Letters from Robert James Henderson, January - June 1917 - Part 3

17/1/167

no good being here without lots of money to
spend however expect I shall get away
eventually but shall probably be here until
the middle of February but shall do my
best to get away before that however shall
be back in France for the next big
push and really do not mind if I do get
no leave at all after leaving hospital I
have had a wonderful time. Played auction
bridge a couple of days ago from 10 am
till 4.30 PM without a break for 1/- per 100
won 59/- that was rather a good effort
dont you think we play here quite a lot
Was out at Lady somebody's place the other
afternoon forgotten the name had a couple of
rubbers with some ladies at 3^d per 100
lost 1/6 had quite an interesting game have
been swanking quite a lot amongst these
people but of course you know one is so
used to this sort of life that there is
nothing to it the sort of thing I go
in for more is to get to Piccadilly Circus
mix in among people all sorts and all 
descriptions talk to girls you do not know
in fact the gay life having never led this
life before the experience gained has been
grand. believe me one has some funny times

(damn have just run out of paper)
hope to tell you about some of
them one of these days for little
stories for men only. Had a great
evening the other night met a bunch
of fellows at the Carlyle Cub of
which I am a member usual thing
had a few drinks went to dinner
at the Trocadero had a real bucks
evening it was grand had lots
of fun good food good music fine
women etc etc  one Scotch officer three 
English officers & myself d very seldom
kick around with Australians like
finding out about other people nearly
always kick about with a Scotch or 
Canadian officer.  Of course see plenty 
of our chaps across here it is
simply wonderful how one runs into
people in this large city. Tell Mum
I received her letter dated 3^rd Dec
also the enclosed note from Lucy give
the dear kid a g kiss for me

and tell her I shall come home
and to see her just as soon as
possible. Will write to Mum as
soon as some more news collects
Have finished with the dentist
told him I was thinking of
taking a flat he said something
about the seven stages of man
a flat in London being the last 
stage w I dont like his ways
do you Have just been having
a serious talk to the doctor
about getting out think he will
let me get out without giving
me my discharge for a couple 
of weeks and Browning
likewise so that will rather 
suit me live out in a flat
and just come and see him
occasionally he is a terrible good
sport one misses such a lot
having to get back to hospital
each night Denmark Hill is quite

long run out trains etc stop
running about 12.30 AM taxis
also very hard to get to this 
place. So Dad has decided to
to retire at last he certainly 
deserves a good rest and trust
he is quite all right. Have
had quite a lot of snow here
the weather on the whole is
not too bad getting rather cold,
but it does not worry me
much, if one lets the weather
here interfere with them it
could be the end of the section.
Well old kid Cheer oh for the
present lots of luck in exams
etc etc love to all from brother
Bobbie

Telephone:       

Regent 6060                                                

Telegrams:

CARLYLE CLUB.

The Carlyle Club
211, PICADILLY,

LONDON. W.
29.1.17.
My dear Mum.
Am just waiting for a
chap to come in and have dinner
so thought I would drop you a
few lines no news whatever still
you will have to put up with
that wrote a long letter to Mick
a couple of days ago. Do not
know when the mails leave here
for Australia now they are not
advertised now for some reason or
other shipping etc being in a

precarious state. Am still in the
hospital wanting to get out badly
but the Doctor & Sister will not
let me go say if I go to
France at present and do any
heavy work my leg will surely
break down again. Of course I
must take their advice in
matters although I feel quite
all right I suggested to the
Doctor taking a flat without
my discharge he gave me
permission to do so but advised
me not to he is a great
sport and knows what a chap

would be up to in this gay
town Think I shall shall take
his advice and stay in hospital
for a couple of weeks longer
one is not so liable to get
into trouble he allows us lots
of latitdule so long as one
gets back quietly and before
3 am in the morning so
that is all right it keeps 
me moderately sober also keeps
me sta from staying out 
all night of course this can 
be arranged by special arrangement 
still staying in hospital keeps me

within limits and bless you the 
doctor knows it he is a great
sport So is the Sister in charge
of the ward I can practically
do any thing I like these days
which is quite nice and
suits me down to the ground. 
Have been out to afternoon tea
this afternoon with Browning &
2 Canadians & 1 English Officer
meeting a Scotch Officer for
dinner to-night so you see
am making a point of meeting
and knocking around with
different people nothing like picking

up all one can on these stunts
the opportunity may not occur again
and if not believe me to date
I have made the best of my
opportunities although I have spent
a lot of money Received some
letters from you which I 
mentioned in the letter to Mick
but have not them here at
present think you had
better address future correspondence
to the battalion direct now
shall surely be back with
them in the course of two