LETTERS FROM THE ARMY AND EGYPT
This Collection of letters are those written by RJLM to her parents between July 1942 when she went into the ATS training through her period in Bletchley Park to the end of her stay in Egypt in early 1946.
Currency: the accumulated inflation between 1943 and 2004 is about 25 times.
i.e. £1 (1943) = £25 (2004).
240 pennies ("d.") = 20 shillings = £1
Part 1: 1942-43.
May 1943 - Egypt June 1943 - Egypt
Hut 72
4 Company
No I.A.T.S. T.C.
Tahvena Camp,
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
It was lovely to speak to you all yesterday. In some ways I was quite relieved I couldn't over the weekend or I would have howled terribly and upset you all v. much. I must say it is just utterly revolting. I don't mind the eternal waiting about, drill etc, nearly as much as most people, but I'm a awful snob. I hate sleeping with other people, particularly so dirty, and all this congestion??, squalor and disgusting food. But I just keep saying its one day nearer Donald, and there are only 6 more days here etc. I must say I am lucky in the two other women and ?? people in my hut, though not quite my type, they are of the same social standing and we get on well together, and never move apart. We have to get up at 6.30, and have breakfast, the best meal of the day, at 7.30 after cleaning kit and buttons. Have been walking or rather standing ever since. My feet appear to me about the best ever! Have an hour nearly off now, so have to be v. quick. Have had to dash off a p.c. to Donald for stockings. Am returning them to you as frightened of losing them. They're heavenly, but B. and Ma. Size 9! Am informing him of this. The cable was a N.L.T. night letter telegram as he was worried, not sure what I was doing, so am cabling this p.m. Got your letter your letter this p.m. Ma and from Joypi[1]. V glad. Haven't been able to read it, but hope to while Elizabeth and I drink tea sedately and without speaking in the town, we get off at 4.30 this p.m. Not till 8 yesterday. Will try to add a bit more to this letter then. Sorry about writing but the rush is terrific. I must do my hair etc but I go on parade in 20 minutes.
By the way my wireless is v. welcome, I am able always to listen to the 7 o'clock news and 1 o'clock. Great relief there is one in the hut, but a terrible one.
It is so nice the Church's being here. They're just the same, I am going there after doing some shopping in the town. I can keep the pop.pop[2] outside the hut, and since it poured all the first two days we were here, I hope it won't for a bit.
Mummy, I am being more than polite, and flatter myself the Corporal, (can you believe it!) in charge of the hut, thoroughly approves of me. I am quiet, quick and polite!
We are very odd, the 15 Cambridge people. They had to ring up the War Office about us. No one had ever heard of "Y" service. We never seem to have anything ???? ??? us, they've even forgotten our pay books! Well goodbye for the present. Will post this this evening.
Please can you send me 2 pairs of stockings, two coat-hangers and another padlock and chain.
Tea Time
I am now sitting in a really sordid tea shop with Elizabeth quite exhausted with just standing and waiting. We had a lesson on how to clean shoes and buttons and how to put out incendiary bombs. This took no less than 3 hours! Well nearly!
Thank you very much for your v. nice letter Ma, I have been able to read it at my leisure. I must say I envy you greatly picking fruit. Will you thank Bunchie too for her letter, I will endeavour to reply to it tomorrow.
Having our heads inspected ..... It makes me quite physically ill .... No less than 25% of the people in my hut, 28 in all. I now wash my hair with pretty near neat dettol every night. Its one of my most appalling nightmare. I never thought such a thing existed, and they don't care. It didn't embarrass them one bit. It appears there is one other female in this racket for the same reason as me. A husband in Egypt. Must find out more. Some of the people were told, that only the people who were very keen would be sent. We think we get commissions at the end of the course, the next one.
Must stop. I miss you all terribly, please write to me lots. I have such a nice family.
Lots of love, R.
A.T.S.
24:VII:'42
My Darling Ma and Pa.
Last letter from this terrible place, thank heavens. No one knows what is happening to us. The C.O. said she had to deliver us to Loughborough. She told us that she had no idea whether we were to stay there or not, we are just to be left at the station! We are causing great astonishment from the C.O. down, as everyone else stays 4 or 5 weeks, and they tell everyone what to do etc and the War Office has told them nothing about us at all. Wouldn't it be funny if we were sent to the same place as Donald was too. I don't believe the RAF uses it any longer, its part of the engineering college there. If its OK, I think sometime I had better have my typewriter for your sake, but I will let you know. I don't know what room there will be.
Marvellous having two letters, a cable and stockings from Donald all in one week. The letter was posted last Thursday!! Isn't it wonderful, and the other 3 days before. He has written you and airgraph Daddy to thank you for something, but what he didn't say. Poor darling, he's very fed up but has the work and is very busy. He has also bought part share in a sailing boat, 17', and is quite crazy about it.
We have been having intensive drill, the 16 intelligence people. You've no idea how much we learn everything than when we have to do it with the other females in one of the huts. I quite like drilling. Really, I mean just to do the little we do. The C.O. told me yesterday, we wouldn't need to learn much as we wouldn't ever need it as we were special, and the Sgt. (man) who takes us keeps saying we must learn enough to be able to tell troops what to do of necessary. They all seem to think we'll be given commissions soon. I do hope so. Thank goodness no more P.T. or games? Anyway. There is definitely one other female, Mrs Grant Lawson, American, who is in the (same) boat as me, and wants to go to Egypt.
I am sorry about Colonel White, I am sure everyone will miss him a lot. I wonder why ever had had to go dashing off like that. I suppose it may be because the ATS are taking over the AA[3] so much. Do you think that is possible?
Thank you very much for your letter Daddy and the lock. Its to lock up my locker. Well I must stop for a bit, and clean my buttons!
5.10
Have just have had tea and am now waiting for a kit inspection. Have just had a more than hectic day.
Up 6.30 make bed, clean hut, buttons and shoes.
7.30 Breakfast. Wait 20 minutes, eat for 5.
8.30 Inspection
Drill
10.0 Collect clothes
10.15 Break
10.45 collect more clothes
Lay things out for kit inspection
12.30 Lunch
1.30 More kit
2.0 Drill
3.0 Lecture
4.0 Pay parade
4.45 Tea
all marching about the camp.
We are definitely going to Loughborough, to No 4 M. Intelligence School. I think we shall then have a course with the ?? going into it, and then get commissions. This is my view entirely. But I have never heard of anyone who didn’t have you Daddy? I mean in the ordinary army. All the officers and W.O. who have been rushing us around today seem to expect it too.
Got soap coupons, and 10 clothing today. Am going to take my pop-pop down to the station after kit inspections and get some food. Am quite worn out. I do hope after this we lead a more comfortable life. Am longing to come home again. I could come on the pop-pop I should think from here, its about 40 miles isn't it? But I suppose the trains are terrible, all cross country. By the way, we are attached to the London area, at least No.4 M.I. school is. I really think as a job it should be v. interesting.
Am very sorry for the enormous parcel of laundry. Could I have my coats and shirt cleaned, my shoes mended, and the blouse washed. I will wire the address tomorrow, then you'll know where I am, and ring up if I can.
Fancy Auntie Emily moving.
Lots of love R.
QUORN 21
Please phone after the news I'll be here!
Please will someone cash the enclosed for me
No violent hurry.
Beau Manor Park
Woodhouse
Nr Loughborough
My Darling Ma and Pa.
I am just utterly exhausted! I have never done so much concentrated learning about things of which I have not the first idea as I have this week. It is very interesting, but I don’t quite see how I shall ever be able to do t. I do so wish I could tell you all about it, I'm sure you would be most interested, I am. And the pity is, I don’t believe I ever will be able to. You would laugh to see me and all rest of the females, sitting at lectures on highly technical things to do with machines and electricity, or along those lines, with quite blank faces, while the 20 or 40men doing the course make intelligent remarks. The men are a very dumb lot, all N.C.O.'s and a couple of officers. The officers are the worst.
I work from 9-15 till 12.30. Then lunch till 2.0. Then again till, then tea, then work, then supper at 7.0. Then again till 8.45 so that I can get back for the news. Then I go to bed quite worn out. I am perennially tired and hungry. Actually the food is al awful lot better than Northampton, which I have nearly forgotten existed, and on the whole quite edible. The tea however would make your inside curl up, its all made with condensed milk! It is brought in a great big aluminium bucket thing with a pouring thing at the top. I however regard it as liquid not tea, and therefore fare better than most people. Get lashings of sugar butter marg. jam and cheese, and oddly enough, very nice lettuce. We have a very nice orderly, one Ruby! same like Lady Dartmouth! Who procured for me ¼ lb of marg. as I said I wasn’t going into breakfast tomorrow, as Mrs Paulson said she would give it to me in bed! I got 1 lb, but someone else got the same idea, so I chopped in half and gave her ¼ too!
Thank you both very much for your letters. I am sorry I haven't written again this week, but you will see why from above. Re my car, yes I think it would be good idea to licence it. The insurance, it is insured till the end of December, Good heavens, I've just remembered, and the registration book, are with a number of similar licences and such like in an old bank envelope somewhere underneath the sliding lid in my bureau. The envelope is quite easy to find I think, as the papers are bulging out of it. I have just been into Loughborough and have collected my new petrol book.
I hear the 8.0 news in the morning before I start, and had gathered that it was Birmingham that was bombed. A newspaper doesn’t exist at Beau Manor. Am relieved to hear the works are all right. Was it two or three nights running? My spies inform me that there have been sirens and even a bomb dropped here, in fact every night except two since we arrived, but I haven't heard them except one alert while I was getting up one day. We had one the last night before I left Northampton and a lot of people got out of be and clambered inefficiently about and tried to put up the blackouts, and couldn’t, so finally I climbed out and stuck up my two shutters at my en of the room, and went to sleep again.
I am sitting in the Paulson's garden at the minute, in a deck chair. Went to Loughborough after lunch to do some shopping. We get from Saturday lunch time till Sunday night off. Do hope I will be able to come away next weekend. Shall have to go and do some work tomorrow morning.
Wasn’t it marvellous 3 letters from Donald. That’s five since I have been away. They were rather oddly dated 28:VI:'42 1:VII:'42 and 21:VII:'42! Letter lovely and quick. The mail was held up at his end, and he was in a state of depression because he hadn't had any for 10 days, no less! He said he was working 14 hours a day in the one of 28:VII:'42, but that they had created a record output or something for all the M.U.'s ever. I think it had slacked off though again. He didn't sound so busy and was sailing his new boat.
A canteen opened up today in Beau Manor for all uniforms. There I got 20 Players for 1/6 and a KitKat chocolate crisp! I get a ration of 10 a day at 9d normally, though I believe my runs out at the end of the week. We have been getting them from a store up-saris? Thank you very much for the stuff I had in my laundry. I rushed it open immediately and finished it in hopes! Feel rather like a dog. We don’t get an issue of chocolate, but get it when any comes with the cigarettes, which is not often. I can vividly imagine Mrs Farmer's window. Fancy peppermint creams. I seem to get through an awful lot of cigarettes just sitting all day with no elevensis, and also everyone smokes in lectures, including the lecturer. However now there is a canteen, will be able to get tea (condensed milk type) and a bun. We even have it on Cornflakes and porridge (porridge?) for breakfast. Of course my taste being so common I quite like it like that!
Thank you for doing all my laundry. Yes the shirts are quite decent. But I think the colour comes off rather on my underclothes. I might think about wearing the night-clothes, only they are very thick convict striped long sleeved blue flannel pyjamas. A bit hot in this weather I think!
Must be very difficult for you with Bunch not being able to drive either. So glad the frocks were a success, though quite why they sent them home I do not know. I particularly said would they send me them at Northampton. At least to the Church's, however it doesn’t matter. Sorry to have missed C.B.'s party. I must write to Wulf. Did you got to tea with Mildred Sherpenberg?
Shall be thinking of you on Monday. Do hope its not like last bank holiday. I didn’t know the works were closing all the week, Daddy. I hope you will get a bit of P&Q in spite of the H.G.
Lots of love and longing to come home. R
P.S. I should love to make a cake sometime if you can spare the stuff.
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford.
Bucks.
30:X:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Isn't this weather shocking? I am so sorry it is like this while you are in London, it makes it all so much more difficult getting about. Cant remember whether you said you were coming back on Friday or Saturday. I do hope you will go and see In Which We Serve Mummy, anyway.
When I got hack to my fury, I discovered that they had told me wrong, and I wasn't on till midnight. They apologised handsomely, not that that made much difference. So I am on midnights till Tuesday am. Then evenings. I am getting tired of being on there peculiar shifts, I have not been on days then for 6 weeks.
Well, its happened... I feel like Donald, he said that to me, one Saturday lunch time, way back in January. I was told on Thursday evening. Don't know when my embarkation leave It, but it must be soon, as they hope to get us off by the end of November. Can't see it myself, since they haven't started doing anything about kit yet, but I suppose to-day nothing will be happening, and to-morrow everything will be in a ferment, and we'll be going to-morrow. Ginny and I, Rufus and Lindsay are all going, which is v. pleasant. They are the two other people I like best, and I think 3 officers, and Mrs Player, and 4 other O.R.s whom I don't like much. I am sorry, very, it is an awful thing to have to do, but I do want to see Donald so very badly. I can't believe it, sitting here in the cold and rain, it is just incredible. Shan't till I actually get on the boat.
I am having Tuesday a.m. till Friday evening off next week after midnights, so I am going to see the Maitlands, and stay one night with Buff, so I will have all my embarkation leave at home. Though I should think it will be weeks before we get moving. Donald you remember went exactly one month after he should have done.
What a lovely age ago my weeks leave does seem.
Must go to bed now.
Ring Bletchley 101 if you want me, but not Saturday, as Ginny and I are going down to the Fountain for dinner.
Lots of Love,
Handwritten:
Sorry, I brought this away by mistake. Isn't it a pity, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff - Nye? - came round yesterday and I was on nights.
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
2X1:'42
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Am feeling decidedly shivery, can't make up my mind whether this is due to sitting in a room with no fire, or injection! Had T.A.B. and tetanus a few hours ago. My gosh it is cold. Ginny is going to bring hack a paraffin stove when she goes home this week.
Well we were going in three weeks, from last week, ie in a fortnight. But M.I. 8 rang up the War Office, and said that they couldn't release 20 people just like that, and we couldn't go till the next course is over, and that we would go on the next troop convoy, when the second draft were due to be going. That is the first week in January. We are all wild, if there is one thing I wanted to avoid it is spending Xmas here. But I must say it would have been the most appalling rush. PLEASE DON'T MENTION THE DATE TO ANYONE AS it involves a whole troop convoy. I suppose Dr Mc Geoch will be going in a fortnight. I am going to try and wangle Xmas embarkation leave, though I am afraid this is a very faint hope, as they are already trying to persuade me to have it. Ridiculous. Still I may know more when Capt. Firnberg, the head of my section comes back from leave to-morrow.
I came off nights last night, thank goodness, and promptly slept for 14 out of 24 hours! I just couldn't sleep this week during the day, there were two people in and out of the room all the time as they were on evenings, which isn't exactly conducive to sleep. I am going to try and get a bath now, as the water might be hot, I tried it about half an hour ago, and it was just warming up. I have just come away from the Park, it is 6-30.
Have had lovely hot bath thank goodness.
So glad you, had such a good time in London. I adore the thought of Carol Ann wearing gloves. I will go to Harrods and see about the pink coat, but I am afraid that it won't be till Thursday, probably, as I am going straight through to-morrow, as I would like to be there in time for lunch. Oh I don't know, if I get up by 11 or so, I could have time. I'11 see. If I go to the Maitlands now, then I shall be able to come home all the time I have, and possibly meet them once more for lunch or something.
I couldn't meet Di this last Monday, to-day for lunch as I thought I was still going to be on nights, but anyway was on days, I shall try to next Monday, as I will be on evenings.
Ginny is just collecting our hot water bottles, I think I shall climb into bed. It is the only warm place. Have had some food.
I can't think what has happened to Donald's letter, except that everyone else seems to be in the same boat, I am sure though I shall get a cable this week.
Lots of love,
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
7:X1:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am in the office at the minute, and have just been and borrowed this typewriter from the signals office next door. If I do a of peculiar things, you will have to excuse it, as I don't know how spacing and things work on these large machines. Have just been along to dinner, did rather well, there was lamb (mutton) when I arrived, and pseudo scrambled eggs when I left.
Thank you both very much for the wire and letter for tomorrow. It really seems like today, being Saturday and so close to the date. Unfortunately Mummy, as I see dinner is off. I do wish Ginny and I could have gone out it would have made it a little less desolate. What a way to spend one's first wedding anniversary. I don't really believe this is me though sitting here. Still it is the best thing I ever did and am ever likely to do, I know, marrying Donald. I couldn't have married anyone sweeter, I am v. lucky. You know I feel almost irritated with this new advance, holding up all my mail, so that I can't even here from him It is so terribly disappointing, and he will be so sick, knowing that I didn't get the things in time. Thank you again Mummy for such a v. nice letter, and Daddy for writing. B. remembered too, I was pleased, so I had two greetings telegrams.
Sorry I missed you the other night, I just walked, round to see Peggy[4]. The children are growing up terrifically, and are almost like two small boys, instead of babies. Peggy doesn't half have looking after both of them and her fowls and rabbits, making both their clothes. They were both delighted to see me, I think Colin just about remembers me, he is two and a bit.
It was nice to see Buffy, she is determined to come up and see you! How we can arrange it I don't know but still. I think she is very fond of you. When I get back on to days, I will take a Sunday off, and then we could come up on a Sat. night. Oh I almost forgot, most important, I am working on evenings till next Thursday night, and then come on to days, the next day, Friday 13, the day you see Gone with the Wind. Then I have Monday off, ie, 16th., and don't have to come back till Tuesday night, Wed morning. I don't know what the trains are like yet. This is not bad is it; How odd this machine has no question mark, I can't find one. Then the following week, as I will then have done a week of nights, I shall get from Tuesday a.m. till Friday a.m. off, so I shall be more or less living at home for the nest fortnight. I also think I might have been able to wangle Xmas embarkation leave too. The staff Sgt, on whom really the leave rota depends, merely said resignedly, when I tentatively suggested it yesterday, well of course, I knew YOU would want something like that, but quite pleasantly, and then mentioned it again this evening. I shan't say any more for a bit, as by then, they will have got all the new staff trained, and will be able to do without me all right, actually, he is a nice little man, and eternally apologetic that I have to keep going on these shifts, when he knows I don't like it. Though I must say I seem to get lots of leave.
This is a nice typewriter don't you think? Found it, most peculiar place.
By the way, I have had my ears pieced at long last, I managed to get some little gold rings at a shop in Regent St. It hurt surprisingly little, and was a most amazing sensation. I felt the needle push through the first hard outer layer, and rush through the soft middle, and suddenly shoot through the hard outer layer again, sorry to be so revolting, but I was most interested in the different sort of density of ones flesh. Had them done yesterday, they don't hurt at all, unless I catch them. Just have to bathe them every morning for a fortnight, and NOT touch them.
I tried for the lace Mummy but wasn't awfully successful. Will bring what I did get with me, to-morrow week. Sorry about the little coat, I meant to go on the Tuesday, but I felt so darned ill after those injections that all I could do was to fall into a taxi and go straight to Waterloo. The effects nearly all gone after lunch though.
Don't think there is any more to tell you.
Lots of love R
Quite forgot, thank you v. much for the cheque, but I owe you £1, it was for £2.
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
21:Xll:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I thought I had better to write you a letter of explanation to tell you what is to do.
I am sorry I was so dopey on the phone last night, but quite honestly I was asleep when it rang, and had been for quite some time, and so my brain wasn't working very well. I was terribly tired, as Ginny and I went down to the Fountain for dinner on Saturday, and then when we got in about midnight, all the other people in our room were on midnights, and so they came in and we all went and had tea and filled our hotties, and cleaned our "buttons and shoes, etc. So eventually we turned the light out at about 1-50, and as you know had got up at 5-30, I was pretty tired, in fact I went to sleep with a book in front of my nose reading.
Captain Firnberg, the head of my section , came in and told me on Saturday evening, saying he thought I would like to know the latest, that I am to have leave from Jan 1, to Jan 7, and then to report in London, and from what I can gather we go immediately then. All our clothes are being collected, tropical I mean, I have had to give in the size of all my things, including my hat.1 See me in a sun lid! It will be funnier still. To complicate all this, Ginny has just had a cable from Peter to say that he was coming home the next day! She has actually thought he might be for the last few weeks, and so there is to say the least of it, one hell of a shindy going on. Very fortunately for her, her Mother in law's cousin is G.O.C. Northern Command. He has rung up M.I. 8 to say she can't go, but the ill-feeling... Also it is of course very complex to find someone at this stage to take her place. I must say I am shattered she is not going, but still she will of course be getting out of the A.T.S. altogether. Well she deserves it he has been gone just three years. But I am glad that I an not in her shoes, I mean with the row.
Well to continue.
I am going on to nights for the last two days that I am here, ie. the night morning of Wed. 30th. and the night morning of 31. This means that my leave, in practice starts at 9-0- a.m. Thursday the 31. I therefore think that it would be a good idea, if as Bunch and Peter and the baby will be up in Lytham, to got straight up there for one night and see them, if the Waddells can put me up for one night, and then come home on say Jan 1. till Jan 7. But I am going to ring you up to-morrow night about all this, when they have arrived.
Isn't it going to be fun, as I am not coming back here ever again, even after the war. I have to bring all my kit home with me, see me reporting at an A.T.S. depot in London with two kit bags, two suitcases, and a zip bag, plus a rug, bag, wet pack, and various other sundries!
Phillis Goode has come but I haven't seen her, but nearly everyone else has.
I do hope you are better Ma, really. Don't overdo it whatever you do.
Well I must stop, since this is all being written in my lunch hour. Thank goodness I do know something at long last. We have a draft number and everything, but I haven't discovered it yet.
with lots of love,
Rhondda House,
Fenny Stratford,
Bucks.
27:XII:'42
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
The last letter I shall write you from here, I trust.
Well I hope you had a good Xmas, and that everything went off well. I am so sorry I missed speaking to you Daddy, on each occasion. Thank you for ringing up on Xmas day, it cheered me up enormously. Not that it really felt like Xmas a bit. It was just like rather a gay day, and that was all.
I am longing to see Carol Arm this week. I feel you are being traditional grandparents and thinking she is really terrific and will be able to do no wrong! Was highly entertained to see a parcel addressed to her as Miss Carol Ann Waddell!
Well at any rate, I had two Xmas dinners, one at lunch at the Park, turkey, ham, stuffing, etc, and v. good mince tart, or Xmas pudding. all well cooked, and then Ginny and I had an excellent dinner again at the Fountain. There were their four servants, a Belgian chef and his wife, a French maid, and an Italian girl, who are all nice, a Canadian Colonel and his wife, quite young, 40 ish. A lieut, same ago, a droopy young man, and a v. funny other man with a face just like a blood hound who made us laugh so much all the evening playing the part of a waiter, very disgruntled that we didn't know what to do. We did the washing up, while the staff sat down. We then played murder and charades until about 2-30, when Ginny and I crawled very wearily to bed, we didn't have to be on duty till lunch time on boxing am. so it was o.k.
All the leaving people, the right type, and one or two other right types are having a party to-night to celebrate. So trust yon won't ring up as there will be no one in our room.
Am going up to town to have lunch with the Maitlands on Tuesday as I am changing over to nights on Tuesday night Wed. morning, and therefore do not work that day. I would go up after work to-morrow night, but unfortunately cannot travel till the Tuesday. Am going to have an early dinner with Beryl and Merry before coming back here to start work at midnight. Feel by Saturday, I am going to be quite worn out missing two whole days sleep in a week, still I shall travel first up to Blackpool, I have a third warrant which I shall convert, and hope to sleep then for a while, I am pretty good nowadays of availing myself of all opportunities for sleeping.
Wasn't it nice, my bible from Donald arrived on Xmas a.m. I had a battery of greetings telegrams too, by the same post. I really feel terrible about this Xmas, but I felt so sure that I would not be in this country, and then when I knew I was going to be, it was too late to do anything. Marvellous of Donald to have got a cable and a letter to me on the right day.
I am sitting in the office solemnly typing this as there is just no work to do, a hang over from Xmas, and on the 25th. there was realty quite a lot, which was maddening. I went to church at 11. I must say it was fun singing carols at the Park the night before. We also missed a really shocking party at Rhondda House, by doing so. Ditto Xmas night. By the way, Phillis Goode has managed to make herself remarkably unpopular in very short time, by being officious. I have only seen her once at pay parade, when she just shot out one or two sentences very quickly as there was a queue behind me, and lots of orderlies there. But I have really been out so much lately and think it very improbable I shall see her again. When I hear the awful, stories of inspections and things she is going to institute, I am v. tempted to tell all the dirt I know of her! However, it doesn't concern me, I shan't be there. Ginny sits around trembling, and we all thank our lucky stars for Mrs Player, who is so vague, and realises what sort of a unit this is, still I can't realty think Phil will get very far, as she will just find people won't do it. One can nearly always get out of things by working late or being on nights or something.
Well happy new year, and I will he seeing yon soon.
Lots of love,
Pencil, hankies and wet pack admired by all and sundry as well as recipient!
W/176595![5]
12 Radnor Place,
Bayswater
W.2
Sorry to have missed the lemon cheese! Love to everyone.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Thank you both very much for your sweet letters which I got this morning. It was lovely having you up for the weekend, in spite of the rush. Life is terribly hectic. Yesterday nearly killed me! We all put our lights out at 10.0! I was going to meet Buffy after telephoning you, but was too dead.
Am going to see Beryl tonight. Hope it will be more successful than last effort. Rufus is having dinner with her brother at the War Office, so hope to get some news.
Thank you Daddy for news about suit cases. I shall try to get a cheap one I think, it will be so inconvenient otherwise.
I wrote Donald yesterday saying I
expected a very grateful husband!
Lots of love R.
C/o Donald
21/1/43 (blanked out, but seems right)
My darling Mummy and Daddy.
Well we have just sailed a long trip I am thankful to say. We have ----censored ---------------- if you can work that out! The vibration of the engines is really hardly noticeable, but I think we are probably only doing half speed. It is a warm muggy day, with visibility only about a mile. Such a pity, we ought to be able to see the coast where I lived for 8 months last year!! I could wave goodbye to it then.
I feel so sorry for all the troops on board the ship. Its terrible for them. I keep on thinking of Donald going miserably last year, and thinking of him doing all the boat drill etc which we do. We are of course all quite happy going of our own free wills. I am thrilled to think we are on our way at last. We were all on deck, B. deck we live sleep on, we were then on A deck, having boat drill when we sailed, so we all leant over the rail watching the line of buoys slip by.
Have been doing all my washing this am. It is hanging up in my bathroom. Having a wonderful time with handkerchiefs as I have had a cold and catarrh since the day I last saw you, Lindsay has now a stinking cold and cough too. All but my cough and catarrh have gone now though. The view is of course quite invaluable. We are hoping to win an ironing board. The ships electrician was v. nice and fitted it up with a special plug to fit in the fan. Since there are only 4 such plugs on the ships, I think we have done well. Its an old boat ------------------------------------ Censored ----------
Also the fan thing, it wouldn’t work with an ordinary plug, I expect sea air will soon cure my catarrh.
In addition to oranges every night. We have had fresh pineapples in some form twice!! Can get Lux[6] on board and sea soap, all couponless. Two blocks of chocolate a day cigarettes 1/4d for 50! Eno's, Talcum powder etc etc. I have every intention of sending B some Lux for her nappies.
The day is quite unorganised at present. Called 7.0 Breakfast 7.30. Inspection of cabin 9.30. Boat drill 10.0 - 10.30. Lunch 12.0 Dinner 6.0 Lights out 10.0 or 9.30.
We spend all the day at present sitting in our cabin, sewing and talking. We have 3 common A.T.S at our table, ie Nicola Lindsay, Rufus Jean and mine, who sit quite dumb since out conversations get more and more erudite! We have some belonging to another lot, about half again as many as us on board too. You'd hardly believe it, but not one of them has brought a single book. They haven't one book between the whole lot. Honestly can you believe it. We are of course loaded out with books of all sorts. The other ATS are of course causing trouble for us since they have no idea how to behave, their offices too, at least the head one, are a shocking crew. Believe ATS know nothing etc. Well of course theirs don’t. Still our officers are sweet and do all they can to moderate the effect for us.
The new lot from the 3rd course are quite pleasant. They all have London degrees. Were evacuated to Cambridge so we have quite an amount in common. Some of them are rather foolish, but pleasant.
Well think I shall go on with my sewing now. I shall add bits to this letter whenever I feel like writing. Think that is the best. Am keeping a diary, but unfortunately it can't be sent to you, as I don’t see any point in keeping a proper one without putting in details, such as no.s of troops etc.
The boat has now started rocking gently. I got some Mothersill! Have just discovered I can post this in 1 hours time. Am going to write to B. Lots of love to you and everyone.
R
N.B. We haven't got any place yet. Still cold.
Sorry to end this letter so abruptly. ---------- censored ---------------
I don’t know how long, or why, and may post another letter. Do wish we could get going. Have waited so long, I can't waste another day!
I do hope Donald knows by now. Reckon he ought to have got your cable.
C/o Donald,
Barclays D.C.
Date blanked out (censored?) but Jan 1943[7]
(She left Liverpool about 5 Jan for Glasgow and then in convoy).
My Darling Ma and Pa.
I am lying flat on my back on my bunk recovering - I hope - from sea sickness! At any rate I have up to date managed to keep down my lunch, soup, prunes and biscuits and cheese and butter and an orange. The first meal for tap days! Don’t worry, I haven't really felt very ill, just unable to keep anything down, just like car sickness. I am quite all right as long as I lie flat, and occasionally am all right on deck. It was very funny this a.m. at boat drill, which we have at 10.0 every day, there were far more officers (men) unable to attend than ATS. Poor Mrs Player has been invisible from the first. The North? South? West? East? Atlantic, is not recommended for cruising in January anyway.
I must say I spend hours a day hanging over the side. The destroyers decks (previous three words blanked out, but readable, just) are all awash as in the best films. But then or course, so are ours. It really was rough yesterday. Its lovely leaning and watching the ships heaving up and down and the terrific waves. The colour of the water is magnificent, and is covered with white horses and spray everywhere. My face, even on the promenade deck, is encrusted with salt. The wind is high too. We saw a school of porpoises this a.m. and are hoping to see flying fish in a couple of days or so. For the last three days, I have lived between by bunk and the deck ... All entertainments - thank heavens P.T. are off. We have been to a couple of ENSA shows which were quite good.
I am really quite happy lying on my bunk reading and sleeping, there's nowhere to go anyway. The ship is overcrowded. Feel incredibly sorry for the men. Its quite appalling. Occasionally I have a few words with a Sgt or so, many of them are in the Regular and have been this way before and live it.
Before this, I lay and thought of all the things I must read before we go ashore. I have been making lists! Like Bunch. Think I'll send her things to you instead of to King???? in case Peter has been posted.
It makes me cross to think of Donald never being ill. He said all the china and glass smashed etc on their boat as they have on this. I nearly got thrown out of bed, but sleep through most of it. I have got the bottom bunk and it has an arm to keep one in.
I bought some lovely peppermint chocolate at the canteen, I wonder whether I dare eat a piece. Maybe not. I'll have some butterscotch.
I will finish this at a later date, when there is something less sordid than whose ill and who isn't, in the way of news. Poor Lindsay is v. bad.
Saturday
Its getting much warmer now. I've been on deck half the day without a greatcoat, and I've left all my underclothes off days ago. I suppose we shall soon be in tropical kit. Lovely thought.
It really is amazing what a short time it is since I last rang you up. It seems ages. I do hope you are not worrying too much. I know I am going to miss you an awful lot. I've had such a very happy lucky life up to date! I am fundamentally sure, in spite of my top pessimism, that everything will turn out all right. I hate to think how I am going to manage without home. At the moment, I just don’t think about it quite firmly. I feel an awful swine really leaving you. War is awful. It so appals me to think of all those men being taken away from their families, not that I think they mind so very much, but I shall never forget what I felt like when Donald went and how I've missed him. But of course you know what its all like with the last war. Anyway, I'll never forget you.
Have just had dinner and a little constitutional round the deck in the sun etc with Sheelagh - a Girton girl. Very nice. I like her more and more. We slept together at Rhondda. She's so funny and very quiet till you get to know her. She read English, and give me little lectures on what and what not I should read. I feel a bit shy of expressing my rather, I feel, poor taste in poetry and literature to her. She's most interesting. She also seems to know a fair amount about odd religions, another topic which I like to talk about by the hour.
We all went to a party in the Sgts. Mess last night. I was quite shattered. I feel so embarrassed, I don’t know how or what to talk to the men about. To begin with, half the time I can't understand what they say. If I talk normally, it would sound so snobbish. I shan't go again. Oh I did play whist! It reminded me of Nanny. She's a dab hand isn't she?
I'm not a bit bored. We have lots of literature. Daddy, Rufus has a most interesting book I ma reading at the moment, called Science for the Citizen by Hogben. You'd love it. Lots about the stars. I find it very interesting. They also have Penguin books in the canteen. We all planned our literature so carefully that we have a very varied selection of books.
Rufus and Jean are trying to learn a bit of Arabic, I am doing Science for the Citizen etc!
Its amazing how much we all know about each other's families! It will be so odd sometime in the future to meet them knowing all about them.
I'll give you a specimen day to see what I do all the time.
Yesterday, Friday.
Breakfast 7.30-8.15
Deck 8.15-8.45
Do Cabin 8.45-
Inspection of cabin 9.30
Boat Drill 10.0
Deck 10-11.0
Cabin - read. Talk sew write letters etc -12.0
Lunch 12.0
Cabin or deck 12.45-2.0
Pay Parade 2.0
P.T. 2.30 - 3.0
Cabin or Deck 3.30-6.0
Dinner 6.0-6.45
Sgts Mess 7.30-8.30
Deck 8.30-9.30
Bed 9.30
Occasionally in the afternoon we have a lecture, and P.T. 3 times a week, I think and Pay parade only on Fridays. In fact most of the day we do nothing. The main timetable is we are not allowed on deck 11-12 and in the afternoon much as the men do P.T. which will be v. trying in the heat as our cabins are very hot. Also we can only go on half the promenade deck, not the top deck, officers only. Therefore nowhere to sit.
Oh by the way, we have to sleep in our clothes except skirts and ??? and shoes and always carry water bottles and life jackets and haversacks! No alarms yet though, Don’t worry.
It is such a pity I can't tell you where we are or anything. You'd be so interested.
Would you mind sending Donald a letter card or something when you get this? I shan't write to him it wouldn’t be worth it, and I couldn’t possibly cope with having one officer's censor it, its difficult enough writing to you and everyone, although of course its not their fault.
By the way, you'll be delighted to hear I grow more and more like a balloon every day. I must have put on pounds! I've burst completely out of my skirt! I'm delighted! I eat all day, when not eating large meals, I eat chocolate toffee and biscuits and wax fat and contented. Donald will be so pleased too I know. I just can't believe I'm really going to see him again, and every knot is taking me nearer and nearer. It appals me to think of you hating it and Donald longing for it. Oh I do so wish this didn’t have to happen.
Will I don’t really think there's much more at the moment. I could burble incessantly, but I think I'd better write to everyone else for a change.
With lots and lots of love, and I'll always remember you and home and all the things you did for me and made possible for me to do. It seems so odd to think of you going on at home just as usual, and I'm not there. Its awful.
R (signed here by the Censor)
Love to everyone.
Beatta, Ma, Joy, Butters etc. I'll write Nanny and B of course and the Cyrils and Gladys.
P.S.
Mummy I am appalled. I thought I had that picture of Bunch and Peter with me. The Catherine Bell one. It’s a smallish size. Could you send it. It must be with my others somewhere, with our wedding ones I should think probably. Would you, could you have one taken? I would like it. I have one of Daddy. I promise you I'll have one taken in and out of uniform and with and without Donald at the first opportunity in the best photographer in you know where.
How are all the incipient babies. Joan White, Colin and Bunty, Jo Ann Booth?
P.P.S.
Re cash. I not only didn’t spend my £10 but had £2 more! I therefore have now:
£20 travellers cheques
£12 Csh (two fivers)
£32
We are paid 10/- a week on board which more than covers expenses on board such as sweets cigarettes books. I wear this, my pearls, gold pencil and gold bracelet on that chamois leather belt, night and day.
The men and sgts are setting up a brains trust. I represent the A.T.S.!
I am still very worried and fed up about that lovely suit case. Its such a waste. Its maddening. Going to Church now.
176595
CPL Maitland RJL ATS
RQAFF R
C/o APO 4545
On board
Date?
My Darling Ma and Pa,
To set your mind at rest. I am divinely comfortable. In a 2 cabin with Jean (Cambridge too). Rufus and Lindsay connect with us by bathroom. We have running water, hot. In our rooms as well. Its really officers officer's quarters. We also feed in the Officer's Mess! This was all much after the journey which was really shattering.
I was awfully sorry, of course I couldn’t let you know at all that we were off. We had no idea ourselves till a couple of hours before. I do hope you didn’t come up to see me or anything. It would have been so awful if you had arrived and found me gone. I do hope now you will go away and have a decent holiday. Go down to Land's End or somewhere.
I really am incredibly lucky to be going. Its marvellous. I just can't believe too that I am really going to see Donald after all this time. Gosh, we will be so happy and thrilled when he gets your cable. Its certainly going be an experience anyway.
Well I think I shall go to bed and write some more in the a.m.
Next a.m.
Life is trying to get organised. We
are all receiving strict instructions about trying to keep the worst behaved
type of A.T.S. in order! Even if I am a most unmodel A.T.S. I can be trusted
not to do that!
This is so terrible, there is absolutely nothing I can tell you at the
moment. Can't say anything.
I am only allowed to put 3 letters in the envelope to the base censor, so would you let Bunch know for me that I am all right, very comfortable and thrilled to be on my way at long last. I wrote her such a v. fed up letter from the last place, about two days ago, after a full kit parade when all I wanted to was to die quietly.
It sounds terrible to say I am thrilled to be on my way. But I just couldn’t stand all those good-byes, and I know you must have hated it too. Because you know how much you and the Manor House mean to me. Soon, when the first thrill of newness wears off, I guess I shall be very homesick. I don’t know if I ever told you my first Sunday at Colwyn Bay, I suddenly burst into tears all over Donald, who was terribly sweet, realising I was homesick. I didn’t quite understand what was happening at all.
Give lots of love to Nanny, I feel so worried, I hope she won't crack up while I am away. Don’t let Bertie forget me, its me he really likes! And see that the cats don’t loose weight.
Lots of Love R
P.S.
One of the three letters in the envelope I had to write to Donald and the Mathes?
My cheque book did NOT arrive, Could you possibly let the bank know and they could cope and cable or something.
Thank you v much for the Horlicks tablets. They are most useful.
Oh, I have about 4 cheques left.
Use Donald's address or Barclays D.C to await arrival.
Also if you want me, I shall go to the Newton Thompsons if we call there, and the Byrons if we call there. You can cable me if necessary. Donald's change of address or anything.
PPS
We had oranges for dinner last night and WHITE rolls.
Eggs and bacon for breakfast and white rolls and white bread.
They say, the steward does, that we are going to have grapefruit!
