18 October 1918- To Father

Transcription

Letter from 18 October 1918, written by Jack Peirs on "British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John" stationary

 

Letter from 18 October 1918, written by Jack Peirs on "British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John" stationary

 

 

18. 10. 18

My dear Father,

Many thanks for letters from you all.
You appear to have had a good time in 
the north [1] & to have been kept pretty
busy.  I hope you have had my card by 
now, but I was unable to write more, as
I have got slightly gassed – in the eyes, 
with the result that for the last few 
days they have ceased to function
have been unable to do anything. 
At the moment I am in hospital & 
still in bed but expect to get up in 
a day or two & shall get back as
soon as I can.  I have just heard
the news that we have Lille, which 
is great & makes one wonder whether
the Bosch won’t have to give in soon. 
He seems to be fighting, particularly as up in  

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 the north they have done what they 
liked, but where I have been lately   
he is still putting up a very good
show & has plenty of ammunition 
to spare.  I had a very interesting
week before I got gassed, as we had
one or two scraps & chased him for 
about 8 miles in the time. 
The weather was fine for most of the 
time, so we did not do so 
badly. 
I am on the sea coast at the
moment[2], but have not seen the sea yet
as I’ve not been out.  I only got
down yesterday. 
Yours
Jack.

[1] The Peirs family have were spending time in Cornwall, where his mother, Charlotte, was born, when Jack was hospitalized for gas.

[2] Jack was transported to No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport, France.  The large medical complex was built on the grounds of the Trianon Hotel at the top of a cliff overlooking the sea.  It included British, Canadian, and eventually American hospitals.  British officers convalesced in the hotel itself.

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