Miss D. Henderson C/- Park Hospital Gala St Invercargill

Cpl Henderson, E.A. N.Z.A.S.C. Attd. 5.N.Z.GH. 2nd N.Z.E.F. M.E.F.

Dear Dorothy, Well old dear I am afraid I have slipped up in my writing this month, but as it has been rather hectic, with peace celebrations and a spot of work, I hope you will excuse me. I received an air letter card from you about four days ago but until today have not had a chance top answer it. I have been driving every day for the last six days as we have all been given two days V [Victory?] leave and the drivers have been having it two at a time, and as we have only one driver for each of the five trucks, I have been a busy lad. However they are all back on the job now, and I can settle down to do a spot of writing. We had a great time when peace was announced and that night we had a big dinner and dance, held in the hospital. I played for the dance and one of the nurses played a couple of extras for me, so I managed to have a couple of dances. Our celebrations lasted for about three days and believe me there were some sore heads about the place. We had

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a lot of new sisters and nurses arrive a couple of days ago and the place is very busy. There is a big dance being held tonight here in the Kiwi Club, so yours truly will be going along and no doubt will be taking a nurse along. On Sunday (last) we went into a big Gymkhana, here in Cairo, and put on by the Cairo Military police. It was a very enjoyable day and there were interesting events, such as jumping, obstacle races, musical chairs and so on, all done on horseback and what a lot of lovely horses there were. Dad would have enjoyed himself. The Arab horses are beautiful animals. Then there was a demonstration by the Military police dogs, which are very clever and intelligent. Jim Lennox and I went together, and after it was over, stayed in town for a few hours. That night it rained like hell for while, and I could not get back to Helwan, as the railway line was washed out, so had to stay with Jim, in Maadi, for the night, and went back to Helwan in the mail truck next morning. What a flood there was in Maadi that night, the bus we were in got stuck and we all had to roll

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up our trousers and get out and push the damned thing on to higher ground. The train is not running yet, from Helwan to Cairo, I have never seen such an amount of water come down in a few minutes, the whole of Maadi township was under two feet of water inside a quarter of an hour. Well old dear this will be about enough of thing over here. I see that you have seen Jack Fox, I’ll bet he is pleased to be back home. How is life at the hospital, pretty busy I suppose. I see that you and Dad are still going to a few dances. It shouldn’t be long now before I am able to have a dance with you, And won’t I be pleased, yes please. Have you seen Reg Ashwell yet, he arrived home in the same lot as Jack. Had a letter from Mum and one from Maisie a couple of days ago and we are getting more mail this afternoon, so will be writing to you again in a couple of days time. This mail is up to the 6th of this month. Well old dear, I will have to say cheerio now. Lots of love. Your loving brother. Eric xxxx