No 3 Battalion
Overseas Training Brigade,
Sandhill Camp. Warminster
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let You know I am quite well. I came down here Thursday & have been fitted out with a full set of fighting equipment, rifle, steel helmets, & gas mask etc. & things are beginning to look very like France again. I am supposed to stop here for 3 weeks training, but if they will let me go I will get put on the first draft for France.
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We have had very cold winds here the last day or two. I went to Warminster yesterday. It is a nice little town, but crowded with Australians as there are a lot of camps about here. We are about 20 miles from Salisbury. One of the Earles boys is in the same hut as I am here. He was in the 32nd Transport. It was his brother you had working for you last year.
I sent you 2 parcels from Hurdcott. One books of views & the other a little box of souvenirs. I hope you get them alright as I sent something for each one of you - all little trinkets of Ireland. I have got four parcels, one with the leather waistcoat from M.B.C., one from home with a tin of pudding which I like very much, one from Siss & George with some very nice preserved fruit & a parcel of woollens from Mt. B. Red cross circle. I was very pleased to get all these parcels and of course am writing to thank the societies for theirs, but the mail route is a bit risky now.
I am enclosing a photo of myself taken at Hurdcott just before I went on leave. You will notice that I am wearing two stripes. I was a Lance Cpl in the Battalion for a good while and about a fortnight before I was hit was promoted Temporary Cpl and of course was being paid for it, but as soon as I was hit my pay stopped, though I still wore my stripes. When I go back to the Battalion I may be paid again but if I am not then I will hand in my stripes altogether as I do not believe in having charge of a section and get no pay for it. I do not care very much about my position in the photo and prefer my stand on the donkey cart at Killarney. They are cutting down the rations a bit for home service men here, but men under training for France still get plenty & I am in pretty good condition. I do not think my leg will give me any trouble.
I see by the papers that they are sending soldiers to the part of Ireland I was floating about in, to enforce law and order a bit. I thought that would happen.
Well, I will close now, hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Showing posts with label food costs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food costs. Show all posts
Portsmouth; November 27, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
My leg is getting along very well. I go out every afternoon for a bit of a walk, & I find this "wounded soldier" business is the best "stunt" I have been on for a good while, that is, of course if the "crack" is not too hard. I was out walking the other day & I was "swinging" my leg so well that a young lady came & offered me a walking stick to help me along. I very very politely declined her nice offer. I do not know if you have heard the saying "swinging the leg, or "lead", but, it means dodging the "line" & it is a very common phrase this side of the world.
I went to a stock market the other day. Things were rather dear. Cattle, that would dress from 8 to 10 cwt were bringing from £30.0.0. to £40.0.0. Calves that we would knock on the head £2.0.0 and £3.0.0. and sheep that would dress about 70 lb £5.5.0. Meat is of course very dear & runs from 1/2d to 1/8d a lb. I saw a price list of Australian Jam in a shop window to-day. It was from 1/3½ d for plum to 1/8½ d for black currant per 27 oz. tin. Sugar is only obtainable on the card system. In the hospital we scarcely get any Jam but have plenty of bread & margarine. It is real good margarine, almost as good as butter. We have fish or sometimes an egg for breakfast & meat & vegetables & pudding for dinner & I do very well on it. I do not think Germany is at all likely to starve England out, but it may put a serious strain on us supplying some of our Allies.
I will be sent out of this hospital to another any day now. I may be sent to one of the Australian hospitals at Dartford or Harefield near London, or perhaps to some small place not far away. If it is no worse than this place it will do me.
I went to a Confirmation Service at a little Church not far from here last Sunday. There were a good many little boys & girls confirmed. When the Bishop was addressing them, asking catechism etc., he was very keen on their going to Church every Sunday at least - take note "all" boys who neglect Church.
We have not had any very cold weather yet, the winter being I think rather later than last year. It may not be so cold as last winter. I hope not anyhow. I had my "Phiz" taken the other day in my hospital "blues". I am enclosing one in this letter. It is a "Dinkum" likeness but, the blue shows up grey in the photo.
Fruit is very dear here. Grapes from 1/- to 2/- per lb. & other fruit in proportion. Apples being about the cheapest from -/4d -/6d per lb.
