Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1917 - Part 4

ON - ACTIVE - SERVICE

ARMY POST OFFICE

Mrs. J. Young

Prince Street

Alberton
Adelaide

South Australia
[*B Simpson*]

[[?]] FIELD CENSOR

3892

Rear of envelop ~ see original
18th Feb. 1917.

(42)

France
 

Australian Base Depot

France. 4/2/17
Dear Mum and Dad
You will see I am still at the Base- I Do not know
When I will be leaving here- but most likely in
a few Days, I am not really a 1 yet, but will try
and make the best of it- I want to get on, that
job- hard and miserable as, I know it is, I
am lucky no doubt to have been out during
the cold weather, yet others had to stand it.
I wrote to Dad & later to you, so hope
you always get these few lines - Did you receive
the cable? they, sent word from London saying it
had been sent, so suppose they Did so.
I see poor old Ray every other day, it is so nice
having an old pal like that here, as I've said
before he looks A 1 - and is quite happy Perce Symons
I think has gone up the Line, I knew he was Warned,
he was about sick of it here anyway, it is not a
very beautiful spot - and nothing much to see.
 

it is all hard work - hard training for reinforcements,

Last night Ray and I went to a concert in the
Y M C A it was really good we both enjoyed it A1, We
nearly always go to the pictures, so this was a change
No more letters from home - worst luck,
am always wondering how you are all are - one
never knows what is on- and I suppose you are the
same - wondering what I am up to &c. I Do not
look to going to the front as anything great or even
with fear- When us chaps get so far we all seem to
Take it, well, it is our job, and have to Do it, of
course if might stir me up -when I do get there - for a
while anyway I should think. I'll let you know
later "what it is like." I am in hopes of getting,
back this year. Wonder if there is any Chance?
it will Take a long time to get us aLL back though
the weather continues to keep fine - sunny
Days, but of course at times rather cold, today a
very cold wind has been blowing, crows were
flying about this morning- and their old cry reminded
me of S.A Did Aunt Helen manage

To get her trip - how did she seem? I have written

lately to her and received one from Aunt a, 

.3.
short time ago fancy Uncle Bob being so ill, not Too
lucky are they, - Have not received any more parcels
I wonder, now if I will get them, anyway I was lucky

To get what I Did

Well Mum & Dad I have so little to write about, it is

quite impossible to write any more this time, as much as

I would Like.

Remember me To-aLL friends, and hoping you

are all quite weLL

With much Love To May and Connie, Dad & Self

Yrs Ever

Ken.    xxxxxxx To all
 

ON - ACTIVE - SERVICE

Mrs. J. Young.

Princes Street

Alberton

Adelaide 

S. Australia

[*E Pearce*]

Back of envelope - see original document

(45)

France 

Australian Base Depot

France - 26th/2/17

My Dear Dad & Mum
Well, since last writing nothing being
startling has happened-and as you will
see I'm still at the Base - I am not
too grand yet- cough still -on me- and
ache, a good DeaL -  it is aLL thro' the cold of
course - I guess when we get some good
warm weather I'll be A1 again - I have had
no further letters from any of you- I do
wish I would get a good maiL - but they
will come in time no doubt.

WeLL I see plenty of Ray now - his "Home"

is only a few minutes walk from
where I am  - I met him yesterday afternoon -
(Sunday) - also Sy moms and Ray's

PaL- we had a walk round - & had
 

our (nose -bag) together - at the YMCA.
Ray looks fine & is quite Happy - Sigh
away- speaks a little Francais now and
then - I am so glad he is here - it makes
it A 1 for me - what-Bon luck isn't it?
We went to the pictures to together - I'll meet
again tomorrow night. The weather is
much better again thank goodness - today
was grand sunny for a good part of the
Day - perhaps we would caLL this cold in

Ausie - but I do not notice it much now
a few weeks back- oH? goodness it was
fearful - they say old Lark Hill was
fearfully cold- and a brute of a place
During that cold spell. lots of  the chaps

 of our Division are back here - from Hospt
the gold stripe - on left shoulder
(a wound) I have not noticed any of
the boys from Adelaide I Know - but they
are always coming and going Here.
Had a letter from Dorothy Sugars
Yesterday - they were aLL A1 - and Charlie 
was getting on Tip Top - good job Too 

-3 -3-
they send their love to you all. They are very
nice & no mistake -   I do hope I get to
England again - so to see Worthing once again
it is a fine-place - you would enjoy a
holiday - there - I wish both could
take a trip - & have a good look round.
You would like it in the Summer Time
but no bon in the winter - not much.
they were selling blocks of milk-in
England - the milk was frozen- Doesn't
that seem wonderful? The training at
the Base here, is very hard - but I'm
on light Duty still so do not go thro'
that, my turn will come when I'm fit.
Good news in Today's - paper. I reckon it
wiLL not last too long but one never
Knows- The Ausie papers bluffed us
right enough - The war news was not
quite the thing- too good - always.