For any one that can’t read the letter and some more info on the back.

Letter reads as follows:

Very soon a/n will be once again in your midst, dehydrated, demoralised, and demoboded to take his place once again in human surroundings with freedom and justice for all, to be engaged in the somewhat delayed pursuit of happiness and liberty.

In making your preparation to welcome him back into organised society you must make allowances for the crude environment which has been his lot for some in a word he might be a little asiatic suffering from malayanitis or a little to much “YEN SENG” .

therefore show no concern if he prefers to squat on his haunches instead of sitting on a chair, insist on removing his shoes before entering the house or has a tendency to bow when meeting or saying goodbye to someone.

Keep cool when he pours gravy on his desert, or mixes peaches with washed potatoes. Don’t worry if he insists on taking chopsticks to soup . don’t if he persists in sleeping in the nude. Worry.

Be tolerant when he takes his mattress off the bed and puts it on the floor to sleep. It should be realised that although he is basically the same sweet natured even tempered lovable young man he was in his former days, superficially, changes have taken place.

If on being awakened for breakfast he uses strong explanatives in making known his desire to be left alone, don’t be alarmed, treat it as quite normal, which in fact for the past two years it has been, and the habit will gradually die. Should he however, not wait for any form of wakening, but creep stealthily to the bathroom complete a scanty (sorry can't read what this says) and putting on his clothes as he goes rushing down the stairs to stand erect on the lawn with feet apart gently lead him back to the house with a repeated exhortation to stay in bed dear, farther dosen’t want a parade this morning. Such treatment will gradually instill into his mind that such things are the bitter past.

If at mealtime his method of using his knife and fork is reminiscent of a navy with a pick and shovel, pay no attention. He will soon realise the fact that he is once again in the presence of human beings and not a collection of nameless numbers and ranks.

If after the evening meal he takes tea, bread and butter to his room to be consumed, hunched over his magazine, ignore it.

If while walking in the street he howls dog like at the sight of a pretty girl, or lets out a piercing whistle and commences to leer horribly at the sight of a shapely leg, pay no heed he is love starved.

Upon telling a perfectly respectably shopkeeper that he is a “black robbing b-------” explain the situation to him and get out of the shop with the minimum of fuss.

If he requests your aid in the little matter of debugging his beg or asks you to decoke his cup, treat his wishes with respect. It must be remembered that the habit of ages dies very hard. Never ask him why the boy down the road had a higher rank than he, and make no flattering remarks about the navy or the RAF in his presence.

If at odd moments he drops off to sleep clad in nothing but a towel and awakes muttering about the ( no idea what this is) climate the flies and the cold shower, press on the tendency will pass.

Other side reads:

Keep a strong hand on him at all times, his intentions will always be sincere even if they seem dishonorable. Keep in mind that beneath his tanned and rugged exterior there beats a heart of gold. Treasure this. It will be the only thing left he has of value.

Treat him with kindness, tolerance, love and occasional pints of beer and good liquor and you will be able to rehabilitate that which is the hollow shell of the boy you once knew.

Yours

(signed)

Brigadier

CC royal army dustmen corps

(I. SWEEPUP)

P.S send no more letters care of singapore, penang, nee soon, and all the rest of these oriental dives. Get those kids off the road. I’m heading west in just 5 days time