NZIBD
France
14/10/17
Dear Uncle Julius
Your letter of 10th inst has just arrived. It takes longer for letters from here to get through to you. After the letters are deposited in one or other of the boxes they have to be censored before passing through the APO and finally starting on their journey, and this all takes time. Thank you for readdressing the parcels which should arrive some time this week. I am afraid that all the papers that you readdress to me do not reach me, but we expect the paper mails to be uncertain and it is surprising that there is as much regularity with regard to mails as there is. Today is a gloriously find day and I hope it may continue so for a few days at any rate. It means so much to the boys up there in the lines and to the success of General Haig's plans generally. The fighting must be very severe but Fritz is gradually being forced to relinquish his hold on his all-important positions, and the prospects for the coming winter cannot be too pleasing to him.
By today's paper we have learned of the successful landing of German troops in the Gulf of Riga. Prussia seems to be quite at the mercy of the invading troops just now, but may be able to pull herself together again and organise during the winter months.
The news of General Maude's coup on the Euphrates came as a pleasant surprise for there had been rumours of a Turkish attempt at recapture of Baghdad.
I am glad you have got the final crop safely harvested and that prices have been remunerative. About 10 tons of fruit must have taken a lot of picking and I expect it will be a relief to you to have it finished. If the weather continues as it is today and the same conditions prevail on your side of the Channel, you will be able to enjoy the trip to London and Eastbourne.
I forget whether I told you that the doctor here had marked me "unfit for active service" in his recommendations to the medical board. The sitting of the board has been postponed, probably till the beginning of next month. I am feeling as well just now as at any time since I came to the base, and I feel satisfied that I shall be able to "carry on" in some shape or form.
I expect Arthur will have had some experience of gas cases since he has been serving with the RAMC in France. One effect it has had with me is to take away any inclination for smoking. I have not had a cigarette since I left the lines.
I will send you a note on a postcard when the parcels arrive and in the meantime, many thanks for your long letters and for attending to the parcels.
I am your affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
