Eastbourne 4/12/17.
My Dear Mother,
The Col. sent for me to-day, and showed me a letter from Dr. Braithwaite & certificate from Dr. Bennett. Of course nothing can be done, and the Col. has nothing to do with it anyway. It has to go thro much higher men. Much as I want to get home, I cannot see my way clear to try & I doubt very much the success of any attempt. If I did get back, I would be struck off the strength of the unit, when I returned, I would be sent to my depot, and and be in the infantry inside of three days. Believe me, I would not want to get into the infantry just now.
You people have no idea of conditions here. Our men are being literally cut to pieces. The 5th division, will never exist in France, and not much longer in England. I expect the four divisions now in France, shortened to three, unless the 100,000 men come from Canada, immediately. Apparently conscription is a complete failure, and every man of that first class will have to come, besides many married men.
I pull out of here to-night, but don’t know where to. Expect I will be in France or Belgium to-morrow or the next day, of course we don’t know.
Now, if Dad is absolutely unable to carry on, the only thing left to do, is to dispose of the business, because if I am lucky enough to get thro this thing all right, I doubt if I will be back inside of two years, as there is too much to be done over there yet. The quicker the people of Canada realize this, the better it will be for them.
Lovingly, Worth.
This nominal roll, is the exact one, from which the identity discs for the 10th Can. Stn. Hosp. were stamped. Please keep it carefully.
W.D.
[?] Dec 25/
My Dear Miriam
We have been trying to get you by phone but they said you wen out until eleven so suppose you were out to dinner hope you had a good time. Thank you very much my dear for the handsome Neck Scarf it is a beauty. Santa was pretty good to us a box of cigars from Mr Coomber, tie from Mother [?] & a Coast mit from Alexia. We had a splendid Xmas trad better than last year. I was awfully tired last night but feel good today. Mother & Nerta were also very tired, but feel rested today, they join me in love to you,
Father.
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