Letters from Hector Aldridge Robinson to Mabel Broom, 1915-1917, Part 4

[* address
6^th Machine Gun Corp
A.I.F. France*]
Somewhere in France
14/4/16
Dear Mabel
Your letter parcel & paper arrived safely for which
very best thanks.
As you will see by above, we are now in France-

We landed at Marseilles & entrained there-
I have always heard France referred to as "Sunny
France" & consequently I expected a good deal in the way
of Scenery, but in spite of this  I was surprised & delighted-
Southern France is lovely - All all along the route
travelled by us, we saw picture after picture so pretty,
that if seen on canvas, one could consider that the
artist had a beautiful imagination, but too lovely to
be real-
How strange it seems, to be in a civilized
country peopled by white folks, & yet be unable to make
yourself understood- French people are most courteous
& obliging & seem quite pained that they are not able to
understand you- They keep saying comprend,although
you know that they do not understand and that it is
only their natural politeness which prompt this excusable
falsehood-
It sounds so quaint to hear the children, even the
tiny tots, yabbering in French & the very great majority
of us not able to understand more than an occasional
word-
At every few hundreds of yards there is a crucifix
varying in Size from an image 10 inches or a foot to

life size - These are in no way screened, just alongside of the road.
There are also small houses of worship with "Notre Dame" inscribed - These
places are awfully tiny, generally measuring about 5 feet square or thereabouts-
There are no end of demolished buildings about & every evidence of hard fighting-

Right along since landing in France one could not fail to notice the number of
people dressed in black - As we passed one building, a lady was sitting at a
window with a Kiddie in her arms, & here her face bore the most sorrowful expression
I have ever seen - it was expression of more than sorrow- She must have lost, perhaps
her husband, in the war - Our boys were all shouting & singing as we marched along &
perhaps this was just such another march past of soldiers in which some
Frenchman of hers figured- who can tell how it may have hurt her to be reminded?
She seemed to be praying- I, as you known hate to grow too sentimental,
but this so impressed me that if I were an artist I would love to reproduce it-
So desire, sorrowful, imploring - volumes contained in her expression-
It's most amusing to hear our boys trying to make themselves understood-
most of us have bought books such as "Easy way to learn French" "French mastered
in few days" - price 6^"- "Useful French phrases" price 4^- & after applying ourselves
for some time we go forth to practise on some of our French neighbors, but
judging by the blank expression, or the half smile our efforts are not wholly Successful
Remember me to all
Lots & Lots & Lots of Love
Yours ever
Hector
 

Reply to 6^th M.G. Company
June 4^th 1916.
Stationed at France
Dear Mab
Your parcel contg Tobacco etc arrived safely & were
much appreciated- Thank you very much -how very empty this
Sounds, when I return however I'll give more expression to it.
The Cigarettes etc so kindly sent by Miss Harding & Charlie reached
me & I acknowledged almost at once, surely it must have gone astray.
I'll acknowledge again.
When we heard that English leave was to be granted we could
scarcely believe it. Fellows who had relatives in England were to receive
preference, then the remainder who had no crimes against them
were to draw - We drew- I've never been caught for anything-
I got first-
London is marvellous- I get lost at least four times a day
regularly- I wander about, seeing things, get lost, hail a taxi get
delivered to Y.M.C.A. Horseferry Road Westminster then start
out again- What appeal most to me are Historical Places
(of course) - Tube Railways & Policemen- The first of these gives one

endless food for thought, the second is the most perfect
system imaginable, but the London Policeman is in a class of
his own-
I've had some photo postcards taken & will send along these
Last Friday I posted a booklet of humerous sketches,
entitled "Fragments of France" which I hope you will receive alright.
I return to France Wed. next.
You would be surprised to see the number of ladies who
assist at Y.M.C.A. & Anzac Buffet-
Y.M.C.A provides almost everything in the refreshment line at very
reasonable rates, besides almost every convenience-
Anzac Buffet supplies refreshments free to our fellows
when they arrive- Everything possible is done for us, places are
recommended where we can stay, theatre tickets are to be had
almost any day, free, & we can't speak too highly of the Kindness
& untiring efforts of these people to make our stay in England enjoyable
I must ring off
Heaps of Love Dear
Yours ever
Hector. X
X
[*address
Corpl 682 H.A. Robinson
6^th MG. Coy
A.I.F*] 

Miss M. Broom
c/o H.S. Saunders
General Merchant
Orbost
East Gippsland
Victoria
Australia
[*R G Edwards*]

Somewhere in France
July, 22^nd 16
Dear Mab,
Your letter to hand- I received a parcel last
mail - best thanks -
Things are shaping themselves very well & we expect big things
in near future-
Hope you received my postcard & letter from England-
I cabled May & she no doubt repeated it on to you, per wire or letter-
Remember me to all
Lots of love
Yours Ever
Hector

TELEGRAM.
Richmond South 14
11.40
12.33
Miss M Broom
Care Saunders
Orbost
Hectors wounds face hand arm
letter following.
Robinson
 

[[?]]
Scotland
Sept 28^th 16.
Dear Mab
I received a slight knock which apart from
leaving my eyes a tiny bit weak, & my head slightly
damaged, has not resulted at all seriously -
I am now on furlough - I left London, came on
to Glasgow stayed in Glasgow one day, & then took the boat
down the Clyde to Dunoon.
The trip down the Clyde is very interesting, the ship
building being very active - on either side of the river all sorts
& sizes of vessels can be seen in various stages of construction.
Further down, approaching the Firth of Clyde, the scenery is very 
pleasing -
I am at present occupying a room overlooking the
Firth, our house being almost on the water's edge.
I met Leslie in France - perhaps I mentioned this before.
Arthur is now with him, or was, the last time I heard.
I have received no letters for some months, but that
is not surprising as I've been moving about so much lately.
When they catch me up - if they ever do - there will be a budget.
I have practically no news
Lots of Love
Yours [[?]]
 

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

Rear of Envelop ~ see original