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

ON - ACTIVE - SERVICE

Mrs. J. Young.

Prince Street

Alberton.
Adelaide

South Australia
[*B Simpson*]

18^th 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 A1 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 A1 - 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.

xxxxxxx To aLL

Ken. 

ON - ACTIVE - SERVICE.

Mrs. J. Young.

Princes Street

Alberton

Adelaide 

S. Australia

[*EV Pearce*]

(45)

France.

Australian Base Depot.

France - 26^th/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 Symons and Ray's

PaL- we had a walk round - & had

2.

our (nose -bag) together - at the YMCA.
Ray looks fine & is quite Happy - Sings
away - speaks a little Francais - now and
then - I am so glad he is here - it makes
it A1 for me - what - Bon luck isn't it?
We went to the pictures 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 being
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 stilLL 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 - Their war news was not
quite the thing- too good - always.