Letters From the Front

Dated:

Corporal W. E. A. Rowat, who was wounded November 20th writes in part as follows, from England:

February 15

I'm still at Chichester, although marked for Buxton for further treatment. Buxton is up in Derbyshire near Liverpool. I am enjoying my rest very much and am informed however, my right hand will not be of much use for some time as some nerve has been cut. I have had two operations, one on the nerve and the other on a vein. I am entirely recovered from pneumonia. I spent Xmas in Dr. Elders Hospital and was treated more like a guest than a patient. I am indebted to Dr. Elder for a great deal of kindness during my stay in his hospital. I just received the letter from my major (McKay) congratulating me on receiving the military medal and also offering to recommend me for a commission; however I am not so struck on a commission as I was formerly and am not taking any steps (for a while at least ) to procure one.

February 20
I am now at Buxton. This is a Canadian hospital and I feel more at home in consequence. I met Wilbert Purcell up here. He was a schoolmate of mine at Huntingdon. He is been in England 10 months and does not expect to go to France again. My fingers and arm are still in poor shape and will not likely be well for a least six months when I expect to be offered a position as a signaller instructor in England. I have nothing to do but go to picture shows or matinees, sit in a big armchair and eat my meals. An ideal life for a lazy beggar like myself. Food is supposed to be scarce in England, but we get plenty of it here. My address is Granville Canadian special hospital, Buxton, England.