1915 Letter 6
Sunday
March 7, [1915]
Dearest Mother,
We leave for France to-morrow - at least about thirty of us do, and you can
guess how excited we are. I suppose you will be upset to hear this - but we
are the envied of the envious. I went down to Headquarters for the mail on Wednesday
and Matron McDonald asked me my name etc. and I got up courage to ask if I'd
be going to France soon as I had a brother there. She said she thought my name
was down to go- and sure enough it was - because I had had my military training
- she said. She also asked about the girls who have brothers and will see that
we are notified at once if they are sick etc.. I didn't say a word - though
they all thought they knew where we were all going - i.e. Netheravon. Then last
night - Miss Boulter came in and told us we were all going to be mixed up. She
goes to Netheravon with most of Miss Rayside's crowd - and Miss Rayside goes
to France with quite a lot of us. She told me particularly that I was for France.
Miss Elliott goes too. We both knew for Miss Brock told me Miss E. was going.
We surely had one on the girls who thought they knew everything.
Miss Godard comes too, worse luck. She has the whole outfit down on her -
of all spoiled babies! She might have been born a Meiklejohn for she is exactly
like them. Mrs. West was quite correct in her diagnosis. We are not quarreling
or anything - but she was peeved because I never introduced George to her. Though
she was never around when he called - and she does her best to prove us spiteful.
However after this she can shift for herself. We have by far the nicest crowd
- though of course we may be all scattered around when we get over there. We
are all very much delighted because we are going - except on the account of
our home people - for it will make you worry more and our letters may be not
be so regular. But as to your worrying if you only saw the fun we have together
and how happy we are - you wouldn't worry at all. And rest assured that wherever
we go we're with a bunch we know - both nurses and doctors - and safe guarded
on every hand.
Last night - after we went upstairs I was reading my verses and my bible opened
at a place I never had read before - the queerest chapter about moving out with
all your goods etc. I said to the girls it was rather an appropriate selection
but never thought to notice what book it was in though I hunted for it after.
Then in half an hour or so Miss Elliott started to read hers and said at once
"What a strange chapter" and how much like the one I'd been telling
them about and it was the same one - Ezekiel XII. Wasn't it queer? Miss Elliott's
mother gave her 'Daily Strength" the one you always use - and we read that
too-
This morning we went to the Temple Church - It used to belong to the Knights
- as you'll see by the enclosed. Aunt Teddy recommended the choir as being the
best in London - and truly it is what people call it - "Heavenly".
The boys mostly had colds - poor little chaps - but their voices were angelic.
The service was grand too. The congregation is of an entirely different type
to the Abbey or St.Paul's. Many of the lawyers live around that neighborhood
and half the church is set apart for their use. Lady Carson sat quite near us,
and we could hear the sides'men talking about the different people who came
in. There is so much about all these old churches to appeal to the eye and the
choirs are so perfect - that it is easy for one to feel religious and it is
very soothing too - nothing irritates.
I think I wrote you about hearing from Eric and that I sent him a box. I sent
more socks last night, and chocolate and soap, and will keep him supplied for
he says they are not able to get much where they are.
There are divers rumours as to the length of the war - many think August will
see big advances towards settlement - but what does - or can - any one know?
Except those really at the head of affairs and they are not saying.
We can feel at rest - for we have done what we could - and even if we are
anxious and worried - we can hold up our heads. One recruiting notice all over
is pretty raw "What! - you! here still?" It is the greatest
and the least who are in this - the comfortable middle set is the ones they
seem to be after - just as at home.
We packed this afternoon and I am going to have heaps of room. Our kit bags
are the same size as Eric's and a little taller and so much can go into them.
We are allowed to carry our club bags so can pack the holdalls which are heavier
to carry - too heavy for us - though they hold more. I am leaving my furs in
cold storage at the rate of 9 d. per month - not exorbitant - is it? I am taking
my suit -and hat as by obtaining special permission we are sometimes allowed
to travel in civilian clothes. I am not in uniform yet - but must crawl in tomorrow
- the girls' experience have been awfully amusing - they are asked if they are
V.W.P.'s - volunteer women police - Salvation Army - and all sorts of things.
The guests in the hotel are all very much interested and are exceedingly nice
to us. Sometimes in the lounge we'll be talking over our woes - principally
Shoolbred's stupidity - for we've all had to take our things back at least once,
and some of the girls are so ridiculous - that we'll find all the people laughing
behind their papers - with, not at, them. And last night - when we found out
we were going to France they were more excited than we were. There is a very
quiet nice class here - many of them military and naval people in town to be
near their men folks I suppose. One naval chap was married yesterday and brought
his bride here afterward.
My outfit is as complete as any I have seen and for comfort I am sure it couldn't
be beaten, so don't think of me as perishing with cold etc.. I am feeling
better every day - this climate certainly agrees with me. They say France is
much warmer and that the weather is quite decent from now on. There is less
sickness among the men too. We are all taking what the nurses who came over
first call the three necessities - candles, matches and toilet paper - I sent
Eric a lot of the same - not a very pleasant subject - but you'll pardon it.
I'd be very much obliged if you'd send a paper - here we can go down to the
High Commissioner's. I write to Eric every day and he'll know by this time that
I'm going to France.
Our letters are still to go to Victoria St. The really correct address is
Nursing Sister H.L. Fowlds C.A.M.C. We surely have a dandy bunch of girls. Other
authorities might have picked a different crowd but they couldn't have picked
a better.
Don certainly is a dear kid. I do hope he doesn't come. In fact I think he
has no need to come. Canada is doing her share and why should she when there
are millions of English muts not enlisted yet.
Am going to phone Geordie to say Good-bye. Poor kid - he'll be awfully sore
to think that he's left. There is a great deal in the expression "fortunes
of war". We are going over ahead of some of the girls who came over in
Sept. and they'll be simply wild. The Cliveden on the Astor estate is a magnificent
place but rather a show place and the nurses who go there are apt to be left
indefinitely.
I am going to keep track of all my letters - by number - and you might too
- and then we'll know if any are lost. This is about my tenth from London to
you & Papa. Possibly you'll get them all at once.
I will cable at anytime if I should be sick or anything but no news will always
be good news, so don't worry for the mails are most upset and uncertain.
Well I must close and write to Don and Eric. Hope the snaps reached you. I
have not yet bought a camera and will take good care of Aunt Teddy's if she
sends it. Love to you both-
Yours always,
Helen