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L.C.1. Saturday. Aug. 23rd. Major. J.H. Massey 6t Palestinian Coy, the Bells M.E.F.
In view of your remarks, my sweetest, I will now begin numbering these things as such - & in any case, you will then have a better idea of what is coming & missing. I wish you would tell me in a p.c. up to what number you have had my letters, & which ones are missing.
Oh dear. I have to go out to dinner tonight, to the Hopkins, & I do not feel one bit sociable; perhaps I shall enjoy myself when I get there. I did feel sociable this morning, & rang up & invited myself.
These week ends get me down rather, the reason being that there is only one post, in the morning, on Saturdays & Sundays, & so when I draw a blank in the evening, there is nothing at all to look forward to for the remainder of the day. My weekly letter seems to make quite a habit of coming on Monday - I wish it would change to Saturday & keep me company for the week end. I sent off a 10 page letter this morning, & in it told you that we are moving at last & scramming out of this foul barracks. It was great news & I am altogether delighted about it. I shall have the Coy altogether on the new job. & have much more time for training.
[page break] And so I myself shall be leading a much healthier & more open air life, & getting much more exercise - & having, I expect & hope, much more spare time.
Sweetest darling, as this will be your latest from me, & before I reach the rather public 3rd side - I must tell you waht I keep telling you in letters which are coming along to you - that I am, at the same time, the happiest & luckiest, & most miserable & unfortunate man in the world. I love & worship & cherish you so much, & I miss you & pine for you until my heart nearly breaks. Your letters just before Max came, & afterwards are so wonderfully sweet & loving to me, & I am thrilled to read them. It is marvellous when you write & tell me that you are in love with me, & that I am the only man you will ever want. I believe you darling, not because I take any thing for granted or think it is my due - but because you are so fine & wonderful, & you would not say it unless you meant it. And that makes it all the more perfect & thrilling, & makes me so happy. I have a great feeling of confidence about the end of this war. You were
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complaining in your last letter, because we do not attack Germany with our army. But I do not believe we ever shall, or that it is a necessity for winning the war. I am reading Churchill's "World Crisis" at the moment, & he was terribly down on the slaughter & wastage of life, all to no purpose, of the last war. I don't believe he has changed his views, & I'm quite sure he is the dominating influence behind the method of fighting this one. Poor Russia will have heavy casualties. but I'm certain she can contain the German army. And in the meantime, we, & others, blockade & bomb. And it becomes a questions of how long the German [marion?] will stand it. I really think that the very fact that we do not invade is the measure of our confidence in the result. & I hope, the nearness of it. About insurance, darling - I should forget it, except for what you want to do with your sculpture. when I see you again, & Maxie, I shall not mind about any thing else. Can you let me know our [linaneal boulion?]? shares, war loan, & in the Bank. All my love as always my darling. God bless you. XXXX Harry.
[page break] [printed] BY AIR MAIL
AIR MAIL LETTER CARD
IF ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED THIS CARD WILL BE SENT BY ORDINARY MAIL.
[partial postmark] 24 AU 41 120
[written] CC!
Mrs. H. Massey Carseland. Pillovy Hill. Noss Mayo. Ns. Plymouth.
[printed] GT. BRITAIN.
WHEN FOLDED THE LETTER CARD MUST CONFORM IN SIZE AND SHAPE WITH THE BLUE BORDER WITHIN WHICH THE ADDRESS ONLY MAY BE WRITTEN.
[stamped] PASSED BY CENSOR No. 2464
[page turned, written] JH Massey.
