Letters from World War II : J.H. Massey

9. with my letter writing. I think, with this, sweetheart, the best thing is for me to write one of those long letters every five to seven days. And also, every week, I will send my ration of one letter card & also 1 or 2 Airgraphs. According to figures published in General Orders, these two services are getting home in 10 -14 days. Will I be doing well if I keep that up, darling? And I will do my best to make the letter as long as I possibly can. with things popping as they are now, it is impossible to sit down & write for 4-5 hours as I used to do, & write a complete letter of 8 - 10 - or 12 pages if I want for such conditions, & shall never have a letter written - & so it is far better for me to just write when I can, & slowly but surely build up into a reasonable letter. And I am in troubles with my fanny again! Isn't that awful darling? I told you in a letter Card I think that I had [dhobi] rash & how irritating is was. The M.O. treated it, but it just became more irritating. So Iwent to a new & better M.O. yesterday & he says it is not [dhobi] rash at all, but a sort of infection.& he knew how painful & foul it was, because he had had it himself. So I am now on new treatment & I hope to goodness it will be better soon. Apparently it is mainly bad luck - but if anything, it is caused by perspiration & chafing & the M.O. suggested that it was also to some extent, a penalty of purity. So I told him that I was not going to cable my wife for permissio to do anything about that and was quite sure it would be indiquantly refused in any case. I hope it would & I'm sure it would & I should hate it to be otherwise.

Letter No 49 Tuesday 10June Major J. H. Massey 6 Palestinian Cay, The Buffs Middle East Force.

My own lovely darling - I was just going to bed but I have a feeling of busy days ahead & so I am writing this now. Im a lot sleepy having gone to bed about 1-0 this morning having been finishing a letter to you then was up again at 1-15! [?] [?] [?] which lasted until 5-30. So I had 2 1/2 hours sleep in two instalments. 11 is the most [?] I have been in complete with [?] up A.A. [?] since we were together at Stauntan in September. But this time, I only had Peter to comfort - he was very frightened, poor little chap & held tight on to me & put his face in my bosom, very like you, my darling.

Sweetest - Noss Mayo, Plymouth - how far from Plymouth is the cottage? I was reading in a magazine this evening that Plymouth is the worst bombed place in Gt. Britain. If it is near, it is not safe for you - & if it is somewhere near, it is going to be worrying & noisy. Maybe that is the reason why you were able to get a house there. But you must have considered all these things - but I hope it is alright. Please let me know darling - by post card - don't forget please. I have not received the

[page break] linen watch strap you said you had sent me. And the very day before your letter came, I bought a stainless steel expanding one, for 10/-- very extravagant. But I had had two linen ones here & they became so sweaty & dirty when washed a time or two, became worn out. But yours will probably be a better one - & I will take off the steel one & wear yours, because it is yours & you have sent it to me. This Syrian business, my darling, I hope you are not feeling worried about me as I'm sure all will go well, it will have the effect of taking the war further away, keeping it from this country. So please think of me as being quite safe.

There is no further word from you yet my sweetheart, about yourself or the baby - & I am longing to have more news & am thinking of you all the time. One thing darling, I mentioned in my last letter, but this will reach you first - please have him circumcised, as I am sure that this is better. But you have probably done this already. I am dying to hear from you my darling - how you are how you

feel - & how the baby is & looks & behaves. There is so much I want to know - & I suppose it will be 5-6 weeks until I have your first letter. But p.c.s. will be welcomed just the same. I am in the throw of a busy occupied, but dull & uneventful life - not a life at all really - just waiting for when I come back to you. I think I tell you all that happens to me & all I do - except what is not worth repeating - & what would upset the censor & hope you do not think I am not making enough of being out here - but really, I am so vary tied to work. Every day there is osmething important happening or about to happen, & it seems impossible to ever to be away. But I must have another week end soon - & so relax & see some more of the country. But it is hopeless at the present time. Please be sure & send me two pcs a week & one long letter all about you. Word & news from you is the center & the whole surroundings of my life - all my thoughts are directly & indirectly of & about you. All my dearest love always - Your Harry XXXXXXX

[page break] [address] Air Mail Letter Card Mrs. H. Massey Carseland Pillary Hill Ness Mayho Plymouth GT. Britain

