France 12/8/1918.

Dear Gerty,

I am in a good position to carry on with trying to square accounts in the matter of answering letters and as you are somewhere among the first of my creditors I must do yours first. I have not really had much chance to write to anyone lately as we have been bustling around trying to get the fellows fit for the “big push” ,that is when we were not actually in the line.

I am glad as a matter of fact that you are not at Nat Lewis any longer, as I never did think there was much of an opening there and only looked on the place as a means of your gaining experience which is essential if you want to go any further. At any rate I hope you are now settled down and that the position is suitable and remunerative.

I am writing this from 20th General Hospital, Etaples, where I first went to when I arrived in France. It is a base hospital and only intended for walking or slightly wounded soldiers but is used as a half way house to Blighty if any one is lucky enough to go so far these days. On the whole it seems to bed a good home, judging from my weeks experience of it. The food is good but the nurses with one or two exceptions don’t seem to have much time for their patients unless they are bad. The doctor of my ward is a fine old Scotsman and I took a liking to him on sight. Behind the Hospital is a sports ground and the Yanks play baseball every afternoon, but as I can’t get the hang of baseball I don’t stay long as a rule. There is also a good library and I spend most of my time there as it is a most peaceful and quiet occupation, and as I am fond of both reading and quietness I feel quite happy.

There are no shells here anyway and that is the main thing. The weather is like Australian spring weather and as we are on the coast it is also rather humid.

Will close now, thank you for your numerous letters, and wishing you every success.

With love from your affectionate brother,

Walter.