Letters from Robert James Henderson, July - December 1916 - Part 7

went for a walk through Hyde Park meet 
Gwen Davies took her to afternoon tea then
a taxi drive then the pictures until eight
o'clock then on to the "Trocadero" for dinner
which took 2 hours to finish it was some 
dinner believe me to say nothing of the some 
price. However feel no effects this morning so
everything is right. This week I am making
arrangements to have my teeth fixed up had a 
letter from Millie Henley.  they are staying at a
Hotel at St James Park where they have invited
me to stay with them but of course at present
have to be at hospital to have my dressing fixed
each day however shall call and see them.
Got my photo taken and posted 4 out to you
last Saturday direct from the shop they are
not very good but expect you will be pleased
to have them hope they arrive all right.
Received a magazine from Jack Tivey The odd .
Number yesterday at the hospital apparently posted
on from the battalion cannot understand why
I do not re get some mail in the same
way am going down to the base to-day to
inquire about it. Have you been hearing from
Nana I have not heard a word for the
past month expect he is all right.

Think I forgot to tell you about Countess
Brusseys' At Home which I went to some
little time ago.  It was tres bien very swank
butlers footman etc etc. there were 18 wounded
Australian Officers there and about the same
number of girls (not wounded though) we had
a very nice afternoon tea but of course I 
had to be polite and did not do full
justice to it the girls waited and 
looked after us / splendidly After tea we 
adjourned to a very large sort of lounge or
smoke room where we had some fine music
and dancing should loved to have had a
fling but the stiff leg settled that the 
girls also gave an exhibition of Turkey Trotting
etc etc some of them appeared to dance well
but I think the Australian lasses could
show them many points Well I had a 
real good afternoon the house appointments
pictures carving etc were gorgeous. I felt
quite like a Duke or something like that
for the time being The weather here is has
been ripping this month very little rain the
sun shining every day and the quite warm
I have not worn a coat at night yet 
although all the people in London seem

to wear great big thick coats whenever they
go out. however expect it will be getting cold
enough shortly shall have to buy a good
thick coat. Shall write again soon lots of love
to all Boby.

N^o_.4 London General Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
8.11.16.

My dear Mum.
Afraid I am getting slack with my
correspondence to other people in Australia but always
write to you and I know you pass the news
around besides I am receiving no Australian 
mail so do not know who I really do
owe letters to. There seems little doubt now that
I shall be in England this Christmas and no 
doubt shall be very lonely by myself unless
something turns up. do not know if I
shall be clear of the hospital or not yet the
leg is just about the same no better no worse
however expect one will have a happier time
here than in France although it would be
good sport being back with the battalion. Am
feeling rather tired at present the last three
nights not being in until 1 o'clock each morning
sounds swish does it not. Have been to the 
theatre a good deal Heard the famous tenor
Ben Davies a Welshman sing at a Music
Hall last Saturday night was rather dissappointed

enjoyed McCormack much better. Last night
went to The proffesors Love Story it was 
a great show. H.B. Irving the principal 
part and what made it all the nicer
we had a free box 9 wounded officers
from this ward and the doctor ten in
all so you can imagine we had a 
jolly evening. All went into the Savoy 
Hotel for a drink which was served one 
of the chaps gave the waiter £1 for same
we were just going out when he remarked
about the change which had not come to
light. The waiter was taxed and said yes
Sir handing back the £1 we all laughed
and walked out whether he was insulted
at being asked for the change or whether
drunk I do not know but it is the 
only cheap thing I have had in London
to date. Had lunch with the Henly's the 
other day. at their hotel St Ermins at
St James Park. it was great seeing them
again and have an open invitation to go
there when I like also met Dr Vicars
and Elsie Curish. it is passing strange how
one meets different people all over the world.
Was standing waiting for a train on Victoria

station the other day when a charming girl
gave me the glad eye I chipped xxxxxxxxx
excuse wounded soldier well she invited me
to her home at Balham one of the suburbs
meet Mother and generally had a good time
It was simply great being in a private
house again. Have been there on several
occasions Mother is most interesting she
has travelled all over the world. and always
has a bottle of good whiskey on tap
she sings grand opera. has a good
gramaphone and in fact admit I like
Mother better than the daughter Many things
are surly done in war time which would
seem funny in peace time what do you
think. Nearly every afternoon when it is fine
I go for a walk in Hyde Park and
how interesting it is there plenty of people
to see laid ladies riding in Rotten Row
motor cars and all the nuts one sees 
all sorts of funny things. Well my dear
I think that is about all the news at
present shall write again soon lots of love
to all. Bob.

