NZIBD
France
14/8/17
Dear Uncle Julius
According to my notebook, my last letter to you was written on 31st July and since then I have had several from you. On 3rd Aug I had a batch from New Zealand, then on 5th there was one from you, and on 6th another from you and also Juliet's letter. On 9th the two parcels came, and on the 12th another lot of New Zealand letters enclosed with one from you. Finally last night eat there were two that you had readdressed and one from Aunt Lottie. I did not know that the contents of parcels had to be declared at the Post Office. Any parcels that are sent to me from New Zealand in future will probably be addressed to me here, and this would be the better plan. Many thanks for forwarding the correspondence and parcels. The last letters from home were dated as recently as 24th June which is well ahead of any that have arrived here by the solders' mail. Everybody writes cheerfully. The early part of the winter has been wet but not particularly cold. Mother finds the winter months rather trying and I am glad to say that at the time of writing she had been keeping very well.
You will be glad to have George home for his leave and he will be able to make the most of it, getting it now when the days are long. I hope the weather will be more settled by the time he arrives.
This wet spell has been most unfortunate. There is no doubt it has hindered our military operations. Some of the crops in the country have been badly damaged after being cut and stoked. You will be in need of June weather to get the fruit picked and marketed in good condition.
I expected to have been leaving the base today to join the Divisional Employment Company but I have been withdrawn at the last moment and I am to remain here to come before the New Zealand medical board in about three weeks’ time. A few days of training has disclosed the lasting effect of the gas on the lungs and heart and I have been unable to go on with the work. Our medical officer sent me to the medical board that sits every week and I have been marked PB (permanent base). It remains for our New Zealand Board now to class me A, B or C. If I am sufficiently improved to do my training by the time the Board sits I shall be marked A and will eventually rejoin my unit. Men who are classed B are given employment, and marked A if they become fit, otherwise they are put into C class which means they are unfit for service and are returned to New Zealand. It is unfortunate to say the least of it that I should find myself in this position after seeing so little service, and when every available man is wanted, but it cannot be helped and I must do my best to fit myself for that A at earliest possible moment.
I do not appear to have replied to the last letter from Juliet yet. Will you please thank her for it.
Best wishes to you all.
Your affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
