Letters from Sister Dorothy Gwendoline Howard Elmes, 1941 - 1942 - Part 7

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY

(UNOFFICIAL)

2.

& tennis again that afternoon, and a dance at

the club at night most enjoyable, but got home

disgustingly late.

Tottered round the gold course again at 10.30 AM

& more tennis in the afternoon & a short session at

the Club; beyond various walks, didnt get much

time to do much else except sleep.
So much for the personal touch. The place itself
is I should think very like the Blue Mountains
& reminds me very much of the country round Buffaloe.
there were naturally a few gums & wattles of
course imported.
The houses consist mainly of Government
Bungalows & Guest houses, which are all built from
the same sort of Architecture old English ruin
type of idea which is most picturesque dull
red roofs & grey stone walls white windows, they
even manage to grow flowers roses, carnation's
begonias ect., which are beautiful about as big
as at home, beyond getting beautifully sun burnt
including the nose which has just started to
skin. (the beauty is really improved) there is no difference
in my condition.
Tell mater not to bother about writing
as know she is busy.

Australian Red Cross Society
(UNOFFICIAL)
.3
also tell Dot that I have at last started
to write to her & have hopes of finishing it in
the near future.
Very little news at the moment things are
just about the same.
By the way you know the Drews at Howlong
or at least by name, I met one of their relatives
here by the name of Taylor, who seems very
well off. he was staying up near where we
were he was frightfully surprised to hear
I came from Corowa; suppose he is about
50 or 60 & doesn't look at all well.
No more news old hound as must
go to bed as the others will want the 
light out in a minute
Love Bud.
PS will try & write you an intelligent
letter next time.
G Elmes

Australian Red Cross Society
(UNOFFICIAL)
NX 70526 S/N. G. ELMES
10^th A.G.H.
A.I.F
Malaya
7.7.41
Dear Old Smithy.
Just realized its (pay) day I mean
mail day, so nearly forgot to write. Congratulate
naughty for passing her final any way knew the
silly ass would because she was so worried what
is she going to do, now stay on; or are you both going
to the New Hebrides. By the way I have lost Morris
address so do you think you could write send it
to me some day.
Had the day off yesterday messed around in the theatre
some of the morning as there was a case I wanted
to see. And in the afternoon went for a swim, &
don't go on until twelve today but have d waited
nearly an hour and a half at a lecture of matrons,
although don't suppose it was really waste, but did
seem to know it all.
Have had my hair cut really short almost an eton crop
which from all accounts is a great improvement.

Australian Red Cross Society
(UNOFFICIAL)
.2.
Very little news. Go up to the hills for 4 days on
thursday so should be nice & cool, & a change specially
if I can get some golf & tennis.
Schuey is back again & rooming with us so am very
pleased didnt realize how much I missed the kid
Anyhow we had a snap taken of ourselves so will
send it to you to see if you approve of my
taste.
Tell Dotty I have been meaning to write to her for
ages so will she must think I am an awful rotter.
Last mail day got 9 letters felt positively embarassed
as got nearly half the mail however it was only
because every one I had written to decided to answer
One from Lilas, Cushy, Vera, yourself, two from Mum & Dad
Jean & forget who the others were from, but didnt
get any last time so have hopes of one today.
Just fed the face on a violet crumble. They get very sticky
in this climate, nearly pull our teeth out.
Sorry you didnt appreciate Melbourne as much as Sydney
its really funny here the controversy between N.S.W. &
Victoria almost a free fight amongst some of the patients
the other afternoon with a few Queenslanders saying
Queensland was the only state in Australia., its very
awkward as far as I am concerned being both

