Letter from Roy Bruce to Maud Bruce

I was very glad
to get your letter today, but
was sorry to hear you did
not manage to win the
Dryden Cup, however I think
it was hardly to be expected.

Things here in many
ways are only middling.
They have sent Hammond
away to Dunedin with some
men and horses and we will
not see him again until
we arrive at our base, whenever
that may be. What we
are going to do without him
I don't know, he was head

and shoulders above any
one else in the squadron.
The weather has been rotten
the last two days, the mud
reminding one of Kowhai Kowai ,
but it cleared up this
afternoon and the night
is cold.

Nearly every man in the
camp has a cold of sorts,
even I have not escaped,
but mine has nearly gone
now.

The news from Europe
is not very cheering I am
afraid, things are looking
very black on land, it will
be alright in the end, but

I am afraid the end is
a long way off.

Arthur Rhodes told me
he had seen you in
Timaru , and that you
were looking very well for
which I am very glad.

Now that Hammond &
Marchant have gone it
will be very difficult for
me to get down to Timaru ,
but I will try hard to
manage it probably near
the end of the week.

I hope you will be
able to solve the mystery of
those sleeping bags? I
suppose some blighter has
found them and is now

comfortably asleep in one.

If I left my fountain
pen behind will you please
send it on to me, it
might be on the dressing
table.

I have not found out
yet where you are to send
letters as soon as I do I
will send both addresses.

The little testament is
in the breast pocket of my
tunic & will remain there,
I have already used it
swearing new men in.

Goodnight dear love, keep
well & happy. I am just
turning in, all the others
are asleep. Kiss me dear heart Roy