1 4th March (April)
(see envelope) My very dearest Mother A thousand thanks for your
very long letter, I was delighted to get it
as I am getting very few letters now
except you & I must really thank
you ever so much for writing so
often & such long letters as I know how
busy & how many letters you have to
write. I have been changed from A Blk
to H. so have been kept fairly busy
as there are a good few men fairly
bad with Nephritis & need poulticing
etc during night so with this & getting
the Sisters meals & washing up after them
there is not much time. I generally
go to bed about 10 ock & get up &
go for walk which is most necessary
on night duty unfortunately these last
few days I have not been able to as
my feet have been very bad & I am
great afraid & sorry to have to say, I
am going very flat footed. Matron
who is a dear saw me about them
yesterday & says I had better get supports
which I hope to do when I come
off night duty & have time to go 2 into Valletta — I am at present doing
Swedish exercising with my trio. My
Sister (Trowers) very kindly massaged
them yesterday which made them much
better, she says it is partly Rheumatic
& that the foot has gone fairly
flat. Sister Trower I am sorry
to say is off night duty & we
have a horrible common one instead.
I am glad to say Matron is
taking me off after the month
as she does not approve of V A D s
being on longer — Matron is
charming & her one delight is
to see every one happy — She is going
to put me in Sisters Trowers ward
when I go on day duty — so I expect
to have a nice month before we
go home. I do not know what is
going to happen to us, the last lot of
V.A.Ds went on Friday, it did make
us all feel home sick. Ah but two
of those who have signed on again
were sent home expect so it looks like
as if they are keeping very few
on in Malta — 3 do you think there is anyone who
would like me to do any commissions
for them in the way of lace — because
if so do not leave it too late in letting
me know. Also if you want to give
me any instruction about journey going
home let me know early — & also the
answers to in my last letter about
signing on whilst in London for France
when wanted —! I have not heard
a word from Gerald since he
has been home, perhaps his letter
was in the torpedoed one — I hope he
is safe & well — Aunt Lily was up
here yesterday as I suppose you have
heard. her whole Hospital has been
close — it is hard luck on her
there are 10 of the Floriano Sisters
arriving here today I wonder if she
will be among the crowds, it
is just hopeless here at present
as all the sisters from the Hospital
that are closing were ­dumped here
because everything but I am very tired.
The spelling is weird I know so do
not show it round & all the 1st part
is just as crack only known by you 4 I hope by this you have had good
news of Charlie — also Tommy & I
wonder if he will come across
Irene G — With every loving thought, good
wish & blessing. Hoping you are all very
well. Your ever loving daughter, Marie It is getting very hot but I
am feeling much better Love M 5 On Active Service
M.M. Mrs Martin Greenbank Monkstwon Co Dublin Ireland