C/O Donald
3.2.'43
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Am starting another letter to you though the first one hasn’t yet been posted, as we haven't come to a port. I am struck dumb with my own conduct, I thought you'd like to be struck dumb too. I have taken to having cold showers before breakfast! At least I started this morning. This makes life a little rushed as we have breakfast at 7.30, I naturally get out of bed at 7.29, having got Jean up at 7.25, as she's slower than me. Rufus and Lindsay get up about 7.25 too, and we all rush under the shower in our bathroom in quick succession. Its of course sea water. I can't stand it for long, it makes me laugh so. It tickles. I had one one day when it was rough, and to see me trying to stand in one very wide slippery bath and cope with the shower handle made me quite hysterical, so I had to stop abruptly.
We very theoretically have lights out at 9.30, which makes life rather trying as we can't sleep till at least 11.0, so we either lie and talk, or I retire to the lavatory with a book for an hour. Strike me as being a nonsensical idea. Generally we do what Buff and I used to do way back in my last term at Lawnside when we had a two room at the top of the Grove(?).
Very pleasant surprise yesterday, we are now allowed to go on a deck lower than the promenade deck, that's the one which goes from end to end of the ship, the lowest. We can then get some sun. So I spent all yesterday lying on the deck reading. The congestion is of course terrific. One lies all over the rafts and life saving apparatus of all kinds as well as hatches, masts wash basins and under clothes ??? hung up by the troops, not to mention bodies of every shape and description. I read my geographical journals all the morning and improve my mind. After lunch, one Tommy came up to me very politely, (most amazing) and said would I mind telling him what I was reading, as he had - from boredom - spent all the time trying to make out what it was through a telescope. He took one shattered look, as it was something to do with scurvy and scuttled away!
We have mow taken to having corned beef hash for breakfast, which is a little shattering. In one of Donald's diaries, he said that the food remained based on the weather when we left - I quite agree with him ... Ox tail! in the tropics. But he did say that when the water got short, they stopped having soup twice daily.
The sun now gets up and down like a silly symphony. Its amazing. There are some lovely sunrises and sets though.
Oh, I forgot to say that one gets so little sun on the promenade deck as the lifeboats are strung over the ship in tiers so that they can be let down more quickly in event of the ship going down, so the sun just slants down through the propellers and between them.
Sunday
Have just been ironing 2 shirts, on our ironing board (the bit you pull out of a chest of drawers to write on approximately 9"x24"!) hankies etc that means no far as we plug the iron in there. I have quite given up wearing clothes in the cabin, a towel round my waist sufficeth! Well anything else gets soaked in about 5 minutes. My I recommend ironing in a blacked out ship, within a few degrees of the equator for heat! It makes me roar with laughter to think of me of all people standing with just a towel to absorb one's sweat! Sorry to be so revolting, but it amuses me so much. Don’t run a way with the idea, I don’t like it, I do! I'm enjoying it, its so novel. I have to have at least a clean shirt a day, so I'm always washing and ironing. What would we do without my iron, I hate to think.
We were allowed to go down to the hold this afternoon to get at our other kit bags, so I got out my multi coloured frock to wear as sports kit for 2.0 till 6.0. Very sporting! And my red sandals. It was interesting going down into the bowels of the ship through all the troop decks. Amazing, we descended through the floor of the butcher's shop.
Note added:
Sorry this all had to be cut out, as there was pages about something we apparently can't mention. Hence lack of sense.
(ie the censor removed a part - probably relates to stop at Mombassa)
They hang around all day for pennies and get lots. Still you know the procedure at ports much better than I do. Its all such fun. But I do wish Donald were here, and you weren't all at home in England in such a horrid mess and cold. I feel a bit low too with all the loving couples all strewn about! Not that I wish to emulate them, but it will be nice to have a husband again! It always made me so jealous at home with everyone like Gordon and Marg (Swanson). Still it won't be long now.
I am going up on deck now till bed time - 10.30. The ship isn't blacked out till then in this port, and it is heavenly lights everywhere on the shore and ??? on deck as lights and stars (this part crossed out - censor?)
Yesterday ENSA sang from the boat deck to the troops on the troop deck. I was on the promenade deck in the middle, and they sang some folk songs (the troops I mean) really beautifully. Its all lovely. Its quite cool too. Actually today has been very pleasant, I lay on the deck all the afternoon in my silk frock, and did nothing except for an hour when I went and played Housie Housie (Bingo) with the troops. There's one staff sergeant who follows me everywhere, and produces blankets for me to sit on, cigarettes, drinks etc from nowhere, and tells me all about his wife all the time. They all do at the slightest provocation. I feel so very, very sorry for them all, with me going to Donald and knowing how miserable Donald was to go, and me to be left. (Have just looked at my tummy, a pool has accumulate! Please don’t be horrified! Its so funny, I've never been like this before!). So I sit and listen while everyone tells me about their families, and show me photographs. They're all so plain too.
Oh isn't it perfect, from now on all other ranks including ATS are issued with one bottle of mineral water a day on H.M. Govt! We drink gallons of them.
Am going on deck now for an hour or so. Will continue this later, or rather another day, as it won't be posted for weeks.
After a lapse of 10 days or so.
It has been incredibly hot, and is now getting cool again. So sad. I am wearing your new jersey ma for the first time, over my shirt and drill skirt. Its no warmer than English summer now. I shall never think England warm again.
Lindsay has got engaged. Isn't it terrific? To a man in the same thing as us. He's very nice, and she's a picture of love's young dream. Can't help feeling they ought to meet each other's families before getting married though. I feel awfully old!
There's quite a nice officer on board who was at school in Shanghai during the last war with Francis and Jack. Isn't it incredible! We discover the most amazing things. I have even seen some pictures of his, also Jean, the girl I sleep with, cousin is engaged to the man with whom John Gibson shares a flat!
Have done quite a bit of sun bathing. Rufus, Sheelagh, Jean and I usually sit on the troop deck with some men in the same racket in the afternoon on the rafts. These are thrown off the boat if it sinks (like Noel Coward's film). There's usually some breeze there right in the bows of the ship. Its very hot, and one gets beautifully burnt. I am not very brown really owing to wearing a pith helmet, dark glasses and not being allowed to wear a sun top. Such a pity.
How are you getting on? I was allowed to send 2 EFM cables today. When they will be sent off I don’t know. Hope they won't take too long. Wanted to get a third for Joy's birthday but couldn’t, so sent you and Donald one. Don’t forget, always look carefully at the numbers on the cables. You can nearly always tell the date. I always can. The last two in a block of numbers usually are it.
I do hope you are all right Ma, and have not been ill again. Trust you have been away for your spring holiday. Its so amazing shut up in this ship. I feel completely out of touch, and as though life in England must have stopped where it is when I left. Shall long to get your letters. Am writing a day by day letter for Donald. Hope it will amuse him. Do so wonder whether he will be in khaki or blue when we meet. This is the last sheet of my block of paper, so I think maybe I had better end this letter.
Nearly everyone but me has had gippy tummy due to the heat (Donald has had it once out there). I haven't! I swell with pride! I like the heat.
Have written B. a long letter and the Maitlands. My letter writing has not been so prolific this lot, last time I managed 16, this time so far only about 8. There isn't much really one can say.
I must say I do long for somewhere comfortable to sit, a glass of milk, a decent cup of tea, and some of Mrs Jones's[8] cooking! Everything tastes the same. I drink little but iced water and Eno's!
Don’t please worry about me, honestly I'll do all right. Do wish I could communicate with you more quickly. I miss you so much,
With lots of love, R
Also signed by another - probably the censor.
Telegram:
58 C CW T 600 OVERSEAS 25 FEB
EFM PARKES OAKEN WOLVERHAMPTON
ALL WELL AND SAFE ARE YOU ALL RIGHT PLEASE DON’T WORRY
ROSEMARY MAITLAND.
In pencil, Recd 17 March 43
2 letters as airgrammes relate to this period:
Mrs L. Byron,
Willingdon,
Kloof Natal,
S Africa
28.2.43
Dear Mr Parkes,
You'll be glad to hear that Rosemary, looking very well, and full of the joy of life, had dinner with us today, Sunday. We wished Frances[9] could have been here, so that they could have met, but Frances is in Johannesburg, but Pauline is down on "sick leave" after a period in hospital, so she could tell Rosemary all Frances's latest news. Rosemary seems to have enjoyed every moment of her comparatively quiet life since she left you. She sends you her best love and will write as soon as possible, but I expect you may still have to wait for a letter for a while. Rosemary enjoyed seeing all our flowers and plants in the garden. My husband was here and was delighted to meet Rosemary once more and to hear your health was so much better. He joins me in kind regards to you both.
Yours v. sincerely,
MA Byron (Mrs)
A. Norman Henwood,
3, Eastbourne Rd,
Durban,
March 6th, 1943
Dear Mr and Mrs Parkes,
Last Thursday I heard from Joan and Bunny that Rosemary had been up at their house the previous day, so I rang her up at her hotel and asked her to come and have tea with me in my office that morning,. I had never met her before but we were soon good friends. She is looking very fit and is quite happy and is enjoying Durban. I took her home for lunch and she then met my wife and daughter, Elizabeth. Yesterday she came to lunch again and spent the afternoon here. We were to have played tennis on our own court, but unfortunately rain prevented that. Actually it rained all Friday and Saturday and half of today, but it looks as if it is going to clear-up now. Our summer is nearly over and the days are getting cooler and more pleasant. We do not know where Paul is now, but he has joined his new destroyer HMS--- which was apparently only commission last month, and might not even be at sea yet.
We are all well here and my wife and I are kept very busy on YMCA war work, which is increasing always. It is difficult to get supplies: cups, saucers and plates are just unattainable: we have to use heavy tin cups and plates instead. I suppose you know that Joan and Bunny have another son, born six weeks ago. We saw Joan today and she is quickly getting strong again. We were trying reckon when you were out here: I think it was early 1934 before we got into this house, but I believe it was being built at that time. I hope you are both well : we will look after Rosemary while she's here : I will advaance her some cash if she wants it. Our love to you, sincerely yours Norman
The following 4 short letters are on what appears to be photographically printed paper. They are airgrams.[10]
Mrs DS Maitland,
51 South Ridge Road,
Durban
8.3.43
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Have been meaning to write this for ages. Went up to Bunny and Joan about two days ago. Am very well indeed, the food and fruit is heavenly. Sorry there is one hell of a lot I want to tell you but can't. Our plans are however completely unchanged. Everything is still the same. I have got a job while we are here, sorting men's letters - casualties - and finding their addresses. Wonderful idea! The Henwoods are being sweet to me. Had lunch at Norman's yesterday. Hope you are all right. Have sent baby clothes and 2 food parcels to you. All love R.
Mrs DS Maitland, in transit 11.3.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Well I am still here, and I must say I am enjoying it enormously. If only Donald were here instead of at the other end, waiting. Poor darling. I have cabled ......censored....... Have had several meals with both Norman and Bunny and Joan Henwood and the Brysons - they are all being most sweet. I saw Frances for one day which was v. pleasant. Did you know Joan has just had a baby - boy - James - and was v. ill. He is 5 weeks old. Am living in a hotel on the front. Comfortable. Good food. Working quite hard. 8.20 12.45, 2.14 4.45. Sunday and two afternoons off. Redirecting casualties mail. We are just doing it while we are in transit. Hope it won't be too long before I get there. Lots of love R.
Mrs DS Maitland, in transit 18.3.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Do so wish we could get some letters here. I am longing to hear how life is home. Just finished my day's work, had a bath, am now going out to dinner. To a canteen! They are excellent here. Wonderful food as good as the hotels. It embarrasses me, ma, I corps men who take us out always will pay, and no one can get any more money. Its all I can do to pay for my own cigarettes. Lindsay is engaged to one as I told you. Then there are 2 others v nice who take Rufus and me out. Am longing hourly to hear from Donald. The Henwoods have coped for me. No news yet of how long we are here. Not that I could tell you anyway.
Lots of love to you and everyone R.
Mrs DS Maitland, in transit 19.3.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Have at last managed to borrow a typewriter to write to you though I am afraid you will have to use a magnifying glass to decypher it, though I have seen Donald's to his family and they are pretty good. I thought I would mail several of these together, Making it one long letter.
It really is so lovely here, I shall in all ways but one be sorry to go, the thought of packing again is shattering. It has been raining pretty heavily for the last two days, but seems to be clearing up again. I have never seen anything like the rain, one day we had 6 inches. Ever since I have been away, I have wished I had, a, binoculars, 2, pocket meteorological instruments, and a book on the geography and geology of the country, no one know anything about it, and cares less. There doesn’t seem any way of finding out either. About the only thing I have discovered is which are cannas!(?)
Feel I ought to give you a specimen day of what I generally do all the time. Scramble out of bed dead at about 7.45. We have managed to convince the chamber maid that we, Lindsay, and a girl called Sherry, and I do not like in fact, hate to be called at 6.30, stagger down to a hurried breakfast, egg bacon, toast and marmalade. 8-20, start to work. 8-30, arrive, then we sort the casualties mail and redirect to different hospitals or wherever the people have gone, all the time eating fruit and grapes. Lunch 12-45. Generally not in the hotel as the food is lousy, in one of the numerous pleasant milk bars instead. Then back to work at 2-15, and on till about 4-30. Very often we get let off early, and one afternoon off a week as well as Sat. and the whole of Sunday. Then I usually go back and have a bathe, and surf, and then a bath. We usually find the I.Corps men waiting around for us or on the beach, then we finally go out to dinner, and they catch the 11-40 train back to the camp they are in.
Altogether a very hectic day. We are, I believe not supposed to go out alone at night, and anyway I wouldn’t like to, with all the coloured people and troops in varying stages of alcoholicness about. I have been to one or two flics since I have been here, two to be exact, but mostly we mess about outside, it is so lovely or go and dance someplace. It amuses me beyond all measure to think of myself wandering about with a bunch of privates. The mane who generally looks after me though is very pleasant, tall stringy and blonde, 30, with a wife and was before the war, more or less and idle rich man, who raced cars and motor cycles in between wandering around Europe. He won't .....
Rest missing.
(Probably written between Durban and Mombassa)
My Darling Ma and Pa.
Have discovered that I can post a letter to you tomorrow. I have actually written no less than 20 pages. But unfortunately half the letter hangs on a fact that I can't mention till we get there, so I shall send yours and Bunch's and the Maitlands when we get there, by air mail. So I guess you may even get the letter before you get this.
I am quite comfortable, very hot, and slightly bored and longing for news of you. Mildly worried at the thought of the difficulty in contacting Donald, getting leave etc. but I fail to see how they can refuse me this.
Very sorry to leave Durban, but for seeing Donald and leaving you. It'll be heavenly to arrive, find Donald and read dozens - I hope - of letters. Can't imagine anything nicer, except maybe - but not quite - eating fruit again!
I do hope and pray you're not too worried considering the length of time I have taken to get there. I am now getting rather bored with being on ship I must say, but have enjoyed the whole thing enormously. I do so wish I could think of you enjoying life too. Its so awful to think of you still being at home, and life being so dreary. It is rather awful to think of enjoying war - but till now, when I am getting rather bored I have, and am sure I will, if things work out to plan when I get there.
------censored ------- news, details of life here etc, are in my 20 page effort, and 10 more pages to Bunch, so I will air-mail them when I get there. Hate to think how much they'll cost.
Lots of love to you and to Nanny,
Rosemary.
-------- censored ---------------- the post of
best. More information when we arrive. Don’t know whether we go ashore or not. Do hope so. Would love to see it, knowing how you liked it.[11]
H.M.T. -------
Somewhere in the Indian Ocean.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy.
Back in the land of rigorous blackouts - worst crime in the penal hierarchy, smoking on deck after blackout, carrying life jackets everywhere, + water bottles and bags, lying on one's bunk under the fan wondering whether it is better to sweat and spend a comfortable night in the cabin, or sleep on deck, be stiff in the a.m. and be woken at 6.0. I naturally do former, and sleep from 11.0 till 7.45. The day is so long if you get up too early.
This is a lousy little boat, and believe it or not, all native troops, but for a few officers and Sgts - officers who were once Sgts! Sheelagh's words not mine! Darkest Africa are however quite charming in their way and very clean. They play drums and bugles and are generally rather like that. Their mess decks are miles cleaner and smell much less than those of the Imperial (English) troops on the last ship. Isn't it pathetic. They are not allowed to make much noise, especially after dark for fear of submarines, as sound carries so over water! Poor things, I feel so sorry for them, they are sick as dogs - the boat heaves all over the place, even in this velvet like sea, and don’t understand what is happening at all. They are so tidy too, but have a tendency to wear their greatcoats and lifejackets all the time.
Having darkest Africa instead of Imperial troops has a few advantages. We are allowed on the boat deck and can wear bathing suits from lunch until dinner, providing we walk through the natives properly clad. I am hoping to get quite a lot browner. I have stopped burning thank heaven. We also have a lounge with a few Sgts - about 6 or so, which isn't bad at all. Such a relief after the last ship. We even get tea at 4.0 with pretty reasonable little cakes. Much better tea and coffee this time and food. I am lucky, I am in the second sitting now with the officers, Sgts, ATS and Lindsay and Jean. Breakfast 8.45, lunch 1.15 Tea 4.0 Dinner 7.0. Much more sensible hours. Bed 10.0 Inspection 9.30 - boat drill - as always 10.0. P.T. no more thank god owing to the heat. I therefore sleep nearly all day. All afternoon in the sun anyway. After dinner I sit on deck with Sheelagh and Jean and look at the stars and say how far away they look and pick holes in the people we don’t like. I am sharing a two cabin with Lindsay. I have the top bunk this time. It is more roomy than the last time, though unfortunately - no bathroom or porthole. But we haven't nearly reached the hottest point yet.
Am just dying to see Donald. It will be just incredibly wonderful to have him again after all these months. Its all so unreal. I wonder what he'll look like in khaki and how brown he'll be and how much thinner and what his moustache is like and so many things. We land 1 1 hours by train from him or thereabouts. Am also beginning to worry vaguely about getting leave when I arrive. Still I don’t really see how they can refuse me on such genuinely compassionate grounds. I do hope he'll be pleased to see me. I suppose he will.
I was terribly sorry to leave Durban. Quite shattered. I so enjoyed the few weeks we were there. It was all so dream like and unreal and detached from life, it was very difficult to believe any other world existed. But, of course, for longing for to see Donald, I'd never have wanted to go, and even that feeling was lessened for the time being, it wasn’t quite so urgent, knowing that I would eventually. Mow its only a matter of days. I don’t believe it really, I won't till I see Donald's smile. I've travelled half way round the world to see it! But I have enjoyed it.
Both families of Henwoods were very sweet to me. I was sorry I couldn’t see more of them, but it was such an effort to get there, and then to get back again. They always had to bring me back at night as we were not supposed - or rumour has it - to go out alone at night without a male escort! Not that I would have wanted to at all. The town seethes with troops and sailors of all varieties and stages of sobriety, as well as hundreds of natives. People tend to get knifed if one is not careful and wander into the wrong part of the place. There being few police about nowadays. In fact one night when we were having dinner - as we did some 3 nights a week - in the Free French Club - two ATS Sgts were there, and one wanted to go home before the other and got sent back by some redcaps in a motor cycle to get her friend as they didn’t want her wandering around near the native quarter alone at night. Wonderful place the Free French Club. Really more or less a canteen run for the French by French people, who mostly couldn’t speak English. Dinner 1/-!! A largish quite decent room with about 12 or 15 little tables with checked table cloths. Dinner, soup v. good. Meat v. good and vegetables - all cooked divinely ice cream and fruit salad and/or fresh fruit. The last time we were there I ate a whole pineapple. The fruit salad is of course always fresh fruit - peaches, bananas, grapes, passion fruit, pineapple, apples etc. No better cooking anywhere in the town. We used to dance there too while having dinner to a radio gram, and play ping pong. We used to stay there till it shut and then wander up and down in front of the sea, Oh such lovely warm nights. I always meant to bathe, but Charles never would bathe ??? It was very hot and the sun was out. Incidentally the water was 78° one day I noticed! That is the Indian ocean too! We didn’t often have dinner in the last hotel I was in, in fact I had dinner there twice, and lunch once. The food was lousy. At the hotel we were in for the first few days the food was good. They charged 2/6 for soldiers' dinners! This amused us frightfully, especially as every night Ken and John and Charles had two helpings of every course! Some 5 or 6 in all! Still they never had any food in their camp, too late for breakfast and lunch was lousy. A nice lot of men on the whole. I really found it interesting to know some Privates! Really I mean it! Charles almost talked me round to his point of view, why for 31 years he has refused a commission, there is a subtle dignity in being a private. Especially when we met and fed with some of the officers of the ship who had terrible accents compared with our Oxford or Cambridge ones! And of course in our racket you so the same work anyway.
I wish I cold remember how much of all this I have told you before. Still forgive me if I repeat myself.
The only thing I regret is that there was no-one who knew anything of the country who could tell me anything, and that there wasn’t more time to get around. Still on two of the Sundays we were there I went once 20 miles out to the Byrons and saw some of the hill country and thought it was lovely, and once about 10 miles down the South coast to Amanzintoti. We also went North two or three times out to a place to dance, in the open. A marvellous drive through sugar cane! I always meant to pull a bit off and suck it. We saw the monkeys too. The Norman Henwoods took me round the Burmes Drive .... wonderful views and monkeys ...
Of course the only thing we ever though much about in Durban was the food. Doesn’t it sound awful? But really after England and the ship - where the men were not only badly fed but actually hungry, and so were we part of the time - it was heaven. Jo - the Staff Sgt who shared a bench with me - and I used to eat say 2 lbs of grapes in a.m. and 1 in the afternoon, and I of course ate say 3 2oz bars of chocolate as well. Had a milk shake on the way home. Then a bathe and than the serious question of the day. Who was going to eat where, and when. Then of course immediately we had finished dinner, which we had early - about 7.0, it was nearly time to go and have a drink in one of the numerous milk bars - army drugstores. In fact on one lovely occasion, when Jean and Sheelagh came up from Unkomaas - where the ATS who were working had been sent 30 miles along the South coast - we actually did a milk bar crawl! I wouldn’t like to think how much milk I drank that evening. I think it’s a lovely habit, all these milk bars. They're a thousand times nicer than any in England. They are so much more original etc. I do hope there will be some where we go. I am missing it now.
Darling Mummy and Daddy, I hope you won't think this is too awful a letter to write home. It seems so really, but this life is so detached. The war in Durban, even "up North" as they call the M.E. seems so unreal. It was all more like a gorgeous summer holiday. I felt awful sometimes, lying on the beach in the sun, eating and wandering around, enjoying myself so much, to think of you at home in England, worried to death overworked and underfed - comparatively - though I know you personally aren't. And I'm sure Donald is in a state thinking our plans have all been altered, and he won't see me, or I've been sunk on the way or something. It was all so inconceivable while we were living so happily and comfortably then to think that you could be worrying about me, and that he would be too. Now again I understand that there is a reason to worry! It was so funny the first night ashore, I lit a cigarette in the dark, dropped it in a panic, thinking that I was still on board ship! Oh I do wish you could all have been there too to enjoy it.
I have put on lbs in weight. Even my shoulders are fatter. I hope to heaven I shan't lose it all before I get there. I am eating as much as I can and trying not to sweat it all away! I've never gone up so quickly as I did in the first few weeks. I'm very pleased. Well of course, I've never eaten so much, and rarely enjoyed myself quite so consistently. We had to keep pinching ourselves and saying is this really Africa? I must say I found the African moon very disappointing. Not even as large as it is in England!
But I want to get to the end of our journey now. I am fed up with travelling and unpacking and packing and trying to keep tidy under adverse conditions. This ship too is such a come-down after the last! And it'll be so wonderful to see Donald. Such a change after the other 3 - Ken John and Charles... John is ¼ Spanish, ¼ Italian, and 1 English, name of Romero. The brownest person I ever saw. Otherwise very much like Peter to look at, very irritable unless he slept in the middle of the day, Charles, furious between 5 and the time he started his dinner. They took some coping with. But I liked them, and they were nice to us and took us around. Ken is engaged to Lindsay as I told you. Can't help feeling this is possibly a mistake. I get older and more conservative every day. I feel its so important one should see each other's backgrounds before marrying. They matter so much! - Don’t you approve, Daddy? - But I really mean it. Donald and I interlap so nicely. However, since they are going to a different destination from us, it is unlikely we shall meet again for some time. A pity. I would have liked Donald and Charles to have met. They'd like each other, being mad on cars and both equally good at doing nothing but sleep.
This letter must be very muddled. I do apologise. I was sitting on deck with Jean and Sheelagh gazing at the stars reminiscently and discussing our journey up to date, when I felt the urge to put some of my wandering thoughts on paper. Its now 11.0, Lindsay is sleeping on deck, and I'm lying on my top bunk writing madly, clad in a pair of pants, under the fan. The bunk underneath me feels just like ironing when the clothes are very hot and steaming! Disgusting!
It feels just the end of a holiday of some sort, coming home in the car, half way back. One's mind all in a muddle, thinking half of what's to come and half of what's gone. Well I must stop for the minute. I do hope that this won't be lost or sunk. It’s a masterpiece I think of length, even of nothing else.
Horrors ... I don’t believe I ever told you of the first night we landed in Durban. It was quite perfect.
We went ashore about 4.30. Lindsay, Rufus and I, clad in stockings - silk - ties, drill skirts and tunics, feeling very hot and buttoned up, having to wear heavy shoes apart from all the other clothes (after this first day we went back to open necked short sleeved shirts, skirts and any old shoes) with Charles, Ken and John, looking unbelievably awful in shorts - Charles' are quite the shortest I ever saw on any man and he has v. long rather the thin side legs, and canvas leggings and boots and to crown it, their drill tunics made exactly the same shape as serge ones, button up to the neck, no shoulders. Just fantastically awful. They were supposed to wear long pants, but got away with shorts being I. Corps (Intelligence Corps) the South Africans were awfully funny - they are so amused by the Imperial Troops - English always called Imperial here - the first lot who came ashore apparently were cockneys, early in the war. They wore long pants or v. long knee length shorts with bits buttoned up to let down to their boots at night to protect them from the mosquitoes, these ghastly tunics, and pith helmets! The cockneys were small too, the S.A.'s laughed till they saw how tough they were. Then they stopped. To continue the South Africans wear v. short shorts by the way, and such better they look. I only hope Donald's are short, I hate long ones, and I'm sick of sewing men's up. But I think he said he took 3" off the bottoms). Anyway we didn’t wear pith helmets.
We dashed out of the dock, thrilled to bits. You probably remember the docks are right in the town. We all jumped into rickshaws and said take us to the middle of town. Thy did. We roared with laughter in the funny little carts. Remember you sent B. and me a picture of one once. Then we rushed into the nearest shop and bought 6 bananas, a peach, 2 milk flakes all standing on the pavement with lots of other troops all roaring with laughter. This took another 6 seconds. We then hunted for a taxi, and said take us to the best hotel. We want some tea. We all piled in all over reach other, and landed up at the Edward. You may remember it on the Marine Road. Incidentally we were finally in a hotel only a couple of 100 yards along. There we behaved civilisedly. Ate tea, and I phoned the Brysons. Then we went for s stroll. I went to the snake park. Quite interesting. Then we came back and had a drink and dinner. A very wild and hilarious party, thinking it would be our last all together. Not a bit of it of course, we all met again the next night in the same place. (in pencil My pen would of course run out). It was all such fun after being treated - particularly - the men - as the scum of the earth. All the ship were there of course. Everyone was v. gay. Going back we got a taxi to the docks, but had to walk the rest of the way. Real African rain. I've never enjoyed getting wet before. But everything was fun. We walked through a lake. Had to be on board by 12.0. I hadn't a day patch anywhere. I rang the water out of everything even next morning. You should have seen the bathroom with 8 people's wet clothes - of course the funny part was next a.m. - reveille at 5.0, put on wet clothes, pack and have breakfast and set out for unknown destination! Was I tired by the end of the day or was I!?
Well anyway I am tired now good night 11.30 pm.
Next A.M.
I am afraid this letter is definitely Africa from the Troops point of view. It ought to be from the geographer's I know, but every time I got interested somebody sat on me! Very pathetic.
Have just had a v. pleasant lecture on all these native troops from the military point of view. They seem quite charming if completely without intellect. Anyway quite harmless though I would much rather be in a lifeboat with Imperial troops.
I am afraid I had to get some more money from the Henwoods while I was there £10. Lindsay and Rufus were idiots ad left the country with very little, so I am afraid I lent them some. I know that you will disapprove strongly of me doing this, but I will get it cabled back when we get there, and what else could I do? We were there so long and there was so much one could buy. B's baby clothes to begin with cost £3-15. I was a bit shaken when I discovered I couldn’t send more than £2 worth out of the country, so I faked the label. I wish I could have sent you more food parcels, but they were terribly expensive, 2lbs of sugar and 2 lbs of fruit 6/9 ... scandalous. They had to be sent from shops and they profiteer terribly. The trouble is to get the stuff packed. They have no tins or bottles of any sort or paper. Much worse off than we are. I sent you 2, both sugar and fruit. There is no tinned butter for reasons stated above. B&P one, the Maitlands and the Waddells. Also B. some baby clothes, and odd assortment of stuff for her birthday. The shops on the whole were bad. But of course the one thing we all bought till we were flat broke was food.
Oddly enough we hardly spent a penny on drink of any sort. The bars all close at 8.0. The gin is terrible stuff, undrinkable and South African wines too sweet. We had some the first night, and once we bought a bottle of gin and french and had a party, the eight of us, but it wasn’t very good. Lindsay and I the last morning found the remains in the bottom of the wardrobe and drank it. It helped enormously carrying our equipment. For quite half an hour we only fumbled occasionally instead of all the time! However the very slight effect wore off all too soon.
Norman gave me the cash, and the address of their financial agent in London. It is W.J. Jacksons Messrs Allen, Baldry, Holman and Best, 36 Broad St, London EC1. He offered it me before I asked! I knew as a matter of fact that we were leaving some days before we did, and so went and got it, I've therefore got some money as I didn’t want to be without any, and still have £10 on me. Everyone was walking round Durban bemoaning the fact they didn’t know we were going to be there several weeks and hadn't brought more cash.
I am just dripping with heat and steadily getting hotter. We are going into the heat of course. The eternal battle of ironing shirts has started again. I slept on deck for the first time last night, on the boat deck, on a ground sheet and blanket, in a pair of pants and my tropical khaki jersey, wrapped in a sheet. It wasn’t very comfortable, and we had to get up at 6.30, and so I slept in my cabin for another 11 hours. But its v. hot in one's cabin. I don’t mind the hardness but its so light. The moon shone right in my face. As a matter of fact I find a bathing suit better than anything to wear. It absorbs the superfluous moisture! I spend all my money in this ship drinking iced orange lemon and even lime!
It will be odd and nice when we arrive to get some news of you. Oh I do hope you're all right and not too worried. I hope to heaven there will be some newish news of you, not months old. I can't get over the thought that you are still living the same life as when I left, when so much has happened to me. The thing I want to do now, is to come back, via the Mediterranean, as an officer's wife with Donald, in a troop ship, or fly!
Poor old Lindsay and Rufus, I feel so sorry for them, Ken and John are on another ship next door to us, and going elsewhere. It is bad luck. A much nicer looking ship than ours too.
Well I think I am going to try and write a few other letters. I do hope you will be able to plough through all this. At any rate, Daddy, I've enjoyed life so far, whatever happens!
With lots and lots of love, I'm still thinking about you all.
P.S. Unfortunately I can't send you a cheque at the moment, because brilliantly they managed to leave all our papers behind in Durban, including Donald's letters. I'm quite shattered. I couldn’t bear to lose them. I think they'll arrive in time though. So I have no letters of any sort or papers or books with me. Not ?? ?? ?? much. Mine are in wooden cases. There is one hell of a row going on about it.
P.P.S. Lindsay suggests
a) I send this tied up as a parcel!
b) newspaper rate!
I think its quite the longest letter I ever wrote.
I am tickled to death, one of the other ATS officers, quite a nice little thing, asked me if I liked the heat because I always looked so much cooler than anyone else! Still I do try to look cool. I hate sweating women.
The smallest Malay rabbit
Deplores this stupid habit
But mad dogs and Englishmen lie out in the noonday sun ...
i.e. troops (with apologies to Noel Coward)
P.P.P.S. I ate on an average in Durban 3 eggs a day. I've never been healthier or had a better complexion. Sometimes of course I ate more, usually one or 2 for breakfast, one or two for lunch and one or two for dinner!
I can't say anything of the South Africans, only that those who weren't for us were against us. It wouldn’t get through the censor.
My darling Ma and Pa. Its all right, I'm here and Donald's here and everything is wonderful. Oh its marvellous. Must begin from the beginning .... We docked somewhere around 11.0 and were ashore by 12.0 and went to a transit camp for a couple of nights, under canvas. Promptly asked the adjutant, a Captain, if I could ring up Ismailia, I couldn’t as it was only a military line, but her did, and Donald wasn’t in, so he left a message. Oh I was so relieved, I thought he might have been posted. Donald came right over, its about 60, miles. He didn’t arrive till after 7.0. I was in a panic by then, thinking he wasn’t coming, but the car went seriously wrong in passing. He borrowed it. It was just heavenly seeing him again. Of course it was just the same, we might never have been parted. I thought I'd be shy, but I wasn’t. I then went and asked for a sleeping out pass, couldn’t get one. Not allowed in transit camps. The adjutant was an angel though, and the permanent ATS Sergeant here. They said nonsense, of course I must sleep out, they'd check me in, and say I was in bed and all the rest of it, and let me know in the morning if I was wanted to move off early. We had such a funny night. There were no beds to be had in Suez, so Donald slept at the YWCA, just by the camp and a v. nice place, run by a female who came out in the same ship as me. He had to sleep in a tent! The first time since he's been out here, so I slept there too. It was just wonderful. He's thrilled to bits because I'm so fat. I've put on no less than 2 inches round my chest, 1 inch round my waist 1 round hips, and an enormous spare tyre. I'm fatter all over. Donald's quite a lot thinner. I like his moustache. He looked so beautifully shaggy, in a battle dress top and shorts! Its wonderful and marvellous to think that within 8 hours of landing we've got together. He hopes to get a week's leave on Monday, and I'm going to try to do. I think I should be able to manage it all right. We are going to stay at the United Services Club in Ismailia. Its much nicer than being in Cairo all the while. Donald is going to cable home to you for me. I shall cable as soon as I know my permanent address. Oh I'm so happy. Everyone was v. sweet, and everyone got thoroughly emotional when Donald walked in. But its so silly, we might never have left each other. The transit camp isn't really, considering. At lunch, 1 hour after we arrived, we got letters! I was thrilled. Some from you both, all dated quite lately, the end of March, and then Donald brought me some more along. Daddy, it was so lovely, the way you addressed letters to Donald, and he said when he opened them, they all begin - Darling - so he knew they for me! I am so glad you went down to Cornwall. Mummy, I think you muttered something vaguely about Tregenne? Castle. You know your description of spring made me feel v. homesick. It sounds so lovely, and so different from this fantastically barren place. But of course you know just what Suez is like, having been there, or rather through it. The whole town looks as though it had been in an air raid. I shall have to write it all on a series of airgraphs. I can only get one of these a week, so don’t expect more than one a week! I shall try to borrow Donald's typewriter while we are on leave, and type out some letters to you. I do hope my writing won't be too bad. This is not answering your letters of anything I know, but I know you will be so relieved to think that within so short a time of landing Donald and I are together again. Its so wonderful. We leave here, I hope, for our final destination, tomorrow. I want to get settled in and find what's to do, and get some leave and really see Donald. Lot of love R.
My darling Mummy and Daddy,
Went to see Desert Victory in Cairo last night. Have you seen it yet in England? I think it is really marvellous. It all seems so very much more real out here. The 8th Army and all the other things - RAF and Navy certainly deserves every scrap or praise and more that it gets. Of course nearly everyone one meets has been up in the desert for anything up to 3 years. What a life. Actually from an army ration point of view, we are in the desert, and the officers - not us of course (!) get hardship allowance. We are some 300 yds outside the ?? day I believe!
26:IV:43 Easter Monday.
I hope you have had a Happy Easter. It feels so odd out here to think of you in England. I am writing on my balcony at present looking out over the desert, and some Egyptians have stuck some coloured umbrellas I the sand and seem to be having a picnic! I do hope these letter cards are coming through fairly regularly. You see I give or send them to Donald instead of having Mrs Player censor them. We are of course only allowed one week, but he bought a bundle of them! He came up on Wednesday lunch time and stayed till Friday a.m. It was heavenly. He has just been posted and has gone to a place about 20 miles from where he was before. Still the same distance from me. He was waiting for his posting to come through and so took a day off. Heavenly to have him for more than 12 hours, our longest time till then! He comes by air of course and returns the same way, so it is quite quick, and all he needs is to leave at tea time and go back at breakfast time next day! He is coming up on Sat. night this week. We had dinner at the Continental on Wed. and met some people Donald knew at Aboukir. Nice men and then went to a cabaret. Donald now has a theory that he likes dinner at 10 p.m.! He always did prefer it at 9.0, but he's got worse! I do too really in the heat. Like Bertie! We went to the Gezira Club on Thursday afternoon, a lovely place. You of course know it. Very funny, when signing the register, the man suddenly said was I an O.R.[12]? I gaped and said yes, and he said I couldn’t go in. Donald went scarlet with fury, and we stalked out, and suddenly there was a rush of people behind us apologising and saying they didn’t know I was Donald's wife! So in we went! We bathed and had tea there. We met one of Donald's greatest school friends[13], who went straight into the RAF. Now a wing co. with DFC and bar, and another Wing Co. DSO, DFC. We felt exalted! We just went to bed early that night. Oh we did go and have drinks in a Sq. Leader and his wife who live in Heliopolis. I only had the afternoon off, and had to work in the a.m. One has two afternoons or one whole day off a week. I think it might be nice to see the Pyramids next Sunday. Donald hasn’t been yet. I am longing to go to all these places. But there's so little time. But I suppose there will be plenty!
I had your cable about three days ago, thank you. I am distressed about B's birthday. We arrived just before it, and Donald said he'd cable for me, as I couldn’t and then forgot. I have also had a letter card ma from you of April 4. So glad to get it. I long to get masses of mail. Up to date I have had from you, the airgraph 3:IV, 16:III, two letter-cards Feb 16 March 10. From you Daddy, airgraph, 11 March (thank you incidentally for magnifying glass and paper when they arrive!) Letter cards March 30 and 20. A letter card from Nanny and the Maitlands and 2 airgraphs from Bunch. An airmail Daddy written on your ??? 6 Feb. Am so glad to hear you are being god-father to Joan White's child Daddy! What a collection of godchildren we have. I think about you so much, and can imagine everything you are doing. So glad the spring was nice. I do hope you're not worrying, I'm all right. But miss you and home. Mummy, I do hope you're all right. Love to you all and to Nanny, I sent her an airgraph 2 days ago. R.
No 4 Cpl Maitland ATS
5.I.S.
