COU-13

Brownlow House,
Lurgan,
12/v/15

Dear Mr Elliott,

What little time I have left after training other people has, I find to be devoted to myself for training. In many aspects I am like the tutor who is only one page ahead of his pupils. Months ago I had to follow the example of the others & give up all hope of keeping abreast of my correspondences. I now have more leisure than I care about.

On Wednesday the people of Lurgan gave us a thorough good good time at a gymkana²¹⁶. I took no part in it except in a barebacked mule race. Unfortunately my mule bolted & after careering madly about the park for some time threw me rather badly. I didn't feel much pain at the time, indeed I was able to mount immediately after, but later I had to consult the doctor & I find I have received rather bad internal injuries. He ordered me a complete rest & I am now lying, very comfortably arranged among cushions, in a quaint old world garden. At first I feared I was in for a few weeks on my back but I suppose the healthy life I am leading has given me a reserve of health for I can see a likelihood of returning to duty in a few days. The people in my billet have been kindness personified & they have an excellent arrangement by which the young ladies take turns in acting as my companion. The house is a beautiful old place & the garden is quite comforting for a sick soldier ever to want to leave it.

I had a letter and a photograph from Simpson a few days ago. He appears to be making excellent progress. I think he & I have been exceptionally fortunate to get our companies so quickly. Sheer merit could hardly have done it for us & besides something more than merit has counted in my case.

We are all eagerly awaiting orders for service. We have been ready to go for some time & are quite prepared to move at 24 hours notice. I wish we were off.

I must close now. My "nurse" says I may not sit up any longer. It is beastly lying on grass looking up at the sky all day long.

By the way did I ever send you one of my photographs? I send one now at any rate if you have already got one please hand this one over to Goldsbrough.

Remember me to Mrs Elliott & your family & to the staff, who are I trust all well. I will try to write you again shortly.

With kind regards

Sincerely Yours,

T. Coulson