Sisters’ Quarters, University House
Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham
Midnight
My own dear Cyril
We had another convoy tonight of 250 from the Dardanelles. We have had 4 convoys this week amounting to about 600 men. A fair amount for one week.
In my letter written last night I mentioned I had been sent to the typhoid ward. Well – tonight I have been sent back to the Stage ward every bed containing fresh cases, the other having been transferred to other hospitals.
In going the round of beds when coming on duty to enquire the nature of injuries etc, an occupant of one bed recognised - having seen one in India 10 years ago! He is in the 2nd batt: Duke of Wellington’s West Ridings Regt, which was stationed at Dinapore with us when we were in India. The chief thing he remembered about me was acting in amateur theatricals got up for the amusement of the soldiers.
You’ve heard one speak of the Herepaths, with whom I stayed in Tidworth, he is in the same regiment as Captain Herepath. Private Moore tells me that the latter has been home on leave lately and had returned to Rouen yesterday which I suppose is the base for Ypres, because the West Ridings have been fighting there. Moore gave me a lot of news of other men I know, many – alas – have gone to their long rest, others have been wounded and some have been married.
I have been thinking a good deal of Muriel tonight. She and her husband are spending their honeymoon at Stratford, and I can’t help envying them and wishing we were together too. But they have their sad time coming when they have got to say goodbye, and after not seeing each other for 13 years, these few days of happiness must be very precious.
Perhaps, darling, when our time of joy comes we shall not have the sorrow of parting to follow. God grant that it may be so.
I am feeling a bit off colour this last day or two, but am getting accustomed to turning day into night and vice versa.
Writing every night does not give me much news at my disposal – but as long as you get my letters in the right order they will make quite a good budget read together. The halfpenny post is to be abolished under the new Taxation Act but as a strong protest has been raised against this perhaps it will not be carried out. The picture postcard trade would be ruined.
Tea has gone up 4d in the lb – a great consideration to hospital nurses who drink tea at all hours!
I look out for news of you by every post, and simply long to hear.
God bless you, my own Man. All the love of my heart is yours.
Ever your own devoted
Mela