3:V:'43 C/o M.I.8, MEF
My Darling Ma & Pa,
I have changed my address as you will see! But its all right not my location or anything. Don’t worry, stuff addressed to the previous one will still get here. Donald has also moved some 20 miles to a place called <censored>[14]. Get out the Encyclopaedia Britannica atlas and look up a map of the canal zone! It’s a pretty lousy place, and he has to live in a tent. He assures me he will be quite comfortable he is organising furniture for it, and gets an extra 2/- a day! This money is quite worth it! I wouldn’t think so. Incidentally, the pumping machine has got bust or something, and so he hadn't been able to have more than a lick and promise type of wash for a week! He is going to lend me his typewriter, so very soon you won't be burdened any longer with my appalling writing. He came over on Saturday in a staff car! His C.O. come up to him on Friday and said would he like to go to Heli on Sat. as he was going. The C.O. knowing I am here! Donald went back on Sunday afternoon then managed to get a lift in an American transport plane near to where he wanted to go. One can get an infinite variety of transport in this place. He brought with him masses of mail for me. It was lovely. Nothing from you unfortunately Ma. An airmail letter of 27 Feb and an ordinary one of 26 Jan, a letter card 15 April, from you Daddy and one from Peggy, and one from his mother to him of April 18th! They had been forwarded from where he was before. I was most interested to hear you were at the Edward in Durban, we were at the Louis. About 250 yards to the right, still on the Marine Parade. We went to the Edward for dinner a few times, when we were better off. I guessed you stayed there. One was written on your wedding anniversary. I thought of you then, two days after we landed here. Glad to here FRF10[15] is going strong. You had just been up to Wales for the H.G. I am rather pleased to hear that you have got another ATA female, I do hope she is nice. It will be less lonely for you being all by yourself when Daddy is away or out. I am simply appalled to hear that you have had this form of pneumonia twice. I'd no idea. I thought it was bronchitis. Do try to be careful and eat. I was very pleased to see in the paper the milk ration has gone up to 4 pints per head per week. The diseases one can collect in this climate rather appal me. Donald is getting a weeks leave on May 21. He hasn’t had any since September. Only one week in nearly 18 months! I think I will be able to fix it. We are going to Alex. May is the hottest month here. Its very hot now. But nothing like as bad as coming up the East coast. At least it’s dry heat. Went into Cairo this pm to try on some khaki drill I am having made. I saw some of the scent Bunch likes in a window. So I rushed in madly thinking I must send it to her. I know in England that sized bottle is 31 guineas. I nearly fainted. It was £16! So I fear she won't get any! Please tell her I tried! Everything is like that out here though. I am going into the Muski (spelling: anyway the bazaar) to buy some linen to have made into a suit on Sunday as it is £1 a yard in the shops. I sent you off a parcel this week. Afraid I can't send sugar, except icing as its rationed. I ought to be able to come by some through the NAAFI. I shall try. Was pleased to have a cable from you this week to say the first parcel has arrived. I sent you 2 food parcels, one in Feb, one in March B. one in Feb, also Carol Ann's clothes, and another of oddments of nail varnish etc. Hope to heaven you are not having a lousy summer after the heavenly spring. Oodles of love R.
PS parcel of magazines. Thank you v. much.
No 8
Last one 3:V:'43
7:V:'43
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Am so thrilled I have just got a week's leave, beginning a fortnight tomorrow, May 22. Donald and I going to Alex for the week. I think we are staying at the Windsor Hotel. Won't it be terrific. Have been longing for this for so long. Donald hasn’t had any leave since last Sept and then only one week since he's been out here. Had an airgraph from you yesterday Daddy and one from Joy, dated Arpril 22, No 9. Incidentally letter cards are the quickest. Your writing is amazingly easy to read. Its all right. Donald and I have discussed the question of me distracting him from his work, and he promised he wouldn’t allow me to. He just has a day off a week, the whole place closes down, and he comes over to see me on that day, and doesn’t miss anything. He's amazingly hard working compared with all the GHQ staff out here who appear to do nothing practically. Work from 8.30 - 1 and 5.30 til 8.0 or earlier. He works all day until 8.0 or thereabouts. Mummy I am feeling rather worried, I seem to be getting Daddy's letters very well but not yours. I think this is because his have nearly all gone c/o Donald. It has helped. My letters have come through much better than anyone else's. Bertie had just been plucked. Sorry to hear he's so fat! Must tell you this, yesterday I walked out of the place where I work straight into a herd of goats led by two donkeys and some dogs and preceded by a woman. She pushed them into a field. I then got a shock, because of course the field was not grass but sand, just a bit of desert wired off. I was very shaken. Am looking forward to going up to Alex right through the delta. Am not doing anything in the way of sight seeing at the minute as its terribly hot and all flies. The flies are terrible. I must say England's going up and up in my estimation! And the Manor Ho garden. Do write to me lots. I long for letters. At the minute I am mildly worried by your letters Ma but I think they will turn up, as most people have hardly had any yet from the APO address. They all come through in time, and also I so want to know where Peter is. Haven't had anything from Bunch dated later than the end of March. Yes Daddy I should love anything in the literature line. Books here are difficult to get and v. expensive and there are no libraries. Re Cash. Daddy, I am quite OK now as I have the £100 credit, But have you not had my letter telling you that I had to get £10 from the Henwoods in Durban? I am afraid therefore owe you £10. Oh of course I had to send it ordinary mail as it was written on ship. I knew when we were sailing and therefore got some money so that O would have some when we landed. I was glad I did as we were in port[16] for a couple of days, and it was a week before I could get to the bank. Donald is not going to give me an allowance. I said I would prefer not, then he can pay everything when he comes down for the weekend and all that sort of thing, also save, and also an occasional garment or two for me. He is coming down tomorrow for the weekend, or rather night. I am having the day off on Sunday too. The first time I have been able to have the whole day with him. I think we will go to the Gezira club and bathe and have lunch. Its pleasant there. How is Nanny? Will give him this tomorrow to sign. Oodles of love. R.
Last one 7:V:'43
17:V:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am afraid I haven't written to you for about a week, as immediately after I wrote to you I was whisked into hospital. I didn’t think much of this to say the least of it and guessed you wouldn’t either, so forsook letter writing completely. Its all right, nothing whatsoever really wrong with me, merely laryngitis or tonsillitis don’t know which. I'd got over tit nearly by the time I got here. I am hoping to clear out today or tomorrow. They keep you ages with nothing wrong with you. I was taken to hospital as we have had several cases of diphtheria, and anyone with anything wrong is immediately isolated. Donald was with his M.O.[17] fortunately at the time he got my phone message to say I was in hospital with suspected Diphtheria. The M.O. told him it was pretty nearly impossible for me to get it as I have been injected. No one I know very well has it. Don’t worry, I won't get it. Thank goodness I was injected. Apparently everyone for the first month or two gets something, and then gets acclimatised. I was of course in a flat spin with a weeks leave coming off this Saturday. After waiting all these years, well 16 months!, to spend a week with Donald, to lose it at the last minute. Mrs Player came in to see me, and said the officers were all worried too for some reason! Donald dashed over the next day to see me for an hour, came in a Halifax[18] and went back in a DC3 (American transport plane!). It cheered me up no end. I am in the military families Hospital in Abbassis[19]. In a lovely room with 5 other females. 3 ATS, one South African and one English girl - a Sgts wife. I am very fortunately with another girl I like very much, Betty Haworth. Her father was in the Indian Political. She had sand fly fever. We are both up and about now, and wander round Abbassis. I feel terrible being in here. I've done no work practically since we arrived and they keep me here with nothing wrong with me. The sisters are very nice and kind though. Last week-end when Donald came over, I was so pleased he brought me some letters from you, a letter card Mummy dated about April 12. Took rather a long time. You had just had lots of airgraphs from Durban. I do hope you will be getting these fairly well now. They are delayed I know with Donald doing the censoring. Having to be forwarded to him. Then I wrote you a long sea mail letter - 20 pages of air mail paper on the last ship coming up. You should get that in a month or 6 weeks. Letter cards are much the best and nicest way of writing. But airgraphs always get there if you want to send anything special. They are reprinted if sunk or shot down. I didn’t buy a suitcase in Durban. Donald bought me a very large zip bag when we got here - camel hide. Very useful and nice. Fancy Sheelagh Jenks coming home after all. Do give her my love. They will be almost grown up - the children I mean - I do hope you have been and stayed with the Maitlands, they would be so pleased. They really have been very sweet to me I think. They write to me a lot to me too. Naturally all the onus of letter writing has now descended on me. Donald! Delighted! SO glad you like the ATA[20] girl. It must be more cheerful having her. I do hope that Bunch and/or Peter are somewhere around. I do hate to think of you both at home with both of us miles away. You’ve no idea how Donald and I long to come home! Everyone here does. Everyone hates this place. Try and keep well Ma. I am just longing for leave in Alex at this minute. It will be heaven. Must get up now. We are woken at 6.0!! Horrors. But Donald begins work at 5.0 and finishes about 5.0, Isn't it awful. Oodles of love
Donald is censoring all my letters. So they will be a few days late.
No 7 (No 8 since arriving)
17:V:'43
My Darling Ma and Pa,
Wasn’t it lovely, Donald had to come up here on a job yesterday, or rather he came last night, and did the job this a.m. and has now gone back again. We stayed in Heliopolis Home Hotel which is really quite nice, and near for what he had to do. It is just wonderful to think he can pop over like this. He had to see his boss who works here! He arrived at 6.0 or so and collected me from where I work to tell me he had come, we had dinner and went to a dance which this unit was holding along with others. I enjoyed showing him off no end. I can ring him up too!! He hopes to be able to come over to see me on my day off next Wednesday. Just think, he often has to come over here to do some work, well I mean fairly often. He bought me 11 yards of the most beautiful drill to have made up into skirts and things. Joy, we are to wear bush tunics, ie long sleeved things, with big pockets, no shirt, open neck things - South African pattern, and discard those vile tunics. We get and issue of 3 each.
I hope you get the cables. I asked Donald to send you all right. He sent one to the Maitlands too he says. I sent you one yesterday from Cairo. They are rather awkward to send as you have to go into Cairo to do it, and by the way I am stationed exactly where I was told I should be wayback last June!
We arrived here the day before yesterday. Having had to get up at 4.30 a.m.!! I was quite dead. However we were well fed when we arrived and went to bed after lunch. That was Thursday 15. Today is Sat. Then yesterday we started work. I am eventually going to be able to do exactly what I did in England. I am so pleased. This place I think will be more interesting than England, as we know all here, instead of only half as we did then! I do like to know everything. We work 8.30 - 1.0 with 10.30-11.0 off, and 5.45 till 8.0. Get a day off a week, or rather two half days. I am hoping to be able to get compassionate leave in a week or two, when our C.O comes back. But I can't till then. I am sure they will give it me, everyone here is pretty pro husbands! We are hoping to go to Alex for a week or 10 days. We have been told in so many words 1) not to know too much, 2) not to work to hard in case the men think they are superfluous! I must say I agree with Donald about this country. He always refers to it as this b- country! (apologies). But really we are in a block of new flats, all stone, in the best quarter, and the officers have a house, new, both unfurnished, and even so, 2 officers and 3 o.r.'s had lousy beds the first night!! This I think is the end. We have bought relays of Keetings powder. I now view everything with suspicion. Mrs Player is coping magnificently. But really they're insects everywhere. Though this room at the moment looks spotless, I view it with suspicion! Sorry about the above, but we are all shattered! However don’t worry, with creosote and Keatings, I trust I shall not be plagued. Jean and I have a v. nice room, with a balcony. We are right on the edge of the desert, and work only 5 minutes away. We are v. lucky. We are about the only people who are living in buildings. The WAAF officers all live in tents! So do all the men!
I am missing you a hell of a lot. I feel lost and lonely in this country really. You’ve no idea how far away home seems. Its awful, I do mean this. I just don’t know how all these people manage, they haven't Donald, and he's being terrific, he's thought of absolutely everything. But we shall both long to come again I do assure you! Do take care of yourselves. I'll be all right, as long as I can keep insects away.
I am tickled to death, I have found some baby wool. Will send, 1 lb at a time, lessens the risk. Its terribly expensive here, I shall be broke in no time at all. Everything is at least 50% more than England now. All love R
No 7 Last one 17:V:'43
20:V:'43
Mt Darlings,
Am being very naughty and writing to you when I should be working, but I really am so thrilled. I had 5 letters yesterday and 3 today from you, and I'm going on 9 days leave tomorrow! You’ve no idea - or rather I think you have - what a terrific thrill it is getting letters. I'm wildly excited. I had 3 airgraphs from Bunch and one from you Ma of 5 May yesterday and a letter from Joy, and today, a letter card of 26 April from you Mummy and one from Nanny of April 24. Am so very, very pleased to hear that you are really looking better. I have been awfully worried about you. I love hearing all about Carol Ann. She is wonderful. I can just imagine her cooing all the way down from Scotland! She is a wonderful baby. I am simply longing to see her again. Am relieved to here all the parcels I sent from Durban have arrived safely. I should have been disappointed of they had been sunk. I always wanted Carol Ann to have one of those camel hair bags. You and Daddy are running true to type as the adoring grandparents ??? Yes I certainly did think of you on Easter Sunday. I went to Church here in the middle of the buildings with Lindsay. You’ve no idea how much I miss you too and long to come home. But I must say, I really think it has made a lot of difference to Donald an me coming out. Its pathetic the way all the men here, who've been away anything from 3 months to 5 years long for their families. From the highest red tabs to the lowest Tommies. I am just living for this leave we are having tomorrow. Donald is leaving after work tomorrow. We are staying the night in Heliopolis and going to Alex on Saturday morning till the following Sunday. We are going to sail and bathe all day and talk to our hearts content. Just have a nice quiet time. Tonight I am in a quiz team - a vague brains trust. Corporals v. officers (army and ATS). I am always being to something like this. This station is eternally organising entertainments! I like quiz things. I have been in one other, and also a debate. Next thing on my list is a poetry reading! Quite public spirited for once in my life! Just had a very fat tea at the home made cake shop in <censor>. I feed a lot there. Lovely fresh cakes and delicious tea. I had 3 strawberry tarts and one banana one! For the sum of 1/6. (Plus tea I mean). It’s a lovely little place. I have tea nearly every day with someone or other of the ATS. You see we don’t work between lunch and 5 or 5.30. So pleased to hear Bill Jenks family have landed safely at last. How very unfortunate about Dr McGeoch. I don’t seem to have heard form you Daddy for a week or two. Its funny the way the letters come in batches. First of all I had all letters from you and none from Mummy, now the reverse. Donald may of course may bring me some tomorrow. Very relieved to hear about Peter. I have been worried ever since I left what would happen to him after the school closed in Scotland. Bunch must be pleased. Well I must do some work. With lots and lots of love and thanks you for all letters. R.
31:V:43
Darling Mummy and Daddy, I am typing this during break one day in the office. I have managed to borrow it for half an hour; it is a very rum old machine, French, and has all punctuation in different places, so you will have to excuse it a bit. Came back from the most heavenly eight days leave in Alex yesterday, so am feeling very flat and dreary now. It seems such ages before Donald and I will be able to spend more than one day together, six months or so, its dreadful. Still we did have a wonderful time. I have been dreadful and haven't written to you or anyone, else or done anything for over a week. We always going to, but somehow it never quite worked. Donald came over here on the Friday night, and we stayed at Heliopolis House till Saturday and then caught the 12-0 train to Alex. We had a v. good journey, and went Pullman! We sat near a couple of Naval officers, and of course finally had a drink with them. and discovered that they were very nice and spent a good part of our leave with them. They were in Alex temporarily; We stayed at the best hotel in Alex. right on the bay. We had a balcony over the bay; We were in a bit of a panic when we went. as Donald had written about three weeks before for rooms and the letter had got lost in the post, it is beyond all dreams unreliable and slow in this country; But Alex was fairly empty as it is out "of bounds to nearly everyone at present. so we had no trouble, and drove straight to the Cecil; I love Alex. it is so much nicer, very few Wogs, flies and other insects; We did nothing at all during the week except laze around; It was just perfect; We went over to Abu Qir four times and took out the Chickadee. The boat Donald used to own; It is a 16 foot affair, very nice and quite speedy; We raced all over the bay. and went out to various islands to bathe; So lovely; We both got incredibly brown. I never knew I could go such a colour. I am miles browner than I ever was coming out; I suppose that it is the wind. It is windy there. I have never sailed out in the open sea and bays before. My goodness I got quite frightened tearing up and down the waves and getting so wet! I must say Donald is rather good. On one momentous occasion the second time we went out, he was jibing (jibbing) talking to me at the same time, and over we went and got tipped in the drink. It was remarkably funny. I never knew it was so easy to overturn. or so little trouble when one did. We lost nothing but a bit of the floor board and my bathing cap; Fortunately I had only a cotton frock on and so was quite dry again in an hour; We were close in to shore. Another day one of the naval lieuts took us out in a dingy in Alex harbour; It was quite rough and gusty, and in the harbour you just never knew where the wind is coming from next. and it was a minute boat; We even shipped water to windward. It was most interesting we sailed all round ad looked at all the naval and merchantmen in dock or anchored:
We really did have a wonderful time though; It all seems like a dream now that I am back at work again; Don't know whenever we shall afford to go on leave again either; We were not a bit extravagant either, but the trouble is that you just have to stay in the best hotels or else they are lousy, and one could pick up anything; Donald had been saving up for months though. It was so lovely not being an ATS for a whole week. Of course now I have come back, I have discovered that an order has come out to say that ATS may wear civilian clothes on a week's leave. Previously we were never allowed to, whatever rank, of course nurses, WAAF and WRNS could. Naturally I do too. But now I shall when Donald comes up for the night here. I really look so silly in uniform. Still Donald says that I manage to look more unmilitary than anyone he has ever seen, I mean without being untidy. I can't believe that Alex ever happened, it is like a wonderful dream. We as usual met masses of people we knew. One man who was at Trinity, a friend of Peter's, a female in ENSA I knew on the boat, and lots of men Donald has known out here. Donald took a few photographs of me, if they should come out all right, I will send you them. The food was not inspiring compared with pre-war England. But I must say, I almost enjoyed the tea we had on one naval ship more than anything, real butter, and white bread! The bread here is very rum, almost unleavened, and the butter issued to the army and troops, inedible. I usually buy a pound, quite nice stuff, rather like cream cheese. The navy always does itself proud. After we had been very wet sailing, they gave us tots of rum to warm us. I can't even bear the smell of rum, but I think naval rum must be different, this tasted mush nicer, I was sorry I refused some, and just tasted Donald's! Did I tell you how cheered I was when I got back to find masses of letters from you all, up to May 20. Shall answer then in my next! Oodles of love,
176595 CPL MAITLAND
No 9 M.I.8.
M.E.F.
Darling Mummy and Daddy,
When I came in this morning I found some magazines Ideal Home and Woman's Journal. Thank you v. much. It is lovely to have them. Could you send me Punch do you. think, as I don't see that at all. There don't seem to be any libraries in this country which is very annoying; I still haven't got all your letters with me to answer which is annoying. The point is that sometimes at work I can come by a typewriter for half an hour. and knowing the trouble you have in reading my letters. I always seize it; This is the French one to-day, hence the peculiar punctuation. I have been typing some reports I do all the morning. and so am rather key dazy. They are a hell of a job. As everyone does their stuff like that very amateurishly on typewriters there is always a queue waiting for them. I had an airgraph from you the day before yesterday Mummy of 24. I think they are, getting much quicker, it does make such a difference. How awful for Betty James having jaundice. I do hope the child hasn't got it too. I will write to her and Joan Tabrum. Nice name Timothy.
You'd hardly believe what I did yesterday. I SOLD FLAGS! In Cairo, in one cinema and in Groppis. an enormous and very famous tea shop; It was for the British War Fund. One civilian girl of some nationality, any kind and one uniform mail of female to a tray. I was with quite a pleasant girl. half English half French, she certainly could sell flags, we only had a couple of hours, but we made a small fortune. Of course we got very nearly all the money from the troops themselves, we had a whole large box stuffed with money, and one of my large side pockets stuffed with notes which we couldn't get in. This not quite so wealthy as it sounds, as you know all coinage over the value of a shilling here is in note form! Then we went to Gezira and had some refreshments and saw a variety show. given mostly by the E.N.S.A. people who were on the boat with us. So we slipped round the back of the tents and talked to them. (It was out of doors as usual). Then we were brought home in a bus about 12-15. I really rather enjoyed it, About four of us volunteered to do it. The only draw back is. of course that all troops expect a date in return for buying a flag! I don't ever go out with anyone though unless they should happen to be friends of Donald's or something. It is too complicated, and anyway I would be bored to death! P.S. troops includes all ranks! Even worse! One lovely thing one of the naval Lieuts we met on leave said was: how nice it was to see an English married couple, and how lovely and clean my hair looked! You know these Wogs and Greeks and things never seem to wash theirs at all! One does get told the oddest things. I think I shall have the afternoon off to-day. I haven't had either of my two this week, I want to wash and iron some undies. I never send my nice ones to the dhobi, though my private one did wash my old hankies white this week to my extreme surprise. It is trying as we hardly have any hot water. Donald will be coming over next Sat. which will be lovely. It seems so long since we were on leave. We have decided to go to Luxor for our next, and take some interest in the archaeological remains! It will be cool enough I think by then. It is so hot now here you can't really go out. I just wilt. You've no idea how lovely your letters sounded all about the lilies and the lilac. Why are the lilies bad this year? Is it lack of manure? I do hope they will recover. Are Bunch and Carol Ann still at home? You must love having them. I do hope it is still good weather and then the child can be played with outside. When does she start talking? I am so ignorant about ages I am afraid. Everyone seems to have babies now. Donald was rather worried when I rang him up on Wednesday as he hadn't heard from his family for ages. I hope they are all right; I shall ring him again to-morrow night. Not to-night as the nice little man in the post office, where I have to go for trunks has the day off on Sunday, he told me proudly he was a Christian, and then it takes an hour or so to get through, and he some how usually gets Donald for me in about 10 minutes. Donald hates the place where he is as he hasn't nearly enough to do. Maddening for him. You know do you he works from 6-30 till 2-0 with an hour off for breakfast. He seems to like it, I don't think he ever starts till about six though. Well I must stop typing now.
You will I trust get another letter card as me some time, a continuation of this. Lots of Love R
No 10 7:VI:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Isn't it a dreadful thought, in less than a week I shall be 24. Its so old. I think I shall buy myself a chest of drawers from you as at the moment I have nowhere to put my things at all. We are having shelves made to hang our things under and I shall get some stuff to make curtains. Donald has got me an aquamarine ring. A lovely pale blue aquamarine. I don’t know quite how he is having it set. He's bringing it over next week. By the way this letter is in answer to all yours which I found waiting for me when I got home. (Oh must tell you this while I think of it, its perfectly true. German prisoner being interviewed, Englishman asked "What do you think of the Italians?" The German replied "and what do you think of the Americans?" This probably isn't so funny at home as out here). What a marvellous parade you must have had with the H.G. Daddy, fancy getting the entire battalion at once. So glad it was so successful. I do hear the news periodically, though its at awkward times. But I also see various things telling me what's happening - and have a newspaper when I can get one. Yes, now we are allowed to wear ordinary clothes on over 48 hours leave. I shall wear hem when away for the night with Donald. He is not enamoured with me in uniform, particularly the hats. Just had a letter card Mummy and an airgraph of 24:V. They arrived on 5 and 6:VI. Pretty good. You are marvellous the way you write, you’ve no idea how I long and look for the post. You were telling me about having Carol Ann to yourselves. Glad you like being grandparents! Hope you will get down to the Maitlands sometime. How nice B's coat and skirt sound. I think I shall have to have mine out here for the winter, when we go to Luxor. Daddy, how lovely you having a Jaeger coat! I should like Donald to have one. So glad to hear you got the other parcel from Durban. Hope all the plums on the plum tree will all materialise. Fancy having to make them into jam! Still I love Victoria plum jam! Some beautiful red (carno red) tress are coming out. They have succeeded some bright sky blue ones, with bell shaped flowers. Very lovely. The red ones have enormous clusters of nasturtium like flowers. All over everywhere there is puce, scarlet and vivid red bouganvillia and morning glories and plubago. Well I must stop burbling and go to bed. Have washed and ironed again madly all afternoon. Its very awkward, there's only a drain of hot water after here?? I use Lux and it isn't so bad. Lots of love. R.
176595 Cpl Maitland ATS 5.I.S
M.I.8.
16:Vl:'43. No 11. M.E.F.
Darling Mummy and Daddy
Two days after my birthday, my goodness I feel old. Its awful. There isn't that nice, with great dexterity and trouble I have put a new ribbon on this as the other one was very tired. Needless to say I came by this by foul means as they are unprocurable in this country.
Wasn't it lovely Daddy, I had a cable from you actually on my birthday, and a letter from you Mummy, posted on June 7! I had your birthday letter, on I think last Thursday. Thank you very much it was a very sweet one. It certainly did seem off, and not a bit really like my birthday. Of course as for all that money you have sent me, it really is just too generous of you. I just can't get over it. I don't quite know how to put it. I have decided to save at least £15 for the next time we go on leave, as we are hoping to fly up to Palestine, Then I think I shall buy myself a really nice powder thing, you know I have always coveted one, and I have seen some lovely ones here. My old and treasured zip one is, alas no more. Do you remember giving it to me so many years ago in my stocking Mummy? It was in that new white pigskin bag in the locker of the Chickadee when we got tipped in the drink, also my watch, and notecase and lipstick, fortunately nothing else, I ducked my head down as soon as I could and undid the locker and pulled my bag out, and hauled my watch out. It was floating in the side pocket, and put it on the top of my head in a scarf, but the zip came right off the flapjack when it dried. I might be able to get it mended. My watch has never stopped! I had the most exciting birthday week-end.
I must start from the beginning. On Friday afternoon, as usual, I went down to Helio and had my hair washed and was sitting well pinned up, and absorbed in a book, in the Home Made Cakes, drinking the most delicious iced chocolate through a straw, and eating no less than three Strawberry tarts, when a voice said, Romie, here's your brother in law. I looked up in rather an abstracted way, and met the lower end of a pair of khaki shorts, and thought its Donald, how lovely, but my eyes went on travelling up so far, and over such and expanse of shirt that I came to the conclusion it couldn't be, and someone mildly observed that it was Otis! He was rather taken aback, to see such a very plain sister in law! He had arrived down late the night before from Aleppo for a conference, and phoned Donald and found exactly where to get hold of me and when. Needless to say I just sent to say I was not going in to work, Otis being the sort of person who would walk in and see the heed of the place, and say it was ridiculous if I didn't. He was staying at Shepherds, so we went there and had a drink while he put on his long pants, after 6-0! I was by this time in a vague coma, everyone from the generals and colonels and manager to the bell boys hailed him as a long lost chum. Of course he has been out here for 17 year, most of the time now. Then we went on to the Continental Roof Garden and had dinner and danced. More chums rolled up. I reckoned of course I created a minor triumph my making a Maitland dance willingly more than twice in an evening. Donald is of course, awful, dances quite well, but won't.
I just love Otis, how can one help it, when someone lives up to everything I have ever heard, both good and bad. He is incredible charming and such fun, and so enormous. Donald looks such a slim little thing. His job too is quite fantastic and awfully exciting. He seems to approve of me, which is very lucky, and told me how much Ma and Pa Maitland like me, and how very much good I have done for Donald, they say! Next day he moved to Heliopolis House where Donald and I usually stay. He came and picked me up for lunch from my abode and we were just sitting thinking vaguely about lunch, when in walked Donald! He was due here in the evening, in the regions of 8-0. But had just walked out on such an auspicious occasion. Otis has been out here over 5 years. Oh it was fun. We spent the rest of the day just nattering away all over the town. We had a suit of rooms with a bathroom in the middle, which was nice. Of course, the hotel couldn't get over us. I don't think they really believe Donald and I can be married, but three people all in uniform with the same name floored them. They of course know us quite well by now. Next a.m. we rang up Stanley. I have told you about him haven't I? He used to be Donald's greatest friend at Charterhouse. They shared studies and the like. He went to Cranwell when Donald went to Clare, into the R.A.P. He was in Malta for a year, and is now wing Co. Grant. (Lt. Col.) D.F.C. and bar, a fortnight older than me! I took a very dim view of him in England, as Ma Maitland was always cracking him up and saying why didn't Donald write. He is sweet too, and a bit like Donald to look at. He came over and had a drink before lunch. (Oh obviously I shall have to start new letter card. I do hope that they will both arrive together. oodles of love till I get the new one started.)
Then we went into Cairo and had lunch at the Continental, on the Manager. You know screened, table roses, lights and the best to eat and drink. Otis having stayed there 17 years ago! Then we went to see a great friend of Donald's who has crashed out here, and is in hospital near. Then in the evening we got involved in a most terrific party. Donald managed to stay two nights, as Stanley is a dear and always manages to work something and someone to fly him back at crucial times. It was all in aid of one Billy Drake. I must tell you all about it because it is so silly in the rank line, and I am sure you will appreciate it! I was dressed unfortunately as a Cpl, except that it made it funnier. I had packed my frock as I thought that Donald was going, and so it all creased, (I have just had to squeeze an orange, this is all very hectic. Then there was Donald the next junior, and then Otis, the oldest, and a major, 34, and four Wing Co.s, and a very charming girl in the M.T.C., the only nice one I have met out here. The Wing Co.s were all such babies Billy is 25. We nearly always meet him when Donald comes over along with Stanley, and is a D.S.O, bar, D.F.C. bar, and has just been awarded the American D.F.C.! He looks like a fallen angel! It is very sad as he is now gone off t o the blue again. Hence the party. I am so sorry he is going he is a lamb. Well when We finally all got back from the Continental in a cloud of taxis, soon after 12, on the morning of my birthday, we were all saying goodnight and many happy returns and all the rest of it, when a Brigadier and a Commodore (navy Brig.) veered up, Otis, being Otis, of course, was a chum of the Brigadier's. His birthday was also June 14! So of course, when we decided to go to bed there wasn't a hope, we all had to have a birthday party. As they had just arrived from England by_air, they gave us some very nice late editions of the Times and the Evening News to read with out breakfast. PTO
176595 Cpl Maitland ATS 5.I.S.
M.I.8.
No 12 M.E.F.
17:VI:43
ALL APOLOGIES I HAVE STARTED THIS WRONG? SO WOULD YOU TURN OVER FIRST AND START ON THE OTHER SIDE,_________
The point of this very rambling and involved story is only to tell you how a Cpl celebrated her birthday with a Brigadier. But it was all such fun. I was desolated when Donald had to go early next (Monday 14) morning, and then I had a good lunch with Otis and he went off to Ismailia to see his eye specialist. And I went to work to make up for lost time and to get over another incipient attack of tonsillitis. I have coped successfully now though thank goodness. I think this climate is bad for throats. Shall take up painting mine nightly, I do wish I could tell you more of all the things. You would love to hear, but I can't for security reasons. Things like Otis' job etc. Most intriguing. Otis is going to try and do something about me and commissions if he can. He says he can, but I doubt it. Also Mummy I shall most certainly do something about. Len Wesson. He may after all be quite nice, or even very, like Stanley!
To-day has been very nice, in great contrast to yesterday when I felt ill. Firstly I suppose because I feel better. Secondly I had the most wonderful parcel of magazines from you I have ever had. You've no idea how thrilling it is to receive things from home. Absurdly late too. Punch of MAY 9th. or so. You'd hardly believe how much I appreciate you out here. The way you write etc. I think I get twice as many letters as anyone else, and nearly all from you two
And B. I wish I could put all this sensible and thank you too without making it all sound drivel. And how much I miss you and home, to be thoroughly material, especially when I don't feel too good. Of course Otis and Donald's meeting in the lounge of Hel House was a master piece of understatement. Donald kissed me first and then said hello and shook Otis hand, and asked me some trivial question about something I had been doing during the week. To return to the magazines, I opened them in the office, and completely disturbed it. Two rather common little 2 pip officers got in my way on my desk from 11-0 till 1-0, reading, and I had a lovely time thinking, oh yes, Picture Post, Mummy and/or Daddy, Woman's Journal, Daddy/Mummy. Woman and Beauty, obviously Bunch, London Opinion, equally without doubt, relic of Peter! Oh yes, and I rang up Donald this p.m.. and am probably going over there for the night on Tuesday. Next week. There is a do . Sorry to hear after all this Peter has gone to South Wales, such a dreary place. But am very glad to hear that you will have the infant at home. Feel yon couldn't bear to part with her now. My, how proud Otis is of his two sons. Oh I do wish I could see her.
Donald has sent me over the typewriter, he is an angel, and a cupboard very large, with a dressing table top, on the R.A.F. So you will I feel like my letters a lot more.
Must now go to bed. Lots and lots of love.
I had a cable from Miss Partridge. Wasn't that sweet of her.
Cpl Maitland ATS 5.I.S.
M.I.8.
M.E.F.
21:VI:43
Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am just dashing off a note to you as I am hitching down to spend the night with Donald where he lives tomorrow and then he can censor it. I am looking forward to it very much, I haven't been that way at all yet. Not that I have been anyway. I believe it is a very dull road all the same, just desert. Dear I shall be in a mess by the time I arrive after a 100 miles in a truck, open. Shall take tomorrow evening off and Wednesday a.m. for my day off this week. They have an E.N.S.A, show on in the mess and a party afterwards. I am looking forward to seeing where he actually is.
I haven't had any mail from either of you for a few days, but I had a rather old letter card from Bunch this a.m.. Lovely all the same. There is no knowing how long things will take nowadays, Letter card from you Mummy on my birthday posted June 7, and B.'s which came to-day was dated May 25. From Lytham. I sent the Waddells a parcel of food, they have fed me a lot, from Durban, and I gather it had just arrived when they were there.
Oh Daddy, I am so glad , when I spoke to Donald, earlier on this p.m. he said he had a book from you for me which looked v. interesting on the Gobi desert or something. I shall be quite qualified to speak on deserts soon! Thank you anyway in advance.
Had an interesting evening last night. I was introduced to an American officer in the Field Ambulance, and he asked me out to dinner at Shepherds, so I duly, not wishing to miss a good dinner apart from anything else, went. A very nice man. They stand in very high repute here, the American Field Ambulance. They are civilians who came over here, and signed on for a year at a time, voluntarily. They are NOT paid at all. And they have fought, and their ambulances have gone through mine field in front of the tanks etc, after the infantry. This man had been in the desert for a year from Alamein to Tunis, and is now on his way home. It is incredibly interesting to meet all these people, and to hear a11 about everything. It seems so much nearer here the war in Africa. Names like Alamein and Mareth aren't names any longer. There is so much I would love to tell you and can't, because of the news-paper policy etc. I just hope you will gather things from my letters.
I am at long last accumulating a little furniture. Donald sent me down a sort of dressing table cum cupboard thing. Very spacious. Then yesterday at long last the A.T.S. put up some shelves under which they stuck a hook or two, and one can hang things. On wed. I shall go and buy yards of striped blue stuff, sort of cotton muslin and make the place look a bit better. We shall be quite comfortable in the end. Jean sleeps on our balcony now on her mattress, but keeps on being bitten, so I don't think I will. Actually I am building up an immunity, or rather, I cherish that illusion! Bugs don't like you if are burnt, and I am or rather was a dark honey colour a11 over, and my legs right up to bathing suit level still are, and it helps! The trouble is they live in the raw wood of our desk,, and things. It is just too priceless out here nowadays, they are not a disgusting subject as in England. It makes me laugh, you can discuss the subject with perfect propriety with anyone, and as I do, refuse to sit on certain types of chairs, wicker, as they are worse than others. It is incredible! Life out here is so odd. I find it all very interesting. I an not very good at yelling at Wogs who try and sell me bootlaces, combs, wallets and polish my shoes when I am in a hurry. Well I think I shall stop now and organise myself for bed, and try to get things arranged for to-morrow. It will be a bit of a rush.
Cpl Maitland, ATS,
5.I.S. M.I.8
MEF
No 14
25.6.43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy
Had great fun hitching down to see Donald for the night last Tuesday. Today is Friday. I left here about 1-0 and just caught a truck without any trouble, one of those 30 cwt. or whatever they are, with two flt lts driving, two more inside, and a lieut. who was going to within six miles of where Donald is. All very convenient. It took about 3 hours in all. Bit bumpy but not bad. I went all the way there on the Cairo Suez road, it is fantastically barren. You see nothing at all but miles of sand and sort of shingle. The road is quite good, and of course new since your day. A continuous stream of traffic. It is so odd, you just start off at 40 m.p.h. and go on at 40. It is just too easy to get there in time and keep up a high average. We stopped once on the way at the only place one can, where they charge two ackers[21] for a cup of tea. Ackers are the slang for piastres which one uses in this country. 21 d. each. Most of them over 5 ackers are bad, and one must only accept paper money. People are very kind to one hitch hiking and that sort of thing. These men were so nice and found out exactly where I wanted to go, and didn’t leave me till I had got a truck to go the remaining six miles. It was fun seeing where Donald is too[22]. Miles out in the desert. They had an E.N.S.A. show on at night, and a party for the cast afterwards. It wasn’t very good, but the men enjoyed it enormously. The C.O. was very kind and asked us to stay at his house, and so we had a comfortable night. We were going to stay in the sick quarters as Donald is very friendly with the doctor and dentist. They are both charming. The latter[23] was at school with Donald and so knows Peter quite well too. Donald I think spends most of his time there after work. You see he finishes for the day at lunch time, 2-15 or whatever it is. The worst of the place is that there isn't a thing to do after you have finished work. You can I suppose take a smart walk across the desert, that’s all. I left next morning about 8-45,and came back via Ismailia, which wasn’t nearly so easy, but much more interesting. The road runs all the way along the banks of the Sweet Water Canal, and the land is irrigated and quite green. One sees water melons and things growing. If you fall into the Sweet Water Canal I believe you just plane die!! It is so filthy. I do like to get around and see the country side. I suppose I shall soon get over being interested in the natives and their vile habits and ways of living. How they survive at I don’t know. I saw one lovely fight at one of the wharves, just like children. Even the Italian prisoners who were working just behind me came and watched too. They, the latter are cheerful souls. They smile all the time. This was at one of the W.D. pick ups. They have them at suitable intervals and army and RAF trucks stop there to see where one wants to go. They have wonderful sort of be careful signs all along this road too. One notable one was, first and enormous board saying "If write yourself off..." Then about 200 yds further on "Can your parents replace you?" Very sound thought! Write off colloquially means kill, damage irretrievably, anything along those lines. Usually used by the RAF with reference to aeroplanes.
That book on the Ghobi Desert was there Daddy. It looks very good and most interesting. Thank you Daddy. I have only read about two chapters so far. Also magazines. Lots of Country Life which pleased Donald. I never knew he liked it.
No news from you for about a week, so any time I should be getting a letter or two. Hope so. Isn't the king wonderful the way he gets around! Fancy going to Malta.
Sent you a cable this week to thank you for my lovely birthday present but unfortunately some three days after I had handed it in, they brought it back to me to say did I want to give it to a D.R. or something like that. Of course by then it was not worth sending. I was wild. Shall have to go into Cairo next time and send it myself. Had a letter from Merriall to say that one of her sisters is now in Lisbon and so she gets news through her from her family all right. I am so glad.
Am going to buy some curtain material this afternoon to curtain off the shelves they have put up for us to hang our clothes under. (sorry for the grammar of that last sentence!) Think I shall have blue and white stripes or something like that.
