Letters from Sister Dorothy Gwendoline Howard Elmes, 1941 - 1942 - Part 8

4

Am pretty contented at the moment
no more news, have an idea
we may be moving into more
comfortable quarters soon but
don’t know when yet.
I think I wrote to you last
mail day.
Love to all the kids
tell young Angie I haven’t
seen Arch again.
And also if you see Fluff tell
her that I have been looking
after one of the Gibb’s from
King Valley so she most likely 
knows him.
Cheerio old tripe
won’t we have a joyous time
when we meet again

Bud
G Elmes

23.6.41

No more news
Damned hot today

C  NX70526. S/N. G Elmes
2/10 A.G.H.
A.I.F.

Malaya.

12.15 A.m 21.6.41

Dear old Smithy,
Got your letter several days ago, sorry about the
general depression but never mind why not try for home defence
you might land up as far as Darwin which would be a 
change. Anyhow go over & see Jean in Adelaide she
would love to have you but don't think I don't understand

what you feel you poor old hound because I know.
A bit of your letter was cut out by the Censor the name
of the training school Geoff was at, but as you mentioned
it a couple of letters ago, I more or less guessed.

Very little news, go live patients on pulse radio one hourly
& one half hourly, so can’t even send tonight.
This afternoon had a game of golf which was
very pleasant only got a horrible hiding: But got the

most hits.
Must go & do rounds.

Yesterday the surrounding units held sports on the
recreation ground a few miles from which was
 

2

most enjoyable afternoon, although am afraid the hospital

unit didn't do much good for itself again the others

but still it won the of event. They also held a nurses

race 75 yards which little Buddy entered but was beaten

by one of the masseurs, so came second which wasn't 

so bad at my age & weight.

Sorry to hear the kids are being affected with the diphtheria

injection Am pleased I have missed them don't know

what the effect would have been.

We have only ten more nights to do so a month doesn't

take long to go.

Took your advice or rather Matrons & wrote her a letter

the other day which was most uninteresting so hope

the poor old soul enjoys it

We haven't had a game of tennis for about a week because

the court hasn't been marked for some time owing to

heavy rain storms in the morning

The last few months we played at Black outs beastly

nuisance trying to take temps. with a torch, 20
much slower, not as though I was busy that morning
but its an awful curse.
Gosh I could go to sleep any where tonight, partly
because I haven't been to ^bed yet, had a night of last night
so went to bed early seeing we couldn't read.
 

3.
Well I have got until monday evening to finish this so
goodness knows what I will able to glean, by that time.
Love
Bud
Saturday: A trifle more intelligent tonight owing to having had
a really gorgeous sleep today crawled out of the old fleabag
about quarter past four: fed the face on afternoon
tea & scampered down & played tennis. had two hard
sets of doubles then two of us decided it was a bit early to
knock off so played two more singles, jolly nearly killed me
as have an idea she is an "A" grade player any how a very good
"B" grade, so you can imagine the hiding I got. hope to get
off in time for a game in the morning: as we are entering
a tournament & want all the practice we can get.
Back in my own ward tonight thank goodness as there
is nothing to do, & hope peace & quietness will reign al
night.
Sorry these letters are so foul Smithy, but you have
no idea how hard it is to think of things to write
about.
Don't you worry about your future the army isnt
all its cracked up to be, not as though I am not contented
but you give up a hell of a lot of little things
don't realized it half the time
No more news
Love Bud
G.Elmes
 

NX70526. S/N G. Elmes
2/10 A.G.H.
A.I.F.
Malaya.
14.6.41
Dear Old Smith
I didn't get your letter today but have hopes of
it arriving on tuesday. Well old hound there isn't a scrap of
news, just, the usual night duty, which doesn't improve the
intellect or mental capacity in the slightest.
Also will you thank Matron for her message & tell her that
I can't possibly take the credit for anything as the tennis
I wonder by sheer good luck & not play to the theatre
was also a spot of good luck which I wish would xxx
continue but nothing like that will happen as there are
dozens of kids here who have really done an awful lot.
Some of them in charge of huge theatres in the City.
but can always feel pleased that I have had three months
out of it. At the moment have the medical ward
under my care which is comparatively light only really
a couple of patients to really worry about. (So much for
myself and work in general).
Skeet I found out is not over here but in New Guinea.
Only a few of them were sent there, so think we
were almost luckier as there really is more prospect
of something happening.
Had a letter from Brodie & some xxx snaps which
I greatly appreciated so tell her that in the very
near future will answer same.
Play the usual game of tennis nearly every evening or swim
 

