50 Carlton Hill
St Johns Wood N.W.8.
Darlings -
Just a scribble by ordinary mail - I'm just waiting for more news from you all about the boys, bless them - heavens I never knew what distance was before, I feel as if I'm on a very distant planet to you all & it's like living one lap ahead of oneself - waiting for news - this foul war - Still I won't talk about it - I'm back in hospital just for today - I have been with Mrs Neal Green all the week - at Brown's Hotel & today I came in to U.C.H. with Sheila - she's the youngest N.G. daughter aged 18 to have 2 wisdom teeth out under an anaesthetic - 2 under the gums things that are horrid - I am enjoying being back into hospital routine again. I really just hate sitting around eating & sleeping more or less in hotels, cause Mrs Neal Green really hasn't been fit enough to do much, so I've more or less had to slow up my work accordingly - I much prefer the strenuous routine of hospital life - even getting up early it is less time to think when one has filled in with work all the hours of the day - AND I like going home to my own little bed each night - but I must say the break away from hospital & early rising has done me good - AND I'll be able to start work - rejuvenated - I've put on 6 lbs since I sent you that photo darlings & I'm now 10 at. 4 lbs - Most I've weighed for a year or so - so you see I'm fit & well to begin this awful winter weather & depression - that's what I hate most of all.
Sheila has a weeks leave from the W.R.N.S. for this & will only be in hosp. for 2 days - then I'll see Mrs Neal Green back to Holbeck stay a couple of days - then back to work in a BIG way again.
We heard in the Australian News from the B.B.C. that Lord Gowrie had presented Rn Middleton with the V.C. last Saturday those poor things - we get the most pathetic letters from Mrs Middleton - & it's this time last year Rawd, bless him was on leave & almost finished his ops - this damn war.
I had a letter from Harry Lovett yesterday, dated 30-10-43 he's always very cheery - it's a treat to get his letters - he never complains - AND it must be pretty grim for them - but at least it's not Japan where they are prisoners - those filthy beasts.
Life is much same - I go gay upon occasion - if any of the boys come to town but we don't know many now & they are rather the quiet ones bless them - when they do get leave - rarely these busy days they just like to sit around the fire & chat, argue a little & drink beer - mildly & it's easy for us - we don't have to worry about them - they entertain themselves - we've been having nightly air-raid warnings - AND I hate them so I don't like going out after dark unless it's absolutely necessary - the raids themselves are nothing - in comparison with the old days - but the noise of our own guns is enough to scare anyone & the danger is, shrapnel of course - one night a rather noisy one - it was so thick it was cutting all the leaves & small branches off the trees outside our bedroom window - so you see - it's crazy to try & go out in it.
I've been to the ballet & a couple of films with Mrs N. Green - saw Grace Fields in "Holy Matrimony" - & on Monday night we are going to see Jack Hulbert & Cecily Courtrage in their new show "Something in the Air" they are always very cheery & well worth seeing. I love them - they are so silly when they dress up & fool.
Has Edley Anderson rang you up yet darlings - I guess so ere this - sorry I couldn't send anything with him, but he had to travel very lightly - he's a nice person & I miss having him in London - I didn't see much of him, but always knew he was here if I wanted him - to ask him things & etc & he gave me a very nice letter to the Matron in Chief of the R.A.F. Nursing Service in case I have to join up before war ends - which I hope won't be necessary, but with this grabbing of women in England by the Govt, isn't funny & one never knows - the only way to get out of work or doing things in England is to have a baby - it seems - so you see my dears - a girl has little choice!!
How are all the bebbies - Wendy must be adorable - did you have a nice change up at Stockton with Wal & Joyce Mum? I guess you will miss Alma & the little poppets now they've gone up to Dick for a bit - Still it's a good design for living for you all - home for a bit & then away for a bit.
I went to a party last night Keith Newman of Aust. Associated Press is going home & it was a farewell party - full of journalists - all the big shots over here - in a bunch - still it was very entertaining & amusing.
I had a card from Harry Lovett yesterday - a chap from his camp named Leiut. Ken Young had been repatriated from Offlag VIIB & Harry told me to contact him thro Aussie House, but I think he's gone straight to the Middle East & not came to England at all I was hoping to contact him & hear about Harry - do tell his mother to send him lots of woollies - he's feeling the cold, poor lamb.
I'll get this off my sweets - & write ordinary mail when I can but otherwise I'll use the airgraphs it's much quicker & better - Do let me know all about my dear brothers the moment you can.
Much love & hugs to you all,
Bless you,
Doe