Letters from Fred Leslie Biddle to his Mother, 1916-1917, Part 6 of 24

31.5.16 
Dear Mother, 
Letters up to March 28^th  
safely to hand, also the parcel & billy. 
The latter are OK. & arrived just  
at the right time. 
We have been out in rest for 
a few days & have just come in again 
to-day, so that we haven't got our mess 
going properly again yet. 
We will have a great feed of 
nuts at any rate to-night. 
This is a very luxurious war here, 
at any rate while things are normal. It 
is only in the big "strafes" that it becomes 
uncomfortable. 
We have been stirring the Hun up a 
bit & always send back much more than we  
get. Lately he seems to be in a more 
chastened frame of mind. 
All the papers are announcing that the 
Germans are done & seeking peace 
Don't believe it until the war is over.

2 
We heard every day at ANZAC after the 
first week that the Turks had only 3 days 
supply of ammunition, & its much the same 
here. 
Well we never noticed the shortage there, 
& we don't notice it here yet. 
What do you think of the latest 
Greek business, handing over their forts 
to the Bulgars. 
Very "fishy" isn't it? Doesn't the  
word "fishy" seem appropriate.  They always 
were a fishy (& chippy) lot. 
You will be pleased to know that 
casualties are never great with the guns 
here, & that apart from an accident there 
have been no casualties so far in the 
brigade. 
We are all very fit & none of us 
seem to be able to realise that we are 
really at war. The change from Gallipoli 
is too sudden. 
I am very sorry to read that you 
are by no means well.  I hope you were 
able to get away for a holiday at Easter

3 
& that you feel all the better for the  
change. 
Now do take it easy & don't worry. 
So Bruce is with my old friend 
"Billy Mailer". He'll get stirred up alright, 
but it should be a good brigade. 
We have had reason to bless the 
standard which "Billy" set up in the 
Victorian Field Arty. Our training was on 
absolutely sound lines, & this war has 
proved it. 
So Hollis has been having a 
little excitement.  I am glad he is doing 
well & that he stayed with D & WM. 
They were very decent to him when 
the agency went "fut" & it isn't a good 
thing to clear out at the first opportunity. 
I don't know whether I'm surprised 
or not at the other news concerning 
him. She's a jolly nice girl & he's lucky  
if she accepts him. 
But I thought he was right on the 
shelf, didn't you?

4 
What a jolly good thing HA & Sons 
were caught underpaying employees. 
I am glad Isabel was able to get 
in on them. They want a good many 
bumps to bring them to the right frame 
of mind. 
What rotten luck that the house is 
spoilt by the building nextdoor. 
I think it would be a good idea to 
let it & take a villa 
I know it sounds easier than it is, 
(to get a villa) but if you can get one it 
will be much nicer for you & save a  
lot of work. 
We didn't see the Prince of Wales in 
Egypt but he has inspected the new 
divisions there. 
By jove it's a great thing for Australia 
& Victoria especially getting such a wonderful 
harvest. It ought to keep things going 
& help to counterbalance the cost of the 
war. I suppose ships to carry it is 
the big trouble now. 
By the way I got all the parcels 

5 
sent me for Xmas some time after I 
wrote saying they had not arrived. 
I wrote Arthur Paterson thanking him. 
Please tell Uncle Job & Aunt Fanny that I 
got the parcel from Berrington & thank 
them very much for it. 
I am sorry I didn't remember to do so 
before, but I must have overlooked it. 
Is Uncle Walter any better now. 
I hope so & that he is back at work again 
Glad to find that Father is keeping 
well & that Noel is better. 
How is the "lootenant" getting on with the 
cadets. I didn't hear how he got on in 
the Citizen Force Exam he was going for. 
Has he enlisted yet? I suppose you 
won't be able to keep him back. 
Give Isabel my special thanks for the 
billy & tell her it's just the thing 
Please give my kind regards to the Hills 
the Stanesbys & Arthur & Becky Paterson. 
Tell them its no use my promising to write, 
but I haven't forgotten them. 
Also remember me to all friends who enquire

6 
after me 
Give Uncle Job & Aunt Fanny my 
love & tell them I'm delighted to find 
they are keeping in such good health 
also the same to Cos Clara & Fred Lade. 
My best love to all at home, not 
forgetting your own dear self 
from 
Your affcte son 
Fred 
P.S.  The silk shirts are  
O.K.  It's pretty warm  
here now.  Fred 
  
F Biddle