Letters from Norman Griffiths Ellsworth to his Mother, 1914-1915, Part 24 of 27

Lowland Convalescent Hospt. 
November 9th 1915 
  
Dearest Mother & all at Home, 
Just a line to 
let you know that I am still progressing 
favourably & as you can see by the 
above address, that they have moved 
me. It is only 100 yards or so from the 
other hospital I was in, but we have 
been sent here to await the boat & 
also to make room for other Enteric 
patients as they are pressed for room. 
I missed the Mauretania after 
all, through them changing the Drs 
just when Scott had sorted out his 
patients who were to go away & the 
new chap said that he did not 
want any patients sent away for 
at least a week so that he might 
become acquainted with their condition

2 
so this settles us for the “Mauretania” 
Then we were told that Australian 
Enterics don’t go to England, but over 
to Alexandria & then home to Australia 
& then when we got here, we were told 
that we were being sent to England 
on the “Aquitania” a sister ship 
to the “Luisitania” & she is expected 
in here to-day. Of course she is an 
hospital boat & can carry 1700 
patients, but who to believe as 
to where we are going, I don’t know. 
Some say that Enterics are 
sent home, others say that they 
go to England & then used for 
home defence, & others say that no 
Enterics are allowed to go to the 
Front again. The latter was 
told me by an R. A. M. C. sergeant 
so if he is right, then I’ve finished

3 
With Johnnie Turk, but goodness 
only knows what they will do 
with us, anyhow I am going away  
for a long spell somewhere so 
the Colonel of the 18th Stationary 
hospital told me, & everything 
points to the “Aquitania” & either 
Malta or England. If I get the 
chance of coming back home to 
Melbourne, I’ll take it, you bet, 
& if they should do this, I’ll try 
& cable to you & let you know 
what boat I am coming on.  
I have about £25 owing to me 
so I can draw this as soon as 
I get to a base depot, so am 
flush for money.  
I hope you are not worrying 
about me. I have been in 
Hospital 6 weeks, & am feeling

4 
very weak which is only to be expected, 
but other-wise I’m feeling quite 
fit, so please don’t worry, as I 
may be coming home soon (who knows) 
How are you all at home? 
I am always thinking of you all. 
How I long to see you all. I only 
hope the time is not far distant when 
I’ll be back with you all again 
I have had no mail for a long 
& have only been able to write home 
so would be obliged if you would 
give any of my friends news of me 
& explain why I haven’t written. 
Best love to all relations Etc & 
to dear Mab, Rupert, Chas, George, 
Floss an extra ration & a double 
whack for your dear self 
from your loving son 
Norman. 
A..Merry Xmas to all.