Pte. Boy Grundlingh, 189281
Headquater Company
10 M.F.F, Field Ambulance
Co Army P.O
Durban.
Monday 6th Day of 1941
Dearest Mom and Dad,
Here I am fresh as a daisy again. Just had a lovey clean shave and wash. It is before breakfast and this morning early saw the sun rising. You know Dad, the best part of the day is from dawn to Breakfast.
Being on guard last night I can possibly write two or three letters today. But the same question now arises. What must I write about.
To start with, I received Lilla’s letter, written from Anchor House on the 19th December, on the 3rd January. I am glad you all had such a good time. So you can start preparing yourselves for another good time because it won’t be long now before Phanie and self will again join you.
I just ran over to the wireless under a tree next to our “Kaia” and we all rejoiced when we heard that Bardia, Italian stronghold in Libya had fallen. Lying in my bed at night I usually listen to the news.
There has been a number of promotions at our unit. All our Lieutenants (Sr.) received their 3rd star. A staff Sergeant became a Regimental Sergeant Major to another unit, while some medical chaps also received some stripes. As regards the M.T’s in this unit, we’ll never receive any promotions for the simple reason that we have no means of proving ourselves and secondly, we have nobody to look after our interests. I don’t want to stay a private and that is why I am applying for a transfer to a unit where I can prove myself.
I went down for Post this morning but none arrived. I made a turn at the “Duka” to buy some canned fruit and Sardines. Going for supplies with my truck the other day I managed to get a lb. of coffee. Now in the mornings Douglas and self make some nice coffee and enjoy some canned fruit before going to bed. We are not too busy now and the other evening I finished off a book after burning down three candles. Mrs De Villiers sent me up 5 Readers Digest. I must still write to thank her.
Talking of books. Remember I told Jack not to send any papers. But a good substitute is the “Humourist” (?) He can buy them, I think...
(Douglas just came in with truck so I’ll get him some tea)
...at the Patriot store for 2c. Then you can please make a small parcel of the following Dad. Another 2 of those small Canvas waterbags will do me nicely. By the time they arrive the other two should already be perished. A bottle of swan ink and some torch batteries. Then ask Suk to include another book or two of Battleships or rather ask Angela, she knows because she sent me the last one.
Douglas, Friedman and I played “Vanton” (Vang et Un) (21) yesterday and for the second time I cleared them out of cigarettes. Douglass does not smoke and Friedman has a good stock. So I am dishing out my winnings, about 300, to those chaps who are short of smokes.
On Christmas afternoon I went down to Phanies camp. And did we have a feed. Ham, tongue, Christmas pudding, canned fruit, raisins, nuts and a few bottles beer. Unfortunately I had to be back by six to go on duty.
On New Years Day the three in their time came to visit me. We then went to the Engineers camp to look up Phil Meyer’s brother Dave, but they’ve moved out. New Years Day is another day we’ll never forget. The previous evening a chap fired a rifle accidentally and did not own up. The result, the whole unit had to suffer by attending parade every two hours with full kit.Our major was good enough the following day, and called it a day. But I think that chappies conscience must still be pricking him.
They are now slowly refitting us. We received our new boots yesterday and mine still pinch like hell. Be alright in a day or two though.
Garth Howell from Ceres is on leave now and Loutjie, Jooste and self expect to go at any time now. That is if they do not cancel all leave again.
With Leonard, Lilla, and the lads there you all must have had a good time. Why not? I assure you Mum, you have nothing to worry about.
Will you please thanks Mr. Gribble for his wire, Dad? I’ll try to write to him later. Ask Nellie to wish Aunt Myra a happy birthday for me. It was on the 11th of January.
That’s the bugle for the cookhouse.
My best regards to everybody and lots of love to you both,
Your loving son,
Boy.
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