Letters from William George Blaskett to his family, 1915-1916 - Part 4

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2018.785.4
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Talkclean, live clean, Fight clean, Play the same. Aaneana Fintaron Reliornce. 123 Murray Street. C Anaa MIANP VII. No. 1128 PERTH. Perth Headquarters No. 41618 A FICIO SCAICE DESAATMEN TROOPSHNP. 181 We wld a week churc to Yea which can andd aen fine altar screens inlaid with ivory the church is built on the site of a week out of which and mary daew wate. an their stay in Egyst wit chas they tot us into what ty had the check to call a cript St was aney about 20 feet square es wa heress in I 0 said was used as a cradle of our lavious but I thought that was a bit too hat altogether We hen visited I beg mosques one of hem very beautiful indeed. It is scheated in what is known as in dead city
Talkclean, Livecean, Fight clean, Play the same. Reeiton Hins anron. Edepnones: 123 Murray Street, C Ae, M CAn MIIO No. 1128 PERTH. Perih Headquarters No. Als1s W.A. FitlO SEAMCE DESArMEN TROOPSHIP, this deo city is a huge stat tucl of Burbs. Thee must and is th them de thensand Mosaue was built by Mahoniet all asha the first the dive of Carkt Dad will potable remember that Egyst was viled by men called. Mansetukes about 100 years ago, and has Alo I. was a sort of Kitchens and Asquith combinedto of hem. Anyway he inveted the 1t of hem to a least one he citadel in can dayy in and eushed them. the stot as hhe atdel is about as high as Camlibuny Cohednel you can guess what he came
Talk clean, liveclean, Fight clean, Play the same; Asseciation Headgwartors. Peternoneo. 123 Murray Street, C A MAN, MII. No. 4128 PERTH. Perih Headauantons No. A1S1S W.A. FIcIO SCAICE DESAATNENT TROOPSHIP. of the Manneluges Mehemed Bey Vasha buried them just inside the nosque whe mousey is surced a magnificent tome with he farnly all round him. Judga by the number of toub, and the number of chiedran in cas think herein must be another word for incebato. That remnd me haw ts he sonetin farm, mode Beai Ma worn of egg wborse lk se of hen 5 gft are mst 8 not ve 1 I So far I haven had any letter though no of the fellows care some on are
Talk clean, live clean, Fight Clean, Play the same. Aseciation Headovarton: Reterronce. Blackboy HiI Camp No. 1115 123 Murray Street, No. L128 PERTH. Perth Headquarters No. A1518 W. FIELO SEAVICE DEPARTHENT TROOSSIIP. addressing them coneat add Cpe Wt. Blasket I1 Rs. 16 dif On active service In Mikham they told us not to be but that is brong suppose my letters haw done to he temmisuea to the Hd att I suppose you will get haabin he hime of dad biohdan lease wish him mary happ returns of this day to me. It is the first hime I have been away on his borthday and I hope to be back safe Isound by the next one soon as As get
Talk clean, Live clean, Fight clean, Play the same. Aanato Hestanon. Pelephones: 123 Murray Street, C F MAA MICD. MIIe No. 1128 PERTH. Perth Headguarters No. A1518 W.A. FIELO SCAIICE OCCAATNENT TROOPSHIP. likle money. I will send him a small keepsake, but kin o are very dear here and though t a week is a lot in SA.it yon much in Cgypt. We have to pay 3/ a week to mess fund in the school & buy 0 books is you see I am to flust stell. I hope to scrape up enougt to go on with I wook to Alexandria about Crme a forknght ago today and enclosed addressed euvelose but so ar have receive no reply. I will work again today. now I must close with fonden case to you all from you ever loving son Will
