Letters from Keith Rourke to his mother, and related correspondence to Mrs Rourke, 1914-1915 - Part 5

3
that by tomorrow that something will upset the
equilibrium. Tuesday 21. Left Naples about 6.30AM
Vesuvius not even smoking. Tis a glorious morning and
am just fixed to enjoy it seated in a most comfortable
armchair on the 2nd Class promenade deck, plenty of
cigarettes, but dont fancy them, my bottle of Guinness
about 11 oclock as ordered is very acceptable. The water
is wonderfully calmn hardly a ripple the only draw
back tis a little foggy. 22nd =  9 " 15. nothing of
any consequence happened really a dreary trip during
the afternoon felt very off. Thursday 23 " 9 " 15. Gibraltar
sighted ran into the bay about 6"30 anchored for an
hour or so visited by a pinnace or two finally
weighed anchor turned about or (about turned)
plying now along the coast of Spain, on one
flank and the coast of Africa on the other.
We are fairly close to the African coast but not near
enough to hear the Lions roar. The Rock of Gibraltar
is very pretty us not a great size but a great height
this tis of course a little larger than the hill in the
Selection. There are some fine buildings and there
appeared to be very little vegetation. We really never
had a good view of the show it was covered in a dense
fog which lifted after a while but only for quite
^a short time. It appeared as though it were shy it was the
only portion of land in the vicinity that was not the
whole time visible. Poultry green peas and good
potatoes for dinner, a stroll round for a while
viewing schools of porpoise playing grand to
watch. Now awake after an hrs or so's rest
sleep have a good magazine to put in a 
while with. About 5.30 PM am just about 

to run into the Bay of Biscay which soon means
that the coast of Spain will soon be lost to sight
and the next land sighted will be the little
spot desired; England. There are many Light
Houses in this vicinity but the most noticeable
is that if Cape St Vincent. Am wrong about running
into the Bay about 5.30 PM, very late the same night (Thursday)
or very early Friday morning we should strike it.
However we are well in the Bay now tis somewhere
about 9. AM we are rolling beautifully and
sighted the coast of France tis a great distance off.
No news today except about 4 o'clock we ran into very
heavy rain storm was grand. Rumour has it we get
into Southampton early tomorrow morning (Saturday)
Here it is Saturday 2 PM Isle of Wight in singht
Southampton not yet visible. I do wish you could
see me just ^as I am in the Tommy's uniform about
4 sizes too large a pair of hobnail blucher boots
and my hair cut as short as possible without
shaving - Tis now about 9 PM. we are lying quite
close to Portsmouth, once more we are nearing civilisation
Tis very pretty just where we are all the vegetation
is beautifully green and fresh looking. I do hope we
get a chance of seeing part of England: we deserve to
by jove after what we've been through. We left the
Aquitania 26^th caught a train about 4 o clock ran down
to Southsea went through some beautiful country
lovely gardens and farms, saw few sheep and cattle
and plenty of pheasant on the old wheat patches.
We stayed a night in Southsea No 5 Southern General
Hospital and was then hurried off to Lady
Tennyson's Hospital Isle of Wight, tis known
as Afton Hospital, and run by Lady Tennyson,
who was awfully pleased to see Australians
Lord Tennyson was once Governor of Australia

Tennyson attended, and everything
went off splendidly. Today is
glorious am hoping to get out
for a stroll, I do wish someone
would come along with
a motor - Yesterday I sent 
you off some photos trust you
get them alright. I will
be sending along a present
for Tommy and it will
be addressed to you, you
must open it as I will not
see it, and you will know
then that all is correct.
Reading through The British
Australasian I came across
Billy and Alex' Levien's
names, they are both wounded
and in Hospital in London.
A few weeks ago J.B.H. Pearce
was in, he sent me along a
lot of Australian papers. He
has a commission in one
of the Cornwalls Regiments.
Trusting this note finds you all
enjoying the best of health must
close with much love
Your loving son
Keith.
Has Harold left Australia yet.
Afton Lodge Hospital
Freshwater I.O.W.
2^nd 1 " 15
My dear Mother
I feel I must write
and tell you of the Confirmation
Service which took place yesterday
All Saints Church, Isle 
of Wight. The Bishop of Southampton
officiated he's
splendid. This address was
very good, there were altogether
17 confirmed all soldiers and
all English troops but two,
Haynes of Victoria and myself
of Australia. The service took
place at 2.30 PM, only very
few attended the day was very
wet. Lady Tennyson came
along. In the morning Lady
Tennyson tbrought the Bishop
along and showed him through
the Hospital, we chatted for
quite a time about Australia
He's splendid and such a
fine looking old soul.
This morning the Rector took
held Holy Communion in
No 1 ward 7 o'clock Lady 

Afton Lodge Hospital
Freshwater

Isle of Wight
27 " 10 " 15
My dear Mother
Just a line to let you know

how I am getting along, am having a gay
time and feeling A.1. will shortly be
on the track again now. I think in search

of a commission. Yesterday a party of us

were out to the Rectors for tea we had a

great eat up, lovely things. He is a fine

old chap. Our confirmation takes

place on Monday tis to be a great

affair, thes tis the Bishop of Southampton,

I fancy in one of my letters
I mentioned the Bishop of London.

