Series 1 Oliver McNaughton

2/ have been hit since Aug. 8th. I went through a ward the other day in search of a fellow I knew from the 4th, when someone greeted me by my right name and there was Howard Fulcher, of St Marys, a Collegiate Institute classmate; we met in Fort George, B.C. and had not seen each other since. He was in the 31st Bn. Merrill Molland and I are often together. Yesterday I took my first walk. It does not bother me much to walk; I simply have to keep my back very straight and prim. My head is pracically healed, and my back and shoulder are doing well; at the present rate of improvement I will soon be fit. They claim my ninth rib was not fractured but had a piece chipped out of it. I sure have a good appetite;- change of climate. Jack is in this country but I do not know his address. I left the battallion before his letter reached me. He will not know where I am either. He is taking an officer's course, having, among others, been recommended by the battallion. I believe he will be awarded the military

medal, also. Jack is entitled to it; is a good man in action and also in the line, and has my heartiest congratulations. It seems strange that I will soon have to 'sir' him. Jack was determined to throw down the proposition (He has some very democratic ideas which do not fit in with the Army's ways). He came to me as we always shared our troubles and I told him he would be a fool to turn it down. We needed officers, and could not hope to reform the system of the British Army, with its queer ideas about officers, and other ranks, and that he knew as well as I that we the boys wanted officers who had risen from the ranks and had considerable experience. I finally persuaded him and before long he should be lieut. J.A. McNaughton, and I would be right glad to follow him in action. This hospital has sure developed some since I visited Cliff Hobbs here. Each ward is like a separate hut, containing fifty beds and, needless to say, considering the operations

that have been going on in France the wards are well filled. Well Nettie, I often wonder how you and Charlie are getting along. It is so long since I heard from home that I have lost track of events there and believe me, I look foward to the first bunch of mail that arrives for me. You will have your house in order now, and quite homelike. Home is one of the finest words in the English language. Those who have always been there do not appreciate that fact. Tell Charlie it is up to him to write a page and enclose it in one of yout letters. I suppose fall plowing, threshing, taking up mangolds, sales, etc, are the order of the day over there. The fall fairs will soon be over. How are mother and father keeping and Allan and Mabel and Norman? How is Jessie getting along? and how does she like Bryanston? It is dinner time and I must vamoose. How is Inez getting along? With heaps of love and good wishes to you all. Lovingly your Brother Oliver