Letters from Robert James Henderson, July - December 1916 - Part 8

the leg is getting along very slowly but still
improving I think it has not healed up
yet but I can walk much better although
it is still very stiff but expect a couple
of weeks massage will fix that. However one
is comfortable here to the poor chaps in France
whom I often think about. it is very cold
here now snow falling lightly at the present
moment and alright although in front of a
large fire it my feet and hands are cold.
Was in Liberty's shop Regent St. a couple of 
days ago where I bought a little photo for you
something done in enamel hope you receive it
they are sending it direct and insurance etc.
is paid please let me know if you do not
get it for although a very small thing it
was very large in other respects. Went and saw
Mrs Henley a couple of days ago they are all
well she  is talks a lot about Leslie and is
keen for every particular it is a terrible blow
to her.  This is the first I have heard that
you did not receive the cable I sent by Davis
wonder why? have cabled to you quite a lot
and as each time costs 30/- or so am
most annoyed that you do not receive them
however one has no redress although receipts
are given. Shall cable you when leaving England

for France expect some time in January next
How did you find out about the money I
got from the bank of N.S.W.?  told you in
one of my letters but do not think you would
have received it by the 24^th Sept. I paid the
cabling etc through the bank of N S.W. here and at
the present rate shall want more shortly it
is a lovely place this to spend money should
not like to live here under £1,500 per year.
Ken Pattrick is in that photo all right
he has returned to Australia leaving here
about a month ago you might get Jane to
ask him home for dinner one evening he will
be able to give you lots of interesting news
about us all told him to loo ring up
Jane the he has six months leave I think.
Capt Fine is all right in German hands but
have heard nothing of poor Toby Barton or Henderson
but I am not surprised afraid the poor chaps
must be dead. Meyer & Mr Gorvan have  all also
been reported OK in German hands.  afraid B.
Pattrick has also gone no news about him to
date. Glad you sent me Gordon Inglis' address
thought he was at the front will call at
Victoria St. and look him up next week.
Did not receive a letter from Mrs. Dennis re. 
Mr. Osborne's  address.

Mick as bigger a scamp as ever with the
ladies wish he were here with me. he
would simply have the time of his life
one has to stay in to keep clear of
the ladies here they are like so many
flies buzzing round one and some girls
too believe me. Have been going out with
a Scotchman a lots with kilts hence the
attraction I suppose but when sick of all the
girls we generally blow into the Carlyle Club
in Piccadilly where of course you have to be
a member and ladies are not admitted Had
several letters from girls in London & about
this week think they have all lost their heads
as fair as the soldiers are concerned have had
some very very funny experiences. Tell Dagmar I
received her letter dated 12^th Sept a couple of days
ago and shall reply shortly. shall also write
and congratulate Billy Bull wonder where Reg
is? Sorry about the leather waistcoat do not
expect to get it but no doubt someone who
needs it more will at least hope it will
not be wasted.  if I get my letters shall be
well satisfied No more news at present Merry
Christmas & happy New Year to all am ever
thinking of you all & Australia generally  lots of lov
Bob

N^o 4 London Gen Hos.
Denmark Hill
25.11.16.

My dear Mum,
Received a parcel sent by you a couple
of days ago containing sweets,  cigarettes, socks, pipe
which was broken, tobacco etc sorry they did not
keep it at the battalion and give it to some
of the boys who really needed it also received
a letter from Lorna dated 10/9/16  also one from
Lucy Cowdery dated 10/9/16. it is a treat getting
some news from Australia after being so long without
any mail there must be a lot of your letters
for me somewhere having only received the one
to you sent direct to London. Still in hospital
but the leg is healing up beautifully now can
walk with a very little limp now have a sort
of skin trouble now on the outside of the wound
but that also is dissappearing the oly  only
inconvenience being that I have to keep off
the whiskey for a few days still you know
that is not very hard for me to do Go out
every day as usual and of course having a
real good time have been to the theatres a
lot in some cases paying in others having free

