Seaford, Sussex
11/2/17.

My Dear Nert,

At last, after much waiting, I have a letter from you, dated Jan 18^th and one from Dad, on the 22^nd. From Dad’s tho, there is at least one of his to come, and I don’t know how many more are missing.

I was down town this afternoon for a walk and a meal, before going down, I printed from some films, and will hold this till to-morrow when they are dry and enclose a few. Those marked (F) please forward to Floss. There are some fine large houses here, many of which have been taken over by the military, and many more of which are “To Let.” I have noticed this wherever we go, and suppose it is because there are so many males at war or killed at war. There also seem to be a good many girl’s schools here, in fact Raven’s Croft was one before the military took it over.

I have discovered a fine large “Y” quite close, and am writing here now. There must be more than one hundred writing and a space for reading, lunch counter besides a very large concert hall where they will hold a service in about half an hour.

The business portion of the town, amounts to nothing, being no better than Mitchell, and very scattered. The town is supposed to have a population of four thousand.

Right out in front of Ravenscroft, is a gradual but very high hill which they say takes a straight drop to the water, from the crest in beautiful cliffs. On the side of this hill are located the huts of the various reserve battalions encamped here. As far as I can find out, they are all Western here now, those from Central or Eastern Canada having been moved away.

We here rumors, supposed to be official, that the entire camp is to be vacated in favour of the Imperials inside of six weeks. I will believe it when I see it. Both Ravenscroft and the camp were occupied by Imperials, up till last November, and there is still a large Imperial camp the other side of the town.

Major Brown has received word of his Father’s death and I understand, leaves at once on two month’s furlough.

There is every possibility of me having to do twenty-one days quarantine while here and I don’t know whether I will be allowed to write or not, but think so, as they are really not very strict.

Please send to Optometry six dollars. They are raising the subscription price to two dollars, but for the above amount will extend my English subscription for twelve months and my Canadian sub for 84 months and as this represents a saving of ten dollars. I think it wise to take advantage of it. Or no, you had better not send them any money, until you receive a bill, as this does not include postage and I will have them send you account for full amount, which please remit. My English sub is half expired already and I don’t expect to be home this year. Just think, after war stops, moving 5,000 troops to Canada per day, it would take three months to get them all home. Ever stop to think what it will mean. They could not send that many per day steadily either I think. I really believe we will be kept here eight to twelve months after the war stops. Of course they may move the wounded, sick, and attendants just as they cost most to keep here, but I doubt it.

There have been quite a few troops brought into this area during the past week, and I understand three Canadian troop-ships were successful in running the sub. blocade. This is pretty good considering that it is now at its worst during the campaign. They are making preparations here for the coming fight and it will, I believe be by far the greatest resistance, the world has ever known. There are wonderful tales of the thousands of big guns and the mountains of ammunition already behind the lines, but it is terrible to think of the thousands of lives that will be lost too. I understand that everyone possible is being returned to Canada from hospitals here, and that preparations are being made to receive over a million casualties in this country, that they would open a 500 bed hospital with the end so nearly in sight, is I think, sufficient proof of what is to be expected. We will likely have to pass thousands, getting them ready for convalescence or semi-conv. as quickly as possible, and will surely see some wonderful work. Our surgeons are indeed fortunate in getting such an opportunity.

I had a dandy letter from Berniece, enclosing a snap of each of you, really good of you.

From what I see of this, it will be much like the first couple of months at Moore, minus the really hard work. There are two officers in a little room on our floor, and they keep me pretty well busy. I have to make their beds, sweep the floor, tend the fire, and bring up their meals. In the three other rooms, the patients do practically all the work, except what the nursing sister would do.

I did not know that Lowry made that candy. Gert said she might enclose some, but there was nothing in the box to show she had. I never thanked her nor even sent her a card at Christmas. Gert will likely write and tell me and then I can write Lowry a little note.

I wrote Hazel on the 5^th of January, so she no doubt has it by now. Your letter was the first one from home that mentioned Mrs. Mc Guire’s illness, but someone else told me. I think it was Miss Stover, she is pretty good about writing and sends me all the news about once a month.

I forgot all about Miriam’s and Mother’s birthdays. You will all have to take the will for the deed this year.

Order came thro O.K., and I think I get them all. If there was a gap more than three weeks, I would think one had missed. I started out to keep track of them but did not continue it.

I don’t know who from the 168^th have gone over, but I do know that many are only in England six weeks or so. They surely shoot them over with change of address?

Among the films I made in London, you will find some of a foot race, please send these to me.

Lovingly,
Worth.