29 February 1916 Egypt
[envelope]
postmark: CAIRO 4-III.16
29-2-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
New South Wales
Australia
[Page 1]
29th Feb 1916
The Spinsters Day
My dearest mother
Two days ago I received your letter of 23rd Jan also the photo of myself and of course was glad to get it. I received 10 letters this trip, one from Auntie Nellie, I wonder does it ever strike my Orange relations that they have a cousin over here. But I don't want to hear from them if it takes up too much time, don't ask them to write mum dear.
I was so glad to hear that you had my cable from Egypt. You know now mum why you did not hear from me for so long. I was told at Lemnos we were not allowed to cable from there, but wrote when there mum and held the letter over till arrival in Egypt, I hope you got them.
[Page 2]
I am still in the same position as regards Ces Thomson but anxiously waiting to hear from this fellow Joseph who was going to cable to England. I hope everything is well.
Bruce left for England on 4th of this month and has been there some days by this. He sent me a postcard telling me he was leaving and would write soon. He told me in the hospital that he would surprise everybody the way he would be able to get about with his new leg. I earnestly hope so.
Yes mum dear I am a Lance Corporal, gazetted the other day. I was surprised to hear that I was on the honour list at Burwood Station as a Sargeant. Get it altered to Signaller, never mind the L/Cpl. I don't want people thinking that I am higher than I am. You know what a certain family is like for talk too don't you, and one fellow I think would like the opportunity. You might tell him I never received his sheepskin vest, it was bad luck wasn't it. But my friend at the Bank sent me one. I think I told you.
Roy is getting better I am glad to hear, the poor kid has more than his share of sickness doesn't he? I received a PC [postcard] from him this mail and was glad to hear from him again. I wrote to him a couple of days before I received it. I hope it finds him in Australia.
By this mail I got Dick's parcel of smokes, about 150 cigarettes, good ones too. I am writing to thank him dear
[Page 4]
but you might do so too for me will you, he writes very regularly too. Your parcel mum dear hasn't arrived yet but will in a few days. The Guilles at Ashfield sent me a beauty and Broadbents too, something from all the ladies at both places. Carmona Guilles are sending me another so I am doing well lately aren't I, your welcome blanket arrived about a week ago too, better stuff than in our issue ones. I have not had much sleep lately owing to breaks in the telephone line. The other night I was out very dark whan all of a sudden Halt! I sang out signaller and was told to advance and when I got near to the sentry he said "Alright Bill". It was Jack Powell a brother of the noted
[Page 5]
Jim. He is in the same Battalion as I and recognised my voice.
I don't know that I have anything else to say dear this time. I will have 40 winks now I think as walking in this heavy sand on little sleep taxes a chaps strength, and I must guard that.
Oh! my photo. The chaps here don't think it is a good one, some wouldn't believe it was me. They say I am much fuller in the face (knew I was fat) and older looking. Am enclosing a few snaps taken by friends.
Well good bye till next time mum dear. Give my love love to Dad, Elsie, everybody and don't forget your dear self.
I am
Ever your loving son
Bill.
Give Ronnie a big kiss and I am sending him a few more cards.
Bill
postmark: CAIRO 4-III.16
29-2-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
New South Wales
Australia
[Page 1]
29th Feb 1916
The Spinsters Day
My dearest mother
Two days ago I received your letter of 23rd Jan also the photo of myself and of course was glad to get it. I received 10 letters this trip, one from Auntie Nellie, I wonder does it ever strike my Orange relations that they have a cousin over here. But I don't want to hear from them if it takes up too much time, don't ask them to write mum dear.
I was so glad to hear that you had my cable from Egypt. You know now mum why you did not hear from me for so long. I was told at Lemnos we were not allowed to cable from there, but wrote when there mum and held the letter over till arrival in Egypt, I hope you got them.
[Page 2]
I am still in the same position as regards Ces Thomson but anxiously waiting to hear from this fellow Joseph who was going to cable to England. I hope everything is well.
Bruce left for England on 4th of this month and has been there some days by this. He sent me a postcard telling me he was leaving and would write soon. He told me in the hospital that he would surprise everybody the way he would be able to get about with his new leg. I earnestly hope so.
Yes mum dear I am a Lance Corporal, gazetted the other day. I was surprised to hear that I was on the honour list at Burwood Station as a Sargeant. Get it altered to Signaller, never mind the L/Cpl. I don't want people thinking that I am higher than I am. You know what a certain family is like for talk too don't you, and one fellow I think would like the opportunity. You might tell him I never received his sheepskin vest, it was bad luck wasn't it. But my friend at the Bank sent me one. I think I told you.
Roy is getting better I am glad to hear, the poor kid has more than his share of sickness doesn't he? I received a PC [postcard] from him this mail and was glad to hear from him again. I wrote to him a couple of days before I received it. I hope it finds him in Australia.
By this mail I got Dick's parcel of smokes, about 150 cigarettes, good ones too. I am writing to thank him dear
[Page 4]
but you might do so too for me will you, he writes very regularly too. Your parcel mum dear hasn't arrived yet but will in a few days. The Guilles at Ashfield sent me a beauty and Broadbents too, something from all the ladies at both places. Carmona Guilles are sending me another so I am doing well lately aren't I, your welcome blanket arrived about a week ago too, better stuff than in our issue ones. I have not had much sleep lately owing to breaks in the telephone line. The other night I was out very dark whan all of a sudden Halt! I sang out signaller and was told to advance and when I got near to the sentry he said "Alright Bill". It was Jack Powell a brother of the noted
[Page 5]
Jim. He is in the same Battalion as I and recognised my voice.
I don't know that I have anything else to say dear this time. I will have 40 winks now I think as walking in this heavy sand on little sleep taxes a chaps strength, and I must guard that.
Oh! my photo. The chaps here don't think it is a good one, some wouldn't believe it was me. They say I am much fuller in the face (knew I was fat) and older looking. Am enclosing a few snaps taken by friends.
Well good bye till next time mum dear. Give my love love to Dad, Elsie, everybody and don't forget your dear self.
I am
Ever your loving son
Bill.
Give Ronnie a big kiss and I am sending him a few more cards.
Bill