Now that Robert has recovered he recommences training with the 36th Battalion for the month of December. Robert spends December getting fit and proving himself now ready to make the next move. It is Christmas but Robert doesn’t appear to have been given any leave to enjoy the holidays. He enrolled in the army in February 1915. He was there for the birth of his son in July 1915. He underwent his medical in October 1915. He was in training in London Ontario until March 1916, when he made the voyage here to England. Since then he has been in quarantine for a month then training until August 1915, a serious varicose vein operation in late September, recovery in October and November, back to training in December. There is no evidence in his personnel files of a cable being sent to Deborah to tell her of the varicose vein operation.. We assume however that some kind of correspondence was maintained with her. At the minimum a postcard to tell her what he was experiencing. Deborah sending letters with photos and descriptions of son William who is now one year and 5 months old. It has been 22 months since Robert enlisted and he hasn’t experienced the Great War yet, and though he is probably frustrated with this the rest of us are thankful. Merry Christmas ! But that is about to change.