Letterbook for Harold Edwin Salisbury Armitage, 1915-1916 - Part 5

85
28 3 16

We leave here on the 31st to get the other side of the
Canal - to complete training [[?]]  get thoroughly fit - tho
as we have been wandering round the desert for several
days, route marching with full packs up, we are
already in tip top condition
In a short time I will be supplied with a horse.
C.O. are mounted now-a-days - and I hope I get
a good nanto - as a C.O. hasn't time to spare to do
circus tricks or try colt breaking
I enclose a snap of the Prince of Wales. The officer
waving the crowd back is our warrior G.O.C. General
Cox - & just by the P.W. to rear is. Gen. Birdwood
I'm sorry the details of this snap are not clearer - but
I prize it very much. Major Herbert developed and
printed it for me.
I've recd. five long letters (Feb 20^th) & it is 'great' to get
home news, - you can't realise how eargerly I look
forward for the letters. I'm afraid I'm getting a poor
correspondent - but my job occupies all my time.
Wumps & George, will have to excuse my non-writing
I shall try to send a few lines before the 31^st
I wrote to Dr Schulz & Wiill Kimber - but I'd owed
them letters for a long time.
Remember me to any who enquire. Glad that
Parcel N^o 1 got you O.K. - hope N^o 2 comes to hand too
Good wishes & much love fr Rollo

87
Badge of 50th
Serapeum
April 5 1916

This letter holds our regimental crest
and when we get more money will be our
badge as well - what do you think of it. I genuinely
think it is too squat - and more of our flag should be shown
However my vote was only 1 among the 20 who adopted it.
I got a fine parcel from you yesterday - tip top - and
all arrived in prime condition Bovril I will keep with the
quinine. Boracic Acid &c until reqd. - the sox I am using
likewise the camphor. The malted milk came in fine time
and I have used it already. Major Herbert - (my best
friend) has been off color two days afr he went to bed
& for those days he has been using that milk - but it
as been no avail - the M.O. has just ordered him to the
Hospital with enteric  – temp 103^o. Poor Herbert - he is
one of the finest officers that ever breathed, (I wish
was only equal to his shadow) and his luck his been
pretty miserable. There is a chance of it being only
"gastric floo" but the doc. thinks it means a trip to
Aussie instead of France in any case- & as his majority
has not yet been confirmed he may have to revert
to captain again.
By the way my captaincy has been recommended
so now I am "pukka".
Thank you for that parcel - it was fine in this
desolate region for once more we're in Asia- & in
a most miserable hole E of the Canal.

89
Herbert & I had not taken any leave for over 2 mns
we were letting it accumulate & meant to explore Egypt
together - but now my luck is out - as no-one could
replace Herbert as a comrade. We intended to go up
the Nile to Luxor - a most interesting & expensive
trip- but this jaunt will have to drop now.
Perhaps I will get to Cairo for a day or two - but I
think I will let my leave grow till I get to --------
when I'll get a week off & cross over to see Boltons.
unless as I expect we're given a big job as soon
as we get there. It is nearly 5 months since we
smelt powder - & its about time we started the second
round. We got some 'wasters' who were left behind by
the other battalion - & these started to play the goat -
but we hit back quick - The Aust. govt. is being saved
the bother of paying about ₤200 to 15 men - (all in 1 day)
& this excludes imprisonment & hard labor - so this "nimble
crowd" found us a hard hearted & "hit hard & often"
set of officers in this Battn. We're not a S. School so
we are kicking out all the bad eggs - as we don't mean
to be disgraced in France - so about a boat load [[unit?]] 
be sent back - discip., unfit, & CD. cases
Just about a year since I left Millicent last & it is a year.
since we were together in Adelaide. Harry mentions in
a letter he's sorry he won't see me at Easter - but I hope
it will be my luck to have him meet me at the Station someday
 

91
5. 4. 16

I have a sort of feeling that this part won't last
much longer - but I sincerely hope to be well in at
the 'kill' - I want to avenge Gordon Munro - I have
not yet had the close quarter opportunity - but if
God permits - when I do - I will show I have not
forgotten – I will do my best to give my little bit
in helping to blot out the remembrance of Belgium,
Serbia, & Gallipoli.
Love to all - & best of good wishes &c
Rollo

