The fresh air certainly did feel good after being two weeks in bed. But then am back in bed now. The place is a very nice one to stay in. The doctors have given me a fine private room and I have three other ambulance men as companions. We visit and the time will pass very fast. After being brought in I was given a hot bath, the first one for many days shall I say, its weeks! I might admit it. After living in dirt, to be clean is a wonderful feeling. The food here is very good. Am eating like a horse and guess it won’t hurt me. This month of September has been very beautiful over here – nice cool days. The best month so far. My order is going in from the office for a new uniform as my old one is a wreck. My helmet has been brought in and notice quite a dent in the front of it. Luckily it was where it could be, but it’s no use to think about what might have happened. From present indications I may sail about the first of November. At any rate, the Thanksgiving turkey at home is liable to suffer because of my presence around the festive board. Your magazines are coming now.
One of the men here sails tomorrow. He will carry this with him and mail in N. Y. You ought to receive it quick.
Love, Byrl.
% Credit Lyonnais, Paris
DO NOT PUBLISH
Letter
October 3, 1917
Blake Hospital Paris
Dear Nettie,
This is a strange place to be in I will admit. But such is fate. After all it turned out very lucky. The man with me twenty feet away was killed outright. I got just a couple of small shell wounds. One in the back, the other in the hip. No bones were inured and they got me on the table in short order and removed the pieces. After staying at the Front hospital for two weeks, have been removed here – a very fine place. In two more weeks will be out. It will take a couple of months away for me to reenter some branch of the service so am coming home. The war will last at least until next fall, so it looks like all the boys will be there. Your fine box of smokes just received also your letters. Thanks sis. Very nice of you. One of the men will mail this in old N. Y.
Most sincerely, Byrl.
Letter
October 3, 1917
Blake Hospital Paris
Dear Folks,
One week has passed since I arrived here and am able to hobble around on crutches a little bit, which helps some. My back wound is all well and my hip is getting along fine. The wound will soon close then it will require only about a week more here. I ought to be out of the hospital around the 15th. My hip may be a little stiff for some time but as no bones were injured, it will come out all right.
The last two days have been lucky for me. Received your fine boots, the socks and candy. Nettie also sent smokes. Also received your magazines and the NEWS. The fair must be all over with and everyone busy. From all the dope now I expect to SAIL for home about the first of November. Since the trouble, the office is anxious to help so that it means my departure for home is sooner than I had expected. The boats last Saturday did not sail. I wrote a letter to go on last weeks boat. Three men are sailing this Saturday so I will have this one mailed in N. Y. by them.
The "Boche" continue to bomb London every night. Things are at a dead lock on this Front. Our men are arriving every week now. Please do not publish this letter.
Love, Byrl.
Letter

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