49.020 - ALS to Fran

[postal stamp]

Mrs. Francis B. McMulkin 122 Indian Road, Toronto, Canada.

Thursday Dec. 9th 1916

My dear Fan

I have been going to write to you people for a week now and did not have any stamps or paper, but succeeded in getting the necessary from one of the fellows to-day.

I am sorry that I cannot write you all a letter and wish everybody a Merry Christmass, but I cannot get any money and they do not supply paper or stamps here. I did not know who to write but as you are the oldest I had to write you of course.

I have not had any mail for a month now, but should get some soon Did you send the thermos bottle because [I on top of she?] never got it. I hope that you did not send any of my Christmas parcels to France because I don't think they will forward them on. It is too bad that they won't but if you haven't sent them better keep what you

have till I get settled or send me the money and perhaps I can buy something.

What do you think of my getting to England? I gess I would never have got here if it hadn't been that a Colonel of the 10th General Hospital at Rouen thought that I was too young for France and saw that I had Rheumatism. I was pretty well done out. I do not know whether I will have to go back to France directly after I get better or not, but not if I can help it. They do not consider a private though as long as he looks well, [even if?] he gets worse or dies when he gets back to France. I can tell you though that no person that has not been through the thick of it will never know what it is like; because nobody could describe it. I can tell you that Reg was lucky to miss the Somme. I believe his division is [on the - crossed out] at Ypres now.

[Initials?] Tell Aut that I will write she and Stan to-morr-

[Wednesday Dec. - crossed out]

I do not know if father could do anything from Canada or not. I gess I will have to "wait and see" anyway I suppose that you will be glad to know that I am getting along fine and will perhaps get up Sat. The doctor told me the morning to keep my feet and legs warm and Remade them wrap them up in cotton wool.

Well Fannie I gess I will close for this time. I don't know what I am going to do at Christmas time. I am sure that I will be thinking of you people all the time and wishing you all the best possible time (under the circumstances) during the Christmas Season. You know that Reg and I want you all to be brave and cheery, With very best love to Frank and everybody else in Toronto and yourself of course. Your love Brother Ted.