Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1917 - Part 6

Back of envelope - see original document.

(47)
France.
 

Austn - Base Depot

France 13/3/17.
Dear Mum.
By the time you receive this -
it will be near your Birthday.

and I wish you very many Happy
Returns of the Day, also wishing

you good luck for the future years.
I had the very good luck to receive

the second grand parcel you 
sent - I was so pleased with the 
contents - for which I thank you ever
so much for - fancy getting it
after all this time. (Received yesterday)
The letter written 11^th Dec & about - I 
 

-2-

received three days ago - 2 from May
one from you and one from Dad -

they had been all over the country
followed me from one place to another:

however it was good luck to
get them - & how pleased I was to
get them too. I am so glad Dad

got his trip to Sydney - I do hope
you can manage one soon.
I also hope I am - again on the
sea - on my way back to Australia
wonder if it will be my bad luck.
Think it will anyway. So Aunt
Helen has left W.A. Yes; it will 
be a good change for her - I'm
very glad - Aunt is getting old - &

this will be a good thing for her.

3.
but I am sorry for Aunt Sara - I'm sure
things will not go on so well now.

Aunt was the leading star right enough.
I do not yet know when

I will be leaving for the trenches.
I'm not well yet Mum - not feeling

very strong - but the weather is very

much better again - not cold now-

one day last week though - it was
bitter - just terrible - words cannot
explain it - I'll not forget this winter
chaps are down from the front -

they have had a cold time - poor
chaps - one mate of mine is here-

so it is a1 having him. Have
not seen Ray. the last few

-(4)-
Days. but will pick him up again.

he has been on some other duty.
He will be off next - mth I suppose

Clair seems to be doing A1 -

I sent you a P.C. the other day.

Hope you get it alright.

Last night I went to a concert -
the Royal engineers Band, it was just

beautiful we did enjoy it. the Hall

was crowded. they have some Bon
Concerts here at times. Good
war news last night - Baghdad captured-
I wish they would get Bapaume
now - it is encouraging right enough.

Have had a good deal of rain
here the last few days - it is better
than the snow in a way.
 

 

Well Mum I am writing again in

a day or two - so will "ring off"

now.
Hoping you are all quite well.
With very much love to 
all & accept same for self.

Yours
Very Sincerely
Ken  x x x x x x x x
 

Printed envelope - see original document.

Mrs J Young
princes St  Alberton

Adelaide -
S^th  Australia

K. J. Young 
 

Back of envelope - see original document.
(46)

France.
 

Printed Letterhead - see original document.
 

Australian Base

France 1/4/17.
Dear Mum Dad & May,

I am leaving the Base here in the morning - as
I told you in my last I was  marked "PB" permanent

Base -  but this is not much good to me, so they wanted
men for the salvage corps - "PB men" so I shipped 
forward and got into it - we do not carry rifles ^or ammunition
but everything else complete. I am so glad to be going - I do
not like  this P. Base business -  I really want to  be doing a

bit of good - and in a little while I am sure I
shall be quite alright - I trust so anyway, anyhow I must

Do my Duty some-how - now you will be wondering what
this salvage - corps id - well, I really do not really know

myself just now - but of course it will be all to do with

equipment etc left lying about  etc, anyway I will let you
know later what it is  &  all about it. We leave at 6 am in

morning. nice and early isn't it - Do not know where
we are going to - but no Doubt it will be near

Belgium somewhere and not the Somme, of course

I am not in the 43^rd now - so am not a signaller.
so you can address "Private" now but just to the

old Battalion- until I get my new address. and then will let
you know. Ray has gone to Boulogne I believe - I
did not see him before he left - but think he is
acting as orderly in one of Hospitals - a crowd of
"youngsters" left for that draft, but Ray will come
of age on the 18^th this month, he no doubt will
have long there. How is poor Mrs [[Kayru?]]

I think of her every day, her heart will be broken

it is terribly sad, those at home always have rhe
most anxious time - I admire you all for it.

I always hope you do not worry to much about me &
 us - chaps but out here- seldom think of people

worrying about them - but `I often give it a thought 

I do not worry about bit - I always trust you are
all well then I am quite contented - I will getting

another big mail from home soon I hope.
Well Dear Mum Dad & May - as I told you I
have a big dat ahead tomorrow , so must get to
bunk - as soon as I get my few things fixed up.
I will write as often as I possible. & give you all the news
Well Au -Revoir - 
- and - very much love to you all
and also to Connie - and remember me to all

Friends.  'Who care for soldiers" Never mind those who won"t
Yours ever.
Hope all are well 
happy.

Kenneth x x x x x x