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  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in oa_core_visibility_data() (line 607 of /app/profiles/viu/modules/contrib/oa_core/includes/oa_core.access.inc).
Date: June 1st 1917
To
Lulu
From
Tom
Letter

F.q. Ward,
West Section,
Middlesex War Hospital
Napsbury, near St Alban
June 1., '17

Dear Lulu

A great event has happened. At last I have got a letter from you; one addressed to me at my father's address. It is fine to hear from you again, and to know that our communications have been reestablished at last. As if that were not enough, a few minutes afterwards an orderly brought me a whole package of letters for me form the Record Office, amongst them were five other letters you had sent me during the last eight weeks. It was a regular gala day spent with you, mostly in the familiarity of the kitchen. Dont you think, dear Lulu, that we know each other vastly better than we did when we said good-bye at the train? I seem to know you better than I know anyone else.

I am making good progress. I have been up three half days now, & tomorrow I start getting up for the whole day. My arm is supported in a sling, or hangs helplessly by my side. Each day a nurse massages it for an hour, & slowly I am regaining its use. You are dreadfully mistaken, Lulu dear when you think I bear pain bravely; I am like a baby. But thank God I dont have very much now. Whether I shall be sent to Canada or kept here in the hope of making me fit for action service again I dont know; it will be decided by the Medical Board here as soon as my case comes up; maybe in the next few weeks. It seems cowardly to hope that I shall be sent to Canada & to you, but, my, how I would like to be with you again! If I had my discharge, & were back to you, not too badly maimed, there are some things I do so want to ask you, which would be hardly fair of me to ask without them. Can you guess what they are?

Surely it was quite and honor & a real tribute to your musical ability to be asked to teach at Mt. Allison. Did you feel like accepting it? Dare I say what thought when I first read it? "I dont want them to have my Lulu, for I hope to be with her before Sept. 1918." But you will know best what to do.

I am so glad to hear of your popularity as a teacher. I, too, love teaching children, as I have told you. But please don't take so many as to tax your strength. Surely such long hours of labor are neither necessary nor wise!

Well I cannot write a very long letter though I want to. I should like to tell you of the unspeakable beauty & variety of the trees shrubs & blossoms. It is wonderful. But I must stop.

With best love, Yours as ever
Tom.

Original Scans

Original Scans