Letters from Mervyn Ernest Hazen to his family, 1916-1917 - Part 6

few days time. Wont he "snort"
he thought he was secure in
England for the duration of
the War. Ill have a great
laugh at him when he lands
He had one at me, when I was
hunted.
The was great news came
through today, if it is true
that the Russians have cut
off 6 Divisions of Germans in
Roumania. (240.000 thousand
Germansermans) nice haul, isn't it.
Did you get my photo I
sent to you from England. I
hope so.
How are things going
with you Dad? well I hope,
Plenty of work, Etc. Did you
Go your usual Xmas
trip up the River. I hope so 

& that you had a good time.
I daresay Clarke Stew will
be allright for Xmas. it is to
be hoped so, at all events. He
has had a very rough time, by
all accounts
You ought to see
me now. I have not had a
shave since I landed here. I
do look a cut. I will have to
have one tomorrow, I am leaving
my "Holy Joe" grow. I've got a
little trick of a one now, but
it is coming on slowly.
I bought
a bonza leather vest tonight.
Leather is all in one piece, & is
fur lined. I got it for 5 Francs
(4/2 in English money) that is 2
vests I have now, & another
one we are to get issued to us, will
make 3 so I ought to bluff the 

cold. what say you.
French money
is very tricky, when you first
get on to it.
A Franc is worth
10^d in France, but an english
shilling here, is worth. ½. Funny
isn't it. (10 Cents in a penny.)
You
can get notes here for 5^d. A
fellow has a pocket full of
notes,, & thinks himself rich,
but, is only worth a few bob.
Well Dad
I think Ill take a pull now.
Hoping that all are well at
home. Give my Love to all at
home & at "Braewar" & Convey
Kindest regard to Chas S, & all
of the old school. I remain
Your loving Son
Mervyn H.
[*[[?]]*] 

Somewhere in France
7/12/16
Dear Dad
Was so pleased to get your letter
Yesterday. I had quiet a big mail from
Australia. 17 letters & card in all. Very lucky
wasnt I. Don't forget to write often Dad Im
allways pleased to hear from you.
Well as you
will see by above address that I have at last
reached France & a cold hole it is I can tell
you. I left England on 16^th Nov. & landed in
France next Day, we were then sent to our
Base camp in France, & were in training
there till the 30^th Nov. we were then sent
on to join our Battalion (it took us 48 hours
to travel about 80 miles) we are now with
the battalion, that is out, (30 miles behind
the line,) having a rest. we are living in
billets in a French village. The billet
I am in is a big stable (Plenty of fresh air)
The first night we lobbed here, I'll never forget
I nearly froze to death. we had no fire or
blankets. But we are much better off now 

we sleep on straw & have 1 blanket each. 2 of
us sleep together & we have a very good bed.
We have a couple of "Kilmore Quilts"
By Jove, the Camp life I had before
enlisting has stood me in great stead.
I never seem to be "pout out", but quiet at
home wherever I am.
We have to go into the
trenches in about a weeks time & will be there
for Xmas & New Year. Something to think
of in later Years, Eh What?
There are 2
Yarra boys in my Battalion, 2 Carmichaels
from Esmond & Bob Templeton from
McNamara's office is also in the Battalion
he is a sergeant.
We can hear the guns booming
here, night & day, & we are 30 miles away.
so it must be rather noisy in the
line.
I sent a photo of myself to you. I hope you
receive it allright. I look well too as
you will see by photo. I weigh nearly 12½
stone. So camp life isnt doing me any 

harm is it.
I am learning the Fre

lingo,  little by little it is a comp
language to get hold of.
It was pay day
today. I drew 40 Francs (28/8 in English
Aunt Beal was telling me that "Da
Harrison was Dead, He did go tent
Pack, didn't he?
I had a Letter Card from
Mr Nelson the other day. I was so pleased
to hear from him. I will answer it
before going up.
Tell Alf Chappell I will
hunt up some of the 22^nd Battalion boys
that were with Chas, when he was in
the Mouquet Farm "Stunt", the charge that
he was reported missing from. He got through
the Poziers Charge allright.
Well Dad, Ill ring off
now hoping for other letters from you
Best love to all at home. I remain
Your loving Son
Mervyn
[*address on other
side of this Page.*] 

5341
Pte M.E. Hazen
13^th Platoon
D. Coy
21^st Battn
6^th Infantry Bgde
A.I.F.
France 

On Active Service
Mrs. R. Hazen.
Yarrawonga
Victoria
Australia.
[*PASSED FIELD CENSOR
820
A.J. Roper*] 

Do not forget to give
the horse
water

Somewhere in France
18/12/16.
Dearest Mater
Once again I have received a
letter from you, & Oh, so pleased to get it. I received
9 from Australia this mail. I have been
very lucky up to now I have had a lot of
mail from Australia.
I have not received any
parcels from you Yet, but there is a big
mail here now & several parcels with
it, so I have no doubt, but what it is
amongst them.
Mater, don't sent any more
parcels at all as there is no certainty of
getting them, & it is only wasting good money
You
would like to know what I want most, well
Mater, you may think, I am telling you
a fib, but there is "absolutely nothing"
that I want,,^only Plenty of letters we are given everything that
is wanted. You would be surprised how
well we are looked after, we want for
"nothing".