1915 Letter 11
March 25, [1915]
My dearest Mother,
I am sure you must think me lost not having written for nearly a week. At Le Tréport we were limited in number and length in regard to letters, and I somehow didn't feel much like writing anyway.
We were up there for a week or rather down there for I guess it is South - and it surely was an ideal spot. I never took to any place so much, I sent you cards etc. of all the main objects of interest, but not till I can see you again can I do the place justice. We expected to be in our tents by the end of this week and had ours picked out. It surely was one grand place.
Then yesterday afternoon word came from Headquarters that 13 of us were to leave to-day for Wimereux - 3 miles from Boulogne. It is Canadian though and on the sea and very pretty, though not quite so lovely as Le Tréport. Florence Hunter and Beatrice Bleweth are there, I hear, and Miss Goodene and Miss Squires so I'll have some one that I know.
There was great consternation as in truly Biblical fashion one friend was taken and the other left out of every group. Miss Elliott is left there and Miss Rose while Miss Boultbee and I are here. They are awfully nice girls - from Vancouver and we have doubled up again - Miss Boultbee and I, and the other two there.
At the hospital I had a Spr. Bullock 3rd F.C.C.E. as a patient. He had a younger brother in the 2nd and just a day or two before he was wounded he had been down to see him. He knew Eric and Mr. Marryat by sight and said they were both well. The Engineers are doing splendid work - I have not heard from Eric for about three weeks but as I have been on the move so I am not surprised at missing the mails. We are going down in the morning to see if we can hunt up some.
Boulogne is quite a large town and at first sight not prepossessing but I think it will be fine when we know it better.
We'll be in tents at Wimereux and after all it will be the real thing. We'll get seasoned there in a short time as we wouldn't if we were in comfort all the time. We have a little oil stove, teapot, kettle, cosy, Ridgeway's tea we bought in London, and cups so we are not badly off at all. We made tea every night at Le Tréport. Coffee is the great drink over here but we don't like it as well as tea. The meals are different but good and the people are all so anxious to give us [every] we want. In Le Tréport they did their best to teach us French and I can get along very well. They think we are very young to be nurses.
Well Mother, dear, I will write again to-morrow and never let a whole week go by again with only one letter.
Heaps of love, and kisses, I'll write Papa next.
I am feeling perfectly fine - never felt better, and am enjoying every minute. We surely are seeing life - and the world incidentally. Good night now dear Mother and don't worry.
Yours always,
Helen