Letter From Harold Westman to "Peter and the boys", 15th August 1915

PR82/8  
Heliopios Camp
Egypt
1st Aug 1915
[*Return
Mr A L Paton
John St
Ashfield*]
[*From
H. Westman
18^th Batt
wounded*]
To dear old Peter
and the boys
Well chum I am off straight
to the front. have just a few minutes left to drop
you a few lines We were called on very suddenly and
have had a great tussle to get ready in the Dardanelles
one cannot buy anything so of course we have to carry all.
we want. one is only allowed to carry just what he
can put in knapsack on back when I say we carry water
sheets and Blanket you can form some idea of load and
struggle to pack Well Peter we have done a lot of
hard training here and its an awful place for the job
still it is good to. know that one can stand up to it
and no doubt will find the benefit of the hard
work stand to us I am in splendid health am
even surprised myself that one well you all know as much
about my physical self as I do could stand up to it
Sure chum gather from letters and papers received that
they are making it warm for the single men that
have not enlisted quite right too its sure the single
mans job just hope that a few more of the Sparrows
have enlisted since I left if they havent feel sure

that its just because they dont realise how much they
are wanted.  I am under the command of Major Macpherson 

our local man and there is also quite a lot of
Ashfield boys in Company so of course you can rely on
us doing our bit in fact I hope that when we are
done with M^r Turk he will be down and out.  we
must win for the sake of all we hold most dear
we wont Would be a falsehood to say that we are not
anxious and excited and think a lot of all our loved ones
but it is for their sakes that this thing must be
done and one feels grateful to think that he is going

forth fit and well to fight a good cause.  Have
heard you were disappointed you did not receive P.C.
it must have gone astray hope you have got all my letters

since Will close now with best wishes to all pals

and well wishers Can feel the good wishes that

all you people have mne for me If you do not receive

a note for some time you will quite understand its no

fault of mine Dont forget to give best regards to
the boys Evan's etc sincerely hope you are quite well

and doing fine best regards

I remain
Your old pal
Harold

PR82/8
Mr A. Paton.

John St.

Ashfield

N. S. W.

Australia