Miss D. Henderson

C/o Cairnsmore Hospital 165 Leet Street Invercargill

Southland. S.I. New Zealand

25th November 1942

46421 Dvr E A Henderson N.Z.A.S.C. Attd. 6th Fd Amb 2nd NZEF M.E.F.

Dear Dorothy,

Two days ago I received a letter written on the 20th Sept, so here goes for a few lines in reply. I also received a cable from you with best wishes for my birthday thanks a lot old dear. Talking about birthdays I have just remembered that you have one yourself this month on the 22nd if I remember correctly, if its not too late will wish you many happy returns of the day. The same day as I get your letter I had eight others, one from Mum, one from Maisie three from Ilene one from Mona (?), one from Ruby and one from a pal I met in Trentham, Charlie Talbot, so am very busy writing just now. How is the nursing or (jerry juggling) going I suppose you are well seasoned to it by now. I hope you can read this, but we are now allowed to use these Air Mail cards as they will go Air Mail from Australia to NZ, and I am writing a bit on the small side on account of the limited space. You were asking me

if I had seen the race meeting the nurses held, well Dot I was not fortunate enough as I was many miles away at the time, but I heard about it. The Disentry (sic) Darby would be a good one, especially if the riders had a Doctor’s order No 9 beforehand, the No 9 pill in the Army is specially designed for every motion. I see you still have a bit of time for Rupert, I can quite imagine Mum, going rude when she hears about you going to the send off. Next time you see Scotty Donald, tell him I was asking for him and also to have a couple for me. How are you getting along with your swimming, do you make as big a splash as me when you hit the water. I have been having a good time swimming in the Mediterranean, but these last few days the weather has been too cold to worry about swimming. How is Sister Ahern getting on, give her my regards, and thank her for getting you started on your letters. How do you like the colour of this ink, we found it in a place the Italians have been living in before our army chased them to hell out of it. Thanks a lot for the razor blades old dear, but don’t worry about sending any more as we can get all we want over here. Well I must say cheerio just now old dear as space is limited. Lots of Love & kisses xxxxx Your loving brother Eric

Other side: Give all my love & kisses to all at home. I wrote to them yesterday, so both letters should arrive about the same time.

Notes:

Rupert – who’s he? Tank Corp - see the Christmas Card

Mona may be John Forbes Henderson’s sister