It's back to Blighty for Reg...
After a day exploring the historic town of Canterbury it's time to resume our journey of commemorations. Our destination for the next few days is on the Salisbury Plains based in Amesbury. We will complete the final dedications to the 2022 soldiers and also reach the final part of Reginald Harrington's journey.
Picking up Reg's story after his investiture and brief leave in England and Scotland he briefly returned to France on 17 June but one month later in July it was back to England for various training responsibilities in Oxford and on the Salisbury Plains. On 5th December 1917 Reginald Harrington proceeded to France once more to re-join the 59th in the field. The next 5 months saw ongoing sickness and hospitalisations until April 1918 in the final year of the war. Harrington was wounded in action resulting in poisoning and blindness from a gas attack. On May 1st 1918 Reg wrote to his wife Edith reinforcing his desire to just go home. He wrote:
'9 May 1918 ( Hospital in France - just before returning to England)
Have had a nasty time dear old girl but am Cheerio again. This is the first try I have had at writing for over a fortnight ...was quite blind this is only a film now. Doc says I am doing tip top...very pleased with me and is sending me to England in a day or so where I should pick up a treat. They have been so very good to me here and have also written to you for me once or twice.
I have had several letters from home which the Padre has read to me and two, one from Dad and Mum dated March 10th which after long time I was able to read myself, getting better everyday my Sweetheart and have those snaps of Gwen and you and Rene by me to cheer me up.
Heaps and heaps of love darling...it means HOME this time.
Loving Hubby.'
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