2.
but still the figure remains the same with its willowy
bulges must be the nature of the beast.
Glad young Dolly is having such a good time in Adelaide
Tell Dotty that I received "Snifter" which was much
appreciated; as didn't wait until the body was depressed
before reading as was mildly suggested.
Must go & do rounds as some one appears to have developed
a cough. (quite unnecessary) but still may complain in the
morning about lack of attention during the night.
Has a letter from Sharpy who said she had hopes
of your spending your night duty leave with her, why
don't you.
Sunday: Went for a swim this afternoon most enjoyable
breaks the monotony some what, betwee beyond that
feel particularly full of beans, but usually develope
terrific sleepiness about 2 A.M. think it is because
of the heat which is continual all night. if anything
it is hotter that time of the morning than about twelve
The last few nights the Malays have been celebrating
either a death, the full moon , or a wedding by beating
Tom-Tom's the entire night. it gets so monotonous as the
noise never varies. the patients also dislike it
& its very hard trying to count pulses, got them all
the same this morning.
Yesterday had hopes of playing in a tennis tournament
but it was postponed so went into town instead very
hot & smelly.
Was going up to stay with Schuey tomorrow night but
can't find anyone to go with so will wait until
next week, so will most likely sleep the 24 hours.
 

.3.
instead. Or go to the pictures if there is anything good on.
There is very little news, believe we are going to play at
black outs next week again its going to be a beastly nuisance
on night duty other wise you can return to bed & forget
about it.
We are having some sort of A.I.F. Sports next week believe
there is a nurses race of 75 yards optimistically put my
name down but never could run, & least of all now.
As ten stone isn't going to fly through the air very easily.
Might conjure up sufficient energy to write to Matron
tonight. Give my love & kisses to Sister Donald & tell
her I will really write sometime but my letters wouldn't
be interesting enough.
Really isn't any more news, must go & give some xx M&B'^s
now as they are just about due.
Love Bud
G.Elmes
 

NX70526. S/N. G Elmes
2/10 A.G.H.
A.I.F.
Malaya.
7.6.41
Dear xx old Smithy,
Sorry I didn't write to you on Thursday
but the condition was awfully sleepy; owing to night
duty. Life is fairly peaceful at the moment so long may
it last. hope you aren't getting too many middies in
thank Goodness we don't have to worry about them.
By the way tell Ron Fairley that I didn't think those two
places in Singapore exist now but will most certainly
got go & see if I ever manage to get down there again
Any way thank him very much.

I wasn't aware Skeet was in Malaya think there must
be some mistake as am quite sure we would have
heard if another hospital had been formed by now.
believe Sister Jones is in Darwin but don't know whether
it is Billy or Freddy. Has Naughty got the result of the
final yet, have you told matron that you are
anticipating going to the New Hebrides, it might be
very interesting don't get any foul tropical disease
tho shouldn't think you would run any more
risk there than here. Sorry] Morris doesn't approve
of you going to see Matron Keaney.
 

.2.
Got a long letter from Iris Strong the other day believe
John has been taken prisoner, but she seems quite
happy about it as she knows he is more or less safe.
Must go & do rounds & see that every one is asleep, as
its pretty hot for the poor devils. Haven't played any
tennis for a couple of days but hope to find some one
energetic enough tomorrow. Got my racquet restrung the
other day & they have made quite a good job of it
Sorry to hear you are cold, & resort to woollies
during the night Anyway if you like will swap
you climates.
By the way will you please give Dr Hurley the
following message:- Sister Cosgrove wishes to be
remembered to him & specially to frank as she
looked after Mrs Hurley when she was sick
& also of frank. I thought she might be interested.
xx Tell Angie my intentions are still good & will
definitely w x xxx write soon. I haven't seen Arch since
Sorry you haven't been getting my letters as I have been
writing regularly once a week. & wasting a terrific
amount of mental activity on them.
You might tell Dr Fairley that my nose has never
got rid of the smell as its permanently here.
Give my love to Lesley & hope she is well again now.
have been meaning to write to her for ages.
Thanks very much for collecting my golf clubs &
sending them over to Aunt Evie.
 

.3.
Had a game of golf the other afternoon & played the usual
bad game but thoroughly enjoyed it, as its so pretty there.
Went to the pictures the other night a really good show or
perhaps it was because I haven't been for such ages.
In fact the first time since I have been her except when
I was in Singapore.
Gosh I write interesting letters, sorry they are so foul
but really there isn't anything exciting to tell you.
Went into the town yesterday for lunch & got myself
some quite nice linen for a tennis dress as mine
is just about worn out.
I return my love & kisses ect to Mac & Effie; I frequently
think of them specially Mac when I go round dark
corners at night
Peaceful snores issuing from the ward so long
may it continue. its just about supper time, so
will finish this by tuesday you never know
might have something to tell you of interest by then.
Love Buddy
No more news to add. Slept from 9 AM
till 6 Pm. must be the climate
[*G. Elmes*]