FEATHERSTON MILITARY CAMP
Racecourse Hospital
Jan 27th 1918
Dear Violet
Hope Ivy has enjoyed her trip it would be quite a change for her. I got your letter alright over a week ago now & Fergie’s & Mum’s also. You will see by the heading of this letter that I have changed my place of abode. I was sent over here yesterday along with the 35th section (formerly 35A). I haven’t been posted to the Reinft yet but very likely will be; so, my time for departure from N.Z. is coming in sight; probably, sometime early in March. of course I expected this sooner or later, but, I really didn’t expect it quite so soon as the most of the Reserve Section is still at Awapuni and there should be enough of them yet to form another Reinforcement. however, I understand that they are not allowed to keep fit men in camp over a certain period, hence, the reason for this change. this is a decent little spot prettier than Awapuni but a bit quieter naturally, us there is only about 50 odd people here including 4 or 5 patients 2 nurses 2 or 3 cooks etc. I will be able to give you some of my experiences here, the next time I write. You will see my address on envelope don’t post any mail to here after this day fortnight unless I tell you to as I may be back in Awapuni in 3 weeks time. love to all, Uncle Jack
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FEATHERSTON MILITARY CAMP
Racecourse Hospital
Jan 27th 1918
Dear Fergie
I was glad to hear that you arrived home from the trip minus accidents you would have quite a good time in Dunedin with Jacky Dripps. I was wondering if Mr. Mackenzie had sent an account of trip to Wyndham Farmer; I have been expecting some papers for a while now, no doubt, they will be sent on to me from Awapuni. Tell mum she needn’t bother sending any that haven’t anything interesting in them; of course I like seeing them just as much as ever yet. This is quite a nice little place to live, no doubt us medical corps chaps have much better surroundings than do the infantry men so long as they we are in this country at any rate. I am wondering if Norman Dobbie has come up here to the C1 camp yet. I would like to find out as I would go over and see him; the camp is only about a mile from here, it is the same camp, I believe, as where I put in three weeks last August. at Tauherenikau. if you hear of any
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other chaps that I know coming into camp either in Featherston or Tauherenikau (C1) you could let me know. Today and yesterday have been very hot but the nights are lovely and cool we don’t have to get up until 6 o’clock in the mornings while here; it was 5.30 at Awapuni. I have brought my “pipes” with me and have been asked to play at Revelle in the mornings. Major Lyttle is the medical man who gives us our training while we are here; and sunday and monday are much alike to him as he started giving us lectures this morning we had three of them today and a church service at 11am. Well, Fergie, I don’t think I have anymore to write about this time, I may have more to say next time. How did Kit Hunter get on with those Photo’s which he took while up at Clyde?
Good bye just now.
Your Affect. Uncle.
Jack