I saw in a Casualty list over here the other day where a C. Pohlner was wounded. I do not know if it was Charley or not but I think it was. I see they are having another go at conscription again but I bet No wins. I suppose you are busy hay-making now. I hope things are going alright home. Well I must close now. Hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
My leg is getting along very well. I go out every afternoon for a bit of a walk, & I find this "wounded soldier" business is the best "stunt" I have been on for a good while, that is, of course if the "crack" is not too hard. I was out walking the other day & I was "swinging" my leg so well that a young lady came & offered me a walking stick to help me along. I very very politely declined her nice offer. I do not know if you have heard the saying "swinging the leg, or "lead", but, it means dodging the "line" & it is a very common phrase this side of the world.
I went to a stock market the other day. Things were rather dear. Cattle, that would dress from 8 to 10 cwt were bringing from £30.0.0. to £40.0.0. Calves that we would knock on the head £2.0.0 and £3.0.0. and sheep that would dress about 70 lb £5.5.0. Meat is of course very dear & runs from 1/2d to 1/8d a lb. I saw a price list of Australian Jam in a shop window to-day. It was from 1/3½ d for plum to 1/8½ d for black currant per 27 oz. tin. Sugar is only obtainable on the card system. In the hospital we scarcely get any Jam but have plenty of bread & margarine. It is real good margarine, almost as good as butter. We have fish or sometimes an egg for breakfast & meat & vegetables & pudding for dinner & I do very well on it. I do not think Germany is at all likely to starve England out, but it may put a serious strain on us supplying some of our Allies.
I will be sent out of this hospital to another any day now. I may be sent to one of the Australian hospitals at Dartford or Harefield near London, or perhaps to some small place not far away. If it is no worse than this place it will do me.
I went to a Confirmation Service at a little Church not far from here last Sunday. There were a good many little boys & girls confirmed. When the Bishop was addressing them, asking catechism etc., he was very keen on their going to Church every Sunday at least - take note "all" boys who neglect Church.
We have not had any very cold weather yet, the winter being I think rather later than last year. It may not be so cold as last winter. I hope not anyhow. I had my "Phiz" taken the other day in my hospital "blues". I am enclosing one in this letter. It is a "Dinkum" likeness but, the blue shows up grey in the photo.
Fruit is very dear here. Grapes from 1/- to 2/- per lb. & other fruit in proportion. Apples being about the cheapest from -/4d -/6d per lb.
I saw in a Casualty list over here the other day where a C. Pohlner was wounded. I do not know if it was Charley or not but I think it was. I see they are having another go at conscription again but I bet No wins. I suppose you are busy hay-making now. I hope things are going alright home. Well I must close now. Hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
France; April 22, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I have not been in the line yet so am not a "Dinkum" yet. We are having a quiet rest to-day. We have been moving around every few days but as the weather is getting much finer things are not too bad at all & most of the mud is dried up. We are fed pretty well & I am in very good health.
I was quite close to Bert Lilley's Batt the other day but did not have a chance to go & ask for him or Matt. I have not had any mail yet, but I hope you have been getting along alright. I saw in a casualty list that George Dann died of wounds. Harry Tralaggan told me he was transferred into another Battalion. I suppose his poor mother will been a state about it. He & Harry were mates coming over on the boat.
They have been giving Fritz some hurry up on this front lately & things look fairly promising.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Later.
I have just received 4 letters one from Dad (Jan 28th) one from Annie (Feb-4th) one from Mum (Feb. 19th) & one from Nell Simmons acknowledging a photo & a post-card I sent her from Durban. I was very pleased to get them, they have been loitering around England for a week or two. In Dad's letter were two photos of the harvester. I was very pleased with them & would have been in my glory reaping such a nice crop. I was afraid you would have trouble with my harvester but if I get back I will be able to work it alright. I am very glad the crop at A.V. [Almondvale] went so well. I would not change A.V. for any place I have seen in all my travels.
I suppose Willie is considerable proud of being able to drive the harvester. I am glad the lads like their teacher. Nell Simmons told me she was going home for awhile & then going to live with Pat & Mill. I was very much amused over a piece of news in Mum's letter. I have not received the parcel of flannels yet but I am not badly in need of them. The trouble is that we have to carry all our stuff in our packs when we move & usually have to carry a blanket & water-proof sheet as well, so it does not pay to have much gear. I have got a change of under-clothes with me now. Most of the lads only have what they stand up in & get a change from the Q.M. store's every 2 or 3 months & of course as they do not get a bath very often they have plenty of "friends" to keep them company.
