Upper B1 Ward
Katesgrove War Hospital
Reading
4/12/17

My Dearest

Thank you so much for your dear letter which came yesterday. As you see, I am still here, it is funny they keep me here so long, I don't understand it.

Just fancy, it is only three weeks to Xmas, & now it is so close it would be nice if I could come home for Xmas week. Would that suit you Dearest? If you like, I could apply for my leave to commence about the 23rd, although I am not sure whether they will give me any option in the matter. I may have to come just when it suits them, & possibly that might be almost directly I leave the hospital.

Isn't it an awful nuisance not being able to find out anything before hand & you never know what is going to happen in the army.

Anyway Dearest, if you say so, I can put in an application to be with you during Xmas. It has been awfully cold here the last few days. We have two radiators in our ward but there is scarcely ever any heat on, we almost freeze in the mornings. They used to let us go out in the morning for a "route march" but we always got scattered all over the town, so they discontinued it & now we cannot go out until afternoon. Sometimes we go to the pictures but usually we spend most of the afternoon in one or other of the soldier's clubs.

There are an awful lot of wounded in Reading. Besides 5 large war hospitals there are quite a number of auxlliaries, but up to now I have only met one fellow that I know. No Dearest, sometimes I can scarcely realize that I am really in England & going to see you soon. It seems almost too good to be true.

Have you read about the rumpus in Canada among the French-Canadians? They are having another general election & if Laurier gets in, it looks as though Canada would drop out of the war, anyway they would not send any reinforcements for a good many months.

However, I think the present union government will remain in power, it would be a shame if the French-Canadians won out against conscription.

Good-night my Darling
I am longing more than ever to see you
Lots & lots & lots of love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
from Yours only & forever
Fred