1 D2109/10/1/C
3rd London General Hospital
March 24th 1916

Dearest Mamma
Thank you so much for posting
me the currant loaf, Gosse and I
have been thoroughly enjoying it for
tea and supper, but please don't send
me any more things, as I am very
rich at present, as I am drawing
£6-13-4d a month. Long may it
last! I have just been meeting Dorothy this
afternoon. I joined her at S. Kensington
Station, and we called on Mrs
Macleod, but found she had just
2 gone out which was a pity. We then
journeyed on to the High St, and I
helped Dorothy to choose a new hat at
Barker's, rather a pretty pink sports'
one, and managed to have time
for a hurried tea before getting
back. I was lucky this week,
as matron gave us a full day instead
of a half day, and I was able
to go to Epsom while Dorothy was
there. I only spent the night really,
as I went up to town with Dorothy
next morning to see Lady Oliver at
St. John's Gate. We waited in the
big hall and studied all the
quaint portraits of the old grand
3 masters, nearly all wearing a large
St. John cross on their breasts. The
place seemed full of business. Lady
Oliver was very nice, quite young,
with a great row of medal ribbons
across her apron. It appears the
clerical staff must sign on for a
year, and only get £1 a week
and have to keep themselves, so it
doesn't seem much use D.D.
going in for that. I asked her
about going abroad, and she
said they had sent no new ones
since last December, and none
were to go except from home
hospitals on the recommendation of
of the matron, so that if I left here
I wouldn't have a chance at all,
unless Papa can get me sent
through Lord Ranfurly. Lady Oliver
said the V.A.D's who were coming
back from Alexandria would most
likely be landed in France as they
would be more used to foreign
conditions. I wonder what is
hap-pening to Emma, I am anxious to
hear. France would be rather nice
for a change and she would
miss the desperate heat of Egypt
in summer. 4 D2109/10/1/C
afterwards, Dorothy and I met Uncle
Edmund at the Haymarket Stores
and had lunch there and Aunt
Fanny, with her usual goodness
gave us theatre tickets, and we
went to see "The Backer" at St James'
which was about the only Tuesday
matinee and was not good. Genevieve Ward was an old Duchess,
and George Alexander was the hero, but
as he was trying to be funny he
was not much of a success. I was shocked to see the tragic
death of Colonel Hill-Trever. Was
there anhy reason for it. It does 5 seem a pity. Some of the tommies in my ward
went to Buckingham Palace and
were entertained by the King and
queen, they were awfully pleased,
especially one whom King George
had chatted to, and admired his
capelline bandage. I have been busy to- day and
am writing this in bed, so goodnight
to you. Ever your loving
Celia