Letters from Robert James Henderson, January - June 1916 - Part 2

(2)
later. Have just come in 
from Church parade but only a
farce being unable to hear a
word spoken. So put in the
time watching a plane flying
above us. Received some letters
and papers a few days ago
which were very welcome.
The mails seem to be coming
regularly now. Nana has been 
away in Cairo for a week 
now. he is not yet back. Went
away with L/T Barton in connection
with comforts & kit bags I
believe it will be no doubt 
a great trip for him and a 
nice holiday expect when he
comes back will write and 
let you know all about it. 
Bye the bye Biddy Barton is
now a Captain Leslie a first 

Lieut. and Sgt Murray has
received his commission.
Last Saturday afternoon several
of us went into Ismailia
we all hired bikes and went
for a good ride around the
canal which was very pretty
and interesting I had a 
puncture and had to carry
a spanner to tighten up nuts
etc on the machine every
mile or so but that was
neither here nor there provoking
one to use bad language
only. In the evening we
went to the pictures and 
notwithstanding the our French
translation, being rotten they were
very enjoyable. No more news
at present lots of love to
all Bob

23/1/16

Moascar
30.1.16
Dear Mick
Have just come in from
church parade which was more
or less a farce those who were
not near the parson being
unable to hear. a word however
it is a beautiful day and those
who could not interest themselves
in the service xxx put in the
time by watching the tactics of
a French plane which was
directly bel above us. Nana has
returned from Cairo where he had
a great holiday spending about
£20 in a week also met plenty
of nurses & girls he new but
suppose he will write and let
you all know all about it. Received
the billy from home at last on
26^th January also puddings all the

(2)
contents were in excellent order
except figs etc which were around
the puddings they were all
mildewed but do not think the
puddings were affected intend
to have them for dinner to-day
so shall know later. All the
dainties were great we have
been living like lords for the
last couple of days. Also received
a beautiful hamper from the
office with all sorts of nice
things have just acknowledged
same in letter to Parry. All
our battalion comforts arrived
a few days ago tell Jane
every thing was muchly
appreciated and lots of useful
stuff I think there was a sheep
skin vest for nearly everyone in
the battalion socks etc in galore

(3)
Have just had a yarn to Leslie
Henley he tells me Reg Bull has
received his commission in the
dental corps was very pleased
to hear the news guess he
will be doting on it. They are
fitting us all out with new
cloths and anybody who is short
of stuff is getting same so it
looks as if our next move will
be to England I hope so shall
be glad of a change from Egypt.
also received a very sweet
letter from a Miss Davies of
Cheshire England who starts
with My dear Bob . and ends
yours very sincerely M. Hope Davies
always known as Hope she says
all sorts of nice things and
promises us a good time time what
with this promise and the other

(4)
letter from Surrey we shall be
in for a good time if ever
we hit the old dart. We have
had a very heavy week's work
but quite interesting galloping into
action across the desert supporting
the infantry etc etc also some
good range practice with the
guns. Tell Jane Jim Corney is
not yet back with us received
a pair of socks & letter for
him from Lucy Cowdery shall
hang on to same till he comes
back. No more news at present
lots of love to all  Bob.

30/1/16

Moascar.
12.2.16
My dear Mum
Have very little news
for you all we are still in the
same spot working very hard
in the desert all day marches
and at times all night. Last
week has been a little easier
Yesterday afternoon we had a
swimming parade to the lake
which is about 2 miles from
here the water was on the
cold side but very enjoyable
There were some cheeky
nigger boys on the beach
who also in our opinion
charged too much for their
oranges so we picked them
up with their oranges and
threw them into the water

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this caused all sorts of fun for
us but of course they could
not see the joke. Have just
been talking to Nana he has
been on guard all night and
was in bed. Les. Henley told
him he expects his Mother
& sister to pass through
here tomorrow on their way
to Alexandria he has obtained
leave to be with them for
some time. which will be great
for him. An Australian mail
has come in but did not get
any letters or papers. Saw Telegraph
dated January 1^st which contained
some rather interesting accounts
of the evacuation from the
peninsular a few lit things
not quite correct but on the
whole a good account.