The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1918-07-10
RED CROSS NURSE
TELLS Of HER
WORK IN FRANCE
MRS. CLARA WIDDICOMB TELLS
MOTHER NURSES LIFE is NOT
ALL ROSES.

The following extracts from letters
written Mrs. Mary Cannon by her
daughter, Mrs. Clara Widdicomb now
serving as a Red Cross nurse in Base
Hospital No. 36 somewhere in France
we are very glad to publish.
One of the stars on the alumni SER
vice flag of our high school repre-
sents Mrs. Widdicomb, who has many
friends in Belding.
France, May IL.
Dearest Mama:
Tonight we are to have Mothers
service" at the Y. M. G. A. and some
meeting it will be for surely our
hearts are all overseas with the dear
mothers we have left behind.
/ don't know just how can make
today very special one for every day
is mothers day, with me. think OF
you and love you all of the time and
last thought of you, hoping you are
well and comfortable. I'm count
ing off the days and praying we may
be together very soon.
Today is cold with wind and rain
but | think when / go off duty at A
I'll go around to the diamond and
watch the baseball game for a little
while. Remember the game one
Sunday last summer when we were
caught in the pouring rain? Oh!
think we shall be able to make a
fan of you yet.
I'VE had in a lot Of new patients
this week so we are busy again and
expect more anytime.
Will write again in day or two
this is lust a note to say II love
you" Yours,
Susan Mary.
May II, 1918.
My Dear Mama:
This is the most wonderful day and
it's a Joy to have sunshine for rain
is plentiful in this country.
Had your le(terl yesterday and
am m ghty glad you are keeping fair
ly well.
It's fine that your past matrons
have adopted French baby but you
have nothing on us-so have the
nurses of 36. Sorry you couldn't
get my shoes off for 1 need them
badly and I'm sending a signed re-
quest which you must enclose in the
package when you send it for it is
opened in New York. / have worn
out the soles of nearly all the shoes
| have and the ones we get here are
no good. | want to wear low shoes
(pumps) as much as / can. Perhaps
Mr.. Dickinson may have some that he
knows will fit me and if he has send
them.
This week / had box from Maui
rice Copover, sent early in December,
also one from Mr.. Arwine and one
from Ellis Ranney, DR.. Smith and
the bunch, mostly cigarettes for the
boys and they came just in time too
for we had in lot of new patients.
I've been on specials for 10 days but
back onward duty today.
nearly forgot the surgical sponges
mentioned are the ones mother and
Auntie Sue have ready to send and
wrote about.
We have boy, marine, who is the
sweetest fellow, leg off and only
20 years old. Queer how it happen
ed. His shoe was. blown several
feet away, his foot nearly torn off
and sock not torn at ALL so much
shrapnel in the leg it had to be am
putated above the knee. OF course
he will have to go home but he does
not want to.
Sometimes / get so blue and think
how I'd like to be home but in the
next breath / know couldn't stay if
all this is going on here. These
boys do need US and while they do /
want to be here.
Won't write more just now; I'm well
and thinking of you much. Love al
ways, dear,
Susan Mary.
France, May 26.
Nv Dear Mama.