The Salvation Army
Convalescent Camp
France
Sunday 1st July 17
Dear Uncle Julius
I arrived here from the SA Hospital on Tuesday evening. This is No 5 Convalescent Depot, APO S23, BEF, and if any letters come for me I would like you to forward them to that address. It would probably be as well to put my battalion, 2nd AIB New Zealand Forces, after my name and number, and the letters will be then sent on to the NZ base, if any should arrive after I leave here. This place is about 20 miles from the SA Hospital, situated in pleasant surroundings by the seaside. There are between five and six thousand men here, all recovering from either wounds or sickness. The sea air is beautifully cool and fresh and it soon braces up those who have just come out of hospital. I can feel the benefit of it myself already.
In yesterday's papers I read a very short summary of a speech by Lloyd George in which he spoke in very optimistic terms of the future prospects, both as regards the operations on land and the steps that are being taken to deal with the U boats. I hope his prophecies are correct, but all the same one cannot help wondering what Prussia really intends to do.
I have had a letter from Aunt Lottie in which she gave me an account of the air raid on Folkestone. It seems to have been fortunate for Aunt Lottie that she was away from her own place at the time. Our airmen have found a way to settle the Zeppelins so probably they will find a means for making the aeroplane raids too risky for the Germans to undertake in future. It is to be hoped so for the sake of the civil population.
I have written to our base to ask to have any letters that are there, sent to me here, so I may get that packet of home letters any time. My full address is:
No 32088 Private B Sladden, 2nd AIB New Zealand Forces, C Company, No 5 Convalescent Depot, S23 APO, BEF, France.
I shall probably be here for a week or two yet.
I am
Your most affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
