Letters from Robert James Henderson, July - December 1916 - Part 6

of course we did the same which
meant five four. Met a great chap
in the ward here who has just gone
a Scotchman by the name of Elliott a
Captain of the Cameron regiment before
leaving he asked me if I had any
friends in London I told him not
particularly so he asked me to come
and stay with him he is married
and has a large place at Rogart
Sutherlandshire said he would show
me round but was sorry he was
only allowed a certain amount of petrol
for his car which would make things
xxxx less xxxx enjoyable still he
would be very pleased if I cared to 
come along it sounds all right &
he is and exceptionally nice chap a
man about 34 yrs of age so this chicken
has decided to take this trip When I 
am discharged from here and find
out how much leave I get shall
go to Edinburgh stay a couple of
days there then on to Capt Elliotts
place for a few days are not people
very decent. 

Shall be able to talk Scht Scotland
to father if I return. Tell Mick I
took Gwen Davies for a fly last
Sunday afternoon and evening she is
some hot stuff we had a great time
and have arranged to have other
outings later when one is not tied
down to time. Expect I shall have to
go and see Hope for a couple of days
later. Saw George Knox (Capt) Nanas Coy
commander in town yesterday he is over
on leave for 8 days told me Nana
was OK & was xxx forming one of
a party to raid the Germans shortly
it is fairly dangerous work this raiding
business trust he comes through all right
or a nice little wound would not hurt
he would then get a spell across here
which would give him a good rest?
and a good time he would dote on
it and of course thoroughly deserves a
spell that is the only way of getting
one these days the trouble is to get a
sweet wound. I should not like a
repetition of my little lot. expect it will
be fully another week yet before I am
all right these things when septic discharge
until the bitter end.
Am first going to have my leg dressed then off into the city until
10 pm to-night shall try to get my photo taken to-day one does not
seem to get time to do any thing here such a lot of counter attractions
I suppose. Trust everything is OK. lots of love to all. Bob.
Have only received the one lot of mail from home to date Love. 

N^o4 London. Gen. Hospital.
Denmark Hill
13.10.16.

My dear Mum
Sorry to say my leg has turned
dog on me swelling etc and if not 
careful may require another operation have gone
back to the first stages again insertion
of tubes, foments etc and confined to
hospital again for rest with the unpleasant
news that the leg will not be all right
again for another 6 weeks or so. Simply
rotten luck but expect shall just have
to put up with it Have been in
since last Monday resting the leg went
out for an hour or so yesterday but
feel anyhow this morning it is very hard
to get about with tubes running right
through one's leg and some painful so
shall first have to take things easily.
Have just received an invitation from
Countess Brassey to attend an At House
at stunt at her resisdence 24 Park Lane
next Tuesday afternoon hope I shall be
able to go along think it is specially 

for Australian officers wounded. it will
be a chance of meeting a lot of our
chaps and finding out where they are.
Mimie Hindmarsh has been here to see
me but was out she left her address
she is working at the Australian Red
Cross. depot in the mornings only it is
wonderful how people find you out here
I called and saw her yesterday aft morning
and when able we are going to have
some afternoons out together. Her brother is
across here wounded. also. Had a look
at Broadway Jones yesterday afternoon the
man was not half as clever as Niblo
but the girl was very much better than
Niblo's wife in my opinion the show here
was very excellent it great seeing shows
here one has seen in Sydney just to
form a comparison still plenty to see
here yet they have never had out in
Australia there is a great rush on the
theatres here and very difficult to get a
seat at all it is marvellous where all
the people come from Will not be going
out again for the next 3 or 4 days
now shall have to look after this leg. 

do not want to be chopped up again
of course one gets very fed up of staying
in all day especially when things are so
fascinating outside. Have just received a
parcel do not know whether from Camden
or home post mark seemed to say Camden
but no mail from Australia the parcel
contained a pair of socks and a tin
of boiled lollies Thanks very much who
ever sent it. Shall write again soon
lots of love to all. from Bob.

[*Had photo taken
ready tomorrow
will send them to you
direct from the shop.
in London.
Have only had one lot of
Australian mail but trust
for more some day.
RJH*]

N^o4 London General. Hos.
Denmark Hill
London
24.10.16.