I do not want anything else as there are canteens about, except when you are right in the line. I have plenty of money, in fact rather too much, as you would not be very likely to get it if I am knocked out. For that reason I am not drawing any pay here, this will give me a credit in my pay-book which I could draw in London if I was wounded & would be paid to you if I am knocked out. You need not worry much about my pay for the trip over, as although the Military seem rather slow to an outsider you do not realize what a tremendous organization it is until you are in it & see for yourself what an enormous lot of work there is in organizing an Army. At any rate, the Military have treated me very well so far & it has been quite a pleasant change for me although I have not seen any of Fritz's shells very close yet.
I saw a German aeroplane brought down by guns this morning. It fell about 2 miles away & I guess it hit the ground with a considerable bump. There are plenty of them over here, but I have not seen a fight between two planes yet. If the war is still going in September I would like you to send me a parcel of under-wear & socks. These would then reach me before next winter, if I am still at it, but do not send a scarf as I would not wear it.
In the canteens here you can buy tinned sausages, fish, fruit, chocolate biscuits, etc. but I have not had to buy any yet, although the lads are always buying whenever they get a chance. I do not have their worry of tobacco & cigarettes which they are always short of as they smoke a terrible lot.
I was indeed very much surprised to hear that Mr. Dare was married again & could hardly believe H. Tralaggan when he told me - perhaps there is a chance for me yet. Fred Pohlner is in the 5th Divisional Artillery but I have not seen him. H.T. told me he was trying to get in the Flying Corps the last time he saw him. Augie was in this Batt when he was wounded as a part of his reinforcement was transferred here. I do not know where he is now. I have not heard anything of Ralph Thomas & do not know what Batt he is in at all.
You need not worry much about me as unless I get in the way of one of Fritz's nasty shells or bullets I will be as right as rain. I do not like the mud & wet at all but most of that is over now for a few months & perhaps the war will be over before next winter. Well this is rather a long P.S. so will close now.
Tom.
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I have not been in the line yet so am not a "Dinkum" yet. We are having a quiet rest to-day. We have been moving around every few days but as the weather is getting much finer things are not too bad at all & most of the mud is dried up. We are fed pretty well & I am in very good health.
I was quite close to Bert Lilley's Batt the other day but did not have a chance to go & ask for him or Matt. I have not had any mail yet, but I hope you have been getting along alright. I saw in a casualty list that George Dann died of wounds. Harry Tralaggan told me he was transferred into another Battalion. I suppose his poor mother will been a state about it. He & Harry were mates coming over on the boat.
They have been giving Fritz some hurry up on this front lately & things look fairly promising.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Later.
I have just received 4 letters one from Dad (Jan 28th) one from Annie (Feb-4th) one from Mum (Feb. 19th) & one from Nell Simmons acknowledging a photo & a post-card I sent her from Durban. I was very pleased to get them, they have been loitering around England for a week or two. In Dad's letter were two photos of the harvester. I was very pleased with them & would have been in my glory reaping such a nice crop. I was afraid you would have trouble with my harvester but if I get back I will be able to work it alright. I am very glad the crop at A.V. [Almondvale] went so well. I would not change A.V. for any place I have seen in all my travels.
I suppose Willie is considerable proud of being able to drive the harvester. I am glad the lads like their teacher. Nell Simmons told me she was going home for awhile & then going to live with Pat & Mill. I was very much amused over a piece of news in Mum's letter. I have not received the parcel of flannels yet but I am not badly in need of them. The trouble is that we have to carry all our stuff in our packs when we move & usually have to carry a blanket & water-proof sheet as well, so it does not pay to have much gear. I have got a change of under-clothes with me now. Most of the lads only have what they stand up in & get a change from the Q.M. store's every 2 or 3 months & of course as they do not get a bath very often they have plenty of "friends" to keep them company.
I do not want anything else as there are canteens about, except when you are right in the line. I have plenty of money, in fact rather too much, as you would not be very likely to get it if I am knocked out. For that reason I am not drawing any pay here, this will give me a credit in my pay-book which I could draw in London if I was wounded & would be paid to you if I am knocked out. You need not worry much about my pay for the trip over, as although the Military seem rather slow to an outsider you do not realize what a tremendous organization it is until you are in it & see for yourself what an enormous lot of work there is in organizing an Army. At any rate, the Military have treated me very well so far & it has been quite a pleasant change for me although I have not seen any of Fritz's shells very close yet.
