Letters of James Stuart Leslie Ross, 1916-1917 - Part 1

At Sea (Very much)
Sunday Afternoon 
 29/10/16
Dear Mum,
Here we are -
4 days out. We are under pretty
strict censorship regulations so
cant let you know much - not
that there's much to talk about though
We left the Camp last Wednesday
at about 4 a.m for Laverton Stn.
We were issued with 1 sandwich
each the night before to serve as
breakfast & I can assure you that
it was some b Sandwich. Mine
was King - 4 inches thick, had the
unique honor, of being photographed
by the O.C.
We then entrained, went to the 
boat at Port Melbne. As there was
a very large number of troops
aboard, a Great crowd
congregated on the wharf to see
 

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us off. We have had a very
good trip so far I was pretty
sick for a couple of days but
am now as right as rain & feeling
splendid - eating like a horse.
The food f is very good - much
better than Camp - if all it'll
only last. We have about the
best troop deck on the boat too,
in which we secured a good
position - right near the port holes
We sleep in hammocks attached to
hooks in the ceiling.
It's been very fine weather too,
so we have plenty of games on
deck if there's not too many fatigues.
I had a very good week end
with the Stuart's before I left but
I think I told you of it.
On Tuesday I recd by post from
the Frank's a bonsa wristlet
watch (luminous) & from Mrs
Leslie an air cushion & a
balaclava. She also sent on board
for me a big cask case of
 

3
biscuits, sweets & tinned meats & 
fish of all descriptions with
sauces etc. It must have cost her
about £3. I was at her place
for dinner last Sunday, but in
the car with her in the afternoon.
Leslie by the way, was the first
Australian to give a motor-ambulance
to the forces. He was in
London at the time.
Auntie Tilly also sent by post
a very nice pair of mittens
(knitted). They did everything
they could for me which was no
trifle.
It's been rather an uninteresting
trip so far -  we've seen a whale,
a shark but no boats.
Nevertheless we've been having
a pretty good time & I'm enjoying
it. By the time this is on the
way to you I spse I will have
written one or two more as
we don't anticipate a stopping
for a couple of weeks yet, so
 

4
the mail will accumulate.
I got the addresses of the London
relatives alright & if they only turn
out like the Melbne ones I'm in
for a good time
Now don't get worrying about
me, Mum, because on I'm as right
as the bank & having a good
time.
With much love to Dad & 
yourself from

Les
H Am just about to provide
a beano for 5 cobbers & myself
from Mrs Stuart's hamper.
 

At Sea
Friday 17^th Novr 1916.
Dear Mum,
As you will
observe I am writing this on board
but hope to be able to post it at Capetown,
(where we arrive on Sunday) where it will
have a better chance of getting through.
We cant say much when posting on Ship.
We left Durban yesty afternoon. We
arrived there on Monday at lunch
time^ had 3 afternoons & evenings off there,
which was very liberal leave.
It is a bonsa little city only a
bit hot. It is very prettily situated
on a bay with many hills on in
background. The bay is not very
large, but being deep is able to
accommodate a good number of big
steamers. We coaled there. It is
one of the most efficient coaling
stations in the world, the up to date
 

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apparatus enabling them to coal a vessel
in record time.
We marched from the wharf to Town Hall
a distance of 1½ miles.
There are some very fine buildings
especially the Town Hall P.O, & Durban
Club. I sent you a book of views, & a
card so you will be able to see for
Yourselves.
There is a very efficient ^ electric tram service
(double decked cars). It is impossible to
get lost as every tram leads to the
P.O. Trams, too, are free to soldiers.
The people he are exceptionally hospitable
& good to soldiers much more so than
in Australia. They have places in the
city where they can get free refreshments
& some places give discount to the uniformed.
There are a great number of natives
there. The white population is about 35,000
& gross pop. about 80,000. Colored labour
is very cheap, hence you find nigs. everywhere
in restaurants etc. There is a great class
distinction, the natives being kept well
in hand. Every night at 9 a "Curfew"
is rung, when all nigs unless they have
 

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a pass from their employer, are
to be in bed.
There is a great difference between
the native & the Indian, the latter
being much more intelligent.
The ricksha boys too are a better
class than the ordinary native,
although they mostly hail from
Zulu land,  Natal & some are of
beautiful physique. They get
themselves up in all sorts of
regalia horns ,  feathers, painted
legs etc. They have a very
strenuous life & usually last only
about 5 yrs when they retire &
buy a wife or cows or both.
They hire their ricks from the
Dbn Corporation at 2/- daily, so you
can understand that when the
the soldiers are in town they show
some profit.
The poorer class of native, you
find on the wharves. They do
the coaling etc & scramble about
in the dirt for pennies, meat
 

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bread & things that we throw to them.
There They're not a scrap particular, as
they'll eat our "reject" meat, not withstanding
the fact that it is covered in dirt & coal dust.
An industry of interest is that of
whaling. We took a route march to the
factory one morning. The outstanding
feature was the smell Gee!  I never
smelt anything like it. They have
a fleet of about 30 small whaling
steamers, with a harpoon gun fitted
in the bow.
The city has an exceptional number
of hotels some of which are very fine.
As there appear to be a good many
tourists the majority are more of the
residential class, Durban is called.
the Brighton of Sth Africa, but surfing
is restricted on account, of the danger
of sharks. They're very bad here. This
is counteracted to a certain extent
by a semi-circular pier in which enclosure,
sea bathing is indulged in.
The town on the whole is very pretty,
 

(5
in resembling Sydney Harbour in
places.
In order to save trouble, soldiers
are not allowed to get any
intoxicating liquor whatsoever,
which is a very good thing.
Tobacco, pipes etc are very cheap
there too. 4oz of bacce can be
obtained for 9d -would suit Dad
wouldn't it?
Living on the whole is very
dear especially in the fruit line,
apples going at 3/6 a doz, and not
much at that.
The Europeans for the most part
seem very well to do & I think
one would require a pretty good
income to live decently too.
Labour is about the only thing
that's cheap You can get a boy
in the house from 10/- a month,
the coaling nigs. get about 1/6 a
day
There were a great number
of mixed troops there. From all
 

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accounts the Wireless men are in
for a pretty good time. We expect
to go right into London for training
& will have a pretty safe job at the
front. The aeroplanes will work
in conjunction with the Artillery
& "spot" for them (that is report on
where the shots are hitting). We
will be in a dug out somewhere
receiving the reports. It is not at all
expected that we will go up when
at the front. So you can see
we are pretty safe. Its about the
best job in the army, by what we
know at present.
Well, Mum, I think that will
give you an idea of the town &
must now close as I've much to do.
You might send this on to Bob after
as I think it would interest him
With love to all from
Les.