Dear Sir, - The first thing I must da is to apologise for using a pencil; I am very sorry, but as there is no pen or ink issued in this unit I hope you will understand, we are under canvas and miles from anywhere.
Well, sir, I just have come back off from seven days' leave, and it was very nice too; and I am pleased to say that your magazine helped me to make it so. It was the first time I have ever read it, and now it will be a long time before I read the last.
All the articles are a treat, especially the story by Wallace Stort, also the correspondence section was very good. I was particularly interested in the letter and photo of "Dorree," also that of "100 per cent Monopede."
They both have special interest for me as we have what you call a "monoped" in our family, my sister, age twenty three years. She saw the letters and photos, and before I came away I asked her if she would like to write to your paper, she bid not seem keen at first, but I told her I would write if she bid not.
Anyhow, I dare say I can tell your readers a thing or two on her behalf. I don't think she will mind, an9 if she will see this printed she may write herself later.
As I said before, she is twenty-three, and she lost her right leg at the age' of fifteen through boils on the kneecap that failed to get better. She was in hospital a few months before they decided to remove it, then it was taken off midway between knee and hip, leaving a good bit.
She had a difficult time for a while after, but eventually she got used to it so that she is very skilful now in getting about.
She helps mother with the housework and does most of the shopping.
When out she uses two crutches, but when about the house only one or sometimes none.
After reading about "Hoppers" performance, which was a reply from someone else she was a bit sarcastic at first, but I found out that she is not yet reconciled to her loss, and suffers from what people call "inferiority complex". She thinks that everyone is staring at her all the time, especially when getting on and off trams and buses.
Up to the present she will have nothing to do with men, and she has only one special pal outside the family.
If you could print this letter, perhaps some of your one-legged girl correspondents would see it, and perhaps they might be able to write their story and tell her how they manage, especially when they are courting.
Well, sir, I must leave at that for the present, hoping to see some more photos and letters form all your monopeds, especially from "Dorree" and "Hopper."
Wishing "London Life" all success in the future.
Yours truly,
Corporal.
P. S. - I hope you will print some more Wallace Stort stories, they are very fascinating. would you give me an estimate of what some of your back numbers would cost, those round about 1938 - 39 or early 1940 numbers.