Letters from Hector Aldridge Robinson to Mabel Broom, 1918-1919, Part 1

ARMY. Y         NO. 055313
SUGAR PERMIT.
This permit authorizes sugar to bought by or on behalf of
(Name and Rank) Lt. H. A. Robinson   
      members of         Officers' Mess 
in one amount at a rate not exceeding 2 1½ oz. per head per day for a period of
14 days ending 3^rd Mar. 18. 
I certify that no rations of sugar are being drawn by the above -
mentioned during the above period. 
(Signature) [[??]]    (Date)
Capt
bn A/c/Capt. 

NOTICE.
After 30th December,1917 no retailer may sell sugar except to a 
duly authorized customer; and these Permits are issued under arrangements 
made by the Army Council with the Food Controller to enable 
serving officers or men to purchase sugar during leave or when
billeted or otherwise unable to draw Army rations of sugar, and to 
enable sugar to be bought for Officers' Messes in respect of members

who elect not to draw rations in kind.

Permits must only be issued to serving officers or men who are 

in receipt of pay from Army Funds.
The Permit must be given up to the retailer when the purchase 
is made, and is only valid within the period to which it applies. It is 

a Permit to buy sugar, and does not carry with it any guarantee that
the sugar will be supplied by any particular retailer to who it may
be presented.
In the case of officers or men on leave the period inserted will be 
the period of leave. In other cases the period must not exceed 14 days.

3.3.1918
Dear Mab
Your letter & parcel
reached me safely - Parcel contained
muffler, sox, tobo, pipe etc all of 
which were most acceptable -
The pipe particularly came at a 
most opportune time, & is just the
one I would have selected myself.
I received a Xmas card from
Mrs Saunders & Vera a few days ago -
As above address will indicate 
I am again in London, on leave.
My turn for leave came round
much quicker this time as the 

number of officers in our
company became greatly reduced
thro' sickness, casualities, etc -
This is Sunday evening & wet &
there is hardly any place more
desolate looking than London
when it's wet.
Things are much the same
over here - just a few food 
restrictions, but otherwise one would
hardly know there is a war on.
There is practically no news
Kindest regards to all
Lots of Love
Yours ever
Hector.
Heaps of kisses, those nice long ones - 

Miss M. Broom
c/o A.S. Saunders
General Merchant
Orbost
East Gippsland
Victoria
Australia 

THE NORFOLK HOTEL,
SURREY STREET, 
STRAND, W.C.2. 

No 1 Mess
No. 3 COMMAND DEPÔT
HURDCOTT.
England

31.5.18
Dear Mab
I received a parcel
from you recently for which 
best thanks -
I'm in terrific hurry
just now so please do not 
expect a letter - just this to 
let you know I'm still
extant.
Lots of Love
Yours Ever

Hector 

No 1 Mess
No. 3 COMMAND DEPÔT
HURDCOTT.
[*Please 
excuse 
pencil*]
June 11^th 18
Dear Mab
I wrote you a few days
ago but as letter was very brief
just a few particulars -
On April 20^th I was sent
for eye treatment but instead of
receiving this, I was examined by
eye specialists (2) and then sent before a 
Medical Board - This Board (in France)
classified me "B 2 for duration of war" -
I then came across to England, went
before another board specialist has another
board & was classified "P.U.G.S." .ie.
"Permanently Unfit General Service" - Fit Home Service -
I am now engaged on Home Service 
on the above depôt & will probably be here
for some time - I'll be boarded again
in 6 months - 

I have some sort of Cataract
in the right eye but the left is serviceable - 
the fact that I can write proves this 
conclusively - As both eyes were damaged
at Pozieres (so long ago) I'm very 
fortunate in being able to see so well -
Enough about me -.
I have not received any letter 

from you for over 7 weeks as I've
been drifting about, not knowing how
long I would stay in any place until
a few days ago, I was able to tell them
at unit to send letters on here, so I
am now hoping to receive a budget
any day.
I hope you are keeping well - remember
me to all please.
Heaps of Love
Yours Ever

Hector
P.S. Getting tired of waiting dear?   X______________ X