大象传媒

7th November 1942

Dear Mother

I have rather poor news for you. At the beginning of the week, a bit of shrapnel hit me on the left wrist and hand, and I have been sent back to hospital to recuperate.

Before you start getting all worried, let me tell you that it鈥檚 nothing very serious. At the moment my wrist and hand are done up in a plaster and will be like that for a while yet. The Australian M.O. who did the job told me that there is every possibility of my having a fairly useful hand, when it heals up. He had to amputate the third finger at the mid joint.

I consider myself very fortunate, however, for in this same ward were fellows who had lost arms and legs. Only the day before, an old pal of mine, Jimmy Moffat, was killed outright with some others 鈥� so you see we have much to be thankful for.

I would have written sooner but I have been being moved back from one hospital to another and it is only now that I have sort of settled down. I am very comfortable indeed here and am having a life of luxury, what with white sheets and breakfast in bed and a wireless too. I could stick this till our Regiment is due to go home.

My address for mail purposes will still be the same, and the unit will redirect it on to me.

This is the first note I鈥檝e written you for over a fortnight, as writing has been forbidden since a few days before the start of this 鈥渄o鈥�. I have barely been able to get one of these cards, so will you get in touch with Mary and let her know ? Tell her I鈥檒l write as soon as ever I can get some writing paper.

All for the present,

Love,
John.

[John was wounded in Egypt and hospitalised in Palestine]

John Cowan via Dundee Central Library.

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