11.11.14
My dear Father
I think I owe you a letter and now have to acknowledge yours of the 5th.
As Mary will no doubt have told you, I want her to come out here at once. So far as one can judge anything in campaigning I’m likely to be at this base for several weeks more and with not much work, so it is a splendid opportunity for her to join me; if I get moved on later she might have to return home, but time will shew. I hope she will be able to arrange the best method of travelling here in London, the sea route if the weather is not very bad has some advantages, but she can find out best in London I think. Those of us who are left here are grumbling a bit at our lot, but doubtless later on we shall get busy again, and I don’t anticipate an early finish to the war, though our progress on the whole is satisfactory. The battle in Flanders however is terribly costly I’m afraid.
In this cold and wet weather I’m not inclined to grumble at being under a roof. The rest of No 9 leave on Friday. I don’t think I’m supposed to belong to them now, as this is really a separate unit, and I hope when we are ultimately moved, we move as an Officers’ Hospital.
How like the Hodson household to lose their children! It’s nice that Cyril can occasionally get a weekend. I expect he’s getting through a lot of work now. I’m afraid the doctors left in ordinary work will be very hard pushed this winter, and doubtless much of their work will be gratuitous.
Please note my address is now: Officers’ Hospital, 55 Rue de la Bastille]], No 2 Base, British Field Force.
Hurrah for the capture of the Emden, I hope the captain was saved, he was a worthy antagonist. I had a letter from Aunt Fanny and a fine present of cigarettes a few days ago. It is most kind of her to send them. Mary’s news today that the flat is let is a great pleasure to me; studying the advertisement columns lately I began to think we’d be unable to let at all, or only for a very low rent. We can get the English papers a day and a half later at the station, The Times at 3d!
I hope all the colds I hear about are done with. I daresay you are getting typical winter weather there. I have made one or two friends here who will I’m sure be glad to see Mary, and I shall make all arrangements for her course of action if I should be called away while she is en route, but I trust that won’t happen.
With much love to all at home.
Your affectionate son
Arthur
PS - My best wishes to all the November birthday party.