Donald has given me a lovely acquamarine ring for my birthday. Did I tell you? He got the stone ages ago, but they have taken rather a long time setting it. It is oblong. He is going to buy himself a watch at long last. His own packed up some months ago, and it is so inconvenient without one. He wants a Longines in, of all things, stainless steel. Watches out here are very good and comparatively cheap. I love the idea of stainless steel. Of course the sand is bad for them. Lots and Lots of love, R.
Cpl Maitland A.T.S.
5.I.S.
M.I.8.
M.E.F.
28:VI:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Thought I would write you an airmail letter for a change, just to see how long it takes to get to you. I have at the moment no letter cards, they are back in the billet. Just had a letter from you Daddy , no 14 of June 8. How lovely going to northern Ireland. I suppose by now you have probably been and gone. I hope you managed to fly. You are plucky. It must have/is/will be very interesting. When I heard from you, you had no idea when you were going.
Funnily enough, you asked in your letter if we had been to the Musky yet. We spent yesterday morning there. It is the second time I have been, though the first time I didn't really look round at all. Quite a good guide insisted on picking us up yesterday morning, and to begin with was quite determined we should go to all the bazaars run to pilfer the troops and sell them a lot of awful curios they didn't want. However Donald was very firm, and we finally got what he wanted. He has for some time wanted to buy me one of the magnificent belts that the Egyptians wear round their stomachs over their garabiehs. They are simply beautiful things. Well with much difficulty we persuaded the man to take us to an ordinary stall where we looked at some, and bought the most lovely silver, pale blue and yellow one, exactly the colour of the aquamarine I have got. They sell silk by the weight. It is 5 p.t. (a shilling) a dram, and I think there are 5 drams a gram or something. It is so much more interesting though going to the real native stalls. Then we had a most interesting time. We got miles off the beaten track, out of bounds I feel convinced, but I don't know. Right up against those hills at the back of Cairo, to the East, near Helio. They took us to show us where they weave these lovely belts, they are incidentally long scarves, about 4 ft. and 2 ft. wide, and you fold them. We saw a man there weaving the yellow stripes that the Egyptian army wear, N.C.O.s. Isn't it dreadful to think that that is the cheapest way they can think of making them. The Musky is an incredible place. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is so unbelievably filthy too. I just don't know how they survive. One of the old men doing the weaving had his grandson working with him, and he looked a good 40, I think the funniest thing of all was when the guide in desperation, as we wouldn't look at any souvenirs (for Europeans, particularly troops-only) of Egypt, took as to a leather shop where they sold pouffes and other atrocities, and the shop had the most beautiful door, some very heavy dark wood all studded, and Donald offered to buy it instead of the leather! They gave us up then. Still we had a very interesting morning. We even got involved with a native funeral on the way back. I am afraid Daddy, that we shan't do any real sight seeing till it has got a lot cooler. I was quite worn out after yesterday a.m. It is so hot walking in the heat. I am very much looking forward to going to the Citadel, but I refuse to go till I can appreciate it in comfort. Oh it is so hot. We then had a long and leisurely lunch, and went to see the American I met, whom I think I told you about, in the American Field Ambulance, who had had taken me out to dinner and dance a few times, he has malaria, and is just going home. Donald wanted to meet him, as he is a lawyer by day in New York, with 2 degrees, and finds that running three dance bands, including one which plays at the Waldorf Astoria at night, in fact for one night, more profitable than a week's work as a lawyer. He was very funny about it. He said the army apologised and said he was in for a tough time driving an ambulance, right up in the front with the mine people, especially when he was working for 72 hours, and he put on 26 pounds in weight, such a rest cure! Then we came back and had tea, and Donald left as usual. Gosh I do love it when Donald gets down, it makes all the difference. I even like Egypt.
Betty Haworth, I don't know whether I have ever told you about her, I think I have, her father used to be consul or whatever it is in Iran. I see a lot of her. She was duty N.C.O. last night, which means that one has to cope vaguely with food in the evening, or rather just make tea. It is quite the most ill equipped kitchen it is possible to imagine. We had to boil the kettle on a primus. This took us some 3/4 hour! Reminded me vividly of picnics. The darned thing seized up or something. Of course by then we were the only people, left to drink it. Very few people are ever in for food in the evening.
One of the Admin Corporals is being married this a.m. 12 o'clock. Then Marion is also being married this week too. Her fiancé has come back from Tunis. It is all very exciting. But I feel so old. I seem, though not in age, to be years older than all the people here, and so much more settled somehow. It is bad luck on them having to be married away from home, I am glad I wasn't. It would have been horrid. Re books Daddy, I think I have told you quite a lot about them in my last lots of letter cards. They were taking a long time to get through, but are now much quicker. I am at present reading the Gobi desert. It is very good. No there are unfortunately no libraries here, and books are very hard to get. They aren't being imported much now of course. I am thrilled to bits when I get a parcel from you, it is so exciting apart from the value of the contents. I collected lots of Punches and Woman's Journal from Donald this week when I went down to see him. Sorry Daddy I can't tell you where he is, I did once, but Donald himself cut it out of the letter. He is only 20 or so miles from here he was when I left England, that's the nearest indication I can give you.
I don’t really know what else there is to tell you; this is a very nattery and discursive sort of letter I am afraid. But there never seems to be very much room on letter cards really. Lots of love, R.
Cpl Maitland
5.I.S. M.I.8
M.E.F.
No. (last one airmail)
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, There is absolutely nothing to say, because I wrote you an air mail letter at the beginning of the week, for a change, all about the week-end, I have at long last bought some curtain material to cover our shelves, so that my clothes won't get so dusty; (the long hanging ones) It is very pretty, blue cotton, with a large sprawly design of a beige sailing ship. We are eventually going to cover our caseboxes with a beige curtain; the large sort of cupboard thing Donald had sent up for me, it at the moment has a revolting serviceable red rep. It is a sort of box about 4 feet long, 3 wide, and 3 high with shelves, and a curtain over the front; he had it in his tent; timber is very difficult to get here and is v. expensive;
Marion is getting married tomorrow in the Cathedral, and some people she knows are giving the reception in their flat afterwards in Gezira Island, (that I believe is synonymous as Gezira means Island).
Had a cool night last night for the first time for weeks, I didn’t wake up exhausted with the heat; I never sleep with more than a sheet on either. Jean always sleeps on our balcony on her mattress, but I think it is too noisy in the morning.
I had a wonderful amount of letters from you this week, two from you Mummy, one written on my birthday, and one from Devil's Bridge, on, I think the 19, and one from you Daddy, on 17, and on from Bunch on the same date. Oh dear I have just discovered I have started this on the the wrong side. So glad to hear that you have gone to Devil's Bridge Mummy, I am sure it will do you good; I do hope the weather is reasonable; what a lovely thought rushing about on green mountains, instead of shaking gritty sand out of my sandals; incidentally we have been issued with the shoddiest pair you can imagine, in brown paper leather; mine are nearly worn out; still they are a lot better than wearing heavy shoes in this heat. We always should wear ankle socks but I very rarely do. Mostly because , a, I don’t like them, I never did, b, the water is very rarely even tepid, and it is such a bother washing them about twice a day. At night, after sundown, we are likewise supposed to wear stockings, but I don’t. This is a non malarial area; Donald is in a highly malarial one, and get bitten all over, but never he says by mosquitoes. I think that is probably famous last words, but still. He sleeps outside without a net.
It is frightfully funny the way with all these weddings going on, I am regarded as the oracle; it just reminded me someone has just said, in the usual way ... You should know ...
How is Dick, has Mrs Hazel heard again, actually from him or not. Poor thing, it is dreary for her. Dash I wish I had you letters here to answer, I came in early this evening, to the office, so am typing this to you. Yes Mummy, I have written to Mrs Jones[24] this week, and Nanny last, and I will get off an airgraph to Beattie[25] any time now. It is so sweet of them all to write to me, I keep a careful diary of all the letters I get and send, so that I know what's to do. It is the only way I think to cope; Donald now I have come out here is getting bad about writing to everyone I note; He occasionally writes me a note, but since they take nearly as long to get from him as to England. Too silly, that is why some of your letters take longer than others I am afraid, there is no other way ,unfortunately.
I am going to a party this evening with the Americans who live next door, three boys. They are really quite pleasant. Civilians; the nice one unfortunately goes to-morrow to America, or rather starts to go when
anyone leaves is shrouded in mystery. Donald and I went to see him in hospital last Sunday, to have a quiet time after we had been In the Musky all the morning; I went to sleep across the bottom of the bed while they discussed swing music; Oh dear I am sorry you must find It confusing to keep up with all the people I talk about all the time; Sorry Daddy, we are leading our usual gregarious lives, when Donald comes at the weekends; but some of these people are very interesting,. I have met so many people I can_ hardly cope. I think probably Sunday was the funniest; we were coming back in the Metro, and an Englishman sitting opposite us, suddenly asked us how Donald's brother was. Apparently he had sat with us when we came back the Sunday Otis was with us, and we had been laughing because Otis was clutching a large bundle of clean laundry which he had had washed at Shepheards of all places! I very rarely go anywhere unaccompanied by clean or dirty laundry; one uses so many shirts and skirts. Take it down to the dhobi laundry in the village. The A.T.S. laundry is no use, they lose your things, and anyway one doesn’t get it back for a week to ten days, and I simply haven't got enough clothes.
Well I think that is the end of the card, and no more babble registers, at the minute. Lots and lots of love,
Cpl Maitland ATS 5.1.S.
M.I.8.
No 17 M.E.P.
8.Vll.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, an awful lot has happened since I last wrote to you I am shocked to say, a week ago tomorrow. I seem to have had a rather hectic time over everything. First of all Donald has been down twice. On Friday last about 7-0 the phone went in the office and Donald was in the guard room. A heavenly surprise, I was feeling lonely and bored too. He was on his way he said I mustn't say where yet, for a couple of days. No I am sorry this was Thursday, so it must be a week since I wrote to you. Well the plane he was going in didn't leave till Saturday morning, so we had the whole of Friday. Lovely. The Americans next door were having a party so we went there on the Thursday morning, and the next day Donald had to fix up about transport, and so on, and I worked, and then in the afternoon we went in to Cairo, and ran straight into one of the very nice naval lieuts we met in Alex, who was down for a few hours, and went and ate ice creams with him. then there was Marion's wedding in the cathedral. It was a very nice little wedding in one of the Lady Chapels, rather like Charterhouse chapel, her husband is sweet, Donald of course had seen him before, and we traced the connection down to him knowing Ernest Bennet at Cambridge, as this man read architecture at London when Ernie was doing it at Cambridge, London being evacuated there. I think you have met Ernest Hudson Bennett, the South-African. Donald had a lovely time as I thought he would, and enjoyed it thoroughly and appeared again on Monday evening about 7-0. He was covered in red sand (sand the texture of face powder) the colour of the Rock, Tettenhall[26] I mean! You should have seen him, the sand in these parts is pale yellow. He was beautifully sunburnt, and had been bathing, when not working. No doubt in the fullness of time I will be able to tell you where he went and why and what in. We spent the night in the Americans flat next door which was very sweet of them we couldn't get in to Hel. House. We had a nice lazy morning and didn't get up til 9-0, had breakfast and then Donald hitched back to his place, and I hitched into Cairo to do some shopping. It is conceivable that Donald may be going off into the blue for a month or three weeks, I hope to heaven he doesn't. It would be horrid, it is all right not permanently or anything, just on a job. He doesn't think it very likely though.
When in Cairo the other morning Mummy, I bought some linen lawn to have some handkerchiefs made for you, I have been meaning to this for ages, but have never been into Cairo when the shops have been open. It was quite a job to find it. Margot's nuns, she goes to a convent or something to mass, make the most lovely ones for 21 piastres. About 61d. I was going to have them done for your birthday, hut I have discovered that they have gone to Alex till Nov., but I think I can send them there to be done, but I am afraid that they will be a little late. I also bought myself an extremely pretty flapjack, which I have been longing for for ages, as part of my birthday present from you. I am saving 15£ for leave. I have also bought some curtains which I told you about, and am getting an electric ring so that we can have tea and hot stuff at night, and in the winter, I know I shall want a hottie[27].
I had masses of letters from you this week too, on 5 your 16 Daddy of 22/6 and an airgraph form you Mummy of 21/6 on 2nd. The others I appear to have answered, thought I hadn't! It is marvellous you have got permission to go to Ireland Daddy, I do hope you will enjoy it. I am sure it will be very interesting. Longing to hear all about it. You are marvellous both of you the way you write to me. It make such a lot of difference. Yes Daddy it does make me jealous to think of you sitting in front of a fire. I would love to do it, though I would still rather be too hot than too cold. Except I have no energy at all except occasionally after about 8-0 p.m. Yes I am incredibly glad that Donald is so near, I would be unbelievably lonely otherwise. That is of course an understatement! It is pathetic to see how jealous everyone is of us. I mean the men longing for their homes and families. I don't know whether I told you, that when I went down to see Donald, he is mess secretary and as there was a party on, rather busy, so he and I and his great friend Norman, (Charterhouse) came out of the Ensa show, and mixed drinks, and coped, Donald dashed madly, so Norman looked after me, and said at the end of the evening, he hoped I hadn't been bored, and of course I had enjoyed myself thoroughly, couldn't understand how I had as it is rather a dreary place he said he hadn't enjoyed an evening so much for years just being able to talk to me, (as an English girl I suppose). I was very touched. Must go down the village and have tea now and take my usual enormous bundle of khaki laundry. My ordinary handkerchiefs are rapidly going that colour too, horrible. Lots and lots of love, R.
176595
Cpl Maitland,
A.T.S.
5.I.S. M.I.8.
12:V11:43. M.E.F.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, To-day is Monday and I last wrote to you on Thursday, and I am afraid that absolutely nothing has happened. But I thought you would like a letter all the same. I haven't heard from you since then at all, but hope to be getting a letter any time now. I have had some books though which is lovely. Erewhon and the book on Brittany. Thank you very much Daddy, I have meant to read Erewhon and never have. I thoroughly enjoyed the book about Brittany, I think it was reviewed in one of the Punch's you sent me. This morning I had my geographical journals and Archaeology and the Parish Magazine, for the first time I enjoyed looking at it! Of course I haven't really had time to look at anything else. I just opened one of the geography ones and the first thing that caught my eye was a picture of the last experiment I did in the Cambridge Part 11 lab. And the article was written by Professor Debenham! Actually it is published in book form, I mean our experiment and notes and of course lots more by Professor Debenham. I must get it sometime, but I can't remember the title. I was thrilled to bits of course, and rushed all over the building showing everyone! I have learnt one other thing to-day, which also pleases me how to make Turkish coffee. It is so easy, much easier than French. I have got one of those little jugs you boil it in. I shall enjoy my little stove to the full. It is lovely to have something to drink whenever yow want it, all I want to do in this country in drink, and I find that iced drinks do not agree with my throat, which is really maddening, so I mostly keep off them. I haven't done anything since I saw you, on Saturday I had a half day, the first I have bothered to take then Donald wasn't there, I didn’t find it very thrilling. I went into Cairo and saw Wake Island, about the American Marines and the Jap landing. I was so shaken though I came out before the end. Then I bought my little stove, and some ink for Donald and Norman and came home. Ink is at a premium in this country, the Wog ink is naturally unusable, and forms a fibrous growth on the nib let alone in the pen. And Quink, the only good kind they sell, is only to be had from the Parker shop in Cairo, at FOUR SHILLINGS a ninepenny bottle. Personally, I type or write in pencil or borrow someone else's! But if you do have to write in ink yon have to buy that or some American stuff at the same price, as the other is just well, it just doesn't!
I have hung my curtains at long last, I shall lie in bed and look at my beige sailing boats and the blue sea with great pleasure to-night, and Jean is just making hers. We had a domestic evening to-night, and Jean sewed, I hung my curtains, and made coffee, lots of it, and ate my fruit ration for the day, half an oke of grapes, my rationing I mean, that's nearly a pound and a half, and costs about 6d or 8d. or so, I usually eat that much in 36 hours or so, aided by others. Sheelagh has a passion for water-melons, and so we sit and eat those two, and spit out the black Beetle type pips, (for your benefit Mummy!) The stone floor is usually covered with them. We have a nice little man who washes it most days. Sort of stone flags, and beautifully cool.
How is food in England, you haven't said anything about it for ages, I do hope to heaven you're all right, and that things haven't got much worse since I left. It worries me. I can't bear to think of the Manor Ho being short, well I an going to stop babbling now, have a bath, cover all my bites of a11 shapes and sizes, prickly heat sweat rash, heat lumps and the like with camomile, and go to bed! I am rather tired, I was duty stooge last night, which meant waiting up till everyone is in, and when everyone is late, it is usually about 1-0 before one has finished, it only happens about once a fortnight though.
This was on a small photographically reproduced letter card.
Cpl Maitland, 5.I.S. M.I.8. M.E.F. 13:VII:'43
By Hand: In addition to the £70 here I have £15 in Donald's leave accounts
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, I can't tell you what a flat spin I have been in all the morning. I had your letter this a.m. telling me I had this enormous overdraft at home, when I didn’t think I had been spending at the rate of my dress allowance. Having panicked all the morning wildly, I was walking home talking and thinking aloud to Sheelagh about it, when I realised. I will start from the beginning. You know I had the credit wired out here last November, or whenever it was I arranged it. Well when I got out there, I discovered that I did not really have an account out here as I imagined, I merely draw money cheques which are then sent back to the N.P.[28] I could not draw money anywhere else in Egypt, as I did not have a cheque book, but used special forms they gave me here. While on leave in Alex this was mildly inconvenient, but Donald could, so it didn’t matter. Then when I came back, the people I lent money to, paid it back, well I didn’t want a lot of money on me, so I tried to pay it into the bank. I couldn’t. It would have to be paid in, or rather go all the way back to England to be credited to my account. The bank manager, an Englishman, suggested I transferred my credit to an account here, and then I could draw cheques anywhere, on leave, if I should be posted and the like. I thought this a good idea, and did so, they gave me a receipt for the credit, and that was that. But of course in my usual ignorance, I never thought, of course they have deducted all the money I had cabled out here, from my account at home in a lump sum, and not spread it out over a year as I had imagined myself spending it. I therefore have a credit here of nearly £70, seventy pounds. I do hope you see this, it is a very muddle way of putting it I am afraid. In other words, I have out here seven tenths of my years gross income, while so far only half has been paid to me at home. So therefore I have really a credit of just over £30, subtracting my overdraft at home from the actual money, I have a receipt for it saying I have paid Barclays D.C.O. so much, which I have out here. So can you just leave my account as it is, and let my actual investments gradually pay off the overdraft. My god I have been a fool. I am sorry Daddy, it must have given you an awful shock. It gave me one I can tell you. I just can't think how I van have been so stupid as not to realise that to give myself such a lot of money, NOT credit, out here, I should have an enormous overdraft at home. I have rarely felt more idiotic. Donald will be angry with me! I shall be so relieved when we can settle down properly as he is so good about money. Could you possibly show this to Mr Lloyd Jones, or tell him. I am terribly sorry Daddy. Incidentally, I wrote to you yesterday and today had a letter from you and Mummy and two from Peggy.
All love, Rosemary.
Cpl Maitland A.T.S.
5.I.S.
M.I.8.
M.E.F.
16:VII:'43
No 19.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, Sorry to be writing this, but I am lying in bed, I ????, recovering from an attack of Gippy Tummy. Everyone has it out here. I was the last to get it coming out on the ship and I should think about the last here, as my tummy is so good! I am so amused Daddy, I have just been reading one of my geographical journals, I saw a paragraph underlined in red, and blinked and read it. On the deleterious effects of alcohol in this ---- climate! Don’t worry, I don’t have anything at all from one time Donald comes down to another, and then more often than not fresh lime juice, its so delicious. I always remember you and ma coming back from either S. Africa or Yugoslavia and talking about John Collins. We drink them here occasionally, with all the limes about. I never dreamed there was so much difference between fresh and bottled lime juice. Donald finds drink out here very upsetting as there is practically no beer, and that’s rather horrid and 12 pt (2/6) a pint bottle!! In hotels. Other wise all alcoholic drinks are controlled in price. At the moment I am consumed with hunger don’t know what to do. The sovereign remedy for gippy tummy is starve yourself and drink 2 tablespoons castor oil. Quite horrible. Sheelagh is bringing me some eggs tonight and will scramble them on my little stove. Donald is coming down tomorrow for the night, I haven't seen him for a fortnight, so I must be better.
19:VII:'43 Sorry I never finished this. I have at long last got over my gippy tummy thank heavens, for I trust a few months!
Donald came down on Saturday and carted me out, and fed me, even agreed to have his breakfast in bed at 9.30 on Sunday (Which he hates, like you Daddy!) We had lunch on Sunday at the new R.A.F. officers club they have opened here. So nice. A beautiful garden. Mummy I have had a letter from you since I wrote, thank you of 4:VII. Silk out here is 30 - 35/- a yard! No comments needed. I am going into Cairo tomorrow and will have a look for pearl buttons. Sheelagh, Jean, Madeleine and I are having a half day, and will shop have dinner and go to a flic I expect. Very pleasant. Wasn’t it funny the last letter I wrote you I asked about food, and the next day had one telling me about it. English food, even rationed, i.e. Manor Ho. Food sounds too perfect. The food here is terribly mediocre. Much much too much fat. The army fries everything. I hate fried things too on the whole. For breakfast porridge (T. outside 90°F!) scrambled eggs or rather bad bacon, fish in batter etc marmalade and bread and butter - the best meal of the day. Lunch. Meat, stewed - very fat and heavy, cake gone solid type. Sometimes water melon coffee. The rest of the food we have to buy ourselves. The army only supplies two meals a day. Its done by subtracting from pay. Tea - e.g. bully beef and quite nice salad. (bully beef at 4.0 in the tropics!) Dinner, cheese and bread. Not bad food at all but one wants it of course at 8.0 a.m. and 9 p.m. and tea and lemonade between. Nothing else (sorry the ATS never was my strong point!) So glad to hear the fruit's so good. I just love all the water melons and grapes at the minute.
Thank you Daddy too, I had your letter of 2 July No 17. At the same time as Mummy's about Ireland. I hope you have got the airgraph I dashed you off madly about it. They are certain to get through anyway. How lovely Ireland sounds. It must have been a pleasant change for you. I thought you were going for a week. Couldn’t you afford the time. Do I know Col. Gibbons? I am afraid I am not keeping a diary. Its not worth it at present, as we do much the same thing all day and every day. But I did coming out. Donald has it now. These letters are more or less one. I keep a v. short record of dates that’s all i.e went to see Donald. R.
No.20. Cpl Maitland, 5.I.S.
M.I.8.
25:VII:'43 M.E.F.
Darling Mummy and Daddy, I have a half day to-day, and am spending it doing nothing. I slept all the afternoon, and tonight Jean and Sheelagh and I will probably go to an open air flic in the village. I have just had tea. To—day is Sunday, but Donald is not over this week-end as he came last. Dreary!
I have had a letter from each of you since I last wrote on Tuesday. Yours was the 14tn. Mummy, and Daddy's No. 18 of 12. You were just going down to see the Maitlands. I am so glad that you have managed it at long last. I am sure they will be pleased. What a pity you won't see Peggy's children. She wrote and told me she was going down to Cornwall. I am so glad it will be a change for her. I hope you will have a pleasant day in London Mummy, or rather I hope you did! Gosh I would, so love to be at home again. My one dream is to get back to England with Donald, or rather not to England home.
I haven't done anything this week really. I had a hall day on Wednesday and went into Cairo with Madeleine, we each did a bit of shopping, and I got you some pearl buttons and that sort of thing, and some stockings Mummy, I am afraid that they aren't at all what you would like as there are practically no real silk ones out here, and those that remain are a terrific price. Still I think these are a lot nicer than anything one can get in England. I wouldn't know when they will arrive, it depends on which route they go by I suppose, they shouldn't take more than about 6 weeks though nowadays I think. I have had to buy myself some nighties, or rather I have so far bought one, as mine have worn out, it is all right Mummy, my old ones. You can get quite pretty voile ones for about 10 to 15 shillings, which wash beautifully, I am awfully tempted to sleep without anything on, but one should always keep one's tummy wrapped up. Donald sleeps in the most abbreviated sort of loin cloth of linen! He always calls it his tube, as it is just a tube! The heat is beginning to get me down, it is so hot, one has no energy left to do anything, the smallest thing is such a physical effort. If only it were cool at night it would be better, one wakes up all hot and sweaty. Still after next month it gets cooler, only another 5 weeks or so with any luck. Donald hopes to get 48 Hours over his birthday, which fortuitously comes at the week-end, and I wrote suggesting we went to Menn[29], for a change, I haven't been there yet, and it may be a bit cooler. I doubt it though. Still there is a pool there, and we might even go and look at the pyramids, if there is a moon, too hot at any other time. Sorry my typing seems to be very bad to-day.
How odd Daddy, it does sound to hear of you going away on business again, have you been before since war broke out? How is your new adjutant incidentally. You don't seem to have mentioned him at all?
The fruit does sound lovely at home. Like South Africa the fruit here is never as nice as the English version of it. But I do enjoy the pink water melons very much, they are so refreshing. We eat great hunks of it all the while and spit out the black pips in the true native style. The grapes too are very good. There are masses of little hard peaches in the shops too, which I am sure would be very good stewed. There are no oranges at present, they are out of. season. Dozens of course of limes I love then. Oh yes cucumbers too, v. nice, but I don't like the eternal squashy tomatoes. I only like Manor Ho. or Holloways!
I am afraid that there is no hope of promotion of any sort. There was a rumour last week that there was going to be some, no commissions, but a few stripes. Since then word has come out from England, that there will be no promotion at all for men or women. Filthy trick. It is the establishment.
Mummy, you know you told me to write to Len Wesson well I was in the middle of a letter to him the other day, when someone said something ... Capt Wesson. I jumped out of my seat and discovered that he work in the same building as I do, though in a different branch. So I sent him a note and he came to see me. He seems to be quite nice, not as bad as I thought anyway. The thing which staggered me was that he said, oh I am married, and it turns out that in May he married a half Egyptian quarter Greek quarter French female, and they have a flat here. He said would I go and have dinner sometime, so I accepted with alacrity, Feel this will horrify his family and Auntie Maud quite rightly. It is a cardinal sin out here. Donald, merely said poor fool when I told him.[30]
How lovely to think of Carol Ann in a buffer chair, I keep on forgetting that she is rapidly getting bigger, babies grow at such a pace. I am dying to see the photographs of her. Oh I wrote to Suzzer[31] and said would he send another print of that drawing of me as the one I sent to Donald never arrived. Do you think you could ask him about it, as Donald's photographs of me are so awful. We keep on meaning to have one taken. Well I have come to the end of this now. I think I shall go and have a shower before Sheelagh comes in.
Lots and lots of love, R.
P.S. Please would you send me ORIENTAL SPOTLIGHT by (Jarvis?) Its v good but banned here.
???????
Merriall maintains King and Crown Prince Umberto friendly to us.
W/176595
Cpl Maitland, 'A.T.S.
2:VIII:43. M.E.F.
No. 21.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am so pleased when I rang Donald up this week just the night before he came down, he said that he had a little surprise for me. I didn’t think it was anything more than a pound of sweets or a book or something, but all of a sudden he has at long last been made a temporary Fl/Lt again, or rather he was only acting before. He is terribly pleased so am I. About time too of course, but they are terribly against promoting V.R.s[32] in the R.A.F. if they can promote regulars. He has also got a new job which he is pleased about too, as it promises to be a good thing. He was very fed up and applied for a posting and the C.O. wouldn’t have it, and now this has happened he is quite happy to stay where he is. We had a heavenly weekend, Donald arrived lovely and early, about 5-0, I wasn’t even ready, and then we went off and had tea, and then baths and changed. We had a party by ourselves for once, on the Continental roof garden, and a very good dinner, and even some form of white wine to celebrate. Sunday was lovely too. We had a drink and lunch with Stanley and a charming Squadron Leader and his brother with whom he shares a flat in Helio. And also a very young Lt Col who by great luck had a staff car with him, so we all five if us and the driver packed in and went and had lunch at Gezeira on the Terrace in bathing suits and bathed. Then we wandered away from the club just over the wall all wet and watched the Americans playing base ball. Quite the stupidest game ever, merely rounders. I was shocked to think it was their national game. Donald went back about 9-0 with Marion's husband who is just off to (?censor?). Poor child. Dreadful for her, though she knew all the time he would be. A lovely weekend. But the usual think happened when I got back. Oh it does make me so mad. I do about half of my work unfortunately for one Capt. Peck, who is quite the rudest ad seeming ill-bred man I have ever met. He makes his sections life one big hell. He came in on Sunday a.m. and stormed at Mac because I had a half day and said why wasn’t my report written, and Mac pointed out that it was complete on my desk. Of course immediately I got in on Sunday evening he kicked up an awful fuss because I had a half day and went straight off to the Capt. Who runs the thing and said I must come under his rota for half days and so that he could then stop me having them. So I am therefore allowed one morning, as it happens to be an hour shorter than evenings, sorry longer than evenings, or two evenings off a week, even if Donald is here! And the section I am in can have a morning and en evening off a week! Marion had the whole week-end off this weekend. I am of course going to see the C.O. about it. Fortunately Donald hadn't gone when all this happened and so was able to cope with my extreme apoplexy. They do that sort of thing across you all the while. I was doing absolutely nothing that I was not allowed to, so don’t think that. Sorry, I am beginning to see red again. The thing which really finished Donald was to think that someone of the same rank as himself would chuck me around like this. And when I think of the contemptuous way you now refer, in your letter today to Captains! Having spent all the day with two, no three people of your rank too, being treated as I ought, not as an -------- A.T.S. There is nothing I can do either. Incidentally it is A.T.S ruling out here that A.T.S are entitled to have a day and a half off a week! Sorry to bore yow with all this, I try and not tell you all these sort of things which madden me so, but this really is the end in pettiness. I can take anything except interference in seeing Donald, I mean legitimately, and I hardly think that a day off a fortnight is excessive.
I am sorry to hear about your adjutant Daddy, you do seem to have bad luck with them, is it just not possible for you to get a good one? I had your letter of July 1 to-day Daddy, no. 19, telling me about Mummy going up to London. I think it is terrific Mummy. You must have enjoyed it. Did you get anything nice at Debenhams, knowing that instinctively you would go there. I had a letter too from my Ma in Law yesterday, she was delighted that you had been down to see them at long last. I do think that it is dreadful to think that none of the children were at home. Isn't Emily a priceless little thing? It was very good of you to go over to Aldershot to see the A.T.A. girl. I should think one way another you would almost rather I was out here. Well I think I must write to Bunchie now, I had a letter from her in the middle of the week. Oh. Incidentally I sent you a parcel too a few days, ago. Oh, isn't it nice, now Stanley has a flat he has asked Donald and me to stay in it, we shall save some money too! You remember he was at Charterhouse with Donald and is in the regular R.A.F., a Wing Co. D.F.C. and bar, rather like Donald too look at, with very nice manners, and so kind to Donald in the way of fiddling him lifts in planes and all that kind of thing. He was in Malta for a year. They shared a study. Must stop. Lots and lots of love, R.
P.S. I long for home more and more.
W/176595
Cpl Maitland, 'A.T.S.
5.I.S. M.I.8.
6:VIII:43. M.E.F.
No. 23.
(forgot one written on 2nd should have been 22)
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am writing this after dinner as usual, or rather what should be dinner and usually isn't. Have just had a shower and feel much happier. I shall miss them in England, having had them for so long now! Am sitting in a nightie typing, with all the windows open, ie. our French ones and the other quite sizeable one. We haven't closed them since we have been here, I suppose they do close! We usually have the Venetian blinds closed to keep out the sun and flies.
Did I tell you that I gave up smoking months ago? I kept on meaning to, knowing you would be pleased, but forgot. I smoked such a lot coming out and in Durban, and then when I got here, I found my mouth tasted so horrid, and that I am perpetually thirsty anyway, and then Donald had to give it up for a fortnight because he had something wrong with his gums, so I did too and have never started again since. Whether this will last at home I don't know.
Have done nothing since I wrote to you last Tuesday, I shan't get a night off this week, there is so much to do. Very dreary. Jean and Sheelagh went into Cairo for their half day this afternoon, and so I went with them for an early tea. We had it at the Y.W.C.A. They are very nice places out here. We had a very nice tea beautifully served, two lovely thin sandwiches, and about three cakes, normally about 4d. each, and tea all for a shilling. It is in a lovely house right in the middle of Cairo. One can stay there too. Donald and I spent the first night in Suez in the one there, the only habitable place in the town. They are usually full of the milder type of A.T.S. dim officers of all the services, and nurses and the like, having a slightly sepulchral atmosphere. But I must say in spite of latter, they are nice and quiet and well run. The food is always excellent and cheap. I don't know whether men other ranks are not allowed or what, but one never sees them. They certainly weren't in Suez as it was v. small. I then dashed around looking in all the book-shops, an excellent excuse, for a complete Browning for Norman, Donald's dentist friend at, oh dear I nearly said the one thing Donald would cut out of my letter! The name of the place wouldn't convey a thing to you though, and I don't even know whether the Times Atlas would mark it. I love the idea of Donald being friendly with a man who reads Browning!
I have had a lovely lot of mail this week. a letter every day. Two from Bunch, one from you Mummy, of 20 July, your no. 19 Daddy, and an old air mail one, written one day at Willenhall when you couldn't get any letter cards. no. 13. All about the Maitlands, and you going down to the South Coast, how odd and maddening to think that you can't write and tell me all about it. I am so glad that after all this time, you have managed to go I know you hove been wanting to go for ages. Also so pleased to hear about you in London by yourself Mummy, said this in last letter I think.
Fancy getting a whole load of hay off the garden. It is very good. I am quite glad I an not there to see it though, I love all the green lawns. Do give Mrs Edwards my whatever I should give her Mummy. I sent her an airgraph once, T don't know whether she ever got it. Or a letter, T forget.
Such a lot of coincidences. Pauline, one of the Lance Cpls, who was at London, evacuated to Cambridge, knows somehow Rosemary Tabrums fiancé, she had a letter from him the other day as he is near Cairo, well not more than a hundred or so miles anyway! I had a letter from her to-day, and when he comes to Cairo I shall, see him. Also, Marion, the girl who has just got married, husbands C.O. is Pam Winter's Canadian husband! Pauline knows her too as they both live in Halifax. We discovered that we both knew Pam Winter and I knew Rosemary and she knew Charles ages ago, and now they’ve turned up. Amazing isn't it. You remember Pam Winter was a great friend of Bunch's at Lawnside.
Had a letter from Donald this morning, it only took 4 days to do 100 miles. He has had one from me in two. He enclosed your letter to him Daddy. Isn't it odd he has just had two letters from you and his father telling him not to worry to much if he can't get a job he wants, and now he has got the job and the tape.
I was wondering if it would be a good idea to send Carol Ann some shoes. They look so divine here the baby shoes, and I feel they are probably most difficult at home. I think I shall. I love the idea of her tearing about backwards in her buffer chair. Do all babies go backwards rather than forwards at first? I seem to remember Colin doing it. I do hope that our children will come up to expectations as much as Carol Ann!! It must be a boy though.
I have a frightful suspicion after all these years I am cutting my left
wisdom tooth, the first. It is very sore, and I have a fine line in glands just near. My twelve year old molars were most uncomfortable I remember at Cambridge!
Well goodnight now and lots and lots of love,
Mummy, I quite forgot, you said you were sending Donald £5 for his birthday, lovely, where will it be sent to? His account is at Barclays D.C.O. Ismailia. Because he never managed to trace some money you sent him once before and he is so worried about it. The money you sent me came to the National Bank of Egypt, but Aunties reached me through Barclays D.C.O.
25 Cpl Maitland, A.T.S.
5.I.S. M.I.8.
15:VIII:43. M.E.F.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, Have just come in from a nice quiet half day spent doing nothing in Cairo. First of all this afternoon, I sat and sewed till about 3-45, I am at long last making up the slip from the white silk I bought in Durban to go underneath the white frock I bought when we went on leave. Then I had a shower and went into Cairo and had a nice quiet tea in the Y.M.C.A., I like that place, it is so peaceful. Then I sat in the reading room and read and then wandered around a bit, and finally had an early dinner at the nice little Greek restaurant Donald and I found when he was last up. Such a good dinner, very nice chicken soup and then v. good veal and the most lovely green beans, even greener than Mrs Jones and new potatoes and coffee, and then I came home. After I have written this, I shall probably contemplate sewing again. I am going to make a dirndl skirt to wear next time Donald comes up, with the white shirt I bought in Durban. It is dark red stuff, with large sailing ships on it in off white, the same as our curtains, only they are in blue. Cost, 7/-. All the Greek and French and all the various other mixtures wear these brilliant skirts and white tops and they look so nice in the heat. I just love this idea of wearing white in the heat. It maker one look so much cooler. I just love thinking what l am going to wear when Donald comes down, one gets so fed up with eternal khaki wherever you look, and as you night imagine Donald isn't much more enamoured, of it than I am. It was so funny, the other night when I had dinner with the little F.O. whom Donald and I met with Stanley and who has now left for home, and is due to ring you up. I saw him in uniform for the first time, and he said tentatively after about an hour, I thought you would have to wear uniform, I gaped, and he waved his hands vaguely and said well you have no stripes, no badges, no shoulder tabs or anything, no pockets! I was most amused. Out here we all wear just poplin shirts, the ones I had in England, without ties, and the collars either sewn on, or anchored with studs, and rather crumpled K.D. skirts, (khaki drill) My skirts are nearly white anyway with constant washing. We are supposed to wear bush shirts or bush jackets, which have tabs and pockets and the like. I do when I want to look tidy, but they are much hotter.
I was so pleased when I came in to find that miniature edition of the Weekly Times, of 23 June. Thank you Daddy. I am always dying for something to read. I an reading an excellent book at the moment, called "Desert Encounter" by Knud Holmboe, and is published in the Guild Books, paper, and I think something like l/-. Sorry Daddy, I am afraid that you will feel rather left out, the other day, I wrote to Mummy for her birthday, and to Nanny and to Bunch all in the same day. I will write you one for your birthday! Thought I might buy some slippers next time I go to the Musky, that will be when Donald comes on Saturday week, for his birthday. I shall send this through the censor here, which I hate doing, so it will probably arrive about the same time as the ones I sent through Donald the other day, he has gone off to Tripoli for a couple of days. It will be nice for him, he has been dying to go for ages, as some great friends of his are there. He really wanted to go by road, but of course it would take much too long. Still, it will be interesting. His job necessitates him tearing about, the new one, and he is delighted. Haven't had any letters, or rather letter cards, since 4 August, when, I had one from Bunch of 25 July . I do hope they haven't been shot up. I went and spoke severely to the post corporal this a.m. and said I thought he burnt my letters.
0h, I forgot to tell you how charming the little Greek proprietor of the cafe was. He came up and said quite out of the blue, no drinks to-day, and I looked vaguely surprised, and he told me it vas a very sacred Moslem day, and none were sold for 24 hours. Ramadan starts on 30 of the month, when I believe the country goes mad. You know they fast from sunrise to sunset for a month, and eat and drink all night, and have two days flat out of over eating and drinking the first time they see the New moon at the end of the month.
Well goodbye for now. Longing to hear from you again, give my love to everyone and keep most of it for yourselves, I do miss you so,
Romie.
There is a nice eclipse of the full moon going on at the moment. Its Sunday. I went to rather a nice service in the camp this a.m. at 10.30.
Cpl Maitland, A.T.S.
