Alan_and_Nance_Hooper-1944

Q52

Lieut. A Hooper Angau N.G. Forces New Years Day

A Glorious Happy New Year Nance Darling.

I want to begin the new year by writing to my cherished wife and that gives my heart more happiness and pleasure than anything could in this soulless place. You evened the score pet by writing on the 21st. The letter reached me today - a matter of 10 short days.

I look hopefully into the new year praying, longing for the fulfillment of those dreams of Peace and the most cherished of all Chapter II in the life of Mr & Mrs Hooper. How lovely to do as we want to, instead of the humiliation of applying for a short lease to love. Our life is ahead of us my sweet wife. What experiences we've enjoyed enough to remember were only a prelude to the future.

There's some moonlight tonight and the sky is worth gazing at. The whole scenery takes on a new aspect now the fighting has ceased. The harmony of nature seems accentuated. From my telephone head-set comes music from the radio at the switchboard. A welcome innovation. I can hear a string orchestra playing 'Silent night' and

THIS PAGE HAS BEEN TRANSCRIBED BY STATE LIBRARY OF QUEENSLAND STAFF AS AN EXAMPLE

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it makes me a little sad, yet I enjoy any sympathetic music. Emotionally I'm starved (except when I tremble with fear and good music is a very palatable antidote. Now & again when an air armada passes overhead or the sea is dotted with ships we get a genuine thrill.

Yesterday a great tremble shook the earth. It was alarming and our big roof moved & rocked till it seemed unsafe. The natives avoided the trees and congregated in the open. A few minutes of undertainty and all was over. There has been too many terrifying landslides to take tremors with nonchalance.

I got a reply from A.E.S. yesterday. Their comments encourage me. I'm thanking your remembrance for sending the journal paper. Judging from the number of addresses on it I imagine it has been chasing me for months.

I ought to spank you for the dream you had. Thanks for coming to my aid.

There's no animosity between Militia and A.I.F. up in this area. They sure tore into the Jap & won everyone's respect. Of course we all deplore the fact more aren't hunted out from base areas.

I don't think your Uncle and I would 'hit it' together. I'm afraid I'd tell him how despicable his

CE Hooper Lieut

actions seem to me. I don't envy your plight. Do you really believe I have a heart devided [divided]? The only way that could happen is by a broken heart, and that's a remote possibility while you care as you do.

Yes pet I have only the three premiums. Thanks for paying them.

I'm terribly sorry your watch has been of so little service to you. We'll scrap it when the war shortage is over. The Jap doesn't leave them about as they used to.

I would really like to spend a few days or even a week at Lismore Nancy, but can we travel interstate now?

I am of the opinion Jeff may be coming this way soon. My only wish is that I'm to stay put, instead of starting into yet another campaign. Ralph is probably back here again but I've been too preoccupied to write either to him or Jeff.

"Do you think I remember how you looked when you smiled? - Only forever, that's putting it mild." I know these words by heart. I think they're lovely. I have most of the snaps and your medallions in front of me as I write pet. They're a thrill in themselves, I can't stop admiring them. Keep up your fine spirit darling and let me send you all my deepest love and unending devotion. I pray for you & do hope you are well. Oceans of love, Your loving husband, Alan xxxxxxxxxxx

Brittania Street Manly 5th Jan 1944 My Own Darling Husband It is ages since I received a letter from you & naturally I am worried. I pray Alan dear you are not ill. You see I have been anxiously awaiting a reply to the letter I wrote you about the 12th Dec telling you I had lost my rings. May didn't know about it till I came home & that was a week later & she has already received a letter from Jeff saying how sorry he was to hear it. I thought at first you might be too mad to write to me, but I know you are too big a man at heart to act like that. I know my Alan. I will say once again how sorry I am, believe me I am still a little bewildered, and annoyed at myself for not waiting till I was out of the water. I had a muddled dream last night darling. I dreamt you and I were to be married and I was on my way to the church in a train, of all things. There were people with me and they were all astonished because I had no wedding spray. I was telling them all the bride-groom had forgotten to send me a spray (which, by the way he doesn't do), and I wasn't going to buy my own. I was cool, calm & collected, but my friends were acting as if the ceremony wouldn't be just right

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without it. I am perfectly well my darling, just a strange old dream. I am reading a lovely story, "East Lynn" written by Mrs. Henry Wood. Have you read it? I am not half-way throught it yet, it is a book I could sit reading all day, until I finish it. Aunt Lou & Dick are here to-night, came over for [...]. Aunt Lou wishes to be remembered to you. It is very hot in Brisbane, everyone looks washed out in the city in the middle of the day. I have been extra busy at work, I am doing Jays work as well as my own, he is away for 11 days with his girl friend, they have gone to Noosa. Our section has expanded even since Jay left, we have 15 working there now. Jay left on Sat. and on Monday our Sgt. was taken to hospital, he has a spot on the lung, so we were more or or less left in the lurch, but we can get along without them. He is not a strong chap so I hope it is not serious. I am going to the pictures to-morrow night with Monica to see "Hatters Castle", rather a weird thing I should imagine. She has read the book & would very much like to see the picture. I will tell you all about it in my next letter. My darling husband, this letter is short & sweet, my days are so uneventful I have no interesting news. I am saying good-night now. I pray you are safe & well my cherished one. Tons of Love, Your loving & faithful wife Nancy xxxxxx