Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1917 - Part 17

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31/8/17
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Hindcott. 9/9.1917
Stationed at No 3 Command Depôt
My Dear Mum & Dad,
Saturday afternoon - so no work in this Depôt; my
pal is away on two days leave so I'll put in some
of my time. This afternoon letter writing - your letter
first on list - every time. The weather is perfect again
I am rather hot- but this would be called cool in
Australia - we are getting more used to fresh days Now.
of course it is over 12mths since we arrived in these
lands - Today I was thinking of the day of my departure
from the Outer Harbour, it seems more than
14 mths in a way to me - lots has happened in
that time, I never forget those thousands of faces
turned upwards to the Old "Afrie", as she moved out
that day, try to compare it with our return, that
will be very different - our feelings will be very much
changed - well I know, all I hope that it will not
be too much longer now, - Nothing whatever has reached
me.
 

-2-
concerning Clair. I think of him always - & wondered
wonder how he has got on; & what has happened.
The terrible long wait is the hardest - & hard for poor
old Connie & Ray - & for you all as well, but,
I am quite confident all is well & it is not so
bad as we imagine - you know Mum - that the
Tunnelling work is very dangerous - on account
of being blown up - under ground work - all this
is possible - Not Nice to think of - but true: however
we can only wait patiently & hope for the best.
Was sorry to hear Bob, Haines had been killed in
France it seems as if they are all to suffer some
way or another, No doubt even my little troubles
has been a worry to you; but that's nothing
compared with what others have gone through.
I am feeling A1 again now will be going to Perham
Downs next Tuesday or Wednesday, so then I'll see
how I'll get on with the much harder training &c.
Have been in the Depôt 10 wks yesterday - so that is
some time to be here - many are only here 3 or 4
weeks or so. The other evening we went for a
blackberry Hunt- had a good feed- but Not too
many ripe yet. but any amount along all the
roads & other places.  It made me think of the
 

- 3 -
trips we used to have in the Adelaide Hills years ago.
& you losing your gold bangle - remember all this?
I Saw Tom Evans yesterday again think he is permanent
in his camp – Not far from this Depot, he
has not been to France: Port Adelaide is here
or Perhaps has been here at different times.
but of few more loafers come Now. You were
saying you thought they would have conscription
after all; Canada is anyway - Canadians are
not bad chaps at all - real Yanks though.
Suppose the New Trams in Port are doing AI. Are
you using them at all?  I'll see some difference
expect it will seem funny in Australia after been
over this part of the globe so long ,anyway it will
do me - for my time after this affair is over.
Last Wednesday we had sports in a camp Nr
here - not bad - but the day was not too good -
came up wet in the afternoon, we have had
a terrible lot of rain up to 3 or 4 days ago.
I didn't troubLe about leave just Now. Might
get a few days before going to France - as goodness
knows when I'll get the next leave then.
Aprês La Guerre- no doubt eH? Bad kind
of News from Russia still, it is bad luck alright
 

4
but L. George says- in this Mornings paper that they
will come round in time to save Petrograd.
Riga is lost for the time - but Russians are no
fighters unless they see the goaL in front of them
but a war like this, it seems - they do Not
quite Know what they are fighting for - the
average Russian has had No education - so a
Young Dane tells me - the poor wretches have
Not had as good a chance in life as we have
as you know - & naturally they do not understand 
how to work Things now they have their
freedom, yet to be under the Hun rule the
fools would probably lose their freedom for ever.
- The very thing we are fighting for- our freedom
& that is assured Now - but for the Germans to win -
fancy Australia under the Kaiser -  put a tail
on him - & you have "old Nick" - perhaps he
is The Devil - (reckon the war will finish by
 

-5-
December or January- before Christmas I say- ??
but no hope for us to get home by that Not
the least chance in life. Stockholm has fallen
through - good think in Many ways - it's no
use speaking to the Kaisers Rotten gang on
Peace &c- beat him first smash his rotten
ambitions & Knock his Brains in or out, & then
speak to the German people- who will by that
time know the truth. & be glad to accept our
terms - its Not the people any more than it is our
people; Naturally they think they are alright.
wouldn't we have to do the same? Yes of course
we would - but all this doesn't make me love
The German people, Prussianism & Militarism
is nearly, Na -poo - finished-in Prussia -
Thats why we do Not have peace now, when
The Prussian gang is overthrown- and Men
of Better & Higher thoughts & ambitions than

 

6

They have in Power today, in Power- There are
better there if only given a chance. The New
German Government - with No Kaiser & Company -
will our Allies speak to - but I really think
No other, it is quite plain, I couldn't wish for
peace today. I hate to hear some of these chaps
speak of "Peace Now" rot, it would not be of
much benefit to us - & war would more than
likely break out before very many years.
& all those poor chaps who have died for their
country - given their lives for Nothing - while
stay a Homes say "We want Peace" - Rotters
send them to Hunland too. Well Dad & Mum
Good Bye again - You know Nothing Very
much goes on here, & I write every week
No Mum I do not get the papers I don't Know why.
The short - Bread parcel hasn't-come to Hand yet,
but as I told you I received the "sugar one,"
& I was delighted with the contents.
Give my very Best  Love to all Friends
& Trusting you are all Quite well
With Very much Love to you both
Ken
Always think of Kelly. XXXX
XXXX
 

Mrs. J. Young
Princes Street
Alberton
Adelaide
Sth Australia 

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