5.1.S. M.T.8.
No. 26. M.E.F.
17.V111.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, I don't quite know why I am writing to yon
again so soon, as I only wrote two days ago. But I had three letters from you yesterday and a pile of magazines this morning. It was your number 20 Daddy, of June 4 and two written on the same day from you Mummy. I was so pleased to get them, How lovely your descriptions of the garden do sound. Surely they are cutting the oats very early this year aren't they? I suppose that Bertie enjoyed himself enormously chasing rabbits in entirely the opposite direction from which they ran. I do hope he won't have forgotten me when I get home, he is always so pleased to see me. I have no idea whether Donald qualifies for the Africa Star Daddy, I am afraid. I was most amused the other day, I read in some paper, from home that ever since it has been mentioned in parliament, the troops have done nothing but discuss it. Until I told someone in the office, and thus promoted a violent argument, I have never heard anyone mention it. The Americans are very unpopular for being cluttered up with medals, issued with their cigarette candy and gum ration once a week, ie, for being in Cairo for one week. They get them on arrival.
You do seem to have had a do over August Bank Holiday. Gosh they did make a lot of money at the Carrs, I can't imagine where it all comes from, I did enjoy those fetes we had in the garden before. Am so glad that it was fine. I suddenly remembered in the middle of the day, that it was Bank Holiday, and then went drearily on working.
Didn't know Bunch was going up to Lytham for a fortnight. You will miss them, I suppose that the baby will be even fatter than it was before. I will dash off My J. an airgraph Mummy, I wrote to her ages ago, I suppose that it has got lost. On June 29 according to my list, where I try to remember to put all the letters I wrote and get, or I get hopelessly lost, there is nothing to mark time, but Donald coming over. Sorry my typing is rather bad, the wind keeps on blowing the page. T hat no idea it was Aunt Bee's silver wedding I will do my duty! I must write to Joy too. I cannot keep abreast of my correspondence at all. I never seem to write to anyone but you, Bunch , the 2 Maitlands, and one or two people like Buffy. I did an awful thing yesterday, I wrote you a fairly innocuous letter, and a very scurrilous one to Peggy, and meant to send the latter to Donald to censor, and of course made a mistake, and I see now that I have posted the wrong one. I nearly always send all my letters to him, but I wanted you to get yours; quickly, and for once, hadn't said anything about anything I shouldn't! A very rare occurrence. I usually put in one or two acid remarks about A.T.S, or something and so don't have them censored at the office.
Jean has bruised her big toe joint and so is having 48 hours in bed, lucky thing. I am so glad I don't think Donald will have to begin work till a fairly civilised hour in his' new job. You know he was supposed to start work at 5-30 before? His tea was usually brought about then I think. Unfortunately the C.0, went round one day, and there wasn't a single officer at work at 6-0. so on Saturday a.m. of all days they had to parade at 5-30. He likes getting up at that hour, or rather working those hours. But I always suffered, because on Sunday a.m. still wakes up, and I think quite unintentionally wakes me! I just seem to find myself awake then anyway.
Well anyway, I don't think there is any more to tell you. I am sorry all my good intentions were thwarted about you having a quick letter, I suppose that 25 and 26 will now arrive together.
Lots and lots of love,
R.
I shall have a nice quiet afternoon, or would of there were no flies, with the magazines.
Its v. noble of you to send Vogue and the Countryman. Donald will be delighted with the latter.
Donald's new address
84415 Flight Lieutenant DSM 26 A.A.C.U. RAF, MEF.
Cpl Maitland, A. T. S
5.1.3. M.I.8.
22.V111.'43 , M.E.F.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
My half day again, I have had two very near together this week, and Sunday. Jean, Sheelagh and I have just been to tea with a friend of Sheelagh's father or grandfather (who lived here). She has a beautiful house about half a mile from here. I did enjoy it so much. Not antique furniture, but just pleasant, and lovely Persian rugs, and so cool and clean and comfortable. It is the first house I have been into since Durban. It was lovely to see anyone dressed in a thoroughly English fashion. type frock! And to be waited on properly with nice china. (Even the best hotels china is now decidedly patchy!) On going into the drawing room, I was so terribly tempted, by the Englishness and cleanliness of it all, to say politely, "And how do you manage about bugs here?..." I did not. It is of course a burning topic here with everyone, I mean all the services! I have been bitten all over the Middle East. In Shepherds, in my billet at my desk... but curiously enough, never in Hel house, though one day in the bar Donald was horrified to see one emerge from his top pocket! Though I seem to be getting better, I suppose my blood is thinner and not so appetising!
I have at the moment a raving passion for mangoes, it has even superseded grapes at the minute. They are so smooth. You remember those oval orange things with the enormous flat stone, which you eat with a spoon like an ornage. The latter are out of season at the moment. We are not allowed to buy water melon either at the moment, unless it is the only fresh fruit available, as the Wogs have a nice habit of pumping water, Sweet Water Canal or Nile type, six weeks injections if you fall in! To make it weigh heavier. But the ones the army buys are o.k. and we get that 5 days out of 7 so it matters little, and sweet melons, which anyway I like better are o.k.
\ Donald wants two bath towels 6 feet by four for his birthday, isn't it heavenly? In Hel House, they give us two minute face towels things, and by the time we have each had a shower before dinner and another one before bed, they are just pulp. Not that we are often quite as clean as all that! Well anyway next week end, with Stanley we will be able to use a large towel each before Donald takes them back.
I have just finished my red skirt, 1 think it will be a big success. I had. an inspiration, on my last half day, the day before yesterday, I went down the village and borrowed a machine from one of the little furnishing shops and made it there. It was so funny, it is almost on the pavement, as the shop is of course open to the street, and everyone thought, as usual, that I was quite mad. So did the man who owned it, because I would do French seams. Both he and his
Assistant came up to me, and said that, the right side was "Qoise," and the other "mushqoise". And then when I showed them, sort of tapped their heads!
We are all going to an open air flic in the village to-night, we very often do on. Sundays. The place is flooded with then, there are four in the village alone, apart from two ordinary, and dozens in Cairo, all fairly full too. One buys 1d. worth of peanuts, roasted, to help, and pay about a shilling for seats. I shall buy some mangoes on the way home. The fruit shops seem to stay open all the night, and the flower shops. It is incredible but I think the owners just sleep outside on the pavement. Well I must away, it is 7-0. I want to take down some dobi too.
With lots of love, R
PS Had your letter of 10:VIII:43 Daddy, will answer it in next.
No 28. 30.Vlll.'43. M.E.F.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Have just had such a heavenly week-end, and it is such a horrible contrast coming back here, but this has been enormously relieved as I have had no less than 9 letters to-day. Two from Pegs, one from you Mummy, one from Bunch, one from Mrs Maitland, one from Beattie, and two Times, I am enjoying them thank you Daddy. Also before I forget, that book on British Standard Products arrived on Sat. I opened the envelope and nearly died, couldn't think whatever it was, Donald though is moot interested, and he thoroughly approves of them apparently the RAF is run exclusively on their lines. Will begin from the beginning. Donald was coming up on Saturday afternoon, with Stanley who was going down to have lunch with him, and could then fly him back. I rung up as usual on Friday night, and Donald said everything had all gone wrong, and that he had to go to Haifa the next morning. My heart sank into my boots, until I realised that he of course was flying and would come back after lunch. His C.0. has a passion for flying him around the countryside, and would take me too if I could only get the time off, I wish to heaven I could. Anyway he arrived about 7-0. and we went along to Stanley's flat and changed, and then went along to the new RAF officers club they have opened here. It is really very nice, with of course a very good RAF band. It always appears to me that Donald knows everyone in the Middle East, and Donald and Stanley are too awful together, as they were at school always with at least 6 people in the room. First time Donald and I have ever managed to spend his birthday together. Donald had unfortunately to go to Air HQ the next morning as he was so late up on Saturday, and so we couldn't go and buy silver in the Musky, we got up nice and late though, and I pottered around and spent hours under the shower, and finally went down and met Mimi, Stanlev's girl friend at the Helio sporting club for a cup of coffee. She is a v. nice girl, we think he ought to marry her, but he doesn't know. Her mother is English and her father Egyptian. Oh it is a terrible mistake these mixed marriages. They lived in England for several years and Mimi looks quite English, was educated at a convent, and so is R.C. her mother is C.of E. while her father is a Mussalman. I am so sorry for her, she doesn't like Egypt or Egyptians. We had lunch in the flat, and slept all the afternoon, and then tea, and then went into Cairo, and decided in the end that we would have eggs and bacon for dinner, cooked of course by Donald, the other two didn’t know how to crack an egg! It was lovely, I forgot for 24 hours I was an A.T.S. People treat one so differently in the Metro and the like as a civilian. Stanley flew Donald back at 8-0 this morning. He has a collection of people to look after about 5 minutes from Donald's HQ. It was so nice staying in a flat for a change, instead of a hotel, lovely being able to mess about there.
This is ALL C0MPLETELY in the air, but Donald is going to try and see if he can get me transferred to the W.A.A.F.s as an officer. I don't think it can be done, as I am in this racket, I am sure it could if I weren't, but they won't let you out, but there is no hope of any advancement, and promotion, even one more stripe is off for the duration for all of us. If IF I should be able to get out, I have no doubt that I should have to do the same type of job, only possibly from another point of view, and so it would be quite interesting. As Donald said we have neither of us any thing to lose by doing this. I can't do anything me end, but he might be able to. It would make life so much better from every point of view. W.A.A.F officers are quite civilised out here, and live in flats and things A.T.S. officers never can. I am afraid that there is practically no hope of being able to fix it though, under the circumstances.
Fancy it is Carol Ann's birthday to-morrow, it is amazing to think she was born a year ago, and yours the next day, Mummy. I will think of you both a lot. I had a sweet letter from Beattie all about her. Saying that Tom adored her, I never knew that. No one ever told me! How lovely all the Victoria plums must have been, oh dear I do wish I could send you sugar, but I can't. There just isn't any. The dates are all ripe, they look so lovely all hanging up, but I am sure, if Bunch saw the squalor of the people who dried them, she'd never touch another one! I wouldn't. I told yon I had mango mania didn't I?
Well I think that is all the babble, I am afraid that I haven't written to you for nearly a week, I meant to on Saturday afternoon, so that Donald could initial it there and then, but I was so exhausted after packing and the excitement, and rolled myself in a sheet as always, in the afternoon to keep off the flies and slept. P.S. Sunday was my day off for the month, Generous.
Well goodbye for now and lots of Love,
2.IX.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, I have just had a most energetic evening. I worked till 8-30. and then walked home, and ate some supper, and then did my week's washing. I always seem to accumulate masses. Changing all ones clothes every day means a lot, but in this country it is so difficult to wash anything, they don't seem to believe in hot water. We have a very little every day, and then it is only tepid, and so very, very hard. There is only one foot bath too with hot water laid on other than the bath on my floor. Curious. Even Stanley's block of flats, which are terribly nice only have hot water on Saturday nights and Thursday mornings for some curious reason. I trust they don't all do this in winter. Have just been scavenging around, as, as usual I am fiendishly hungry at night. It is no use, after having dinner at the correct time for 11 years, I can hardly be expected to eat it at any other time. Anyway who wants an enormous meal in the middle of the day in this weather. Have made some coffee and found some bread and marmalade. Lovely marmalade. They have some tinned Cooper's Oxford in the shops I saw the other day, I shall send you some in the next parcel. Incidentally have you ever had the one I sent off about three weeks after we landed?
Anyway I got my reward for working over time, I had the two copies of the Times that you or Miss Partridge put in the same envelope. One of July 28. Marvellous. The post is a lot better. Thank you Daddy, very much. I do enjoy them. The papers out here are very mediocre. No articles worth reading at all, and I never hear the wireless, as I am never in at the right moment. Have had a marvellous shower of mail this week. I think I told you in my last letter that I had ten letters on Monday and Tuesday and then I had a parcel of Punches and magazines on Wednesday. Everyone appreciates the latter very much. I and all my various friends read them, and then I give them to Donald and they circulate through the R.A.F. I sent a large pile the other day to a girl in the isolation hospital with scarlet fever. A sweet child. Such bad luck she had first dyp and then a fortnight after she had come back from a convalescent place in Palestine, scarlet fever. She is better now and in Palestine again. Only 19.
It is all right, Mummy, I wrote to Ma Jay at the end of June, which I suppose got sunk or something, and have not written again, so she ought to have got it by now. I keep a large chart of when I write letters pinned on the wall, in the hope that I MAY write to all the people I ought at the right minute. Thank you for telling me the size of Carol Ann's feet. I am going into Cairo for my half day to-morrow and will have a look round. I have seen some very nice light wool cloth here at 10/- a yard 28 inches wide. I don't know whether you would be interested in any. I think I shall save up and buy myself some and keep it to be made up at home. I am at the moment scouring the place to find some no. 13 knitting pins for some socks for Donald as Marion had some tropical khaki wool she didn't want. You should see the way Donald has treasured the ones I sent out here, they are beautifully darned! I love knitting socks. It is so easy.
How nice having the Hills for the week-end, a v. nice change for them. What an incredible amount of plums from our tree. It is coming up to scratch. It sounds so lovely, the fruit out here is of course lovely. But it is not all sun warmed! The tomatoes are nothing like as nice. I think it is really too hot for them they haven't the real flavour. We did have a lovely cantaloupe melon yesterday though.
Isn't it nice Stanley has asked us to spend Donald's next week end in the flat. As well as being oodles cheaper, it is so much nicer. It is sweet to see Donald and Stanley walking along together, they're so alike, we came to the conclusion it must have been the gym man at school! Donald as usual left his razor behind. He leaves them all over the Middle East. He is frightfully busy at the minute digging his tent out. Every one thinks he is mad. The best tents out here have the floor dug out so that you can stand up and beaten hard. They haven't where Donald is now for some reason. They have those EPIP tents, double ridge ones. (Egypt Palestine and India Pattern) I suggested he might have a savage to do it or some of the men but apparently he likes digging in the afternoon, it is something to do to stop him sleeping! He seems to be pleased with his job. But there is a lot to do. Isn't it amazing, at the station, there are two people who live in Codsall, an P.O. Laurie Crane who lives in Sandy Lane, and a Flight Sgt. who lives opposite the church, and another man who lives in Penn Fields, and another officer he was at school with. The Crane man knows you at any rate by name Daddy,
I just love the idea of Bunch and Peter having to fly back from the Isle of Man! I mean when I was on a ship for 6 weeks w1th no hope of getting off however sick I might have been! Poor Lindsay and one or two others pretty near died. Lindsay just lay in a coma for nearly week. I only felt really bad for two days. Then I only missed three meals but lost nearly all the others! It is an awful feeling though. The men had a terrible time of course. Lucky they were both ill, it is so awful seeing someone else feeling marvellous when you feel terrible. I think the most awful thing is watching ones clothes and the curtains swing. And the ship creaking like mad. The above sounds rather horrid. I shall eternally feel superior being on a boat for so long.
Well I am going to have s shower and get in my washing. All bone dry by now, after an hour! and go to bed. Oodles of love, R.
I had another letter from Gladys this week. She's been v. good I've had several from her.
No 30.
Donald looks after <censor> of some anti <censor> units all over the place. Don’t mention it in letters to him.
Sunday 4.IX.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, Got a letter from you Daddy, yesterday (of 25/8), written at home about Mummy's hand. I do hope it is all right, how dreadful for you Mummy. I hope Doctor Curtis is in and you could get it attended to immediately. It is the second time it has happened to you isn't it? I remember very well in Parkdale Bunny or Sam biting you when he had been so badly bitten by that Alsatian. Trust it won't scar your hand too badly. Did Bertie set on the dog or vice versa? It was horrid reading your letter Daddy, I thought Bertie had been killed to begin with! You know I am getting used t this country, because I immediately thought oh dear poor Mummy, now she will have to have injections for weeks, as you do out here, to prevent rabies, one every day for 21 days. Hope that it will be all right by the time you get this.
So nice I made a terrific effort and got up at 6-30 this morning and went to Cairo Cathedral to the 7-30 service with Marion, the newly married one and a friend of hers whom I like very much. It was lovely out and so cool and lovely shadows. Very nice service taken by the bishop and the Chaplain General or whatever you call him to the forces in the M.E. Only about 50 or 60 people there and 4 people officiating. The cathedral is just on the Nile at the back of Kaar Nil barracks, and it looked lovely, it is almost dangerously high at the moment. It was vaguely like early morning in Freetown or Mombassa. Sort of limpid and wonderful reflections of the palms and trees in the water, with great promise of heat! Then we had breakfast on the way back at one of the Brazilian coffee stores, where they make divine coffee, and lots of croissants. Donald and I were thrilled to bits in the Brazilian Coffee Stores in Alex, there was a Brazilian serving! Had a thoroughly virtuous morning as I went again at 10-3O as they were dedicating a chapel in the place where I work. It used to be the Sergeants Mess cookhouse;! It is really quite nice though.
We have a new lunch system. It is very pleasant. We have for our sins masses, at leaf 20 signals women living here too, and they are too awful at meals, in particular lunch, and the crush is enormous. So we have the system. It was pretty frightful before I went away last week-end, but when I cam back Jean and Madelein informed me that I would hate to have lunch downstairs so they had evolved a plan. (I, as you can guess being the worst hater.) A friend of Madelein's has a small flat very near here, and he is away all the day, and he said that we could use it whenever we liked. So we have lunch there, we buy eggs and bread and butter and melon and have a far better lunch and enjoy it and sleep all the afternoon in arm chairs. We also have an enormous amount of fun planning how good a meal we can eat for how little, we don't reckon to spend more than a shilling each, which in the country takes some doing! Yesterday for example we had sardines, cream cheese and peanuts and bananas, last altogether and then coffee. Oh and bread and butter of course, and some delicious rusks they make by drying their rather peculiar bread. We all enjoy ourselves enormously. One needs so little food in this country.
Re your letter Daddy, don’t worry, I don't ever feel the slightest regret that I went into the A.T.S. however much I hate it. I could never have got out here, and , quite apart from Donald, I am enormously interested to see places. I know now much more than I ever could have known about this country, had I just passed through it, and seen the Pyramids and the Musky! I certainly feel I know quite a bit about it, especially since one normally of course would have a high standard of living. Out here too, we, at least all my various friends, feel that we are fairly useless. But I suppose one always feels that, and back in England it may not seem so. I mean to you, we may seem to be doing that awful phrase "our bit"! I really would quite like this country I think if I lived as a civilian in a house, which was comfortable and CLEAN. And if I could have food at the right times of the day suited to the climate and not a wintry day in England. And of course some form of locomotion! Not that I do much walking, but you know even half a mile across the desert to work, in the heat seems a long way. Ants are the thing which stagger me out here. We did have a few little ones once on our balcony, and they were just starting on the French window, so I took a whole tin of Keatings and they haven't been too friendly to me since then. We don't see them nowadays. But they scramble madly about Stanley's flat and Ken's, where we have lunch. They pop out of the bar and that sort of thing. We put the chocolates in the ice box! However after bugs I am quite chummy with ants!
Have just been bullying one of the A.T.S. who got married when she came out here, and is having a baby. The silly child can't take A.T.S. food, and doesn't seem to realise that she must have some other, and so feels terrible. She is just waiting to go home. With concentrated bullying, I have made her promise that she will go down to Home Made Cakes and drink a pint of milk a day . She is a silly child, she is dying to have this baby and doesn't have the sense to realise that she must eat. I shared a room with her in Durban, and all the time I had to bully her about something, no sense at all. I years and years older than all the bods here, her husband is just waiting to go either to Sicily, Italy or Burma or some place. Well, I must go to work I suppose. This should be my half day, but I have not finished a report which has to be in this evening. It necessitate so much arguing.
Lots and lots of love, and do hope that your hand is all right Mummy, and poor silly little Bertie. It was horrid, that sinking feeling of no Bertie to be pleased to see me when I come home, R.
PS I bought my god child some ???shoes.
No 31.
8 & 9.IX.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Have had quite a number of letter from you this week, since I wrote on Sunday. One from you Mummy written on the 30 and one from Bunch and Nanny. Couldn't think why none of you mentioned your hand, and then I realised that your last letter Daddy, which I got so quickly was written last. I do hope that it is all right now it must have been such a horrid shock.
Lovely to hear of you having Cannas out. I think that they are the golden sort of lilies that are out here. I saw them in Durban too, both red and gold. Otis knew quite a lot of the flowers and trees when he came up for the week-end so I found out all I could from him. The flamboyants are over now, and there is little out, as the Bougainvillaea was over long ago. There is some Morning Glory still, and the ripe dates look lovely. The most beautiful golden brown.
Am going to ring Donald up to-night, when I rang up the night before last he had gone to Tripoli for about five days. I am so glad, he has a lot of friends up there. The unit he was with before I landed is there, and he has been dying to see them all again. He didn't think he would be able to get up there this week. He is coming back today, and down to see me I hope this week-end. We are going to stay with Stanley again I think. I shall see Alan Cooper then too, he is the brother of the man whom I hope rung you up at home, I think it would have been a bit soon, Daddy when you wrote. Alan has just flown home too. So I shall hear all the latest news about Birmingham. He is a squadron Leader about 35, shares a flat with Stanley. I do hope that I shall be able to buy Donald (us!) some silver in the Musky too this week-end, for his birthday. We couldn't last time, as he had to go to Air H.Q. in the morning.
It is now much cooler. I am so relieved. At least it is cooler for here, though still miles above English heat waves of course! Last night I nearly got blown out of bed. It was terribly windy on the balcony. I tied myself in with my dressing gown cord. It is possible to go out in the afternoon now too, which is pleasant.
10. p.m. Since I started this, I have been down to phone up Donald and he told me that Italy has fallen. In some ways I think this is terrific but I am very worried what will happen to us. Donald and me I mean. In the thing he is in at the minute, he should be safe for a month or three with any luck, and I don't think they can move me too hurriedly. Oh dear. Still as long as he doesn't go to India. As he said over the phone the Burma Road draws nearer. It is wonderful though Italy falling with no fighting much, the saving of lives. I did get a shock I must say. Thank heaven I think that Donald may be coming up in time for lunch on Sat. so we shall be able to get things organised a bit about what to do. I am sorry this letter will now be very vague as I feel in rather a muddle about everything and don't know what to do at all. The end of the war does seem so much nearer though. He has been up to Tripoli for a few days. Lovely for him, he has seen all the people he wanted to, and got back here last night.
Sorry I am too distrait to write any more, I must eat my mango and go to bed I think, Lot & lots of love.
This sounds terrible. I am really thrilled about Italy because the end of the war seems so much closer. We are all so pleased today that we are even thinking quite sensibly about the end of the war! Its incredible. I do really think it might be over next year.
I am going to make Donald have his photo taken on Sat as he's coming up before tea. Then I will too. I know you want them too. Am looking forward to the B. of C.A. Oodles of love. R.
13: IX:'43.
Darlings, it is Monday again. I nearly always seem to write to you then. Donald went off again this morning, and so it is rather drear at the minute. We had a heavenly week end as usual, He arrived in time for tea on Saturday, which we had at the Helio Sporting Club with Stanley and Mimi and a few other bods. They were all bathing, I couldn't be bothered, so Donald didn't either. It was rather amusing, there was a dear old boy there, really old Daddy! who talked to Donald and me for hours while we were all watching a water polo match, and told us all about his prickly heat on his behind. Then he went in and changed, and turned out to be a Brigadier, the Military Secretary. I was a little shattered being dressed as a private. (I don't often wear stripes as it enables troops to shout at you so much more easily out of lorries and the like,) This is always happening though. We stayed in the flat again. It is pleasant and so sweet of them to have us like this. It is full now. Two squadron leaders and Stanley. The other two are much older, 37 and 41 (special for Bunch!) One of them the older brother of the Edgbaston man has just flown back from England. I do wish I had known he was going, I would have at least sent you some mail. We had dinner in the flat, and then went down to the R.A.F. officers club and danced. I do like Mimi, she is charming. She always takes a great hound around with her, which somebody found in Tobruk, an Iti beast. Terribly like a fox hound, only longer
legged, and not quite so heavy. We did nothing all Sunday. Lovely and peaceful. I had to work in the evening, but no for very long. We had the flat to ourselves all the afternoon, and the greater part of the evening. Lovely. Except for Alan (Edgbaston) who retired to bed with a temp of 102. Sand fly I expect, fever I mean. One runs terrific high temperatures out here for practically no reason. I have had a temp of 103 and normal a few hours later. We got quite domestic putting him into dry pyjamas and sheets every now and then. Donald had the same thing a fortnight, and was quite convinced he was going to die. He always is with a cold or anything. Then Stanley dumped Donald this morning on his regular Monday trip to some nearby place. Marvellously convenient for us, as he gets Donald back in time for work at about 9-0. It is so lovely just being able to sit around without having to go out, and not having to do anything. There is no way we can repay them which 1s the trouble. We bought them a bottle of gin this week-end. English 18 shilling I think. Very hard to get.
Wish I could tell you about work.
Daddy, I have been meaning to write and tell you how terrific I think it is you being asked to stand for parliament. Well of course there is no one I would rather vote for and trust more in that direction. Of course it is impossible I quite see that. It is anyway an honour to have been asked. It would be awful having to dash to and from London all the time.
I haven't had any mail from you specifically since I wrote last Thursday. Had a lot waiting for me when I got in last night. An airgraph, sweet one from Miss Partridge, two from Pegs, and one from Joy. And a Times, of July 14. I had 28 a fortnight ago, you never can tell. When everyone here has read all my things I take them along to the flat. They will end their rounds at home again I should think!
Donald and I are joining the Helio sporting club. We can't go there really except as members at the week-end, I went to the secretary of the Officers club at 5.I.S. this a.m. and he will get Donald in on their quota, and I can then have a ticket as his wife. The little man was most helpful. It is 85 p.t. a quarter, 17/-. We only pay one sub. as husband and wife. I can't join as an other rank, but seem to be able to go as a guest, and of course with Donald it is ok. I can go. One can bathe there, eat drink, play squash etc. and they have a library! It would be nice for Donald and Stanley to play squash. I might too.
Joy was most enthusiastic about Carol Ann, and the fact that no one cried at the party.
Well I must go to bed, I am quite dead. woke up at about 5-30 this a.m. and didn't dare go to sleep again in case we were late.
Lots and lots of love, R.
16.IX.'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, This is Thursday. Last wrote on Monday, but as I sent it to Donald to be censored you will probably get the two about the same time. Haven't decided what to do with this at present. Depends what I say! Mummy, I have just written to Ma J. for the third time. I do hope that she will get it all right, it is maddening the way they don't get to her. Actually I wrote to the Manor Ho. to her, but airgraphs are guaranteed, to get there, and Joe Illidge ought to know her well enough by now. I think I have spelt Joe's name wrong haven't I? Of coarse it is a peculiar name in the beginning.
I have had masses of letters this week, two from you Mummy. the cont. ones, one from you Daddy, one from Bunch, two, like yours Mummy, from Pegs, and one from Mrs M. and one from Rosemary T. I am so sorry to hear that Dick has gone back to West Africa. It is bad luck. I thought that he was never going back there, due to dysentery or something. You know I missed Rosemary's fiancé out here by inches? Maddening. Glad to hear that your hand is all right now Mummy. Though from your description it might have been nothing. I will write to Pauline, probably after this, if I can think how in the name of fortune to send it when I don't know her married name. I am so pleased that she has a daughter. The Baylisses must be so delighted too. They really will be able to make a nursery again at the Field.
I do hope that you had a lovely week-end in London. AND Mummy that you got some clothes. I was wondering if you would like me to get you some woolly material out here. I have seen some pretty stuff here in the village, which is not too ruinous, I think you had better have some for Xmas. Things do sound so short at home. But the clothes look as heavenly as ever in Vogue. I would much rather have them all plain. Do get some clothes though Mummy. It is awfully sweet to offer to sand Donald socks, it is quite all right though. He merely is very fond of hand knitted ones; they are better in the sand I think. He can get fairly decent ones from the stores. I shall have finished him a pair when he comes down next time in ten days. Mummy, how silly of me, on looking at your letter, as I answered it, you have written above Pauline's name. Thank you. Now I will send her an airgraph this evening. How nice to see Mrs C.B. again. She is a dear.
Now Daddy. I think you are very good about writing, though, because I know how terribly busy you always are. Did I tell you in my last that I had a sweet letter from Miss Partridge? I am sorry that you are having such a lot of trouble with the running, or rather organisation of the H.G. It is trying. Glad that they still manage to give you petrol to go by car to courses anyway. Thank you so much for getting me Oriental Spotlight. I am longing to read it.
Haven't done anything at all since I last wrote to you, except go and have dinner with Alan, the S.Leader who was ill at the weekend. We had dinner in the flat. I did enjoy it. We spent two hours just saying, good heavens, did you really know so and so? He knows the Beans and Marshes and Swanson Thompson complex and the Ferrys and all the gang from the other side. And used to go to Aberdovey every year till 1924. (bearing in mind he is now 37.) He used to play golf there with a handicap of 2 or something as a schoolboy, and has played in the English championships. and so of course know the Baylii. He knows Kathleen Marsh too, but didn't know she was out here. I shall most certainly go and see her Mummy, as soon as ever all my lost address books and the like arrive from Durban. But I haven't a thing like that at present. I should love to.
I really will get my photo taken again sometime. I tried to make Donald last Saturday evening. But we got to the Sporting Club at tea time and Stanley and Mimi and Alan were all there, and so I gave it up; the trouble is you know I look so foul in sort of guinea, two guinea efforts. I always glare. Donald did take some snaps of me but they are lousy. He won't take any more, and I won't let him. They were taken in Alex. I am quite a bit fatter. My face is rounder, and my ribs don't show at all. I don't know how much I weigh. All the machines are in Kilos. What with buying fruit and bread, in okes, and sweets in kilos, I get most muddled. I think probably oke is only a Wog term for Kilo, they both seem to be about the same amount. about 2 ¼ pounds.
Don't think there is any more to tell you right now.
Lots and lots of love, R.
No 34.
20.IX.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, Monday again. I try to keep to the same days writing to you then I do get in two letters a week. This will be rather dopey I am afraid, as I was just contemplating going to bed when someone came and told me that the list had been changed and I was duty N.C.O. which means staying up till all hours to see that everyone is in.
I haven't heard from. you since I last wrote, but with any luck ought to get some mail to-morrow, as it usually comes in at the beginning of the week.
Have just been phoning Donald. He has been up to Haifa for a night on business, and ran into Otis there, and went to his place in Aleppo for three days. I am feeling v. jealous! He had a lovely time. I am so glad that he could manage it, he has always been wanting to go. He unfortunately got an attack of gippy tummy in the middle. It is a wonderful disease, guaranteed to attack you at just the wrong moment. He has bought me a present, and told me to look for patterns for over-coats. This thrilled me to the core. Am dying to see what it is, the stuff. It is the one thing I need. I didn't dare ask you to send me one as they are so precious now, and I can't manage without a coat here in the winter.
I had quite a pleasant week-end. Stan and Mimi and Alan took me under their wing. I had dinner at the flat on Saturday night. We had the most divine curry. Hassan makes it so well, nuts and raisins and all the other oddments. I maddened Stan and Mimi by eating it neat without turning a hair or sweating. Not liking rice! It was a really hot one too, I could only just do and look like an ice chest. Were going to have another one next Saturday for Donald, and me. With bananas. (sorry to make your mouth water!) But I do love curry, and I never seem to be able to get it hot enough in England. Secret, lots of chilli powder, Then we went down to the R.A.F. club and danced as usual. Joy there no Americans.
<censored>. (sorry) On Sunday, I went down and had lunch at the Helio Sporting Club and bathed, and watched lots of small children swimming marvellously. Shrimps of about 6 and 7 diving away like mad from the 3 metre board. Also a diving display. I got burnt again. My shoulder straps hurt a little. However the cream of the afternoon was me at the top of a pyramid of four people being walked slowly down the bath. Needless to say I fell headlong after the first few steps and then everyone else followed! Incidentally there were some Turkish air force officers at the R.A.F. club. V. interesting, and spoke good English.
Hurray signs of the last person coming in and so I can go to bed. I will finish this in the morning. It amuses me so much. When I throw this in to be censored at the office, I am always ticked off by the duty officer for using an office typewriter, then at the end I point out that I possess one of my own!
21:IX:'43 Went to the Musky yesterday afternoon with Marion and one or two other bods, with Mr Safe, an Egyptian Marion knows. A Sailor. Quite a nice man and v. kind. He flew me once in a tiger moth. It was most entertaining watching him subdue all the wogs with ??? We wanted to go into the big mosque in the middle, but women weren't allowed in. He is just going to fly some Moslem students to Mecca. I was most interested, apparently no non Moslems are allowed into that part of Arabia at all. How he manages I don’t know as he doesn’t appear to be a Mohammedan. I would love to go. But I suppose it is more bug ridden than Cairo. Alan said it was so divine to get back to B'ham and just go to bed and sit in an armchair without getting up dismally to see the worst. He apparently is the honeypot type!
How disappointing I hoped there would be some mail this am and there isn't. None had come in. But I know the moment I post this there will be.
Lots of love. Will write again on Thursday ad Friday as usual. Longing for he weekend. Donald comes down for 2 nights. R.
23:IX:'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, have just had a letter from both of you which is lovely, Mummy, don't worry I am quite all right financially, I have got a credit here in my bank or £57 Egyptian. I.e. about 57 10 English. Then Donald has 20 or 30 in a separate account in Ismailia, quite apart from his pay. He has also saved about 200 £ in England which I think is truly remarkable. We don’t wish to touch that at all except in event of offspring till after the war. A third of his pay is paid into his bank in England also his extra Flight Lieut's pay.
The only thing that worries me out here is the frightful price of everything. The bare necessities I mean, for example I have now run out of toothpaste for the first time since I arrived as I brought a fair amount. Well I know I have got to pay 20 or maybe 15 p.t. for it, that is 3 or 4/- for an ordinary shilling size. Tooth brushes are also 20 p.t. (4/-). Reels of cotton, the threepenny size, 9d to 1/-. Oddly enough the only things that are not more than about double the price they should be are food and drink, as they are controlled. By that I mean actual table d'hôte meals. Lunch is 5/- and dinner 6/-. Then there are sort of cover charges periodically. Coffee at the cheapest is rarely less than 71d. cakes 3d. to 71d. etc. tea 71d. (3p.t.) The only thing to do is what everyone adopts. You buy what you want very much and don't think about the price, and just do without when you haven't got any money. Policy adopted from the highest to the lowest. Oh, here is a good example, tea, is mostly unprocurable except by N.A.A.F.I., and in restaurants and is sold on the Black Bourse at £3 a kilo. (about 2¼lbs). This all sounds grim I suppose. Sorry! But we manage, on the system I told you. It is no use thinking about toothpaste being that price when you clean your teeth! Incidentally, that is the one thing I should be v. grateful for if it is still gettable in England.
So glad to hear that you had a pleasant week-end in London. I would love to have seen Arsenic and Old Lace. The one thing I do want to see is Noel Coward's two new plays. How dreadful about Tony Willcock and Angus Robertson, I didn’t know. I am sorry. One of the A.T.S. out here I know quite well's brother is missing over Germany. Fancy Muriel Fellows being an A.T.S. major, the prospect appals me!
I sent you off a parcel this morning. Dried fruit icing sugar, turkish delight and two pairs of shoes for Carol Ann. I am so cross that the first one I sent from here about three weeks after we landed didn't arrive as it was all dried fruit. I have only sent one since then a part from to-day, which you should be getting about now I think. I do hope the shoes will be more or less the right size. I am rather ignorant.
How lovely having two new pearls Mummy. Yes I am having them! You know you have brought me up so like this, that the other day, I bought Donald a lovely silver plate, Turkish, for his birthday, and thought, I can't see quite at the moment, how we shall ever have enough money to eat soufflés off silver plate, but our children might I suppose! I was appalled when I caught myself doing it! Everyone at the office was so horrid when I walked in carrying one of those blue vases like our cocktail ones, for our room, and this silver plate, and asked how Donald was going to carry it around the M.E.
I am going to see George Formby to-night, he is doing a show at the place where I work, I very rarely go to the ENSA things they have, but I shall tonight. For once I shall feel quite like a troop of some sort away from England I suppose! Mostly I merely feel irritated with the country and that I can't get home, but not very far from home, and of course with the A.T.S. more than irritated. Sorry this is such a dreary letter, I am not feeling at all dreary. Rather pleased in fact. Had lots of letters in the last few days, Donald is coming up for the week-end, and I have £3 more pounds than I thought I had. But I thought you would probably like to know how we were off financially. It is such a dreary subject.
I am just finishing the toe of Donald's sock, and now I am going to make a skirt for Sheelagh, she and Jean are having a fortnight's leave in a fortnight, and are going to Alex. I am. v. jealous. Donald and I hope to have another week in about November. I just long to go away, if only for 48 hours. Still the others haven't had any leave at all yet, and we had a week in May.
Must go and have a bath, or rather a shower, and put on a clean shirt, I am all hot and sticky. I usually do have one before tea, it does get sticky in the afternoon, particularly if I go to sleep.
How nice of Uncle Cyril to give me some books. Longing to get them,.
I forgot to tell you I had my photo taken last week, but as usual it was too awful. I don't know whether to bother to have any prints done or not. Will show them to Donald and see what he says. It is maddening. I always glare or leer at cameras, apparently.
Well lots. And lots of love.
No 36. It really is! Sorry, I always forget to number them!
27:IX:'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
No mail to answer since I last wrote to you on Friday, though I had the Times of August 4th. yesterday, and we did the Xword this morning at work as there wasn't much to do. We are very slack at the moment, quite why I don't know.
Donald came up about 4-0 on Saturday, having got a very good lift in a staff car, and made it in two hours. so we went down to the Home Made Cakes and had tea, then made maddeningly I had to go to work at 5-30, and Donald went off to the flat and had a shower. I managed to get off at 7-0, and went along to have a shower and change. We had just settled down to have a drink before dinner when Stanley and Mimi and the other two arrived. Lovely dinner, masses of curry. Then we went down to the R.A.F. club and danced a bit. It was indoors for the first time. It did seem odd, I haven't danced indoors since last winter at home, and I don't think I did then much. It is quit cool at night now. I have a blanket. But still very hot in the middle of the day, more like English hot weather now. We had a nice long morning in bed, and laughed at Stan and Alan and Harry all having to go to some church parade for the Battle of Britain or something 9-0. Then Donald and I went to see some friend of Donald's, an army type, who has had scarlet fever, he had a temp of 108.5 for 48 hours and emerged blind deaf and dumb. They don't know what in the hell happened. He is much better now, but his sight will never recover properly they are afraid. His speech is badly slurred and he shakes most frightfully. It is ghastly. Still he has only been ill for five weeks. Pathetic, he only got married just before he left England too. His brother is fortunately at Ismailia too. Then we went to the club, sporting, and joined the others and had lunch. We had just finished a very late tea, when a familiar figure walked down the middle of the room, Otis again! That day, about 1-50, he had heard that a plane was going down to Cairo at 2-30, so he wrote himself a very quick movement order, and jumped on it. He has come down to see his colonel as he wants to change his job and get some promotion. Then Stanley took Donald back as usual this morning.
