6 August 1943

46421 Dvr E A Henderson

N.Z.A.S.C.

Attd. 6th Fd Amb

2nd N.Z.E.F.

Middle East Forces.

Dear Mum & all at home,

As it just six days ago since I last wrote home I am going to make a start this afternoon to write you a few line. How are you all at home, all fit and well I hope. Before I forget I want to wish you many happy returns of your birthday Dad, which if I remember rightly, falls on the fourteenth of this month. I meant to do so in the letter I wrote to you six days ago but am afraid I forgot. However better late than never. Those two cakes and parcel I received just recently were just the goods, tell wee Lenore the piece of her birthday cake was very nice, it was in good order. I wouldn’t bother to send any more cheese Mum, as we get plenty of it over here issued with our rations, and besides

it does not keep too well, and is usually a bit on the stale side. The cake was in great order and we made a quick job of it for morning and afternoon tea. I had a bit of a night with Barney two nights ago, we went down to the Tommy camp about a mile and a half away from ours, to see two chaps he knows there. They managed to get us two bottles of beer each out of their canteen so we sat out in the cool and drank them. We only get one bottle of beer each per week now in the camp and believe me a bottle a night is needed in this heat. Barney asked me to send you all his love. I have not seen Jock these last two days, but will be going over to see him, tonight, after tea. We don’t do anything in the afternoons on account of the heat, and usually have a game or two of crib and a snore off for an hour or so. I was out in the car all yesterday afternoon

and again last night getting to bed at one o’clock this morning. Tonight I am going to play for a reunion with the two chaps I play with from Jock’s outfit. Tomorrow we are having our unit picnic at the Nile Delta Barrage and are leaving here in the trucks at half past eight in the morning. Six of us are having a race tomorrow to see who can run a hundred yards the fastest. The other five chaps are a few years older than me and think they all can beat me so we will find out tomorrow , we are all not keen on this running or physical training but are going to find out who can do the hundred yards. I have been having a swim every morning lately at half past six believe me it is much better than doing P.T. (physical training). I am getting quite fair at swimming now. The officer whose car I am driving at present goes for a swim in the mornings and takes

me in to the baths with him. The baths are very nice and are part of an officer’s club not far from our camp. We have a swimming lesson every Friday morning in the soldier’s baths about a mile from camp, so by the time I get home, I should be a good swimmer. I suppose you are all very pleased with the war news now, It’s great isn’t it and I can tell you we listen to the radio and also get a paper morning and night. I don’t think the war can last very much longer the way things are going. Old Hitler is getting a real big kick in the pants now and the sooner he is finished off the sooner we will be back home. You have no idea how keen I am to get on the boat to take us home. Have you heard from Aunty May lately, I must write to her again within the next day or so. We are just about due for some more

mail, and are eagerly awaiting its arrival. Would you give Frances and Stuart and also Aunty May my regards when you are writing to them. Well everyone, news has run out for the time being so will bring this to a close now and will write again soon. remember me to everyone. Will say cheerio just now and hope this note finds you all as fit and well as it leaves me. Lot of love and kisses to all of you. Your loving son Eric