F.q. Ward,
West Section,
Middlesex War Hosp.
Napsbury, St. Albans.
July 27., '16.

Dear Lulu

It is about a week since I wrote you. Two days ago I sent some selected views of England which I hope you will like for they are nearly all of places I have visited at one time or another. But the news we are both anxious to hear I have not been sent for I dont know, though each day I have been expecting it, & so I have delayed writing.

I must write & tell you what I am doing anyway. I have been away from the Goldings now three weeks. Last Tuesday (it is now Friday) I was at last ordered before the "Medical Board" & ordered to be sent to the "Special Canadian Conval. Home we have for such cases," as the Colonel said. That means that I am to be handed to the Can. authorities to do as they see fit with me, - no doubt with recommendations. As I told you, this hospital is English, & cannot decide the future of a Can. Soldier.

The attempt to get a transfer to Manchester has failed because they say "It is written 'no Can. soldier may be transferred to one Hosp. To another.'" If I should be discharged I am glad of this.

A few days ago I was "X Rayed" again. I was not allowed to see the plate, but I stole a march on them, & saw it. I see that there are quite a few 'foreign bodies' (pieces of lead) still near the old wound, & one of the joints is very ragged indeed but I dont think that that will affect my future. I am feeling better & stronger all the time. I can move the joints of my fingers, wrist & elbow an average of about 30º, so that is a great improvement. If I leave my arm out of a sling & let it hang down for any length of time it still swells quite a bit, but not as bad as it did. It feels heavy & when I sit down, or when I go to bed I like to have a pillow to rest it on, either across my knees or chest. I am a funny mortal my dear Lulu, as I am afraid you will find out.

I was without mail from you for about a week; but yesterday I received a very welcome & interesting letter. I dont know, Lulu, my dear, how I should get along without them now. You occupy so large a part of my thought life that I should be like a lost soul without you now. Looking back I wonder when the change came. God has been very good to us Lulu, & if I should be spared to come back to you I try to show my gratitude to Him by living a more devoted life in the Master's service. I shall want you to help me to be true to this resolution Lulu dear, for I am very weak & idle. Jesus has answered your prayers & the prayers of many of my friends, & I am safe where so many far better & more useful men than I have died - "for us, for our country & for the freedom of the world." How I hope that you will be spared from all sorrow, & that both Carman & Ainley will come home safe & sound!

Give my kindest remembrances to the Abrahamsons & the Smaleys; to Jessie & to your father and mother. Of course Lulu, tell your parents all you think proper to honor you the more for what you told me.

Well, dear Lulu, we can leave our future in God's hands, for He will decide for the best, I shall telegraph when I get my discharge - if I should get it.

With best love, yours as ever,
Tom.