Donald had a heavenly time in Syria. He said he didn't think he had told you about it when he wrote last week. He saw all sorts of things, in the ruins line, and was terrifically impressed by the Lebanon Mts. Also by Baalbec and the water wheel at Homs. Otis seems to be the uncrowned king of the region too which made it a lot easier. He went up by car too from Haifa to Aleppo. He has bought me 6 metres of the most beautiful very dark brown genuine camel hair cloth. It has the most terrific sheen on it. It is lovely stuff. He is going to have a skirt made of part of it. You would be very jealous, Mummy. I am going to have a coat made of it with a very wide flared swinging skirt and high buttons. It will be lovely. I believe it is terribly warm and quite wind proof. It feels as it would be and waterproof too. We are going to try and go up there for a fortnight over Xmas. It would be absolutely heavenly. Donald thinks it would be lovely to be
really cold! God it would be fun. I should so love to go up there. I sounded people vaguely about leave to-day, and they seemed to think would be o.k. provided of course we were still here then.
You remember told you I had my photograph taken about a week ago, and didn't like the proofs at all, well Donald seems to like them, so I feel cheered and am having some done and will forward them to you as soon as they are ready at the end of the week.
I felt very drear this morning. The usual Monday morning feeling, and so this afternoon I took myself down to the club, and it was so peaceful and pleasant, and hardly anyone there. I bathed and then lay in the sun and read. Mimi turned up about 3-0-, and talked to me, and then we had a quiet tea and I came back to work. It was nice and un-A.T.S. like.
Don't think there is any more to tell you at the moment. I am rather tired and think I will go to bed.
Lots and lots of love,
Jean Macalister. Girl with whom I shared a room, and shared a cabin with on the first ship. Was an out student at Newnham, and is now a Mus. Bac. (Bachelor of Music.) Lives in Cambridge.
Sheelagh Foster Smith. Girton. Read English. Lives in Southend (of all places!) Father doctor. Shared room in Eng.
Madelaine Bishop. Was up at Somerville, Oxford, and lives in London. Now engaged to a Major. Read History.
I spend most of my time with these three.
Rufus Layton. One year at Newnham, reading economics. Father Sir Walter Layton. Aged 20. Shared room in Rhonnda House. Was at Roedean for a year.
Lindsay Hope. One year at Girton reading economics. Was at Cheltenham. Shared a cabin on the second and a room in Durban, also in Rhonnda.
These are all the people I am likely to mention who came out with me and whom I was with in England. There are others but I am not particularly interested in them or friendly with them.
Then there are a lot of people with whom I have subsequently become friendly, whom I met the first time in London. They are all great friends, and are collectively known as the Lance Cpls. as they all are.
Marion Thurston. (nee Holloway.) Married at the beginning of July to a man who now lives in Wolverhampton. He was at Bartlett School of Architecture, evacuated to Cambridge. Donald knew him slightly. He is now in North Africa. She was at London evacuated to Cambridge. She knows Pam Winter's (Lawnside) husband, who is her husband's C.O.
Mary Robinson. London.
Pauline Cockcroft. London.
Margot Lamigean. Quarter French. R.C. London. Evacuated to Bangor.
Betty Hogarth. . No degree! Lived in France till war broke out. Father now retired was in the Indian Political.
Sherry Mecaleese, an admin Cpl. who joined us in London, and who also got married out here, and is now at home, at least I trust she is, and having a baby.
R.A.F. Friends of Donald and mine.
Stanley Grant. a regular Wing Co. with whom Donald was at school, and with whom he shared a study, was in Malta for a year and is a D.F.C. and bar. Has a flat here where we stay at week-ends.
Alan Cooper. Squadron leader sharing Stan's flat. Lives in Edgbaston, and sells diamonds. is 38.
Harry Matheson. Second Sq./Ldr. in the flat. In peace time in Imperial Airways. Much older 42.
I don’t think that I talk about anyone else by name, I endeavour not too, knowing how mixed you get!
Odd Bodies
Leslie Pares. Civilian here, at Bredenbury. Just married a RAF officer stationed in the same place as Donald. Very nice.
Mimi Zacki. A half Egyptian girl friend of Stan's. Mother English. Very nice. Lived in England.
Mrs Player. ATS Captain. A silly woman but nice.
I think that these are all the people I am likely to mention by name. I don’t talk about the ATS I expect, because all the time I spend with them I am just doing the ordinary dull things like eating foul meals and sleeping, and they don’t require any comment! I like all the people I have told you about very much but will be incredibly glad to get away from them for a week or two. After all we have now all lived together, very much on top of each other without any break for 9 months. But we get on together very well on the whole. Though my ambition is to live by myself again! Of course I go down to the village with them, and for instance last night I went to dinner and a flic in Cairo with Jean and Sheelagh. But I never think you would be very interested to hear about films! And the like!
This is in answer to your letter of 22:IX:'43 No 25 Daddy.
29:IX:'43 No 37.
No 38
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am afraid I have been rather bad this week and have not written to you as I usually do on Thursday or Friday. Haven't had any mail from you Mummy, but I have had one from you Daddy, dated 22 I think. Pretty good. I have answered yours really by ordinary mail Daddy, i.e. I have typed you a list and short biography of all the people I talk about. I hope you will get it soon, and be able to read my letters better! I am so sorry, I do try to keep the names down as much as possible, but I so have to mention quite a few. Re your other query, Donald doesn’t get leave to come down and see me, he merely has a day off a week as all the RAF do, and come sown the night before once a fortnight, and goes back early in the morning on the Monday, so that he is not more than half an hour, at the most, late for work. He is away as usual at the moment. And there has been a horrid sandstorm blowing for the last two days. I am rather worried, and hope to heaven he won't take off till it has blown itself out. There are so many accidents in them, people getting lost and the like. It is vile here at present. Sand everywhere. But much worse in the real desert I am sure.
Otis has been here all this week, so I have been out to dinner with him two nights this week, which has been very pleasant. He is flying back to Aleppo this morning. He is getting a new job, and will be a Lt. Col., which is good. He will be on the continent though, which is a pity. Sorry Daddy, once again I can't tell you what it is. I know this is very annoying, but if I do, Donald will only cross it out. Or the base censor. Ditto Donald's job. I know it is maddening, but there it is. The censorship is so much stricter this end, than from England.
I have taken to going down to swim in the afternoons now at the Heliopolis sporting club. It makes a very pleasant change, and it is not very full in the middle of the week, Mimi is always there, and sometimes Stanley and the other inhabitants of the flat. I forget I am and ATS for the afternoon. Jean and Sheelagh are going on leave in ten days anyway, so I shall have to find somewhere to go as I shall be very lost. They are going to Alex for a fortnight. Lovely for them. You will have to look up in the index for the names when it arrives.
Incidentally I am also sending you some photographs today, if I can find a nice strong envelope, which I have just had taken. There are four. Could you give one to Nanny and Bunch if they want one. They are the ones, that I would have torn up, because I think they are lousy, but Donald seems to think that they might be a lot worse. So I am sending them after all.
The head ATS is coming to inspect our billet for the second time in about 6 weeks, which means clearing the whole place out, and so on. Adding insult to injury, she is apparently going to watch us eat. Well I personally don’t intend to make and exhibition of myself so I shall go down to the club, and have ham and eggs in a bathing suit by the pool. Though if this sandstorm doesn’t drop a bit I shall have to have it indoors.
I don’t quite know what else there is to tell you. I am typing this like mad in break on one of the office machines, against all orders, thus the bad ribbon[33]. I have quite a good one in mine, pinched from here of course!
Mummy could you tell Bunch the parcel of stuff she sent me that I asked for at the beginning of August arrived quite safely yesterday. I will thank her in my next. Am so looking forward to her photographs. Please could you possible send Donald one of that drawing of me, the ones he has got are beyond measure awful. I sent him one at the beginning of Jan. It evidently got lost on the way. Incidentally the first parcel I sent you from here may still be all right, as we are notified of lost mail, Donald says that batch is reported late but not lost.
How lovely it would be to be at home, oh I do hope it won't be too long.
Lots of love.
Same day 7.0 pm. Khamsin is still blowing. Thought you might be interested, Daddy, he Temp last night was 85, and tonight, now it is 104°F!! Oct 2.
No 39. I weigh 8st 8lbs[34] in poplin shirt drill skirt and shoes. About 2 lbs in weight. Pretty good!
4:X:'43
Darling Mummy and Daddy
Had such a pleasant weekend after all. I was lying in a deck chair down at the club on Sunday, just having finished my lunch, when Donald appeared. He had some business to do at Middle East, and also had to bring some instrument down there, and some came in a truck. He left early this morning. Monday. Poor thing he wasn’t feeling very well. He had a dose of gippy tummy in Aleppo a fortnight ago, and doesn’t seem to have recovered. No appetite. Still he seemed better this a.m. and is seeing the M.O. He has just been up to Benghazi, and had rather a bad time coming back in a sandstorm. All the electricity packed in, and therefore they couldn’t alter the pitch of the airscrews etc, and had to fly along the road about 50 ft up all the way back. And the visibility wasn’t so hot. I was very worried about him coming back in this weather, and so was terribly relieved to see him. So we had a very quiet evening and went to bed early. I think it is partly the food he has, they have a rotten mess, the Wog cooks just fry everything. The weather has been incredible the last few days, we were all just thinking that at last autumn was coming, and then bang. We have had sandstorms and the like, and yesterday was the hottest day of the years with 110.6°F. Nice Daddy? At present everyone spends a lot of time arguing about the temp! Oddly enough this spot of heat has not made me feel nearly as lousy as it did earlier on in the year. I go down to the pool every afternoon, and lie in a bathing suit and bathe and have tea and then go to work at 5-0. The humidity is very high which makes it tiring, one is always wet, my face just drips.
I was talking to Donald about sending you an Xmas cake. He thinks it is an excellent idea, and that he could get a tin made, that is the main trouble, because tins are unobtainable in this country. The other one is that one is not allowed to send more than 2 lbs of any one foodstuff, or more than 5 lbs in weight. Still skip it. So I will send one off in a week or three. 4 lbs in weight. Don’t know how big that is.
Otis has gone back to Aleppo, he went off on Saturday night, and came over here and took me out to dinner on Friday night. He may be coming down here on a course soon, which will be nice.
I do hope you will be able to read this, the electric light is so bad anyway I can't see, and there seems to be no ink left on this ribbon.
I just can't get over how kind Stanley, Alan and Harry are to us, I mean Donald arrived down on Sunday afternoon, and so when we all went back to the flat at about 7-30, the suffragis just moved Stan's bedding into Harry's room as he has two beds, and left Donald and me Stan's. We away stay there now, and feed quite a lot too, the only thing we can do in return is to take them a bottle of gin or something. And they are always asking me to dinner in the week when Donald isn't there. So I mend socks! I believe the Maitlands were good to Stan when he was young though. He lived with an aunt next door to them and is an orphan.
No mail for ages, there seems to be a hold up somewhere. Though I did have a letter from B. yesterday. Written 23. But there has been practically none in for anyone.
I have at long last discovered the name of the blue trees which come out here in the spring before the flamboyants, they are jacarandas. They are delicious.
Am going to have a quiet evening this p.m. It is terribly hot still though not as bad as last night. Tomorrow Jean and Sheelagh and I think we would go to a flic.
How is Beata? Fat and well as ever I trust. I am sure that now I have written to you I shall get lots of letters by the 7-30 post this p.m. I often do. Though
one just never knows when what mail comes in from here. How odd it must have been abroad when one did.
No more news.
I sent off the photographs ordinary mail yesterday
Lots and lots of love. R.
I forgot to say what I told you all about temp. Daddy is because in your last letter you said you had at home 9° of frost on the ground! Contrast is terrific! 110° in the shade here!
No 40.
8:X:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
No mail from you for ages which is horrid. I haven't heard from you Mummy for over a fortnight, not your fault of course, but dreary. Poor old Donald is in ed at the moment, I don’t know what it is, he has had an upset tummy ever since he was in Aleppo and hasn’t been feeling too well, and last weekend, as I told upi when he came down he was feeling terrible. He went back a little better and then had to drive this 3 ton truck, and a very bouncy one at that 80 miles or so, and it wore him out. Apparently his tummy has been upset by his temperature and not vice versa. However I am going to hitch down tomorrow afternoon and see him. I spoke to him on the phone last night, and he wasn’t dying! I just don’t like him being ill and me not being there. Still I haven't seen the place were he is yet, and I shall enjoy doing that. I am going to spend the night at the YWCA in Ismailia I think. I believe it is very nice. I can never get over this out here, as in England I always imagine them as dim religious places in the slums. There only difference from hotel out here is that there are not licensed, and they are on the whole nicer, and infinitely cheaper.
I am going into Cairo tonight to have dinner it is Sheelagh's 23rd birthday. Very young! I am quite a grandmother, and always feel years older in every way. Than everyone I mean. Must send Bunch and Peter and EFM tomorrow I think for their wedding anniversary. It is amazing to think we have been married for two years in a month. I remember our first one so well, I was on evenings, and wept bitterly all by myself! Very pathetic! At the Park I mean.
There is very little to tell you since I last wrote, I have bathed a few times, and done nothing else. I didn’t bathe this afternoon, but went and had my hair washed as it was filthy from bathing twice an afternoon without a cap on. One's hair gets dry in about 20 minutes or so out here, it is quite incredible. I lost my cap when Donald and I fell in the water in Alex, and they are difficult to buy, and anyway there is little point as everyone's main object on seeing me in the water is to torpedo me as quick as they can, and a cap always comes off then. All these people are such marvellous swimmers and play about for hours under the water. Donald is of course very good too.
Could you tell Bunch that I wrote her an air mail letter this week as I am short of letter cards! Only being issued with one a week. Laugh that one off! I am so glad I had a marvellous parcel of magazines from you this week. One article in Punch I especially appreciated about books in an officers mess out here, where they had three. We are all in much the same state, and Jean and Sheelagh and I read the same books in succession, and talk about them a good part of the time we are not reading them. I have now broken away by joining the library. Am reading Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt at the moment, it is a pity nothing remains at Heliopolis. One thing I have a little trouble with Jean and Sheelagh with is that they are very fond of the Americans, and I am becoming so that I can't even stand the sight of one. (My Ma in law's nationality in case they censor that bit.) Pleased Daddy? Goodnight for now.
9th Have just had an EFM from you to say that a parcel has arrived thank you very much. Glad to know you are OK too as the mail is so bad at the minute. I suppose it is the parcel with the stockings in it which I sent at the beginning of August I fancy, two months is not too bad. The wire had as usual Godsall on it, they never seem to be able to get the correct spelling!
Had such a nice dinner last night at a Greek restaurant where we often go, quite cheap and uncrowded. Mixed grill and lamb chop, kidneys, liver, sweetbreads and liver, and the loveliest green beans, And Vin ordinaire. Beautifully cooked. Not potatoes, they are about 3/- a lb! I should love a potato, and every paper you send me is eat potatoes, and all the troops die for them. Hate sweet potatoes! A man I was talking to yesterday at the pool went to Cyprus and brought back a sack as everyone assured him that they would be much more welcome that wine! And were more expensive in Egypt! He has a flat, a friend of Stanley's. Also Harry, one of the Squadron Leaders in the flat where we stay brought a case of apples from Palestine the other day by air, and I have eaten masses in the flat, and casually asked the price in the fruit stall last night, and they were 3/- a lb! Beautiful apples they were too, but 8/-...
Lots of love R.
No 41.
10:X:'43
Darling Mummy and Daddy, excuse me if my typing is bad, I am very tired. It is Sunday, and yesterday I hitched down to Ismailia to see Donald who is in sick bay at the aerodrome. I left here at 12-O and got quite easily there by 3-30, and then had to wait for transport to pick me up at the YWCA, as the place is some way out of Ismailia, and quite difficult to get to. It is a vile place, real desert, and all tents, except the sick quarters, which are horrid. Donald was better, thank goodness, he has been in bed running a temperature for a week,
heaven only knows why, and probably had been for some time before he
went to bed. But they are feeding him on the newer edition of M. and B. and he is o.k. but has lost a lot of weight and is very weak. The food is so grim, and he isn't allowed to eat eggs, and they are the only things he could. His last meal is at 4-30 p.m. As there is no cookhouse in the sick quarters. I went back into Ismailia just before 8-0 with some people who were going in, and they took me to the french Club, which is rather nice, I nearly got thrown out as an other rank, but two of the RAF people took off one stripe each and handed them over, so I became a WAAF officer, with the full connivance of the management, for the evening! I spent the night at the WY and then took a taxi out the next a.m. at 9-0 or so. I get up awfully early in this ghastly country! Donald was a lot better this a.m. I saw the M.0. and he said that he could give him a few days sick leave to go somewhere and get some decent food, and feel normal again. So he will be coming up here at the end of the week, after he has got up, and seen that the whole place hasn't blown up without him. I think it is so sensible because it takes such ages to get over anything here, because immediately you get up they generally think that you can go back to work, and live a normal life. Must tell you this, of course the worst happened during the morning, I thought I had go the cloakroom, complete chaos, because I never thought but there was no such thing, there being no women at all ever. This I did realise, but, of course, being tents, there was nothing but various tin erections, and no drainage! Well the M.0. finally worked it, and I felt extremely sheepish, but I couldn't help it! He evidently bore me no malice, because he rang up half an hour afterwards, and asked me to lunch in their mess. A nice little place, very comfortable seats, which they seem to have in all RAF messes, built out of old shell case cardboard things. It is bad luck, Donald belong to another unit on the same station, which has a horrid mess. It amuses me so much being invited to lunch and dinner and things in these messes as a Cpl! It is a great relief. Just to be nice too, we had a sandstorm at lunch time. I hitched back again this afternoon, they took me as far as Ismailia, and I was back here in 21 hours. I am very glad that I went down, Donald was so depressed, and the tablets make him worse, and he did seem better for it. He was in a room by himself, so it was all quite easy. It was funny being danced with too all the time last night, Donald never will, and when I told him how noble his friends had been this morning he said, well poor things I expect that they thoroughly enjoyed having someone to dance with! There was one charming child of 20 with the D.F.C! Malta.
It is a priceless area the canal zone, they all run trucks, the units in the district I mean, 30 miles or so for people to go down to the canal and bathe after lunch and come back at 10 or so. Everyone goes the most fantastic distances for no reason at all without thinking. There is nothing to do you see for all the people stationed not quite in any place between Cairo and the canal and those sort of places. And everybody hitches everywhere. There are special W.D. hitch points. It must seem quite mad to you at home!
Don't think there is, any more to tell you, I did thank you for the cable I think. I presume it was the parcel with stockings and things you got. Do hope that I shall get some mail to-morrow.
It will be lovely having Donald here for sick leave. Oh dear, he is upset about the food, you know how much he likes it, he now just lies in bed and thinks of all the delicacies he would like! It is terrible being ill in this country.
Lots and lots of love,
In pencil;
11:X:'43 just had your letter of the 28, thank you answering a few questions. Glad you those baby photos. The others of me were sent off last week. I sent one parcel in May of food (sunk) one with stockings at the beginning of August, and one about 3 weeks ago of food. Donald had lost 11 stone in weight and I should think about 7 lbs in the last week in bed. I have put on about 7 lbs. There is nothing I want really thanks. Am grateful for all magazines will love Cecil Beaton book. I am applying for a fortnights leave to ??? over Xmas. We will go right up to Aleppo, through Jerusalem, and the Lebanon. We are going to start saving madly! Donald loved it up there. He wrote to you about a month ago I know. But the post has been shocking lately. Lots of love again
No 41.
16:X:'43
My darling Mummy and Daddy, Isn't it lovely Donald is up here for four days on sick leave. He arrived on Thursday at lunch and is staying till Monday morning. I have managed to get sleeping out passes all right all against orders. Mrs Player is very decent about that sort of thing. Poor Donald is very thin, and run down, but is getting better now, he has lost two stone since he came out here, contrary to nearly everyone else who put it on. We are staying at the flat as usual. I am having to work all the time, which feels very odd, going off I the morning, leaving Donald wandering about in a dressing gown. Horrid. I am however having tonight and tomorrow off. Fri Sat and Sunday. We haven't done anything at all since he came up, been down to the pool at the Sporting Club in the afternoon, and that is all. Today, we are going into Cairo for lunch and then to a flic, and finally having a large party on the Continental Roof Garden. You will never guess what we are going to do tomorrow, going to see the Pyramids! At long last we have a day off. We are going with a friend of Donald's who knows all about it. It should be very interesting.
Thank you Daddy, I have just had the Times of Sept 1st. We will do the cross word in the Metro on the way into Cairo at lunch time. Gosh it is lovely having Donald for four days, I can't get over it. We never do seem to spend more than about 5 minutes together. Though I know we are very lucky being only 100 miles apart.
It was very interesting last night, a friend of Stanley's turned up from Merriall's country, and told us a lot of what was going on over there. He was in an awful mess. A Group Capt. DSO and DFC and bar, aged about 27 I should think, and he was a nervous wreck. A fighter pilot. I do wish I could tell you all the stuff he told us, but I just can't, censor! I have never met anyone quite so dead beat. I have met him before, but as usual had forgotten him. It is always the same out here, people remember me as there are so few women, and I can't cope with all the odd bodies I meet for one meal with Donald or at the flat.
Sheelagh and Jean are now on leave, and Madeleine is away, and Margot and Betty are on leave, so I am quite lost at the billet, it is lucky Donald came down.
Well I shall stop this for now, and finish it later.
Handwritten: Sorry this letter just didn’t seem to work so I wrote you another one.
Lots and lots of love, R.
No 42
In pencil: 43, Sorry I sent two no 41's I'm hopeless.
19:X:'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I feel an awful stinker I haven't written to you for a week, and I always reckon to write twice a week, I had better do a bit of explaining. I was very worried about Donald most of last week, as I left him all right on the Sunday when I came beck here, and then his temperature went up again, and for Donald to run a temperature is unheard of almost, especially for about a fortnight. Well I rang up nearly every night, and then he suddenly came down here on Thursday lunch time on sick leave. I didn't expect him till the week-end, and so had made no plans at all. Mrs P. was very nice when I went and asked for all of those nights off and gave me them in a clandestine manner as I am not allowed, them really. As usual we stayed at the flat. Donald was agonisingly thin, but has gone up a bit again while he was here and will I hope soon get a bit fatter. A lovely squash at the tint. On Friday or was it Thursday a great friend of Stanley's turned up from Merriall's home as I think I told you, and insisted on staying in the flat too. This was all a bit complicated. There are three decent single bedrooms, bigger than the Manor Ho.'s a little I think. Donald and I were as usual in Stanley's, and Alan and Harry, had their own. Stanley has taken to sleeping on the balcony. So we whistled up Brian a camp bed there too.
The queue for the one bathroom in the morning was terrific, fortunately Alan and Harry begin work at 8-0, Stanley at 8-15, and I at 8-30 so we had it and breakfast in relays, with Donald and Brian in dressing gowns, looking horrid and holiday like. Of course Mummy the servant question just doesn't enter into it here, you tell them you will have breakfast now, and you do! We didn't do anything at all on Friday except go down to the pool, and sunbathe. On Saturday I took the afternoon off and Donald and I went into the big city and had lunch with a charming friend of his, with whom he used to be stationed. I find that Donald, now knows everyone nearly in the R.A.F. Middle East! The best lunch I have had out here, lovely roast pork and stuffed cabbage. The latter is just coming into season and we just gobbled it up also kidneys, stewed with rice, Donald insisted on eating all my rice, and so after this gargantuan repast in the heat we all staggered to a flic and ate peanuts. We had a box to go to sleep a little better (Donald's sick leave was given him mostly so that he would get some decent food, his own is shocking.) Then Donald and I caught the Metro back to Helio. changed and foregathered for a gigantic party at the Continental Roof Garden. Stanley and Mimi a nice WAAF girl friend of Alan's (whom I saw at work this evening!) and Brian and a couple of other R.A.F. officers. Brian and Donald an I came home before the others about 1-0 I should think, and were rather hungry and so we hunted around and found a bowl of curry in the ice-box and some cold rice, we bunged it all in the saucepan and lit the primus and had curry! at about 1-0 or so! (I had Sunday off!). I fear a little bibliography is needed. Stanley Alan and Harry I do feel you ought to know by now. The three owners of the flat, Stanley being the one who was at Charterhouse. Mimi is the nice half Egyptian girl I see every day nearly bathing, Brian was a Cranwell friend of Stan's, aged 26, Group Capt. (=full Col!!) D.S.O. and bar and has been in everything. I have at long last got used to all the children wing commanders with all their decorations but a G/C ... Brian is a dear, and always refers to himself as that Handsome Young Group Capt. as everytime he crashes he falls on his face, it is just one big scar and held together by bits of wire. The latest effort in the Disaster line was falling out of a jeep.
The biggest thing of all was during elevenses at the Club on Sunday morning, Donald suddenly said there's Gerry, and it was. You remember the man he was so friendly with at Cambridge who punted you so beautifully. We haven't seen him since then. Isn't it lovely ? He is such a dear, and is stationed about half a mile from here:. He was part of the glorious 8th Army and went all the way up, but got wounded and dysentery and so is not in Italy. Donald went and bought an enormous leg of lamb and Gerry and all of us had dinner in the flat. We had a quiet day on Monday, I worked and then Donald went this morning. I am thus feeling very drab and lonely as anyway all my chums are on leave. Donald is anyway a lot better, and will be up for the week-end as usual, on Saturday week.
I was greatly cheered to have no less than five letters you to-day. Two from you Mummy, one from you Daddy, and one from Bunch. All dated 9 and 10 Oct. Am so glad that you got both parcels. There are two on the way now. One photographs and one food and the child's shoes. Bunch said that Carol Ann had a bad cold how pathetic, poor little thing. I hope she is all right now. Oh I had two Times too, thank you Daddy. What a plethora of weddings there do seem to be. Teddy Maslen Jones would go and do something silly. Oh I think that magazines take about 6 week, though that is a guess as I can't read the date on the postmark, I guess about 14 days or so after the date of the last Punch! Right? Will tell Donald about the money. You don’t know how jealous I am of the ordinary roast beef and I trust horseradish, cooked the Manor Ho, way, not Egyptian! And real comfort etc. We both are, poor Donald got very depressed when he was ill. Longed for home. I do hope that you will get down to Bournemouth next month. I am sure the change would do you both good. Poor Daddy the H.G. must be depressing at present. Will tell you more about our plans to go to Syria and Palestine at Xmas in my next. Well I don't think there is any more room, thank you in hope for more toothpaste!
Lots and Lots of love R.
21.X.'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I only wrote to you about two days ago, but I didn't say nearly all the things I wanted. I usually write on Fridays, but I am going to have a very busy time to-morrow. Most unwisely someone came and asked me the other day if I would go to a play reading, and now I have got involved in it acting a play. The Ghost Train. I at the moment have been cast as a young married woman, most appropriate, except that I haven't the remotest idea how to act! Still they will probably realise that before long, that though I may be able to read, I haven't a as clue as far as acting is concerned. Then to-morrow evening I must ring Donald, I always do on Friday evenings.
It is all right Mummy, you needn't worry about my undies, I treasure my nice ones like gold, and they are still very nearly as good as new but the others are in shreds! I always wash the others most carefully myself, and iron them, and only wear them at week-ends! The only trouble is that some of the white ones are going a bit yellow. I made a couple of pairs of camiknickers and a slip on the way up from Durban. And a nightie the first part of the way.
We are at the moment working out ways and means for going unto Syria and Palestine for a fortnights leave at Xmas. The main trouble is getting there. One can take a train up to Haifa, but then to go any further you have to take a taxi to Beirut at £2 a head! We really want to see the whole of it while we are about it. Donald was more impressed with Aleppo than anywhere else he has seen in the Middle East and with the ruined temples at Baalbec and the water wheel at Homs. The train journey is so appalling so crowded and so expensive. Most of the troops hitch up there. But we are going on leave to be comfortable! What is the point of not being, on leave? We did contemplate going by Misr Airways, Egyptian, Donald was going to enquire, but I have found out that it is £30 return, so I don't think we shall be somehow! Isn't it ridiculous. We might get a lift with the R.A.F. as far as Haifa, if we were lucky. It is of course quite easy to get from there to Jerusalem. Stanley may come with us. We are also contemplating staying in Y.W.C.A.s, but I don't expect for a moment we will in the end, Donald's good resolutions like this never work! He is going to try and find out all about at this fortnight, and arrange something. I am so longing for it. I would love to see all these places, I believe the Lebanon is so beautiful, and I want to see oranges and lemons growing. Donald bought a 1000 from Palestine last year for the troops dinner for a pound including transport!
Do you know it is a bit cold tonight, I think I shall heat up some water on my stove and have a hottie. It would be lovely. Not really cold though, I am still sitting in a shirt and pants before the French windows, wide open! I can see myself bullying Wogs all over Syria and Palestine about a boiling hottie!
I have ordered you an Xmas cake, I do hope that it will be all right and arrive safely. I have to collect it on Sat. The last date for sending stuff ordinary mail is November 12. I am afraid that there is awfully little that I can send you that is of any use, anything you would like costs the earth,
I will write to Ma J about Eunice Mummy! You always said she could!
No, there are no coupons for anything out here except tea, sugar, paraffin, and now I believe cooking oil. You can buy clothes if you can afford them. But there are very few, and quite unsuited to English weather, white crepe frocks and the like, lovely for out here, but no use at home. Same with shoes on the whole. Though I haven't been round the shops at all lately and winter stuff may have come in.
Don't think that there is any more to tell you at the moment. I am going to bed I think.
Lots and lots of Love R.
26.X.'43. M.E.^.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
No more mail from you since I last wrote but I will probably get some to-morrow. But I have had no less than three parcels of books. I do so appreciate them, you have no idea how exciting it is out here even to get a parcel, let alone the contents. I am so enjoying Andre Maurois book, I didn't even know he had written an autobiography. And then this morning, I had two parcels of magazines sent on August 28, taking rather longer than usual, one of Punch's and the other of Lilliput and various pamphlets, I haven't looked at any of them. Save them up!
I have been busy sending you things off for Xmas. I do hope that you will get them all right, I believe that they are saying all the mail to be delivered on Xmas day, so don't be worried if you don’t hear from me round about then. I have sent you a parcel of food an Xmas cake and some sweets, I am afraid that I am not sending you individual things as they are so madly expensive, the ones you would want, and anyway not very nice. I am afraid that they will save your birthday present till Xmas too Daddy, sorry. They don't cater for birthday around then. They say too that all Xmas cards will be delivered on Xmas day. Tell me if they are.
I am so mad all our lights have as usual fused. It dies make me mad. I loathe going to bed in the dark. It is so much more comfortable to read there too than any here else. They fuse for no good reason except wog workmanship about once in three weeks, and remain unmended for about four days.
Donald is going up to Benghazi for a few days I believe this week, he hissed something over the phone at me when I rang up, I think that is what he said. He will be coming down as usual though on Saturday. I hope that I shall be able to take Saturday night off as I haven't had any time off for a fortnight. Since he was last down in fact.
Jean and Sheelagh came back from their leave yesterday. I was glad to see them back really, though I do so much prefer having the room to myself. It was lovely. They went to Alex.
I am afraid that there is practically nothing to tell you as I have not done a th1ng since Donald went, beyond go down to the Sporting Club in the afternoon, and have tea with Mimi and Stanley and other odd bodies including a very nice WRNS, an other rank, believe it or not, married to an RAF officer. And sundry off WAAF off1cers. All dumb but quite nice. It makes a very pleasant break.
Donald has gone back to working winter hours now, I don’t know whether we ever do, I think it depends on GHQ. That it working in the afternoon instead of the evening. I don't know whether I want to or not. I think not on the whole, it is pleasant to have the afternoon off, in the day light. It gets dark so quickly when it tries, it is dark by 7-0, and soon we go back to ordinary time, I believe this weekend. From my working out an hour longer in bed. (probably wrong).
The A.T.S are playing against the WAAF officers tomorrow, I have not been asked to play! Everyone seems to be hockey mad. It amuses me very much. The men are having soccer now in this heat, and can't play in the summer at home! It is getting cooler now though. I am wearing your jersey, the one you knitted Mummy. I have been so glad of it. I have worn it a lot, both on the way here, and at the beginning of the summer. We have had our serge back. I haven't dared to try on the skirt, I can just do the tunic up if I let out the buttons a bit, but I fear for the skirt, it always was tight! I way 8 and a half stone in practically no clothes.
Oh Mummy, I sent Aunt Gladys a box of Turkish Delight today, I do hope she will get it all right, also Joy, and Peggy's children and Merry. I am still hoping to get your handkerchiefs. The nuns have had the stuff since August, but have been in Alex, but have come back this week, and the girl who is having them done for me, an R.C. who goes to the convent for services, is seeing about them. I boil mine and do my best to keep them white, and am succeeding fairly well with my best ones. I am not using all of them.
No 46 30:X:'43
(photo-reproduced letter - airgram)
My Darling Mummy and Daddy.
Have just had a marvellous amount of mail from you, a letter from all three of you yesterday of about 18 and one today from you Mummy of 22 in Bristol. I do hope you had a pleasant few days, Mrs Chippen is a marvellous old lady. I will try to get you a length of stuff if it is financially possible. Shall be going into Cairo next week. I am sorry I didn’t see Johnnie Webb when he was here. And then yesterday I had no less than three parcels of books. It is so lovely apart from anything else to see my shelf covered with nice looking books. One was the parcel of books from I think Uncle Cyril as his name was in one of them, and some old periodicals and my geographical magazine. Also Oriental Spotlight, which I think is a heavenly book, also some from Nanny, so I shall be well set up for weeks. Shall give Donald one or two today as he has nothing to read. I am sorry to have to write you and airgram, but I have no letter cards. They are difficult to come by. Sent your cake off this morning, latest date for posting to UK ordinary mail being Nov 12. I do hope it will arrive all right. I also sent a box of sweets to Nanny for her birthday and some stockings to Bunch. People are suggesting rudely that I make myself into a parcel agency for mail both incoming and outgoing. I shall answer your mail properly in my next letter card. Donald is coming up at lunch time today, he is doing business at Middle East this morning, name for GHQ. And will be here till Monday a.m. I have got Sat. night and the whole of Sunday off, which is lovely, as I haven't had any time off for a fortnight.
We had an ATS party last night in the mess, officers. Quite pleasant, just for the men and officers we work with. Yes, Mrs Player is still with us, I don’t often see her as she only does admin. She is very nice to me when I do, approving of matrimony! It is very lucky for me she is the officer.
Went to the Opera House in Cairo the other night with Marion and Lindsay and a couple of the RAF officers from here, to see the Cairo Amateur Dramatic Society do Maid of the Mountains. It was quite good. It is a nice little place of the period, was built for the opening of the Suez Canal, and is all gilt and plush, but nevertheless rather sweet and quite small. We had a box of chocolates, and did it properly, except for the uniforms!
Will get Donald to initial this at lunch time, lots and lots of love.
[it was indeed signed by DS Maitland over a censor's stamp]
47
28:X:'43
My Darling Daddy,
I don't quite know when I shall post this, as it is to wish you many happy returns, but I just felt like writing it at the moment. I hope that you will get it somewhere near the right date. I am sending a copper plate, which I thought you might like for your H G desk or something, though I am afraid it will need cleaning. I like them though I am afraid that it is not really suitable for the manor house, and some Turkish Delight. Sorry there no Lind chocolates! I was talking to the sergeant I work with this morning about chocolate, and remembered and told him how you used to keep those horrid red packets in the pocket of the car. I admire him very much, he has risen from nothing, is very clever and competent, and is in the civil service. His family brought him up on £2 a week, or something. Of course before I came out here I had never even spoken to anyone like that! We were talking about that and education this am. He has risen so much and so wisely that you can discuss things like that with him. He does not like so many people turn rabid communist and damn someone like us for having had money. He is contented. Poor Mac, I'm so sorry for him, he is unmarried and was telling today, that he will now never be able to marry, (he takes Lindsey had quite a lot) because he has associated now so long with University Women With brains, with whom one can discuss anything with at any rate a little logic, and he will never be able to go back to women of his own class with no education. But that it was worth knowing us all. It was a most interesting discussion I must say. I was telling him too how very much too I admire you, you have made such a success of your life. I do you know really Daddy! I am so sorry that I can't please you out here, and do lots of things in the work line. It is just impossible from the army point of view. But I think probably that it is extremely good for me to associate a little with people like Mack, (though nearly all men are of a much higher class and education than he is.) and see their point of view. This is rather a pathetic story though, one of the men of the lower type again, said to me once, Romie what do I do if I see you out with your husband, do I call you Mrs Maitland or pretend I don't know you! I was struck dumb! Such a nice little man too. Oh dear what a peroration. But I thought you might be interested.
They make beautiful copper things are out here, did you ever see them? They plate them inside with something for cooking, lovely meat dishes, and water jugs, and that type of thing. Donald has longing to get some of them. You can get them in the Musky fairly reasonably. I am going on Monday afternoon to get your plate with Marion and Egyptian man she knows. It is so much better to go with someone like that, he can beat them down. Also he has a car. He is a nice man, in Misr (Egyptian Air ways,) he was a pilot in England for several years, and his wife is English. He is a Christian.
Don't think that there is anything else to tell you that the moment, I will leave this to the weekend for Donald to censor, I should think it might get you at some time the right time if I post it then. I am afraid that this letter will be a lot out of date by the time you get it Daddy.
Anyway I will think of you on your birthday at a lot. And thank you for being the nicest father I could have had.
Lots of love R
No 48.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Had a lovely week-end, Donald got down in the morning and we had lunch together on Saturday, and spent the rest of the week-end together. Didn't do anything much, Donald as usual had to go into Middle East about something on Sunday morning, which took up most of the time. He nearly always does have to go into the R.A.F. H.Q. about something when he comes down. It is always a good idea to keep in with them anyway, and he says they always seem quite pleased to see him. He has a lot of chums there now. Donald is being very rude now about my tummy! You I know will be delighted to hear that I am getting so fat, he spent all the week-end telling me what a nice flat one I had once! As he is now such a slim young thing I am unable to reply in kind! I told you didn't I that I had met such a nice young couple she is an WRNS other rank and he is an M.O. in the RAF. She is quite one of the nicest females I have met for ages. We went out with them too on Saturday night. They have a flat here too. We like them so much apart from anything else as they are as broke as we are, or rather worse! That is the trouble of associating with Wing Co's and the like! Not that they are extravagant, or do things that we can't, but it is nice to feel that someone else is in the same boat as ourselves. We spent most of the weekend fixing about our leave. We went to the station to book wagon lit as it takes 24 hours, and were very shaken to find that apart from the fares being £5 return, the sleeper was £4. One way. Then a taxi to Beirut is £2 each, no rail. We reckoned that it would be £15 each in fares, so after a lot of talking we decided we would hitch. Privately Donald thinks that he wouldn’t be a bit surprised if a plane wasn’t going that way the day we wanted to go! The trouble is that you can't rely on it. But if you stand, at the ferry across the canal in the early a.m. you are sure to pick up some truck going up to Haifa or thereabouts. I have applied for leave from 21 Dec. to 3 Jan. inclusive, and got it, and now have to sit and wait for the permit to go to Syria and Palestine to come through. Donald can write himself a movement order and have his C.0. sign it quite easily. I am so excited, about it already. We think that we will spend Xmas in Haifa, as Donald knows quite a lot of people there. And the R.A.F. always do you well. I shall be so miserable for you when I see all the citrus fruits growing.
