No. 85
France
11/7/18.
Dear Mater,
Another Canadian mail and I have no less than five letters from you to answer. Also have the snaps from Nert and the are quite good altho a little out of focus. They look natural anyway.
We are having some cool windy weather and I am in the first stage of one of my beautiful colds. I went up the beach for a walk last night and got caught in a thunder storm coming back. There was absolutely no shelter and I was soaked to the skin. I dried myself as well as possible, but I am afraid it is going to get me.
Don’t worry about getting word, if anything happens to us. The London papers won’t be long getting it, altho I believe they recently reported that we had been raided, and then denied it, in a later edition.
Mrs. London’s Mother was very wise to return when there was really no reason for her staying. It is better that all possible should return to Canada, for many reasons.
I don’t believe that I told you some time ago that our capacity had been increased 50% and of course the unit also. Among the new men, attached were several who had been at Moore while I was there. I was quite surprised to see them.
Yes, I guess Mildred had it rather hard, but I understand it is much better there now, and that she has been moved to another area. I think the trouble was, that they were so far behind the line, that they thought protection not very necessary, but you cannot tell what will happen in this war.
Glad Dad is making so many trips to London and surely there will be a beneficial result this time. I hope this is the last winter I will be away, but in a letter from Walt Barnard the other day, he spoke of it lasting another four or five years. He was of course kidding, but might prove to be right after all.
It’s funny, about that night you spoke of. for allowing for the difference in the time, we were certainly getting hell just then. but it was the following night that we got it worst. No, It was civilians who live right near and who were wounded, that were brought into the hospital.
That my nervous condition is improving is proven by the fact that since last June when I felt so poorly, I have had one attack of asthma and that was very slight. It scared me tho, because I was afraid of a return visit.
Glad the Huntley By-law went thro, as I would not like to see them leave, I have not had an Observer for several weeks. Please see if it is still being sent, and have Nerta renew The Optical World for another year, to France. The Canadian subs. she paid up for some time.
The fact that Frank Waller has left his original unit, and shifted around a good deal, explains the letters not reaching him. Ours come thro easily of course, as we are still with the 10th
I am afraid I will have to leave this till to-morrow noon, as I have to go down to answer 9.15 roll call, return for a few minutes and finish my nights work and then to bed.
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It is now Saturday night, but I haven’t felt like writing since as my cold proved to be “hay fever” and I have had it ever since. It is even worse than I had at the Sou. before the last operation. As soon as the congestion goes down, I am going into hospital for a few days and have Capt. Henderson remove more of the bone. He says it is the only chance of relief, and it will certainly relieve me this year, while the scars are forming anyway. It nearly drives me crazy.
Last night I got your parcel as per enclosed slip. Thanks very much. I have not yet received the Gillett razor nor the heavy gold filled [bous.?]. If I had them now, I could wear my amber glasses.
To-night I got the letter you posted on June 25th, at Sarnia, that is going some, believe me. Also had a letter from Inez and she was down at a beach resort for the weekend and Maude [?] was one of the party. Says she is some kid.
Glad Wilfred is able to be back on duty again. Hope he continues.
You know by now what happened to Italy – or rather to Austria, it happened. That was a good move for the Allies. I don’t think tho, that the Channel Ports are in any danger at all, nor have they been since 1914.
Very surprised to hear Mrs. Betts passed out so suddenly, I thought he would go long before she did.
Hugh McF. will likely be over here before long. It would be funny if he were attached to us.
When Uncle Fred is doing so well, I think it would be fine for Stewart to go out, besides he must need someone to help him. Vera must be lonely. She is blame nearly as much isolated there, as I am over here, as far as ever seeing any of them goes.
Who is the Miss [Stewdy?], Tom is marrying? What a surprise the Holbrook’s gave you. The Olivers are living in Hamilton and sent Archie some good enlargements, some of which were taken around the Saw.
Was glad to get that clipping about the 3rd Stationery, as we had no very complete account of it. They are a long way from here. They surely got a bad jolt, but can’t expect much more.
Didn’t take me long to see who was writing from Sarnia. Either you or Dad had said you would likely be down that way. Hope you enjoyed the trip and had no tire trouble. Don’t suppose you saw Mrs. [?] on your way thro.
I suppose Sask. will be a pretty good thing for Evans, but too bad he didn’t get something nearer home, sorry you missed him.
Tickled that Mir did so well in her exams and I am anxious to hear Nert’s report.
Well there is a convoy in, which means work for me.
Love to all,
Your loving son,
Worth.
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