tickets have booked seats for "Aida" to night
in the stalls which cost 12/6 each and am
looking forward to a good nights music.
Went to a Music Hall last Saturday afternoon a
fine concert at one of the theatres Sunday night
theatre Monday afternoon free seats theatre Tuesday
afternoon also free seats | and theatre again on
Friday night free box in fact I have seen
nearly every show in London now and that is
saying something. See they are playing Romance in
Sydney I have seen it in London with Doris
Keane in the leading part it is a fine thing
you might to see it. also been having the
usual round of afternoon teas etc with the
ladies meet Jeff. Street in the Trocadero the
other afternoon having tea but could not have
much of a talk to him you see I had a
very charming lass with me he is staying at
the Savoy Hotel so shall see him again.  also
meet? Broughton who is a cousin to Norman Broughton
who was killed a couple of months ago in France
he seemed to know me all right although I
was all at sea. Called on Gordon Inglis
but heard he was not too well in some
nursing home so left my card for him expect
to hear from him later. No more news at present
lots of love to all Bob
Have heard nothing of Nana for
a long time expect he is all right.

No 4 London Gen Hos.
Denmark Hill
London
30. 11. 16.

My dear Jane.
Only just received your letter dated
3^rd of Sept last night expect it has been
chasing me for some time Tell Lorna I have
received her letters dated 17/9/16. 24/9/16. but know
she sees all the letters I write home so feel
sure she will not mind if I do not answer
then also received Eileens letter you addressed to
me shall write to her later Am still in hospital
but the leg is getting well too quickly in the
course of a few days it will be quite healed
but shall need a lot of massage so expect
to be here for Xmas not neces perhaps in the
hospital but attached expect to be back with
the battalion in France again about the middle
of January that will allow for 2 weeks holiday
after being discharged from hospital Could
easily get a job here in England but if
fit feel I should much rather be back
with the battalion and in it again besides
I have a large reputation to live up to

and you know a man has to prove he
is as good a man after being wounded as
he was before then apart from that it is
great fun & the excitement and fascination grand
but of course an awful life while it lasts.
Tell Mum I received the parcel with the
leather waistcoat and other nice things they
will be most useful when back in France
everything is most useful. Have you heard from
Nana at all the little devil has not written to
me for a long time hope he is all right
Gwen Davies (Sister of Hope) has made a bosca
cake for him and is sending it to him
for Christmas. Of course am having the time
of my life here in London the hospital is
more or less a boarding house for me
now go out every -day and night which
of course requires tons of money for believe
me this is the city to spend it in
Usual round of theatres afternoon teas girls
dinners etc only wish you were across here
Jane my you would enjoy this town there
is absolutely no place like London for having
a good time and believe me I am taking
advantage of my opportunity Am going to
Brighton this week end with a Scotch officer

 from this ward named McCallum we are
leaving on Friday afternoon and coming back
on Monday afternoon have made all sorts of
nice arrangements booked rooms at the hotel
Metropole etc am looking forward to some time
my first trip away from hospital for a few
days. but it shall not be the last shall
let you know all about the trip later have
some nice girls in London who want to come
down with us but as there are plenty
down there there is no sense in taking them
Took Millie & Elsie Henley to the Trocadero for
afternoon tea last Saturday afternoon they wanted
me to stay for dinner at their hotel but
could not as I had seats for "Aida" which as
usual I enjoyed immensly I  h am having
dinner to-night with the Henley's so expect
to have a cheap night for a change
Rather a funny experience the other afternoon
coming back in the tube from Hyde Park Corner
(where we spent the afternoon in the park
watching the ladies etc riding in "Rotten Row")
to Piccadilly Circus two charming lasses gave
us the glad eye of course being very naughty
of course we spoke to them they were going
to be fitted at their tailors so we went

along to One of the girls names was Lawson
a cousin to the Lawsons who lived at
Drummoyne and later at Ashfield she has been
to Australia & Canada and was most interesting
is it not strange meeting people like that
who know people whom you know. Well we
took these girls to tea and dinner at the
Trocadero & later went down to their flat
at Putney where they live they were both
bosca girls beautifully dressed with apparently
plenty of money of course have invitations to
see them any time and all the rest of
it so you can bet your life we will be
there. Who do you think I met in town
yesterday Hugh McClelland who is a Major in
charge of transports or something of that sort
could only see him for a minute as I was
in a terrible hurry having an urgent appointment
to keep however gave him my address & told
him to write me and make an appointment
next week should love to see him and have
a yarn. Well Jane dear shall dry up see
you all have a good Christmas wish I
were at home to with this beastly war
over. Lots of love to all, Bob.

 30/11/16