17716 Sgt. Henderson J.F. D & M Wing N.Z. School of Instruction Middle East Forces Sunday 14th Feb 1943 Maardi Dear Dot, Well, I guess it is about time I wrote you a few more lines, even if it is only to give you a bit more cheek to let you know that I am still a box of birds & all singing. I was quite pleased to hear about Eric’s Decoration. I do not know much about it as it was Barney McGirty that first told me about it. How the double H---am I going to write more than one page of this tremendous size. Almost do to wrap parcels with. By jove I miss the good old rough – tumbles that used to come my way every time I called in. I’m not just as fit as I used to be, but I guess I am still capable of pinning your shoulders on the mat & trimming your finger nails, without Mum’s assistance too. I guess you will be making a frantic run for the scissors as soon as you see me coming. When I come to think of it, you nails are very short compared to the way they have them over this part of the world & by the time I get home I may have altered my mind as to how long yours should be. Its just too bad that I have forgotten which Hospital you are nursing in and I

Page 2

will have to send this letter to West Plains. Not so good, says you. Here I am again & it is Monday morning and as I have about half an hour of spare time, I had better add a little more to these tremendous pages. I went to Cairo last night and had one or two and I’m not feeling just as lovely this morning as I usually do at eight o’clock. Never mind, it was worth it and the only regret that I have, is the cash is a bit low now. I sure had my moneys worth, all the same. Well, it is now Monday night and I feel more like going to sleep that writing. Yes! I have a wee bit of an over-hang from last night. Serves me right too, but it was sure worth it. Just you try & picture me with a bottle in one have, a glass in the other and – never mind the rest, we had a good night. Hells! Bells! I haven’t written two pages yet but are they a hell of a size. I have just finished a four or five page letter to Mum, but much smaller pages than these. Oh yes! Very much so. Not even half the size. I haven’t seen old Eric for a long time but I got a glimpse of that “rat-bag” going past in a truck yesterday. I guess you know who I mean, Sutherland. Yes & he is still in the Band. Suits him fine, I would say.

Page 3

It is just about time I heard from you again but it looks as though the mail service is messed up quite a bit. By the way, how are all your patients doing? How many have you killed off so far? Oh yes and I suppose you are an expert juggler by now or maybe you are past that stage after drowning a few off. Can you do it when they are full? Barney McGirty is away on a weeks leave up in Alex & I guess he will be having a rare time. I would not have minded being with him. He has a nice roll of notes with him and I really think he will require someone with him to help him to spend it. The money question is quite a big problem over here at times, but we always manage to get along till the next pay-day. Much different to what I have been used to in N.Z. Well, you big bunch of daintiness, I guess I will have to close. I am a box of birds, all singing and I hope you are the same. Cheerio Heaps of love Jock