Letter from Roy Bruce to Maud Bruce

My luck has gone
absolutely clean out - I had
just a day and a half with
the regiment, went out on
one stunt and the wretched
scar of the wound broke down
and here I am back again
in the old hospital in bed
and likely to remain there

for a few days.

I didn't find things at
the regiment so cheerful as
they might have been. My
own squadron was alright &
very glad to see me, as I was
to see them; but there is
a little undercurrent of jealousy
in other squadrons at work
at present which does not
make the regiment quite the
happy family it used to be.
Strictly "entre nous" I understand

I have been done out of a
decoration by this same little
undercurrent - not that I
value these things at all, I am
here to do my work as well
as I can and ask for no other
reward than my own conscience
can give me, but I know you
would have liked the other.

Now I have come away
again & that little undercurrent
will continue to flow, whereas
had I stayed I very soon
would have settled it.

On top of all this I have
had no letters for several
weeks, and see no particular
chance of getting any - so
do you wonder that I am
feeling somewhat peevish.

By jove that week I
spent in Cairo made the
desert very hard to go back
to, living in a family with
children about, brought
queer little lumps into one's

throat at odd times. You
see it was the first time
I had stayed with anybody
since I left nearly three
years ago. They were so
good to me too.

I did not see anything
of your people when I was
there. I never do. Don't
think we ever appealed to
each other much.

Chillie wrote to someone

in the regiment the other
day and said that Frank
was wounded. I was
sorry to hear that, I do
hope it is not serious.
He must be in France I
suppose.

One thing they gave me
a very warm welcome on my
return here doctors and
everybody so I do not feel
a stranger in a strange

land.

I am afraid your
trip will be off for a bit
old girl, I see that no
women are allowed to leave
now.

Had a decent photograph
taken when I was in Cairo ,
have only seen the proofs,
will send you a couple
when I get them.

I do hope Helen is
getting on alright, I am

so anxious to get some
letters.

You mustn't mind this
letter being more or less of
a grouse dear, but things
are rotten just at present,
never mind probably my
next letter will be full
of buck and beans.

All my love to you
both my dears.
Roy