Moascar
29/6/17
Dear People
You will observe that I have now returned to the base & am now awaiting an opportunity to return to the scene of operations. Any day a draft may be going out so that I should soon be rid of this place I can safely say that there is some improvement since I was last here but it is still one of the last places. It goes rather hard yet turning out at four in the morning after just getting out in time for an eight o’clock breakfast. However as the early hours as well as the late are the best part of the day at present we
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feel all the better for turning out early. George Hamilton I saw on my arrival here & without a doubt he looks well even after having had a bad time at [censored]. The twenty second third & fourth landed here the same day as I did but the only one I have met so far that I know at all is Sid Mills, he is also in good form. These chaps do not look at all like the usual drafts after having been so long on the way & having been tanned so that they are browner than some of use are here at present. The second day back here there was a regatta on one of the lakes close to here so in the afternoon most of us sallied forth & had quite an
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enjoyable few hours. About two hours, one before breakfast & one after, & our duties are over for the day so that if one desired he could have a few hours leave in the afternoon but what is the use there is nothing to be seen when out so the time is as well spent in having some sleep. The days are long & extremely hot at present & a nasty wind rises every afternoon just enough to raise the dust & adds to the discomfort. However after next month there should be a change for the better. I am fully expecting it to be much colder where we will be for the winter if the war does not finish before that time comes round. I had a letter from Kate a couple of
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days ago also one from George Wilson along with a snap taken in England & from appearances he is going on well. I left off here about four hours ago & have had a sleep & dinner since so that the heat of the day is past & it is easier to carry on. Since dinner I have word that I along with a number of others go out to Brigade on Sunday so that after all it will only be a short stay here. I am sending my wristlet watch along with a small alabaster obelisk & some little bit of work done by the Turkish prisoners in Cairo. By it you will see that they are quite proud of being our prisoners. Am also putting in this letter & photo of “Aotea”.
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Most of my time until my departure will be taken up getting a few letters off & doings some washing & a few other little things I have as usual left till the last minute. There is a mail in & I am hoping to get some before moving unless my luck has changed in that respective will just miss. There is quite a number here at present waiting to return to N.Z. when they go depends on a boat. Now I think news of any description has run out so I will ring off for the present. Hoping this finds all in the best of health & believe me to the same.
Your Affect Brother
Charlie.
