9th Worc Regt, Baku
Feb 2nd 1919
My dear Father
It seems I am really for home at last. I have got my orders definitely to go; the Commander-in-Chief has refused to sanction anyone being kept who has been wired for, so it seems really settled. I am getting rid of my two jobs as rapidly as possible, and then am likely to start as soon as a party is going.
I don’t know what delays there may be in starting, or on the journey. I have been told that we all get sent to Salonica first, but I don’t know if this is correct. I hope to get a glimpse of Constantinople and the other side of the Hellas peninsula.
It is my intention to have a cable sent you immediately after I have actually left here in the train to say I have started. Then I hope I may be able to cable later on to give some idea of my date of arrival.
It looks as if I shall start before any more letters reach me, so I shall probably land in England having had no news for over six months.
I have only the vaguest idea how they deal with us on arrival in England, but it won’t take me long to get into touch with you when I get there. And judging by the rate at which they are demobilizing men I gather I shall not be kept hanging about a lot.
I shall never quite realize I am going until I have actually started.
This should reach you not long before I do, if my journey progresses favourably. So I will not write more, but wait till I can talk about them.
Best love from
Your affectionate son
Cyril E Sladden
