Letters from Hector Aldridge Robinson to Mabel Broom, 1915-1917, Part 2

H.A. Robinson

22^nd Bn 6^th Regt. "C" Coy.

A.I.F.

Dear Mabel,

On leaving Melbourne we did not make any

port until Colombo. We stayed in Colombo for about

24 hours, & had a march thro', which the boys enjoyed

immensely in spite of the extreme heat. Everything was so

novel, the inhabitants particularly so.

Our next port was Port Said, where we stayed for

about the same length of time, & then on to Suez _

The trip along the Canal was the most interesting

part of the whole trip. The different troops encamped

along the banks welcomed us, and as we passed we endeavoured

by shouting frantically, to ascertain where they hailed from,

but in a number of cases we were unable to make ourselves

heard, as they were shouting the same questions _  viz "Who

are you"? "Where do you come from"? & although those questions

in many cases remained unanswered, there never was any

doubt about the cordiality existing.

About On our way thro' the Canal we met a certain

ship (man of war) & our band played their national anthem,

& the blue jackets cheered frantically & we did likewise, then

they played "God Save the King" & we cheered again _ Did we what!!!

We then went round into the Mediterranean Sea & on to

Alexandria _ Alexandria is lovely _ We disembarked here

& entrained for Cairo & then on to Heliopolis where we

are still entombed.

Last Saturday we marched to the Pyramids arriving

there about midnight. Early Sunday morning we climbed

the Pyramids & the view of the Nile flats is just beautiful _

The irrigated part shows up so, by comparison with

the desert _ For about a mile along the either side the crops

extend, & are all green at present, when suddenly outside this

green band, is barren waste all sand, nothing but sand for

miles, so you can understand after looking across this sandy

waste, how refreshing for one's eyesight when it rests on
the green strip already mentioned.

Still Sunday morning:- About 11 o'clock we held Church service

up against the Sphinx & you can scarcely imagine how

impressive the service was, held under the shadow of the ancient

bust of Cheop's. This is the cove who built the Pyramids, so

I'm told. We (our battalion) had our photos taken, & if I can

procure one I'll send it along.

Sunday afternoon We visited the interior of Pyramids & found

everything _ but there, I'll not attempt to describe things ^here, I'll

be better able to tell you on the sofa when I've done my bit

of scrapping & get back to you.

We do not know how long we are likely to remain

in Egypt, but I can assure you that we are keen on getting 

a little nearer to the powder _ At present we are about

48 hours journey from the Dardenelles.

Before this reaches you, my photo postcard should arrive _

May says that it's a speaking likeness.

I must now close with kindest regards to all

Your ever

Hec.

Lots of Love. & please don't get impatient if letters do not follow

one another too frequently, for even if I do not write I'm aways

thinking of you Dear 

PRO3788

H A Robinson
No. 682 Coy. "C" Batt. 22^nd

Brigade 6^th Divisn 2^nd

Dear Mabel,

I have not yet heard from

you but I suppose a letter is now on the

way but will not reach me before we go

into the firing line as we have struck camp

today & go tomorrow.

I enclose small snapshot of 3 of my

tent companions & myself taken just before we

struck our tents.

Our letters may be forwarded on to us

at the front I may then hear from you.

I sincerely hope I receive some message 

as it's such a long time since I heard from

you.

Kindly remember me to Mrs Saunders, Mr Harding

& other Orbost friends

Lots of Love

Yours ever

Hector

P.S. The fellow with the moe is

H.A.R.

Arthurs address

No. 2763 

8 Reif

14 Battalion

4 Infy Brigade

On Active Service

Miss Mabel Broom

c/o A.S. Saunders

General Merchant

Orbost

East Gippsland

Victoria

Australia

Reg no 682

PRO3788

Miss M. Broom

c/o A.S. Saunders

General Merchant

Orbost

East Gippsland - Victoria

Australia

I am quite well.

I have received your {letter dated ______

Letter follows at first opportunity.

Signature}
only.}  
Hector

Date 9.9.15

PRO3788

Gallipoli

Turkey

Oct 15^th 1915.

Dear Mab

Your letter & "SR mail" also "Bulletin" came to hand for

which best thanks. It seems all too long since we left

Australia & we look forward very anxiously & longingly to the

time when what little dispute will be settled & we return to Australia

& Orbost, what a lot that means to me. We were on guard at

Heliopolis hospital, who could have informed you?

The battalion photos were a frost & we did not hear anything

more of them_ What a number of fellows have enlisted from Orbost,

the stock of boys must be becoming alarmingly short, from a girl's

point of view. Glad to hear that at last the Railway is

nearing completion. I suppose you spend your spare time

going across to see the train shunt _

I can quite imagine what an air of importance you

are wearing now that you have charge of the office _

You must not let the war interfere with your pleasures

altogether, have as much fun as possible Dances etc included _

As you will notice by above address we are now on

the Peninsula _ We landed about 5 weeks ago & went straight

into the firing line but since then we were taken out & put on the

beach assisting in landing stores etc for the troops _ We expect

to go back to the firing line at any moment _ It's really more

exciting on the beach than in the trenches _ I'll have lots to tell

you when I return but cannot write at length as everything has

to pass the Censor. I am writing this on a board just outside our

dugout _ Five of us live together & make the time pass as pleasantly

as possible.