Letters from Albert Charles Cox to his mother, 1915-1916 - Part 11

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have it (as it was not needed on the voyage) and am
xxxx finding it very refreshing in the hot weather. Not only
I, but all the other coves find their way to it during the day,
& with me to express their opinions in the same terms.
We are quite a happy little crowd of 7 in the Company
but of course arguments crop up now & again as they will
do when a few are living together. Two have to be very
good pals to live in a tent together for any length of
time without falling out for ten minutes once a month
or so. My tent mate is "Bobbie" Burns of B.P & Co, but we
have managed pretty well so far. Another good sort is a fellow      
named Coldham from Melbourne, but before the war, had
a couple of stations in Queensland. Tom Dick is also
one of the party, & rather a good chap with a little above
the average brains, I have discovered.
The Secretarial duties connected with the Mess help to
keep my brain from going rusty in the business line, for
it gives one quite a good deal so do in the way of finance.
It is not always possible to obtain credit, & as pay day is
only once a fortnight with us, money is not floating round
in any quantity after the first few days. Hope the scraps
of news so far on this page have not bored you, but they
had to go in to fill up. Had better send this note off now
in the hope of catching a mail, but will start another in
a couple of days. Hoping you are all O.K.  from
your loving son Bert

6/5/16
Dearest
Have had quite an easy, but quiet week & there
seems to be less news than ever that I am able to
tell you. Have had another field day to day over the
desert, but they are much more enjoyable to training on
the parade ground, not so much to relieve the monotony,
but the knowledge one gains outside what is laid down
in the manuals is so great.  The only drawback is that
it is becoming a bit warm, but fortunately the night

are still cool.  We get plenty of band music during the
day & night, both good & indifferent.  The Battalion next st
door to us have their band playing to- night for their guest
evening, but it is not as good as it might be. Nevertheless
it brightens things up a bit.  I believe another mail
arrived to-day & I think I shall wait for a letter from
you before trying to put anything further in this.
8/5/16
Had two letters from you yesterday dated 28 Mar & 1 Apr.
 

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much to my delight. The day was another scorcher
& though lying down in ones tent the perspiration
would roll off but it was Sunday & xxxxx possible
to spend a good deal of time in the water. To- day is
very much cooler, & really pleasant.
Pleased to hear Metters are keeping their head's
above water, as also the other Cos. you are interested
in. Such concerns should do well after the war I
think,  for foreign goods will not be allowed to flood
the markets, &  people will patronise, their own manufacturing
surely. Am anxiously waiting to hear if you
received the parcels sent you about the end of February
best your next letter should mention something about
them.

Have not heard of Cland Jones for some time.
 He has not joined up so far to my knowledge, & is still
in the training battalions.
Glad so hear Tol was given such a good recommendation
& only trust he likes his new job. Hope you have no
misgivings through me expressing my opinions, "as regards"
his departure from the "L.L&G". You are certainly right
in believing there are beautiful articles in the [?]
any rate by the prices of some of them. It would take
hundreds of pounds to purchase a great many very ordinary
looking pieces of tapestry, but the age & [?] of them
being hand-made makes them so [?] you know
of course. The amount of money spent in Egypt on the
 

3.

season, in ordinary times must be tremendous, not only
in purchases, but more especially trips into the interrior.
Some "Dragomen"  would not undertake a trip under a few
hundred pounds. They are naturally very keen on the
Americans in this connection.
Am enclosing a few negatives which I had done a few
days ago. They don't seem to be particularly good, but may
be or interest to you. I have endeavoured to number them in
the bottom right hand corner. 1 & 2 were taken you the never
to be forgetten route march from Tib-el. Kebir to "here". 1 is of us
having lunch. the first day, & 2 the camels carrying our goods
& chatels.  3 is i view of the Sweet water canal running through
beautiful Ismailia, but it in no way does it justice. 4 the
Sports on Anzac Day in the Suez canal. Taken from the boat
from which the races started. The greasy pole in foreground, with
some of the spectators standing in the water & on the shore in
the background. 5, a trip on a dhow along the Sweet water canal
from Tel-el. Kebir, & 6, ships of the desert camped at the end of
the days march. I gave instructions for prints to be taken of
them as well,  but they were sent back without,  & another
opportunity of going to town (not Cairo) has not presented
itself. It is wonderful how one settles down in camp &
loses all desire to leave it, but we should, all be better pleased
if somewhere else. One is never satisfied though.
9/5/16
Had another pair of socks from. Aunt Min to to-day
 

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I cannot in any way account for Aunt Dills parcels
being the only ones that go astray.  All others seem to
arrive in good time. Perhaps she sends them to the 4th
Battalion comfort fund in which case it is quite possible
that I shall never see them for they have far too much
work to do besides running round looking for us.
You will be pleased to hear that my name was sent
in for my second star to day, which, though making no
difference in pay, brings me one closer to the third
extra few bob.
No  more news just at present dear, [?]
your are all O.K.
Best love from
Bert

