Presbyterian Church of NZ
Chaplain's Department
NZIBD
BEF, France
Sunday 22nd July 17
Dear Uncle Julius
Your letter of 17th July came last night. Yes, I am feeling fairly fit now, but I have not resumed training yet. Tonight, I go before the doctor again and if he advises it I shall make a start tomorrow, for the men from hospital have to do ten days in the "bull ring" before going up to the lines again. Already some of the men who were in action on 7th June have rejoined their Companies. The letter enclosing photo of yourself among the ones posted by Juliet has not reached me yet. I sent a note to the sister in charge of the ward I was in at No 1 SA Hospital asking her to see that my letters were sent on so this one should come along some time. I was glad to learn the contents of Mother's cable message it was such a cheerful little message. I wonder who the other cable was from - possibly from Arthur. I shall write home this afternoon for I was not able to say that I had received it when I wrote a few days ago. I had a few more NZ letters last night but they were not home letters. They came through the Base PO London and were dated April. The last letters that came from home were written toward the end of May, easily a month ahead of the others.
The King was here, at this base, while I was at No 5 Convalescent Camp, so I missed seeing him. We heard about his visit to France and half expected he might come to Con Camp.
I am glad you are having such a good season over in England for the crops. The fruit should be ripening quickly now. In New Zealand we have cherries and early plums and peaches, ripe, at the longest day. The crops round this part are beginning to turn yellow, and in some cases they have been cut. There is every appearance of a good yield.
I will write and let you know what my movements are.
Good wishes from
Your affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
