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Letter No. 45. Wednesday 28 May Major J. H. Massey 6 Palestinian Corp, The Buffs, Middle East Forces My darling Barbara - Your last p.c. said that you had been getting a bit idle about letter writing, owing to depression. This is [ ?] [calm anticipation ?] [ ? ?] but only 3 of them have been proper letters. The last three nights I have been going to write a letter, but I could not get down to it at all & do wish news would come from you - you must have had the baby now sweetheart, & do not know anything about you. On Sunday, a cable came in, & my heart jumped, & I could hardly open it. And then it was just to say that the War Office had told you I was in Malta. I was so bitterly disappointed. And what a thing to tell you at such a time. I suppose you immediately thought of their 600 & more aid raids, & how I was getting on here & what I was doing. They really should be more careful. I expect you had been asking them how to send a quick cable to me - it is sweet of you to do your best to send me speedy news. And I haven't even got Peter to keep me company & cheer me up a little at the moment. I took him in to the man the other day to have his ears cut. up to now, they have just
been the usual floppy ears - but a Schnautzer is supposed to have them cut so that they are short & stick straight up, in an alert fashion. also they are less vulnerable if they do any fighting. And after it is done, they have to stay bandaged up for 2 weeks. I am going to collect the poor little chap this evening - I'm afraid he will be rather unhappy & sorry for himself, what with the operation & being away from his dear master. I have missed him very much in 2 days - its amazing & I'm very glad that I got him. The Court Martial I was on last week went off very smoothly - & I found the 2 men guilty & sentenced them accordingly. This was followed up by a nice compliment, H.Q. telephoned me 2-3 days afterwards, & said there was a complicated one coming off next week, & there was to be a Judge Advocate, & they wanted a "sensible President" & so would I please take it on. This one happened yesterday. The Judge Advocate is a Mayor, & a barrister in civil life, & he runs all the procedure, & does all the writing, & sums up at the end. The case was indecent assault by a Sgt on a soldier - & there is always a J.A. when the case is not purely a military crime. The Prosecutor was a Squadron Leader Lord Norris, who is also a barrister. So the whole thing was all very legal
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& pompous & interesting too. (managed to keep my head up quite well, having been a little afraid that I may be rather outclassed by the strange array of talent - & really enjoyed it. And found the Sgt not guilty, which is the first time I have seen this happen. The J.A. told me afterwards that it was a difficult case, & that he agreed with my decision. These things are all very interesting but they mean much extra work, which I do not mind, because the time passes all the more quickly. You keep assuring me in your letters that you have enough food, but it all sounds rather thin & meager, darling. You must be very careful to do all you can to get hold of as much good stuff as possible. It is so important for you if you are feeding the baby - so that you get well & strong again quickly, & avoid any troubles afterwards. I heard on the wireless about food parcels, the other day, & so I will now buy some dates & nuts & such things & send a parcel to you from time to time. I hope they will arrive safely. I will begin a letter this evening. I'm praying for news of you - its difficult to imagine how happy I will be when I hear. All my dearest love always Harry XXXXXX
