Confidential

9 Risingholme Road

Wealdstone High Road

Harrow

22^nd August 1915

The Colonel,

3/7^th Battn Middlesex Regt

Falmer, near Brighton

Dear Sir,

Re Thomas F. Paul, No  4509

“D” Company

I am writing at the request of my sister, who had been guardian to the above, since he was 5 years of age.  T. F. Paul is my nephew & has no parents living: he is a child of another sister of mine who died some years ago.

He is very anxious that he should serve his King & Country, & so are all of us that he should do so.

My sister thinks, however, that in consequence of his youth (he was not 17 years of age when he joined) & also of his very short eyesight (if his glasses in anyway got damaged or lost, he would be blind without them – & he cannot see sideways without turning his head round) that you would pardon the liberty taken in drawing your attention to this & she would be very grateful if you could – instead of sending him away on active service with the regiment, transfer him to some Home Service Battalion, as she has a very strong objection to his being sent away to the front for the above-mentioned reasons.

Personally, with his defective vision & nervous temperament, I do not think he would stand a fair sporting chance.

I am writing this unknown to my nephew & shall be obliged if you will kindly treat this in confidence.

Apologising for taking up your valuable time, & thanking you in advance for your attention,

I remain, dear Sir,

Yours faithfully

1. Spencer Stilwell