Ward M.D.
Canadian Hospital
Kirkdale, Liverpool

My dear Lulu

I am one step nearer Canada & you. I arrived here yesterday as a result of a sudden order to move. A boat sailed for Canada yesterday or the day before - so we are told - & this there is room for us here. They say that there were about 600 patients here until yesterday, & when we arrived there were only about 60. A rumour it current that another boat will go in about 10 days, & if my papers are satisfactory, & I am fortunate enough to be amongst the chosen, I hope to sail in it. Don't build too much upon this however, Lulu dear, for "there's many a slip......"

This "special" hospital is a workhouse of the real old type. Stone corridors & asphalt squares & iron bars & all the accessories of a grim prison. I have been an inmate of two lunatic asylums and one workhouse, so I am a compound pauper & lunatic, with emphasis on the lunatic. It is all very funny.
I met an old 209th near here a few minutes ago named Baragar. He tells me that Ernie Barker, the corporal who was with me quite a bit in Digby, but more in England & France was killed; I am very sorry to hear of it. A number of 209th men must have gone on the last boat to Canada, Leggott, a Beverly man, amongst the rest.

But what can I write about, Lulu dear? I am in a state of semi-excitement at the thought of going back to Canada. I shall try my best to be put off at Digby, for I want to spend at least two weeks with you before I go West. Will you get tired of you patient by that time I wonder. Remember, that you are my patient too, so I shall have to extend some of my vast surgical & medical knowledge to your cure. Your right ankle for my right arm! A fair exchange, isn't it.

But I am hoping that you are now quite well, & that your holiday has done you lots of good. Do you still use two sticks, or are you able to manage without? I do hope you will not be 'too busy' to take proper care of yourself. Thirty pupils, which you mentioned to me seem a small army. Surely you are doing too much.

I don't know whether to get leave for a few days or not. I am greedy to catch the first boat, & fear to lose it by any fault of my own. I can leave my address & came back by notice of telegram, but even that won't satisfy me. They say leave is easy to get.

This afternoon I am going to explore the town for I don't know Liverpool.

But my pen is about dry so I shall have to stop.

With lots of love

Yours as ever

Tom