Letters from Robert James Henderson, January - June 1917 - Part 2

sorrow at my slow recovery and wishing he 
was in London to have a fly around with
me  he is a great sport He has also 
been awarded the D.S.O.   lately also Major 
Marks & Capt Pulling have received the
Military Cross lately so the battalion has done 
very well indeed one is indeed proud 
to belong to such a battalion with such 
a good name which of course is thoroughly 
deserved for they always do good work
Shall write again soon have a lot of 
letters to Answer had one from M^rs. Davies 
Herbert, Eunice, Billy Bull, Lucy Cowdery.  & 
post card from Myra lately shall try and 
answer all.  lots of love to all    Boby

N^o. 4 London Gen Hos
Denmark Hill
London
21.1.17

My dear Mum
Excuse pencil
paper etc but it is
so cold that I do
not feel inclined to
leave the fire. Had
made all arrangements
to leave the hospital 
tomorrow in fact booked
at a room at the
Jermyn Court hotel

Piccadilly where I
intended to stay for
a while until I had
my medical board &
found out how much
leave I get  Asked the
doctor to sign my papers
for discharge to-day he
had a look at my leg
and said he would
recomend me for light
duty told him that
was no good to me
stuck in camp somewhere 
in England he said 
if I went back to

France now it might
break down again still
I do not believe him
it feels quite strong
again now however he
induced me to wait
and see the specialist
who operated and get
his advice tomorrow
on the matter shall
let you know later
the result Feel as
if I could go back 
now but will not
do so against his
advice. Of course am

still simply having the
time of my life  the
trouble is it costs such
a lot of money and one
simply cannot go out without
spending money in London.
So you see I am keen 
to get back & do some 
work also save some
money. Then you know
my dear one is contracting
bad habits you know
when one can go out
when one likes and 
come in when one likes
nothing to do all day

and a little money to
spend how simple it is
to get contract bad
habits especially in London
Still have looked at
things from the proper 
standpoint to date but
after this long spell shall 
find it hard to settle
down to work again
Have finished up with
the dentist now thank
goodness and hope to
have no more trouble
with my teeth for
the duration Any how

while at dinner two
nights ago there was 
a terrific explosion The
conclusion was that
bad windows crashed
etc  thought it was
bombs from a Zepplin
but proved to be a
munition factory blown
up almost 3 miles 
away.  The damage &
loss of life was bad
but of course very vague
information has come
through they cannot 
say much about these

things in the press at
the present time Have
no more news for the
present  Trust you are
all well at home
love to all Bob

N^o. 4 London Gen Hos.
Denmark Hill
27.1.167.

Dear Mick
Just received two letters from you
dated 4th Nov & 2nd Dec.  both addressed to
London direct. Dont be silly about winning that 
fiver this chicken will never go off here
having too good a time single for that
have met girls with tons of money to but
am still fancy free As for Hope the dear
little thing I have never yet seen her
and probably never shall you know. I
think everything would be spoilt if we
ever met. Had a letter a couple of days
ago wanting me to go up to Liverpool but
do not think I shall cannot possibly
tear myself away from London even for
a girl besides it is a long way away
and I believe not much of a place
From all accounts you are the one that
should be careful and mind I shall exact
that fiver take my advice and have a good
time with them all it's a fine life especially

in London of course they are very plentiful
over here & if one does not suit you
you give her the sack and get another
with consummate ease  Oh th some of my
experiences here would tickle you to death
And believe me I have learnt many things
would not have missed my kick around
this town for anything. Say Mick when you
write again you might send some sort of a
financial statement would like to know how
I stand if much longer in this town
shall be broke have had £160 from bank
N.S.W. so far it is marvellous how
money goes here I presume the Government are
paying in all right extra allotment etc etc
Still it does not matter so long as one
is learning things seeing things etc.
Have been trying to get out of hospital
for a week now but the Doctor & Sister
will not let me go say if I had any
heavy work it would probably break down
again say the rest here working the muscles
etc will do it good that sounds all right
but am having too good a time and spending
too much money getting into bad habits it
cano cannot be done lad and of course it