30 November 1915 Gallipoli
[envelope]
stamped: PASSED BY No 2972 CENSOR
5th INF BGE FIELD P.O.
-4-DE-15 [4 Dec 1915]
30-11-15
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[page 1]
Gallipoli
30th November 1915
My dearest mother
I think it is just over a week since I answered Elsie's letter of 3rd October and so I must write to you now. On the evening of 29th it started to snow and kept up for about 36 hrs snow is still lying about, only for a short time longer though, for the sun is shining warmly today, thank goodness. It is just as well we have some warm clothes otherwise we could not stand it. The worst trouble is our feet, so matter what you do they cannot be kept warm, owing I think to the terrible state the saps get into. I went to my water bottle this morning and as I thought, the water was ice and the cork would not pull out, so I melted some snow instead. You know mum one of your letters was 1 month late in finding me, 25th August I think it was dated, and I only received it about a fortnight ago. Goodness knows how it happened it went to some hospital with 3 others for me, and the only hospital I've been in is in Suez and they didn't go there, anyrate I got them that's the main thing. Some of our inward mail was sunk so rumour says, the only two letters I received last mail were from Elsie and Florrie G. Some of our Xmas mail to you was also lost but I hope none of mine was amongst it. I think mine had left earlier. Roy's birthday on 2nd I wonder whether he is at home for it, I hope so. If he has left mum dear I don't think he will come here until the winter is over, it would be too much for fresh troops, who had had no preparation. So far I have not received any parcels from you but the Comfort Funds always seem to take a long time. We have just heard that
[back page]
there are 4 parcels at the stores for signallers, I wonder whether there is one for me. It is a funny thing no matter where soldiers are they are they will always grumble about things, tucker mostly. The Guilles tell me Fred has not been getting good stuff, I'll swope (sic) him stew and bread for bully beef and biscuits. Of course we get meat and bread occasionally, but far from everyday. 1 lb bread per man, so if it gets wet guess the size of the piece, it is a good job we have the old biscuits to back us up at times. But we did not come here for a feast, so we must take what we get - it must take a great deal of thought and management to feed so many troops. But somebody told me the other day why Satch you're
[top left of page 1]
getting fat, and I believe I haven't lost any weight since leaving Sydney.
Well mum dear I must stop, got to get on with my new dug out, so as I will be warmer. Give my love to all.
I am
Ever your loving son
Wilf
XXX for Jimmie
stamped: PASSED BY No 2972 CENSOR
5th INF BGE FIELD P.O.
-4-DE-15 [4 Dec 1915]
30-11-15
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[page 1]
Gallipoli
30th November 1915
My dearest mother
I think it is just over a week since I answered Elsie's letter of 3rd October and so I must write to you now. On the evening of 29th it started to snow and kept up for about 36 hrs snow is still lying about, only for a short time longer though, for the sun is shining warmly today, thank goodness. It is just as well we have some warm clothes otherwise we could not stand it. The worst trouble is our feet, so matter what you do they cannot be kept warm, owing I think to the terrible state the saps get into. I went to my water bottle this morning and as I thought, the water was ice and the cork would not pull out, so I melted some snow instead. You know mum one of your letters was 1 month late in finding me, 25th August I think it was dated, and I only received it about a fortnight ago. Goodness knows how it happened it went to some hospital with 3 others for me, and the only hospital I've been in is in Suez and they didn't go there, anyrate I got them that's the main thing. Some of our inward mail was sunk so rumour says, the only two letters I received last mail were from Elsie and Florrie G. Some of our Xmas mail to you was also lost but I hope none of mine was amongst it. I think mine had left earlier. Roy's birthday on 2nd I wonder whether he is at home for it, I hope so. If he has left mum dear I don't think he will come here until the winter is over, it would be too much for fresh troops, who had had no preparation. So far I have not received any parcels from you but the Comfort Funds always seem to take a long time. We have just heard that
[back page]
there are 4 parcels at the stores for signallers, I wonder whether there is one for me. It is a funny thing no matter where soldiers are they are they will always grumble about things, tucker mostly. The Guilles tell me Fred has not been getting good stuff, I'll swope (sic) him stew and bread for bully beef and biscuits. Of course we get meat and bread occasionally, but far from everyday. 1 lb bread per man, so if it gets wet guess the size of the piece, it is a good job we have the old biscuits to back us up at times. But we did not come here for a feast, so we must take what we get - it must take a great deal of thought and management to feed so many troops. But somebody told me the other day why Satch you're
[top left of page 1]
getting fat, and I believe I haven't lost any weight since leaving Sydney.
Well mum dear I must stop, got to get on with my new dug out, so as I will be warmer. Give my love to all.
I am
Ever your loving son
Wilf
XXX for Jimmie