Alan and Nancy Hooper WW2 correspondence, 1943

Use Military Address Only THE SALVATION ARMY ACF YMCA AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND 4P

Bread & fresh butter & even meat is on our menus pet. At last Australia sees the wisdom of bypassing the pen pushing, red tape merchants in base areas and sending these essential foods to the men who do the dirty work. In a few cases some are too remote to enjoy these things but that is understandable. Our unit, due to the laissez faire of the senior officer has had a bad deal with Canteen Supplies. Today we received our first issue for 3 weeks. 4/- worth. At least I had the satisfaction of telling him of his crass inefficiency in other negotiations but he can't even take an insult. I'd won't hold my tongue now, 'cos they can't send me any farther on. By nature I'm not perverse but I hate inefficiency when it costs mens' lives & I'm an interested party. "It's nae fish you're buying", to quote Bobby Burns, "It's mens' lives".

If it's at all convenient my darling, would you inquire from the Commonwealth & B.L.W how much stands to my credit? I keep transferring paybook credits to the Saving Bank & I've lost track of my worldly assets. (You're not worldly I'd have you know, you're just Heavenly).

Don't get mad with me now. Audrey - Thiefs I've done it. Yes Audrey's written two letters & I'm just a little embarrased about replying.

IMPORTANT - Any reference to shipping or troop movements will result in the delay or mutilation of your letters.

Use Military Address Only 3xP THE SALVATION ARMY ACF YMCA AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND

However she's tactfully evaded mentioning anything but news items, how the other half lives, and her desire to help. As she has never met you and because she's not the type to be blinded by prejudice, I can reasonably believe she's not interested in any intrigue. If you don't agree it would be bad taste & pettiness not to reply, perhaps you'll do so later. Still I have no time to write anyone else but you & perhaps the old home at present.

25th. I keep nibbling at this letter when ever I can. Last night was the funniest ever looking back on it. You know how you can rouse suddenly & forget whether you're facing north or south? Well I awoke in pitch darkness & for a few minutes thought our encampment was at the receiving end of gunfire instead of the reverse, but I wasn't deluded for long.

Darling, I promise to try and write in my old style tomorrow. I hope to have a spare hour or two. I know how much they mean to you & how much mine do to you so I won't be neglectful you can be certain. I have you to cling to when I'm troubled. It's wonderful to realise, and I'm full of faith we'll be on our honeymoon not a long time from now. Even more I still kiss your memory goodnight. Keep yourself well & happy my darling wife, cheerio xxxxxx Your loving husband. xxxxx Alan AE Hooper Lieut

IMPORTANT - Any reference to shipping or troop movements will result in the delay or mutilation of your letters.

Brittania St., Manly, 26th Nov. 1943.

My Own My Precious Husband, Please excuse me writing in pencil, but I am sitting on the edge of my bed with my pad on my lap & couldn't use my ink.

May is busy hairdressing & my aunt & Uncle from Toowoomba are keeping Mum company while Dad is pottering around his storeroom. I wasn't feeling too good so have retired to the peace & quietness of my bedroom. I am sleeping in the middle room now.

I lie in bed & think of you every night, and think to myself how heavenly it would be to have you sleeping with your arms around me, I wouldn't care how close you got me to the wall. Remember, at Maroochydore, we slept right over near the wall; 2/3 of the bed vacant. You told me you rolled over because you wanted to be near me, I wish I could hear you whispering that to me right now.

Alan you are everything to me, I love you so much. You are never out of my mind one minute of the day, no matter how

busy I am, whether I am walking up Queen Street, or having a shower I still think of you. You told me you worship me from morning to night, you are my life from morning to night & I love & worship you too.

That drive along the Tamborine Highway is one of my most cherished memory. I should have poured out my heart to you there & then, even although you were driving the car. You mentioned the way I kissed you, I can't remember ever wanting to kiss you so much as I did then, I just couldn't help myself, if you remember I stole a few on your cheek. It seemed as if there were only you and I and our car on this earth, nobody mattered to me. I am so glad I married you Alan darling, I would be dreadfully unhappy now if you were still only my fiancee. It was the best thing I ever did, & I am the luckiest girl in the world having such a wonderful husband. We were meant for each other I am sure. I told you I had been asked to change my mind while you were away and my answer was, I will never change my mind till Alan comes back, no matter how long he is away. Alan, I am so glad I didn't, if I had I wouldn't feeling like living now. It must be dreadful to be in

love with one man & married to another.

I work on Sunday and am having Monday off from work, I start my holidays next week.

I made your Xmas cake & sent it. Dad said it is a lovely cake. I was really thrilled making it, nothing was too much trouble. I beat it, well over half an hour, my arm was aching but I would have beat it for hours if I had to for you. It took over an hour to make, my first Xmas cake all for you darling, I do hope it is nice.

Alan dear I am turning in now, I feel very tired, had a busy day to-day. You may wonder why I always say I am tired, I rise 5 a.m. every day and catch the first bus to work. Unless I get to bed by 9p.m. I don't get my eight hours sleep. I do hope you are much happier & high spirited by the time this letter reaches you, keep the old chin up darling, never forget my love for you & how much I need you and what a wonderful second honeymoon we are going to have. God bless you & keep you safe dear. Yours for ever & ever, Nancy xxxxxxxx

Q52 Lieut AE Hooper Angau New Guinea Forces Dec. 4th 1943.