Letter no. 51 Sunday June 16 Major J. H. Massey My own sweet darling/ 6 Palerinia Co.4 The Be_S Middle East Force I am trying to write you a letter. I have so much to say to you, but trust utilize one of the few left card, as they are supposed to be so quick. You say in one [p.s.] that they vary from 2-6 weeks, but I think that ??? has been halted by since ????. I had a marvellous day today. I got a letter & 2 pcs. from you & a letter from Vera. Your letter was no. 36 of 31 March. no. 35 haling arrived on 5th may. So the spell has been broken again. I am now missing your 24th written between 22-28 Jan; 27 & 28 between 5 & 25 Feb; & 30 between 25 Feb. & 3 March. I cannot think why they do not come in. & I hope they are not lost. I still want to hear if you liked the dressing gown & pants & petticoat. & if you want me to get that necklace & & your reply to my letters from the ship never really materialised. You must be more careful with the address darling. One p.c. & the letter today were correctly addressed- the other p.c. just put No 6 Palestinian Coy & missed out The Buffs. And on one you put my Army number & not the other. I have told you, my dearie, the No is not necessary at all. And so will you please just copy the address I put, & never add & substract anything. Tar, ever so. Vera's letter was lucky to arrive It was sent to J.H.M. No GU382. She must have just copied what you gave her, & got the idea that it was not allowed to put my name in full. She says she wrote to me before, but that one never arrived. It was a very sweet & affectionate & ??? letter & I enjoyed it. She called Martin the old boy, & said he was a dear even though she did nag him to death at times: I bet they will always have a very soft spot in their hearts for me. & that you are a darling & one of the sweetest. Did she tell you about Gordon & Jack Walker ?£50,000 each. My God. & on top of Janet's maney. Old Boy will stay about the same. I should think, & will still be seen in the Bulls ??? I borrowed a Leica camera today darling. & bought a film of 36 shots & went out to a lovely place with Ben-Arzi; he took 25, & I will

finish them off in a day or two. I send them on to you. Peter is in some of them too. So you will see what he look like.I have brought some tea & some sugar. I sent them off to you. I hope they will keep & be acceptable, as tea is rationed I expect they will arrive about Oct. If only the war would suddenly end. & I came home through the [Medite.] & got home first. Oh dear, It is so difficult to speculate about the war just now - everything is so obscure. Things in syria seem to be going well- I think of everything in terms of how it will effect our re-union. Blessed day.Darling don't worry about me, please. I shall be alright & so will you. I am certain of that & you must be too. Nothing of any kind can come in between us. I am writing again tomorrow. All love to you my dearest sweetest only one, to the baby. Aways

Letter No.55. Saturday. 28 June

Major.J.H Massey 6 Palestinian Coy, The Buffs Middle East Force

My own darling Barbara -

Your letters are now arriving beautifully & your no. 49 of May 5th came this week. You were worried about me getting into battle darling & being inexperienced & maybe losing my temper. Please don't worry, sweetheart. we are not exactly fighting troops, unless it is a case of parachute or air borne enemy troops - & in any case I am quite certain I should be perfectly calm & able to deal with the situation. And never shall I forget my darling, what i have told you before, that more than anything in the world, I want to remain alive & return to you. And I know I shall & so you must not even consider any alternative. The thrilling happiness to which I am looking forward, is almost too much to look forward to. I wish I could have another cable from you - it is 3 weeks now since I had the first one from Joan & I really should have heard by now. The brutes in the P.O. have

certainly sent it to the wrong place again. I refuse to worry because I know them to be such fools. I called you a few days ago to send me more news. These [E. Fer?] cables are now different - do you know of the new idea? Instead of being able to send what you want at the special rate, they have now instituted a system of set phrases which are numbered - you pick your numbers, & can send any of these for the sum of 2/6. That was what I sent this week - it seems they are to be quite fast. but I hope you do not wonder what has happened to me - the words must sound so unusual.

Darling, please send me by p.e. your measurements. I can buy very pretty stuff here, very cheaply, & I can have some ideas, of shorts & blouses, & even dresses & have them made up by our Coy Indian tailor, who is very good & cheap. And if you have any things which

you want in particular; you tell me, & I can certainly have them made - beautifully, so far as workmanship is concerned, & faithfully carrying out an idea.