---------- . ----------
Letter to Harry (10.4.16) re Crest & "Horse"

----------- . ---------
Serapeum 17.4.16
I had a day in Cairo last week end - only had a short
notice so I jumped at my last chance. Visited the zoo
& the Barrage - took some snaps which I hope develop O.K.
I motored to the Barrage with Rumball, Gove & Hogarth -
& the trip of 30 mls only cost me 10/- The black dust of
the earth road to the Delta was rather trying - but the B.
made up for the discomfort. There's a fine Bot. Garden
attached to the Barrage - & with good soil, plenty of water, &
the cheap Gippo labor - have produced gardens which run
ours very closely as regards being picturesque -  The building
of the B. is ornamental as well as useful - at either end
& the centre of the wall - they represent a castle wall - so that
the B. itself looks like the boundary wall of a big castle.
The water runs through huge sluices, & there are all kinds of
matic walks. fancy birds, fairy bridges, &c in the gardens.

93
Barrage 7.4.16 
& Zoo

I spent two most delightful hours here, & hope my snaps
develop O.K. for they show some fine, picturesque scenes.
We went back to Cairo - & after lunch put in 3 hours at
the Ghiza Zoo. I nearly went mad with the fine gardens,
rustic scenes, shrubs, lawns &c - it seamed so like home again.
except the niggers rather spoiled the effect. I took about
30 snaps - and included animals too - as the collection
of animals & birds is very good. I hope my shots at the
giraffes, rhinoceros, &c are O.K. as they are new animals
to me - the Gnu were failures as they kept in the
shade. - & wouldn't get out in a decent light.
I very reluctantly left the Zoo to catch the train back here -
but I spent one of the pleasantest days of my life, so altho
extremely tired I was well contented. The train journey
too was delightful. First a fine typical Egyptian sunset -
then moonrise - (nearly full) - & both were exactly like one
reads about or sees pictured - but rarely personally
experiences. The palms, mosques, various villages were
thrown up against a mass of blazing gold to the W, &
their various colors everywhere - well it was a most
awe-inspiring sunset. - The moon had a softer effect
it didn't seem so brazen - but to see the palms, minarets
silhouetted against it - well it was a most peaceful effect.
I arrived back at 11.30 p.m. & you can guess I slept
O.K. as I rose at 3.30 a.m. to catch the train- but
was a great trip - & I have now been most of the sights
of Egypt - & especially the wonderful sunset effects.

95
17.4.16

I had not understood the expression "the enchantment of
Egypt" before - until that train trip- but I do now -
& if I get through our 'stunt' I mean to revisit Egypt.
If the 'nigs' could only be transferred it could be a
Paradise - instead of the Inferno as in most parts.
We are still out in this sun-dried, wind-swept, &
most miserable hole, guarding the Canal. How we all
curse drill & sun, dust & wind, in fact the daytime
is as unwelcome as bully beef & dog biscuit - (& only
an Anzac of July & Aug 15 will realise what that meant)
but the nights are beautiful. The moon is nearly full,
the wind drops at night, & we welcome night almost
as much as Aust. mails which lately are not too
regular.
To get back to military news; you can realise our
feelings when we read of the 10^th marching through Paris,
(1^st Divvy) France seemingly went mad over our boys
who are billetted now about 10 miles behind the Front.
Apparently they will be in action before us. One feels
a bet mserable to read about ones old regiment, & not
to be with it - (Weir is back O.C. again) but our turn will
come directly - though it seems a long way off.
A big mistake is being made keeping us here too long
for we are over-trained, & we have the d-'s own job to
keep our men from going to the pack through staleness.
It is so monotonous here - that we all long for orders to
get away to the Firing line - as Trench work is never dull there

