Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1916 - Part 20

it must be rather a nasty sensation of falling

thro' the air I should say, Brave men and no

mistake, yet thousands ate mad to get into

the Flying Corps. Everything is indeed very

miserable looking around this and other

parts of France - Winters in Europe are

a very different to want - we have in

Sunny Australia - I am quite sure Ausie

(as we call it) has the finest climate in the

world - & in years to come it ought & I bet it

will be the greatest country in the world - we

fight today to save our country, many of us

shall fall - but I am on who is proud of

Australia - & would willingly- as soon I shall

do -My Duty for the country I love - we are by 

far the best off people in nearly every way,

perhaps it is slow - but that is nothing - gay

city's are not everything, are they? I have

thoroughly enjoyed all I have seen - I would

like very much for your all - too see the same

It would cost a few £ I know.

       Sunday night after I had left 

Clair - There was a very heavy Bombardment -

some noise right enough, &

lights were floating all round -it is wonderful

how close people can live to

the firing line - we are some little

distance off - but people are living

within a mile or so, so I believe

this war we have heard so much of.

During the last two years - to be in 

hearing of some of the guns, it does for

seem strange. Had a nice letter

from Clive the other day - he is in

the army after four attempts he

tried enough anyhow. I am glad he

got in - he was mad to get in

& as far as this conscription business

goes he need not have enlisted, as 

he is the only son - the same with me.

      Yes Geo Lakie is now in the A.S.C

or rather on one of the limber waggons

it is not a bad job - I have only seen

him two or 3 times - as I past along on

the bike and him on the waggons. Not 

much walking for him now, I've

also see young piper - he wished to

be remembered to Y Dad, nice boy Am

glad you are getting things cleared up for me.

I have often thought about it-

Clem has not been getting too much of

his mail since he was put into

No 2 Tunnelling Coy. The day I was

there he received one from Dorothy

Dack - he was pleased I can tell you

& then last time I saw him he had

received some from home so that

was quite alright. I have eaten

that cake you sent - by jove it was

good that cake, really lovely in fact.

I did enjoy it, if you can send one now 

and again I would be pleased Mum.

I have not got your other parcel

but it will turn up soon I think.

        Well Mum, I must now close,

I am writing to May & Conne this

mail -

      Hoping all are well,

Sorry London has gone - Will write to

Tulloch soon. With very much

Love to you all & our self

       Yrs Ever

          Kenneth

Mrs J. Young

 Princes Street

Alberton

Adelaide

South Australia

 

Franked by

Back of envelope

  Port Adelaide

1317    FE15  -11       1917

           31

        France

                     Christmas Eve 1916

                       France

Dear May,

        Just a short note in answer to the several

I have had from you during the last few weeks.

     As you will see by Mums letter I am in the

Hospital - but I'm feeling a good deal Better

again now. I am always please to have

your letter every mail - but you must excuse

me for not answering - each mail - as I

did at Lark-Hill- conditions are very different

here - as you can imagine.

       This morning the sun is shining

brightly - it is one of the best mornings

we have had for many a day.

         Glad to know always Con & you are

getting on so well with your short hand &c.

stick to it Lizzie for you will be getting a

good position later on - then you will be

flash, eh? I wonder if we will get

into any Xmas Boxes from Australia

tomorrow, almost sure to get some

thing I think. It will be hot in Adelaide

now no doubt, I wish it was hot here

too - one I get back I bet I'll never

leave again, they can keep England &

the rest of those cold places - of course

both France and England are beautiful

in the summer - grand then you know.

    At this time you will be in church

in Australia - it is about 10AM here now.

making it about 8PM SA, I think the

difference is 9 Hrs - I would like to walk

along and see Clair today - but I'm

afraid I couldn't do it today - rather

too weak yet. Will you tell Nancy

I will write and thank her for the 

parcel as soon as I can.

Have been wondering if they have let

those men called up - out of the camps

yet, what do they intend doing.

     We are looking forward

for the end of the war - all hands

everywhere are sick and tired of

it - but I myself think the end is

not far distant - the peace talk will

come to some thing before long I bet.

You all must be sick of it too - & 

then you have the anxiety, which

is the worst part of it.

     Suppose you still have the class at

Sunday School, which keeps you going

for that day.

     Well May you must excuse this 

short letter and i know there is

very little to interest you in it.

     Give my Love to all Friends and

accept much for self

          Yes Sincerely

                 Kenneth

 

I don't think I'll hang my stocking up

tonight - not much good - Eh?

                    K

Mis May Young

Prince Street

Alberton

Adelaide

South Australia

Back of envelope

 

            32

           France