Ont. Military Hospital
Orpington
Nov 16th 1917

My dear Ethel,

Have not heard from you lately but perhaps your letter has gone where the last went.

I am still about the same condition as when I wrote last and have not been out of the grounds for 10 days.  I can walk only with difficulty so dont wander far away from the ward.  I am sorry I have not got the letter I am looking for as it will, I hope, tell me of your safe arrival at home.

I hope I will soon be better so that I can get up to London and do my “shoping”.  A man here by the name of Lockhart left this morning for Winnipeg a Canadian Engineer, and there are two others of my own Company here too.  Lorn [D?] is back in Blighty.  He was taken sick and on account of that and old age etc they shipped him back.  Thats the way we economise during war time.  Shipping a man to France who is obviously too old and then back again after a few weeks.

Well I dont know what more I can say until I get your next letter so will conclude unless I get it by this days mail, seeing I have letters to Ern and Alf already.  Have had a letter from Stan who is somewhere at the front.

I will send Amy a bracelet too for her birthday with Dots but it will be in advance, as I think there might be a row if only Dot got one.  You need’nt tell her though.

I trust you are well but am expecting to hear the contrary, which reminds me of something else.  If you are ever seriously sick you could easily get me back by making the request thro the Militia Dept. Ottawa and stating that I am only killing time here, having been wounded.

Well goodbye once more with best love to you all

Ever your loving
Ern