703472 Pte Lowry 102/Canadian
22 Hut Netley
England
28th January 1917

My dear (Dorothy
(Mother

I arrived here on day noted on P.C. Altho' I had been marked an "up" patient in Rouen I was immediately put to bed when I arrived here and I remained there for four days receiving from the staff every attention and comfort. My case was diagnosed and bidaily records kept of my temperature and pulse. Of course I protested that I was fit to be up and had been up for weeks, but to no account. Until I was officially marked up I had to remain in bed. I am not yet permitted to go outside and I do not feel inclined to do so on account of the tender skin on my hands and face. I do not know how long I may be here.

Netley is near S. Hampton. I understand that leave is granted from here. My eyesight is improved in fact almost better, but for a redness on the lids and slight discharge in the morning. The new wax treatment that I received in Rouen is splendid. I am healed up with very little scaring. The wax is melted and painted over the wound while hot. A thin layer of cotton wool is placed over this and painted again. The bandage comes off without sticking. I believe the main ingredients of the preparation are paraffin wax, vaseline, and eucalyptus oil. By the way if the cat's foot is not better wash it daily with a solution of Hydrogen peroxide (H1O3) and afterwards paint it over with something like this wax or keep wet bandages of cloth on saturated with the H1O3.

I am going to write Cassie soon, but my hands feel so stiff and raw that it is really some work yet. The skin is growing much stronger now. Give her my love and tell her I will soon be able to see her and the boys. A fellow patient in the ward I was in at Rouen suffering from burns hands and face belonged to the crew of a "Tank" and was burned thro' an explosion of petrol when inside the machine unable to get out. I lost track of him, as he left for England before me. He was burned on the same day as I.

Trench warfare is so hideous that I will not harrow you with any description of it. I have been in action (on a machine gun) at Ypres Salient (at Hill 60) and on the Somme, where our battalion "went over" and took Regina trench.

What renders the fighting so appaling is the artillery fire. On the Somme it is continuous day and night - The sacred historian of the Deluge wrote that "the windows of Heaven were opened".

Had he been recording the battle of the Somme he would have said that the whole side wall had come out!

I am very comfortable here and do not really require anything.

I did not receive any letters yet from you recently. Thanks very much for sending me the cake but it had not arrived before I left Rouen. I get well fed here, it is a red cross hospital and the Sisters are kind.

I can never forget the kindness of the Sister in Rouen who treated me.

As my hands improve I shall write more often

How is Uncle John?

The war will be finished, I venture to say in June.

I can write more freely now as my letters are not censored here

I hope you keep happy and well

I am your affectionate
Brother Will