Item 6 - To 'the old folk at home'

No. 2 General Hospital, Bloemfontein. A military haircut. He went north on the first train to Johannesburg since the war began. Crossing the Karoo. A 'town' in South Africa. Pickets on the railway. Slow progress after one engine broke down. His provisions - chocolate and biscuits - see him through as food becomes scarce. The search for scarce food in Bloemfontein; the two youngest and prettiest nursing sisters were his 'convoy'. They have been at Bloemfontein for fourteen days while the Boers skirmish further up the line. Exploring round the town on foot and on horseback. There are now eight military hospitals in Bloemfontein. The ravages of enteric fever. Mild dysentery - the 'modders' - is rampant. Living off tinned food.