14th. Canadian General Hosp.
Eastbourne,
16/11/17

My Dear Mother,

I received Dr. Bennett’s cable last night, and now know absolutely nothing more than I did before. I have no information whatever, to lay before anyone. If I had, I might be able to get home in six weeks or two months, but doubt if I could at all. It has to be passed by six or eight different officers, and each one has to write about ten letters about it.

The D.A.D.M.S. in Seaford might pass it, but the G.O.C. Canadians there, would raise the deuce. The father of one of the London boys, died some months ago, and the Col. did all in his power to get him home. It got thro as far as London, but they wrote back saying, that while they sympathized with the boy, if they did this, they would soon have no army left. He was an only child too.

It took Capt. Brock, four to six weeks, from the time he started to get his leave, till he left here, and he is an officer. Other ranks take even longer. Another thing, I would have to proceed at my own expense, which just now, would be considerable.

When I get a letter from you, telling me what is the matter, if I think it can be worked, and, am still in England, I will do what I can. If it is serious enough, you could have me recalled by the authorities in Canada, much more easily, than I could get it here, I think, as they are right there, and can investigate the case. If Father is absolutely unable to carry on, the best thing you could do, would be to get Frank Matthews, because I could not possibly get there for the Christmas trade now.

Coming as it does, just at this time, makes it very bad, I know. Then I will be in France, or some place else, before we could get anything thro here. and if I stayed behind, when the Unit left, I would simply be returned to the training depot and put in the infantry, 24 hours, after I arrived.

If you can work a recall from there, it would be far better, if you can get no other way out of it.

Your affectionate son,
Worth.

[Note added by “Mother”:]
Monday 2 P.M.
My Dear.
Dad- is at the store today just since 12.30 – feeling some health but not awfully well. These letters do not dampen my expectations altogether for evidently the Col. had not read [?] letters yet. In a hurry
Mother