Granville Canadian Special Hospital,
Ramsgate, Kent.
Aug. 19, '17.

My dear Lulu

This is Sunday morning, bright & sunny, & if only you were here I could be contented. I wonder what you are doing now! Probably fast asleep, for by your time it will be about five o'clock. Well, since you will wake soon, I will write you some little news about my doings. This is my first letter to be written throughout with my right hand, so have patience with the writing.

The other day I was before the Medical Board for examination. The Colonel said that I had better stay in England ("here", he said) for a while yet, because the treatment I was receiving was receiving was so important to me. He asked me where I came from, & when I told him he said there was nothing to help me there. Then I said that I should be going to Saskatoon, & he said the same of that place. He said even Winnipeg could not give me what I should have & then asked me if I wished to go. Of course I said "Yes", & he said "That will do", & began to write on my history sheet, now I could not be sure that he meant to do as I wished, or just to dismiss me. I took the former meaning however, because I liked it best, but acted on the latter & went out. Since then the M.O. called me to the office & took particulars of the present condition of my right arm. Dont be disappointed if I dont come for some time however, for I should have been given a slip for the Quarter Master, with "I to C" on it (Invalid to Canada) if I was going immediately. It is a great thing to know that I was coming anyhow, so let us be patient.

I wonder what you have decided about the trip to Toronto! It would be a very nice thing for you, I am sure, & would probably do you a lot of good. If you think you would like the trip, my dear Lulu, go & enjoy the change. I am seeing all sorts of real nice places you know, & if I should come while you are there, & I knew about it, I could try to get to Toronto on leave. The whole thing is so much in the air that I cannot write like an intelligent man, but I want you to get all the change & enjoyment that you can.

I have had one letter from you two days ago; the one you wrote on July 30, when preparing to go to Berwick. You must have been quite excited over your preparations for you seemed so enthusiastic. We could have a fine time if I have only been there, just to make fun of the pile of stuff you seemed to have got together. Never mind, we shall go to all those picnics at Digby, you spoke about.

This is Monday morning now & I have found a note on my bed saying that I must appear before the M.O. again at 2 pm. today. I shall keep this letter open until I know what that means. My hand feels so stiff today I can scarcely bend my fingers at all.

If you are not tired of receiving p.c.s by this time I am surprised. I cannot describe all I see and it is the only way I can remember all I have to tell you about. If you want no more tell me & I will quit. These I am enclosing are some I got here. They are not as good as some I have sent, but they are the best I can get, & they are of places around here.

My people here are looking out for me with great expectancy now, & I am getting quite excited myself. If I am sent to Canada it is likely that I shall be granted ten days leave before I go. It will be splendid for I long to be with them again. It may be a long day before I shall see England again when I once reach Canada.

It is now Wednesday - three days since I started writing. I have been waiting to see what the M.O. wanted me for, & twice he has sent me away because he hadn't time to attend my case. Now I must close it. Yesterday I went to him & found it was to get particulars of my 'Military' history, & to sign five sheets which were recommendations to the "Board" that I be "invalided to Canada". On Friday next the M.O. says that I shall likely be sent before the "Board" to see what their recommendation is. Miles & miles of Red Tape, isn't it! I shall write again as soon as I have appeared before the Board & got their decision.

The weather now is showery & sunny. Ideal weather, I think, & I like this place well. A strong rumor is current however that we are to move, likely further west to get out of Fritz's way. He persists in sending over his bombing aeroplanes, & it is thought best to get us out of the way. I saw one of his [?] & several of his scouts in a raid here the other day, but he did not drop any bombs here. It seemed a sort of treat to see our old friend again, & crowds of us were out to watch him. We are a lot of idiots after all.

I payed a visit to North Foreland light house the other day, but found we were not allowed to go up since the war commenced. The old historic building looked fine however.

Another stoppage. This is still Wednesday, but the alarm went & I went back to my ward & put this pad in my locker & went out to look for Fritz. This time he came with a vengeance & dropped five bombs right around here, one dropping right in my ward & demolishing it completely. Another dropped right through the centre of the neighboring building - a part of this hospital. I escaped entirely unhurt, thanks to the mercy of God. About five men were killed in connection with this hospital. Happily he is not likely to come here again.
Well I must stop now. I will write again after my medical exam on Friday. May God bless & keep you Lulu dear.

With best love
Yours affectionately - Tom