Correspondence from Keith McKeddie Doig to Lewis Maffra Grant, 1917, Part 14

O.A.S.  21/4/17
21/4/17
Miss. Louie Grant
413. Park. Street
North. Carlton
Melbourne.
Australia
KMCK Doig

France.
26.4.17.
My dear Louie,
I got five letters yesterday
- two from Mother, one from you and
one from Floss & also one from Ken McLean
from England. But I see Aunt Jess.
has numbered them and according to
those there are two more to come from
you. So I'm living in hopes today.
And I got the photo of "Mail Day"
and also the photo of yours shoes
with a Soldier well nearby. It's
alright that Bob has got his
Commission but he's missing
a lot. over there. The photos found
their way into my note-book safely
and for them I'm very grateful.
Well now dear I must tell you all
about our "Anzac Day" which was
yesterday. Anzac Day to the Australian

Army is the day of days and great
were the preparations thereof.
Let me first tell you that altho'
we are but twelve miles behind the
firing line, we got a battalion
officer's mess into working order.
The mess room is a hut and our
pioneers got busy and lined it with
hessian, made side-rooms for bar
and kitchen, and then we decorated
the walls with some rather mediocre
specimens of. French Art: But of
Course to us our mess room is
the most "comfy" of rooms and we are
proud of it.
Yesterday - Anzac Day - no drill in
the morning for men. and we spent
our time polishing up all our
Kit and the boys had made themselves
very. presentable. To those who had
been at the landing and on the

3
Peninsula two ribbons were given
red and blue - to those who had
been on Gallipoli but not at the
landing only one of these ribbons
- the blue was given.
At 2. p.m. our Brigade Sports
commenced. Fatigue parties had
been out and filled in shell holes
and made quite a respectable ground
fenced in with wire and some of
the numerous "dud" shells that were
lying about. Little Union Jacks
fluttered proudly in the breeze and
there were Canteens (wet and dry) for
both officers and men. All the
usual races were run amid more
or less excitement and the
Championship was won by the
57^th Batt. with the 60^th only two
points behind as runners up. I
ran in the officers flag race in

4
which I'm glad to say our
Battalion got easily first. But
no prizes for officers so I got
nothing to send you home. The Anzac
100 yards was also won by one of
our officers. This race is confined
only to those officers and men who
were present at the landing.. General
Birdwood. and other lesser people in
the 'General" line were down watching
us and getting around the men and
yarning to them. My A.D.M.s were
there and after seeing me run
said my form was. quite good and
that no doubt. I would not be wanting
another "leave" to England for some
considerable time. But I soon -
told him that he. should not judge
us when we are back so far.
The bare-back mule race. over a
hurdle was quite' humorous and

5
was the funny event of the day. There
was more than one man got
thrown off. Then after the sports
there was a March past of the
whole Brigade, General Birdwood
taking the Salute. The boys all
had extra rations during the day -
potatoes, cauliflower, puddings and
a bottle of beer for every two men. They
were just as happy as they could be
and really it's just the best time
we've had for seven months. They
say it was the best time they've had
in France.
In the evening we had our formal
opening of the mess and would you
believe it we had an eight course
dinner with wines, spirits and beer
right up in this very desolate and not
so long ago, actual battle-field.
First soup, then fish, then poultry with peas

6
and potatoes. pretty roast beef
followed by asparagus: Trifle
followed and then Savoury. Jellies
blancmanges and fruits were.
present, likewise figs and dates.
As the liquor went round, tongues
were oiled and soon we had good
old choruses going (no dear I'm
still a strict tea-totaller). and then
after the King's toast, there were toasts
of all kinds - "Visitors, Ladies (not
forgotten you see). Ourselves and so on.
Of course they made me get up and
propose some toast of other. The
Cigarettes & cigars were good and
I think our dinner did not finish
until between 1 and 2. am. and
numerous officers have seen ^me. about
"Something Doc" that will make me
feel a bit more like my old self."
However Anzac Day is a priveleged day

7
and there is really surprisingly
little of that sort of thing goes on.
This morning - cold and revielle at
6.30, but in spite of the night before
and the day before, work goes on as
usual. That is a little description
of our Anzac Day and I'm sorry if
I so put it badly but I do hope it
interests you.
I'll write of. more usual things in
my next letters and clothe close
this one now. Lots & lots of love my
dear sweetheart and all good wishes from
Your loving Keith

OAS  26/4/17
Miss. Louie. Grant.
C/o Victorian Fert. Assocn
59 William Street
Melbourne
Australia
KMcK Doig
Anzac Day
celebrations
Good ✓