Raven’s Croft Military Hosp.
Seaford, Sussex
18/2/17.
Dear Mother,
Well I surely have some bunch of mail from you now but surely am sorry about Dad. As you have hardly a good enough address to catch me with a cable, I enquired at the post office on Saturday aft. and they could not tell me as there are a couple of camp cable offices here too. I am anxious to know just how Dad is so cabled Sat aft. to know giving my address as Raven’s Croft.
I have yours of Jan 8th Jan 17th, Jan 27th and one since telling me that Dad is recovering.
Yesterday morning I was warned for night duty and sent to bed. I slept for awhile and then one of the boys wakened me up, for a fine 15 page letter from Ivy Old’s. She sure writes dandy letters. I then slept till about 1.30 dressed up and went down town, coming back in time for night duty. This will be a good chance to rest up, write up and read up a little. After “lights out” at 8 P.M., there is nothing to do except give an occasional medicine or take a temp. We have dinner about 10.30 or 11 and breakfast about 4.30 or 5. this gives us a chance to go to bed right at seven and if we do not want to go out in the afternoon, can sleep right thro till 5.30. I will not likely be out more than one day a week here, as there is nothing to go out for. I have to see to my teeth this week tho, which will likely take a couple of afternoons.
I think it was in Folkestone that the 168th boys rented their room, but they could not get word to me in time. Anyway, I was not sure of getting away before 6.30. I was very sorry tho, not to have seen them.
Say do you know I have worn those two pairs of sox, that Aunt’s Mart and Lizzie sent, more than any others, and they show the wear less. They must be exceptionally good wool. They are most comfortable too. I gave up wearing those army sox months ago, and that pair Hazel gave me shrunk all right. I can’t wear them anymore. Aunt Louis I wear, but they are not nearly as comfortable as my white ones. We had an issue this week of a pair of each from St Thomas. I don’t know whether they brought them with our equipment or they were sent lately. I am sorry to say the box with Mrs. Weston’s has not arrived yet.
I said we would have to “retaliate,” but it was so late when Sister Charlton returned, and I was in bed, so we did nothing.
I knew about Ivan being in the hospital, when Bob saw him, he had such a cold that he (Bob) insisted on putting Ivan in the hospital. A good rest for him too. But when I heard, thro one of the boys, he was about ready to come out. I did not think that it was anything at all serious.
No, Eastbourne is right on the Channel, the “Children’s building” part of the hospital is right at the top of the cliff, and facing the water.
Yes, Miriam told me about the Presly. Minister, poor kid. I have been fortunate enough to have no one die on me yet, but have a very sick man to-night. Don’t think tho, that he will croak.
O no, don’t do that with the 8.00, I have plenty and the unit may need it later, hold it for sometime tho as a need will likely arise some time later, and subs be asked for.
Believe me, I enjoyed that Christmas cake even if it was broken up, so did the other boys. Do you know we often get shreded wheat here and at Eastbourne and cornflakes some times, but don’t always get sugar. I carry a little tin “Peps” box in my pocket, and pinch sugar in restraunts etc. when eating there, so I usually have a little.
Ivy Olds went to T.H.S. when Bill Law and I were there. Irene B. will remember her all right. She is at present steno for the Litho. Co in Simcoe. I think Audrey will know her as she mentioned Rea Vance in one of her letters.
I just been out cleaning up on a big bowl of bread and milk and cutting up some bread for the officers. Imagine me on bread and milk. Sure goes good when hungry tho. I drink quite a little milk too and don’t feel any bad effects.
I hardly think there is much chance of us being transferred to infantry now the unit is to-gether. In fact it is doubtful if we will get beyond England. 8 and 9 are still here, and have been given hospitals as have we and they should go before we would. If tho, the allies are fortunate enough to end the war this summer, I think it would be almost a year before we would leave England. That will be the hardest part of it.
No, I was no worse than I told you, but I had been working pretty hard and no passes, so they just thought I had better stay there. I asked to go back on duty twice but after that decided I would want till the M.A. was good and ready, which I did.
The German’s have been pretty busy right around us, but we can’t get much news. There was firing so close that we could hear and see it the other evening. A port right near here is an important shipping centre and I think that is what they are after. Our dredge went to the bottom very suddenly, either a mine or torpedo.
Of course if Dad were going to be sick and you could work a furlough from that end, I would not hesitate about going much as I would like to see this thing through, the business is more important.
Likely, the reason the gas comes up at ten, is because so many have heaters, and turn them off at that time then likely many furnaces are turned down or out, about that time too.
Yes, Anne told me that Marg. was married and just two weeks before she was to marry a London boy too. I met him one night up at Nettie’s.
Our cold spell has broken up somewhat and a half rainy fog has been hanging for a couple of days, but will likely lift soon and clear up. Of course, it does not much matter to me, what the weather is like just now, as I am not out very much, not enough perhaps, but will get out more in the better weather.
Have Nert’s letter and snaps, will write her during the week.
Lovingly,
Worth.
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