Talk clean, Live clean, Fight clean, Play the same. Andedisiton Hesderaton. Pelepnones: 123 Murray Street, Cle Jnae MAaN VII No. 1128 PERTH, Ferth HCpAqMArTONS NO. MISIS W.A. chool of one FIELO SEAUICE DEPARTMENT Terknn TROOSSUN 19 IX 8 My rearest mater I expect you will be windeing how I am getting on, seeing that we have been in Egypt some time now. As I told you in my last letter I got into the school of Instruction, with sou Smith. We have had a week at the school now and ad enjoying it very much. It is rather stuct after he braining battalions but here is no doubt things are very slack thero Reveille is at 2.30 & feelt Barade 6 so to 8.30
Talk clean, tive clean, Fight Clean, Plar the same. Aneclation Hten danaton Pelephones: 123 Muray Street, Biackboy Hil Camp No. 1115 No. 1128 PERTH. Perth Headquarters No. A1518 W.A. Fic10 SEanCE OCCAATNE TROOPSHIE. 181 All men must have their boots cleaned be shared have rifte clean (which is a beg contract in rgyst what with dew, mist &dust)I be thoroughly presentat at first pacade for the Asst Adjutants inspection. When tell you that all he officer sustructors at the schoo apeal te understand that we find ting a bit strange after he a You have to get a those on to get all correct by 630 I can tell you io that ✓
Talk clean, Live clean, Fight clean, Play the same, Adsociation Headouartors: Relexnonee 123 Murray Street, Blackboy Hill Camp 12 No. 1128 PERTH. Perth Headquarters No. A151s W.A. FiEiO SCHIICE DEPAATMEN TROOPSHIP. Wink here, & quip as dark s ir the mornings is in wint in England. you can sympatuse with us. Still its quike eas when your used to it We have breakfast about & next parade at 10 ham ther to 1 we leavn mucketn twe how a leckere, exther by the adjutant to the asst a 12 t 1 4 more musktg. Duner about 1 next pacade 2 18 to 4 15 when we have instruction i wt te trunc variou
Talk clean, Live clean, Fight clean, Play the same. Asseciation Headquarters: Reconnce 123 Murray Street, Blackboy Hii Camp No. L115 No. 1128 PERTH. Perth Headanartons No. A1S1S W.A. FIEIO SCAUICE DEPARIIEV TROOSIS. cant tell you all we learn all else, the gnleman callet the ansor, will descent to her watk & wife if on which would be a pity. We had an examination i Muskeby yesterday nost of he fellows did well one got go out a Wo. your humble servant of Seored and is rather bleases with himse fan ner 3 We hav I more Xa air ation get but though
Talkclean, Live clean, Fight clean, Play the same. Asseciation Headguatters: Pdepnoncs: 123 Muray Street, Blackboy Hil Camp No. L115 No. 1128 PERTH. Perth Headquarters No. A1518 W.A. FiEiO SCAIICE DEPAATNEN PRSOSSNE I can's hardly hope to do 30 well in all I hope to con a fair way if he list You know I told I was going to wakk. I hnt of he whip all the him that keeps me moving If we do will in the school we shall get an Iisbuctors certificate, which to work having, I am hoping to get one to put beside my other one. Now make I hope you are gon on at You know told you last sunday

