McC-22

12^th October, 1918

Mr J McCausland
C 12 Ward
3^rd London General Hospital,
Wandsworth
London SW

Dear McCausland,

I was just going to answer your letter of the 29^th August when the rumour came that you had been badly gassed, and I have waited anxiously for news of your condition and whereabouts: so you will understand how pleased I was to receive your letter with the news that you are improving and looking forward to a nice holiday in London. Well! I hope you will enjoy it, and will soon be able to come over and see us.

You seem to have met quite a number of Library men out in France lately. With regard to your question about Coulson and the Red Chevron, he went out with the Ulster Division in 1915, and was, I think, in the 16^th R.I.R. but he certainly was not in France in 1914. He seems to have been very fortunate in escaping any serious injury, except getting married to a French girl. Captain Simpson²¹³ is in Scotland, attached to a Labour Battalion, and is not likely to be at the Front again, being unfit for general service. We were all very sorry to hear about poor Brown²¹⁴ . He was wounded last March, and was in hospital in France up to July, when he was sent back to the trenches without getting any leave and with some bits of shrapnel still in his thigh. Then he was killed on the 12^th August. So far the rest of the Staff are still alive and well so far as I know, unless there have been more casualties during the last week or two's fighting.

I saw a very cheerful letter from Warren a few days ago. He does not seem to be too much depressed by his prison life in Germany. I have not heard of O'Rourke for some time now, but suppose he is still alive.

The rest of the staff in the Library are all well, and were very sorry indeed to hear of the bad time you had gone through, and join with me in wishing you an early and happy recovery. Hoping to see you soon,

I remain,

Yours sincerely,