My dear Mum.
Sorry to report my leg is rotten
the confounded thing has come to a stage
where it seems to stick and will
not heal The surgeon had a look at
it yesterday and decided not to operate
again for the present seems to have
them thinking a bit in the meantime
I am stiff & sore legged with the 
thing no better than it was a fortnight
ago fortunately I can hop around with
the aid of a stick but it is rather
painful and am commencing to get
fed up of the whole show. I go
out nearly every day and of course am
having the time of my life but it
is not too nice with steps etc large crowds
and a bad leg. however expects thing's
might be worse still on the other
hand they could be better The sister in 
charge here is very keen to have me out.

xxxxxx 

about again and if not says I shall be
a long time before well again. expect if
I am not careful shall end up with
a stiff leg or something silly like that
it is indeed astounding what trouble a
little bullet wound can give. Wonder if
Father got my cable which I sent about
a fortnight ago. enquired at the Commonwealth
Bank if the £40 was there for Nana
but it had not come but of course it
may be there now. Have not heard
from him for some time so expect
he is still in France and I hope
all right. He will certainly want some
money if he comes across here it is
not the slightest good being in London
without money. I have been going very
lightly in a way living at hospital and
have spent £50 having only been out
about a fortnight but I have a fair
amount of money here and should be all
right if not kept here indefinitely. Have
been to the theatre a lot grand opera
has started Am going to Faust next
Saturday night Some of the same people
as played in Sydney. Miss Buckman in 

Butterfly Edna Thornton in Samson & Delilah
and others I have heard before. Went to
Peg of my Heart yesterday afternoon it was
simply great the little Irish girl was
wonderful Last Sunday afternoon went to
the Albert hall to a concert it was 
simply splendid an exact simili Mum to
the Ameteur Orchestral concerts in Sydney
a splendid Orchestra which played all high
class stuff then a duet from Carmen was 
sung. Also the Jewel Song from Faust in
conjunction with the music. Have you ever
been in this hall it is simply a
wonderful building, beautiful inside, the 
whole place a huge dome and would not
like to say how many people it held.
Shut my eyes on several occasions during
the concert and thought I was sitting next
to you at the town hall Sydney as of yore.
Have not done much sight seeing in London
to date have seen St. Pauls and the 300 but
these things require a lot of walking about
Thought St. Pauls very wonderful but some of
the cathedrals in France are also very fine
they have a beauty at Amiens for instance.
Decided to go to Westminster Abbey to church 

after the concert last Sunday but alas
the attractions of the city proved too great
You may think this statement strange but it
is just my opinion I have been in Cairo &
Alexandria in Egypt, such places as Marseilles
Amiens, Rouen, in France & London & consider
the last named the worst morally this place
is simply the limit. One could have a
wonderful time in London I should say.
Have not been about very much here yet
but have learnt many things & seen
many things which is indeed an education
in itself. You should see some of us flying
about in the Tubes getting lost etc it is
great fun changed 4 times the other day
getting from Bond St tube to Piccadilly Circus
which would have been absurd if to anyone
knowing the ropes but this sort of things
affords all sorts of amusement if not pushed
for time. Went through one of the large
stores in Of Oxford St the other day Selfridges
it is a tremendous place the only place in
London you can get Welcome Nugget tobacco which
cost 18/- per lb Same stuff 6/6 in Sydney
my experience so far teaches me Australia
is the cheapest place to live nearly everything
seems cheaper there to me. Well Mum Shall write
again soon trust all are well and everything in 
the garden lovely lots of love  Bob

V & A Ward.
N^o4 London Gen Hos.
London
30.10.16.

My dear Mum
Still in hospital although the leg seems
to be getting all right and with any luck shall
dodge another operation can walk much better .and
the swelling is xxxxxx going down. but expect
it will be some time yet before getting clear of
this place. Have had quite a busy week enjoying
myself around London  One afternoon visited the
House of Commons heard Mr Asquith, Sir Edward
Carson & others speaking these debates are quite
interesting & intend to have some more of it.
Also went through Westminster Abbey a truly
wonderful building is it not.? Had free tickets
for two theatres Peg O' my Heart & Happy Day
went to both these. Saturday afternoon went with
a Canadian officer into town for lunch went
and saw a Little bit of Fluff in the afternoon
A very funny farce and after having a splendid
dinner went to the opera Faust I enjoyed
every minute of it have booked seats for Tales
of Hoffman next Saturday. Yesterday afternoon