1/9/16

Dearest
Suppose you have been wondering what has become of me as I
must have missed a mail or two, but I have not had an
opportunity of writing the last few days. We are still in the land
of milk & honey, (flies & heat); & in the trenches at last. Although
this far, I have not had the pleasure of potting at anything but
targets, & don't expect to for a while. The heat has been pretty terrible
up till to-day, but I have a great dug-out a few feet below the
surface which is fairly cool & very dark, hence the flies are absent.
It feels rather strange living underground for a while, but one very
soon gets used to it, especially when it is as hot above that water
will get so hot that you can't bear your hand in it. Some people
talk about the issue of rations being very poor for a soldier, we are
living on the issue (6 men & myself) a could not be better satisfied. I
dare say you will think how few complaints there will be when I
get home, (I'll grant you that dear all the same) but there is really
nothing to complain of here so far as food is concerned. I am
beginning to think that soldiering suits me well, but of course
it is not over yet. Have not had any letters from you for
over a week, though I expect some will be brought out to us
to-morrow. Took a few photos to-day, but you will have to
 

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 wait some time as I can't see any immediate prospects
of having them developed. The great part about my present
job is that you are never worried by anyone, but just "carry
on independently", & we occupy about the most comfortable
"posie" in the line. We sleep in the trenches at night as it
is a bit too warm in the dug-out, with our clothes on of
course, but I can go to sleep sitting up now. A strange bed
does not effect me, as of old.
20/5/16
Had quite a cold night & it promises, to be as pretty fair day.
It will probably seem strange to you, but the time is now 4.4 5am
& I am just waiting for breakfast. We rise. of 3.30 am which
if nothing else, is the best part of the day. Breakfast, this morning
consists of - porridge, bacon, bread a plum jam, & cocoa - not
too bad eh!  Am still keen on the teapot & manage
get a good deal of it. Cold weak tea & lemon proves a great
thirst quencher & is on tap all day. We have to make it
weak, in order to spin the tea out, but it is very good.
21/5/16
Received your letter of 10th Apr. to day, amongst five others, one of
which was from Con accepting my proposal more or less. I must
have been a bit careless in a letter to her & committed myself
but I'll leave that to you to fix up. Am very pleased
hear you received the parcels & liked them. It was the only
Persian curtain they had in stock, otherwise I would have sent
you two. You did not say you received the scent, but I presume
have, as you mention having got 5 parcels.
 

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You ask what the Barrage is.  I take it the word means

Botanical gardens, but in what dialect I don't know.  It is an island

I think, surrounded by the waters of the Nile, at the same time

demonstrating what use can be made of water by locks, wires etc.

which are really fine.  The gardens are beautiful, & it is about

the prettiest spot round about Cairo (between 30 & 40 miles out).

"Bella Donna" - I have often tried to think of the name

but could not, although & remember the play, & often connect

it with what I see now & again.  You mentioned it in your letter.

Having a pleasant day to-day & putting in the time

digging a new emplacement for my gun.  Give me a dozen or so

Australians such as I have now & I don't want much else.

We are the happiest little crowd possible, swearing is cut out

& not a row takes place; & when there is anything to be done

worth while, they are the chaps to do it.  And they can't see the

necessity of doing things for fun.  Luckily we have the privilege

of practically choosing our men; therefore you don't get what

you don't want.

Am working up a great colour on my arms, but it is

perfectly white where my watch xxx is.  Can use it as an

identification mark.

Well!  I think I have told you everything that will

pad this up,  none of which appears very interesting, but there

is nothing to see beyond sand etc.  Hope you are O.K.  Best

love to all from

Bert

26/5/16

Dearest
The only news of interest  is that I received two
more letters from you to-day, but you no doubt
expect something from me. Am pleased to hear the
scent arrived togetter with the other parcels. Your
letter advising the receipt of the last parcel came
first, & that explains the reason for me asking if
you had received the others in an earlier letter. I had
an idea that they charged me more than the blouse
was worth, but of course if can't be helped.
Cut my finger yesterday & it is rather awkward
to write, but I don't think they will send me to
Australia through it.  Pleased to hear you are doing
a bit for the wounded.
Dont worry about the delivery of letters to me
for they are coming through quite well. Hope mine
to you were not blocked as anticipated, & I did
not go to help relieve Townsend, but am still practically
 

in the same spot
You say Skidgie Giles is engaged to Audsley. Someone
told me a few lays ago that it was Meg Colsom.
Must be a mistake somewhere, or else he is making it pretty
hot.
It is quite comforting to hear that Mr. Woodhouse is
providing humble entertainments for you & doing her best to
keep you in hand.  Jean tells me you are leading a very
fast & furious life xxxxxxx,  but perhaps she is judging you
by herself.  Am glad to learn that Tim is proving a match
for Colliver, which is certainly something to his credit. I
believe they are having pretty busy times on Change, which
sounds well of the money market. Had a letter from
Aunt Annie to-day, asking me to try & get Hal sent
home for a rest. That is for the authorities concerned to decide, & I
have not had another chance of seeing him again.  Sorry to
hear he was in hospital again.
Molly evidently remains the same. Dont think she
will ever be able to make up her mind about anything.
Sorry Jean's Greek disappointed her, but surely she
has not much time for that ilk. We have not much
sympathy for them here. Have had quite pleasant