Letters from Kenneth Jack Young to his family, 1918 - Part 11

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(153)
19/6/18
France
 

France
21/6/18.
Dear Mum & Dad.
I received Yr welcome Letter (Apr
6th) and also one of that day from May.
It was a surprise to me as I was not expecting
anY just then. I have the address
of Miss Simpson You sent me, there was
some talk of us going there, but maY do
so Later, it is 25 to 30 miles from here, a
Direct Line, so it would be Nice if I should
see her. Most of Ted Hill's unit have gone
to the infantry I think, most of that unit
elseWhere, will go to the infantry in time I
think. Pleased to hear Archie Boulie
is still going strong. they havn't pushed
us all off yet then. Ray seems lucky
too, Not wounded so far, there are few of
the Original Battn, who came away with us,
who have not been away at some time
 

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or other wounded or sick, and Lots are
away home again.
There are Plenty of Yanks about
Now, every week, they are pouring in to
this Country, No doubt things would
have been in a very bad way, if it
wasn't for America. I wonder when
they will "Finish the War"? our people
seem dead Slow Somehow, Something is
wrong anYway. We (the Allies)have far
more 'planes, and are always up. Fritz
does come over now and again, then to every
Hun shell, sent back here, we send
about 5 to his 1, You should hear the
French guns open up, they just do stick it
into the Hun too. - they must Like Him.
I should think Fritz is rather sorry he
started shelling around some of those Guns
by the way he gets Knocked about for it.
I admire the French Soldiers, Can't help it.
they have had a bad time, and so
much of their Country has been ruined,
Still they are Full of Confidence, and
very determined, Such Determination
will do wonders I Know.
Fancy everything going along in
 

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the same old way at Home, it must be
Lovely not to Notice any signs of war.
of course You have Plenty of Returned
Men back now, they seem to be always
sending a good number home now.
I don't think it would be possible to see any
place in France, where something was not
going on Connected with War. England
too of Course in some places there is
Nothing else but Factory work, like Glasgow,
where there have to be Thousands of Young
men employed, but they have to work hard.
Soldiering in France is not very hard, do
little "Hard Work", altho' of Course at times
hard work would be much more pleasant
than some of the choice spots they take
us to, but the weather is not bad now,
so things are tres Bon.
I am still Keeping Quite well, only trust
you are all the Same Now. Glad you
have the wee girl to help You Now, She
will be a good help to You.
Fancy Dick being so ill, but hope
he is Quite OK again, Remember me to them
Both, how is the little girl, I forget her
Name just Now. I wrote to you, & May
 

just a few Days back, so have Really
no news of interest, I'm afraid I never
have these times. You Know I have
plenty but Cannot say too much.
Fancy Dad you having so
much trouble with your teeth, I Never
suffer with mine now
Well - Au - Revoir -
Very Much Love to all
Yours Ever
Kenneth
 

O-A-S
MRS J Young
Princes Street
Alberton - Adelaide
South Australia
 

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21/6/18
(154)
France
 

2.
I, are two others were up at The Anglais Hospt
Nr here - watching over an Aust who cut his
throat and both wrists - Several have tried the
same game the last few days - I Do Not Know
why. This chap we were in charge of - seems a
decent poor wretch; but he will get alright I think.
no trouble with him, we will have our turn
on again tomorrow, its No hard : The nurse 
was saying that a lot of Australians had Died
in That Hospt last Winter - pneumonia being the
trouble in most cases - was speaking to a chap
who had just arrived from -Ausy - he said they
were feeling cold enough at times already.
so they will be having as bad a time as we Did
last Winter : we shouldn't feel it so much this Winter.
The rain is still hanging about - very wet
during the last two weeks. Last Monday we
had the afternoon off - there was the Wilton
ViLLage Fair on - it was a glorious day - The
grounds were charming - belonging to the Earl of
— I forget just now who. such a grand
crowd there - Hundreds of Australians there - More
 

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seemed to be more Australians than anybody:
it's remarkable where they aLL come from - of course
There are a lot of men in these camps and
The 6^th Aust Division is in Training Here; Did
you Know - they had formed a New Division?
it does seem a shame - as You Know They can
not get enough to reinforce ^the 5 Divisions,
3 Divisions I should say was enough - for us.
I'm Not keen on conscription Now, I can't stand
a man who has been forced to go, to mix with
These chaps who were Not forced, if they are
so miserable, - and cowardly enough - let these
Dogs stay, worse than beasts I reckon, yet most
of these boys here would eat me if they knew
what I thought of the "Stay at Homes"; but its'
more - They say "Good luck to them for being at Home"
I cannot understand them - Clive Balmer always
Thinks the same as I Do, he's a grand chap that.
I reckon, are you friendly - with La Bakers Now?
I've often wondered - I know it is Narking right enough.
Hard Luck for poor old Jack Stewart getting killed
& poor Bert Gosbey. You Know Bert didn't want
 

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to go to the war - but he just couldn't help.
Going - and now he is gone - poor chap -he was
a nice chap too - I'm glad you wrote his mother, Mum
I'm very sorry for Mrs Smith too, & Jack the only
soon too - Bert wasn't the only son. Had a very
Nice letter from Ms Sugars just this morning - they
are all quite well Charles is Doing tip top Now.
I wiLL try and get a week end down there soon.
I like it down That way fine. The Country
is stiLL looking pretty everywhere. The crops soon
will be ready - getting browned up. & ripe.
spuds any amount in England now, so sweet
nicest I've tasted I reckon: Peaches 10d Now
(each) 1/- each in London The other Day, when I was
there ; "some price this, don't you think.
Well Dad & Mum I will stop the Noo].
Give my best Love to aLL friends Aunt's & the rest.
With very much to The family
at "Palm House" - from the Boss- That is
the Mrs I suppose - is it Dad?  Downwards
Au Revoir
Yrs Ever
Billy.