61289
N.Z.M.C.
Reserve Section
Awapuni Military Camp
Nov. 21st 1917
Dear Violet
I received Eric’s letter to day so I will try and get one written for to you to night, wasn’t it sad about poor Uncle Bob and little Ian must be very lonely and sad now without a Pa to talk to, but, he will be well cared for when he comes to N.Z. to live; it seems a pity he had to live away on that lonely Island with no other white children to play with. I see by the paper that Auntie Kate has arrived safely with the children in Brisbane. So you have all seen that little Photo of me which Jack Dodd had a young fellow named Bruce Cochran took it one day in the Public Gardens in Palmerston I have one of the same with me here. I have had my Photo taken at the Photographers as well, I haven’t got them yet. I might send some down or I might wait and bring them with me
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when I come down at Christmas; it won’t be long till Christmas now, will it? It has been a cold miserable day all day and last night too with a cold wind and rain from the East it is still raining but not so cold. A lot of fellows left here yesterday to go away on the transports, these included all the 32nd section and part of the 31st. We, “The Band” played them into the station at Palmerston, it was a very warm day just the opposite from today. One day last week we all went away about five miles away and camped out it in a paddock for the night. This is what is called “Bivouacking” we had to use our blankets to make tents with if you could call them tents; most of the fellows had ‘oil sheets’ to lie on but I had none, so I got some leaves of the trees in the bush along side and lay on these with my overcoat on and a blanket over that, and I had a good sleep the weather was good though if it had been wet
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we would have been very miserable I should imagine; the paddock we camped in was beside the Manawatu River and had been all bush at one time; there was a lot of wood lying beside the river, so we had a big fire in the evening and an open air Concert beside it. Well Violet, I don’t think I have any more news to write about just now so I will stop now hoping you are all keeping well. I don’t remember whether I have written to Fergie or not. who writes next might please let me know.
I remain your affectionate
Uncle Jack.
P.S. Fancy Olive knowing me in the Photo. I thought she would have forgotten me long ago.
