Moascar
6/10/17
My Dear People
You will observe that I am once again a the base awaiting to return to the Regiment. I came down here from Port Said ten days ago after having a very quiet and enjoyable spell there. Of course there is no need to say that I am not taking kindly to this place because I think I have said before it is the last place in Egypt. There is a big crowd here now, apart from new arrivals a number of old hands in fact more of them than I have seen here before. Of work we older ones get very little to do in fact other than a little Physical Drill or Bayonet before breakfast that is the sum total of the day’s work and how to fill in a day is a question, to sleep spoils the night, then as the war is a worn out topic conversation generally lacks enthusiasm so you can imagine what a bore
[Page 2]
it becomes day after day the same old tale. The last couple of days in P.S. Tom and myself had some conversation with some Americans & quite enjoyed the change. On one or two occasions we had quite a smile to ourselves when the real Yankee “Gee Why” came to light in fact after hearing it the first time we put some mustard on to our several accounts & drew further exclamations from them. Sorry I cannot say what they were but you might guess when I say they were passing through, we were the first NZ’s they had met & were greatly interested in our life & doings on the desert. Unlike us though they want the war to continue until they have the opportunity of a crack, whereas with us we all want the end, & expect it every day. On every side just now it appears as though Germany is about to collapse & if the peace proposals we see here offered by President Wilson are correct they are bigger fools than they have yet
[Page 3]
proved themselves to be, notwithstanding their past acts, if they turn them down. In fact taking a fair view of the situation as it is at present I don’t think at any other period of the campaign has the Allies position be more favourable. That the Germans are not carrying out a vigorous offensive against Russia while they are marking time is in itself significant. Yesterday there was a big sports programme here & it proved a very interesting day all the events being well and evenly contested. As usual the N.Z’s had a few wins but the Australians took off the bulk of the prizes. In the tug-of-war the N. Z’s could have pulled any of the opposition all over the desert also in the driving competition the winner showed that he could handle a team of four horses & waggon. The other events in which they gained a place were the tent-pegging (2) four horses over hurdles (3) and another win in the cigarette race. The only event
[Page 4]
won by the Tommies was the tent-pegging. During the day there were several spills but all escaped unhurt. There is a fair amount of time spent in the Rugby game also but so far I have not taken an active part therein although pressed to do so. It is intended to send a team from here down to Cairo about the end of the week & so they reckon I should go I am going to have a fly & if I feel fit enough to do it & get a place will certainly go down & endeavour to uphold the reputation of N.Z. Last match I saw here I was properly disgusted a team of ours met an Australian team & it was absolutely the worst show I ever saw one should have been kicked for watching it to a finish. The A’s won & it was the first occasion on which they had done so but had they had any luck should have won by sixty instead of six. To fill in time at nights there is a Cinema & of course we stroll over there as
[Page 5]
we please but most of the pictures are not much so that it is hardy worth while going apart from the fact that it is the best time of the day for a little exercise. I was rather surprised when I read in one of your letters that Fred Weir was one of those left in Melbourne & I fully expected to see him when I came down here had written him from Regiment also but any of these he along with the rest of them may arrive so I might be here to receive him. How time flies it is hard to believe it is twelve months since we left N.Z. & yet it has been a long year when one looks back. A year ago today about this time we were sailing gaily up the coast to Sydney. As the days slip by we will be able to compare them with those of a year ago I sincerely hope the end of this year will see peace again we have the pro’s & con’s well thrashed
[Page 6]
out here & it great – the different periods the war is given to come to an end. I think I told you in my last letter that I got your cake while at Aotea well I also got the short-bread the day I left. You can imagine my disappointment when after carrying the cake from Cairo to P.S. & then here to find on opening it that it was mouldy, had just sat down for a good supper too, however the short-bread was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed. Have not had any letters since but got the Otago Witness of July twenty second last week also a bundle of Western Stars I believe there is another mail in so may land the bacon in a day or two. Now I think I will have to stop as there is nothing to write about and the heat of this afternoon has brought on a feeling akin to sleep so I will ring off. Hoping this finds all well & believe me to be the same,
Your Affect Brother
Charlie.
[Page 7]
7/10/17 Last night I got your cable of enquiry which evidentially came through in good time. In reply I can safely say I am going on well & am cabling today to say so also for some more money. If this trip to Cairo comes off I will need it otherwise I could manage fine without any more. It is a great place Port Said to run away with money such a number of different coins and nearly every time a change is made we of course are the loser. Had a letter from Kate today she is still away from her unit but says she is on duty & from the way she writes is in a British Hospital. It will be a relief to her when they settle down again with their own folk, I suppose they are still where they went when they had to leave in such a hurry. By-the-way in your latest letters you had been sending cables without success now I think should you do that again
[Page 8]
which I hope you will not have to do I think I can put you right in that direction. The best way would be to send to Base Records Office N.Z.E.F. Egypt as there they know the movements of every man out here more so than anywhere else. However I hope we will be at peace again before this reaches you & who can say that we may not. Now I will close this up and get it off. Some of my tent mates are discussing fruit & mention dates fresh off the tree. By jove a real “blow out” in fruit would go good now, you cannot believe how scarce it is although it appears a perfect fruit growing climate. All we see is in tins & one gets a fill of that pretty quick. Will off.
“Cheeriho”
Charlie.
