Upper B1 Ward
Katesgrove War Hospital (No 5)
Reading
23/11/17

My Dearest

Your dear letter came this morning. Isn't it nice to be able to get replies to letters in three days? It seems such a change from having to wait for two weeks or more.

But even 3 days is too long Dearest, I am longing so much to be with you.

I expect it will be a 10 days' leave Dearest, oh how I wish it was a final discharge from the army.

I wrote to Mother on Tues, but have not got a reply yet. I don't expect to be here much longer, the doctor "marked me out" this morning. They are expecting some large convoys on account of this new push in France, & are clearing out the hospital as much as possible.

My papers are marked for an auxiliary hospital (what ever that is) but don't know where, or when I shall go, it may be to-morrow or any day next week. I hope there will be some Canadian Officials there, then perhaps I might be able to find out something more definite. These people here cannot give me any information at all. Dearest I expect it would be necessary to procure a license at Doncaster, & if so it was so nice of you to say you would get it. Of course Dearest I would have preferred to get it but it really does not matter, does it? And it might save a little time & time is precious when we have only ten days to look forward to.

Dearest won't it be wonderful? I am getting so anxious. Aren't you? I can think of nothing else all day long.

I am sorry Legay will not be over here, I was expecting to hear any day that he had landed in England. Do you think if I write to the Young St. address it will find him, or has he a different address now?

I don't beleive he ever got my last letter, anyway I have not heard from him since. Will close for the present Dearest, & will write again soon. I am longing so much to be with you.

Lots & lot & lots of love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
from Yours only & forever
Fred