10. ...and Norman dear, we have had bad news this week

Elsinore

October 14th  1917

My dear Norman,

Another Sunday and another letter. I am longing to get one from you, but I suppose will have to wait for some weeks yet. Well my boy how have you been since you landed? Well I hope. Aunt Mary says Clarry says he has never been sick in England. I hope you will have the same to say and that it may agree with you. I suppose it is getting cold there now. It was as cold here last week as in the middle of winter and it is quite warm today.

I suppose you have been out and about a bit in London now. Is it anything like what you thought it was? Did you receive a cable from Mrs Noble about the 8th of the month? Her son was wounded very badly and brought into England to Hospital so she was going to cable you, not to send the parcel on, and Norman dear we have had bad news this week. Poor Charley Cox was killed. Did you send his parcel to France? and Dave Borthwick is killed and Les Mountain. Mr Manning got 3 telegrams last night to go to the three Mothers. I don't know who they are but I don't think they belong to St John's. They are having a terrible battle now. I expect we will hear of a lot more being killed. It is a terrible time, is it not? Mrs Noble wants you to go to see her son in England, but I don;t know what hospital he is in. I might get the address from her. I am sending you a Xmas card Mr Manning gave me to send. I think it is very nice.

Mr Brooks was here on Sunday night. He says the men out at the P...gave you a good name; all say you were a grand chap, but the one that is there now is not much, he never gets up any Concerts or anything. How do you get on with the men over there? Well, I hope.

Now dear Norman I must close. Mr Gooud just came over and got 4 umbrellas for the girls and self. It has come on to rain and Mrs McGlonlan? has come in here and waited till it had stopped. Pa sends best love and hopes you are well. Illma and family are pretty well as all here are. 

Goodnight dear boy, 

with love and kisses from your loving Mother.