Letters from Sister Dorothy Gwendoline Howard Elmes, 1941 - 1942 - Part 5

.3.

Am going on night duty next month not quite

due but asked to go on as Schuey was & we get

more chance of getting leave together, hate leaving

the theatre but would most likely be kicked 

out any how & loathe the  thought of day duty

in the wards.

Comparatively cool today as it has been raining off

& on.

By the way if you see any grey material in

Corowa, indian heat or Cesarine let me know

as its particularly unprocurable here, now

& my uniforms are getting a bit worn now.

We can afford to get it from ord ordinance

but its been seven months getting here & will

most lik likley be another seven before it

arrives. Send Mum the bill for the bathing

togs because don't want you to waste

any money on me as you will most likely 

need it. Thanks all the same.

Am enclosing a few uninteresting snaps -

Must go to mess now

Love to all the kid's

Bud.

Remember me to matron love & kisses etc.

also Doctors and Hope Fluff is alright

now. 

G Elmes

RED SHIELD SERVICES
Illustration - see original document

The Salvation Army

From: No. NX70526

Name S/N. G.E. Elmes

Unit. 10 A.G.H

 A.I.F Malaya.

Date 15.9.41

Dear Old Smithy.

Awfully sorry I am

several days behind but couldn't

write last week owing to

being on leave. Schuey & I

really did have a gorgeous

time, & loved every minute of it

in fact enjoyed it more than

last time. The majority of

our time we played golf

walked; eat & although unfortunately 

lost the old appetite, danced

& at short intervals slept, rather

necessary wa has waste of time

it also was cool nearly the 

whole time in fact was

very wet.

The One of the officers was staying

RED SHIELD SERVICES

Illustration - see original document

The Salvation Army

From: No. 

Name 

Unit

Date

.2 

up there on Convalescent leave

who attached himself to us

& he went out of his way to see

we had a good time & treated

us like a couple of sisters, no no

messing about; thank goodness.

There was also a mining engineer

who had a car & took us all

over a gold mine about thirty

miles away it was most interesting

had no idea it was such a

complicated business. No wonder

it is so valuable.

Afraid we missed the train at

Kuala Lumpar coming back but

the first one was too crowded

& full of natives & caught the

late one. So got back here

at 2 A.M on Thursday

RED SHIELD SERVICES

Illustration - see original document

The Salvation Army

From: No. 

Name 

Unit

Date

.3.

morning instead 12. M.N. so

was only 2 hours A.W.L. don't know

if matron was excited about it.

but she hasn't said anything so far.

Tomorrow night & the next we play

at black outs & cart our respirators 

tin hats about all day. Great sport,

but breaks the monotony.

Gert Schuey & I were fed up for

a couple of days after we got back.

& have only just recovered I think

its the heat. after being cool.

& the same of old work.

Hope but we'll be alright she

will most likely grow out of 

those attacks they often do.

Anyway old hound don't go &

get depressed. cause you could

.4

be alot worse off; we grizzle

to in fact blush with shame

sometimes also getting catty

at times but really think this

continual it heat does depress

ones mental intelligence.

However Schuey and I are going

to try & study Malay for

half an hour every day.

Glad Fluff is alright. No wonder

the poor kid looked pale

give her my love & a kick

in the pants would be a

bit vigorous

If you see or write to Thelie

tell her I haven't forgotten her

& also will write to Mrs

Bolton one of these days.

Sorry this wasnt very interesting.

Love

Bud

G Elmes

NX70526 S/N. G Elmes

10 A.G.H

A.I.F

Malaya

21.8.41

Dear Old Smithy

All your past letters arrived the other 

day & were much enjoyed. At the moment am.

pretty partial to life, owing to have just consumed

a large quantity of Sardines bread & butter, Milo, 

made with Condensed milk & water all very soothing

Also been to the early session of the pictures

saw the 'Merry Widow' which was very good.

& worth seeing; fancy it was in Corowa several

years ago.

Received a letter from Brody which was also

much appreciated. Congratulate Nell & Cliff for

me.

Tell Dr Barnard his censoring is very good as

enjoyed 'Man" very much so did every one else.

Today being pay day. bought myself a small

carved Sandalwood box. & a small frame

.2.

to put your photo in rather add's tone to

the dressing table in fact at the moment is

rather pleasing to the eye. having just tidied 

it up. Along the back have placed my books

magazines ect. Talc toothpaste soap etc hidden

by a honey jar containing orchids. Your face

hiding the jar part of the decorations, a

cross stitched tray cloth on which lies the

ordinary necessities of life comb & torch &

ash trays; the other end. Sandalwood box

holding the books from landing on the floor.

As ornaments a wooden elephant. & then three

wise monkeys (to stop me getting catty)

These damn mosquitoes are biting me even

on my toes (I wear slippers) & through my

pyjamas/ forward little brutes hope they aren't

Malarial as will be riddled with it by now.

Peace & quietness tonight as everyone appears to

be out; so long may they stay.

Had a letter from Mrs Bolton, Aunt Evie

Mrs Ricky. You .B. & Brody so they are pretty

good mostly to say of various papers was  hooked

TELEPHONE-

Australian Military Forces - Eastern Command.

Pleasae quote the Number when replying.

Address

Date

3. 

also a large fruit cake from Mum which Schuey

& I have finished (greedy little brutes)

Hate to disallusion you but Schuey is a 

couple of years my senior.

This week have been rather xxxx Social

Monday night pictures, tuesday late in the

theatre 11 pm. Wednesday more pictures (how

early/ Thursday doing call for theatre living

in hopes. friday got dragged into going fo to 

a dance to make up a party. Saturday

out to dinner. Sunday I hope a day off.

What or rather where is the new addition to

the staff working; relieving or has she a ward

of her own. young or middle aged does she play

tennis if not why not.

We also have a few additions to our staff.

haven't spoken to more than one of them

as they don't sit near me at meals.

.4.

thought there might have been someone I knew for

the show ground but no such luck. Think all 

those girls have been transferred to another camp long

ago.

Have retired to the protection of my mosquito

net as the little blighters were biting me through 

the chair.

Sorry this is such a rotten letter but really four

pages is rather a good effort for me.

I will be really intelligent some day.

No more news

Love to every one

Buddy

There seem to be a lot more new juniors on

the staff I have never heard of

G. Elmes

Australian Red Cross Society.

(UNOFFICIAL)

FOR SAFETY.

IN YOUR LETTERS DO NOT REFER TO -

The name of your ship or ships in the convey or in escorts.

The date of sailing, port of sail, or probably destination

The description of someone aboard any other information which if

[[?]] would  be of value to the enemy.

NX70526 S/N. G. Elmers

10 A.G.H

A.I.F

Malaya.

7.8.41

Dear Old Smithy,

Only a short note tonight for which 

I apologise. but owing it is being very late & Buddy

being very selfish all day by spending it at the

swimming pool & not taking any writing material

with her, in fact was thoroughly lazy by

swimming at intervals walking along the

beach & eating the rest of the time it cost

us a bit because we had in have a taxi there

and back but was worth it. specially as it

was pay day so things are pretty good.

No news at all at the moment. Had a beaut

thunder storm last night never heard such 

terrific thunder & lightning & rain, thought the

Japs had arrived.

Am back in theatre and this moment don't know

for how long personally I wish it were

permanent but can't fr be selfish as there are 

other considerably more intelligent & better than

me. Still have had a marvellous spin. Am in 

charge of it for five days so hope I don't make