9 August 1915 Heliopolis, Egypt
[envelope]
. . . CAIRO . . .
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION
ARMY BRANCH
9th Aug 15
Mr C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
New South Wales
Australia
postage stamp: EGYPT POSTAGE FIVE MILLIEME
postmark: Military Camp Aerodrome Heliopolis
From Heliopolis
19th Batt 5th Brigade
13/8/15
My very dear mother,
I have just time to write you a little note this afternoon telling you that the whole Brigade leaves for Gall [this word crossed out] the front on Sunday. It has come as a surprise to nearly everybody and I at least never thought that we would be going for another month.
By the time you receive this I will have been in the firing line for some time but I don't want you to worry more than you can help dear for taking things all round it is rather a small percentage that fall. I know it is very hard for you but it is owing to you
[page 2]
brave mothers and sisters that we fellows are able to go into the fight as we do or shall.
The chaps are very eagar (sic) now and it won't be their fault if the 5th Brigade and especially the 19th Battalion don't make things hum. I would like to know how things are going on at Gallipoli for we hear far less here than in Sydney.
There is one thing that I would ask of you and Dad and that is to never regret that you gave your consent to my enlisting for I know that our cause is right and right will conquer wrong.
I only have this afternoon to write to my friends, tomorrow I suppose we will be too busy packing up. I am in charge of a station with the Headquarters of the Battalion and hope to do well,
I might add that only two constitute a station.
How is everybody, tell them this letter is for them too, and I hope little Ron likes his handkerchief.
So, good bye for a while mother dear, I will write from the front every chance I get.
I am
Your loving son
Wilf.
. . . CAIRO . . .
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATION
ARMY BRANCH
9th Aug 15
Mr C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
New South Wales
Australia
postage stamp: EGYPT POSTAGE FIVE MILLIEME
postmark: Military Camp Aerodrome Heliopolis
From Heliopolis
19th Batt 5th Brigade
13/8/15
My very dear mother,
I have just time to write you a little note this afternoon telling you that the whole Brigade leaves for Gall [this word crossed out] the front on Sunday. It has come as a surprise to nearly everybody and I at least never thought that we would be going for another month.
By the time you receive this I will have been in the firing line for some time but I don't want you to worry more than you can help dear for taking things all round it is rather a small percentage that fall. I know it is very hard for you but it is owing to you
[page 2]
brave mothers and sisters that we fellows are able to go into the fight as we do or shall.
The chaps are very eagar (sic) now and it won't be their fault if the 5th Brigade and especially the 19th Battalion don't make things hum. I would like to know how things are going on at Gallipoli for we hear far less here than in Sydney.
There is one thing that I would ask of you and Dad and that is to never regret that you gave your consent to my enlisting for I know that our cause is right and right will conquer wrong.
I only have this afternoon to write to my friends, tomorrow I suppose we will be too busy packing up. I am in charge of a station with the Headquarters of the Battalion and hope to do well,
I might add that only two constitute a station.
How is everybody, tell them this letter is for them too, and I hope little Ron likes his handkerchief.
So, good bye for a while mother dear, I will write from the front every chance I get.
I am
Your loving son
Wilf.