G.H.Q.

Egyptian E.F.

July 14^th 1916

Dear Moughli,

How is life at Osborne.  I suppose you are getting near the end of the term and wrestling with exam papers.  Are you going to Dartmouth next term?  If so I am afraid you may find it rather painful at first and full of memories.  Still there is always the feeling of pride in those who have gone and after all this life is so little a thing in comparison.

I don’t think there is much to tell you.  We are “enjoying” a heat-wave i.e. 114, 115^o & upwards in the shade but somehow it doesn’t appear to bother one.  It is part of the ordinary routine.  I had three very nice days in Cairo last week-end which included a trip to the Pyramids round which I rode on a milk white ass in peril of my life.  They are wonderful to see but their charm is absolutely ruined by the host of evil-smelling natives who worry you to death by trying to sell you things or act as guides etc.

I heard from Arthur a few days ago.  He is fairly near here and I am trying to get him over to dine one night as I don’t think I can get to him.  I’d love to see him again.

Denys wrote me sundry details of the Naval battle that he heard up North – inter alia a tale of one of the “snotties” who was picked up by a destroyer from the Queen Mary.  He at once asked the Commander in the middle of the fight whether he thought they would be back in harbour in time to catch the 2 o’clock train to London!  That was the only thing that worried him although he had just been blown up.

I hear that the language of a certain very exulted personage who was out here on the Staff for a bit was the limit.  Some of his expressions which were quoted to me by one who had a certain amount to do with him took even me aback.  He spent a great deal of his time trying to remember the end of a dirty Limerick, of which he could only remember the first two lines.  What would James Watt say?  You had better not tell him.

Things appear to be going well in France.  Here the Mohamadan fast of Ramadan is on which means that no food or drink passes the native’s lips from sunrise to sunset – i.e. 3-30 AM to 7 p.m.  Their suffering must be intense in this heat and you can see that at the end of the day they are absolutely done.  This lasts the whole of July.  It is too extraordinary in Cairo to see them rush off for refreshment the moment the sunset gun is fired.

There is very little work here still for me although I get more now as my Chief has gone on leave.  One day is just like another – and I am longing to taste fresh milk, butter & vegetables again.

How are the lads?  Give them all my love.

I hope to see them again some time.

Best of luck.

            Yours ever  Pat.