[Page 278]
[On letterhead of the Australian Branch B. R. C. S. (British Red Cross Society). The individual pages of this two-page spread are not in chronological order. Transcribed as they should be read; see image for details.]
9/5/17
L/cpl W. Rowley (641)
18th Batt., A.I.F.
Ward 3.a.
Racecourse Hosp
Cheltenham
Gloucester.
Dear Albert
Just a few lines to let you all know I am in "Blighty" again, but you will have to excuse the writing, as I can't get off my back.
It is a lovely hospital, it's surroundings are lovely, & the nurses very good & gentle, which makes your wound feel much easier. I have tubes put in, about three times a day, & that is the only part I don't like, but still it has to be done, on account of the swelling & etc.
I stopped a piece of a high explosive shell, it entering just below the knee & coming out on the opposite side, down at the ankle, another inch further down, & I would have lost my lower portion of the leg, so I've got something to be thankful for.
One thing beats me is, that where it entered, it made a hole the size of a dollar piece, but I suppose it struck a bone & turned.
My word it was some fight, we got told it would be easy, but fritz knew it was coming off, & he had all his best divisions there, so the papers here say, but still that don't stop the boys. It was between Bullecourt & Quaint, so if you read anything about that zone, you will see for yourself, it was some fight.
I was on the left flank with my section, & being in the eight wave, we had to take the furthest objective. Well didn't