Letters from Hector Aldridge Robinson to Mabel Broom, 1915-1917, Part 1

Sunday July 14^th 1915
Dear Mab
Your letter of 9^th inst to hand which
I was extra pleased to receive, containing as it did
just the reply I hoped ^for but could not reasonably expect_
Everything will be so uncertain now that although
I am more than pleased that you desire things to remain
as before, I cannot say that I think you are wise.
However dear let us hope, it will give me something
to think of & look forward to eagerly.
I note that you expect to get to town in
March _ good!!
I have already met in Camp:- Dug Rodwell,
Batten, Jack Gluth, Oldham, Bub Leatham, Jack Geddes etc
Jack Murphy is in camp Jack Gluth informed
me. Jim Cameron has gone to the front.
Camp routine 6 o'clock bugle sounds & we turn
out for roll call & then dismiss for work 6'45 go out
for physical exercise returning about 7.20 Breakfast 8 o'clock
Bully beef & bread 9 o clock parade & got drill until 12
Dinner Stew!! & bread 2 o'clock parade & drill until
4.20 when we have finished unless we are on fatigues.
As yet I have had no fatigues but it's hovering
 

Any disputes that may occur during the day are
settled at the Stadium which is a properly constructed
platform raised about 6 feet from ground & fenced off
& the officers had a part fenced off for themselves _
An officer N.C. usually acts as referee & everything
is conducted in a strictly proper manner & as a rule
the combats are very earnestly fought, & thoroughly enjoyed
by the onlooker which always number hundreds if the
fight is not an important one _ If a fight is between
two promising pugs the spectators must be counted
by thousands _
Last Saturday Baker & McIntosilIntosh (both well known
in the fighting world) arranged a boxing programme
which attracted thousands _ The Stadium is lighted
by acetylene gas & is brilliant as a great number of lights
are used.
The life here is rough but I feel sure that
I'll improve in condition _ The whole menu can be described
in five seven words Bully beef, Stew, Bread & Jam, Tea Coffee. Amen
My tent companions are of the nondescript order
there are ten of us & with two exceptions are not
not intellectually brilliant however we can't have everything
as we would like it _ We are going to arrange to
put a few shillings into a pool & buy a lot of necessaries
which are not provided by the department. We hope
to make life here a little pleasanter when we get things
going properly _ Keep hoping.
I forgot to mention before that I met
Mik Harding at the Victoria Coffee Palace but did not
collect that little a/c _ The opportunity did not offer
'nuff'ced _
 

I'll store them all up for you dear _
This morning we turned out at 7o'clock
& after breakfast had church parade _The Stadium
(in which several fights took place last night) was on one Side
decorated with a large Union Jack & used as the pulpit _
The men all sat down on the ground during the
talking part of the service but got stood up to sing
the Hymns which were played by the brass band.
It was properly hot _ Lt
You should see my dial if its not properly sunburnt
I'll go he. I'm peeling most becomingly & the new hide
promises to be the right thing _ Kharki colored _ If it
(my face I'm referring to) keeps on browing browning,
by the time I get my uniform it will be impossible to tell
where my uniform commences leaves off & face commences _
We will not have uniforms until just a few
days before we leave for the front _ at present
heavy boots & blue dungarees are the order
I'm writing this at a table where fellows
are bumping about & talking & it's quite impossible
to make even a decent job of it _ I'll choose some other
time again. Sunday evening is the letter writing day
evidently
 

[*Only dust.*]
As I write I hear music from the Y.M.C.A tent,
& S.A tent _ The fellows are well looked after in the way
of concerts, something doing every evening _
I'll endeavor to give you a more connected
account of daily happenings next letter, it's quite
impossible for me to write under present conditions _
One fellow when he has completed his writing
will jump up regardless of the bump which invariably
follows & you have to watch them all & as soon as one stirs,
wait until the table stops rocking. Some of them
are more considerate _ just the few _ the others _ the great majority
are just soldiers _
Again let me say or endeavour to say how
glad I am that your decision is at it is.
I only hope dear that you will not regret it
& I love you just a little more for it

Lots & Lots of Love & Kisses

Yours ever
Hector.
Address
Private H. A. Robinson
P. Squadron
Light Horse
Broadmeadows

[* P.S There is every
chance that we'll
all be put into
the Infantry -
anything will
do yours truly
H.
PR03788*]
 

Miss M. Broom
c/o A. S. Saunders
General Merchant
Orbost
East Gippsland
Victoria
 

Dear Mab
Your letter to hand
as usual delighted to receive
news.
Well dear, I've enlisted at
last & go to Broadmeadows Monday
next. I should have done so before
but R. Harper & Co treated me so
well, that I owed them some
consideration, & but after staying on
3 weeks longer than I wanted to,
in order to relieve one of the travellers
who was ill (but who is now able
to resume) I feel that my obligation
is discharged.
I passed the Doctor etc
 

2
& it now remains for me to pass
the riding test, as I wish to join
the Light Horse, but failing that
I will, of course, serve in the Infantry.
This will perhaps make
a difference to us dear, as everything
will be now so uncertain _ I cannot
therefore expect to you to consider
our arrangement binding, made as
it was under totally different
circumstances _ Don't think for
one moment that I desire this, but
I feel in duty bound to offer you
this release & would like you to
consider every possibility before
replying.
You probably wonder why
I did not write before but I've
been waiting until I had something
definite to communicate.
I'm quite busily occupied
 

3
with the dentist getting my
teeth properly fixed up _ at a
cost of £10 rather hot isn't it? but
I needed so much doing. Evidently
I expect to eat the Germans
if I ever am so fortunate as
to get to the front _
I met Harry Cameron,
Mrs Cowell, Mr Gilbert, two
Johnston boys etc _ There must
be very few people left in Orbost.
I don't feel much inclined
to write at length.
Consider well before replying
& I certainly will not blame
you if you should decide against
our present relationship continuing
but until I hear from you
I am
Yours as Ever
Hector.
x_____xx
 

22817

LEAVE PASS
For Robertson H.A.  L Sq.

From Noon to Noon 24^th
Fred H Hutchings Lieut
Unit Commander.
Date 23/3/15
 

Miss M. Broom
c/o A. S Saunders
General Merchant
Orbost
East Gippsland.
 

Dear Mab
Your letter to hand.
Many thanks. Everything going
along alright, but I cannot say much
as censorship is so strict _
Hope you are keeping well _
Did you get photo May promised
to post you one as I had no time
Yours as ever
L of L
Hector
PR03788