27 July 1943

46421 Dvr E A Henderson

N.Z.A.S.C.

Attd. 6th Fd Amb

2nd N.Z.E.F.

Middle East Forces

Dear Dorothy,

I received your welcome letter of 1st June a couple of days ago so here goes for a few lines in reply. So you are still busy with the nursing, and also keeping late hours. It is only three days since I last wrote to you so I will not have very much in the way of news for you, in this letter. If I remember correctly I wrote to you the day before I went on the picnic, with Jock. We had quite a good day and evening and in general a good time. Leaving here by motor lorry at half past one, we went into a place on the back of the Nile and got into a little two deck boat and went down to the Delta barrage, had a few hours there and came home the same way, getting back to camp at half past eleven at

night. Three of the chaps with Jock took their instruments, a banjo, violin, trumpet, and of course I had my piano accordion so we had quite an orchestra. We played on the boat going and coming back and also at the picnic. There were about fifteen or sixteen A.T.S. girls went as guests and there were two or three rather nice ones amongst them. We had cold drinks, sandwiches and ice cream as well as one of two glasses of the necessary. Jock and I had a couple of quiet drinks together last night over at his mess and listened to a good program on the radio. I told Jock you were at Buntie’s wedding, and out at the White House afterwards, he said you are certainly stepping out of your shell now. By the way, ask Sister Condon if she has a brother called Vic, over here. Jock know this Vic Condon and Vic was sergeant of the section I was in before being posted to the 6th Field Ambulance.

We both think that he may be Sister Condon’s brother, if I remember he was from somewhere round Southland, although I would not be sure about it. How is your boyfriend Dick doing, I suppose you will have another one now he is away at Westerfield. I sent you a photo of my mate with the last letter so you should have received it by the time you get this one. He is a great sort and always says he is coming home to see you when we get back home. I have been expecting to see Barney this last day or two as he was due back from leave three days ago but have not seen him, so far. He may still be recovering. Have you heard from Charlie lately, I have been expecting a letter from him but have not had one so far. I had a letter from Albert Kerse two days ago. He is still on some job at the hospital and at the time he wrote was a patient himself with another bout of dysentery, although

he was expecting to be out in a few days time. He asked Jack Fox and I to go up and spend a week end with him, so I am going to see Jack and make arrangements To go as soon as possible. Well Dot I must bring this to a close now as I have run out of news. Give my love to all at home, and tell Sonny I was asking for him. Will say cheerio just now old dear and lots of love and kisses.

Your Loving brother Eric