July 21, 1916
Dear Jeanie,
Just a few lines to let you know I am getting better and that my wounds are getting healed up. I am not able to walk without a limp yet but will be alright long before you get this. I do not remember writing to you from France. I am hardly able to settle my mind yet as my head aches pretty bad at times. I am still on light duty and that means nothing in this camp. I was wounded in Sanctuary Wood in the Ypres Salient on June 27th. I got "out of the line" after dark and got to the field dressing station at midnight. From there to the Casualty Clearing Station (CCS). I got to the Red Cross train in the afternoon and then stayed in Boulogne Hospital two days. Then on the Hospital Ship to England and a Red Cross train from Dover to Northhampton War Hospital. I had two weeks there and came here on the 14th. I am likely to be here for 4 or 5 weeks before I go back to my Reserve Regiment at Shorncliffe. I have to pass a medical board and they say whether I am fit to go "back up the line" or not. I am going to try and get a staff job in England if I can. I seen Archie before I left the front. He is doing fine and keeping well but he has seen some hard fighting. He was in the charge that put the Germans out of Sanctuary Wood. When you get this letter write to my father and tell him I am getting on fine and well. I do not get any mail from Canada at all. I have changed my address so often it is having a hard job to follow me up. I had 2 letters from Lily and 2 from my father since I left home. I got the last one 2 months ago. It is pretty tough getting no letters from home. Well, I'll close now hoping this finds you all well at home.
Your affec. brother #157629 Pte. R. MacKinnon Canadian Convalescent Hospital Division H, Hut 2 Woodcote Park Farm Camp, Epsom, England