17th Reinforcements
13/9/1916
Dear Folk,
Still in the same old place & a none to pleasant one at that, today it is again blowing a gale and as there is no dust to blow about it is gravel that meets one & to face it is a difficulty. Without a doubt it can blow here never blew so hard in Southland the gravel almost buries itself in the face this along with a bright sun makes the face very sore. I think I will let my whisker grow for protection “Eh!” You will know ere this that Lottie came through with me and now that Jessie is also here I am taking as much leave as I can get & running into Featherston every second night so far. Jessie arrived by half past ten train yesterday so I saw her last night for an hour or two they are to come into camp today from twelve till half past one but as it is such a disagreeable day
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it is now raining slightly & threatens to come on any time, I think I will ring them up & see if it would not be better to come tomorrow. As Lottie is to be in Dunedin Saturday night she has to return to Wellington tomorrow afternoon. It is to good a chance for her to miss especiall as I am to be here for another fortnight. The latest report is to the effect that we sail on the twenty sixth of this month and as we are through our twentieth week here you can understand that we all desire a change of any sort. I got your wire referring to Kate’s transfer just a few hours after I got your letter saying that there had been no further word of the matter. I had quite expected that I would pass her on the water but that is off now. I must write her a few lines now that she is stationary the letters will
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catch her up much more quickly. It was the Walton-on-Thames Hospital she wanted to be in was it not how strange that she should get into the same one as Nurse Porteous. Will there be some talk? I am looking after the dining room today so have plenty of time to write if there was anything to write about. Now that our Squadron is fixed up and those to go out of it have been removed everything is ready now and all that is required is the word to be off. One of our Officers is to remain behind and is in charge of M.G. section he was the one in charge of (my) half squadron Mr Gooding and this is about the third time he has been put back I believe one of the boys told me yesterday he is very much cut up about it but it is alright for as it being he if any that all wanted to see left behind. I am send you this P.C. of Featherston the only one I have seen so far taken I think from the
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top of the hill at the rear of township. Lottie and I were up there on Sunday and had a grand view of the surrounding country. The part of the camp called canvas town shows up plainly & you can see the main camp on the opposite side of the road. Note the road running angularly through the town. That is the main Featherston Wellington road about twenty chain from the corner, right hand, the road runs into the hills but it does not get steep for a few miles further on it runs along the side of the hills along a valley & seems to be rather an interesting road so far as we saw it the other night. Well as it is getting on for half past eleven a.m. and I will soon have to make the tables ready I must bring this to a close. Hoping all are as well & getting as fit as I am.
Ever Your Brother
Charlie
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P.S. You can send all letters round after I sail as it will not be so easy to write when of here I suppose. Ch.
