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










"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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