27th Gen Hosp.
Cairo
1/9/17
Dear People.
I can assure it is with regret that I am again writing you from this quarter of Egypt. However such is case & the trouble is the same as on the former occasion arrived here on the 29th of Aug & have been here a day or two & am feeling a great deal improved. What is the galling part is that after being up the line for a very strenuous period extending over a period of over six weeks I had to come away just a few days after we had moved on to the beach to enjoy a well earned rest was only there for a matter of five or six days so am missing what will be a good time up near the front line. It is not a nice outlook when one is in the position as by the time I am rid of this place again & get back to my unit the hard work will
[Page 2]
have started again so you can imagine what I think of myself & my bad luck so far. I have not seen any others here that were in when I was down before hope they are having a better spin than I. I have not had any letters since writing you last not even from Kate although I expect some any day. Strange to say our mails were going up the line a day or two after I came down in fact they were waiting at the same station as I was for a few days so by the time they go there & back then get pushed on here it will be about next week before they eventually arrive here. By the way a day or two after posting last letter to you I received a letter from the people I purchased the things that I wrote you, saying they were on the way, saying that they landed at the bottom of the sea. I daresay they will be safe there what think you? However if there is any luck left us that parcel will arrive in the shape of another the exact counterpart. This
[Page 3]
is how it happens, I took what some would call an unnecessary insurance out on the parcels posted for NZ up till that time, but I was pleased when I got the word that they had been sunk & that after claiming for the value of articles the merchant had the money & was waiting instructions as to whether he would forward money or send a similar parcel out to you. I answered by instructing him to forward parcel as before but whether it has been done or not I have not yet found out but will on first opportunity. As the letter I wrote you was posted some days after the said parcel I feel sure they would not have arrived in N.Z. by same mail so you will be thinking it has gone down as it did, I have no doubt. I only hope the two others arrived all safe as I have heard nothing about them. Now then what can I say from here that is news being confined
[Page 4]
to this place one does not get much chance of a variety from day to day & as for hearing anything of the goings on well it is the limit certainly we get a paper every day but it is beyond the limit of endurance as far as being of any use either in or out of Egypt I must send you one some of these days just to let you see what it is like. On the way down I was able to observe a big change in the fertile Nile Valley we pass through in as much as what was, beautiful golden fields being harvested then have been replaced by another crop which has come up & is well advanced for such a short space of time. Also the cotton fields, of which there are extensive areas, are coming to the stage when it will have to be gathered I intended to visit one of these one of these days if opportunity allows.
[Page 5]
About three hours ago I was thinking & trying to rake up something to write. How have I filled in the time since I hear you say. How better than perusing a budget of mail that happened along at that some seven in all, it never rains but it pours Eh What! There arrived three from home, up til 24/6/17, one from each of Lottie & Kate & two from Waiheke. So you see I am well up with the mails again & I think I can say with safety that so far all your letters have come to hand & hope they will continue even though perhaps they may be delayed. It was rather a bad stroke of luck amongst the foals surely when everything else seems to be going on so well on the farms. From papers I have seen I guess
[Page 6]
there must be something of a slump in the timber trade Jack. That along with the shortage of men must make the game rather an uphill proposition I should imagine. Evidentally the luck has been out this year so far as the Racehorses are concerned just being beaten in several instances the way they have & missing the Div. too. You Lottie have been busier than for some considerable time & you sound as though you contemplate having a change of atmosphere well I hope you find agreeable. What about you at Balamona surely you have been having more than your share of rough weather but as the spring came & summer approaches surely there has been a change for the better. “And So”! Kate has at last breasted the tape & is going to manoeuvre for a co-respondent is she how I am longing to receive her “first epistle”. Then of course there will be a reply then what I wonder MaMa will say. Bet your life I will put in a tale
[Page 7]
that will, well if it does not make the blood tingle the nerves will jump. What goings on there was during the early part of June surely a heap of happenings all at once I hope that everything soon got back to normal & have been going smoothly since. Andrew Hall is very unfortunate & has more than his share with mishaps with his car Tom is evidentally keen on getting away but will now settle down I should think. Kate’s letter I think must be the second one written since Ernie was wounded as in it she speaks of being with him a week but there is not the facts in it that I long to have. What fine reports we get from everybody that has been along with Ernie we can indeed be proud of our brother. What a state you all must have been in lately you don’t how hard it has been for me waiting for some news about home at this time. I hope all have become settled again even though it is hard we must accept our lot. Now I think that all I have to
[Page 8]
say for the present has been said anything that has missed must perforce wait till another time. Believe me to be getting on well & will soon be out & about again. I suppose it will be a week or two at our Convalescent Home before going back to work, that is after here. Hoping this finds one & all in the best of health & kind regards to everybody.
Your Affect Brother
Charlie