I have got a very busy week on. Today I went into Cairo to see Leslie, you remember her, she is the civilian girl whom I met who was at Bredenbury with me, and who has married a flying officer whom Donald knew, and who is now stationed with him. Poor child she has just got dysentery, for the second time. She is in hospital the other side of the Nile, takes hours to get there. It is quite nice though, she has quite a pleasant room. She was very pleased to see me. It is such a pity as they have a do on in their mess next Friday, and we were both going to hitch down together for the night. Now I shall have to go alone. Don’t know how they will manage this all out in the desert but still. Tomorrow I am going to the Musky with Mr. Safe and Marion, he is an Egyptian friend of hers. She is the Lance Cpl who got married recently. I like her so much. The most amazing thing Mummy. She married a boy called Jim Thurston. His father is a rubber (tea) planter in Malaya, and is now a civilian internee there. They moved to Penn or somewhere just before the war, and mow have a house somewhere near the Fellows old one near the West Park in Wolver. Mrs Thurston was apparently in a very bad state financially as all their money in Malay, and so took a job in the Food Office, she has now given that up and is designing hats for Miss Aldridge!! I don't know what she is like, but her son, Marion's husband is charming. Do look her ip. Get her to show you the photographs of the wedding, and you will see us in the background of nearly all of them. That photo of the drawing Suzzer did of me has at long last arrived. Donald is delighted with it, I don't think that there is anything much else to tell you at the moment, I haven't had any mail from you this week, I had such a bunch at the end of last. I am sorry I shall have to write you periodical airgraphs, as I haven't enough of these. Sorry. I am only allocated one a week!
I am so glad that you have fixed to go to Branksome Towers next week. Daddy what's this, are you going to add biradesting?? to all your work?
It’s all right Mummy, I don’t want any clothes sent out. I am frightened of losing them on the way. They are too precious. And I can't really get anything much out here reasonably suitable for English weather and type of clothing. It was so funny yesterday, I went into a large military tailors to take my camel hair to be made up, and I wrote my name for them on the bill, and the man who was telling me how much it would take etc, suddenly said "your husband is Fl Lt Maitland and your brother-in-law Major Maitland!" The owner of the shop, a Greek, they have a branch in Ismailia where Donald and Otis go. I cut a pattern out of the new vogue for them, and they are making it with some heavy silk lining for £6. Very flared skirt, and very high lapels, single breasted. I can't take double breasted I have decided.
Well lots of love.
My next letter will come by an odd route, so don’t be surprised.
No 49
Recd 24 Nov.
3.XI.'43
Darling Mummy and Daddy,
This letter is being posted in a rather peculiar way, the Captain in charge of us is going home for a few weeks, and he is taking letters and things home for us, they have to go somewhere to be censored first, and then he collects them and takes them on. I don’t know when you will get this, but I should be interested to know the date. I have just had such a pleasant afternoon, I went to the Musky with Marion and Mr Safe, he is an Egyptian she knows who is a pilot in Misr Airways, such a charming little man with an English wife. He speaks very good English. He took us in the car. I went and bought you a copper plate Daddy, I hope you like it, I am afraid it is not very exciting, but I couldn’t think of anything else you would like out here that I could send. It is for you birthday. I thought it might do for the H.G. as a fruit plate or something. I also was in one of the leather stools, waiting while Marion bought a zip bag, and drinking coffee, when I saw some delicious clumping great sandals for babies, wide welters, so I couldn’t resist it, and bought them for Bunch. I also bought myself a couple of small blue plates, like the cocktail glasses for soap and eating oranges, which I do at all hours of the day and night. And of course other fruit. Then we went and had tea in a café the other side of the Nile. It was a lovely afternoon with lots of clouds, and English in temperature. The Musky fascinates me, it is an amazing place, I saw a man cutting amber beads today. Of course it is so much nicer going in a car, it makes all the difference.
There isn't really anything to tell you as I wrote last night, but I thought is was a pity to miss the opportunity of sending a letter this way. It saves me a letter card anyway, and Donald is always telling me that I can't send so many as he can't get them. We are getting two a week over Xmas which is nice.
I am suffering from the after effects of the first cold I have had since I left England, nine months ago. Isn't it wonderful? I have had two bad attacks of tonsillitis, during the first six weeks I was here, and up to date that is all except the ever prevalent gippy tummy, which I have every two or three months.
I do so hope you will be all right this winter Mummy. I am so thoroughly in the soup at the moment, I have got a slightly sceptic knee, I oddly enough fell over two days ago, and I am due to hitch down to a dance in Donald's mess on Friday, the day after tomorrow. I shall be so mad if I miss it. But I daresay it will be all right, very darn little cut in this country goes bad. One has to be so careful. It is the dust I suppose.
Well I am going home now, will finish this there.
Lots of love, R.
Sorry I went to sleep instead!
No 50.
Recd 23 Nov.
7.XI.'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I have a lot to tell you today. On Thursday a.m. last, I was sent for by Mrs Player and the various head officers here to ask me is I would like to be put forward as an admin officer along with Marion, Jean Macalister, Lindsay. Well I was to say the least of it staggered. I didn’t know quite what to do, because it means I leave the I corps for good, and it is a good racket to be in, with Mrs P as the officer in charge. Well I thought I had better to take the opportunity offered, as there is very little hope of ever getting and I Corps one. I don’t think admin is much cop and am rather worried about being posted to Palestine or somewhere else unsuitable, but there are such terrific advantages, apart from how pleased you will be. I have to have a Board and then go to an OCTU for about 6 weeks, where one of Donald's detachments is, where we were/are going for Xmas. Of course the probability is that they will throw me out as being thoroughly unsuitable. Donald said he almost hoped they would, except that he wants me to get one badly, but the thought of having an ATS suitable to be an admin officer is too much! I agree. Then next morning, Sheelagh, Nancy and Margot were very upset by the thought of us going and went to see the CO and have their names put forward too. I don’t know any more than this, I really oughtn't to tell you all this as I feel I am bound to be thrown out as I said for being unsuitable or/and putting up an awful black. But I know you will be pleased, and anyway I couldn’t bear the thought of going to a transit camp and on a ship again as an O.R. Well there you are I don’t know when this will happen, but I am so afraid that we wont get our nice Xmas leave which is most upsetting.
By the way I weighted myself, I have put on nearly a stone since I went into the ATS, and I should thing since I left England. What is the latest news up to date. Tea time, disgusting! I now weigh 8 st.12[35].
I went down to Ismailia on Friday evening. Donald sent a truck which was in Cairo to pick me up and a WAAF officer here, at 2-0, and it was open. I nearly died of cold by the time we got there, I haven't been so cold since I left Bletchley. It was terrible. I was given two v. hot cups of tea and some brandy when I got there before I could speak. I just went in my ordinary bush jacket, with short sleeves and skirt. They had a shower of rain over the canal area and it was cold. We had a good party in their mess very nice. I always enjoy going and meeting Donald's chums. We stayed at the United Services Club in Ismailia, for officers of both sexes, and their families. We had a comfortable room, the married quarters, in a long low building overlooking Lake Timsah, just rooms with doors opening onto the garden. It is the place where Donald had that snap taken which he sent me. Do you remember sitting and sunbathing? It is really rather pratt, the green and the palm trees all round the lake, and the sand hills behind. The canal goes through it, rather like Mombassa or Freetown to look at, the harbour I mean, all low and flat and green, and so cheap, 7/6 a night, bed and breakfast. Three eggs and bacon, coffee, toast and marmalade! Next morning we stayed in bed late, and then Donald went off and worked, and Bunty, the WAAF officer and I wandered around and talked. She is so nice. Works here too. Must see more of her. Hand an early lunch at the French club, with me as a Flt Lt, and then hitched back here. I had to work at 5-0. But Donald thought he might as well come back as it was Sunday. So he is still here. Lovely. But he is going to come up here as much he can while I am here, in case it is very difficult to see me afterwards. But I think anyway we should eventually move from here as the war moves North. But I DON’T know anything at all, pure supposition. Anyway if I did of course I couldn’t tell you. I don’t fancy moving around the near East of the Continent as an O.R. anyway, away from Donald. Still I shall have a jolly good fiddle to see if I can't get posted to the canal area or Cairo.
Have had such a nice lunch down at the Sporting Club today as we met Gerry and we have been saying do you remember all the afternoon till it was time to have tea. (Cambridge!) Ask Bunch.
Well I think I shall go now, there is now work to do and I might just as well.
Will let you know when I know anything, I oughtn't to have told you anything about this commission racket, as I shall probably get thrown out, as I am so obviously wrong as an ATS.
With lots and lots of love,
51
12:X1.'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
No mail all the week, isn't it dreary?. Not much news to tell you. I filled in my papers to-day applying for a commission. My educational establishments always look nice, which is something, but I naturally haven't birth certificate here, so they will have to forget that, it seems to be to check on you rather than me, your nationality.
I have just finished Andre Maurois book, it is most interesting, I read it in the hair dressers this afternoon, the last bit I mean. Thank you so much too for Oriental Spotlight, I think I have already, but do you remember the picture of the sugar cane season? It is on now, and I actually saw a wog walk into a car I was in the other day chewing a stick, and the horn was sounding like mad, the book is really no exaggeration.
Isn't it lovely I have just had a letter from you Mummy, the post Cpl has just brought it in, of Nov 1. Am longing for Xmas parcel! It is so exciting when one gets things out here. I go along about twice a day to the post office, along the passage, and see if any mail is in. The post Cpl likes me because I do things for him. He runs all the things like the library, and flag days and entertainments. I sold poppies yesterday and got Marion to help, we made £6. I do love all the bits about Carol Ann. I should so love to see her. I am longing for the photographs. I think they should arrive all right, most things seem to. You should be in Bournemouth by now, I do hope that you are having good weather. Am so glad that Dot Hill is really all right. Just to show you how much better the mail is from home, than locally, Donald sent me a parcel last Tuesday week, with 150 piastres and a slab of Cadbury's milk chocolate, which someone had had sent from New Zealand, and he didn't like it!! It hasn't arrived yet, but I expect it will, Lindsay had a book which took 3 weeks. Yes Mummy I will send some stuff, and Aunt Bee some fruit sometime, I have got over Xmas now. I do hope it comes, because Donald looked at the chocolate, and wrapped it up immediately before he ate it!
Sorry this is rather a burbly letter, I am writing it at work, as I have finished, and Willie the man I work with, is as usual trying to talk me out of writing letters. Then we ate an orange, and all the typewriter keys are sticky.
I went to have my camel hair coat fitted yesterday, it looks lovely. I will send you the drawing when it is finished. The tailor is so jealous of the stuff, he said he would pay anything for some if I could get it, for his wife! I shall have my uniform made there. I had my bush jackets made there too. They are made out of American drill, which Donald got from the officers shop, it is much better than English. One wears them as you will see in my photos without a shirt, and open necked. They are so much tidier. Men and women of all the services have them. Donald is coming down again to-morrow, which will be lovely. We are going to the Officers and Sisters Club at Helmieh, near here, there is a hospital near, hence the Sisters, with Gerry for dinner. Ask Bunch for explanation of Gerry. He lent Donald a shirt and long pants last week-end, so that Donald needn't go all the way to the flat to change at sundown. I took them back this afternoon, it was most embarrassing wandering around the officers mess with my arms full of laundry, and straight from the hairdressers, and all scragged up! I had a funny time there this afternoon. I went to one I hadn't been to before, as mine was so full. I wanted them to rinse my hair with vinegar to take away the soap as the water is so hard here. They could only speak about the same amount of English as I can arabic and it was hopeless, finally they got in a trams of people from outside and someone understood!
Don't think, there is any more to tell you at the moment. I shall probably have some more mail in the morning, as I have had some this evening.
15:X1:'43. M.E.P.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
No more mail as yet to answer. Am at present suffering from the usual Monday depression! Donald went off as usual this a.m. 'we had a lovely week-end. Didn't do very much, but had a pleasant comfortable time. We went to the officers and sisters club at Helmieh on Saturday night with Gerry, and said do you remember most of the evening of course. It Is a nice place only about a mile and a half from here, but unfortunately desertwards, which makes transport difficult. I am always thinking here of the joys to come of a car! with petrol I mean! Ones feet get tired in the heat. I got rather worried on the way out particularly that I would never be able to get my shoes on, but now it is cooler again, my feet are quite normal. Donald seems to be quite all right again which is a relief, we are still hoping to get our fortnights leave over Xmas, I do so hope we shall manage it. I shall be mad if I have to spend Xmas in a ATS OCTU! I can imagine little horrider, I wouldn't mind if they would pretend that Xmas wasn't, but they expect one to be gay and social and co-operative with all the local soldiery, (strictly O.Rs.). Funnily enough three weeks of the OCTU is in the place where we hope to be for Xmas anyway. Donald and I are thinking of working a racket in camel hair. Donald paid £10 for 6 metres for my length, from the place where they make it, just behind the shop! They make it in 6 metre lengths. The tailor where I am having it made up said that he would pay £2 a yard or any price for some for his wife, apart from the shop if I could get it! I think it was because Otis is such a big noise there that they let Donald have it so cheap, Otis is known all over this part of the world. It comes in handy sometimes. I am so worried that all these riots may stop our going there. Still nothing has been put in orders yet as far as I know. We went to the flics on Sunday afternoon as it was such a nice sunny day! We only saw the supporting programme and news as we wanted some tea before Donald went into Cairo to Air H.Q. as he nearly always does when he comes down here at the week-end. There was an excellent short in technicolour on ballet with Danilova and Massine. The trouble is that Donald always gets so tired at week-ends as he goes to bed at 9-0 or something at the camp, there being nothing else to do. I never seem to get to bed very early however hard I try, I am usually in bed though by 11-0. But you know the difficulty B. and I have always come against about getting to bed quickly.
Harry the third member of the flat has just gone dashing off to Italy for a few days, I am awfully jealous of all these RAF people, they always seem to be popping off to somewhere an odd thousand or miles away, for a few days. Harry was in British Overseas Airways before the war, and just goes on with his old job.
Sorry this doesn't seem to be a big success to-night, I think I will finish it in the morning.
16:XI:'43. Sorry I didn't finish this last night, I felt rather drear, I always do on Mondays, a fortnight always seems so long till Donald comes again, I have now forgotten I didn't see him for 15 months!
I had to go and see Mrs Player about something I had oddly enough filled in wrong in my commission forms, and she told me that there wasn’t going to be another OCTU for two months, so I feel greatly cheered, we shall get our leave in. I must write and tell Donald, apparently a YWCA is just being opened where we want to spend Xmas, and so as he has a detachment there, he has asked Laurie Crane, one of the officers, to book us rooms, I think this is an excellent idea the food is always good there, and quite comfortable, and we will save pots of hotel bills. Yws are about 25 or 30 piastres a night, bed and B. i.e. 5 or 6/-. Laurie Crane lives in Sandy Lane as I told you once before. Donald also has a Flight Sgt, at Ismailia who lives opposite the Church. Codsall I mean! I haven't met either of them yet, but Donald says that Laurie is a nice man. Laurie apparently knows the woman who is opening the Wy. So we ought to be all right.
I have just bought a p.t. worth of peanuts and am steadily finishing them, that is about ¼lb. I love them, it is the thing to do to eat them in the flics here! Really I mean everyone does.
Have just been to see Jean, the girl I share a room with, in hospital. She has got jaundice. And is bright yellow. Lots of people get it here. She seems quite happy, she hates this place, the work I mean, and she will get sick leave at a convalescent depot I expect, in Palestine.
I knew I forgot something. Thank you both so much for your cables for our wedding anniversary. Lovely to get them. We are still always saying how thoroughly we enjoyed getting married, I wish one could repeat it. It was a lovely day. Lots and lots of love, due mostly to your organisation!!
53.
20:XI:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I have just had my usual after lunch shower, the only time of the day when the water is anything like hot. It is getting a little chilly now to have cold one. I had an excited letter from Donald last night, saying that he had a hot bath at some Major's place! It is getting cold now, I am always either too hot or too cold, it is very like England, I now wear my serge half time, and am too hot! I went out in it last night for the first time, down to the club to have tea, and everyone teased me no end, all my stripes, and buttons and things.
I was frightfully pleased to get an enormous bunch of letters last night, the first for ages. There was complete chaos, the post Cpl finally came to me and said, Mrs Maitland, I don't think this can be for you, but it has got your number on it, we did look on the back to see if that helped, but we couldn't read it, and of course Daddy, it was addressed to Cpl Parkes! We laughed a lot! Did you know that you had done it? after you posted it I mean? I pm so glad that Branksome Towers is so successful. The food does sound good. We don't often get bacon here as it is about 5/- a lb. I am so glad the weather is being reasonable
Too. I still find it so difficult to think of you in the cold and rain. It is amazing how much longer letters take posted in the village, I had one from you Daddy, written in Bournemouth dated 11th and one from you Mummy of the 8th. and one from Beryl in London of the 12. Maddening I have left all the letters at the office, so I shall write the last bit of this there.
I had such a nice evening last night, I went with Kit and Derek, the WRNS rating and her husband, the RAF M.O. to a do at 216 Group. (Group is the next thing up from Wing I think) They have a beer and sandwich party every Friday night, and ask a few people. I know a lot of people there, the two Sq. Ldrs. in Stanley's flat belong to it too. They are such a charming couple. She is going to have a baby in May. I am going to start knitting. For her! Beer and English cigarettes are two of the most prized things out here. Both nearly impossible to get. A little whisper goes round that Tommy's bar sells beer on the dot of 6-30, and runs out by 6-40, and everyone dashes!
I had a marvellous collection or books from yon too this week, the thing by Sir Arthur Evans, Gilbert Frankau and J.L.Hodson. Will have to keep the letter well out of Donald's sight till I have read it! It is so sweet of you to keep sending me them, I do so wish I could do something in return, but there is so little here that one can send. I have discovered a new kind of Turkish Delight, which I will send you in due course, stuffed with cream.
We had a lovely lecture the other day by the head of this place on wanting admin commissions, because since the first few of us have tried for them, several other people have also had their names put down for the Selection Board. Of course they don't want to lose us all. Anyway he gave us a fine lecture on the art of muddled reasoning kept on telling us we were officer material, and ought to have commissions, and that we must stay here in the ranks. How awful it would be if we had to look after ATS from the place where we are going at Xmas, quite forgetting that as things are at present, we are supposed to be equal to them! These people haven't a clue what it is like to be in the ranks, they talk such nonsense. He is a silly man anyway. I very foolishly said that one couldn't turn down a commission if only for one's parent's sake, which enraged him! Only one person has changed her mind though, I meant to have this censored here, but I think I had better send it to Donald after all!
My next letter to you will be my Xmas one, Well I think I shall leave this space to answer your letters properly.
At work. Daddy, how incredible to be able to sell the Rover for so much, I should think you are sorry to see it go though Mummy. No I did not know Phillippa Reade was coming out, lucky child being a civilian. I thought of you in the village with the stall when I was selling poppies on Nov. 11. Mummy.
Am going to a flic with Sheelagh to-night, after I have rung Donald up, so am feeling remarkably uncomfortable all done up in my serge and a tie and stockings. It is awful wearing them after being in summer clothes since the end of January!
Poor little Bertie being lost for a day, you must have been worried I didn't know he wild deign (spelling?) to go on a bus, I once tried most unsuccessfully to get him on one!
I don't think that there is really any more to tell you, on Monday I shall have to try and write you an Xmas letter, it seems so funny doing it so long before the time. If our leave shouldn't come off we have received a beautifully formal invitation to stay at the flat and join in the celebrations. Lots and lots of love and thanks
54.
21:XI:'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
This is the last letter that I shall be able to write which will get there definitely before Xmas, I am afraid. So, a happy Xmas, I do so wish we were both at home for it. We had such a lovely one two year's ago, this time next year Donald's tour over-seas will be just about over anyway, whatever the war is doing which is something. I do hope that you won't be too lonely. And that Bunch and Peter and the baby will be at home. Lucky things. I do hope that you will have a happy day, I will think of you a lot. I have sent you an Xmas cake and a large parcel of food, and you Daddy, a copper plate and some Turkish Delight. I do hope that you will get it all right. I am so annoyed, do you remember that ages ago I told you I was having you some handkerchiefs made, and that the nuns who were doing them had gone off to Alex till November? Well they have come back and haven't even started them. They will be another month. I am very fed up as they have had the stuff six months. I hope you will get them eventually. They started out as a birthday present, then Xmas, and will finish as Easter!
I went to see Major Dryden, the C.0. of 5.I.S, this evening about this commission racket, and he was very nice, and didn't try to persuade me to stay, but just told me what to say, and what not, in the interview. I am having a try at a staff job rather than admin. I would much prefer it if I can. He thought I ought to be able to land it if I handle the interview right, and for half an hour or so I can generally convince people how efficient I am! Also I don't fancy being stuck with a lot of ATS and REME or something like that in one of these enormous camps in the desert. Base depot sort of places. Wish I could explain them to you, they are quite unlike anything in England, but it wouldn't be quite the thing in a letter I feel.
It has just appeared on orders that all leave to Syria and the Lebanon is cancelled. It is maddening. It is possible that Donald might be able to fix it, quite how I don't know but still. Still Palestine isn't at present. That is the main thing. Anyway if I get a commission, one gets leave again, though I feel that wont be much help, as a. we shan't be able to afford to go again, b. Donald wont get any more, c. I shall have to get some clothes, and all that type of thing. The thing which really angers me is the thought of having to buy suitcases and trunks!
Had a very pleasant afternoon, went down to the club and had a hot shower and then had tea with some RAP chum of Alan's, and a long argument about the meaning of civilisation, we were still arguing when I got off the metro to come here.
Oh about leave after commissioning, of course it will be lovely, because I shall be able to go and stay at the Services Club in Ismailia, and get over the horrors of an OCTU, and Donald can always live out and possibly come for lunch, I merely meant we shouldn't be able to go to Syria. Oh I do hope that all this works. From everyone's point of view. Toy want me to get one, and so does Donald, for more or less the same reasons, and so do I. A staff job replacing a man would be much nicer than admin too.
This is really meant to be an Xmas letter I seem to be diverging badly from the point as usual. I sent Nanny some sweets and Bunch too, the latter from the famous Home Made Cakes, where I got the cake. And where I am always stuffing myself on French cakes. You would both love it. It is so nice and clean, very small, and run by two typical French lower middle class women, very large and bullying to all the wog children who run about with trays. They find me very funny, because on two occasions I have nearly gone away without my change from a note! They even asked me after Donald when he came down here on sick leave, at least after he had gone back, though how they knew my name was Maitland and that he was here on sick leave is beyond me. Donald is very fond of it and insists on going there at weekends.
I hope that you will get a turkey all right, though I don't doubt it. The Parkes family is too well organised! Think of me when you are eating it. I believe we are going to get them too, but it won't be like home. And lovely mince pies... And brussel sprouts, we often talk reminiscently about brussel sprouts and English potatoes: And purple sprouting. We talk about food far more out here even than at home now, one talks about managing!
Oh dear this sounds awful, and as though all I want to be at home for is the food. We just long and long to be settled and home, and not trecking around the world. But I am very lucky and I am seeing a lot of things I never would have done otherwise, and learning the virtues of the English.
Have a very happy Xmas, and lots and lots of love, I shall think of
you lots,
55 NB 5.S.I.Coy, MEF
26:X1;'43.
Darling Mummy and Daddy, heaven alone knows when you will get this, yesterday was the last date for Xmas letters. I sent Donald two to forward to you On Sunday. It is Friday, I like Fridays, Donald is coming to-morrow, and to-day I shall have my hair washed, and polish my nails and generally get organised. We get paid too, a thing I like very much!
Am buying myself a new frock for Xmas, with some of your money, I am having some plain woolly material, in pink, which looks lovely with my coat, and partly I must admit because no one who wasn't very English and fair could possibly wear the colour. I am hardly brown at all now, except my legs, at least if I came home I suppose I might be compared with every one else. It was so funny in the club the other day there were a group of RAF officers having tea, obviously fresh from home with white knees and necks! One of my knees is unfortunately bright pink as it went septic and all the skin came off, and it hasn’t had time to get brown again, it looks horrid. To continue I am going to try and save up and send you and B. a length of this stuff, as it is not very expensive, and is lovely and soft. Only in plain colours. Hope to get it to you by Easter. I am sending you a bit of mine, and a pattern of my coat, and the design by ordinary mail. It is such a good thing to invest in I think as I can wear it at home.
I am just finishing War in the Sun, I am enjoying it v. much. Of course I know a lot of the places in Alex and Cairo that he talks about and all the aerodromes that he mentions by name, and Donald goes to quite a lot of them now. I find it so difficult to keep up with all the aerodromes, Donald natters about them all the time, and everyone keeps on saying, so and so has gone to El Adem or Ballah or some other Wog name. Its terrible.
I had a letter from you two days ago Mummy from Bournemouth of Nov 13. I am so glad to hear that Branksome Towers is so nice. It must be a nice change. Also glad to hear that you have bought one or two new garments! 0h I meant to tell you that the poinsettias are all out now, great bushes of them mixed up with the bougainvillaea which never seems to stop flowering. Have only seen red poinsettias yet. I do hope that you will get some oranges and lemons. The latter would make such a difference. Tangerines are just beginning again here. I have got two on my desk now. I remember you or Mummy telling me that you had a Jaeger coat too Daddy, we shall all have to go out in them together! It isn't worth sending me any clothes really, it is too much risk its losing them, and they are such a trouble to keep all right, we have so little room, and I am terrified that one of the various types of insects may damage them. With any luck I may be better off with a commission though. We have hot water again now thank goodness so I can wash my underclothes, before I heated it up on my stove. I am not too badly off for warm clothes, I shall have my blue pleated frock, (Goodricks) which I have had beautifully cleaned and repleated, my new pink one, a coat, two jerseys and trousers, and an odd skirt, as well as that silk blouse, green blue one, and that broderie Anglaise one. Have to go into serge next week. But still this morning, as there is so little to do, I walked down into village for elevenses, and had iced coffee and a doughnut.
I hitched to Abbassia to see Jean, my room mate in hospital, she has got jaundice, poor child she is a colour. She doesn’t seem to mind, she so hates work, and is quite pleased she will have to go to a convalescent depot in Jerusalem. It would drive me mad but still. I go two or three times a week to see her. But I do love having the room to myself, I am so glad you got my ordinary mail letter with biographies. I had tea with Mimi and Stanley at the club, and ate a toasted ham sandwich! I went in a jeep yesterday, after shooting brakes, and staff cars, I like jeeps. It is a very awkward place to get to Abassia, they only have white trams, which are awful they run through the poorer Wog parts and just bulge with people. I never dare sit down on them.
Donald is having a flying lesson on Sunday afternoon with that noce little Egyptian friend of Marion's that I told you about who is in Misr Airways, he offered to give him one so I know Donald will be pleased.
Lot of love. R.
No 56.
30:XI:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy, Have just had two letters from you, one each. Want to clear up money. It is very sweet of you to say that you would pay- off my overdraft Daddy, but please don't. You see out here, I still have £30 or 31 to my credit, nothing to do with home, and that with Donald's money will last me I hope till Easter, by which time I hope to have a commission and some more money. You see I want to leave my account at the N.P. to pay itself off. This is apart from any money you send me for Xmas. The Maitlands have sent us £5 each, so we are doing well. Donald has saved nearly £200 at home I believe which we can always get if we want it. I am sorry to panic unnecessarily out here about money, but prices shock me so much all the time. Oh the £30 is after I have paid for the pink woolly frock! Am sending you the pattern by ordinary mail by the same post.
Now for nicer subjects. I was so shocked when I got Bunch's letter about her teeth that I went to the dentist this morning! Great courage and had nothing to be done. I have been once before out here, but haven't had anything done since before I went into the ATS. Poor B. It is dreadful. I do hope her teeth will be all right now. But I have had a spot! When Donald arrived on Saturday afternoon, his first wards were, what an awful spot! It has now gone! (on my cheek.)
Sorry to have to write you one of these, but I have run out of the others. Horrors, there is a rumour that the letter cards marked free are held up till Dec 20 for Xmas, and I have gone on writing them quite casually as ordinary ones, we were issued with two a week for four weeks before Xmas. If this is so I am afraid that your mail will be in a mess.
We had a lovely week-end, Donald came down for lunch, on Sat. and went on Monday morning. My coat was a big success. It is beautifully made with lots left in the seams, as it is fitting thing! (Mummy). It is getting quite chilly without one at night. Donald had a flying lesson on Sunday afternoon. In a Tiger Moth. Isn't it lovely, our leave begins in less than three weeks, everyone is very annoyed that we won't be at the flat for Xmas, as they are having a big party. We had dinner with Gerry Wilkes on Saturday, he and Donald whispered about guns as usual! Gerry looks so odd with everyone else in the RAF. Army officers are called Pongoes out her, for some unknown reason, by the RAF!
I shall have to finish this on another form, there is never enough room. Hope they will both arrive together, they usually do if you write me two.
No 56
30:XI:'43 (an airgram)
Cont. from last one.
Have got my pre commission board interview on Thurs. So had better get myself all polished up. After all these interviews I shall have lied myself so stiff in the face that I shan’t know when I am not! The interviews don’t worry me much. It is the OCTU I don’t fancy.
What a nice idea having Joan White for Xmas, is Peter still up North? It won't seem a bit like Xmas out here, except for having a party it will be just like ordinary leave. Your birthday letter does seem to have come a bit early Daddy, I am sorry, but there is such a muddle with mail at Xmas over the time it takes.
I went and helped Kit and Derek with the inventory of their flat yesterday afternoon. They are the couple with the baby. She is leaving the WRNS next week. It is a priceless flat with so much furniture you can't move, but no crockery or cutlery. Still it is clean and quiet. They have just got two puppies of the pointer type, so what it will be like, I can't imagine. Lots of people keep dogs out here. We had three with us yesterday, an M.O. friend of Derek's had his setter too. He had brought it him down from El Adem, Tobruk, by air! Mimi has a pointer too which someone brought down from Sidi Resegh or some place up there, and gave it to her.
I didn’t know the Wiles were in the H.G. I tried to send them an Xmas card, but couldn’t remember the name of their house, so sent it to Tettenhall. I do hope that you won’t be too lonely over Xmas. Bunch did not think Peter would get off in her last letter. Isn’t it terrific, all the things which I left in Durban 9 months ago, turned up on Sat. so now I have all my letters, that pigskin writing thing, my address book and the like. As well as all my books. I never thought I should I should see that again. Yes it must be very quiet without the baby, she doesn’t cry much though does she?
How dreadful about Dick Seymour, I never knew he was missing at Singapore. Con must be having a lovely time at Durban, there were some WRNS in the hotel where we were for the month, living in the lap of luxury.
I told you I think that leave to Syria has been stopped? But we can still go to Palestine and perhaps by Xmas we may be able to go. I do hope so. I am just longing for it. As usual won't be able to believe that we shall go, until I actually set out from here. The only thing that worried me is that the commission board will come at the wrong moment. The interview on Thursday it was to see that we are suitable to have an interview!! This looks like the end of the letter, so lots of love, I will write a letter card at the end of the week.
57
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am sorry earlier on in the week I had to write you two airgrams instead of one of these. I am afraid that I shall have to once a week unless Donald can help.
Haven't had any mail since I last wrote. Oh yes I have, a letter from you Mummy of the 22. Thank you. I am very glad that I have had that of all the people, here, you will have to keep it up to date.
Have just been down to the dentist again at Abyssia. Just because I had one or two little ulcers on my gums, which have gone now.
You asked if I had had my hair permed Mummy. Yes I have twice since I left home, just the ends both times, once in Durban the first day we were there, in February, and once in June here. They did it very well both times about £1 each time. The hair dressers here are very good, I always go to the same man in Helio, usually every other Friday afternoon. 5/-. They wash it better than anywhere else I have ever known, and also set it well. The only thing I don't like is the smell of garlic which pervades all. I rang Donald up the night before last, having heard an awful rumour from Lesley via her husband that he didn't expect to be here in two months. Donald says though there is no such rumour, and Patrick always talks like that. Stanley said he was sure they would never move too. Lesley is the girl who was at Bredenbury and Patrick her husband is with Donald and she is here with me, as a civilian. We are very chummy as a result.
How lovely having truffles and pralines from America, very nice of the girl, though I am sure you were good to her. Mummy it is sweet of you to send me fudge, I shall love it, but so naughty, I send you food for yourselves. But I shall adore it, and save Donald one piece, and eat the rest myself. It hasn't come yet of course.
There is a paragraph in the paper this morning I see about, the temps. we had here during October, I think I will cut it out and send it to you, to show you what we were living through when you were freezing. I think on the hottest day of the year I got a letter from you Daddy to say that there had been about 6 degrees of frost! It was the time Donald was ill.
I am glad that the photos have arrived. I hated them so much I nearly tore them up as I told you, only Donald stopped me! If you can't get any more done let me know and I will have them done out here, I think I can all right. My hair was looking such a mess, I think I was on the way to have it washed.
Very glad to hear about David Smith. Do give him my love. I hope that Barbara will get her school cert. this time. I suppose she takes it this month.
I had a pre selection board interview yesterday about this commission. A very nice female about the first really nice ATS officer I have ever met. A Lt. Col. It will be weeks yet before we get as far as an OCTU, even supposing that she passed me and the board does. I pulled a terrific line for getting a staff commission. I think it would mean living out and away from ATS, • and anyway I would like the work so much better. She was impressed by me in the Min. of Food, which shook me. It is all such a bother, and fuss about nothing. I long and long more every day not to be an ATS. It is all so stupid and silly and useless. Thank heaven she didn't ask me any silly questions about what I thought of the ATS. My one dream is to tell some of those sort of people who could do something about it! Sheelagh told some visiting dignitary and the head ATS out here just that she did not like the ATS and they were so horrified that they didn't, know what to say. Very brave of her!
I am going into Cairo this afternoon. I like to poke around occasionally and see how things are compared with here. I usually go about once a fortnight, apart from going with Donald on Sundays at some time or another when I wait for him in Middle East of Air H.Q, He always goes into see them for a cup of tea or something, and to impress what a good type he is! It pays and there are always things he really has to see then about!
I shall be running my section from next week on. Nice isn't it; I shall like having my name on the door.
Can't think of any more to tell you at the moment.
I will send this to Donald to be censored, and add any more then if I think of it.
No 58
Handwritten: I quite forgot Daddy, I hadn't answered the letter I had from you on Sunday of 25 Nov, though I think I have in this letter.
7:X11:'45.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Nothing to tell you I am afraid, except that I have just had your letter of 28 Nov. Mummy, thank you. Yes do go and see Mrs Thurston. Jim her son, Marion's husband, has just been sent or is just being, home, from North Africa, and so Marion is going home too. At least she wills be in time. When she does she is sure to come to Wolverhampton, and I shall ask her to come and see you, or you could meet her or something. You will like her very much. She will be able to tell you so much that I can't in letters. Poor Marion is so depressed to think of Jim arriving home and her not being there. But apparently one gets posted automatically home on applying if ones husband is. This coming from the ATS staggers me.
One thing I have been meaning to tell you for ages Mummy, is just how useful that little jersey you knitted has been. I have worn it so much, on the ship in Durban when we first arrived here, and lately till we went into serge. I shall wear it again I have no doubt under my tunic. I washed it the other day, it was filthy, but has washed beautifully. I am at present wearing my serge skirt and that cardigan I bought at Austin Reeds. Do you remember. I don't wear a tunic as we only have one and one skirt, and how ever we shall manage I don't know. We will have to wear them from now till the middle of April I suppose. I am quite warm enough in jersey and skirt except at night.
I should love to see Sir Stewart Duke Elder when he comes out here again. You didn't say what he said, but you sound I think, from your letters, better than when I left home. I do hope so.
I am delighted to hear about Harry While. I am so pleased that he is going to have a home appointment. Dear Jannette, she will be so happy. Dive him my love. Hope they will have a baby nice and quickly too. It's about time!
I had tea with Gerry this afternoon, he is having a week's leave. But is very fed, and dying to get back to his wife. Have arranged as usual to have dinner with him on Saturday night when Donald is down. Not that they will do anything but whisper about guns, or something similar! If only I knew a little more about mechanical engineering I should learn a lot from the conversation that goes on always. Stanley amuses me so much. Always in any argument or discussion, he asks Donald for the deciding point no matter what the subject, and when Donald isn't there, he asks me! Deputy I suppose.
Bunch must be having a hectic time. Poor child. She says anyway that Carol Ann takes up all her time. She is so good too, she always writes to me once week, and I know what an effort she finds it.
I have just been elected to the library committee of this station, as the ATS representative. I knew I would be immediately the idea of having an ATS representative was raised, as the post Cpl runs it! I have I know told you about him before. He ran the poppies. He runs everything like that. All the ENSA shows we have etc. He is ordinarily a dramatic critic. He is priceless, and always calls me Mrs Maitland most punctiliously, in spite of the fact I always call him Desmond!
He is great believer in the social conventions! He is a matter of fact very friendly with a lot of very nice people, English, who live in Cairo, retired Generals widows and the like! But he always makes me laugh. He thinks I am so nice, and ladylike! Which pleases me as it is so rare from the army.
I collected my grey flannel skirt this afternoon. It looks so nice. Two inverted pleats in the front and two at the back. I have managed to get a frock and skirt for £6-10 by judicious buying, which I think is a triumph, for prices out here. I am very smug, no one can understand how I did it, but I am not emulating Aunt Bee, and told them all! I have now got plenty of clothes for all emergencies. P.S. grey flannel is £2 a metre about 46 inches wide. Tweed though is about £4. Metre is 39 inches. '' -• .. • ..
I went and had tea with Kit and Derek in their flat in Sunday. It was fun. We turned Derek out to go and play squash and overate and gossiped. Everyone gets so nicely when we do either of these things at the club! In these flats there is never enough cutlery or china or anything, and the one thing that made me laugh so much was using Derek's khaki drill, alias k.d. for a tea cosy, as Kit had of tired of using her WRNS hat! Well I think that is all for now. I am so jealous of the pig. Pork pie... But we are much more jealous of Marion and Jim.
Lots and lots of love.
How nice having Edith P. to stay. Glad you picked up the hint re Mombassa Daddy, I couldn’t convey in any other way.
No 59
14:X11:'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am sorry I have been dreadful this week and only written to you once, I -of very disorganised, I don't quite know why. Very sorry about this.
The picture of Bunch and Carol Ann arrived on Saturday morning, I think it is absolutely beautiful. I have never seen such a healthy looking baby. She looks exactly like the photographs of Bunch at that age. It is sweet, and so terribly good of Bunch too. They are alike. I am so glad her hair is making an effort to curl! I am v. proud of it, and rushed all round the offices showing it all my various friends.
Thank you too Daddy very much for the cheque which arrived at the end of the week. It will be more than useful!! I shall buy myself some souvenir in Palestine. Quite what I don't know at the moment. It has arrived good and early. The way money goes here is so awful! The old cry.
I had lots of Xmas cards too at the end of the week thank the
animals! Mummy. And a sweet letter from Beattie Rowley all about the baby. I would so love to see her.
