G.H.Q. Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)]. May 21 Belloved Father. I must send you a word to tell you how refreshing I found your pamphlet on the capture of German trade. The amount of tosh one hears talked on this and kindred subjects - ! specially in the army. I used to wonder whether I was mad or whether they were, but I'm happy to say I've reached a conclusion on that subject. It's they. The question of my position with regard to the correspondence with Egypt is not yet definitely settled but I think it is practically certain that I shall be appointed. I shall have to come more strictly under official control and I should not be able to leave this country without very good cause shown, like any other person with a job here. But I should have no hesitation in giving undertakings of that kind, knowing that you would approve. The thing is to be of the best use one can, and I feel certain that this position would give me far greater opportunities and that I can put them to profit. Things are moving very quickly here, as you will probably learn long before this letter reaches you and the political side has become of immense importance, and will be of more importance still.
There is a young Peak here - he came out to join Townsend's staff - a nephew of Lord Middleton's and exactly like all the Brodricks to look at. He came and introduced himself to me - a very nice boy. It's a great joy to have George here. If we move on there will be some good work for him to do. Both he and I love Sir Percy Cox  and prosper with him.

It's a singular experience to be living always in a Turkish bath. One's hair is an insoluble difficulty! You have a bath and feel nice and clean, and then you put on your clothes, and paff! you are dripping again in a moment. And you are not really clean because you wash in a solution of Tigris mud and as your skin is all soft and spongy there seems no way of producing a polished surface, so to speak.

Well, I come back to your pamphlet and find I haven't said half enough how good and witty and wise I think it, and God bless your soul how can any born man think otherwise? Darling Father! Gertrude