Palestine
6/2/18
Dear People
Here I am again in the same place as I was when last I wrote. As then there is very little that is of general interest doing & all are having a more or less easy time. It is now night time & I am trying my best to write under the difficulties of not too much room in the bivvy. A couple of days ago we had the same trip up to the front line as I told you about last time I wrote but this time it was to bring the men we left there back. It was a great reunion & each party stretched the point and it is still a matter of discussion as to which party had the best of the deal we with the horses or they in the trenches. In either case the work has not been strenuous but now things are going to hum to make up for lost time. During the twelve or fourteen days our Regimental football teams played out a competition amongst the different units of the Brigade. Four teams competing playing two rounds six games in all. For us footballers it was rather strenuous as to get through we played a match every second day.
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Our team played very consistently throughout & were favourites from the hop off but were beaten on our luck not on merit. Auckland came out winners & won with only one win to their credit the other five games being drawn where as we won two drew two & were beaten the other two. Today the Auckland team played a match with the Australians & had another draw & it was a very poor exhibition of the game. I would not go so far to witness another game if I thought it would not be a better performance. Needless to say with so much playing one gets fit & yours truly has stood up to the test in great style & has still some steam left. In a few days there is to be a sports meeting amongst the athletes of the brigade also some jumping events for horses. With so much time being spent in sport you will be saying is there anything of the sterner stuff going on at all & I can safely say there is but we cannot be in it all the time. A few days ago we witnessed an air fight one of our planes & a couple of Jackos just about directly over head. Puro had all the best of it one of the others coming down in our lines some miles out the
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other being sent home to report in rather an abrupt manner. Within the week I have received a great budget of mail a great deal of old letters papers as well as parcels. At last I have the details of Lotties departure etc. how well the Thornbury folk have treated the family Lottie having to go through the same ordeal as Kate did, I had one from her in Featherston & imagine that she must still be there as she said I was to be informed per cable of her sailing. I received your card & diary last night also four witnesses some Oct & some Nov then again tonight tin of shortbread which is excellent & I am pleased to be able to say parcels are coming alright although taking a mighty long time. Also had a parcel from Nell Foster last night one tonight & a couple Kate sent for Xmas so you see I am having Xmas now perhaps a bit late but none the less enjoyable. A note from Lizzie & Y.M.C.A. tickets also to hand yours Jessie I got some time ago. We have both canteen & Y.M.C.A just along-side at present so am having a regular bust up. Evidentally the you have had some flood again fancy being so nearly cut off from Hazletts it
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the river coming it their like that. It is grand to hear that everything is going on briskly but when always hearing of the changes that are taking place one cannot but think he will be almost a stranger landing back in the old district. Whatever can have happened our worth neighbours great goings on surely. The country here-abouts is beginning to have quite a spring like appearance now, young crops, orchards beginning to bloom, & the tillers of the soil busy everywhere. We still have rain at times but it will soon be over again. Had a bit shower tonight thunder & lightening but it appears to have passed off again. So far the orange groves have not started to blossom but when they do it will be a rare sight. It is wedding bells & orange blossom isn’t it I don’t any of us will be taking any of the Jewesses for wives so there won’t be any bells ringing. Also had a letter from each of George & Kate last night. Kate was still in France & having some miserably cold weather & looking forward to leave about now or a bit earlier. George was still in England but it was before Xmas his letter was written so he may have move on again he said he was in good form & had met Hans Hamilton. W Haywood
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& some others from round about. He was telling me that Charlie Hamilton was killed some time ago. How terrible it is so many from our way in the casualty lists lately one never expects who will be heard of next. The band was giving us some selections a little ago but was outclassed by a graphophone which is still carrying on. Now I think it is about time for Willie Winkie to get a hearing so must stop. One must get all the sleep possible on this game because we never know when there may be a night or two without any. This is a job where perpetual motion would be of great advantage so many little things to do that require a lot of running about. Hoping this finds one & all as fit & well as it leaves me.
Your Affect Brother
Charlie.
P.S. Latest letter to hand dated 25th Nov you were then expecting shearing hope it was fine for the job. What a crowd of visitors you had one day & you were to have Winnie Allnut again I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Kind regards to everybody. Ch.
E & O E.