NZIBD
France
6/9/17
Dear Uncle Julius
I have just received the budget of letters that were returned to you after being posted to me originally on 9th June. That was the day I left the CC Station for hospital and it is hard to say where the letters have been since then. I am glad to get them now, and a letter, particularly one from home is a letter, even if it is overdue.
We have had a few consecutive days of fine weather and during that time good progress has been made with the harvest but a heavy thunderstorm last night has made everything wet again. I gather by the papers that the damage to crops may not be as extensive as was at first supposed. I hope your fruit picking has not been further interfered with.
You must all have enjoyed that well-earned holiday trip. If my luck is in, I hope to see more of England myself before returning to New Zealand. Aunt Lottie particularly would be disappointed if I did not have a chance to visit her at Folkestone.
A letter came from George a few days ago, in reply to one I wrote to him recently. It was written after he had had his leave and he referred to the locality where his Company is stationed and to the possibility of our meeting each other over here some day.
I am still on the B list and I am afraid that I cannot say that I am feeling any better since I came back to Base. It does not suit me a bit to be wasting my time at a sick man's job in this place and it does not tend to make a person take a cheerful view of things. Everyone has done so much except myself, but my chance will come yet and I will then have to make up for lost time.
Many thanks for the letters and good wishes to all.
Your affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
