BEF
22 Oct 1918
My dear Father
I have found it necessary to issue peremptory orders to myself to get on with this letter. It has been hanging fire for about four days, owing to the fact that I have been feeling very like a corpse all that time – being in the grip of this beastly influenza. During the whole of that time I have been at the Base waiting to be sent to England on substitution-exchange for six months. There are still a few more Army Forms to be completed before I can be sent over – at least I believe that is the reason of the delay – but I hope that I shall not be held up much longer. When I get over I believe I shall get a short period of leave before taking over duty at the Depot Battalion. But I shall not know anything definite until I have first reported there. I shall be glad to get away from here. The Base is comfortable enough but life in a clearing-house is not satisfactory. There is no time to form acquaintanceships for the coming and going is too rapid. Apart from that we are very well off: the training is entirely recreational – hockey, baseball, boxing, jumping and open-air games of every kind to promote fitness and agility. And, of course, there is a comfortable Mess and plenty of institutions handy; and matches and baccy are obtainable!
It is hardly worth while giving you my present address. Unless my luck is out I ought to be away from here before any letter from you could arrive here. I will let you know more about myself when I get back to London.
Love to all from
George
