Manchester

Dec 22/1918

My Dear Mother

From this you will be rather surprised to see Im still in Manchester but unfortunately I did not yet manage to go up to Scotland.

When I left camp at Shorncliffe I had my face infected with Impiatago which insteaad of getting better got worse until I decided to go to hospital with itl, where I have since been. Everything is very comfortable here and Im able to get out in the afternoon so it is not worrying me.

Today I had a letter from Norman Rippon whom I left at camp. It appears they have been returned to their respective Canadian Depots with a view to be returned to Canada immediately.

At first I was under the impression we would not reach Canada until away on in June or July, but in view of the above now, I think the end of February will be much more like it.

This afternoon I was up to Stockport to see Aunt Susan. Yesterday Aunt Agnes Weir came from Glasgow, apparently to be of what assistance she can. When I left her house last Monday she appeared to be very much better, but since then has taken a bad turn until on Friday and Saturday the Doctor appeared to have little hope left for her.

Today however she had picked up again and Uncle thinks the attendance of Aunt Agnes will bring her thru alright again. The parcel which you sent to them arrived yesterday. I tasted the butter at this afternoon's tea and it didn't taste very good. It wasn't rancid just a peculiar flavor none of us liked.

Aunt Susan seems to be very depressed over her sickness and shows littler interest in anything. You know they have not been so fortunate in gathering a fair share of this worlds goods and although they do not lack for food and coal it is not difficult for me to see that life for them is not the same rosy outlook it is for some people.

Aunt Agnes Weir is well and one of the most cheerful elderly ladies you would care to meet. She tells me the rest at home are well but Uncle John's sight is becoming very limited.

This week I had your two letters. Nov 17 and 24 and as usual was glad to hear you are all well. I hope you are not worrying about me going to flu for I can assure you I absolutely refuse to do it until I get back home again first. In the hospital here there are quite a number of Flying Corps Officers and I notice them very gleeful when they are excused flying for a month after leaving. If those old birds are as much afraid of it as that, I can figure my position also. Agnes good long letter also came with a picture of the "Sefton" Baby. It is not so clear and distinct as it might be but was very glad to have it nevertheless.

Your parcel has not yet arrived, perhaps I shall lose it as Rippon told me there was one at Camp for me. In that case "Goodbuy" for the RAF and its mail system, oh well, I spoke about that before I think, and besides its Sunday.

Agnes spoke about orvil Elliott and some rumours, which I gathered meant he was engaged. Can this possibly be true? I last had a letter from him France nov 24 saying he expected to be in England soon, but that is the last Ive heard. He has told me time and time again that he would have nothing to do in that line at all, and he said it so convincingly, even doubting I, had faith in him. If this can really be true, well - I don't know.

The C.L.A. my old firm sent me a Christmas box this week. In it was a plum pudding which one of the Sisters had boiled and served for dinner the other night. There was only three in the ward including myself, Lieut Roy Burroughes, Toronto (Burroughes Furniture Co whom I previously met in Toronto) and a Captain Graham from Toronto also. He is a Doctor, having did duty at The Toronto General some years ago. Funny there should be 3 Toronto boys in the same ward, and it is not a Canadian Hospital.

You were asking about a picture of ships the Germans had sunk. Im sorry I have not seen it yet but will keep a lookout for it and get one for you.

Sometime this week I hope to go down to the docks and go thru a German Submarine VIII. It is stationed here on exhibit, the proceeds going to Sailors Charity. I will tell you then about it in my next letter. I also saw the moving pictures of the Naval Surrender. Three days after it took place. It is interesting but certainly not exciting. You, no doubt, will have it in Canada soon.

It was at St. Leonards on Sea Edgar Kennelly was married I was there when I first joined the R.A.F. but saw nothing of him.

Well Mother there is not much more to tell you of this time. I am going up to see how Aunt Susan is again soon and will let you know.

I hope you will pardon this writing. Im sitting in the ward, perfectly contented, before a nice grate fire and writing this holding the pad on my knee.

In three days will be Christmas. This is my fourth away from home and Im longing to be with you all again. It is such a relief to have come thru these past years and finished with now and to look forward to the homecoming, the pleasure and real happiness of which, it is difficult to imagine.

Although it will be past Christmas when this reaches you, my thoughts will be with you all on that Day.

Your loving son

John