FIT-22

Dear Mr Goldsbrough,

I got back here safely and am once more settling down to work, though I may tell you this takes some doing after the good time I had when on leave. I was very sorry not to have seen you before I left. I expect Miss Miller¹⁸¹ told you I called down on my last morning at home, but you had gone away early on business.

Before I left home I had hoped to have a talk with you about my position after the war. God willing, I would like to return to Library work as my heart has always been in that work. When I joined the Colours in the summer of 1915, I did not do so for a change of scene. My views on the war were those of any right thinking honest man and could only lead in one direction. This course I adopted. As my eye sight debarred me from joining a combatant corps, I enlisted in the R.A.M.C. The understanding at the time was that this would in no way interfere with my future prospects. Though it is 2 1/2 years since I left the Library never-the-less I have not lost touch with Library affairs. Mother was in receipt of half my pay on joining the Army, at the end of the first year this was increased by half my yearly increment, but at the end of the second year no increase was made. It was on this account I thought of speaking to you. You will pardon me stating my case as I am aware of the trouble you have had with another member of the staff who enlisted. Though we have not much time out here to think of anything outside our work, still the question of the future when Peace comes occurs to one at times. We have been very busy working in the last big "stunt" on this front in which the Irish troops in cooperation with the Canadians met with great success. All the dominating points on this front are now in our hands and Germany's hold on submarine bases are threatened. Altogether things are looking bright in spite of the Italian reverses. I will conclude now Sir, hoping you are in as good health as when I saw you last. Best wishes for yourself and the staff.

Yours very sincerely,

Joe Fitzsimons