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Major J H Massey, 6th Palestine Coy, The Buffs, M.E.F.

Letter No. 85. Sunday - 30th Nov.

My dearest darling Barbara,

I was thinking I shall turn into a stone or a piece of wood one of these days, if I go on feeling like one for very much longer. This life & existence is so deadly dull. I have been remonstrating with myself today, & telling myself that a person or ill read as I am should never be dull - & also that I might inflict upon you an attempt to put down on paper, what my views & outlook really are on politicing & economics & everything else. But the trouble is that my work does seem to tie me down or most of every day in one way or another. I had always looked upon war, or going to the Continent, with Vernon, Frank & Porsh, & Gordon etc - , having a pretty bloody awful time, except for a few parties here & there with the boys, & getting home every few months for some glorious leave with you. Instead of which I am stuck in Palestine, away from you, & away from my friends- & busily training for war, a unit which nobody ever had any intention of putting into the fighting, unless the Huns drop from above & we cannot help ourselves. It is really very difficult not to get browned off with this pretence. I work & train the Coy very hard, & impose a strict standard of discipline - I run courses for the N.C.Os & lecture them - I run courses for