Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1917 - Part 14

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I had to write at your being so concerned over

Russia - "getting it up" -not her she canna do that

how would she stand if she did - I'd like to

see the Allies hop-into her too: I don't trust these

foreigners- they would sell their country for a few

pence some of them.  Got paid today £1.10

so am write again for another few weeks.

all the boys were very short of cash but now they

are right again. Not so much rain here the last 

few days Thank goodness, it has been terrible

the weather is warm: we often have a bath

about "Next Winter" & wonder how will get on

I'm not the only one who dreads it you know.

      Have got several South Australian Boys here

many I've known for some years but you would

not know them I don't think, several 43^rd Boys.

Here now, so many were knocked at Messines

you know, they have a pretty solid time of it

& the 3^rd Div did well - the 3^rd & 4^th Divisions

were in that. See by this mornings papers the 

old Pope is trying to make the fighters pull 

up. I'd like to see Britain giving up the Hun

territory she has captured - not much country.

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My word that N.S W Ralway Strike is a down

right disgrace - don't you think? can you imagine

them striking - when those Australians are

lying down their lives for the every day -

& facing terrible things -& not saying a word

you know it is wrong of them - wrong is no name

for it though, whatever kind of people are they - they 

ought to be branded with the "Won't fights" &

punished for it. I had a letter from Harold

Hinon yesterday - goodness I wouldn't have the

neck to write to anyone if I was stuck back

They don't seem to understand somehow - the war

is serious - & there is not plenty of time at all:

Really Dad & Mum what they want in Aust is a

few Hun air raids to make them think - they

are so far away it is so hard to understand.

Don't believe your silly papers - they tell you anything

                               5. 

to read one - You would think we had finished the

war - can't that right now, yes they are trying very

hard to get conscription in Canada - but it is

hard to say if they will- let the brutes stay

if they don't want to come - and brand them as

Germans - or something vile & cowardly.

      Sorry Fred Bamptom has been ill, hope he

is quite right again now; & how is the lost

"Bill" Bamptom "rooster". must be a nice wee

kid by all accounts - of course, they are all

the same, I don't like them much. I have a

good mate here. The same chap that I went to Scotland

with - we always go about to concerts, pictures &

have games of Draughts sometimes: had a nice

letter from Mrs Sayers this week - she is tray Bon

right enough. hasn't she been kind to me? I wrote

to Miss Young - Puck - & sent some snaps of them.

Later pm I hope to have another few days leave - just yet

Worthing for a day or two but Mrs Sayers has been

having so many visitors lately. "They reckon their tucker

is no good - one was cooking rice" - anyhow they look

well enough on it, They get 7^d a day in the Hun army

9d a day here. Have just this minute received a parcel

from Aunt Liz - good of Aunt isn't it? I am looking out 

for those parcels sent by you Mum - but like the rest

they are sure to turn up in good time: (17th - well

finished this letter off now- but do not seem to have

much news to give you: Fancy Aunt Helen thinking she

would be back in the West by end of Year: poor old

Aunt is bent on the West right enough: she ought to be

comfortable where she is now though I am feeling like

I want another move on now - the life gets sickening

not much doing of any interest - would rather take

my chance with the others over there in France.

and just see how I get on: & if I can stand it, of

course I sometimes doubt it, as I'm not first class

yet you now, but don't thin much is wrong with

the Heart. There was a grand concert here last

night - first class affair - and the Hall was full up

Excuse this paper - but I'm rather run out likes of writing

paper - and am saving up for a couple of days holiday

which I hope to have in a week or two: could get 2 days

easy enough _ & that would be a little break -wouldn't it?

may go down to Worthing if Mrs Seyars is not crowded.

it is a good spot that, however London is right enough for a day

or two to have a look round a bit but I've seen the principal

places there already: and London is all push & go: as you can

imagine - More rain coming I think - it is still very unsettled like

The good weather is over I think - Australian weather is

all we have to loo forward to now, and all the boys are all

looking forward to those days. I am going on guard tonight

again - it is not too bad once they get going with it -

Does A. Sawford still work at Islington? or was he put off

There is to be a temp lecture on the Parade ground

this afternoon - but some officer - rather a strange thing

for the army eh? The American soldiers appear to be

having a great ^old time in London. They marched thro that

city the other day. Their YMCA is right next to ours in

London & opposite Australia House - N^r the Strand &c - but it

wasn't opened when I was in London the other week.

      Well Mum & Dad I must conclude:

         Give my love to all friends - Have written to

May & Connie

         With Best Love & Good Wishes to you Both

                      Yrs Ever

                           Ken   xxxxxx

                         No 3 Australian Command Depot

                              Handcott Eng. 21.8.17.

Dea Mum & Dad.

Again a few more lines - but I expect you

will receive two or three from me about the same

time - however you like to hear often from

me I know. & if I don't write often I am

always afraid of missing a mail - be reckon

that is not likely these times, as I believe there

are so few. Think I am getting on much better

now Dad & Mum - feel stronger & more able to 

do harder jobs - without feeling so knocked up:

so suppose I'll be on my way to France before

many weeks: I didn't apply fora transfer to

the AMC. as I said I was going to - of course

the Field Ambulance - would be pretty hard -

at times - and the Hospit Cohd footed like-

so there we are: I may apply yet - will think

it over perhaps: Was speaking to a young chap

of the 12th Battalion - he knew Capt. Kayser - was 

on the Peninsula with him too - Capt. Kayser

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was killed by a Bomb - he said; a "pineapple

Bomb" - two or three others were killed at

the same time, this young chap comes from Tassie.

       There is another concert tonight - they are

usually very good too - so must go - how is

the old Ozone Theatre going? my word there

are some beautiful theatres in London &

Glasgow -also Edinburg - and fine shows too

in spite de la guerre - I used to enjoy them

nice to have a seat booked you know, & just

walk in and sit down: not much pleasure in

some of these "early door stunts" eh? - up in the

gods - chewing nuts - my pal & I used to always

go t the best of places; some rather High

Class for "two Australian Privates" -officers &c there

and all the toffs - but that is the great change

from camp life - so it always pays in the end.

        Some of my teeth want fixing, about

2 of them I think - will go be$ the dentist

any day now: they are now particular with the

teeth now and all hands must be fixed up

with teeth before going to France or to the

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training camp at Perham Downs - 8 miles from

Lark Hill. The weather has been more settled

the last few day - it has been very wet for

weeks though. The farmers have not been 

able to get their hay in: but are at it today.

     Our camp vegetable gardens are doing A1- 

was picking peas this week - & also cabbages

spuds in great quantity all very good too -

except some of the cabbages have been ruined

by the grub est - how is your vegetable

garden: & the hens how are they laying?

That will do me when I do return.

         Have not heard from Clive yet he must be in

France I think.

         Well Dad & Mum Au Revoir

Cannot write any more tonight.

Trusting you are all quite well.

      With very much love & good wishes

to you all - No more Aust mail yet

        Yrs ever

              Ken      to all xxxxxx

Mrs. J. Young

Princes St

Alberton

Adelaide

S Aust.