Eastbourne, Sussex

25/1/17.

Dear Father,

I was glad to get yours of the 24^th, and to know that you were so nearly up to last year Of course as you say, expenses are lower, but yet are they? Do you know what the engraving and watch repairs you sent out cost? They count up. I think you were wise in getting rid of that gold wrist watch. Gold ones are pretty near a thing of the past now, in small towns at least.

I sent Audrey a photo card of the building yesterday, I forgot all about her at Christmas.

I am sorry to say that the sox and candy, have not arrived yet, but I have not given up hope. If they were sewn up and addressed and then wrapped and addressed again, I think it should come thro O.K. Some have parcels posted in January tho.

We are all very much pleased with this place, and I only hope I am not sent back to Seaford, but expect to be next month. I have had permanent quarters assigned and have a very nice room in the top of a separate building which was for the children. It is a very large building and will be used for the patients too when we get enough. There are three beds in the room, but the other two are not taken as yet. It is pretty cold as the heating outfit is not working very well yet, but as I only sleep there, it does not matter.

I am having the easiest time I have had yet, I am in the patients mess room, with a fellow named Jacques, who lived in Tillsonburg. We have to look after the drawing and serving of the rations. Have three patients to cut the bread, wash dishes, sweep etc. We come on duty about 6.45 and between 9 and 10 we are thro, then start for dinner about 11.30 and thro by 1.30 or 2, till 4.30 when we start tea, being thro by 5.30 or 6.00. This is sure an easy job but I don’t know how permanent it will be, but I hope it will last. We have less than 75 patients in so far, but by the middle of next month, will be pretty busy. I get down town every afternoon and in the mornings I shave, write etc. It is now 10.30 A.M.

Very surprised to see by the Observer that L[?] Crawford is dead. Very sudden but that is the best way.

As soon as my camera gets here, and we get a sunny day, I will make some views of these buildings, but they are rather hard to give you an idea of. In fact I don’t know them very well myself as yet and get lost frequently.

We have several Sisters here now but not many patients who need attention, mostly convalescing from our other hospitals.

At Seaford, we are still running three buildings, and as they are busy for the number of men they have, the battalions around there have to send fatigue parties over to the hospital to do the dish washing scrubbing etc. The work there is not hard, I believe but it is an awful place to live they say.

You need not send this letter to Mir. as I am writing her about the same thing this morning.

Your affectionate son,
Worth.