Our Unfortunate Alphabet

[For the uninitiated, the wards in the hospital were identified by both letters and numbers]

Winter 1915-1916

During a recent take-in of wounded, a car containing three officers arrived at the main entrance. The Matron, standing at the door with the list of vacant beds in officers' wards, was asked what was to be done with the trio of newcomers.
"Take them to L," she replied.
There was a shriek of laughter from inside the car - and Matron wonders why.