Letters from Robert James Henderson, 1915 - Part 5
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other hand the Pryamids Pyramids, Sphinx, Mosques
Museum the river Nile & such like trips were
simply great. From Eghpt Egypt we went to Lemnos
Island where we we were hung up for 3 weeks on
the ship. Coming across from Alexandria we picked up
4 boat loads of survivors from a torpedoedal torpeoded
vessel which was only 3 hours ahead of us so that
things were a bit exciting for awhile this vessel also
had 2000 bags of mail for the peninsular which
was very bad luck for us all over here letters
are scarce enough without losing some in this
manner. Kindly remember me to all my fellow
employees & if Mr Turks bullets continue to go close
only one may some day have the good fortune to see
you all again Trusting the company will have a
prosperous year ahead and also wishing you the
compliments of the season
I have the honour to be.
your obedient. Servant.
R J Henderson
At Sea.
30.12.15
Dear Mum
We are on our way
to Egypt again. travelling on a boat
about 11,000 tons belonging to the
Allen line. Suppose you have had
all sorts of reports about the
evacuation from the peninsular.
Everything went off very well.
about 140,000 troops being taken
away in 2 days & nights without
any casualties. The Machine Gun
section were about the last to
get off. it was a beautiful
moonlight night & the last night
there every section moved away
at specified time & embarked.
Mr Turk all unconscious of the
move was blazing away would like
know what he thought when
(2)
he discovered noone was there.
We had great fun setting bayonets
tins etc in the ground so that
when anyone pulled them out
off would go a bomb. Then all
sorts of messages were left in
the dugouts wishing the Turks
the compliments of the season
etc. in all sorts of language.
I had about fortnight there it is
a dreary place and am glad to
get away although it hurt some
sneaking away leaving the gear
all the graves of the fellows
who fell before still suppose it
was for the best do not know
where we will go next all
sorts of rumours about going to
London then to France also
fighting on the Suez. Canal.
but so long as they leave us
in Egypt for a few days.
so that one can have a good
feed and clean up I do not
mind where we go next. We
spent Christmas at Lemnos Island
Both Nana & self were thinking
about you all at home and
discussing what you all would
be doing We had a very quiet
day. Our dinner consisted of tea
biscuits and cheese. and a
pint of beer. On boxing day
we received billies from S. Australia
they were very nice and appreciated
greatly but were sorry we did not
receive the ones from our own
State goodness knows where they
went to. We also received our
parcels the sheep skin vest is a fine
one of the best I have seen &
the chocolate cigarettes socks soap.
etc was greatly appreciated. We
have not received the hampers
from home & the office suppose
they are lost or gone to someone
else it was indeed nice of Joe
Parry & his wife thinking of me
and very sorry I did not receive
all the nice things which no
doubt these hampers would have
held. Received letters at Lemnos
from home. Mrs Dennis, Billy
Bull. & Mrs Bull. will try &
answer all. later. Sory to hear
that Dad's feet are bad
again hope they will be OK
again shortly the surf must
have been great at the good
old spot on the peninsular We
got about 2 pints of water every
3 days so you can imagine
the state we were in. then
on the Island things were
very little better however hope
to get a new rig out on
getting to Egypt again. Tell Dot
old W.A. went away sick from
the peninsular with cancer in the
ear or some such thing do know
where he is but will. not be
back with the company for some
time yet. no more news at present
will write soon again love to all.
Bob.
Nana & self in the best
of health feeling very fit.
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