A note on the letters. The transcripts may include abbreviations or spelling inconsistencies and errors. We have chosen to transcribe the letters as they appear so that they are an accurate reflection of John Oldfield’s style and personality. We have also included his original page numbering. Where language is used that we would deem offensive, those words have been replaced with XXX.
BY AIR MAIL
Miss Jean Oldfield
Hotel Alpenruitor
ADELBODEN
BERNER OBERLAND
SUISSE
1st Bn. The Green Howards
Nablus Fort
Palestine
Feb: 21:39
My dear Jum,
I don’t know whether this will reach you before you leave but I’m hoping it will. Anyway, thank you v. much for your p.c and letter which arrived to-day, I’m glad you’re having such a wizard time- I must say it sounds simply grand, and with a good crowd.- must be one hell of a party. Lucky little B-. I wish I were with you. Funny. Patience and Anne being there too- sisters have all the luck!
Things are much the same here- I came back to Nablus on Saturday having been relieved by Ray after doing my fortnight up on ……… We were out on detachments miles away from anywhere and quite on our own- and there’s a great deal to be said for it. Fairly comfortable too, on the whole- living in away huts and the three of us each had a room of our own, a wireless and most of the creature comforts. But all considered it’s nice to be back at the …….again, where I’ve been Company Commander while Herbert has been away on a duck shooting party with Guy and a few others. We managed to get a bit of shooting up at ……….., although the chickens were just beginning to pain off, and we were supposed to confine ourselves to duck, pigeon, or woodcock of which there were precious few.
- We are hoping to sail to England on April 26 on the Dunera S.V if there is no bloody war in between- I here on the wireless to-night that the French have arrested a member of the Italian Consulate in Djibouti on a charge of spying and that won’t exactly tickle the ties to death, I should imagine, still, we’re hoping for the best, and are waiting up to listen to the English news which is on about 12.30 am, to see whether they have anything to say about it. The lights are due to go out in a jiffy, and so I shall have to depend on a Stable lamp which has just come in.
I had a long letter from Cynthia the other day (big thrill!) and she seems to be enjoying herself thoroughly in ………., though is apparently working very hard.
- I’ve spent all the afternoon on the mural decorations and have finished the ‘horse’ all except (because of) its short legs!
Well dear, don’t bruise your behind too much and drop me another line when you can spare the time. My love to Diana, and lots to yourself. What a G.F. Pikey is getting married so quickly and at a Registry Office- a bad show. Lights are going out so I must stop.
All Love,
Yrs
Johnnie