Letters from Robert James Henderson, 1915 - Part 3
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17124-awm2016301-page21.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17125-awm2016301-page22.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17126-awm2016301-page23.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17127-awm2016301-page24.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17128-awm2016301-page25.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17129-awm2016301-page26.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17130-awm2016301-page27.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17131-awm2016301-page28.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17132-awm2016301-page29.jpg)
![](/sites/default/files/transcription-images/2024-06/17133-awm2016301-page30.jpg)
about not going away with the company especially after meeting the man in
charge. However was advised to have a go at this machine gun section so will
have to buck in a do some work. We are very comfortable 12 in a large
tent with a separate mess for N.C.O.s which is very good. Have not
seen the programe yet. but there are at least two lectures a day.
and extra /work for N.C.Os. Had a fine trip last Friday night
went out to the Hospital which is situated on the banks of
the Nile river to see some of the nurses who came over with
us on the boat. Two of us took Sister Garvin and Sister Herritage
out on the river we took our tea and had a great time
it was indeed a treat to talk with and be in the company of an
Australian girl again quite like old times in Australia the girls were
very lively like all nurses are and with plenty of nice vegs good
things to eat and drink to say nothing of the sporting girls you
can imagine we had a tip top evening arriving back to camp
at 11.30 p.m. Never tell me South Australian girls are quiet & sedate
again Sister Herritage comes from Adelaide and she happened to be
my mate that evening we were not very quiet in fact I received
many shocks however if I know any thing it will not be my
last trip up the Nile in a sailing punt on a beat beautiful
moonlight night. The weather here seems to be always alike to me
days the same very hot and nights the same cool & beautiful it
never seems to rain in this country by any chance.
WITH
H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
The Australian Branch, British Red Cross Society
AND
The Young Men's Christian Association.
Last night we went to one of
the flash music halls shall enclose
the programe had a quiet night
something similar to the Sydney
Tivoli only much better the
two Australian artists were very
good and received a great
reception. You can smoke all
through the performance and
get anything to drink without
moving from your seat. in fact
after Sydney theatres the arrangements
at excellent Living at my present
rate money seems to be getting
low 2/- per day being hardly enough
to buy ones ice-creams to say
nothing about cabs, boats, & taking
ladies out shall probably cable father
through the Anglo Egyptian hac bank
for £20 or so shortly tell Mick to
square the matter up if such a
thing happens. Had a long letter
[*17 oct 1915*]
from Lucy Cowdery which was
very nice of her. also two letters
from Gladys Reid do not know
what I have done to deserve all
this. Hana & self are keeping in
excellent health in fact I have
never felt better in my life
plenty of hard work and not too
much to eat I suppose we only
get meat once a day stewed fruit
and rice or tinned fish for other
meals & when an ordinary tin
of salmon or fruit has to do
5 hungry men things are only
middling if one has no money.
however I am not grumbling it
suits me all right then when
you
gets up into the city everything is thoroughly appreciated. Shall write
again next mail & let you know how the school is going on
am at present very jealous seeing all my mates & friends whom
I have been with for the last 3 months going away to fight
and not being with them However hope to be there shortly after
them if I do not pick them up again at Lemnos Island.Hoping every thing is xxxxx xxxxx you are all well at home
Kindest remembrances to all and lots of love to you
all. Boby.
The Australian Branch, British Red Cross Society
AND
The Young Men's Christian Association
WITH
H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
Cairo
24.10.15.
Dear Mum
Hana and the crowd got away
last Monday morning all right at 6 o'clock
a.m. but am unable to find out where
they have gone to either Lemnos Island
or Selonica. I have just completed
one weeks work at the Machine Gun
School it is very interesting but quite
a lot of study to do as there is
a great deal to get through in
3 weeks. We had our first examination
yesterday morning which was in the
care and description of the gun I did
fairly gaining 79 & 82 marks out of
100 in each case this week we carry
on with the mechanism of the gun
and stoppages. The work is very interesting
also the lectures on Map Reading Characteristics
of the gun history of gun etc. which we
have so far received from Major Pardo
are indeed fine He gives a great
lecture having been in France fighting
for the past nine months he has
lots of interesting points to bring into
his lectures & being an Englishman
has a nice voice and good flow of
language We get up at 5-30 work
from 6-30 - 8-30 then from 10 until 1
and 2 until 4-30 with a half
holiday on Wednesdays & Saturdays
& of course Sundays off. This gun
I am starting to learn something about
fires bullets at the rate of 500 per
minute & has an all round traverse
so you can imagine the amount of
damage done and the use an efficienta machine gun section is in the army.