I saw a German aeroplane brought down by guns this morning. It fell about 2 miles away & I guess it hit the ground with a considerable bump. There are plenty of them over here, but I have not seen a fight between two planes yet. If the war is still going in September I would like you to send me a parcel of under-wear & socks. These would then reach me before next winter, if I am still at it, but do not send a scarf as I would not wear it.
In the canteens here you can buy tinned sausages, fish, fruit, chocolate biscuits, etc. but I have not had to buy any yet, although the lads are always buying whenever they get a chance. I do not have their worry of tobacco & cigarettes which they are always short of as they smoke a terrible lot.
I was indeed very much surprised to hear that Mr. Dare was married again & could hardly believe H. Tralaggan when he told me - perhaps there is a chance for me yet. Fred Pohlner is in the 5th Divisional Artillery but I have not seen him. H.T. told me he was trying to get in the Flying Corps the last time he saw him. Augie was in this Batt when he was wounded as a part of his reinforcement was transferred here. I do not know where he is now. I have not heard anything of Ralph Thomas & do not know what Batt he is in at all.
You need not worry much about me as unless I get in the way of one of Fritz's nasty shells or bullets I will be as right as rain. I do not like the mud & wet at all but most of that is over now for a few months & perhaps the war will be over before next winter. Well this is rather a long P.S. so will close now.
Tom.
Hurdcott; April 1, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
There has been an Australian mail in but I did not get any letters or Records. We are all ready for France & will be leaving here for a depot known as the "Bull Ring" in France on Tuesday. I am very glad to be going, although I have had a pretty comfortable time here. When we get to this depot we will be fitted up with rifle & gas helmets & possibly steel helmets. Providing we are physically fit & able to pass some training tests, we will be sent on to our Battalion inside a week from now. I do not know exactly where our Battalion is now, but I do not think it is far from the line. I am in splendid condition & weigh in at about 11st. 101b. & am in perfect health.
We are issued with two sorts of gas helmets. If one gives out on you, you change it for the other. Providing you get your helmet on you are alright in a gas attack. There is a danger of a gas shell bursting near you, as they don't make much noise. It is quite possible to get a whiff or two, too much for the good of your lungs. We have to go through a gas chamber before we are allowed in the line.
They have issued us all with leather vests & water proof capes & also a very strong pair of black boots & they are very particular that every man has a good set of underclothes etc, before he leaves here. The scare I told you about in my last letter all fizzled out & they say it was only a sort of a general mobilization for what object I do not know.
I told you in a letter awhile ago that I had lent £10.0.0. to a Sgt Cutts here. In case that letter went astray the arrangements were that his people should pay the money into Elders to your account & you were then to sent the receipt I enclosed in the letter to Mrs. C.C. Cutts, 1 Hardy St., Goodwood.
They are cutting down the men's rations a bit here now on account of some shortage on account of shipping etc. It is not a very good place to go on short rations here as a fellow gets a considerable appetite over here. But our mess is still the same, but they rose the fees to 5/- a week. I do not know how they will grub us in France but I hope they don't starve us too much.
Tuesday April 3rd.
We had a very heavy fall of snow here last night & everything looks lovely this morning, it is the heaviest fall of snow I have seen.
We are leaving for France to-night, it will be a bit sloppy marching to the Station. There is going to be a big review of Australian troops on Friday by the King & Duke of Connaught at a place about 15 miles from here. They are giving the men some route march every day, to get them fit for the march. I will miss that as I will be in France.
I have not heard anything of Frank Richards since he left here, there would be a possibility of him returning to Australia on account of his knee, as the cold & wet of the trenches would very likely make it "crook" again. I think it is very probable that my mail his been going to France lately as after a unit is over here awhile the send their mail straight on to the Batt, although none of our 11/32 have gone over yet. There is about 90 of us going in this draft, & some more of tine other Battalion's men.
Well I must close now. Hoping you are all well as I am.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
There has been an Australian mail in but I did not get any letters or Records. We are all ready for France & will be leaving here for a depot known as the "Bull Ring" in France on Tuesday. I am very glad to be going, although I have had a pretty comfortable time here. When we get to this depot we will be fitted up with rifle & gas helmets & possibly steel helmets. Providing we are physically fit & able to pass some training tests, we will be sent on to our Battalion inside a week from now. I do not know exactly where our Battalion is now, but I do not think it is far from the line. I am in splendid condition & weigh in at about 11st. 101b. & am in perfect health.
