M.B.C.H., Eng.,
23/11/16

My Dear Mother and All,

Just six months ago to-night, I left you for the King’s Service. While the time has in many ways passed very quickly, the life has been miserable, but I would take exactly the same course if I had it to do over again.

I have been feeling rather put out that I have not had any mail, but last night, I received yours of the 4^th of Nov. while to-night yours of Oct 27^th and another postmarked Nov 7, clippings only, Nert’s of the 2^nd and Dad’s of the 30^th Oct. One of yours was addressed, London, Ont. Tuesday eve I went to a play - rotten - and last night to a movie and vaudeville (1/8) very good, but some price. To-night I am writing and to-morrow if all goes well, I will spend with the 168^th. I will go up right after dinner, with Begg of St. Thomas. He does not know any of them, but will come for the trip. Believe me I will be glad to see them all. A! I forgot I had to-night, also a letter from Gert. A good one and quite long.

My bit I am well, and so fat that I am uncomfortable. Work is going fine now, and yesterday had a visit from Lord --- head of C.P.R. I can’t spell his name, but he is the one who spoke against recruiting a year ago. They visited wards 5, 6, and 31 in the surgical divs. so we were quite honored.

Apparently I am here till the unit moves to France, so that my mail will not be delayed, please address
            534709 Pt W
            10^th Canadian Stationary Hospital
            Moore Barracks Hosp.
            Shorncliffe, Kent,
            England.
This will be much quicker for you and Floss.

You sure have been house cleaning. I have been doing some myself. White washing etc. But I don’t mind doing any kind of work now.

That Mitchell boy who expects to be home for Christmas is suffering from shell-shock, and we have wards with bars on the windows, and soft walls for his kind around here. If he succeeds in dodging Fritz’s bullets, he will spend Christmas 1917 here too.

If I can get it put thro all right, I will spend New Years in London, going up the day before, and staying six days. Think I will make it all right.

Have your food regulations been published there? I don’t know much about them, except that making white bread after Jan 1^st will be a criminal offence. Don’t know how it will affect us.

I think I told you when home, about our light-fingered bugler. Well he is doing “two months hard” now. The civil police got him at Seaford and he went thro the civil courts.

I was really sorry when you said you were sending my flannels, as I did not feel that I would need them, and as I did not want to wear my good puttees this kind of weather, I did not open the parcel till last Sunday night and found the fudge. Thanks. Sunday, I felt miserable and had an attack of dysentery. Took a good hot bath, and put on flannels Monday morning, and they sure have been a comfort. I am mighty glad now, that you sent them.

I am not going to bed so early now as I got so much sleep that I was lying awake, but get there between nine and ten, very seldom later.

Mrs. C.N.J. would be in my humble opinion, most foolish to come over here. Living is most expensive, and I imagine that next year the food pinch will come in earnest. I believe a chicken now costs something like six or eight shillings, one dollar, fifty anyways. Even at that tho I sometimes have quarter of one for dinner. When it would otherwise be thrown out. It is I think most important that Canadian families should stay in Canada. Then Fritz is not near the end of his tether yet. When he is, I think he will do all the damage he can in the last kick. When this comes, I would rather be in Canada, than on the Channel Coast or in London, believe me.

Wish you would send Vera’s address, also Olive’s if you have it. Will drop them a card sometime.

Our weather is not too terribly bad now, not very cold, plenty of rain, but when it is dry, it is fine, nice, warm sunshine.

Well I must stop as I have to write one of the boys and say I had a letter from Sgt. Bill Berry wanting me to go and see him and visit with him some of his relatives. Of course I can’t get the time, and will really need the money when I go to London.

Lovingly,
Worth.