ENPages
p.
Letter no. 12
Lieut J. H. Massey. Infantry Base Depot. Egypt Saturday. Jan. 3rd
My dearest darling Barbara This was very nearly another of those false alarm good bye letters. Yesterday, I was asked for again by the Regiment & expected to set off today. So again I packed up & got myself all ready. And now the morning, just before I began to write this, I was told that my move was cancelled, but that I must remain standing by. Apparently, H.Q. Middle East have now some special job in view for me - but I have no idea at all what it will be: but I suppose it will be somewhere amongst the administration. I will tell you as much as I can, as soon as I know anything. There is absolutely plum & nothing by the way of news or excitement to tell you - except of course, this job which is coming along, which I suppose is of paramount importance, as it will alter the whole course of my life & existence - but then I know nothing about it, & so cannot make any news of it. What I do find, every time I write to you, is that the first page is the most difficult, & then by the time I reach somewhere near the end of this page, I begin to feel in touch with you again, & then I can go along for page after page. I am still without any letters from you & no more cables after your first one. I will just leave at that this time - a statement of fact, for your information. You must be getting a bit fed up with all my grumbling - but not as fed up as I am at never getting any letters. But I will try & tell you some more about my existence in this place. I have another batman now - my wise little man Brown had to go away with the rest of the draft - which was a pity, because he was a wise little man, & looked after me very well. But I have been fortunate in my
p.
2 new one - a man named Hew, of the Welch Regiment. Hew I could not believe the name when I first heard it - brings me a large mug of tea at 6-20. I arise at once, put on shorts & jerseys, & got & do a P.T. from 6.45 until 7.15. This is voluntary over the age of 30 so I feel very righteous. But the reason is that there is very little opportunity of exercise here - & I am determined to return to you, my darling with the same waist measurements as when I left you, & with my youthful vigour unimpaired. And also it makes me feel very much fitter & better in every way. After P.T. I stand up in my tent & wash all over with cold water - I just get a little hot water for shaving. I seem to find tremendous satisfaction out herre from keeping spotlessley clean & fresh! which will probably amuse, as you have always questioned my activities in this direction. I have started using my canvas bath & am really thrilled with it. There are hot showers in the camp, but they are rather a long way awy, & it is a lag to go there. I had never seen these canvas baths used before & I had some vague idea that one sat on a chair or something beside the thing - & then just dangled ones fit in, & splashed about with the hands. But that is not the case at all. The actual operation is far more satisfying. You remember my washstand - well the same stand is used, with the canvas bath fastened to the four corners & the whole is then a few inches off the ground. It takes about five gallons of water - good & hot - & you then just sit down in it so that the bottom of the bath, & your bottom too, are on the ground, & your feet resting on the floor. I start with my hair & face - Then all over the body - & then bring the feet, legs in one at a time. I have this 4.0 pm every other day - for which Hew makes a fire outside the tent, & boils up a bucket of water. I don't know why I get so much enjoyment from
p.
3. it but I most certainly do. I think perhaps one reason is because I always think of you sitting in the bath - & me washing your back for you - & then of course, those thoughts lead to other thoughts. But darling, I am quite determined that we must go away many weekends & into the country & camp out, or whatever you care to call it. Don't you think so too? I have now all kinds of camp equipment, which we can use, & then we can buy a tent - or we might manage to get hold of a caravan - or else I have thought that it would be fine if I could persuade the [??] to buy one of those shooting brakes, as a works car - the same kind of one as the one Kenneth used to arrive in at one time. We could then put all the stuff in the back, & also bring it up in some way so as we could sleep in it. Don't you think it would be fine to do this? There is some lovely country to explore - & then from time to time, we could go off for longer weekends. And we could be very happy doing this. I have made all sort of mental plans about this, & I would love to hear what you think.
There was so much blasted chatter in the Mess, that I have moved over to my tent - & that is why I am writing in pencil. And once I started to write, I have been sent for to the Orderly Room & I have now been given my job whether I'm really allowed to tellyou about it, nobody seems to be able to tell me - but I really cannot see that it can possibly do any harm at all, in the unlikely event of the enemy getting hold of that letter. So, I am going to Palestine - to take command of a
p.
4. company Palestinian Buffs. These companies which they have been forming from the Jews & Arabs, & they are used mainly for guards, & patriots, & prequests & so forth. They are officered by British Officers, & also have British sergeant majors & sergeants. The whole racket is commanded by a colonel of my own regiment. So we shall - it may be a good job & it may not. But, I shall become a captain at last, & I imagine there will be quite a lot of scope & opportunity for doing a good job of work - & for further advancement. And you won't need to worry much about me, as it is a comparatively safe job. And then it is another country to see - & quite apart from the historic interest, it has trees & green fields, thank goodness & I shall be leaving this bloody desert. I'm told the fruit is wonderful - grapefruits the size of footballs & orange juice to drink all day. I will cable my address as soon as I reach the place, and now I must repack, as I now take all my clothes with me - & I have to get a train in 3 hours time. I hope you will think this is good news. I'm not too sure yet. All my love to you, darling sweetheart, & all the love & kisses in the world. Always your Harry