We are issued with two sorts of gas helmets. If one gives out on you, you change it for the other. Providing you get your helmet on you are alright in a gas attack. There is a danger of a gas shell bursting near you, as they don't make much noise. It is quite possible to get a whiff or two, too much for the good of your lungs. We have to go through a gas chamber before we are allowed in the line.
They have issued us all with leather vests & water proof capes & also a very strong pair of black boots & they are very particular that every man has a good set of underclothes etc, before he leaves here. The scare I told you about in my last letter all fizzled out & they say it was only a sort of a general mobilization for what object I do not know.
I told you in a letter awhile ago that I had lent £10.0.0. to a Sgt Cutts here. In case that letter went astray the arrangements were that his people should pay the money into Elders to your account & you were then to sent the receipt I enclosed in the letter to Mrs. C.C. Cutts, 1 Hardy St., Goodwood.
They are cutting down the men's rations a bit here now on account of some shortage on account of shipping etc. It is not a very good place to go on short rations here as a fellow gets a considerable appetite over here. But our mess is still the same, but they rose the fees to 5/- a week. I do not know how they will grub us in France but I hope they don't starve us too much.
Tuesday April 3rd.
We had a very heavy fall of snow here last night & everything looks lovely this morning, it is the heaviest fall of snow I have seen.
We are leaving for France to-night, it will be a bit sloppy marching to the Station. There is going to be a big review of Australian troops on Friday by the King & Duke of Connaught at a place about 15 miles from here. They are giving the men some route march every day, to get them fit for the march. I will miss that as I will be in France.
I have not heard anything of Frank Richards since he left here, there would be a possibility of him returning to Australia on account of his knee, as the cold & wet of the trenches would very likely make it "crook" again. I think it is very probable that my mail his been going to France lately as after a unit is over here awhile the send their mail straight on to the Batt, although none of our 11/32 have gone over yet. There is about 90 of us going in this draft, & some more of tine other Battalion's men.
Well I must close now. Hoping you are all well as I am.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
At Sea; December 1, 1916
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am well, we left -------- Wednesday afternoon, it is a lovely place, the prettiest I have ever seen, but it was very hot while we were there, a sultry sort of heat we felt it a good deal in our heavy uniforms. The niggers there are very amusing, they go bare-foot & their feet must be as hard as nails, the rickshaw boys trot along on the metal & take no notice of it. I do not know how they stand running around like they do, pulling two or three passengers, but they say they only last about seven years. They wear horns & feathers on their heads and have a regular harvest overcharging our soldiers when they go there.
We thought fruit would be cheap, but we must have been too early as I saw grapes at 1/6 a lb, & other fruit was pretty dear. There is a Y.M.C.A. flat there & they give meals very cheap, tea a penny a cup & sandwiches a penny each that you would pay 3d. for in Australia. There is another place called the Wesley Hall where they give soldiers refreshments free & the girls sing good songs, it is a very nice place. The women & girls are much the same class as those in Australia.
There are electric cars there, double-deckers & soldiers ride free on them, but when you get on top they are pretty rocky, it would not do to go the pace in them that they do in Adelaide. I never saw the train service but I believe it is rather slow. I sent some post-cards to friends & some silver-leaves to mother I hope they get through alright. It is just about fall in now. So I must close, hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother,
Tom.
Just a few lines to let you know I am well, we left -------- Wednesday afternoon, it is a lovely place, the prettiest I have ever seen, but it was very hot while we were there, a sultry sort of heat we felt it a good deal in our heavy uniforms. The niggers there are very amusing, they go bare-foot & their feet must be as hard as nails, the rickshaw boys trot along on the metal & take no notice of it. I do not know how they stand running around like they do, pulling two or three passengers, but they say they only last about seven years. They wear horns & feathers on their heads and have a regular harvest overcharging our soldiers when they go there.
There are electric cars there, double-deckers & soldiers ride free on them, but when you get on top they are pretty rocky, it would not do to go the pace in them that they do in Adelaide. I never saw the train service but I believe it is rather slow. I sent some post-cards to friends & some silver-leaves to mother I hope they get through alright. It is just about fall in now. So I must close, hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother,
Tom.
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