Australian Red Cross Society
(UNOFFICIAL)
.3.
By the way I don't think I half thanked you for 
the underwear you sent you don't know how
the were appreciated. it was luck sending me a
suspender belt; as bust my old one about two days
after.
This letter seems mainly to consist of "I" sorry if I am
becoming egotistical. you don't know how I have changed
lately Smithy andam getting as hard as nails and
beginning to think self first. last & anything over self
again. So you see how I need your company at any rate
miss the good influence.
Must have some morning tea. This is terribly
boring but there isnt much to write about but
next week will try & be really intelligent after I come
back from leave as there will be something to tell
you.
Tell Sister Donald the intentions are still there in
regards writing. so will soon & I appreciate the
"Suns" very much.
Wonder when we will meet again hope before either
of us get in the bath chair stage; think of two
toothless old lugs gabbing together.
Remember me to the Doctors ect. Did you ever give
that message to of Cosgroves to the Hurelys as she
was asking me the other day
no more news
Love Bud
G.Elmes
 

Australian Red Cross Society
(UNOFFICIAL)
NX 70526 S/N. G. ELMES
10 A.G.H.
A.I.F
Malaya.
28.6.41
Dear Old Smithy,
Thought I might as well write a bit more
seeing that I missed the mail owing to the tuck shop
running out of xxx stamps
Yesterday afternoon had a round of golf. was worse than
usual; And as well I had the night off scarpered out
to the pictures which where awfully good.
"All this & Heaven too" you have most likely seen it
This morning I tottered off into town & bought a few
oddments which thought might do for Christmas
presents, by the way what would you like for
Christmas. don't choose anything like a motor car
or aeroplane but something a trifle cheaper.
This afternoon we xxx went for a swim, which was
particularly pleasant; suppose you think we don't
do any xx work; at all but we do really; beastly
busy in fact: As at the present have a very sick
lad to look after, so hope he will be alright
Also at the moment am suffering from severe indigestion
 

Australian Red Cross Society
(UNOFFICIAL)
2.
caused by some of one of the patients cake he had
sent from home; very nice but rather heavy anyway
he has indigestion himself & thinks its asthma
unfortunately, still a little [[?]] Alk should cure him.
Gosh I am sleepy at the moment as haven't been to
bed yet. My own silly fault; but will sleep better
tomorrow; some silly ass woke me this morning by
sprinkling water on my face; its not so pleasant
at 6.45 AM.
Mail day tomorrow so may get a letter from you,
so won't close this up until then.
Love Bud.
Got a letter from Morris today but haven't heard
from you for nearly a fortnight now. So what
have you been up to, wish you were here too.
Bud
G.Elmes
 

NX 70526 S/N. G. ELMES
10 A.G.H.
A.I.F
Malaya.
26.6.41
Dear Old Smithy,
Have got the parcel
you sent so thanks awfully because
you shouldn't send me things you
silly old hound. My old suspender
belt was getting very pongy owing
to the constant heat, so you
don't know how the new one will
be appreciated; am saving it up for the
future.
Also thanks very much for the "digest"
have received two in the last
few days, so have sufficient reading
to keep out of mischief. have
tomorrow night off, thought of going
up to see Schuey if I can get
 

2
transport (very doubtful) how ever will
most likely play golf or tennis instead.
Its been rather funny about six of us
entered for a tennis tournament &
have spent all our spare time
xxxxx practising even before breakfast
& today we find out that aren't enough
entrances so are very disgusted about it
Still we will most likely play among
ourselves instead.
Only five more nights to do Am
sorry in a way to be coming off although
doubt if any of us could stand another
month. Am going to the second
surgical ward - worst luck as its
the one place I don't like.
Haven't had a letter from you this
week so suppose it has missed
the plane and will arrive next
mail day.
 

3.
Very little news these days. do the
same old thing just about every day.
Still it could be a lot worse. I think
that its because we all would like
to be somewhere else & really in
things. Although alot of people say
we are doing just as well here
really. but its the feeling o never
hearing a gun going off.
Am going up to the hills for five
days leave early next month, we go
up in three's & two's unfortunately
am parcelled with some one I am
not particularly fond of but suppose
it can't be helped. As I had several
invitations to go with the other kids
& things got a bit involved so thought
it best to say I was spare & would
go with any one at all.
Must go & do rounds. now as
am relieving for an hour or so.
Just fed the old face so