I wrote my ma an A.G. when I heard about the baby, but I have not written again. I expected to have a cable from her. It is odd that Patricia - & Frost - should be the only ones from whom I should hear. It is a month, today, my darling, & I think & think of you becoming stronger & stronger better & happier. You must surely be in Noss Mayo, & the boy will be quite a person by now. oh darling one - the thought of you with a baby again is lovely & I yearn to be with you. I do hope you have now become reconciled to it being a boy & that you love him. Of course you will, & he must be very fine. Do give him a kiss from me - to you my darling over all the love & all the kisses

[image: front of envelope, stamped & postmarked]

By Air Mail Air Mail Letter Card ____ If anything is enclosed this card will be sent by ordinary mail

55

Mrs H. Massey Carseland Pillory Hill Noss Mayo Plymouth Gt Britain

When folded the Letter card must conform in sizes and shape with the blue border within which the address only may be written

J. Massey

[stamp] Passed by Censor No. 2484

3 post came + brought nothing for me it has been such a blow And every day I have hung around waiting for the post The last few days my digestion went completely west but now today my [?] is miraculously in order again And this has really been going on since May 8th so I have suffered too + you have been sweet enough to realise that + sympathise in youe letters + p.c.s. Goodnight my darling own Barbara + God bless + always keep you Dearest love to you + to Max + kisses to you both----------XXXX Harry

Wednesday July 2nd I had a letter from my ma today posted on March 15th, but by sea mail. It was a very sweet letter, but rather trailed on all that business about you a strong healthy gitl etc & that she had written & told you so. I suppose they will be delighted to have a grandson, but I haven't heard from them yet. I rather expected a cable. I'm afraid she had only had one letter from me at that stage - but she will have had more now & airgraphs too. She said how proud they were at me being a Captain. I should think they will have swelled to bursting point on heairing of my Majority. I expect Dorothy Carson will be a bit acid about it. It was very kind of Aunt Sarah & Hilda to send £5 & £10. Every little helps our war effort to have a good start when it is all over. I will write Aunt Sarah a nice affectionate Airgraph. And it was very good

5/ good fun + as you know we had some marvellous drinking parties together But over + above that + so much more important of course he was such a fine chap- so very intelligent + sensible + so well read + educated + so very interesting to talk to + listen to. And he was so bloody pleasant + unselfish + so kindly + sympathetic + understanding. And yet very stren in his outlook + character in many ways. And dear old Frank he was so genuinely fond of me + interested in me + would have done anything for me. And he was looking forward, just as much as I was, to all the fun & interest we would all have together when we were home again. I feel dreadfully depressed & dejected & angry. He was such a dear fellow, old Franck & you know how difficult I find it to make friends & he was one if a million & quite irreplaceable. I got to know him slowly & as you know I prefered Rex for some time. But I don't really mind whether I see Rex again or not, but I shall remember & regret Franck for a very long time to come. I will tell you much more about him when I come home. And I will write his mother a long letter. I'm sure she will be pleased to hear from somebody who knew him well out here, who was so found of him. Otherwise, she will only get a rather stereotyped sort of letter from

6 his C.O. You know it seems to me so utterly wrong that a man like Frank 28 years of age a fine leader of men- he had a very good way with them + they liked + respected him- with a first class brain + obvious ability - should have to be a 2nd Lieut + a Platoon Commander easily the most consistently dangerous job in the Army And yet bumped up brainless little idiots who have been a few years in the Regular or Territorial Army should command coys + have so much more chance And that silly useless Eric (Blake) James as a staff Captain- + that strong healthy blasted red headed Mac Erlean ideal cannon fodder got himseld a pie job as something or other at a Prisoners of War camp in Egypt - 100% safe its all very wrong the Army suffers now because of it - + civilisation + the reconstruction of the world + the next + following generations will suffer too Frank could + would have commanded a Coy at least perfectly And if he had been given a staff job he would have worked hard + been darned useful Instead of which he has to expose himself in do or die stuff against German desperados + gangsters in that hellish battled of Crete I suppose there is just a hope that these three men may be mistaken - but they were