Letter From Mrs C Gralton to the Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald

PR82/8
[*With Thanks*]
Ayrmin
Rhoest St
Ryde
21.1.15
Sydney Morning Hearald
Dear Sir
I am sending
a copy of a letter received from my
brother in N.Z.  It is a Chatty letter
about their Camp life, & I have met
people under the impression they
have a hard life of it, & this letter
shows to the Contrary.
I remain
Yours Truly
Mrs C.J. Gralton.
7
Address Mrs Gralton
Ayrmin
Rhoes St
Ryde
The original was too precious to send.
 

Trentham
Camp

NZ
Dear Carrie & Billy
I hope this finds you three
safe & in the best of health.
You will have to excuse this scrawl as I
am writting it on the bottom of a grey bag
Well I am Tommy Atkins was handed
over the the Imperal Government on the
1.12.14
I like the life very much & I never felt better
in my life before we get up at 5. on Drill
to 6.30. to 7.30 this is Physical Drill & again
from 8.30 to 12 noon. Dinner & Drill again from
[[30]] to 5pm. & then again from 7.45 to 8.30.
While off Parade we have we have to be cleaning 
our gear. & wash our cup & plate (enamel)
knife, fork & spoon.
At present I am I am an orderly for three
officers it is not a bad job off Drill. They are from
Wanganui. We have now the third force officers
& men non commission officers in Camp
Of us Officers & men 2000 odd the next lot 3000
Officers & men.
I have never been in a worse for wind & not
so much rain. The other lot only had two
 

2)

days rain, where we have had a week of it
In Camp there th is a picture show. The Salvation 
Army have a marquee & English
Church. YM.CA. have the same
We do appreciate the Sally Tent There is a
piano, books magazines & papers.
The first Sunday Church Parade. The
Officer said fall out Catholics, S Army.
& so on. On the Third Sunday we all
joined S. Army. & go there ever since to show
appreciation. so, the C. of Eng. & the R.C, get
very few. I must say the Officers did look.
Yes when this reaches you I will be on the high
seas Please dont say a word we leave [[Welling?]]
on the 12th of Dec. I am not supposed to give this out
of Camp. We are a lot better than the first lot in Physc
& smarter in Drill & a real desent lot. I have very
good tent mates. I was in Wanganui Monday week
for three days & I must say they did give one a good
time. The Rowing Club gave me a day up the river
Mother came & so did Ray, Vawdrey. & Noel
I hardly got to bed on Sunday night I shall never
forget Those three days. Noel has grown a big
fat lump & is so good to Mother. I have signed
on for three years or till the war is over, I am not
sorry I have joined, ed all we are looking for
fight & it is hoped we get it. Our gear is all new
the rifle & bayonet is mad this year & they are
very good for shooting in the marksmans
 

3
course I made 89 out of a possible of a 105 &
it takes 75 to get a marksman's badge so I got it
easy. Our Bayonets we have just got them back
sharpened. Our kit -3 uniforms, 2 pr boots
2 prs socks. 2 under shirts. 2 under pants
braces sleeping caps. Karki Jersey these
two ar very good. Balacava cap. Mend all hold
all, - Sea bag rashion tin, water proof sheet
2 towels, 2 blankets, 1 felt hat, 1 military
cap, kitbag & a very good top coat it is the best
in our kit. On the march we have to Carry
about 75lbs. My Reg. number is 13, & so far my
luck is out. Wanganui Regiment have not
had any one in the guard tent & we are easily
the best in camp. All Wang boys gets a good hearing,

all the soft jobs fall to them. All letters are sent on
from Wellington to our Destination.
It was decided between Vawdrey & one that one
should go, When I went home Vawd. had gone
& signed on & was going into Camp on the 14^th
so I stopped him & he was very cut up about it, so
mother says. I am very sorry for him, but if he
Knows What I do two of us cannot go, & if I
could I would tell you some funny things.
We have to grow a mow, & have our hair cut
very short, at first it makes one feel look very
funny. It did rain last night.
The civilions gave us a send off last Saturday.
We will march straight onto the boat, it is 20 miles
to Wellington.
 

4)
What is the kiddy like is it a good child.
Sunday was the first time I had visitors
& they poured in. Aunt & Uncle Rob have been
very good to me. The firm Hatrick & Co. have
treated me like a Son. The job is there for me if I come
back & always to keep in touch with them & can
have as much money as I like, & gave me Good
Advice, As Mr Hatrick said if he was only
my age & not married he would go himself
They are the best firm I have ever worked
for, I was getting my 17/8 a day & only 44hrs
a week & 2/ over time Sundays double pay
There wont be many get back from the
war only the lucky ones.  5 out of one tent
last night went to town & got Drunk & they lost
their hats cost them 7/6 each for a new one
I must stop there goes the Bugle so good bye
to all.

From
Your loving brother
Stanley Broskie
 

Mrs C. J. Goulton
"Ayrmin",
Rhoest St,
Ryde.