97
17.4.16 16

The 9^th L.H. sent a squadron inland from our old
pozzy (Habeita) & they got to work on a small Jacko
outpost, - took about 30 prisoners, - mopped up the whole
garrison except 2. I only wish we had some such stunt
it would brighten our men up wonderfully
Verdun push looks a big stunt - and both sides
are getting pretty hard hit. France admits she lost
17000 prisoners alone - & no doubt the Huns were 'all out'
too - as they seem to have drawn troops from all parts.
and they've been hit to leg badly too. It seems strange
the British had to take over a big section of the French
front about 3 weeks ago - but our tum will come next.
& altho' many of us expect "to stop one" it will be worth
it - if we can give the 'push' which will crumple up
Fritz properly.
I saw Sid Lehmann the other evening he's quite a
nice, straight chap again, & doing well. Jack McLaughlin
was here last night - I mixed him up with Frank - but
we know one another now - & had a fine, long chat
My news is not much - we expect an Aust.
mail tomorrow, & will write replies at once.
I hope you are all as well as I am, & close with
good wishes & much love from
Rollo

99
Serapeum
23.4.16

This time last year we lay at Fremantle, & were receiving
rumors of Allied landing at Eros & Seros. I also saw Uncle
Will that day,  & next day the last of Australia. Just a year
ago (20^th) since I left Adelaide & the 17^th was the anniversary of
the day I left home. Many events & changes have taken
place since then - many friends, - dear friends too, like [[Mann?]]
& Holmes, have gone - & I have had some squeaks too.
I can tell you this portion of the year will always be very
sacred to me - "Anzac Day" will be treated as a "beano"
by some folks probably - but I am standing out of that
This day was the beginning of Australia's glorious, if sad,
military history in this war. - I have been through a fair
bit during the last year - have seen many sights, pleasing,
horrible, awe inspiring, & hellish, but as far as I can say
the effect has only been to broaden my experience, make
me a little more serious & tho I've had a promotion or
two - I think I am the same old "Armie" as of yore.
I suppose the nippers at home are changing. I can
see that G.& H. have grown marvellously according to
their photos, - you didn't send one of Wumps - but you
two look the same as ever. I hope this & other years to
come will bring no other changes.
Hancock is Capt. now (Junior to me) - so we are
both Comp. C.O. - sleep alongside in our valises, & on the
20^th were awake till 1 am. discussing our old times on the
"Hororata." I'll never forget the quiet way that ship left
(NOTE) TURN BOOK UPSIDE DOWN - READ NEXT PAGE - (OVERLEAF) & GO BACK.

Contin. from overleaf p.99   p 100
the buoy at Largs & was moving 2 hours before we knew it,
but of course we were below settling the boys down, & had
no time to notice other things. Wumps was on the wharf
that day - (disobeyed my orders) - but when I return there
will be no orders about not coming down to meet me.
I hope we will be back by Xmas, as in no jingo
spirit - I'm certain that a 'nut cracker' action on
the Huns from all quarters of the Front will break him
up completely. You will be reading of this action about
the time this gets to you - and I hope we'll be there
somewhere too. We don't want to be in this awful desert
any longer- we'd rather fight the Huns but failing
that the Mesopot. fighting would be in our line too
The L.H. are having some fun - Sometimes I wish I
was with them - for it is rumored that we intend to
move on towards Jerusalem inland.
(Ken Mc has just brought in some Houghton apples -
he's gone now - (so have 2 or 3 apples) - the first
fresh fruit I've had for months) -
It's about time we made a push & good luck to the 9^th
L.H. if the rumor is correct - Two of our divisions
are in France now - been there about a month. We
were much amused to read that they were in Russia.
Greece is still at "Yes - No " point - I would dearly
love to see the Navy wade in, & topple down a few
of her towns - it would please Anzacs immensely.

100

101
(23.4.16 contd )

Today is Easter Sunday & this day last year me were
together at Mitcham Camp. I was thinking at Church
Parade today what fine Easter Days we used to have
at Houghton - I can never forget those Easter Monday
pic-nics - the grounds at Htn. were a grand spot for
pic-nics. I am wondering of Ken is right in saying
you'd be at Htn. today & what you are doing - I wonder
if you'll be on the platform at the Anniv. on Monday night.
Remember the last time you were there Oct 1 1913
My thoughts are too much for my pen - I will wait
awhile & write again later. A soldiers life does not
make me "stoney-hearted" - at times like this, one
becomes a real "sentimental bloke"
I enclose photos of myself taken at Cairo & the snaps
I took at the Barrage & Zoo (clinkers too) - as well as
some for Harry. My photo is not too good. Darned tired
Best of all good wishes, & hopes you are as well as
I am - much love to all from
Rollo
98