F.q. Ward,
West Section.
Middlesex War Hospital
Napsbury, St Allans
July 8., '17.

My dear Lulu

As you will see I am back once more at the hospital. I had a very short stay at the convalescent home - much shorter than the nurse there expected. I told you in my last letter of the "inspection" by the major - I wrote the same day. Well, after he had seen us all & had left, the nurse told me that I was ordered back to Napsbury so as to be handed over to the Canadian authorities at a Can. Conavalest Home, with a recommendation that I be discharged. Are you glad, Lulu?

Two things I must tell you however. The Canadian powers may not follow his advice, & may give me some other course of treatments. The other thing that I am told is that my arm will not be so good as I expected. In healing up, the two bones of my arm (the ulna & radius) have so thickened as to join together, so I shall never be able to turn my hand over. Also, the break is so near the elbow joint that my elbow will always be fixed in the present position. That is why they told me whilst in bed to bend it at rt. Angles - thinking that it would be more useful like that than straight out. Now, what do you think about me, Lulu? I shall both be, & appear, a cripple, & shall always need help even to do some of the simplest things for myself. I wish I could with you now so that I could let you see me as I am & so see what you thought.

Now I have another piece of news for you. The Sask. Conference was so sure that I was coming home quickly that my name appears on the list of stations, & I am appointed to take charge of Sutherland Circuit, just two or three miles out of Saskatoon, where there is a Convalescent Home. Endicott is at the bottom of that, & he writes me that he is supplying the circuit for me until I appear. That comes of having very good friends, Lulu. And now what am I to do? Shall I run away, take the first boat to Halifax & get to the Digby Convalescent Home by the first train? What a glorious program! But I suppose I shall have to wait for the weary routine of red tape. I would like about three weeks leave in England to see my people & then across the Atlantic. I know you will give me a welcome, in spite of my helpless arm, & we shall have a happy time together.

Here is a sentence I have written with my right hand. What do you think of it? You see my fingers stand stiffly out & I can bend them only a little yet, so I put the pen between my thumb & finger & pushed it along with my shoulder.

I shall write to Carman at Bramshott, & will try to see him; tho of course it is improbable that I can get so far. He will probably be in England all next winter so you will have little to fear for his safety. I hope he will enjoy his stay & see a lot of beautiful England. Write me all the news about Ainley.

Well my write hand is telling my left that it is time to quit. Look out for me some day. The only medical appliance I shall need when I get there will be a small pillow for my arm. (also a very patient nurse) With very best love Tom.