Upper B1 Ward
Katesgrove War Hospital, (No 5)
Reading, Berks.
15/11/17

My Dearest

I was so delighted to receive your dear letter this evening, I was getting anxious to hear from you again, it must be three weeks since I had the last one, it does seem a long time but of course that is not your fault. I expect there are several letters gone to Belgium that I have never received. I have written to one of the boys at the Bty. asking him to forward my letters here, so I expect they will be coming along some-day.

I tried to get a hospital near Doncaster but there was nothing doing. It would have been so much nicer if I could have managed it. But anyhow I am on English soil & that is the main thing, & there is the prospect of seeing you very soon, so I am not worrying.

I don't know where I will go when I leave here, possibly to a Canadian depot or a convalescent camp & I hope to get leave from there.

No Dearest I did not get that permission, as I came away so unexpectedly, but I think I will be able to obtain the necessary permission when I come on leave. This is not a Canadian hospital, but we expect a Can. Paymaster round here to-morrow so if he comes I will make some enquiries & get it fixed up if possible.

Oh Dearest I do wish you were here, so that we could talk this over, I don't seem to be able to put it in a letter. Dearest I am longing so much to come to you, & I do hope we can arrange to be married this time. I guess we can manage it, can we? Isn't it a wonderful piece of luck that I got back to England so soon & so easily? But it is always the unexpected that happens. I never expected to come back via the hospital ship route.

I was just out in the town this afternoon, I wonder if you would have known me if we had happened to meet. I have not yet got a khaki cap or coat, nothing but the hospital blue, so I borrowed an Australian hat & overcoat. There were quite a number of Australians in the town & several times I was greeted by "Hello Anzac". It was quite amusing. We are only allowed out from 1.30 till 5pm, but I saw quite enough of Reading in that time. It is an uninteresting town.

Has Legay come overseas yet? Hope he will arrive while I am in England. It would be all right if he & I could come to Doncaster together. If he does not hurry up, the war will be over before he gets across.

Thank you so much Dearest for sending that neuralgia dope. Even if I didn't get it, I hope it will be of some benefit to somebody. I don't think there is anything I need here thank you Dearest, I can go down town every afternoon & I shall be able to draw some money if the Paymaster comes to-morrow. The doctor has not said anything about discharging me from the hospital, but I suppose he will pretty soon, for I am quite all right again. Well Dearest I will say Bye-bye for the present I do hope to be with you soon. Hope you are quite well.

Lots & lots & lots of love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
from Yours only & forever
Fred