During furlough I am to stay with a
cousin of Lady Tennysons, and as far
as I can gather a while with Lady
Ritchie, Miss Hester Ritchie was
in a few days ago and left their card

she came to say good bye they are going

up to London for the season, she is
awfully nice but has a weird impression

of Australia, and the things
in Gallipoli. Shortly now our tour of
the Island by motor is coming off, we
couldn't possibly be better treated.
Shortly I hope to have some photoes to

send along, photoes of Gallipoli.

Well Mother trusting you are all in enjoying 

the best of health

I must now close

with much love to all
Your loving son Keith.

Afton Lodge Hospital
Freshwater I.o.W.
11 " 11 " 15.
Dear Mother

Just a line to let you know that I

am getting along splendidly; and hope soon to

be out of hospital. According to English people the

weather is very mild for this time of year, I have

seen only 3 or 4 what you might call heavy frosts;
with the exception of a few dull days the weather

has been splendid. We had an operation this afternoon

every one has been very buisy, the patient is from
France, and was badly wounded some months ago
with shrapnell. Reading the British Australasian

I noticed Victoria is leading in the recruiting

world. We leave 4 Victorian's in Hospital and what
agreements we do have, I never did like Victorians.
Last Sunday I went to church and walked part of
the way home with Lord Tennyson, he told me a

good many Australians had gone to Serbia, I am

wondering where my next move will be, I trust it

will not be to the Dardanelles, I should like

to go out to Serbia, or even to France, I have

to earn my commission yet. I have thought of sending
Ethel a Honiton lace scarf in fact it has been written
for so far it has not come to light. Trusting this note

finds you all enjoying the best of health
Your loving son
Keith. 

Afton Lodge Hospital
Freshwater

Isle of Wight
23 " 11 " 15
Dear Mother

Am still in Hospital as you will

understand from the heading of this epistle;
but hope to be out soon now.

We are enjoying splendid weather here, tis cold

but then I do not mind cold weather.

Yeasterday we the Australians (7) in all were

out to tea at Mrs Dr Hopkins, we spent a
really splendid evening, we had cushie things

to eat, and a splendid musical go programme
to wind up with.
One day last week we were out to Mrs Connors
for tea and likewise spent a very enjoyable
evening.
Mrs Connors is very deaf she uses an ear
trumpet, I had quite a long talk with her
through this concern it which at first was
rather awkward, she was awfully interested
in hearing about the Peninsular as her
son is out there.

I gave them a receipt for cooking rice

which they tried and which I've since

heard was really good.

Tis very simple a little finely grated

Lisbon Lemon rhind sprinkled through

a little before it is quite cooked.
I had it several times on the Peninsular 

and I thought it really fine.
I have an invitation to "Hunt" next Friday
that means a motor trip, am looking awfu
forward to it so much.

A few days ago I received a parcel of a pair of

socks from Mollie, and a parcel of cigarettes
from Dorrie.
I have purchased a Honiton Lace Scarf

for Tommie and am addressing it to

you as I do not know her address, you
may open it and enclose a little slip
wishing both the best of luck and
Happiness.
Well Mother I have no news so will

close with much love to you all
Your loving son

Keith. 

Afton Lodge Hospital
Freshwater I.O.W.
7 " 12 " 15

Dear Mother
a line letting you know I am

getting along alright, and hope to be discharged.

We are having miserable weather here just now

wet every day for quite a month.
Yesterday it took a turn for the better and we
enjoyed outr long promised trip round the Island
a trip beyond description, the scenery is somehting
lovely.

Ventnor a town in the south is quite the prettiest

and the island at this particular spot boasts
of the finest scenery.
The town of Ventnor at the out break of war

was full of Germans; pleased to say there are

no Huns there now.
There were three car loads of us altogether I
had the pleasure of driving with Mrs Dr Hopkins
who knows the history of Island very

well.
Miss Jankard drove the her own car, and

then we had for the third a hired car, after a

splendid trip we finished up at Jankards
for tea, and spent a very pleasant evening.
Jankards are big spinning people claim to
be the largest in the world and most of

their wool is bought in Australia, and as
Mr Jankard has been out to Australia I enjoyed
a yarn with him and as they are quite

close to the Hospital am ^often over enjoying his

cigars and lovely cosy room. 

Have had no word for ages from Australia but
am expecting some news any day now.
Basil Capper is in hospital in London 3^rd
General, came over with the 12 L.H. and
was wounded a little while ago.
Trusting things are going alright in your part of

the globe and that you are enjoying the best of

health
Your loving son
Keith.