Croce Rossa Britannica
Prima Sezione
Intendenza Terza Armata
Zona di Guerra
Italia Dec. 3/18
Dear Mother
I believe I have had your Nov 4th letters since writing you. What a time you have had running back and forth to Toronto. I expect Pearl was very glad to have your help but I hope now that the “Flue” epidemic is over and they are not so busy.
Very very little has been happening here. I am fully well now and am going tomorrow to Trieste. They say the work is almost over there now. Wilf and I are hard at work trying to get away and home before the troops start demobilizing. So far we have made little headway but we have out trunks packed and are ready for any sudden call.
I have been running to Monselice for rations for the last two days. It is really the worst job in the whole unit in my opinion. I have to start at about 9o’clock and drive there and wait half an hour at each of about five different places and in this weather it is very cold. In the middle of the day it is very pleasant in the sun but every morning the fields are covered with a white frost.
I was in Padova the other day and thought I would buy a few souvenirs. Therefore I made a tour of the shops but all I could find that I liked was a tiny leather purse that they wanted $5 for so I returned after buying only some hair-tonic and soap.
We have been making souvenirs lately and I have succeeded in fashioning a wonderful paper knife from a bullet. I am sure you will be more than pleased with it when I get it home.
It is really very difficult to write letters in the unsettled state that we are in just now, so I hope you will forgive me if I am a little behind. I wish I could be home for Xmas but it is impossible this year. Love to all Allan