Dec 12 1918 My Dear Mother From this you will see I have my Christmas leave and am now in Manchester at aunt Susan's but am sorry to say she was far from well. However she appears to be on the mend now and the doctor who was here at noon says she may be able to get up for a few minutes on Sunday. I arrived here on Tuesday morning and the preceding Saturday and Sunday were her poorest days, when both Uncle Andrew and the young women who is assisting in the housekeeping and nursing, said there appeared to be no hope for her. It appears to be a combination of bronchitis and the influenza and I suppose added to that the living conditions brought about by war time with its worry and so forth has been too much this time. For myself I am staying a few days for I think I am not such an awful drag on them and as useless as an old soldier may appear to be. She wants somebody to talk to and there are sometimes a few messages I can go for them. Uncle still goes to the office and comes home and sits up more than half the night and although Joe offered to sit up and let him rest, it is of no use. Uncle says my visit has given her something else to think of, which is good for her, for if anything she is inclined to think to much of her present poor physical condition, instead of looking forward to how soon she will be better. Anyway she is now on the road to recovery so you may expect to hear better report from now on. From here I am going to Glasgow, probably Saturday or Sunday night. I also intend going to Hamilton and Ardrossan and also Mount Florida. For this is perhaps my last leave in England and I am going to see everybody this time. When I came away from camp everything was going on much the same, a little drill and no lectures. I have been playing rugby for the Squadron Team and our team was successful in winning the Wing Final. It is a pretty strenuous game and much too rough for my liking. It was quite usual to see three or four carried off each game, unconscious, but yours truly, had his old true luck and escaped any broken limbs. I had a letter from Orvil who is expecting to come to England any day now. I have made arrangements for him to wire me so I can arrange to see him, if possible, should he just be passing thru. The time I am spending in England now, seems an utter waste of time. I am very impatient to get back home and start in and do something and forget this past four years as quickly as possible. I had another registered letter from Agnes and one from William. It is certainly very very kind of you both and it has made this leave possible for I would not have been able to go otherwise. I was sorry to hear Mrs. MacKenzie had died. Was it in Toronto and did you go to the Funeral? It will be quite a lot for Alisters two sisters to bear with, not that they worry over death, but the loss of companionship and friendship is the real hurt. I hope you are having a real joyful Christmas this year now the war is over. It has been a terrible four years, but not in vain if we can only gain the benefit of the lessons it has taught. England has an election on Saturday, and the issue appears to be a better England for an Englishman. Many reforms are suggested and if all materialize the war will have not been in vain. The defeat of Germany and its Militarism is not a sufficient victory in itself. The defeat of the profiteers and the idle wealthy and of those who make life a burden for the working class (and there are many in England) should commence right away. Well Mother I will close this time, with kindest love to you all and the Brightest and Happiest Christmas you've had for years, is my wish. Your loving son John. P.S. Aunt Susan sends her kindest regards and best wishes for Christmas and New Years to you all. JL