My Precious Darling Wife, There's so much to write pet, and so little time. I move up to a new camp tomorrow just as it becomes safe enough to light a lamp. This new location is most unlike typical New Guinea scenery. We are to be on a hill top from where the surrounding country appears Danish with lush grassy slopes. The cows of course are missing from the landscape; instead it's inhabited - precariously - by another animal sillier. It's only when I realise how little others are interested in views that I know I've a real weakness for the sea & beaches. I'll have mine with a breeze. I'm happy to leave this stinking unhealthy hole - it has brought us all bad luck.

If I answered half the loving letters you've showered me with, I fear I'd be writing for a week. But honey I'll try.

Did I mention having had another fever? I've promised to go to hospital with the next attack. This one was slight but most inconvenient. And did I thank you for sending my watch? Oh it's a pleasure to have. I'm pleased

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as a dog with two tails. It's indispensible. I saw young Ron Whosit from opposite your home. I sauntered over to a Salvation Army tent for a cup of coffee & there I found him. He's looking well. He was full of tal about the scrapping he'd been inboyish still & terribly proud of his unit. They do a mansize job. He must have joined up A.I.F. when he left Papua last time.

Some fool put around a false rumour about me and it spread like wild-fire. According to them a ghost is writing this letter which is absurd, isn't it pet?

You're a darling to promise me a cake. I think you've reason to have a little more confidence in its success. I draw my own Canteen supplies now. With the lazy nincompoop looking after us we got a half bar of chocolate, tobacco & only 20 cigarettes in 6 weeks. Making my own arrangements we each get a bar of Cadbury's and 20 cigarettes a day plus a variety of stuff. It's true some people couldn't organize a feed.

Owen wrote again from Warwick. His right elbow was smashed pretty badly; it's still in plaster. He has gotten some girl friend to type his letters & has her pretty well sewn up evidently.

The war situation raises my hopes. I believe it's crisis for me came last month and from now on it's plain sailing. Even if I do have

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to return here after my leave it will be a peacetime billet of reconstruction. But I hope for a long spell south this time.

Would you send me a few magazines or some light reading matter Nance? At present there's not a page to read any place.

It rained heavily last night and I slept more or less soundly in a wet bed. I sleep fully dressed and keep my boots on most nights. I'm sure you'll break me of such habits. Yes?

One of my boys lost a leg and seemed very much depressed until I told him how he can chase his missus around the house and beat her up with his wooden leg. Then I told him of Sq Ldr Bader. The M.D. a colonel, told me to tone down a bit or the boy would have him cut off the remaining leg. There are some I'm tearfully proud of amongst this line of mine. They're heroes & are spoken of as heroes.

Wish young Stan every success in his scholarship exam. He ought to do well. Joan is also sitting this year, so I'm quite interested in the results. Half your luck darling regards leave. Make the best of it and don't even worry about spending money if you decide to spend some of your holidays away from home. You are in need of a rest I'm sure. The days are pretty long & tiring for you, aren't they? Above all enjoy yourself.

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that concave nose I love so much never could be made to look Jewish.

I'm afraid you're a poor punter. But Cup day is a challenge I think. Divvy ran a sweep but I had no interest when I realised I'd not hear the Race run.

I can never see how a girl can speak so musically and yet feel so unsure of her ability to sing. Perhaps we're too familiar with ourselves to appreciate the sounds we make. I know I'd be in raptures could I hear you now. The song, or rather the words you wrote appeal to me strongly. They speak my feelings. 'The way of your heart' is ever so charming. You're wonderful.

You should have your jumper finished for my Autumn leave. I'm sure I'll love it. With your taste for costume I'll never tire of admiring your lovliness and the way you accentuate it.

My memory is appalling. I confess I don't know the Joan you mean, I need to be told. I can imagine the scene in Morton's office. Apoplectic wasn't he? You speak of rainy days and eiderdowns. Do you want me to run amuk, my darling? Thoughts like these affect my emotional balance in the same way as a strong ray of light does to eyes accustomed to the dark. But how I'd love to be blinded.

So Kwasimera startled both you & Jan. He's no Don Juan but his physique makes up for his face. Nevertheless I treasure the painting. His looks belie his superb nature. Natives can be more gentle and

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and catlike grace than a european ever dreams of. They're born orators too with their gestures and softly modulated voices. They can be capable of the other extreme too but aren't we men all?

Someday you must take me to Lismore my darling I'm sure I'd love the place as you do. I fell in love instantly with Nimbin and Cathedral Rocks and that isn't far from there.

I don't mind paying a pound for repairs pet. I guess it's wartime price & it's time I paid for something. They've put a new springs, new face, hands, winder & glass in it free even to postage. So they're not so unreasonable.

May I suggest Martha as a name for Juliens, Pearl's, & Dawn's sister's name? Mar-tha! I can hear you calling her now, fondling a knotty stick 'neath the folds of your dress, and grinding your teeth, while you wait for Cinderella to drop her mud pies to come quietely to mother. No "Grapes of Wrath" for us pet for all my fooling. I like the sound of the names you wrote. I'll remember them. A name that you choose must be like a classic painting. They're not usually striking to the senses but something you appreciate more after every experience of enjoying it. Nancy has grown on me as a name & her personality & lovliness likewise. Calendar or chocolate Box paintings are colourful & eye arresting but they don't grow on you.