Letter from Louisa Garrett Anderson Page 1

Letter from Louisa Garrett Anderson to Alan Garrett Anderson. c.28 Nov 1914 (n.d., but after the death of Angus Anderson)

Written from Wimereux ('Boulogne Base')

Dearest Alan

Your sheets will be most welcome. We are all comforting ourselves with the thought of them, as these [?illegible] beds get dirtier & dirtier. 50prs are a splendid addition. Ever so many thanks. They can't be too coarse & I don't expect they will be too small for our cot beds.

It is most grievous about Angus. Poor Kenneth & Louie - I keep on thinking of them. We have such a lot of people here who have lost a beloved son - or brother. They come in to ask the other men for particulars. They hardly ever say much to us but like to go to talk to the men. A retired colonel was here the other day trying to find out about his son. It is a terrible business for everyone but far the worst - as it always is - for the people left behind. Dr Murray wired yesterday that a train of wounded had gone to Paris & that Claridge was full again, so I have depleted the staff here to send her help. Tomorrow we are turning out our furniture & taking in new stuff. The people here are 'on the make' which is particularly unattractive under the circumstances. The man from whom the furniture came asked £40 a month for the hire of it!! which was a little much. I have bought new stuff & I am taking a fearful lot of trouble over the transfer & Mr Campbell is labouring to make trestle tables & cupboards out of packing cases but I [?feel] any amt of trouble & expense rather than pay the man!

Lord Esher has been here this afternoon. I was in the middle of an opn when he arrived but he waited & then sat before the fire talking things over quite friendly. Considering his desperate hostility a few weeks ago it is really funny. He even made friends with Eliza & Annie.

I was v. glad to get my QM back. She went to London for a couple of days & I was lost without her & inundated with all kinds of difficult things like indenting for condensed milk which I didn't understand. She came back y'day with her arms full of parcels: a football for the men: woollies for me etc etc. Please thank Ivy v. much for all the things she got for me. They are exactly right. I want the bill please.

It is not cold here but v. blustery & wet.
L&K - LGA

Aaa's socks are being much appreciated please tell her. A scotchman has had a pr.

Enclosed is a letter from an ex-patient. We get lots. Some very sweet ones.

Enclosed: a letter from Private Jack Canham (n.d.,), in hospital in Manchester, thanking for his care at Wimereux and sending his love to all at the hospital

Aaa - Helen Lorimer, who had looked after LGA and AGA as children
Olga/QM - Olga Campbell, cousin of Flora Murray who was the Corps' QuarterMaster
Mr Campbell - Olga's father, who acted as handy man at Wimereux
Kenneth and Louie - Kenneth Anderson, a cousin, and his wife. Their son Angus was killed on board HMS Bulwark, 26 Nov 1914

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