Papers of Athol Cluny McPherson - Part 10

[* Church of England (Home Mission) Tent.

Expeditionary Force Encampment

Broadmeadows. *]

PS

Please remember me to [[Besrs?]] Grays &

Charlie [[etc?]] & Kind Regards to Miss 

Jenkins. Yr loving Son

Athol
the greater the set I have on
drink, they dont drink it here
they swim in it, but Im glad to
say one of the Sergeants in our Coy

is a teetoatler, so I have at least

one good Pal, I dont say he's the

only one I had a letter from

Jook from Ararat one day last

week, but I havent had time

to answer it, but if I write home

I know she will be satisfied

& I expect she is home now. I

hope you still have Mrs Gall

with you. Fisher was out

here & addressed us here last

Sunday (Yesterday) he is a poor
Speaker & has a very strong (Scotch
accent I had my photo taken
again last Sunday with my
Cap on, it is a paris panel
this time I ordered half
a dozen to be sent to Dick
as he could fwd them on
Well mother dear I think this is
all the news I have at present
so must stop With tons of
love to all at home & hoping

to hear that of a good fall of

rain soon, I,ll write the

first chance I get Good bye

I remain 

ever yr loving Son

Athol

Front of envelope- see original document

Mrs M B McPherson

"Clyne Milton"

Horsham

No 352

No 1 E Section

Friday night

My Dearest Mother

As there is a big likelihood of us leaving

early next week I must write & let you know

the Captain told us that the Brigadier said today

that we would be leaving in a few days, but one

of the Captains told his Company that we would be leaving

or rather going on board Wednesday & sailing on 

Thursday, the sea field kit of the 8^th went away by lorry

today, so it will be on the boat now, I believe

they are going on board tomorrow. I was pleased

to get a letter from Father today, I expect he

is home again now, Im sorry the weather is still

so dry. We went out yesterday at ten oclock

& camped out all night, it was a very white

frost, we got up at two oclock in the morn

& were on the march about four, we had
a sham fight, you should have seen us on
the way home about four thousand of us
we were marching ∧in fours & reached about a
mile. I hope Marion scored at [[D?]], the shows
are sure to be a bit poor this year. I'll try
& write a long letter before we go. Must
close now & this is done Heaps of love to all
at home  I remain always
yr loving son

Athol

Front of envelope- see original document

 

Mrs M B McPherson

"Clyne Milton"

Horsham

No. 253
My Dear  Mother
Just a few lines to let you that we are still in Camp, there is talk
of us going next Sunday, but they have had so many different dates that a person
doesnt know what to believe. We had a great time here today, they got
us up at 3.30 & on the march about 4.30, we went out about three miles & had
a sham fight, we came back to camp about 11.30 & I dont think we are
going out again today, but I,m on Guard tonight & wont get away from
the Guard tent until about 6. 30 tomorrow night, it is rotten to get on
guard on Sunday but I,ll be able to see Dick as he can come down to
the guard tent, we go on for two hours, then off for four. We have a cool

change once again, but as usual no rain, it hasnt been warm down
here lately, it has been hot, we have a sham fight nearly every day.

Ive been trying every night to get off to go & see Dick, but Im afraid
I wont get off now as all leave is stopped, it may be that we are on the
point of going, but they stopped it once or twice before & gave it again
I,ve been wondering how the water is holding out at home, also the hay, it
seems hard luck for those fellows on the Channel if they cant get their dams
filled. Cunningham was lucky to get water at such a shallow depth. Must
close now, with heaps of love to all at home & kind Regards to Miss Jenkins 
I remain ever yr loving Son
Athol. C. McPherson
 

Front of envelope- see original document

Mrs M B. McPherson

"Clyne Milton"

Horsham
 

[*heaps of 

love to all at

home, I remain 

Ever your loving Son

Athol C McPherson

Military Camp
Broadmeadows
6/10/14
My Dearest Mother
Just a line or two to let
you know I am alright, this is a holiday
so Im taking advantage to write a few lines
Things were very lively here last night, there was
a prisoner tied down in our guard tent & the
sixth, seventh & eight Battalions, came up to release
him, the consequence was the fifth were called
out with rifles, but it ended in moonshine
we werent sorry as it would be pretty
hard for a man to run a bayonet thr
a comrade & thats what it would have mea
I believe some of them got a crack with the
buts of rifles from the guard. We would
have got a very rough time, if we had three
Battalions to fight, the only thing is the officers
were with us However the prisoner was
released at ten last night, so all is going
smoothly today. We have a full holiday
today, we are having sports, I meant to ring
Jook up tonight ∧last night but the row knocked it
on the head as we couldnt leave the lines
There is some talk of us going next Sat
but I suppose it is the three black Crows
 

Front of envelope- see original document

Mr M. B. McPherson
c/o W Officer Esq J. P.
Mount Talbot
Via Noradjuha
 

N1 E Section
Military Camp
Saturday
My Dear Father
You will notice by the heading of
this that we are still in Camp, there is talk
of us going next Friday, but I dont think
anybody knows. We have sham
every day now, & this morning we
3.30, had breakfast & went out &
sham fight, it started about 6.30 & lasted
until about ten, then we came back to camp
Im on guard tonight, it isnt such a bad
job as we get two hours on & four off starting
from six thirty tonight & finishing at 6.30
tomorrow night, its a bit awkward coming
on Sunday though, but I can see Dick
if he comes out, as he can come to the
guard tent. I,ve tried nearly every
day lately to get the night off but without
success & they have stopped all leave now, but
they did that once before & gave it again
I hope you are having a good time
at Mt Talbot What a great reception the
Indians got in France, I hope we see some
of the Indian Regiments. Must Close now with
heaps of love from ever yr loving Son
Athol