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Private J. D. Caves: The Long Journey Home

9 December 1941 Back in the 'Old Hole' [likely Baggush] B Coy 24th Bn N.Z.E.F.0 Middle East Forces

9 December 1941 Back in the 'Old Hole' [likely Baggush] B Coy 24th Bn N.Z.E.F.0 Middle East Forces

My Darling Girl,

Since last I wrote I have been a long way, done and seen many things which it is not every man's lot to experience. I hope darling that you have not been too worried about me as you must have realised by my last letters and the newspapers page 32that we were going into action. Well my dear, my part for the time being is finished in this campaign and unless things go badly with our forces I will not have to fight in Africa again so that should be a great consolation to you and Mum. I am quite fit and well and thoroughly enjoying the rest and peace of our old dug-out again. Later I will be able to write a long letter telling you all about our part, but for the time censor will not allow it and you must be content with the newspaper reports. Our outfit had a place of honour in the campaign and having done our part we are resting.

You'll be sorry to hear dear that I lost all my gear including pay-book, your photos and my watch. I was lucky not being taken prisoner one day and only escaped through sheer luck and ability to outrun 3" and 5" mortars. That was not my only lucky escape as on the first day I collected a dent in my tin hat which knocked me bandy for a couple of hours. It was only sheer luck and God's grace that saved me from leaving more than my hair.

Yesterday I got new clothing, good stuff too. I was able to strip and wash in some water I heated and change into fresh gear. My previous change and wash had been into German gear looted from the first Hun [German] camp that we took with a bayonet charge. We had a good time in there and picked up a lot of gear and souvenirs which later I lost. We had a good feed of captured food there. Sardines, German black bread done up in cellophane and silver paper was lovely with some Italian jam. Everything has its brighter sides and often we were as happy as kids at a picnic but I'm afraid many homes will not have a festive Xmas.

I sent a cable to both you and Mum at the first opportunity and only hope that they were not delayed. Since I have been back here an orderly room clerk was urgently required and I am doing the job and, at a time like this, I am desperately busy with reports of casualties, missing and equipment requirements. However I am glad to have something to occupy my time and my only regret is lack of time to get away a letter to you and Mum before now.

I am writing this by candle and lamp of combined cigarette tin, string and kerosene. I am living in very comfortable quarters in the orderly room which is a large dug-out previously used as an officers mess room. I thus have a table and settee made of sandbags draped with tent fly. The weather is very cold now especially at night but dug in and with my three new blankets I'm as snug as a 'bug in a rug.'