Mixed papers relating to the service of James William Albert Simpson - Part 6

27
Rollestone and back to Camp.
The day was a very fine one.
14.11.16  Battalion working
about Camp
15.11.16  Battalion about Camp
concert in the evening. Gladys
sang - Brigadiers and few
spare Colonels present. Prizes
presented that were won at
the Sports.
16.11.16 Took up a defensive
position near Woodford attacked 
by 34^th battalion and two
batteries of Artillery. Went to
xmake a reconnaisance for
staff ride - & horse falls heavily
with me and smashes up my
ankle.
17.11.16  In my room all day
cursing my luck about my
ankle.
22.11.16 Sailed for France remaining
entries in the War Diary

Albury
15 June '15
Dear Mrs Simpson
I have been
instructed by the Session
of St Davids Church to
convey to you its warm
congratutations for the
distinction carried by
Your husband, Capt J.W.
Simpson, while rendering
such valuable services to
his Country at the
Dardenelles & we further
trust that God in his
great goodness will see
fit to bless hm with
a speedy recovery from
 

effects of the wounds
sustained during the
discharge of his duties
Yours Sincerely
L Young
Session Clerk
 

Armentieres 27.12.1916
Monsieur,
I am very sorry to know
you are still bad in bed. Let's hope
you will be better to. morrow and
able to come to see us, we will
sing : " How dry we are, my bonnie."
etc. Good bye monsieur, I beg
you to accept our best regards
Yours sincerely
Elisabeth.
This is a note Gay sent by the
Mademoiselle in whose home we lived
for a while -I used to play the piano
for them and they used to try to teach me
French.
 

Aerodrome
Heliopolis
Via Cairo
My dear Sir
I received with very great
pleasure your letter from Albury. None of
Gra's had arrived and it was grand
to hear you were all so well not
forgetting Gra, and my dear little Diddy.
If I return from this hellish job safely
it will be my greatest delight to take
them both into my arms once again.
When we lie out on the open sands of
this desert- the land of Goseben of the
Bible- I often picture you all at the
old school - my own room- the school
rooms and my old pupils. It is
useless to let those at home think
we are here pleasure bent - the whole
situation becomes more complicated every
 

2
day and if the Censor ^ would let us say what
we see and knew it would open the
eyes of the easy going Australians- I never
regret the day that I came for I would
feel a shirker to be away from here.
Our school is splendidly represented as
Gra will have told you and I must
say our boys will hold their own with
the best of them. To say it mildly this
place is a perfect hell on earth and
I cannot conceive a much more
wicked city than Cairo- the temptations
of the men are tremendous. We have
the Territorial Manchester Regiments
camped beside us and our Australians
are equal to them any time. I could
tell you a great deal about the doings
of the troops if it were permitted and I
am sure it would interest you. My
great friend here is br Shellshear's brother-
he is our medical officer so if anything
happens I shall be well looked after!
 

3
We get splendid practical knowledge of
military work and I have had some very
important jobs to perform- one was Advance
Guard commander to the Battalion during
daylight operations, and then I had
the job of siting the trenches at night.
I was called out at 1.30 am and shown
the direction I had to go- I took bearings
with my compass and set off. The desert
is absolutely [[?]] and my first check was
broken up wire entanglements. When I reached
my place beside the New Zealard Brigade
I got the trenches ready and the men
commenced digging at 2.30 a m. By daylight
they were quite concealed in the trenches.
Now armies are best who can dig best.
The Colonel told the Doctor he was
very pleased with my work ^ ever since I had
joined the Battalion. By all our
movements we are having a shift from
here any moment. The General told us
yesterday that we would be fighting
 

4
side by side with the flower of the Allies
army within a fortnight but that might mean
anywhere. The Manchester Regiments ^ who are beside
us would be jealous if we were moved first as
they have been here since the 1^st of October. The
plague of locusts similar to those mentionned in the
Bible appeared over our camping ground tonight
and the air is swarming with large green
locusts flying like swallows. To- day I found
my clothes swarming with lice so that will give
you an idea what this country is like. I shall
never be able to repay you sir for the great
interest you have taken in my little boy and
in Gra who never seems to be able to write
enough about your kindness. I do hope dear
little Diddy grows up good and it is my special
wish that he shall not be cheeky or forward.
I think of the little fellow every day and picture
him in his little play. It was grand to hear
that you had such a good school this year- one
here cannot realise peaceful little Australia. I
hope you have good health during the year
 

5
and that the pupils are successful in their
Exams- Congratulate Frank and Jack for
me on their passes. By the time this letter
reaches you. Easter will be over and you
will be on the warpath for Juniors. You will
write Sir as often as you can and let me know
all about School matters- I am glad Ran is
getting on well with his work. My chief subjects
of instruction now are: "How to kill effectively,"
"how to dig" and "how to avoid shell- fire"
Well Sir "Lights out" has blown and we have
a move on early in the morning so I shall
have to conclude. Kindest regards to all
the boys and yourself from.
Your sincere friend
J. Simpson

14.1.15
Dear Gra
We are ashore
for a few hours
at the above. It is
like being at a pantomime
I have a regular
armful of parcels that
I have purchased
here for you - a shawl
especially. Best love
and kisses to Diddy and
self from your
loving husband
Jim