[Nov 1915]
D Company 8th Reinforcements
Dear Mother,
We have got properly settled down on our ship now & have spent our first night on the sea & are now heading for Lyttleton so, as I will probably get a chance to post a letter there I am scribbling a few words to let you know how we are doing. We are on the Willochra (Troopship No 35) & although there is not much spare room we have got very comfortable bunks. The best we have had yet but we can’t sit up in bed as the next bunk is only 6 or 8 inches above our nose. We three have all got bunks together & I can see some good sport coming. Food is good & I believe they give us better food on the boat than in camp. We are allowed to keep our kits beside our bunks – most of the previous batches have had to store them in the hold & have them hoisted up for an hour or two once a week. All Friday & Sat’s mail went straight onto the boat so only got your letter this morning. Let me know Rob Cameron’s No when you write again. N.Z. Troops are now resting probably at Lemnos & in his farewell speech Col. Potter mentioned India a one of the places we might go to but we go to Egypt first.
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We don’t all go ashore at Lyt. I don’t know who is to be left on board but am hoping to be among the crowd that goes to Chch. We have had a lovely smooth trip down – you’d never know the boat was moving. Had a great march though Well. on Sat. The streets were packed for miles & we were showered with fruit & lollies all the way. Saw Aunt Tot & May also Frank Morris.
Goodbye
Love to all
Len
