[19/09/1915]
N.Z. Expeditionary Force
D Company 8th Reinforcements
Trentham Military Camp
Sunday 19th
Dear May,
There is not a great deal of news now-a-days. The most important item is that we leave here for the Tauherenikau sometime next week. At first they told us Friday but I believe it has been changed to Wednesday. Last night I went into Well. & went out to see Aunt Tot. Stayed there until about 9 o’clock & then went into a social the Patriotic committee held for us. I just arrived in time for supper & then they cleared the hall & had about 1/2 a doz hops. We had a rattling time. It was a very flash affair but the girls were all very sociable. Altogether it was a real decent show & they sent us home with a big bag of cakes each. The only trouble was that we had to catch the train at 11 so that we had just got going well when we had to break up. We will get no more leave here now & are working long hours in order to get through our preliminary firing practice before shifting camp.
[Page 2]
Today (Sunday) we paraded to church from 10 to 10.45 & then had dinner, changed into our blueys & left for the range at 11.45 & didn’t get back until after 1/2 past 5. We have just got tea over & I am wondering whether to go to church tonight or not. Feel more like going to bed than anything else. There is no such thing as a lie-in on Sunday mornings. I haven’t been in bed after 6.30am since coming here & for the rest of our time here we have to roll out at 5.30. I understand it will be 6 o’clock up above. However it’s agreeing with us & we are never troubled with sleeplessness & the amount of stuff we eat is astonishing. We are still enjoying the work & are all keeping well. Last Fri we were all on scrubbing out the hut & as there were too many on the job a few of them were playing catchers with a stone & one chap who wasn’t looking caught it on the side of his nose & got knocked out. We carried him to the dispensary & he is now in the Hosp. with a broken nose but expects to get out tomorrow. Don’t think there is any more news. Papers & readdressed letters arrived alright.
Love from Len