I had a lovely long week-end with Donald, he had to come up here to do some business on Friday night, and Saturday a.m. and so was here till Monday. We had a nice peaceful time and didn't do much. I had an attack , only slight, on Sunday, of the tummy! - Gippy-! So we couldn't anyway. Donald is not very sure, at the last minute, whether he will be able to get leave, he has the necessary papers all signed, but there may be a sudden rush of work, and then he will have to stay. It will be most disappointing if he can't but I shall go and stay there for a fortnight anyway whatever happens, I can't put off my leave with commission boards and the like cropping up. Apart from the fact I simply must get away from the ATS for a while. I do hope that he will be able to make it, he will be so disappointed. We might be able to combine part of the work and leave as he may have to go to Syria, and then I could go too, even if, I hope it is out of bounds. Still we will see. Oh I am so longing for it, I can't think of anything else. Stan was flying Donald back on Monday a.m., but they couldn't take off till 12, as there was a bad ground mist. Amazing we do get it some tines. He couldn't go then it was too late, Stan, and so sent Donald off with a Harvard and a pilot. He has been so kind to us, I do hope that after the war we shall be able to repay his hospitality.
Jean is going off to Palestine to-morrow, the girl I share a room with, to a convalescent depot in Jerusalem. She has been in hospital for a month or so with jaundice. Now she has come out Sheelagh has gone in with a slight touch of tonsillitis I think. I went to see her this afternoon heavily laden with fruit tangerines bananas, and grapefruit, and books, to find that she is perfectly all right, and hopes to be out in two or three days. I am very glad is so dreary there. Glad too because it is such a treck there. It is half way between Helio and Cairo, but only on the white tram route, not the metro, and the white trams are all fellaheen and the lowest type of Egyptian, and perfectly horrid.
Daddy, I finished that book of Cecil Beatons at the end of the week, and gave it to Donald to read, I think it is one of the best books of that type I have ever read It is excellent. The part of the Middle East that I know at all, the canal area Alex and Cairo, and troop ships is so true. And it is so well written. I am so glad to have got it. I found a Baedecker in Rufus room this afternoon, I shall read it, or rather look at it.
I dashed in on my way back to work from the hospital, and had my usual hot shower. We don't get any hot water at all, it is awful. I spend hours a day heating water on my stove for washing underclothes and the like, and since it will only heat a pint and a half or so at a time it is a bit slow. There is a bad shortage of fuel in Egypt I think always. All these flats only seen to have hot water at certain times or days, and very few have fire places, or any method of heating. Like Egypt, they are very shoddily built when you look.
It is lovely I can hear carols wafting up from below, they are practising for Xmas day. They even asked me, but they didn't know... I should have gone in spite of this, if we had been here.
I suppose it must really be hot here still. I am sitting in front of the open window at my desk, looking out into the night, in a tunic, and I haven't gone into vests yet, but I am warm enough, though some times later on at night, I get very cold. I think my blood has got thin.
To-morrow afternoon I must go into Cairo and take my pearls to be restrung. It is all right Mummy, it is a reputable place and one ???? sits over the Arab while they do it. have some photographs developed for Donald, and have a new zipper put on my bag. I shall have a busy time till leave getting things organised, and all my washing and ironing done. Donald thinks that one of his trucks will have to come up here on the day we go on leave. ie. next Monday night! He is also transport officer at his station! As well as engineer.
Thank you v. much Daddy for the most useful present I could have!
Lots of Love,
60
16:XII:'43
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Have just had a lovely bunch of mail, no less than five letter cards! Such fun One from you Mummy of 7 Dec. They are getting here beautifully quickly in spite of XMAS. How amazing John Braithwaite turning up all of a sudden. He has had a time I should think. He was with the 8th Army I presume. Wish I was at home to have dinner with you and all the Whiles, how happy they must all be to have Harry home, I would love to see Janette all happy again.
I had a busy and horrid afternoon washing, boiling and blueing my handkerchiefs. A most delicate operation, since all the water has to be heated on my little stove. And it poured with rain all the afternoon too. All the streets are flooded, and of course it rained into our flats, as they have a staircase, which curves round the inside of block of flats, yet outside the inner doors of the flats so that the staircase well is open to the sky. So suitable for rain! I believe that it rains quite a lot in Palestine; so I shall be prepared for the worst. It will be very cold too, I know. Syria is again open for leave, isn't that nice. There won't be time to get a pass, but Robin, a girl friend of mine here knows the D.A.F.M. in Beirut, and has written to him for me, Donald will just write himself out a movement order. I must ring Donald up tonight and find out all the dope. I rang him up yesterday afternoon when he said he would be in, and held on for 10 minutes and he wasn’t. I was peeved! But he can't help it, they thought he was in one of the planes.
19:X11:'43.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Have just spent such a curious Sunday. I was shivering away this morning in a Jersey, and jacket, and then had the last of a series of injections for an obscure tropical disease for which the army injects one wisely I suppose, I don't mind as I like collecting injections in the form of scalps, I have had so many for this and that. They always give me a foul headache, so I decided I couldn't face the Attery lunch and went down to the club instead and had an enormous plate of lovely cold boiled ham, and salad and bread and butter, and lashings of hot coffee. Then I went and had my hair washed. Then a hot shower, and tea again at the club, with a charming Major at the Gunnery School, with whom Gerry shares a room. His name is Cyril, being between 35 and 40, Daddy! He was most amusing, the other morning, when I was down in Helio getting some pennies for leave from the Bank, he flashed past me in a taxi, waving violently. He had just given a young subaltern a lift, and he said the young man, was suitable impressed by Cyril waving violently to an ATS Cpl at 11-0!
Start leave to-morrow. Isn't it heavenly? Donald is coming up here tomorrow afternoon to pick me up. Then we catch the train from Ismailia on Tuesday afternoon at 5-0. We are going by train in the end. Leave to Syria has just been re-opened, but I can't get a pass through in time but I an hoping to manage it, as I have a letter to the Provost Marshall.
Had a terrific, lots of mail this week, five on Thursday and three on Saturday. Two from you Mummy of the 2 and 7, and one from you Daddy, of 3. Thank you very much for the £5 Mummy, in advance, when it arrives, it takes the Bank here as long to tell me, as it does to came from home. The post is slow. I thought I might buy myself a bit of Syrian jewellery or something like that. Still I shall see when I get there and enjoy wandering around and looking. I am so glad that Bunch is having a shoulder bag, I remember that she was very jealous of mine. I still use it every day, and apart from the fact that the leather has gone a lot darker, it is as good as new, and it has had very hard wear.
Isn't, it dreadful about Mr Churchill? It said today in the paper that he had passed the crisis. It would be dreadful if anything happened to him. Eden always strikes me is being useless, and there is no-one much else. Yes I knew that he was here for that conference. You see Alan and Harry, two of the people in the flat, are pretty high up in the Air Transport bit of the RAF here. We thought it was Stalin though not Chiang Kai Chek. We knew of course too, because certain places were put out of bounds to troops for that time. The hotel were they were etc.
How nice having Edith Phippen for a fortnight.
No Daddy, there is no Times Library here! That is the reason why I love to get books from home so much, or one reason. I can now get novels and a few biographies occasionally of not less than 9 months old, from the club though which is a great advantage. I got Frontier Passage by Ann Bridge to-day.
I sent you a cable this morning I do hope that you will get it in time. I don't quite know how I shall manage about mail on leave, as I shan't be able to get hold of any of these.
Through one thing an another I didn’t get this posted, and am now sitting on my bed in the Windsor Hotel, Haifa!
Will tell you all about it in my next,
Lots and lots of love, R.
An Airgraph:
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I don't know what to say, I haven't written all the time I have been on leave. I think I must send a cable tomorrow, as part from being disappointed, you may worry. We have had such a heavenly time. Absolutely marvellous, and we have seen so much, and done so much. I am sending you a long letter about it all, I don't know whether I shall have enough letter cards to do it like that, I must investigate the situation. We have been everywhere form Turkey to Cairo. At least right to the Turkish frontier. I came back this morning. Leave was up, we nearly didn't get back as the weather was terribly bad the last few days in Aleppo and the Lebanon. We came by air, DC3. You know the big transport crates. We were terribly lucky, as the 600 odd miles by road took us 3 and a half hours by air with two stops, apart from the fact that it was the most enthralling view over Syria. The pilot was nice and let my sit all the way in the second pilots seat, as you don’t get much of a view from the main part. It was lovely and cold up there. I am now so hot in Egypt that I am sitting on front of the open window in a shirt. We nearly dropped when we got out of the plane at Beirut to stretch our legs. The change in temperature was so enormous.
It is of course terribly depressing to be back, but that is alleviated lots by the mail that is sitting in front of me waiting to be read. Also two parcels. That lovely one you sent me full of everything. It looks heavenly. I have only peeped so far. I wanted to get this off before I did anything. I am dying to look at everything. I hate the thought of sorting all my things out though. It is horrid. At the moment though I am gazing happily at all my letters, and not bothering.
This isn't much of a letter, I am a bit worried about how much I can tell you about leave. I shall send all the stuff down to Donald to read over. You know where Otis is stationed, and he is head of the British Security Mission there, and rules and enormous territory. Some hundreds of miles in width, literally, I mean it. However, I shall do my best.
Then I came back I discovered that we have all been lobbed out with our Africa Stars. This is very funny, as we have spent all our leave making ribald remarks at all the army types sporting them. I must ring up Donald and tell him, he will be most amused.
The food in Syria was divine, I have gone up to a pound short of 9 stone, having lost a few pounds before. Wait for a real letter. All love, and lots of thanks for unopened stuff. R.
63.
4:I:'44
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
Here beginneth my monumental epistle, I trust. The best thing I think I can do is start from the very beginning.
That is Monday lunch time, December 20. I worked during the morning, and had the afternoon off. Donald was due to come up sometime during the afternoon or evening. Well he didn't turn up and I had to go into Cairo and pick up one or two things that weren't ready, nothing ever is in this country. I got back in a panic, no sign of Donald, snatched a taxi, it was then dark and 7-30. Rushed to Stanley's office, and he took one look at me, and asked what was the matter. I asked him to phone Donald, which he did. He can do it so much easier than I can, it only took 5 minutes or less to get Ismailia and then the right unit. Donald had of course had a rush at the last minute, and hadn't been able to leave till the last minute, and so caught the 8-0 train, and arrived at the flat about 1-30! Panic over. Next a.m. we did our packing and got organised, and finally hitched down to Ismailia, as it takes about 4 hours by train. We had lunch on route, at a road house place. Then We got the train to Palestine at 6-0 at Ismailia. The train stops for an hour at Kantara, where one has to get tickets, they don’t issue them through, and also dinner. There is a very good officers NAAFI there, where they rush dinner through in an amazingly short space of time. It is a ghastly journey, broken by various stops of an hour or so, for why no-one knows. We didn’t have sleepers. Finally we arrived at Haifa about 10-0. We managed to get a sandwich and a cup of tea at Lydda on one of the numerous stops. Some enterprising spirits even shaved. We didn’t see much on the journey as most of it was in darkness. A pity. A great relief to get to Haifa. We went straight to the Windsor Hotel, in pouring rain! Visibility 0 yards at 0 feet. A very nice hotel, so comfortable after Egypt, and well done. I was rather ill with tummy trouble the first day, which was a nuisance, but it went immediately. Haifa is a nice town, so clean. Mount Hermon in the background. Rather a disappointing hill really. We ran into a man we met on our last leave in Alex there, one Bill Powers, a charming man in the navy. So we went out to dinner with him, this was on Thursday. Still raining. The food in Palestine is terrible, much worse than at home, and the bread is all but black, and seams to have sand in it. You know how potty Donald is about breakfast, well they gave us both mornings we were there, just one minute sausage, and didn't serve either oranges or grapefruit and the place is stiff with them. We went out to the aerodrome where Donald has a detachment, and wandered about a bit. There we got a message from Otis saying that we had simply got to come up to Aleppo. Donald's letter to him saying that we were having leave had taken 18 day's! Incidentally I met the man who lives in Sandy Lane. He is at Haifa. We thought we would go up to Aleppo after Xmas, but the food and spirit was so depressing that we suddenly decided at lunch time the day after we arrived that we would go for Xmas if we could. It is 400 miles! Well we went to see the D.A.P.M. and movements and the R.R.O. to see about a movement order for Syria for Donald, I had one, and transport. They more or less laughed in our faces. 0tis however had said ring up his Colonel in Beirut for transport. It takes rather over 24 hours, by train. We had just got back to the hotel and fixed and fixed us a lift as far as Beirut, when the D.A.P.M. rang up and said that a Sq. Ldr. was going all the way the next morning starting at 7-30. That is the morning of Christmas Eve, Friday.
It was a beautiful day, and we started off, in a Dodge 15 hundred weight truck to go 400 miles in a day! We had one other officer in the truck, and picked up two more people who were hitching to Beirut and thereabouts. It is the most beautiful road, running all the way along the sea. The Mediterranean was picture post card blue all the way, and the sky too. The frontier is quite near Haifa, only about 30 miles North. You go through Acre on the way, and there are the remains of several old crusading castles on the way. The best one is further inland though and we didn't see it. It really is a fascinating part of the world, also there is an intact Roman viaduct, just I think North of the frontier, running for some miles. There are the remains of so many civilisations superimposed on others. Acre is nice little town, with lovely blue shutters, (R.A.F. paint!) Inland of course you can see the hills towering right up. All the lower hills are terraced, and they grow anything there. It is incredible how they do it. And it all looks so barren, it must be very hard work, but of course the climate is so perfect. We reached Beirut about 12, and then spent an hour looking for petrol, and tearing round the town, I think it is a beautiful town, it has such a marvellous situation. It is built on a spit right out into the sea, and has hills leading straight up behind it to a mountain behind of something between 10,000 and 12,000 feet, whose name I can't remember, anyway it is Church Mountain translated. It had a couple of thousand feet of snow or so on it. It was all so clean and light and well built after Egypt. I should love to go and stay there sometime. Oh I completely forgot, we passed through Tyre and Sidon. Tell you about this in the next one of these.
7:l:'44.
Continuation. Tyre we couldn't go into, being out of bounds to H.B.M.'s forces. But from road it looked just an ordinary little Arab village. The Sq. Ldr we were with said that there is quite a big chunk of the old Phoenician quay left there. Sorry we couldn't see it. Sidon was just another little fishing village. The drive from Beirut to Tripoli is magnificent. The foothills come right down to the sea and in the little valleys there are miles of orange groves, with banana palms in between all the trees. It looked lovely, the oranges were all ripe and orange on the trees. I can't tell you how it fascinated me seeing these miles of plantations of fruit one never expects to see growing side by side. The bananas too were all ripe, but they are picked when green. The road is bad from the point of view of land slips all along the coast, and the tunnel just this side Tripoli suffers. We had lunch at Tripoli, a nice and surprisingly large town, clean and with great big wide streets. There were dozens of little sailing ships, obviously trading around out from Tripoli, schooners, they looked so pretty against the post card sea. We fed at the Officers Club, the best in the neighbourhood. Very pleasant, all covered in Xmas decorations. Then bought some bananas and started off again. North of Tripoli, it gets terribly lonely and barren, nothing for miles, it is in the region of 100 to l20miles to Latakia the next town. We gradually got from orange and banana country to the olive and vine, though mostly the latter. The people become very interesting, Kurds I think, they all have black breeches, like your country suit Daddy, in drab looking stuff and coloured jerkins, and blacket loose jackets and peculiar high hats, and of course all muffled in coloured shawls. And of course all on the ubiquitous donkeys. It got dark about 25 miles this side Latakia, and we had to drive with a blacked out headlamp. The man was a fool, Donald wanted him to go round by Homs and Hamma, doing all the wiggly bit through the mountains in daylight and the straight at night, also it is shorter, also to take off the mask as there is no blackout in Aleppo, but he wouldn't. It is a further 125 miles from Lafakia to Aleppo. The road is very bad and twisting for the first 50 miles or so. It goes through Jist es Chagour and Idlib, if you want to look it up. All these odd villages are so much better than Egypt, they had pressure (?) lamps burning in the bigger villages, though there was no-one about, and so we could see, but the houses seem more permanent, and don’t smell like Egyptian. My goodness it is a lonely road, we were glad that there were three of us. Jisr es Chagour is almost on the frontier. At about 10 when we were wondering whenever we were going get there, about 30 miles from Alep Donald recognised Otis civilian car, supplied by H.M.'s Govt. flashing by, we yelled, and it stopped, turned out to be his Armenian driver Fuad sent out to look for us. We were relieved. I went on with him and Donald had to stay behind with the Sq. Ldr. as he was nearly asleep. Otis was terribly thrilled to see us, and thrust a drink at me to warm me up, and we dashed around madly breaking eggs, and preparing food, we hadn't had anything since lunch except bananas. Scrambled eggs with turkey giblets, and onion mixed in at 12.0, lovely. The house was full, a man in the navy, Otis, Michael Pelloe, a Capt., with whom he shares the house, and us. All the services. It took us hours to get to bed of course. Finally we managed it about 1-30 on Xmas morning so happy to be there. In spite of the length I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, is so interesting, and such a beautiful day. Normally, by train, from Haifa to Tripoli takes the day, and one night from Tripoli to Alep. (Alep French).
We had a heavenly late breakfast, lots of English sized eggs, and loads of toast and marmalade. Getting up was a very lengthy business, Syria is French as you know, and the French I have never thought are the most sanitary nation. Otis has one bathroom in his house, with everything in it, except a bath, but as you know out here, one always has showers. There is a cistern in it, and you light a wood fire underneath, and the thing heats surprisingly quickly. Well as there were five of us to have showers, and all but me to shave, getting up took half the morning. It of course wasn't a bit like Xmas, but was lots of fun. We went out to a sherry party or two in the morning where everyone said that they had heard how late we arrived last night etc. News there beats radio for speed, considering that we hadn't let Otis know until lunch time of Xmas eve that we were on our way. Everyone was sweet to us. Then about 1-0 we all went back to Otis house, the army navy and R.A.F. where Otis was entertaining 26 of his officers and men to Xmas dinner, and another girl, a civilian. As it was for Otis unit, we had a riotously funny time having dinner on Michael's bed, with everyone dashing in and out to see us all the time. Donald of course was with us. We were let in to listen to the king at whatever time it was. I had by then lost all count of time, as my watch had gone haywire with the sudden change in climate. (It has now recovered again, and adjusted itself.) They had no sooner started going about 4-15, and I had just collected a cup of tea for myself from the cook, when 20 more people arrived. Must tell you about lunch, we had three turkeys, which were mostly cooked down at the cookhouse, at some camp, and then brought along all steaming to be finished here. Cauliflower cabbage, potatoes and bread sauce, all divinely cooked and hot, and Xmas puddings and lots of brandy butter, all on 3 repeat 3 primuses. By Jean, Otis Armenian cook, his one servant, more of him later, and his chief clerk, whose sister is a chef! It was a delicious lunch. To continue, we had no sooner got rid of the first lot, than the second bunch arrived. Headed by the A.P.M, Odd officers and men. And also the entertainments officer for the area, a charming man, he used to run the Dorchester cabaret, or whatever they have, some job like that, together with his piano. A lovely idea to
7:1:'44. M.E.F.
Continuation: third letter card.
The man with the piano. He is a wonderful pianist, and just played everything everyone asked, and some variety people wanted played too. He also some charming songs of his own, then Otis sang. He has a most beautiful voice. In the middle, the area commander turned up, a red tab Col. A priceless old boy, about 50 Daddy! Regular army of course. Royal Scots Fusiliers. HQ is just like an overplayed part in a burlesque. He is about 5 10, and fairly squarely built, with great bushy eyebrows which rush up and down, and lovely Victorian manners, and a big bristly moustache, which he makes pshawing noises through. He was pleased to see Donald again. Last time Donald was up, his officers told him, that Charlie, the Col. had just stamped out of the mess, saying "Mince, gentlemen, is a luncheon dish..." at dinner time. I thought they were being funny till I saw Charlie. He was very charming to me, all the time we were in Alep, and I like him. Finally about 9.0 Otis, Donald and I staggered off worn out for a quiet dinner in the French Club.
The next day was another round of parties, and in the afternoon Otis drove us, with another friend of his round Alep. It is a fascinating town, quite the most interesting I think I have ever been in, it is so much less commercialised, and not full of troops. It is a town of half a million people, lying in the cup of a valley, with the sides rising all round it to a plateau top. Right in the centre, about 200 (?) feet above the town is the citadel. Just the citadel. It looks magnificent when the sun is rising or setting and just illuminating these white ruins with the town in darkness. That afternoon we went up to the Turkish barracks, to the West of the city, and on the slope of the hill to see the sunset over the citadel. Magnificent. Before that we went round the Armenian Quarter. Lots of massacres there right up till 1923, the last one to date. Little narrow streets, just wide enough for the car to squeeze through. Little winding passages leading off them, with doors, beautiful wrought iron, opening into courtyards. Oh it is incredible. All so much nicer than the filth and commercialism of Egypt. We were of course the only Europeans. It is all very clean, and the houses are built of stone. They all have the most beautiful little balconies, with wrought iron railings round them and over the windows. We saw the grilles being made in the Souks (same as the Musky.) As it was Xmas, Otis and Donald, and the other man we had with us, all clambered out of the car, when we came across some children playing with a football, and joined in. We or rather they, started with about 6 kids, and ended with all the neighbourhood! The children adored it! I shall always remember football in the Armenian quarter of Alep on Xmas day, sorry Boxing Day, in a tiny narrow little street. Of course they all know Otis everywhere you go. He is known as the father of moustaches, whatever that is in arabic, I forget. The density of population there is some thing terrific. They all live about five to a room. I can't understand why it isn't dirtier.
Well I am going to get some food now, and will get on with this later. The trouble is, that I can go on for pages and pages, I was so impressed with Syria, and Alep in particular.
8:1:'44.
The next day being Monday, we went in the morning to see the Citadel. With one Lt. Munier, Otis' Cypriot Turk interpreter, educated at Saint Pauls! The citadel is built on a big man made mound, partly remains of earlier peoples as we could see by the excavations that were going on. The whole of the sides of the mound are paved with great big chunks of rock. It has of course been sacked by everyone under the sun, the last being Tamerlaine I think. It has the most beautiful great doorway, with enormous wrought iron doors, Donald took a lot of photographs of it, I hope they will come out. Such a beautiful day with very deep blue sky. That day too we had lunch with the area commander, he asked us on Xmas day. We had a complete triumph as he paid for all three of us, and apparently he never does, just whispers Dutch old boy, at the last minute. It is not as bad as it sounds as he gets no entertainment allowance at all, and has to do such a lot being in such a focal point. Bodies are always passing through going somewhere. After that we went and looked at the Souks, the bazaar of Alep. The are completely roofed in and guarded against attack, great gates at all the entrances. They are fascinating. But really remarkably few things that one could buy. They cater for the peasants not the Europeans. But we bought some heavenly brocade, stiff silver and silk, scarlet and silver design. I am going to have it made into a sort of jacket, with a high neck and long sleeves sometime when I come home. Alep and Damascus are of course the two famous places for brocade. I wish I had been the type to have a whole frock, lucky I am not as it is about £3 a metre, or more. I love all the copper and brass stuff, but it would mostly look so unsuitable at home. Another time, when we went Donald bought a sheepskin coat rather like yours Daddy, only a proper coat, and me a big heavy cast silver bracelet. But I think the best thing we bought is 5 kilos of raisins at a £1 Syrian a kilo, that is, don't worry, about 2/3! Donald has got these and is going to send them off to you and the Maitlands and Aunt Bee whenever he can. I love the idea of going to Alep to buy raisins, it is beautiful. They had beautiful walnuts too which we bought every time we went, the nicest I have ever had. The Souks inside are very much the same as the Musky, one central covered in street, with the streets belonging to the various trades leading off it, the spice merchants etc. The spices smelt beautiful, all being pounded. To be continued again, this is the third effort, I don't see any hope of finishing in less than 5.
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8:11'44.
The day after that, Tuesday, Otis took us out to the Turkish border, following the railway, for lunch. It was a magnificent trip, with the best view for hundreds of miles at the end of at. Out from Aleppo the country is very flat and there are quite a number of beehive village, the huts look just like beehives, and gradually it gets wilder and wilder, and you climb. We had lunch on the slopes going down to the Orontes valley, looking across to the Amanus mountains. It is the most wonderful view in the world. The wide flat valley floor, about 15 miles across, and then the high snow capped mountains, Turkey. There are panther, wild boar and olives there, but we didn't see any unfortunately.
The next day some Americans arrived Otis had to show around, and so we went too, and they offered us a lift in their D.C.3 back to Cairo, well, we didn't know what to, and finally decided to accept it, and go back on the Thursday, the train takes 48 hours, and is ghastly. But, that a.m. the weather clamped down, and they had to go off in staff cars to Beirut, and we after a lot of hanging around didn't set off till Monday, which was much nicer, though we had to go a bit of hanging round wondering if the weather would break, we couldn't get over the Lebanon as the visibility was nil, and much more n.b. there were no de-icers on the plane. We did not do much the last few days, but had a nice restful time, and ate masses of Jean's heavenly food, how he does it is beyond us, in the usual style in this part of the world, he has two primuses. We had four courses lunches and dinners every day, and they were beautiful, so well cooked and laid out. Lovely soufflés, and the most delicious turkey and other varieties of soup. Otis knows how to eat! We just sent into raptures about the food, it is such a lovely change after here, where the have good food, but they don't seem to know what to do with it.
Alep is the most interesting town, it is the centre of the camel routes from Turkey, the Euphrates, Persia and Iraq, everywhere you could see the camel trains coming in, all along the sides of the roads. The people were all beautifully buffled up with them, Kurds, wearing just double squares of sheep skin, with their elbows sticking into two of the corners, or sometimes little sleeves and the slightly better off ones had exactly the same shaped garment of natural coarse camel hair to go over it. Prawn, one of Otis' officers, had the most lovely sheep skin coat, backed with this camel hair. You need it it is very cold there. Until the weather clamped down we had quite sharp frosts at night. I wore my blue stockings, my trousers, or a skirt
my camel hair coat, and either my cashmere, or angora jersey and a cardigan! However when the weather broke it was warmer. It was nice being cold though for a change. Needless to say I put on weight.
_Then on the Monday we finally took off. It was a marvellous journey from the point of view of seeing things. First the plateau on which Alep stands, with miles and miles of olive groves and vineyards. I love olive trees, and then we were in cloud, and didn't come out till just north of Tripoli. Flew right above them. Beautiful, as I told you, the pilot was nice, and let me sit in the second pilots seat nearly all the way, so I had a good view. I enjoyed myself enormously. You can see the country as a whole so much better from the air. We just touched down for a few minutes at Beirut and Lidda, and then the pilot kindly dropped us on Donald's aerodrome. We left at ll45 and landed finally at 2-30.
And that was the end of leave. Incredible depressing, We spent the night at Ismailia and I caught a train back to Cairo the next morning, which took me rather longer than it had taken to get from Alep to Ismailia. It was a heavenly fortnight, Donald was so delighted too to be able to spend Xmas with Otis, so was I. Apart from anything else he knows every one in Alep, and rules the place. Everyone was so sweet and kind to us. The thing about this that I couldn't get over was being on very chummy terms with the A.P.M.! A person not generally given his due I now feel! He was a great friend of Otis. I do so hope though next Xmas we will all be together again. It is not the same festival spent in odd corners of the world. I do hope that you really had a lovely day. I thought of you a lot, and hoped that at least you were having the same lovely that we were. I could easily imagine you when we were listening to the King's speech doing the same thing. Donald and I were very lazy over the New Year, and just went to bed! Awful confession, but I was tired, we had had a hectic day enjoying ourselves! Then we had a fat dinner, and as usual I overate, and got sleepy. In fact when I had gone to sleep standing up they decided it was about time I departed! To think last year I was on embarkation leave, I was now too, I think. We left on 16 as you know. Donald will soon have been here two years.
I am going to answer all your letters and thank you etc on an airgraph, I simply cannot get any more of these, we pinched these from Alan when we stayed at the flat the night our leave began. He was in Italy at the time, will have to confess when I see him I fear. I am sure though he never uses his. No wife, no family much. You will have to forgive me all the mistakes I have made in typing, but they are such a lot to re-read. My spelling isn't really bad, it is my typing.
Incidentally we have bought Carol Ann rather a nice 3 carat blue aquamarine, but how to get it home is at present beyond us. Thought it was about time we bought her something to keep, and as Bunch is potty about then, hope she will be to in her turn. It is unmounted, then 3 can do as she pleases, anyway English setting are so much nicer. See next airgraph which I shall write to-night or to-morrow a.m. for all latest dope, this is only leave stuff. Hope it isn't too boring. I have burbled rather. ^
19:1:44
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
These are the photographs. The latest. Am afraid some are very bad. Donald underexposed the Aleppo ones badly. He's very annoyed. The Ismailia ones are good though, except of me! Still they show how nice it is. Some of the Aleppo ones are good. Nearly all the views taken from the tip of the Minaret you can see in some of the photographs.
I am also enclosing a map of Cairo, if I can find one. It might interest you. I hope this is allowed! Still it is an ordinary tourist one and I should think it is.
Will get Donald to censor these when he comes. The ones of the border are terribly bad too I am afraid. Where the back came undone again. Such a pity as it is the most wonderful view I have ever seen. Lots of love.
HOTTEST MONTH FOR 35 YEARS.
(Cutting in folder of letters)
NEWS is now officially released that October this year was the hottest October that Egypt has had for thirty-five years. In Cairo it was the most sultry month since 1887.
There were slight electric storms during the first few days of the month, and more violent ones in the fourth week. At Helwan the night of the 23rd October was the hottest for the month in question within living memory.
On this night, the temperature did not drop below 86 deg. Fahrenheit. On the 3rd as reported before, Cairo had its hottest October day for 75 vears, with a temperature of 112 ° Fahrenheit.
In Alexandria, the hottest recorded was 102. These figures are 25 degrees above normal for the time of the year.
At Tanta on October 10th nearly three quartets of an inch of rain fell.
A second heat wave hit Cairo on the 13th and 14th, when a top temperature of 102 was recorded. By the 20th, it had dropped to normal but weather became stormy, and rain fell at Damieta and Alexandria.
Towards the end of the month north-east winds started and the temperature went up again.
Food by Parachute to Stranded Train
Haifa, Wednesday - Food had to be dropped by parachute from R.A.F. aircraft this morning to passengers in a train which was marooned on Monday night by the worst sandstorm experienced in recent years in the Sinai Desert.
The operation was carried out near Romana, some 40 kms north of Kantara, where the train is stranded among large sand-dunes over 40 inches high blown against the railway tracks.
The parachute rations will last the passengers for 48 hours, but it is hoped to free the train within the next 12 hours.
Other Trains Stranded
Other trains cut off by the sand storm included the regular Haifa-Cairo one which left here on Monday and was stranded at Bir el Abd, 33 kilometres north of Kantara on Monday night and is still held up there.
Passengers on the former train have been supplied with food by an R.A.F. detachment and by a relief works train. It is hoped to clear the train tonight and it will then be towed back to Gaza. A works train is also attempting to bring relief to the stranded train near Romana and have already cleared the line up to some 33 kms from Kantara. It is expected that it will succeed in cutting through the remaining five kms of sand some time tonight.
An army of some 600 work-men is engaged on the clearance work and contact with the isolated trains is being maintained over the railway telegraph system.
Apart from the three blocked trains, an engine was derailed by sand at Kilo 353, and the crew is stranded in mid-desert.
The clearing work is hampered by the changing wind conditions, which often blow sand back into the cuts dug through the sand banks. Depending on wind conditions, it is hoped to clear the line by tomorrow when traffic will be restored to normal.
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9:1:'44
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am getting a little more organised after leave now. Have just collected Bunch's picture from being framed, it looks lovely. She is a beautiful child. I am now going to deal with all the letters that I got when I got back from leave. A marvellous collection. The parcel couldn’t be more exciting and nicer, it was just like undoing my stocking! Everything in it was exactly what I wanted. No exaggeration really! I am writing of course to Nanny and Mrs Jones. I am reading the Idle Countryman at the moment. It sounds so lovely and like home after this country. It is so beautifully got up. Thank you for it. The flapjack and powder puff I am of course delighted with. Did I tell that my old one that you put in my stocking I should think 5 years ago, gave up the ghost when it got submerged in Aboukir Bay? The zip came off it. Of course you can't get any scented soap here, and I adore it.... I like to smell my hands when they are washed with nice soap! Toothpaste and toothbrushes become harder and harder to get and more and more expensive.... And of course the fudge.... I haven't tasted anything so lovely since I last had some. I can't stop eating it. I am nobly trying till Donald comes down next weekend. But it is so naughty of you to send it to me, I sent the food back for you, not to be returned in the shape of fudge, much as I love it. It was a lovely parcel, and the wrapping added to it! However did you get all the cellophane? I have still got all my Xmas cards out they add colour to the room. It has white walls, and a beige stone floor, and white window frames, or would if clean. So it is very cold looking.
I am quite frozen nowadays. My hands are chapped! Yet when I came back from Alep for two days I wandered around in my shirt sleeves, to the horror of everyone. Alep is about like England! Now I am my thin blooded Middle East self again! Did I tell you that now I have to wear the Desert Sore, ie. The Africa Star? It is causing a lot of hilarity among Donald's RAF chums, the RAF haven't been issued with theirs yet. I am longing to for Donald's hilarious face when he sees it! He does not know yet. The visual affect will be much funnier! Of course the trouble is, with the cold I mean, that there is no heating anywhere much. A great many of the flats don’t even have fireplaces, and anyway wood is wildly expensive. And we don’t get a scrap of hot water, which makes life a little trying. But I just don’t wash much, and go down to the club every afternoon and have a shower. I am so will in with the female there, she even offered to dry my clothes if I liked to wash them! I do! Continued on next.
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Continued. I do love the way Carol Ann loved the Xmas tree. It must be fascinating to a child to see the candles blazing. I am longing to have dinner with a fire and candles again.
I have got three letters from each of you to answer, three when I got back from leave, and three arrived on the 6th. Yours Daddy of 13 17 and 27, ie 36 37 38. Glad you met Phillis Goods to find out about 5.S.I. Coy. I was completely tied. Poor girl, she must be fed up. XXXX[36] is not a very thrilling place at the best of times. I am so very glad about Harry, there is practically no one I can think of I would rather had been posted home. I do hope that Janette will be able to be with him. She deserves it after all this time. A very good job, still I am sure he is very capable. Poor Daddy, the HG must be getting more and more difficult to organise with no action after all this time.
Daddy, I am awfully worried about you paying off my overdraft. Both Donald and I wish you wouldn’t. Really. I appreciate it and all that, but it isn't necessary, I have still about £35 credit out here, apart from Donald's allowance, and my pay, and won't want any of my own money again for ages. Well several months anyway. It would pay itself off nicely.
I am awfully glad that all the things I sent seem to have arrived more of less safely. I have forgotten what I did send now, it is so long ago. But I keep a careful record. How lucky the cable arriving on Xmas day, I was awfully afraid that it would be late, as the post Cpl didn’t get it off for a day or two. How terrific, another concert party. Aren't the Whiles in it?
This is the seventh letter I have written you since I came back on Tuesday. Today being Sat. I do feel awful though not writing to you while we were away. I think the only time was in the hairdresser's! I was very sorry that we never saw anything much of Palestine, especially Jerusalem. There just wasn’t time, the distances are too great. We just will have to go there next time that's all. I am determined to before I leave the M.E. Though I couldn’t have enjoyed leave more I must say. We did see such a terrific lot.
I saw Len Wesson yesterday. I went down to pay him my club sub. He is secretary of the officer's mess here, and we join the Sporting Club here through it. Kind of them to allow me to, it saves quite a lot. Will I had better start another page.
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9:1:'44
Third page. Your three letters were 15 and two on Boxing Day Mummy. Glad to hear that Rex Manby and Joan Fullerton can get married at last. Incidentally, I saw a lovely photograph of Pat Hawkins in the Tatler. But I still don’t like the man much. I am so pleased that you still had a nice Xmas day. You know it seems no time since we were all together two years ago. God I am longing for it again. How beautiful having a goose, I had one in Alep, but you now doubt remember Middle East birds! All scrag. Oh dear it is dreadful everyone all split up. I feel a swine having XMAS with Otis, when I know how Peggy would have adored to, and Joan White without her Peter, and Bunch and us. I had a pathetic letter from Buff. How lovely the miniature sounds. I should like to see Pug Adshead, but how to locate hike is almost beyond me. Must consult my spies!
I that the money you sent me has arrived Mummy. There was a note from the bank when I got back saying would I call. But it was the Cairo Branch, so I went down to Helio and told them to let me know. But I have mentioned the local post before! It is terribly sweet of you. I don’t quite know what I will buy. I am trying to make Donald buy some desert boots with his, which we found waiting for us when we got back, he never buys anything for himself, but masses for me. I got some beautiful brocade as I told you in Alep, which is really form you. Silver and scarlet. Well I have just about written myself out now. I must write to Bunch too. And Peggy. And masses of people. But I think I had better cope with them first. Otis had got some delicious new pictures of the children dressed up as H.G.'s. Pegs made them battledresses. I saw Ragan's, but not Colin's. He carries it in his cigarette case, and shows it proudly to everyone.
I shall have some boiled eggs for supper tonight. Must have some thing, to keep warm. I opened the tea last night, it was so good after NAAFI tea, which is horrid. Tea is unprocurable here, except on the Black Bourse, which does a roaring trade, in most things,
Well I shall stop babbling now, and go and find an iron, all my things want ironing now after leave. I don’t like to trust them to the Dhobi. I think they would dirty them if you stood over them and watched even!
With lots and lots of love and a happy new year.
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15:1:'44. M.E.F.
My Darling Mummy and Daddy,
I am terribly pleased to hear about Bunch having another baby, I think it is an excellent idea. The children will then be about the same distance apart as we are. So much nicer. I had a letter from her about two days before I had yours Mummy. I am very glad. I hope it will all be as successful and nice as Carol Ann was. Do you hope it will be a boy this time? B. didn't say.
I have got no news at all to tell you. I don't know what is happening at all about commissions, Mrs Player told Nancy about two days ago that we were having a board at the end of the month, a three day affair, the first. It would be. I can almost automatically count myself out I think. All intelligence tests. I must say I would give almost anything on this earth to be right, out of the A.T.S, so would most other people I know.
Donald is coming up at lunch time, or sometime before tea time. Thank goodness. It will be lovely, we are staying with Stanley as usual. They have a fire, about the only one in Egypt! We will be warm. Donald has to come up for his shower, they only have cold water where he is, and so he dashed straight to the club for a shower. I hope we will go the Musky to-morrow morning, I want to buy a big clip or some earrings with my Xmas money. Can't quite make up my mind. Do hope we shall be able to manage it, but I expect Donald is due for a heavy session at M.E. he hasn't been to pay them a call for about a month. I sit in one of the local cafes and drink masses of coffee and eat sticky cakes. I am sorry this is so bad, my hands are frozen. I am v. amused, someone has just been up to Assiut for leave but it was very cold, 56 during the day, which it is here at least. And I am wearing two jerseys and my jacket, and lots of people are wearing greatcoats! It rained yesterday. For quite two hours on and off. Horrid.
I simply can't believe that Brian and Helen Willcock are engaged. I can only remember Brian as a baby: I suppose I had better write to Helen. Glad you heard from Merriall at Xmas, who is v. good and writes to me quite often. I miss all my old friends like her very much. I like a lot of the females here, but not nearly so much. Poor Marion is having trouble about getting home. I told you her husband had gone home? I don't think she will make it, which is a pity anyway because I wanted her to bring you some things, photos, and Carol Ann's aquamarine.
I have had quite a number of letters this week, a ve