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old [illegible]. The first I've had for a long time. It reminded me of the good old days before I got broke. I still have to be very careful as I'm paying off debts, curse 'em. However I think a little fling does one good. The same day after lunch we went to Havre then as it was a gloriously hot day, two other officers [illegible] went to the Beach & had a swim. A couple of girls offered to teach me French & I carried on a discussion with them in their language much to my own satisfaction, if not to theirs. They giggled a lot so I'm certain they understood. I presume I must have looked quite 'chic', my costume didn't fit very well & it was rather long, came down to my ankles, being built for a man 7 ft tall, still I kept the lower part of me under the water - the top part is rather fine so I didn't mind them seeing that. The water was crowded & as I am rather a good swimmer & can dive & swim under water quite a distance I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Our return to Southampton was a little more comfortable, though nothing to brag about. No one sick however. I tell you though Dodie I'd just have given anything to have gone up to the Front with the men instead of coming back here. I've tried my damnedest to get over there, offered to reduce to a subaltern but no blooming good. Its not informing my temper my language is getting really horrible

When I got back to Camp I found a message for me telling me to report to the Commandant of the C.M.S. immediately. Well I went to see him, expecting to be told to attend the Bn[?] Staff Course, then taking place, as a Refresher Course, as I was doing nothing, in accordance with an application I had made but don't you make a

BC Archives, MS-0089, Box 1, File 4 GLASSFORD, Deborah Florence (Leighton). Vancouver Correspondence inward, 1916.