There are 6 men to each section and
of course each one has to be able to do
the work of any of the six, in case of
accidents etc Last night I had another good trip on Nile taking Sister Garvin
for a blow. The moon was full and the breeze just nice we had plenty of nice
things to eat and lots to talk about While out at the hospital I was speaking
to some of the lads there was enquiring about Jack Edgley. Rumour has it that
he has gone off his head and is not now at the front but this may not be true
tell Jane Cocks. Jack Cowdery's friend is very ill in the hospital I did not
see him but heard from Sister Garvin, he is not in her ward but she seems
to ever know something about everybody. Some of the sisters are riding out to the
Pyramids on donkeys by moonlight tomorrow night I was invited to join the
party but decided not to as one cannot work & fly around and work to the trip should
be great fun. Have not received any letters for some time but do not expect
to now as things are a bit mixed here & they may have gone on to the
battalion wherever they are however Hana will forward back to me if he
receives any during the next 2 weeks as he knows where I am. Had rather
an unpleasant experience last week - for which lasted for about 3 days
I was broke and unable to get to Cairo for money then when I did get
to the bank it was closed language was fierce for a while and if I
remember aright it is the first time I have ever been without enough money
to go on very unpleasant in this country where you die "not known or trusted"
However I shall do my best to see that it does not occur again.
Best love & remembrances to all and of course plenty for the Whanfried Moby.
Boby.
Zeitoun
Sunday
7th Nov. 1915
My dear Mum
Have just completed my course at the school
and am back at Zeitoun camp among what they
call the details may go away at any time now.
I did quire well scoring 80% on the whole course
and have received a certificate for a machine gun
sergeant of course the next thing is to get an
appointment as such whether there are any vacancies
etc however will find out when I get to the
front The last week at the school was all right
we had 2 days on the range with the guns &
the rest of the time examinations both practical &theor & written papers. Last Thursday night we had
a great concert in the N.C.O's mess. very select
company Prince Alexander of Teck sang to us the
song Sister Sousie sewing socks for soldiers etc. we
all joined in the chorus. also our Major recited
we also had a girl from the Kursaal music hall
to sing to us and other artists General Spence
& several other officers of high rank were there
the whole thing was absolutely first class and
most enjoyable. Went to the Kursaal music hall
last night it was very good some of the items
(2)
especially so. Sent a cable to father yesterday to
sent £15 to the Anglo Egyptian Bank am not yet
broke but am taking no risks the longer I stay here
the more extrant extravagent I become one commences
to find out the decent places also you seem to
work the oracle so as to obtain more leave take risks
without passes etc. I have not heard a word from
Hana yet or received any letters from Australia
as soon as I get a chance I shall find
out from the base in Cairo where he is or
if anything has happened to him this base
is not open on Saturdays or Sundays & closes
at 5 o'clock on week days so being busy at
the school have been unable to find out anything
so far. Have had a quiet day in camp to-day.
reading & writing out on Friday afternoon & evening
also all day Saturday & Sunday night so that
I had to take life easily to day. Do not know
what I shall do here now, being a Machine Gunner
now we consider ourselves to high & mighty to mix
with the infantry to which we are attached here
and as there are no machine gun sections formed
here suppose we shall not do much more drill
until we get to the front and become attached to a
section however there are 3 of us together here in
a tent we went through the school together so
intend to have a good time & a thorough loaf now
until sent away. fancy we are supposed to instruct
the lads on machine gun work but having no
gun here do not see that we can do much good.
Ran across Jack Weedon & Docka here yesterday they
have just arrived & were off to Cairo to have a look
around. Am very curious to hear some Australian news
& how things are at home & all the news about
Drummoyne folk but the mails here seem to get
mixed up to blazes. however if lucky I may pick
up a bunch of letters for me somewhere. hope so.
no more news at present lots of love to all
Boby.
![Jacqueline Kennedy](/sites/default/files/styles/user_profile_small/public/default_images/anonymous.png)
This transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.