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Date: September 21st 1916
To
Sister – (Miriam Davis)
From
Worth Davis
Letter

[written across top, different handwriting: “Miriam”]

Moore’s Barracks Hospital,
England, September 21/16.

My Darling Sister,

Well honey, I feel pretty fine to-night. Yesterday I had a letter from Kim and to-day, two from our Dear Mother, one from Nerta and two from Floss, one being enclosed by Mother, forwarded from London. This is the first I have heard from Floss.

Mother tells me that you are at work and like it very much. I am so glad. Hope you have no more mishaps and finish O.K.

I must admit that I was thoroughly disgusted with my work at first and Sunday, I was very blue, but after writing Mother, felt much better. I start at 5.30 when I get up, but I usually sleep in till 5.45, dress and wash then get breakfast and go on the wards at 7 A.M. Have to prepare and serve breakfast (there are three of us on the ward). Then polish the floor, clean the hearth and tidy the ward. Then get dinner, which is prepared outside, and serve it, then help with the dishes and do whatever there is to do till tea time, when we prepare and serve it wash up, and leave at 6.30 tho it is usually seven or nearly. We hardly have time to eat and I see how you had little time to do anything at St. M. While there are three of us on a ward, I get every third afternoon off, but we are really not supposed to. The meals here are really fine, and I eat a great deal, also eat a little on the kitchen, but it is against the rules. I have to bring coal in a wheelbarrow, take the dirty linen out to the stores and change it for clean, rush bed pans etc., but it is all in a days work. There is one sister on practically all the time and two part of the time. They change all the beds and with the doctors, change all or nearly all, the dressings, although we do get a little of this to do. When night comes, I am quite ready for bed, but will try to write a letter or two, a night. I have applied for night duty, and should get it, inside of three weeks, when I will have plenty of time to write, and I really enjoy it, as I am learning to express myself pretty well.

This hospital is, in times of peace, a barracks for regulars. It consists of many buildings built along the top of a high hill which rises from the water’s edge of the English Channel. It is an ideal location. The buildings are long and narrow, wide enough for a row of beds down each side. Each end has about fifteen beds, while the centre contains kitchens, office, bathroom etc. There are about 30 of these, besides several other buildings. We can handle 1500 patients. I am in a surgical ward, which is I think the most interesting. I have to steal time during the afternoon to shave.

The hospital is within walking distance of our old camp and also of Folkstone. I think Kift is right here, will look him up next week.

We are still sleeping in tents, and as it is cool, and rather damp, I do not enjoy this part, especially in the morning. My pyjamas are fine and warm. The boys rather laughed at them at first but believe me, they envy me now.

Some of our boys are in two other hospitals and we may remain this way all winter, or may be taken to-gether and given a hospital of our own here for the winter, or there is a slight possibility of us being sent to Salonika or France, in a month or six weeks, but I do not think there is much chance of this.

I am becoming quite contented now and the only thing we can do now is pray for an early end of the war that we may be to-gether once more.

Write Dear when you have time and always put your name and address on the back of envelope.  I am moving around and my mail may miscarry

Your Loving Brother,
Worth.

Always use my number
534709.

Original Scans

Original Scans