Alan_and_Nance_Hooper-1943

Q52 A E. Hooper 1st P.I' Bn N.G. Force 18 Feb '43

My Darling Nancy, Life has become normal & thoroughly enjoyable once again. Things have changed.

It's grand to hear a 'Sinabada's' voice again even if they chids me for oversleeping.

'Al Ficeco' cinemas and the concert staging is but a few minutes walk from my quarters. It's heaven to see civilisatin again.

At present I have no indication as to our immediate future. The C.O. is endeavouring to make special leave allowance. Failing this I can apply for a medical

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Board.

Most of our chaps are still carrying on the good work but they hope to join me soon. Apart from a few of the original ministering Angels I've not met any familiar faces here so far. Nevertheless in these war zones it's a case of Cobbers all.

Perhaps my letters will become more frequent & regular again even though there's little news. One of yours posted from the city reached me a few days ago. It left me a lot more confident of your

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devotion - A pleasure to read. Regarding the liverish letter you say you wrote. I don't remember it perhaps you didn't post it. Anyway forget it. Let's trust that waiting makes the heart grow fonder. I can't believe you are serious in your jealousy. All my spare time is needed to convince one girl of my love. There has never been another.

I have your March Past post-card with me. The unit looks quite smart. I'd like to see you in your cap - you'd sure look exotic. Looking for Jacks brother will be like looking for a taxi-driver in London. A number of the wives

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we helped over the other side are here - I hope their gratitude was sincere enough to suffer a passenger.

I expect to be under treatment for a month or more so I'll not raise your hopes too much re leave. I'm not ill, on the contrary I'm remarkably well but there's no sense in risking any more for it.

Let's hope our days of waiting will soon be over. You'd better keep sweet with your C.O. to ensure the maximum of leave, eh?

I'll write again soon honey. Love & X's Your hopeful fiance Alan xxxxxx

Q52 Lt A.E.Hooper 1st Papuan Inf. Battn New Guinea Force March 7th '43

My Darling Nancy, Like Ben Abou I've awakened from a dream. Not the usual kind one dreams & promptly forgets. But one that's vivid enough to be disturbing. I had returned home, met you at one of our old haunts, and you treated me ever so casual pet. Not that I'm stupid enough to place any significance in mere dreams but it annoyed me to be robbed of the delicious experience of possessing you wholly & solely. After I dreamt myself home pet, and stayed a recluse for months leaving our reunion lest your mind be changed. But they were only dreams - and I had unforgetable memories. And furthermore such tiffs stimulate Love; don't you agree?

My lazy hospital life will last a fortnight more. The day I was due to go