GB-1-1-2-1-17-24

Baghdad July 27 Received 10 Aug. 1921 1921 Darling Father. I'm sending you a letter by aeroplane in the hope that it will reach you in 7 or 8 days - just to feel as if we were so near instead of so far. Sir Geoffrey Salmond + Col. Brook Popham carry it in a day to Cairo. I won't tell you any detailed news because you will not be able to fit it in with the letters which are on the way, but I may just mention that by next week Faisal will be King of Iraq by plebiscite + that all is going excellently well. He has played the game splendidly + it is the greatest triumph for Sir Percy. 3 days ago I went up to Ramadi + saw all the shaikhs Honorific title meaning 'Elder', used for leaders of tribes and royal family members. of the desert swear allegiance coming in to Faisal, + there's a general feeling that we made the right choice in recommending him. If we can bring some kind of order out of chaos what a thing worth doing it will be! Our great heat is over, the temp temperature has fallen to about 115, + even less which is quite bearable, + I'm very well. Ever your devoted daughter Gertrude to Faisal - one of the finest things I've ever witnessed. I tell you all about it in my weekly letter. Yesterday I got your letter of June 28 + one from Mother both telling me that she has broken her wrist, just as if it were nothing at all. But I think its dreadful, neither of you say how it happened. I hope it's mending. Beloved Father your letter was rather despondent about the fortunes of the family + indeed it's very hard that you should have fallen on such difficult times, but you will still see it work out right, inshallah Arabic language expression meaning 'if God wills it'. , just as I'm seeing our difficult task here work out in success - the luck of the Bells, do you remember Mr Strong used to say? Anyhow dearest don't bother too much about it - what happens, happens, + we adapt ourselves to it. The only thing that matters is that you should be well + happy. For my part I'm immensely happy over the way this thing is going. I feel as if were in a dream. Of course there are an immense amount of difficulties + it all takes the closest watching but on our guarantee all the solid people are Recd Received Aug. 1921 July 27/1921

CAIRO Postage Frank Mark Sir Hugh Bell Bart C B Rounton Grange Northallerton England G L Bell