Blue Sisters Hospital
Malta
Sept 7th 1915
My dear Father
The doctor appears to consider me well enough to start on my way back to the peninsula, a little bit sooner I must confess than I had anticipated. My arm is fairly useful now, but still a good deal off normal. It is unsatisfactory going direct from a sort of existence where it is simply out of the question to get oneself into good physical condition, but to that there is no alternative out here. I envy the few weeks’ duty at home that the recovered wounded in England all get with their special reserve battalions before returning to real business again.
From unofficial sources I hear I am likely to set off tomorrow and I believe my first destination will be Alexandria. One can’t be certain of any news, unofficial or otherwise, but I shall hear officially in the morning I expect, so I am only starting this letter tonight, and will add to it in the morning. I shall leave a cable to be dispatched when I have gone, so that you may address letters to the regiment again.
No further mail has come in, and I hear none is expected till the day after tomorrow, so I shall be lucky if I get a further batch of letters here; I shall of course arrange to have them forwarded, but that is not quite the same thing.
September 8th – We embark at 2 pm today for Alexandria. I understand from the doctor that it is quite likely we may be held up there for a little time; it is rather a vile place, but better than the peninsula at any rate. It appears that the doctors have got to clear all the Malta hospitals as much as possible so that in case of heavy casualties this will serve as a big clearing station. In future England is to be the medical base for the Dardanelles.
Love to all from
Your affectionate son
Cyril E Sladden
