Shorncliffe Military Hospital
Ward A2. Apl 21/16

Dear John

Received your letters of Apl 4 on Monday and enjoyed them as usual. I'm here for a day or two, and will likely then be sent to Ramsgate for special treatment. If you keep on sending my letters to Canterbury till I cable you my new address I'd be more apt to get them. I met [?] Addison in Folkstone today and had tea with him. While in the restaurant I saw a chap from the machine gun squad of our battalion. He gave me some pretty bad news. Practically all of A Co have been wiped out at St Eloi, one Lance Corp gets a D.S.O. or D.C.M. Major Morrison is alright and highly praised for his conduct. McFayden is wounded. I asked him about Jack and he thought he was alright, but most of the boys I knew are gone. Kind of tough eh. If I hear anything definite about Jack or John [?] will cable you. Mae is wounded with shrapnel (near his tail I think). This chap said he'd call in and see me and give me fuller particulars. It gave me rather a jolt to hear all the boys I'd trained with had "gone west" but they've done their bit.

There is not much chance of my getting to Canada for a while. The Doctor here is a Bluenose and knows my father and said he would take extra pains with my case. There is not much news to tell you about myself. Feel fine and sleep well. Will write you again soon. Love to all

Your loving brother
Douglas