1915 Letter 26
France
June 29th, [1915]
Dearest Mother,
There is nothing doing up at the front and consequently it is the same here, and these are the hardest times for every one. The men are all so irritable and pessimistic there's no living with them and we are all nearly as bad. So make excuses for this letter.
The O.C. and the Adjutant were at Abbeville yesterday in conference with the D.G.M.S. and we are going there for sure. We are to be reduced to 240 beds and are to be a clearing hospital. The nurses are to be in huts and part of the hospital including operating rooms etc. They are building a siding which will not be completed for about three weeks. The D.G.M.S. wanted us to move right away into temporary quarters and then move again into our own camp but our O.C. asked for permission to remain here till our own camp was ready and as it was granted here we stay for three weeks at least.
We will all be glad of the chance to stay here - rather than go into billets at Abbeville. So some of our clouds have silver linings.
Personally my first impressions of Abbeville were not of the sort to cause thrills of pleasure at the thought of going back but Ruskin wrote
"But for cheerful, unalloyed - unwearying pleasure, the getting in sight of Abbeville on a fine summer afternoon, jumping out in the courtyard of the Hotel de l'Europe, and rushing down the street to see St. Wulfran before the sun was off the towers, are things to cherish the past for - to the end."
Things have changed somewhat since Ruskin's time I believe - so we may both be right.
And now I must tell you what we are planning. There is an order out now offering ten days' leave to England to all sisters, and five days leave for France, therefore why stay in France.
Another thing - at Abbeville we will be much nearer Rouen, Amiens and Paris - and it will be better to leave those places till then.
Ida Smith is very anxious to see Scotland and our plan is now to get our transportation straight through to Edinburgh - for they'll give it to us just as easily as to London - spend two days there - one day to coach down to Abbotsford and see the country around there. Then go by train I think to Stirling - and coach up the Trossachs. Take the boat somewhere up there and see all that part of the coast as far south as Glasgow - spend a day there and return by another line to London.
That is the bare skeleton of our trip. We have written Cooks for rates, time and routes, and will know in a day or two how much they can plan for us in ten days.
Our first plan was to go to Glasgow then by boat up the coast - and coach down the Trossachs, returning via Stirling, Edinburgh and the East Coast of England. But by discussing it, we found out from Capt. Johnston who studies in Edinburgh and has seen all that country that it was better to go first to Edinburgh and coach up the Trossachs.
Everyone is planning trips and it is a heaven sent blessing for it is keeping our minds off the war.
Perhaps it seems heartless and ridiculous to you - but we won't get leave again for a while and if we don't take it now and then feel tired out we can't look for sympathy, can we?
We have put our names down for July 19th but of course nothing definite can be arranged so far ahead.
Myra Goodene, McCullough and Johnston, Pense and Jamie are all in England now, and when they found out they could have their transportation made out to any place in the British Isles they chose Edinburgh.
Of course they are going it blind having no plans - but we will have the benefit of their experience which will be an advantage, and by talking with all sorts of people we are fast accumulating useful information.
Miss Clint is our chief authority on matters of this kind having been over three times and therefore familiar with all this country & the British Isles. She can tell us the time needed for certain places, and in this way I think we'll manage to see a good deal in a short time.
If our transportation is made out to Edinburgh we'll have to travel in uniforms but I have the suit I bought in London, also that little silk waist you made out of the rainbow scarf and one I bought in London so that the only mufti I need is a hat, which I can get in Boulogne. I also have that greenish coat I had last summer and with a light dress I am ready for anything.
My only and greatest worry is being away from the mail for so long - but if we plan our trip ahead and know where we'll be on certain days - I can arrange with the Bank of Montreal to telegraph any news.
I am writing Eric in this mail to see if he is due any leave and of course if he is getting is, my only desire is to be with him.
But doubtless he could get his transportation across also and he could come too.
Travelling as we can travel at present is very inexpensive and as we are not financially embarrassed, I think we should make as good use as is possible of our opportunities.
The more I see of Ida Smith the more I like her. She is a Montreal girl. R.V.N. about 32 or 33 - very well read and who is one of the most interesting women in the C.A.M.C. She and Ethel and I all sort of became friends through our brothers being up at the front and when her brother was killed she seemed to draw to us more than ever. Ethel may come too but is uncertain of her plans till she finds what Peggy Rose wants to do - as they are friends.
And isn't it strange - Peggy Rose is Mrs. Reesor's niece. Her mother was a Miss Buchan. She is the dearest girl and very popular at Le Tréport.
And before I forget is the $18 per month still being paid in at home. Notify me at once if it misses at all - for mistakes are not unlikely to occur -
Ida Smith is setting July 19 as our date for leave because if we go to Abbeville into billets we will draw our 9 f. a day and that would be a consideration. If we leave just now we are on the ration list - and only drawing 5 f. a day. I have about $150 in the bank in London and we are trying to do it on less than $100 and when we are getting our transportation I am sure we can do it.
I haven't had a letter from Eric for about three weeks but had a card written on the 23rd.
I have been sending him stuff and when the girls were across I got them to get a big box of cigarettes. Have been making fudge too and sent some to George and Alan Townsend.
I am so sorry about poor Harry Cumming. Is there still no news of him?
Well, dearest, I must stop. If you think our plans will make talk you needn't say anything about it - but just as you like.
Heaps of love to Papa - I am feeling fine and only wish we could be busy - With all my love, I am -
Yours always,
Helen