Jones, Oscar Anglesey (Captain, b.1892 - d.1917), letters - Part 3

as I like it when it is rough, some go in it
then, and not like a mill pond that anyone
could keep well on.
We only got a few hours to
get ready for embarkation, but that is only
a trifle, as at a pinch an hour would
suffice to get the whole Battalion moving, each
man looking after his own. We carry our
homes on our backs, like a swagman.
At luncheon to-day, some of the plates
started to skid along the tables, causing awful
yells and frantic grabs by all hands, but it
soon passed over and the uninterrupted passage
of food continued once more.
The mens troop-decks are the best we
have had so far, as there is plenty
of ventilation, all decks being on a line
with port-holes & not below as in some
cases of troop-ships. I have not much
to say in this letter as news is scarce,
but anyway it is a few lines.
I intend to cable the delay in letters
when I reach Egypt as we have sent no
mail for nearly five weeks, and unless
you get some word you will wonder what is
wrong with the works. Trusting all are
well and to hear from you in
Egypt. Your Son
Oscar

Tel. El. Kebir
Egypt Sunday 16^th.
Dear Mother
At last I have time to sit
down and write you a letter. I sent
you a cable last week advising you
re the delay in letters so you will be
prepared to a certain extent. I received
your Xmas box when we arrived here and
it was a real nice one. Two other
officers and myself had the cake
for afternoon tea a couple of days
later and it had kept splendidly
I received a mail of 37 letters
and 25 papers the day after we
arrived here, also 4 parcels, and yesterday
I got 12 more letters so you can
guess they will take some answering
I received 5 from you & three
from Gla also 1 from Ivor.
I went to Cairo on two days 
leave last Thursday and arrived
home again at 9 PM last night
Saw Norm Dean in there
and had dinner with him Friday
evening then went to the hospital
[*with him that night - We had lunch together
yesterday and went to the races in the afternoon

It was the only place to go to & we enjoyed it
something like Melbourne cup day in Australia*]

I also received four Xmas cards and
it seemed like a touch of real Xmas
I am glad to hear that
Auntie is getting well & that she is
going to take a holiday
I suppose Olive is in Canada
by this time, and back with her
own folk? It is strange that I never
received any of the socks that she sent
Oh well I hope someone is getting
the benefit of them. I received that
parcel from the Welsh church and
will find use for it when we go into
action again, which by the way I
hope will be soon. I am looking
forward to that parcel from you
and expect it next mail, the
shirt will be especially welcome, because
although I have plenty of shirts
now the service one is what I 
want when on the warpath properly
I will wear the stars as soon
as they come although I
purchased some in Cairo since
coming here. I met a young
fellow to-day named Tom Hay.
He came to my tent looking for

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me and told me that he
had been introduced to you at
an evening at M^rs Bland's
He is in D. Company 21^st. but
I think he will be transferred to
the 6^th battalion where his brother is,
as he had to drop his stripes on
joining the battalion, and now would
sooner be with his brother.
Bert Craig is in C. company
of our Battn. and has grown
into a fine fellow, he told me that
Jim Foster and D Eaton were in the
24^th Battn reinforcements but that
they had not left Abbassia barracks
yet. They are training there.
I also met Harold Heley
last week. He is looking well
and has filled out to quite a 
big fellow. We got over
here safely as you see. I was
entraining officer for our Battn
at Alexandria and had to slip
around pretty lively, as I did
not know the till the last
minute and had to arrange trains

and accommodation straightaway.
I got them all on safely and
we moved off on time arriving
in Tel .El. Kebir at about 4 a.m

It was raining and we had
to get shelter in any tent we could
find, however that did not worry
us at all, and we got along
alright as soon as daylight
came. Our camp is on the
famous battlefield of 35 years ago
when Wolseley routed the Arabs
The Zaruba is still in good order

but would have no chance against

present day methods of scrapping

In fact it would not be necessary

to go and have a look at it

after our Artillery had half an hour

at it, there would be none left.

We are about 70 miles from

Cairo and about 20 from the Suez

There are rumours that we will

go into the trenches over there &

then again some think we will

go to Flanders, I hope the latter

myself as it would be a grand

thing to say that one had been

through the two campaigns

 

 

I received Stuart Dixons address

safely and will write to him when

I have time. Hope Frank gets

home soon. He may be there by

when this reaches you. I went and

saw that wonderful building the

Blue Mosque when I was in Cairo

yesterday and it is easily the

finest work I have seen. It is

700 years old & seems to have been

built when Egyptians were at their

zenith in the way of Architecture

It is simply marvellous and

every part of the huge floor

is covered with carpet made in

India. We walked underneath

the chair for luck as the guide

was particular on the point

I must close now as

their is a funeral this afternoon

at which I have been asked

to attend. Will write

more this week.

Trusting all are well

Your Son

Oscar

 

The Desert

29-1-16

Dear Mother,

You will see by

this letter that we have got

somewhere anyway.

We are about 8 miles

due east from Ismalia

out in the desert with

sand to a depth of

forty feet. waiting  for

the Turks to come along

with their attack against

the canal. Next week

we start to make

trenches. That will be

occupied in the defense &

as usual we have been

honoured with the most

 

3

the delay in the others.

Am looking forward to

that parcel with the shirt

in as it will be just the

thing out here.

This place in the

Summer time must be

the limit. I was

entraining officer for the

Battalion again when

leaving Tel. El. Kebir & got

everything away in plenty

of time. Also had to

post the out post on

arrival here so have been

kept pretty busy. I do not

know if I told you

that I saw Des Eaton

last Sunday. He came

along with Gilbert & Arthur

Petch. Ian Foster & Dick Palmer

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difficult frontage that the

sixth Bde will have.

However we can carry the

job through I think so

there is no need to worry

I think that the water

will be issued out the

same as at Anzac, so

much a day to each man

about enough to have a

shave and drink also

tea comfortably so we will

be alright on that score.

I do not know if

mails will be regular but

I hope so, anyway I

shall write as usual every

week & try to get them from here. Suppose

you received my cable

safely notifying you of

 

4

are still at Abbassia

camp & likely to stay there

for a while I think as

we will not want any

reinforcements for sometime

Des Eaton has got

thin, but otherwise is

well. I also saw one

of the Browns from the

Sloaf Creek. He is with the 23rd

I believe Bob Brace

went away sick from

the Peninsular. Ted Klays

is a corporal in our

transport, and seems

well. I think I should

let Ivor join before

conscription comes in mum

but tell him he could

stay with you. The rush 

of the Germans is

 

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about stopped now it is 

only a matter of time

with a good pressure on

and he will look for peace

It is Sunday to-morrow

and I will be able to

finish this then, as it is

late now I will say Good-night

30..1..16 Have just

came in from Church parade

and glad of the few minutes

rest before lunch.

This desert is known

as the Sinai Desert, the

one mentioned in scripture

I received a parcel from

Aunt Kate just before leaving

Tel. El. Kebir, containing some

fruits. (preserved) plum pudding,

chocolate & cigarettes with a

couple of small tins of fish