Private J. D. Caves: The Long Journey Home

18 October 1941 'Out in the Blue' B Coy 24th Bn N.Z.E.F. Middle East Forces

18 October 1941 'Out in the Blue' B Coy 24th Bn N.Z.E.F. Middle East Forces

My Dear Jean,

As you will see by the address we have had another change. I have parted from many good cobbers but will soon make some more with this outfit. Life out here will be free of the dull routine of base. We had all seen enough of Cairo and won't care if we don't see it again. Our next leave I'll try to go to Alexandria but I guess that won't be till around Xmas and we may be anywhere by then. Life out here has more the atmosphere of a picnic as we make our own sleeping quarters and our food is brought to us and we eat in the open squatting around on rocks unless it is windy, cold or dusty. Yesterday there was a rotten dust storm. They are the very devil - fine dust gets everywhere and as we have no fresh water for washing one gets very uncomfortable.

Photo taken by Denis in Cairo.

Photo taken by Denis in Cairo.