Letter from Roy Bruce to Maud Bruce

I am afraid I am
rather a bad correspondent; somehow it
is very difficult for me to describe on paper
places & things that we do - others seem to
be able to do it with a great facility, and
I fear you will be making comparisons.
I read a most excellent account of that
very hot day in May, written by poor old
Gordon Harper in the "Herald". Although
I might be able to tell you things like that
it is impossible for me to write them.
Shall probably have to regulate myself to
spells of talking when I return or else I
shall bust.

Three letters blew in from
anywhere the other day, also two small
parcels, bovril, chocolate & soup, many thanks
old girl.

By the way it is quite
unnecessary to put my number on either
letters or parcels.

Poor old Andrews is done,
and is returning to N.Z , had a letter from
him from London . He is very cut up at

having to give in & go back. His wife
accompanies him. I hope you will
meet, he will probably be more interesting
than old Wain , who after all, did not
see a great deal, and had a very nice trip
round the world. I hear his reception
in Waimate was not quite what he
expected.

Marion wrote me at last, after
two years silence. I was glad to hear
from the child.

I am writing Mrs Finch , accepting
the responsibility of the sins of her first born,
it was remarkably good of them to think
of me in that connection, but ah! me,
I am afraid I shall have to open a
new "Book of Sins". Next time I get
to civilisation I will see what Egyptian
silversmiths can do in the way of mugs.

Will you please let me know how
you are financially?. If you wish I can
increase your allowance, but I want you
to remember that the money is mounting
up here all the time, and if you are
getting along alright, it will be very
useful later on either to bring you to
Egypt or England or to take you for the
holiday you so richly deserve when I return

to N.Z. Let me know exactly how you
feel about it, and I will endeavour to
meet your wishes as much as possible.

Thank you for your congratulations
on my majority, I am glad you are
pleased. You must not expect anything
more now for a long time. I am very
pleased at being back with the old 8th
again, we are a very happy family. As
you told the public per medium "Herald"
that I was in command of the Nelson
squadron, you might as well let them
know now that I am in command of
the South Canterbury men.

I didn't know that Innes Jones had
any case with Sparrow , what was it about?
Tell that old bird to drop me a line.

Old McPherson left me long ago,
he went sick and when he came back
I got him an easy job in the transport.

At present for a servant I have
a man named Wornall , a farmer
somewhere in North Canterbury , and for
groom a man named McGillvray who
used to travel a stallion round.

I will send you a snap of my
horses one of these days, I think you
will like them, they are a good team.

The Egyptian coin old Wain gave Helen
would probably be a half piastre, a nickle
coin value 1 1/4d. Nickle coinage is much
cleaner than copper.

Poor little Jean , give her my love when
you write. It is a pity you could not
manage to get to Nelson .

I wrote to Mrs Hamilton yesterday
and sent her a small photo of Cyril's
grave. I miss that boy very much,
he was a fine fellow.

Hope I have not been going off
"pop" too much in some of my letters
lately, you must let me off if I
have. I think I told you that the
last two years are beginning to tell,
and I get very peevish sometimes.
I wish I could get out of this climate
for a few weeks. I should be alright
again then; but at present there does
not seem to be much chance.

My old troop Sergt. Harrison has
got his commission, and is with me
here, also Jack Tennant from the old
troops with a commission and Roy Priest .
That old troop holds about a record for
getting commissions. The following is
the list:-

Sergt. Harrison now 2nd Lieut. (8th)
" Rhodes " " (orderly officer General Chapter)
Lt " Rich " " ( England )
" Wilson " " (training Regt)
Tpr. Tennant " " (8th)
" Hindley " " (Tempy. Capt Base Records)
Saddler/Sergt. Dawson " " ( England )
and the old troop leader now Major and
O.C. Squadron. That record will take
some beating my dear.

We are still living in a date plantation,
but expect to pull out in a few days for
a camp. I live in a bower composed
of date palm leaves, most picturesque, I
must try and get someone to waste a
film on it.

So long old girl, damn the Kaiser
and keep on believing Romania is going
to make a big difference to this show.

Give Helen a hug, and she can
stroke Jeremy's whiskers for me. We are
going to have some spree some day.
Your husband
Roy .