N^o.4 London Gen. Hos.
Denmark Hill
13.11.16.

My dear Mum.
Expect by the time you receive this
letter it will be about Christmas time and
no doubt all at Whanfried will be gay and
merry and know you will all be thinking of
us on this side of the world and of course
we shall be thinking of you all. Hope you all
have a very Merry Christmas & a bright New Year 
and trust 1917 will bring about the end of this
terrible war and allow those of us who are
left to get home again. Have been looking
around London for some little thing to send to
you for Christmas but have seen nothing so
far but eventually shall. I think the leg is 
improving slightly but has not yet healed and 
when healed will require a lot of massage before
it will be much use am staying in this
afternoon to see the surgeon and hear what he
thinks about it. Have an invitation to go
to the country house of some Lord or Duke
somewhere forget the name of the place which

should be all right but do not know when 
I shall be able to get away can hardly 
ask ask the old pot to get a nurse in
especially for me so that my dressing can be
done properly each day. Went and heard Clara
Butt last Saturday afternoon we had Earl Greys'
box at the Albert Hall next to the Kings box
some hot stuff were we not a very excellent
concert it was too all high class stuff
She certainly has a great voice and a charming
manner London streets last Thursday were crowded
it being the Lord Mayors Day.  the procession 
was very good troops of every nation being
represented. bands, postillion riders. and these old
custom coaches that you see in pictures it
was very novel and new to me The out
English crowds are very quiet very little cheering
although German captured guns and airoplanes formed
part of the procession. The only bit of row I 
heard was made by some New Zealand & Canadian
soldiers perched on the roof of Charing Cross
station trust the colonials to cheer these people
up again A huge crowd were at Victoria
station the other afternoon waiting for a leave
train to come in and as the chaps came
along you would have thought it was a
funeral procession instead of being quite lively

as it should have been. Have been going 
to the Trocadero for afternoon tea a lot we 
have great time down there it is a great
place. costs 2/6 but one gets all sorts of nice
things, a beautiful room, ragtime band, and
fine concert every day all the decent cafes here
here are very comfortable and all have excellent
music to say nothing of the interesting people one
sees. Have had no mail since about the 10^th
of last September which is pretty rotten still it
is no use growling  I must really go and see
the Henleys again often intend to but never seem
to get out of Piccadilly Circus with its fascinations 
of all descriptions and gaiety. Have no more news
at present kindest remembrances to all and lots
of love to the family sincerely trust we will
all be together for Christmas 1917. from Bob.

Have you been hearing from Nana at all I have
heard nothing from of him for the last 6 weeks
presume he is all right and in France
still doing his bit.

N^o. 4 London Gen. Hos.
Denmark Hill
London
18.11.16.

My dear Mum.
So glad to receive your letter dated
24^th Sept. addressed direct to Horseferry Rd. it is
the first I have had from Australia for about
2 months there must be a terrible lot of my
letters around somewhere if I had thought I
would have been here so long it would have
been much better to send letters direct in fact
you and Jane might have come to London what 
a good time we could have had but of course
I did not expect to be here any longer than 
a month It seems certain I shall be at the 
hospital for Christmas  the surgeon had a look
at my leg last Monday said I was getting
a London look about me and wants me to
go to the sea side for a couple of weeks
so shall probably be sent down to Lady
Dudley's convalescent home at Brighton it will
be a nice change and they tell me a fine 
place each officer has a VAD to himself
very nice too depends on the VAD though.