FIT-26

41^st Casualty Clearing Stn
B.E.F. France
16^th Dec 1918

Dear Mr Goldsbrough,

Just a line for Xmas to convey to you and the staff my most sincere good wishes. As you can see from my address I am back again with my old unit. We are still kept fairly busy with the sick cases. Our present camp is situated near Le Cateau. This place appears to have been once a flourishing and prosperous town. Like the other places he occupied, Fritz left his trace. The civilians are coming back to their "homes" again. In some cases the people have to practically rebuild the houses. It is wonderful to see the good comradeship that exists between the "Tommies" and the French people. The troops are always willing to assist the people. As you take a stroll along any of the streets here you are always sure to witness examples of the troops good nature. Here one of the boys is assisting an old man with some heavy burden, a little further on we find a few Tommies carrying articles of furniture into a French house. The French and Belgian people at any rate realise the blessings of an allied instead of a German victory.

We expect to move from this place shortly but whether we go forward into Rhineland or back towards Amiens I know not. Personally I hope to stay here until after Christmas as moving at Xmas is not the most pleasant way to spend that season. I sincerely hope my military friends of the library are all keeping well.

With kind regards and sincere good wishes to you and all the staff. Hoping you are in the best of health.

Yours sincerely,

Joe Fitzsimons