Tidworth
Sun. 23 July 16.
Dear Everybody.
Here I am still, & by all appearances as far from getting to the front as it is possible to be. Since writing you last which was on 9th except for a P.C. I sent from Corfe, Maj Jenkins has gone to France, & of course leaves me here in charge of these men, some fifty all told. I had had great hopes of getting away, thinking that they would want a junior officer before they wanted a senior one. However it was not to be, & here I am still & as it seems very much in the dark. The unexpected has happened, they in France have made a regiment out of the N.Z. mounted squdn, & the two Aust. squdns, & Col. Grigor is the officer commanding same regiment. When this happened it left our squdn. without a senior officer in command, hence the call for Maj Jenkins. For our squdn they have at least two extra subalterns out there now, so unless the unexpected happens again I am likely to stay here. All things considered we are getting on very well here, the men are doing splendidly & quite upholding the honour of N.Z. The O.C. over here has a great deal of time for them
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They are going into a first class ride in the morning & if they go on as they are doing there is no doubt but they will pass out at the end of the week. In ordinary times it takes the average British soldier 12 months to pass out of riding school. Some of them have been attending other classes of instruction, such as bombing & machine gun work, in all casses have had splendid reports. One man in machine gun topped the list getting 100%. They still have to pass an exam before they can pass out of any of these classes. For myself I have got on pretty well also. Got through sword & drill work in record time, passed out of topography with 60%, & was dismissed riding school yesterday. Next Saturday we go for our exam in machin’s gun course & am expecting to get through pretty well in that. To most of the officers here the riding school was a nightmare, but I enjoyed every minute of the time I was there. Had a P.C. from Kate this morning from Harve, they are having a pretty busy time without a doubt. Still no word of her getting a position anywhere in England. I guess she is keeping you well posted up in her doings. Mail is coming to hand all right again, coming up to date every week now, latest date received is 22nd May. Just yesterday received a small packet
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containing two handkerchiefs, & a fairly large tin containing several different kinds of sweets, for all of which, many thanks indeed. I do not know if I ever let you know that the chocolate & milk came to hand also. In the mail that came yesterday was a witness showing the reinforcements drawn up in Dunedin & an arrow pointing to Brother Charl. There certainly was no mistaking him. It is evident that he is now coming with the 16th reinforcements, I wonder why that is; not enough men to hand for them I wonder. From the P.C. I sent from Corfe, I guess you would understand that I had spent the week-end down in that quarter or the world. Had a very pleasant week-end with a Mr & Mrs Gripper I met at Hoopers last year. They have a place at Swanage, you will see it on the map right on the south coast of England, a glorious little place, & I enjoyed the two days away from barracks very much indeed. Kathleen Hooper was there also & we on the Monday walked across the hill from Swanage to Corfe Castle, she on her way back to London & I back here. It was a beautiful morning, & it was a fine walk, country resembling very much our own place at home. Perhaps Kathleen will write you more about it. I am writing at high pressure again tonight, have about 1/2 a dozen letter I want to get off, if possible.
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I do not remember whether I ever told you that I had got my 2nd star or not, anyhow if not you know now. It came through N.Z. orders about a fortnight ago, & was dated back to the 5th of February. When I will get another I don’t know, certainly not during this war if I get on at the pace I am getting on just now. Had some very bad news from the front last night. Young Len Millard, one of those who got his commission at the same time as I did, I am sure you will know him, is in the casualty as killed in action.
It is too bad really, he went home to N.Z. with enteric, & came back to Egypt in April. When he got there he along with Hargest transferred to the infantry, & went to France from Egypt. When he was home in N.Z. he got married, just a short while before coming back. In the same list is the name of another old O.M.R. officer badly wounded, his name is J Patterson he come from Dunedin. According to the list our men have been doing something, & in earnest too. In last nights paper there is an account where the Anzacs took part in a raid on a front of some 3000 yds which had considerable success. It is evidently this affair which has accounted for the casualties. Am very pleased to hear that Mr Diack has got a commission, there is no doubt but that he deserved it. Remember me to everybody, & pass this little bit of
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white heather I am enclosing, on to Aunt Jeanie. It does not come from Scotland though. We found it at Swanage. When I heard from you all last you all seemed to be in good form, trust the same will be so when this reaches you. Have had several letters from Jess & Jeanie, & Jessies Photo arrived all right, in in which I think she is looking much better. Am pleased to hear that the Cornation kiddies are getting on so well. It was hard luck Rollie & Eileen did not strike the cash, but I think that was [obscured] too much, better luck next time. Now [obscured] on like a house on fire. I got all [obscured] I have not more time to enable me [obscured] lines. Must be off now. Heaps of love to [obscured]
Your
Affect Brother
E.S McI.
P.S. Excuse mistakes no time to run through it.
