mile walk in all. Now we are to go up to-morrow. It seems the orders were sent out last night, but the messenger could not find our camp.
Well it will be eight o’clock when I get back, so I think I had better be moving.
Lovingly,
Worth.
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