Exeter, England – June 25th, 1917 – (Letter #25) “Thank God, I did not get any shell”

Dear Brother; Just a few lines to let you know I am in England in hospital in Exeter. In the South of England

I was blown up with a high explosive, but thank God, I did get not get any of the shell.

It shook me up pretty bad.

I did not know how bad it was, hurt for a while, but I got a bad knee out of it.

I was sent down to the base in France and sent to First American Hospital, so you know I was alright then.

[Now] to make it better, the major’s name was Darrach.

He is from N.Y. and he is a fine man.

He and I are great pals. He took me in to his ward and he would not allow any other doctor but himself to look after me

and he took the best of care of me.

He is the head doctor of the hospital and, if I ever go back, I’ve got to go to N.Y. and see him.

Well, Jack, they have lots of rich man’s sons as orderlies.

There is one of the Drapers from Hopedale,

and [that] Judge? [(I can't remember his name)] from N.Y, his son.

[All of them] are doing their bit, in fact, they are all college men and the sisters are fine.

They are out of the Presbyterian Hospital in N.Y.

There is a Sister MacDonald from Summerside and a couple more from Canada.

It is very quiet where I am now, very strict.

I am hoping soon to get up on [the] sticks.

My address is #3949 Private Lee G. Darrach, 1/7 Lancaster F. No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Exeter, Devon, England.

That will get me for a while.

Give my best wishes to all – Ted and Mary, Flo, kids and Sam and the whole bunch.

From, Lee