March 13, [1915]
Dearest Mother,
Your letter of the 28th arrived to-day. The girls went down at
noon for the mail and found nothing then about five we were all sitting around
waiting for something to turn up and decided to go down again even if we were
disappointed.
And lo! - a letter from you and one from Eric too. Letters seem to take about
two weeks to come across here too.
As to questions - ask pages of them if you like - I don't always give as much
detail as you might like so ask anything and I'll answer fully.
I certainly am glad I'm over here, though so far we haven't seen much of the
real business of war. I think they must be preparing for the spring campaign
but at present they are mainly clearing up the smaller hospitals. St. Thomas'
Hospital here is refusing patients and is preparing for 20,000 wounded. And
yesterday a man told us he had crossed from France the day before and that they
had had orders to have beds for 72,000 ready in a fortnight. We simply mustn't
think of what is to come. Our boys are safe at present. I am enclosing Eric's
letter and he is not in the trenches now. George is taking a course at the Chelsea
Barracks School of Instruction in this new platoon drill. He expects to go to
Shornecliff then to drill the Second Contingent. He came up one night - and
brought a young friend from the Black Watch - a very nice boy named Westwood.
We are hanging around here wishing we could start. "The Twins" -
Miss Taylor & Miss Gilleau - left yesterday for Cliveden. We went down to
see them off. They cussed all the way as their hopes had been raised by a report
that they were for Le Toquet. Then in the evening Miss Shaw, Mrs. Spaulding
and Miss [Viets] got word to leave for Le Toquet at 6:30 am. and they have gone
together with eight of the First lot from Netheravon.
Our names have gone in to the War Office for the Imperial Hospitals and they
say we are not likely to be changed, but we can count on nothing - places are
altered so often and so quickly. We are having a wonderful chance to see London
though and are making good use of our time, though we are all rather too unsettled
to really enjoy sight-seeing.
I had my photos taken this morning and will send you one as soon as possible.
I have already written Eric for the address of the place he had his taken and
will send you a dozen as soon as I find out. I am having mine in my service
uniform as I think they are more becoming and look more like a nurse's uniform.
The mess dress is not bad though. It is blue with red collar & cuffs - piped
with white buttons etc. as on my other and A.M.C. collar badges. The capes
are very becoming to most of the girls but none too comfortable these days.
I am wearing my big coat constantly. At first - none of them ordered coats and
I thought maybe I had been foolish in putting my money into one. But they are
all buying them now - having caught cold in their capes.
The blue felt hats are fairly good looking - with badge in front, but the
service uniforms are and always will be more attractive.
I hear the Second Contingent nurses have left. I wonder if I'll know anyone.
I guess as you say I wouldn't have had much luck with the Toronto outfit. This
has been the best holiday I ever had - though that wouldn't sound well if repeated
- would it? Our board is paid here - at least we are sort of billeted here and
all we pay is our extras - fires, baths, etc. but though we have all been
economical one can't keep going on nothing and we all want to have enough if
we go to France. And on the other hand every one advised laying [on] a good
stock of all the necessities here as it is almost impossible to buy things in
France now. I have mostly everything now, have paid all my bills and have $25
in French money and some in the bank, besides paying for a dozen photos today.
They are regularly 3½ guineas but they are giving a special rate of ½
to nurses. I hope you'll like them. I'll leave word to have them sent direct
to you in case I have left.
I can't write any more to-night so will send this much and try again to-morrow.
Love to Papa -
Yours always,
Helen