1 25 th G. Hospital B. E. F. Wednesday My very dearest Mother, It is ages since I
wrote to you but I think I
warned you in my last letter
that I might not have time
to write. I have a great deal
to say & tell you in this letter
but must start off by thanking
you a 1000 times for sending
me the wire. I was greatly
relieved to hear Gerald was alright
but sorry to think of him being
back on duty, however we must
trust in Our Lord that he & all those
most dear to us may come safely
through. I hope you have had good 2 news from Tommy lately & that he
is still out of danger zone. I am
afraid he & Dicke will find the
heat very much. I must also
thank you Ethel & Desmond for
the parcels with vegetables etc. I
have not had time to cook peas
yet as they just arrived when
we got very busy. The Tobacco
arrived safely last night what
ripping stuff & how they will enjoy
it. I am keeping it for my
Paddies. The Photos also arrived
last night & I think on the whole
they are quite good much better
than the last I like the Oval
full face by far the best in fact
every one here does & thinks it very
good. I also rather like the sitting
down one only it makes me
look like the mother of 12. 3 2
the way I am sitting, the 3/4 length
is not bad but as you say very
like the 1 st lot, if you think it
wise to get a few different yet
whichever of the 3/4 length you
like best, but I would put nearly
all of the Oval Full Face — &
when they come, will you please
give one to Uncle Charlie, he is
such a dear to me I had
such a nice long letter from
him to night. Aunt Lissy does
not seem so well since they
went to Howth. I really think
the sea air is very bad for
Rheumatic people — Now I better start off by telling
you all about my life here. Since last writing I have had
a change — to the Tents. On Friday last Matron came up
about 5.30 to know if I would
go down to the Medical Tents to 4 Bed Bath 8 bad gas cases. I understood
when going down it was only
for the evening so next morning went
on duty as usual & about 7.45
Matron came up & said she wish-
ed me to go down to Tents S.7.
which were just being opened &
a convoy in them, so down I
ran to find every bed full noth
ing ready & only a staff nurse
we had not even a dressing
lotion or any thing only just a
bar table in the dressing tent
but I am glad to say most of
the beds had sheets & blankets
on so the men were able to
get to bed after their baths
those that were not able to
walk about. at about 12 p.m.
we had things fairly straight
&and the M. O. came round. I cannot
describe to you how they all 5 look & their dressings & wounds
just covered with mud, which
had just to be taken off so
as not to keep the M.O. waiting
there were 3 with bullets in their
legs, so he said nurse, run off
for the freezing stuff & scalpel
& then & there he operated &
took out the bullets. I do not
know how the men stood it.
We spent till six O'ck that
evening doing dressings & after
that there was all the ordinary
work cleaning up & beds to
make so of course except for
our meals we did not get off
the whole Hospital was in the
same condition only of course
they had been running & opened
for some time. The next day was
much the same. Then Matron
came along & told Sister she wish 6 ed me to be responsible for S. 8 Link
when they were opened, this is simply
ripping & only hope I shall work
it alright it has not been opened
yet so I am still in S.7. but
am trying to get it fairly well
settled so as not to have to
rush when another big convoy
comes. Sister Mackenzie who I
worked for 1st of all must have
given Matron a very good
report of me because when I
went the other day to sign
on Matron was charming and
told me she was very satisfied
and considered me one of the senior
& responsible V.A,D.'s. I need not
tell you I immediately thought
of you & felt it might be a
pleasure for you to hear this
after all the care worry &
trouble you have had in bringing
up. It is really very lucky 7 on my part my present Sister
is charming, there are three of us
in J 7 Tents now which is 1/2 a
division and S8 will be the other
half which will be mine when
open. I am always on alone in
the afternoon or evening. The
fighting seems terrible but up
to this we have been doing
very well and hope shall continue
and end it quickly. How soon
do you think it will be over?
I had such a nice long letter
from Gerald M. to-night he
seems to be having a very
busy time but writes in great
form and seems to be enjoying it. I have destroyed my hands
with creasot the other day by
using it too strong they have
all cracked & are stinging. hurt 8 terrible but it is all in a life
time. The tents are very nice in
sun shine but on wet days they
are awful it is pouring here
with a terrible gale. I hope you have not forgotten
about your change of air.-
I hear Ethel is off to Lough
Derg what a saint I hope
she will not forget a sinner
like me. I had to miss Mass
Sunday we were so busy
If you are getting any one of the standing photos
photos there is a little bit of hair
on the left side of both prints.
arranging my hair is by far
the nicest in the sick face but
I look rather a lot in it ? Now I must close. It is very late
hoping this will not bore you it
seems to be all self but as always
think any praise I get it is you 9 I have to thank for it. I only
hope I shall continue & be of
the same use Matron thinks I
am. We got a great fright the
other day as someone said
we had to do a months probation
as before but I am glad
to say we only signed on for
six months since the 17th of
June so D. V. I shall be at
home with you all again for
Xmas. - when I hope the war
will be over. With my fondest love&
ever in my thoughts.
I hope that the relations
are well especially Granny . Auntie
Sissy Aunt May B.N. Frank and my
God-child. Will you tell them I shall
try & write soon tactually are
we hasty as they will 10 casualty list
With heaps of love to
Desmond & Andrew
Please thank Nana for
her nice letter also Ethel Your most loving &
grateful daughter in haste. Marie