Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1916 - Part 1

SS "Afric"
Albany.
13/6/16
Dear Mum & Dad
This is a line to let you know how
I & Co are getting on, well so far. We
have had is rather rough - too rough for a
troopship, we arrived here this morning
it is a beautiful harbor & no mistake, we
will get off tomorrow for a while. hope it
is not raining, it has been raining a bit
today, my word it was cold coming over.
I made good use of the caps & gloves &c.
Our quarters are not bad.
considering, but rather stuffy, I have
not been seasick so far but my word I
did not feel too good a times.
The boys all seem to be happy
enough in spite of the bad trip etc.
Have you heard from Clair
does he know when he is leaving for the
front - Didn't we have a great send off
last Friday it was Tip top and what a
crowd on the Jetty. Will you please 

send Perce Tonkin my photo, I had a PCard
from him before leaving, he wants me
to go over & see them Before leaving for the
front, he knew I was in camp through
the King boys.
One of the Adelaide Coys Boat
came up this evening at least I think it
was an Adelaide Coy Boat.
Well Mum & Dad no more news
to give you. This is just to let you know
I am quite well.
Will write again before
long.
Good Bye With love to
you all, & hoping all are well.
Write to me soon
Much Love
Ken. Young.
Had another new job yesterday sweeping down
the deck it wasn't a bad job.
We are going for a walk around Albany now
Good Bye
XXXXXX KY 

Mrs J. Young
Princes Street
Alberton.
Port Adelaide
SA. 

III

June 1916
My Dear Mum & Dad,
I am writing you these few lines now to make
sure to have them posted at our next Port of call.
The name of which I am afraid I will not be able
to give, Well we have had a most beautiful trip
since leaving Albany, today (Sunday) it is
very very muggy it is just wonderful how the
weather conditions have changed and are still
changing. This trip is most interesting, & if we
are lucky enough to get back to Australia,
it will be grand for us all.
We had a good look round Albany of
course that town is well known to us, & I have
been there 4 or five times previous to this time.
We had church parade this morning at
10.30 AM the 43^rd Band played the hymns, it was
so nice & a good big crowd attended.
All the boys appear to be doing a1 &
so far having a good enough time, plenty-of
sleeping going on today, the warm day makes us
feel like sleeping, I have just (woke up.) 

2
I wrote a short letter to Aunt Helen from Albany,
as we were not calling into Fremantle.
Give them my love when you write.
Did Capt Ronald come to town.
& how is he? Suppose you will be going down
to Cowell in a week or two now, & perhaps
by the time you get this you will be down there
as it will take about 2½ weeks from wherer
this is posted, (hope I havn't said too much)
Yes we had a pretty good shaking
up from Adelaide to Albany across that
bight is a brute, it is always the same.
This is our 5th day from Australia
so it is along way from there now.
Have not seen a Light steamer since the ss
Leitkna at Albany, not much leaving in that sea
surely. Mr Lakie is having a good time
see him nearly every day, he was washing down
decks yesterday. I had that job one day it was
not too bad, rather a new job for me.
Have taken a nice lot of photos, you
will like to see them so I will send some to you
after our journey has ended whenever, that will
be, some say it will be sooner than we thought 

III
when leaving , but of course we have heard
nothing since, so will just need to wait & see
where we are going to.
Did you send Perce Tonkin that photo, & also
Hixin & Mrs Gorden. & I may see Bert over this
way some-where -.
They have a canteen aboard, where
we can get just anything we want
& at coastal prices.
The food we get is not too bad
& the sleeping quarters alright too. My word
weren't there a crowd of people at the Harbor
the day we sailed, I didn't realize we were
going to the war, I seemed to forget for the
time, yet I suppose some of the chaps will
never see Australia again, but I can tell
you I did not think so when leaving that
day. Have not had any war news of course,
they do not trouble about news papers
in these parts, have never seen so much
water in my life Day after day, & nothing else
Last night we had a concert pretty
good too, some good singing &c & sometimes
boxing, the band gives us any amount of 

IV
good music, & this afternoon at 4 we are to have
sports of some kind, The band when touring SA.
collected between £30 or 40 for Batt sports, so there
ought to be some good prizes.
(Later) The weather is getting very warm
now almost hot, some of the men are
getting about in little short trousers, They
do looks cards  too, of course there is plenty
of time for the dress, - when we get to Egypt.
We have life belt Alarms - just to
try us - it is all needed- as you know.
We couldn't see Cocos Island,
too far off, only saw the (sea) where the
old Emden met her end. Have not seen
any other ships yet. I spoke to that Hoff
Masters girl Husband the other day, not a Bad
chap - he is having a good time. The sea
is till wonderfully calm - she has ^not rolled
since leaving WA. & we are now 7 days out.
Plenty of flying fish, they are
wonderful. the way they fly. out of the sea.
Did you get my letter written from
Albany? Have the teeth at last, & bit very
well, just got them yesterday, but better late than
never. 

V
They make such a difference - & are nice & cheap
Has our old friend Holter gone into camp
yet? suppose he is in command of the new
Battalion by this. How is recruiting going
in SA - & in the Commonwealth - be sure
and let me know, I always like to hear these things.
How is May Connie & Ray - suppose
Connie — (and May) will soon be getting on
K the shorthand. Any word of Ray going away
& let me) know all about Clair.
Well I don't think I can write any
more news this time - but will let you know
the latest when I can.
I hope this will find you all well,
& in the best of health. as this leaves me -
Remember me to all Friends
With very best of love to you all.
Yours sincerely XXXXXXX
K J Young
R Don.
Have had my hair cut very short now
- soldiers cut - it is much cooler with
it short
Good Bye KY 

on active Service
Mrs John Young
Prince Street
Alberton
Adelaide
Sth-Australia
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