ENPages
p.
11
excellent health. You asked me in a letter what my weight is - but God knows. The last time I weighed myself was 4-5 months ago & then I was as usual, about 125, or a little less. And I imagine I am about the same now - certainly no more. What do you want me to be? - more or less?
One of your letters was lovely, darling - & said that one of mine had been so passionate that it nearly made you go off pop. From time to time, yours do the same for me, & what with your letters, & my very visual memories of you, & my photographs, I almost do go off pop. It is lovely to think that we can affect each other from so far away. What will happen when I come home? Sometimes I think, sweetheart, that it will be a waste to buy lovely, new clothes, because you will never have them on. But, I suppose we will want to go out & have a walk, & have a drink, & see a show. And it will be lovely to take off your lovely new clothes for you. And quite as lovely to be so passionate & excited that there will be no time to take them off.
Oh darling - quite apart from passion, which is wonderful & very important - I do promise you faithfully from the very bottom of my heart that I will [?] every nerve to be a proper husband for you, to make you happy & contented - interested & enthusiastic. I can do it, my darling, - I feel confident in my power, & you must believe [?] in me, however long you have to wait for me. You are my whole life, my
p.
12.
darling, & you always will be - every thing I do will be for you. And you must know that this is not just a sentimental idea, caused by loneliness & not being too happy. And as you suggested in a letter, I am not over idealizing you. Darling, dearest Barbara - how could I? And you, sweeheart, must allow me to occupy your whole life - share it - Oh! but I do want to talk to you.
What news have I? I have been President of two more Courts Martial. Over a Jewish deserter who I found guilty & gave 1 years detention. And the other a young Arab, who had been creating watches & fountain pens etc from his comrades, & who I gave 6 months imprisonment with hard labour.
Carsenty becomes more & more hopeless, in spite of my clear warnings - & on Monday I take him in front of Col L. for an interview. The point is that I have to initiate the adverse confidential report, & the superior authority has to have seen him before the report reaches him. The B.F. deserves no sympathy at all - he is base lazy & hopeless.
If I cannot get promotion - & cannot get home - I wish somebody would initiate an adverse report on me & so get me home that way.
I have just finished "Childhood, Boyhood & Youth" - it is a fine book. Does he carry on? - the end is so abrupt.
All my love to you, my own darling Barbara forever - with all my heart, love & kisses to Maxie - xxxxx Harry.
p.
[postmark] BEACONSFIELD BUCKS 5. 15 IM 3 MAY 42
[written] 1[circled] May 3rd
[stamped] MAY 42
[written] Mrs. Barbara Massey c/o Mrs Paul. c/o Mrs. Jenkins Lyn-wood- 6 Bulstrade Gardens Candlemas hare - Maddingly Road Beaconsfield - Cambridge Bucks
[stamped] PASSED BY CENSOR No. 514
[page turned, written] JH Massey
