46421 Dvr E A Henderson N.Z.A.S.C. Attd. 6th Fd Amb 2nd N.Z.E.F. Middle East Forces

18th September 1943

Dear Dorothy, I have just finished reading a letter from you dated 31st July, which I received five minutes ago and was I pleased to hear from you again. It is a few weeks now since we have had mail, so I am expecting some more within the next day or so. I also had a letter from Ilene and am making a start at writing before any more arrive. Well Dot, at present I cannot tell you what I am doing but are away from our base camp, however I have a bit of time on my hands at present and am hoping to get this finished without interruption. You will have to excuse the scribble as at

present I have a couple of boils on the lower half of my right arm and they are a hell of a nuisance. Four nights ago I was over at Jock’s hut saying cheerio to him and who should walk in but young Jimmy and Billy Russell (Bay Road) and Russell was also there to see Jock. All the boys asked me to send their regards to you and to all at home. I’ll bet Tenny (?) Russell and George Stephens are having a good time now they are back home and I should imagine their welcome home would be a great night out. Dad, Maisie and you seem to be having quite a good time at the dances. West Plains must certainly have altered with all these new people moving in. Yes Dot I certainly did have a good time on

leave but you will have received letters by now telling you all about it. Charlie must be having quite a bad spin with his teeth, he should get them all out and get a set of false ones at the army’s expense. I wonder how he likes cookhouse duties, there will be plenty of implements to clean and vegetables to get ready in there. So far I have not heard from him but am hoping to do so some day soon. I suppose you and Lenore will have your pet lamb each, by the time you receive this letter wee Lenore will have a lot of fun with one. I am pleased to hear that the certificate has arrived safely, I was beginning to wonder if it had been lost. Last Friday there was a big parade of all the

Field Ambulances and I had my decoration officially presented by General Freyberg, and believe me I felt just a little bit shaky at the knees when I had to march out in front of him. There were eight all told who received their decorations, however I am sending home the Times with the account of the parade in it. I was at another picnic with Jock last Sunday we had a real good day and our orchestra was in full swing again. We were at the Delta again and there were quite a few civilian people there as guests. However as I am away from base camp now our orchestra has fallen through as far as I am concerned. We were sitting on the grass playing and a family asked

us to sit with them and play, and also asked us to go in to their place for dinner on Thursday night (last night) but of course I missed. They had the dearest wee girl two years old and another very nice daughter about eighteen. We all finished up by going for a ride on the donkeys even the wee kid. Well Dot there is no more news for you at present so will bring this to a close and write again when the rest of our mail arrives. Give my love to all at home and remember me to Sisters Ahern and Condon. Cheerio just now old dear and lots of love Your loving brother Eric XXXX