Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1916 - Part 8

suppose they are better now, Port Adil is a funny
old spot, when you come to think of it, nearly
as busy as big old London. by Jove that is
a great city, some-thing doing there, rather.
Thousands of people on the move, traffic any
amount, but I only saw half or quarter.
Lots of the boys saw the change of Guard
at Buckingham Palace, it is a grand sight, they
say, I'll see all this later on. You ought to
get my Kiltie Photo same time as this, also
several other Post Cards hope you get them.
That was a great Air Raid on London
the other night. They brought one of huns
Zepps down. My word there are plenty
of things to dodge, coming across from
Port Said to Marseilles The old ship 'Afric
took a zig-zag course, you would look
back & could see the mark
Hand drawn diagram - see original
like this
 

of England. Now I suppose it seems wonderful
to you to think of me being in Eng - & being to
Scotland &c, well it seems just the same to me,
as if we were still in Australia - things are
not very much different (sky & earth) but
of course in Ceylon and France it did appear
very different in many a way, of course
suppose we are getting used to seeing different
Lands now, I am any way. I may have
a chance to see Ireland later lots of the 43^rd
boys went there, Dublin &c, had a good time
too. I wrote a line to Ray, hoping it would
find him out, I am always on the lookout
for him and other South Australians
Hope May & Con & getting on well
with the ✓( , I wish could write ✓( it would
save a lot of scratching, wouldn't it.
Are things at all busy at Port Adelaide
 

As I have mentioned before I cabled for money 6 wks
ago, & bless me I have had no word yet, I do
not understand it at all, anyway I will need
to cable again, and ask What has gone wrong.
I had to borrow money to go to Glasgow
& of course every Day I thought it would come to
hand, by the time you receive this you will of
course know all about it. All cables (the cost of)
comes out of the Deferred Pay, so that is A 1, I
Do not mind that. anyhow I have enquired
from London, & so far nothing has come to hand.
I have put in for leave (week end) this week
for the purpose of going to      to see Mrs
Sugars. I wrote her a note telling her I would
come in and see her, will let you know how
I get on in my next. I may go to Liverpool
some time too - & would call and see Mrs Hains
Friends, I like going round a bit & see a bit
 

I have receive all letters 1916
& then coming thro France had to watch Zepps,
and from London to Glasgow all Blinds
had to drawn, and no lights to be shown.
It was a sight coming in to Marseilles, search 
lights upon the sea. & thrown up into the sky
as well. The pilot would not board the Afric
until he was quite sure who we were, had to
hoist all sorts of flags, Parls Vous Francais
he was a funny we chap that.
Well I think I must close again no
more news - but you will hear from me
again in a few Days - I never forget to
write home - about the only place I do write 
to I am thinking, anyhow it is the most important.
Hoping you are all just — A 1
& trust every thing is going A 1 with u all
With much Love to You all
Yours sincerely
Ken.
 

Mrs Jack Young
Princes Street
Alberton
South Australia - Adelaide -
 

Rear of envelop ~ see original

13
England
[[?]] 1916.
 

Reply to C Company 43^rd Bat. A.I.F. Reg^t
Sept 11th 1916
Stationed at Salisbury Plain
England
Dear Mary.
I received your very Welcome latter along with
Mums and Dads. I had been thinking you would
have had the Colombo mail by the time you wrote
the last letter to me. I am glad you liked the
few views I sent you. Anything like that is nice to
have. The rag was very common & papped in but just a wee
thing or two from these parts are nice. I bought that
off a wee nigger boy. He showed me some nice ones, & I
took a fancy to one & said I'd have it, he handed
me the Handkerchief, & by Jove the young Brat had
given me the wrong one. the other was real silk
they are very clever like that, another one handed
me some change from some-thing I had bought,
it disappeared, however there the sixpence was in his
ear. Yes they are smart right enough.
I am so glad you and — are getting on
with your short hand, see the auld teacher doesn'a
 

[*( I am still in Signalls. Mum was asking we are all
( getting on A1 since we've been here - I would like to GO
for 2 stripes, I am ambitious still.*]
catch you type writing your letters, she might
attack you and —. I am very sorry to hear poor Jones was
Killed, poor wee woman left to battle on best way
she can. this blessed war has made a hash of things
I did not think Jones would have been killed, its
usually his sort that arrives back safe at home.
So Clair has left Australia - I thought Ray
would have left first. Clair ought to be in England
by this, of course I do not know his address.
However I shall find that boy out, rather I think a
lot of Ray and Clair & of course
Hand drawn diagram - see original document
too.
almost like brothers eh What?
You would enjoy yourself in England Lizzie,
some Bonza Places to visit - I have had a grand
time since leaving Australia I am going to try &
send a Kind of Diary to you. The photos will turn
up next mail I really Did not get much time to firing
them off as I would like to. Has Arthur Baker
 

[*Fancy keeping We Willy
I thought he would] been Lt. now.
I am always pleased to hear
Dear old Kelly is well & happy*]
ever said any thing about going into camp. There is
nothing to stop him - he will be a conscript if he
is not careful. There are some fine big chaps in
the Camps here. Tommy Atkins is usually verra wee.
some of Australians Do give them lip, but Tommy is A 1
rather slow going I am thinking. the Londoners are 
a poor crowd, as a rule. Mrs Sugars Son, is 6' odd
he is a grand looking chap by the photo.
I will now close So I write every week.
& have written to you all this time but hope
they are interesting enough. I try & give you all
the news. I have not missed on thing I can tell
you since leaving Australia.
So Good Bye for another few Days
With Love to you & Connie
Yours sincerely [*shorthand*]
Ken  [*shorthand*]
 

VIA SAN-FRANSISCO.
Miss May Adelaide Young
Princes Street
Alberton.
Adelaide
South Australia