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Back With Hope and Love Save as PDF
Chapters (36)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. Also available by Ellie Dean
  4. Acknowledgements
  5. The Cliffehaven Family Tree
  6. A letter to readers from Ellie Dean
  7. Epigraph
  8. 1
  9. 2
  10. 3
  11. 4
  12. 5
  13. 6
  14. 7
  15. 8
  16. 9
  17. 10
  18. 11
  19. 12
  20. 13
  21. 14
  22. 15
  23. 16
  24. 17
  25. 18
  26. 19
  27. 20
  28. 21
  29. 22
  30. 23
  31. 24
  32. 25
  33. 26
  34. 27
  35. Read More
  36. MEET THE CLIFFEHAVEN FAMILY

I’ve just got back to my workshop base after going 300 miles by air to clear a three-ton lorry out of the mud which was up to its chassis. It took hours to shift it, but the blessed thing started straight away, so it was a job well done, and we celebrated with one of the hottest curries I’ve ever had. One of the natives cooked it, so we weren’t sure what was in it and didn’t ask, but it certainly made my eyes water, I can tell you, and my tongue felt like it was on fire! Unfortunately, it proved just as hot on its way out, and I had gut ache for two days after.

There’s a rushing river running past the workshop, and I have to be careful in this humidity not to knock my hands or scratch at the mozzie bites again. The sores can turn septic overnight out here, and as I was pretty banged up last time, I know how painful that can be, so I don’t want a repeat of it.

At least now we can get Bob Hope and Jack Benny on the wireless, and last night we were treated to the Crosby film, Going My Way, which we all enjoyed. The rum ration is very welcome, and when it stops raining – which it does for a while each day now – the coastal drive is quite beautiful, and reminds me of home. There are wonderful sandy beaches with the jungle rolling right down to the shore where there’s good bathing to be had, so we go down there at every opportunity. It’s hard to believe we once fought a long battle in this area and that there’s still a war going on, for it’s very peaceful down there.

I got my Burma star today, and Jumbo’s feeling very full of himself, because he’s just been awarded the Oak Leaf Medal for gallantry, which he thoroughly deserves.

I’ll write again when I can, but the workshop is overwhelmed with vehicles needing repairs and maintenance, and now the airdrop has brought the necessary supplies, I have no excuse but to get on with it.

I do miss you, Peggy, and wish with all my heart I could leave this place and be with you and our children. But it seems the army has other ideas and there are still things for us to do here. Keep writing, for wherever we’re sent, the mail will follow us – it’s about the only sure thing in this damn war – other than the rain.

Much love and many kisses,

Jim

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