Seaford
26/2/17.
My Dear Nerta,
Well I now have yours of Feb 1st and to-day Mothers of the 3rd or rather yesterday, as it is only 1.30 A.M. of the 26th. I have had a letter from Mildred Clarke, she is at Orpington, and a second field P.C. from Frank Darrow. I wrote both of them last night.
You have certainly had the deuce of a time with the gas lately, hope your cold spell is pretty well over by now. It is not terribly cold here, but is very damp cold. I have a bath robe on and my greatcoat over it, and this is on top of full uniform too. Sitting around of course it is cooler. One of pneumonia cases has pulled thro O.K. but the other one is still pretty low. His temp. has just taken a big drop which means that he has just passed the crisis or the beginning of the end. I don’t know which, but hope and think the former.
To-day’s orders appoint a board to re-grade the unit for overseas, which means that we are going to cross over at no very distant date, I think May at the latest, but do hope it is not before, as I dread getting over there in the bad weather. The Adjunct seems to know for certain that we will go in May. Of course none of us will be sorry, but we will not be sure until we are over there, as there are so many hitches in orders etc.
You had better not send any more socks for awhile, as I will reduce my kit as low as possible, before crossing and don’t want to send back any more than I have to. Those of Mrs. Weston’s are dandies wool like this, or white, seems to be most comfortable and to wear best, the dyed wools are harder. The two pairs of white ones from C4th, I have worn most, and they are still perfectly good. My underwear is pretty badly shot, but think I can keep it darned up to last the season, I will wear army issue after this when cold enough for wool but likely cotton in the summer. At Shorncliffe, my washwoman used to keep them patched and mended but here it is hard to get even washing done, altho I think I have a fair place now. A good many do their own, but I will get mine done out as long as I can.
Why at Moore, the night men had to clean the office store and polish the brass tape in the office and believe me if I had the running of it, they would have more to do. Why here, after “lights out” at 8 P.M., I only have to give medicine and take temps of the two pneus. every four hours, so it is hard work to keep awake. I read in the early part of the evening and then write after about one, as that is the time you get sleepy.
I think I told you that I sent Audrey a card from Eastbourne and then I sent another from here, the other night, also Dolly Rodgers.
Order was enclosed O.K..
Last night we had some mix up on the ward. One of the patients, had unknown to me, overstayed his afternoon pass, and when he came in about 10 P.M. the L./Corp in charge, happened to be in the ward with me, and took name etc to report him. He poked the Lance Jack, two or three on the nose and he bled like a stuck pig. Then when I was trying to get him to go to bed, he tried to strike me, but I had hold of one arm and was so close that he could not hit me, but we closed and fell over on a table then onto a bed but Andrew came to my assistance and we nailed him to the floor. Then he got up and went to bed quietly.
This morning he was crimed and I walked round till 9.30 to see if they wanted me, went to bed but was pulled out at twelve to come over here and write out a statement. I got back to bed at 1.30 and slept till 5.45. To-morrow have to be on pay parade at 2 P.M. and will likely go for walk after.
This fellow will likely have a D.C.M. and I will have to go up before them too. He was taken to Eastbourne to-day and given his preliminary hearing and they have kept him there.
Sure glad Dad is better, but he must be careful while this cold weather lasts.
Lovingly,
Worth.
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