Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1916 - Part 6

3
it is you at home that is being 'punished, & I
don't think - you will get such 'punishment
as that -, you will Know what I mean -
& that is the way I look at it, it is those
left behind that suffers most, not the one
killed, isn't it? I wrote a good long letter to
Vera, no Doubt she will be glad to get it
no Doubt. Signalling is going first rate.
we are all coming in well now - have
many a good Days work, with an English
instructor, he is a grand chap. The
Infantry have an Englishman some trng
too. Bayonet fighting &c, all the latest
from the front. The war news has been
most encouraging of late. Things are
going A 1 now, Don't You think & our own
 

4
troops have done wonderful work, Dont the
English think they are just the thing & by
jove so too the Scotch, They say, we can
never forget Australia and Canada for what
they have done - Bravo Australia - I
Know if we have 1,00000 Australians in the
field this war would be just about no more
Our men are bigger on average to that
of the English (soldiers I mean) although the
home soldiers are grand of course, rather.
Yes, I had a lovely time in Glasgow, it was
so nice to be there more so amongst such
grand people - & the kilts the kilted
soldiers were Bonnie, hope you will Be
seeing me in Kilts by next weeks mail
the photos ought to be here in a Day.
 

5
or two now. hope they turn out alright. Coming
back from Scotland the train was crowded
with soldiers and sailors, some singing
anti scotch songs. it was more like a dream,
there were a few Australians on this great train
but very few of course. The singing of the Songs
with the Scotch tongue was beautiful, it seemed
as if I was among a different class of
people altogether, not so rough as some of
our wild Australians. I like the look of
the kilted men. They are the chaps, I was
thinking of the Difference in him
to the Hun - that Beast - yet poor fools
they think they are fighting for their miserable
freedom, Down with the Kaiser &
his murderers, & they will soon learn to
 

[*Still on the watch
for Clair & Kay
they ought to turn
up soon.*]
August 1916
6
be nice & better. They appear to have had no
chance in life they will be better later.
I wish the British could hold Germany for
ever - & let them be under British Rule they
would soon come round. Often wonder
how all the Australians I know, are getting
on at the front - believe they have lost a
big number of men again.
Well Dad Mum May must again
Close excuse this scratch - but better
this than nothing. I will write to
everbody before ^we leave to end the war
You watch the papers & see if we don't do some
grand work we will Do it or Die.
Good Bye With Very best
love to Connie & you all  Kenneth.
 

Mrs Jack Young
Princes Street
Alberton
Adelaide
South - Australia -
 

Rear of envelop ~ see original
1101
England.
 

614 K J Young
43^rd Battalion
England
August 21^st 1916.
Dear May
Two lines to let you Know I received your letter this afternoon. It
was so nice to hear from you - from old home. I often wonder
if I will ever have the luck to see home again - perhaps null
Fancy you having such grand rains in Sth Australia - very
pleased to hear it - the weather is great again here - Australia
Days again - cold in the mornings. Sorry to hear Mum has
been ill - but glad she was alright again at time of writing.
I often wonder how you are Keeping. Dad is well I hope.
Wondering if Clair or Ray are on the way now.
believe your line to me - went to Egypt first it didn't
arrive here until August 21st, & was sent July 2nd - what a long
time. Had a line from Sam the day - he has a weeks holiday - and
is going down to London - I spent a Day there - a Great Place.
Went to the auld Church of England last night a good crowd, there
were a big crowd of Anzacs & Tommies there. Will Cable  you when leaving for
the Front, (the latest today we are going to India) how many more Yarns
Love to Dad Mum May & Connie - XXXXX Kenneth —
 

[*E Colliver Lt*]
Miss Mary Young
"Palm House"
Princes Street
Alberton
Adelaide
South — Australia —
 

Rear of envelop ~ see original
11
England
Oct. 12th 1916.
 

August 25th 1916.
[* I usually write these letters at the above - a fine place too.
Go to the pictures now and then, shows all over this big camp.
big places too. Salvation Army Institutes &c 3 YMCA's. Camp Canteens.
4 or 5 Picture shows. Good Picture & Vaudeville also. So you see we Don't do bad.
Go into some of the Villages sometimes for a walk, will be going
London one week end soon. have to apply for the London leave though*]
Dear Dad
Thought you would like to get a wee line from me, altho' I am always
writing you a line at home will try and give you a little more news this afternoon.
I was innoculated again this morning, on the arm this time - so we have
24 hrs off Duty. Good job too. My arm feels a wee bit soar now. Still getting on A 1, Dad,
every-thing is going pretty well, I feel just A 1 myself - never felt better, now I hope
you at home are the same - I would not like to Know you were not. Since I said "Good Bye"
that night on the Station, I have done a lot of travelling, havn't it? Jes & I have enjoyed it too.
I have Kept a Diary, so will be able to give you a lot of news when I get back, next Year.
Some-time, no Doubt. I feel that I will see it thro' alright, anyhow I will need to take the chance
along with the others. Saw Lakie yesterday. first time since leaving France, he is quite happy had a
good time in London thought it was just the thing. There is a wet canteen In this camp so he is
right - he likes a good Drop, but I have not seen him take too much. The sky today is very grey,
it is raining now. this is a terrible place for rain. too much rather for my liking. I will send
on my Kilted photo to you - let me Know what you think of it. Are the hens laying, how
many did u get a day? eggs are d terrible price in this country bread 9d loaf too.
I am looking for the Australian Mails now - one ought to be in soon. Are you busy just now? Remember me
to Mr Stapleton. how is he? This is just a line to cheer things up a bit. Good Bye, Dad.
and I hope to hear from you sometime soon
With Much Love  Ken.