[annotation at top of page: “Answered”]

M.B.C.H.
17/12/16

Dear Mother and Father,

As I have letters from both of you, I will answer them in one. Two letters home, Wed. and Sunday, seem to be about all I can work in, in a week.

My cold still remains about the same. I feel much better than I did, in fact I feel pretty well, but it is just the same old bronchitis that I have every winter. Only the fact that I was in such good condition, has kept me out of the hospital till now, and if I do not feel better in the morning. I will go in and get rid of it. If I had shoes fit to wear, I would have been rid of it long ago, but I have not had a dry foot, for ten days.

On the 4^th of the month, I got a slip to have my shoes repaired, but the shoemaker turned me down as he had so much work and was going on a pass. Both pairs were almost soleless so I wore them on alternate days till Thursday when I went to see about getting a new pair. Here I had my first experience in getting a re issue of clothes from a grateful (?) country. They admitted that the shoes should be changed, but would only give me a second hand pair of the heavy English issue. They said the new ones were for the Overseas men. The cpl. however said I had better bring up my others and he would try to hunt me a new pair. I brought them up Friday and he was out and they said the only thing I could have was the second hand pair and I told them I would buy a pair first. I went back three times to get paraded before the Quarter Master, but was told each time that he was out. I then asked for a new pair and charge them to me, but they could not do that without the Q.M. either, so I went down town after I finished work and bought a good stout pair, leather lined but they cost 31/6. I think tho, that I would have had to pay that much for Dack’s shoe of the same grade. By this time next week tho, my cold will be all O.K, I think.

Begg and I have our aft. off to-day, and I will go to bed about 6 P.M. and sleep the clock round. I would like to go up to Church with him, but need the rest.

Last night, we took in a service at Folkestone and it was really good. I forgot for a couple of hours that I was out of America.

Say I sent Floss three books of Kipling for Christmas, and the censor returned them. It seems funny but no printed matter can be sent into a neutral country, except by a publisher or dealer, and he must have the permission of the War Office. I never knew that before.

I am enclosing a couple of diary pages, but there is a blank between. I was not writing many letters, and missed writing the diary.

I have not seen Jonas Sinden for a day or two, but he is getting along fine. We are having better success with the pneumonia cases now. A [?] from our ward has returned after a trip to the huts. He seems fine too.

I am glad to say that the first parcel containing soap Hutax etc, has arrived safely and in good condition. I had almost given up hope, but guess they will come all right now. Serving them up and addressing them, then another stout wrapper over that, seems pretty safe. The others will likely be a little late tho, as the traffic is very heavy. It must be terrible, handling all the mail coming over at this time of the year.

I have two letters from you 22^nd and 24^th and Dads of 27^th Money order O.K. It and Aunt Mart’s came in fine on the shoes I bought.

Re the addresses you sent, Epsom is quite a distance from here, but we send quite a few patients there, and of course Bill is in London. I have been planning to spend New Year’s in London, but don’t know whether I will make it or not. Begg and I, want to go to-gether.

Miriam must be some size. Hope she does not burst. I will also be glad when she gets her cap. I have not hear from nor written her for a couple of weeks, but I guess we both understand. We are both busy people.

I am surely glad that Dad is better and hope he will remain so till this plegged war is thro. Watchmakers must be getting very scarce over there now, and a good many more will have to come yet.

Poor Oatman was not long getting it, after he was wounded. I am afraid tho that few of that 71st bunch came back. Walter Bernard was over here and up at the 168^th camp, but I did not see him. Sgt Money told me that he had been up.

Wilson-Hughes clippings came O.K. also others. Use [?] Rough Dried envelopes, they are toughest and arrive in good condition. Some of the others have three edges sworn off when they arrive.

Nothing of mine was hurt at all by the water.

It is funny that Dad’s taste and smell should come back so suddenly. Hope they stay back. I would be in bad shape without my taste, because, eating is my chief pastime now days.

We have had very little frost here, but it is sure cold when we do have it, about like ten below there.

Yes Dad, I think I get all your letters, but I have answered two at once sometimes.

Well, must write Mae now.

Lovingly,
Worth.