Cold showers. The only interesting thing in the paper to day is the account of some of the men of the formidable, got away in one of the ship’s cutters & were for 21 hours battling against the storm, with no food & very little clothing.

12 died, & 6 more died when the boat comes to Lyme Regis. It is too terrible to think of their sufferings in this weather & all those hours without food.

Cyril Turner arrived at tea time.

Mary & I went down to Yalford & on our return of there was a telegram for me in the ante room from Exeter telling me to report myself at once at No. 2 hospital. Very thrilling, but I could not possible go to day so sent a wire to say I could come tomorrow.

But I could have wished the order had waited until next week, still I am glad to be sent somewhere. The Smiths came in to dinner.

next post 12th Jan