H.Q.  4 Docks Group R.E. M.E.F.

 Dearest:
Written in my tent in a soft desert night at Tel el Kebir.  We moved yesterday, a compromise which is a good thing.  Its a fine camp & nice & secluded.  All is desert on three sides & a few other camps on the other side.  After a day & night of controlled turmoil inevitable on a move, we are settling down again.  Its all quite pleasant.

I’ve just written to Christopher – his first night at Bedford – as with me 28 years ago!  I do hope he does settle down & do well.  He’s a nice bloke & has good parentage.  I’m never sure about Frank’s stamina & guts, but Marjorie is a good sort.  And Tony comes home.  Its a long wait for you to go to meet him!

Three letters yesterday from you – the intermediates I was expecting.  But still one missing I think.  It’ll come. You told me of the last day at Romsey & of the four lieutenants.  Please tell Dickie I commend very highly indeed his action in protesting when Honor & Mummie entertained 4 American Lieutenants!  A good son.

Do I gather from your quote of Dickie saying “Candy is impatient” that Candy was at Romsey.

The new costume sounds very good, & I am honoured & touched by the care & thought going to the “bottom drawer”.  Dear oh dear!  I’ll revel in grey trousers & a tweed coat!  I may acquire shirts and Alexandria.  I saw many fine shirts in Cairo. I’ll seek cotton for you & get some camel skin sandals made too.  Oh the lovely things I didn’t buy you in Cairo!  The money we’ve saved that weekend!  It’s going to be very difficult at Alex.  Here it’s easy enough, indeed to goodness.

I go to 4 group on Tuesday or Wednesday, after I’ve got all the other British off & the Syrians all tied up in neat bundles for release.  Then new people & new places.  Time consuming anyhow, but dull for poor you.  I feel a little guilty, but its not my fault.  I’m glad I had the nerve to refuse G.H.Q. job, with its Cairo life & its mild glamour & its £29 a month allowance.

Yes indeed do go dancing & pleasuring.  Flirt a little & win the admiration of men which is surely your due.  I am happy when I know you are with lights & music & gay clothes & men.  I take care to get the best time I can have – its sense, & really my life overseas has been far from dull or drab.  I hate to think of drabness in your life, you who so profoundly love & need colour & beauty.  Go out & about & be your true self.  I feel mean that I’ve seen opera & the pyramids & the Nile & new things, & you so tamely at home.  Always with anything good I feel your absence acutely.  I want to turn to you & see your eyes a-sparkle & to hear your comments – wit & shrewd appreciation.  So laugh, laugh little lady!

And your Mother & your nerves!  I know.  That’s why I insist on her departure for when I come home.  You can rely on my being in full residence in February.  So she can be tactfully told to be in her own independence by then.  Anyone would be de trop when I come home, always excepting Richard & our harmony must not be joined by the sad but certain incompatibility between your Mother and you.

                        I do so love you, & depend upon you.  Life is merry with you.

                                    Bless you, sweetheart & wife.

                                                Ever your own

                                                            David

                                                                        XXXX