p.

Letter. no. 18.

Capt. J.H. Massey.
No. 6. Palestinian Coy. The Buffs.
Middle East Forces

Sunday - 9 Feb 41.

My darling sweetheart,

I am writing to you now from another new
place. I have been very busy since arriving here - but not so
much that I have not been thinking of you & loving you
very often & Oh-so much. And today is your birthday, my
darling Barbara. I wished you many happy returns this
morning, & longed to be with you. I do hope you got my
cable in time: I sent it off two days later than I intended to -
but the P.O. at the P.R.T.D. was an annoying place, and always seemed
to be closed when I went there. I do hope you had a happy
day, my sweetheart - & that you have felt that I have been
thinking of you & wishing many things for you - & for us.

Tuesday. Feb. 11th.
I can see that I am not going to be able
to write a great deal, during our stay in this place - & so I am
glad that it is only for two weeks. I seem to have to be on
the go every minute of the day, & then during the evening as well.

When I was writing on Sunday night, people kept coming to
see me all the time, after I had written those few lines - &
I eventually gave it up, - & went to listen to Mr. Churchill's
broadcast, which came through here at 11-0 p.m. - & came
to bed. Last night I had a night march from 7-30
until midnight, which I felt I had to go on too. Tonight
they are on another night scheme, but this time I have
decided to stay behind. I think there must be a limit to
the time one has to put in with this army.