18/5/15
My dear Father
I got your letter yesterday; I have been less busy for the last few days, but have some “acute” patients, which sometimes means a little night work.
I went over the British Water Ambulance yesterday, a clever adaptation of six Belgian canal barges as a hospital. They can take 200 patients, and also accommodate all the necessary personnel; transport by this means is of course very smooth, and not specially slow, as they have a steam tug.
It’s been wet and cold here the last few days. I expect the garden at home begins to be bright, I’d so like even a few hours there and try to forget the war for a while. I suppose it’s highly probable that George’s regiment have been in action the last few days. I wonder what is being planned for the earlier battalions of K’s army, many of their juniors are already out I fancy.
I do hope the government will now concentrate on munitions of every kind. They seem to have been just as slow as the general public to grasp the magnitude of our task. I’d like to see them take in a few representative men of other parties so as to form a truly national government. Perhaps that will come later.
How stands Badsey’s record to date. I suppose several are waiting “to be sent for”. Has young Allsebrook come out yet? I get men of the Worcesters here at times, they are generally from the B’ham district though, and I haven’t met any local ones.
I think we must expect to see a determined air attack on London soon, undoubtedly these raids so far are experimental in nature.
I hope Miss Holmes’ arm is making good progress. Leslie must have his hands full – the doctor question bids fair to become acute next winter.
With much love to all
Your affectionate son
Arthur
