Letter from Harry Peacey to his mother and all at home, 29 July 1915

PR 82/8

29/7/15.

Dear Mother and all at home

Just a few lines to let you know 
that we have arrived at Heliopolis Camp safely

and doing tip-top, as I hope you all are at home.

After we left Sydney the “Berrima” 11,100 tons went

straight to Melbourne and took two hundred and

fifty more troops aboard, we reached there at

three oclock and off again at six Monday evening

28/6/15 and never saw land again for 3 weeks 2 days

until we passed Aden.   All the lights were painted

black with the exception of a little at the bottoms

about the size of half-crown.   It was very funny

crossing the equator, we held Neptune sports, they

dressed one chap as Neptune, another as his wife, two

barbers and a dozen police, all those who had

not crossed the line before were brought before Neptune

and tried, some were sentenced to a shave, they

had to sit on a box get lathered with a big white

wash brushed and shaved with a big wooden

razor then they were thrown into a big canvas bath

and ducked ten times.   Officers and all were treated 

alike, I was up on the boat-deck looking on, but luck

happened they did not come up that way.   We arrived at

(2)

Port Suez, Sunday 25/7/15.   It was a great sight, a big,

ridge of mountains one side, a big desert on the other

and ships from all parts of the world anchored all

along the harbour in lines, we passed right through

the them our band playing "Rule Brittania" and 

"Sons of the Sea" to which the people on board cheered

and in instant flags were seen to be running

aloft on every boat.  There were a few nuetral and

foreign ships here too, they have red white and blue

bands painted right around their sides, and a big

name painted midship, so they can be easily distinguished.

We anchored in front of the ships with another "Troopship"

which was bound for France with Indian Troops and nurses.

As soon as we stopped natives came alongside in little boats

selling fruit, cigarettes, etc. which were very cheap, beautiful

grapes could be bought six pound for 1/-.   The natives have

very funny customs, women do most of the work, it is

nothing to see a man riding a donkey while his wife

and children walk behind carrying loads.   We were

ordered to be ready to disembark Monday 26/7/15

our boat took up anchor and moved slowly along to the wharf.

"Major Harcus" was first to land carrying a beautiful satin

Union Jack which was bought for 150 guineas and

presented to our "Battallion", next to land was the band

which stood in a circle playing while we disembarked

(3)

and marched past the "Flag" the saluting base, then the

flag was taken down the band playing "God Save Our King".

It feels funny to get off a boat and walk about after being 

on board so long, the ground seems to come up to meet

you, we were given an hour for a smoke, and sat watching

niggers dive into the water for money, they are like

fish.   At 12:15 we got in the train which is alongside

the wharf and started ^∧ off, the niggers chasing for the train

asking for money, and biscuits which were issued to us,

you should see them scrambling in the dirt for them

women as well.   The railway here is a lot different to

Sydney, the carriages and engine a lot smaller
and
very dirty, but they are very fast.  There were many very

interesting sights to see as we raced along, big farms either

side of the line, then you come to what looked like a 

ruined city, next a ridge of sandstone mountains, look

out the opposite side and you could see what appears to

be ships in the desert, they are boats going through 

the Suez Canal.   The natives around about here are

very dirty, they live in mud houses, and right outside their

door I saw dead Donkeys and Camels decaying, you could

smell a town a time long before you saw it.  We had 

four stops for water and given permission to get out

and stretch our legs, here natives were selling pineapples,

dates, figs, melons;  of which we all had a good feed.   The

(4)

more we travelled the more cleaner the towns were and

more advanced.   We reached Cairo at 7 oclock and

Heliopolis 7:30, here we got out of the train and
marched two mile to our camp all dead beat, and

I must say my first sleep on foreign soil was the

best I have had for a long while, we done no

drill next day so Frank and I went into town

Heliopolis.   It is done up with flags just like the 

visit of the American Fleet too Sydney, the

troops are treated well here by everybody.   You

have only to stand a second and before you know

where you are a little nigger has your boots cleaned

and holding his hand for backsheesh meaning

money.   We are all getting issued with Khaki

helmets, shirts, and short trouses, they look

a lot better and lighter than the ones we

got first.   We have cane walking sticks, you need them

to keep the niggers away from you, they are great theives

they always ask you four times the value of anything

and yet they know you will not give it, we were given

instructions how to by and the value of the money.   There

are some beautiful buildings here, they beat Sydney easily

mostly French and English people in them, with plenty

of money.   The shopkeepers are Egyptians and Greeks, you can get

a five course meal for 5 Piastre equal to 1/- and a band and

(5)

vaudaville going all the time free.  They have a great

tram service, Sydney trams cannot be compared with 

them, 1^st and 2^nd class, they are something like the old cable

trams in build, the front car is 1^st class, cushioned

seats and all mirrors, 2^nd class have wicker seats they

are very fast and look very pretty, from Heliopolis

to Cairo takes 25 minutes a distance of about 7 mile

which costs 1 Piastre 1^st class, ½ Pastre 2^nd class.   We

have good meals the Egyptian government

allows each man 8½ pence a day, we do not get

the money it goes in to our mess.   We have five meals a

day, a morning cup of tea, afternoon tea, and the ordinary meals,

some of the well to people send eggs every morning so we

are doing well as you can see.   I have met a lot of mates from 

the Mill here, and on Sunday we are all going to the pyramids

and getting our photo taken on Camels.   I will send one home

as soon as I get them.   We have 6 hours drill a day six till 9 in

the morning, a lecture from 10 till 11, and from 5 till 6:30 in the

evening.   Well Mother I will now draw this letter to a close 

as I have no more news at present, I will write again Tuesday

Trusting you are all in the best of health at home, and

remember me to all.

I Remain Your

Loving Son

Harry.

(over)

Mother if this letter should reach you before you send those photos 

cut one short from that chap at the Mill and send it to

Mrs J Simmington,

Oliver St.

Inverell.

 New Eng

 

Later I was talking to a chap who had just come back from the front

with Lumbago he told me the Australians are doing very good work they

are holding their own everywhere.   I am going to town with him tonight.

Tell Albert I am sending him a letter with your next one.   Mother 

please excuse writing I had to write this letter in the tent to catch the

mail Harry.

Please address all letters

Pte H. Peacey

Reg No 1529. 1^st Rein 20^th Batt.

A Coy 3^rd Training Squadron.

Heliopolis Camp.

Egypt.

On front of envelope

 

On Active  [[? torn off]]

Mrs C. F. Peacy,

10 Fitzroy Street.

Surry HIlls.

Sydney.

N.S.W.

Australia

Shorthand  Note
 
Pvt H. T
Peacey
Member of Base [[?]] over {[?]]
years