Alan_and_Nance_Hooper-1943

Q52 Lt. A E Hooper Officers Ward 2/4th A.G.H. [Australian General Hospital] Redbank.

My Delectable Darling,

Five minutes to "Lights Out" but I must write. I've been so lonely today pet. Sunday night has left a feeling of delicious ecstacy in my whole being. This week shouldn't pass quickly enough. No one made any clamour when I strolled in late.

Tonight I and my doubtful(?) cobbers went to see what turned out to be the finest picture programme I've seen recently. "Big City" was the feature. Seen it?

I began wearing the Blue pyjamas today. They feel and look 'swish'. Wish you were the sister here.

This afternoon two of us took a stroll down by the river. Somehow it looked different without you. I'm eating & drinking much better now. I wonder why?

The old chap in the other bed opposite began a 'Late session'

Monday, 26.4.43.

My own Darling,

Another hard days work done and the evening has come with me yearing [yearning], for you once again. I thought of you all the way home in the bus, yes honey, I do love you being rough in love. I smiled a couple of times when my thoughts went wandering on, if anybody was watching me they would think I was a bit of an imbecile I guess. Ain't love grand? Please try and stay down here. I want you to so much darling and for all our plans to come true, I'm sure we would be the happiest couple possible. I have or never will love anybody else as I love you Alan, they just couldn't mean the same to me, you are the only one for me.

I had no trouble on the way home last night, I slept practically all the way to town, gosh I was tired. I do hope you didn't strike any trouble over being away so long, just as well I can't come every night, I'm afraid I wouldn't be very popular with the sisters.

Mum and Aunt Lou will probably be out on Wed. afternoon, I will let you know definitely to-morrow night.

May is staying over at Kennedys for a couple of days, Mr. Kennedy wants the baby. Mum tells me when he heard May was coming up with me on Sunday he said he was coming over to take baby home for the day. He loves him. Wait till our babe comes, I hope he is as nice as little James he couldn't be anything else but, with you for Daddy. I think ours will have blue eyes thought. I want the boys with brown eyes and the girls with blue, or maybe I don't care much. I will love them anyhow.

Well my darling I will have to close, as I must wash my hair now. Take care of yourself and think of me honey, as I am thinking of you always. All my love, Nancy. XXXXXXXXXX.

Tuesday, 27, April, 1943.

My Own Darling, Just a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you to-night and wishing you were here with me.

No doubt you will be surprised to see May, she couldn't bring babe, he is much too heavy.

Do you want me to come out and see you. You say you will be leaving there on Sunday, will you be home or sent out to the convelescent depot. If it is the latter, let me know, as I want to come and see you darling.

I have been knitting to-night, I must get my cardigan finished for you to see.

I have been thinking of you the whole time Alan, I love you so much. If you were here right now I would want to marry you this minute, it is just the way I feel. I was thinking how lovely it would be all the way home in the bus.

Well my darling I will say good-night now I will dream of you to-night. All my love. Your wife to be, Nancy XXXXXXXX

Q52 Lt. A E Hooper 101st Con [Convalescent] Camp Detachment Burleigh 17th May '43.

My Darling Lover,

I hope the hasty note I wrote yesterday arrived o.k. I gave it to our ambulance driver to deliver to your Aunt's. As I was saying in he first short note there was no escape from this draft. Everything had to be so hurriedly done that I left camp without breakfast. I just want you to be convinced it was a surprise & a shock to me especially after some of the things we discussed Sunday night Nance.

I don't wish to arouse your envy or appear wholly contented but this setting here is what soldiers dream of, or see in films. Leave every night and every second day pet, visitors any afternoon. I could even sleep out nights. How I wish you were here to share this semi-Paradise. Two weeks is the minimum stay; 3 if you feel in need of it. The camp is in charge of a Lieutenant