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
6
TROOPSHIP,
12.12 1915
We visited a greek church, 600
years old, which contained some
fine altar screens inlaid with ivory.
The church is built on the
site of a well out of which Joseph
and Mary draw water during
their stay in Egypt with Christ.
They took us into what they
had the cheek to call a crypt.   it
was only about 20 feet square.
There was a sort of brick
recess in it which they said was
used as a cradle for our Saviour,
but I thought that was a bit
too hot altogether.   We then visited
2 big mosques.   One of them was very
beautiful indeed.   It is situated
in what is known as the Dead City.
 

 


"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
7
TROOPSHIP,
12.12 1915
This dead city is a huge place
and is full of tombs.   There must
be thousands of them there.  The
mosque was built by Mahomet
Ali Pasha, the first Khedive
of Egypt.   Dad will probably
remember that Egypt was ruled
by 4 men called Marmelukes
about 100 years ago, and that
Ali P. was a sort of Kitchener
and Asquith combined, to one
of them.   Anyway, he invited
the 4 of them to a feast one
day in the Citadel in Cairo
and pushed them off the top.
As the Citadel is about as
high as Canterbury Cathedral
you can guess what became
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
8
TROOPSHIP,
... 191
of the Marmelukes.   Mahomed Ali
Pasha buried them just inside the
mosque.   He himself is buried in
a magnificent Tomb with his
family all round him.   Judging
by the number of tombs, and the
number of children in Cairo I
think harem must be another
word for incubator.   That reminds
me how is the poultry farm, mother.
Remember I haven't had my 7/6
worth of eggs yet.   I would like
some of them here.  The eggs in
Egypt are mostly very small &
not very nice so far.   I haven't
had any letters, though most of
the fellows have some.   How are
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
9
TROOPSHIP,
....191
you addressing them?
The correct address is
3232 Cpl W G Blaskett
11th Rfs
16th Inf
On Active service
In Mitcham they told us
not to be 11th Rfs, but that is
wrong.   I suppose my letters have
gone to the Peninsula to the 16th
Batt.
I suppose you will get
this about the time of dad's birthday.
Please wish him many happy
returns of the day for me.   It is
the first time I have been away
on his birthday, and I hope to
be back safe & sound by the
next one.   As soon as I get a
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
10
TROOPSHIP,
....191
little money I will send him a
small keepsake, but things are
very dear here and though 14/-
a week is a lot in S.A. it isnt
much in Egypt.   We have to
pay 3/- a week to mess funds
in the school & buy various
books so you see I am not
too flush.   Still I hope to scrape
up enough to go on with.
I wrote to Alexandria
about Ernie a fortnight ago
today and enclosed addressed
envelope but so far have received
no reply.   I will write again
today.   Now I must close with
fondest love to you all from your
ever loving son
Willy
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
School of Inst.
Zeitoun
TROOPSHIP,
19 12 1915
My dearest mother,
I expect you
will be wondering how I am
getting on, seeing that we have
been in Egypt some time now.
As I told you
in my last letter, I got into the
school of Instruction with Tom
Smith.   We have had a week
at the school now, and are
enjoying it very much.   It is
rather strict after the training
battalions, but there is no
doubt things are very slack there.
Reveille is at 5.30
& first parade 6.30 to 8.30.
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
TROOPSHIP, 
....191
2
All men must have their boots
cleaned, be shaved, have rifles
clean, (which is a big contrast
in Egypt what with dew, mist,
& dust) & be thoroughly presentable
at first parade for the Asst
Adjutant's inspection.   When I
tell you that all the Officers
& Instructors at the school,
are Imperial men, you will
understand that we find
things a bit strange after the
A.I.F.   You have to get a
move on to get all correct
by 6.30. I can tell you.
The fact that it is
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
TROOPSHIP,
.....191
3
winter here, & quite as dark as in
the mornings as in winter in
England. You can sympathise
with us.   Still its quite easy
when your used to it.
We have breakfast about
9 & next parade at 10.
From then to 11, we learn
musketry, 11-12 we have
a lecture, either by the Adjutant
or the Asst. Adj.   12 to 1.
More musketry.   Dinner about 1. 
Next parade 2.15 to 4.15
when we have instruction
in various trench wk &c.
 

 

"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
TROOPSHIP,
.....191
4
I cant tell you all we
learn all else the gentleman
called the censor will descend
in his wrath & wipe it out
which would be a pity.
We had an examination
in musketry yesterday.   Most
of the fellows did well.   Only
one failed.   Tom got 94 out
of a 100, your humble servant
scored 99, and is rather pleased
with himself in consequence.
We have 3 more
examinations yet, but though
 

 


"Talk clean, Live Clean, Fight clean, Play the game."
Y.M.C.A.
Association Headquarters :
123 Murray Street,
PERTH,
W.A.
Telephones :

Blackboy Hill Camp No. L115
     "                 "              No. L128
Perth Headquarters No. A1518
FIELD SERVICE DEPARTMENT
TROOPSHIP,
.....191
5
I cant hardly hope to do so
well in all, I hope to come
a fair way up the list.
You know I told you
I was going to work.   I think
of the "whip" all the time, &
that keeps me moving.
If we do well in the
school, we shall get an
Instructor's certificate, which
is worth having, & am
hoping to get one to put
beside my other one.  Now,
mother I hope you are going
on alright.  You know I
told you last Sunday I








 

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