Letters from Robert Edmund Antill to his Parents, 1914-1915 -Part 19

1228
E Division   Hut 14
Woodcote Park Hospital
Epsom

Dear Mother
Arrived home safely at about
7 oclock last night & nobody was a whit
the wiser so I think I shall be able to
work the trick next week.  The old saying
nothing venture nothing gained proves very true
some times, just as I got back there was an awful
fight on in the canteen between the Canadians
& Australians which ended up in half a dozen
or so being carried out almost dead, boots, chairs,
bottles, & tables ect were flying & I can tell
you things were only middling for a time but still
it quietened down after, a bit.  I will now close
as I have got to go & get dressed.
I remain
Your loving son
Bob.

1228
Ward 9.
County of London War Hospital
Horton
Epsom
1  Oct  9.

Dear Mother,
You will see by the address that
I have arrived here ok & dosent it come hard
after having so much liberty, we are just about
under the same conditions as we were at
Waterloo.  One thing we have grounds to walk
in but of cause course thats no good to me as
I am ordered to bed & by the looks of things I
should not be at all surprised  if I dont have to
go under an operation.  I can tell you sincerly
hope not but thre we never know our luck in
this world do we.  Myself I am not feeling
quite so well as a few days ago, my tempreture
has risen a lot which is due to this wound.
Inflamation has set in above the knee & below
the wound & I can tell you its a bit sore.  The

doctor said this morning that he thinks there is
an abces forming & he has ordered hot firmetations
to try & draw it up so I think we shall have
to wait for a few days to see how things are
goin.  Visitors are alowed in any day without a pass
after 2 in the afternoon so if you care to run
down any time you will have plenty of time.  The
only part thats a bit tiring is the walk from
Epsom about 2 miles.  If you come Clapman Com.
way you will get a beautiful ride in the bus &
on Sundays theres a bus that comes right from
Kings Cross to here & I can tell you its not a
bad run.  Well I want this to catch this
mornings post so I will now close hoping
this will find all a home in the best of health
I remain
Your loving son
Bob.

1228
Ward  9
County of London War Hosp
Horton
Epsom
Surrey
Tuesday morning Oct  12^th

Dear Mother
Have just recieved your letter,
what a shame it seems to think that you &
Dad came all the way out to here & then out
to Woodcote & I did not see you, never mind better
luck next time.  One thing will be not so bad
thats the walk this end though I dont mean to try
& tell you its not a long way because it is, just
about half the other distance, well from Epsom
it takes about 20 minutes walk so you can see
the differance.  I could not help smiling about
stiff legs etc a decent pull just the thing for a
nice cold morning but a bit boring on a hot
day, was you sweating when you arrived there

P.S A little fruit would be very nice on
Sunday.
& if pos. some stamps.

how did Dad stand it I suppose he knew
a thing or two & did not eat too much dinner
before he started or late breakfast which
Well myself I am feeling tip top now, but
stoping in bed is some thing rotten the days
seem like weeks & I put it to the doctor to get
up but he says I shall have to wait for a
cupple of days yet any way I have got his
promise & I am goin to make him stick to it.
I have great hopes that this operation will not
have to come off as my leg has gone down a
great deal & is less painful so you can see
there's great hopes.  Shall be very pleased if
Aunt Grace calls & as you say its not so far
for her, what time about will you arrive on Sunday
about 3  I surpose.  Well dinner is very nearly
on the board & I can tell you I can do with it
for I am feeling rather empty, so I will now close
hoping this will find one & all well at home as
I am myself.
I remain
Your loving son
Bob .     

1228
Ward  9
County of London War Hosp
Horton
Sat. Morning. Epsom
Oct 15^th     

Dear Mother,
Well I am up, well in fact I was
up yesterday for the evening I went down to
the concert which by the way of a change I
am glad to say was tip top. So I shall be
expecting tomorrow afternoon, you may have a
bit of a job to find the ward but there
while you have a tongue you can soon put your
self right. I right glad when I can get
out on furlough I am just about fed up with
Hosp.  Hoping this will find one & all well
at home as I am my self
I remain
Your loving  son
Bob.

Reg No 1228
E  Division Hut 13
Woodcote Park Hosp
Epsom
Oct 28^th 1915

Dear Mother.
Just a line to let you know that I
arrived home safely & in good time.  I reached
Waterloo at about one oclock & had a sleep in the
waiting room till about three then I fell off the
form so I thought I should go for a walk & I went
had some tea at coffee stall & got back just in
time for the train, I got back to the camp just in
time for I had not been in bed 2 minutes when the
sergant came round & all was well.  When I left
Robys place they asked me if I would get you
to ask Lally & Will if they would make shure to
come to tea on Sunday & if pos Unk & Aunt Ada
but when I got back I forgot so I am tell you
now it is not too late which I hope not

I dont know if I shall be home this weekend but if I
do it wont be till Sunday morning.  Will now close
with best love, hoping one & all are well at home
as I am my self
I remain
Your loving son
Bob.

P. S   Its an old envelope which had the address on