Letters from Geoffrey Gordon McCrae to his family, 1916 - Part 8

certainly done wonders. We
put into Mars-Siroco Bay
at Malta for two days. we
left there last night and
I expect another day will
see us in the place where
one parley parlez-vous français.
A land where there are
real trees and grass think
of it after all these months
of arid desert sands. We
have an English Major travelling
in this packet who is

very musical and we have
great sing songs every night
The men are having a good
holiday as we are too
closely packed to do much  
work and for the past two 

days they have been able
to indulge in swimming
from the ship. I was not
very impressed by Malta

but of course I did not

see Valetta or the Grand
Harbour it is much the
same as all these Mediterranean
islands rocky and desolate.
in appearance. The sea
has been wonderfully
smoothe but the weather
has been sultry and when
you have to go about all
day encased in lifebelts
it becomes very trying
I expect the next few
days will be very busy
and I don't suppose I
shall have another opportunity
of writing until we have
got settled in our billets
I am in the best possible
fettle at the present
moment and at peace with

all the world bar the
German's who are keeping
us away from home &
our loved ones all these
months I hope they will
soon be brought into
absolute submission and
hope that I may do my
share in that process

nobly and well. There is
no more to write of at
present so adieu.
Much love to all from 

your loving son & brother
Geoff.
1 DRL 427
2/11

Diagram - see original document
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE
13.7.1916
Dearest Mother Father & Helen
I am afraid I have not written for about
a fortnight but I have been exceedingly busy and
I have had very little time to think of myself
and my people. This is a most gorgeous country
where it has not been devastated by the Hun I
always thought Australia was the only place on Gods
earth until I came here. It is a place well
worth fighting for and the only complaint I have
against it is that the grasses are all in full
flower and I in consequence am nearly
sneezing my head off. I like being billeted the
country people here are very good to us I am
at present staying in a house the only one that 
has not had a shell through it in the district
so am at least able to keep dry and fairly
comfortable. I had a letter from Helen with
samples of the wallpaper how I wish I could
been within the walls they clothe once
again. The novelty of this show has ceased.
It is becoming too much of the common round &

daily task business for my liking. I am
feeling fearfully homesick. I suppose it is 
owing to worry and this acursed Hay fever
with which I am afflicted. I cannot spare
time to write more so will conclude
with much love
from your loving son
Geoff.

19.7.1916
Dearest Mother Father & Helen.
To-day I lead my
Battalion in an assault
on the German lines and
I pray God I may come
through alright and bring
honour to our name. If
not I will at least have
laid down my life for
you and my country
which is the greatest
priviledge one can ask
for. Farewell dear people
the hour approacheth.
Love from
Geoff.

Diagram - see original document
Charles Stewart Perry The
Royal Family are staying with us at present as I took the 
opportunity to drawn the young prince he wouldn't keep
still so I had to do it mostly from memory. To continue
about camp, on Sunday we went out in a boat for a
fish the fisherman had no bait so he gave us a bit
of sausage meat which of course ^was of no use at all as
it melted directly it was on the sea. There was 
a tremendous tide running and it took us about an hour to row
to shore we hauled the boat up on the beach and looked
for mussells which were none too plentiful we then proceeded to
sea and it took us two hours to catch seven fish of which
I caught five in the afternoon Mr & Mrs Brown came down and
paid us a visit and brought us more tucker after having
seen them off we went home and had tea lit our acyettyne 
lamps and set out for the back beach. There is a gate going down
there and there all the other chaps had put there names and as
I was adding mine two girls came up and wanted to know
what our names were we then went down to the beach
and showed them the wonders of the rock-pools. Next
morning we made up our minds to walk to London Bridge with
the other chaps but when we arrived at their camp they
had changed their minds so we went to the back beach instead.
Only one of their party coming with us we climbed up the
cliffs and cut our names in the cliff. This done went
went for a walk along the rocks and I was introduced
to a very nice girl we then went to see some horse races
along the front beach. We then went home and packed
Ross up and went down to see the boat off. Much
to my sorrow Mable went up to town in the boat
and left Jack and I alone. West went up to town

to town and bought our last lot of provisions and sent a Post
Card. We went back to camp and had a sorrowful meal and 
then went to the back beach and sat there till we were
driven home by the rain. We got up next morning and
struck our tent with much sorrow and took up our
beds and walked to the boat we then left our swags
on board and went for our last walk along the shore
As we were coming home the Queenscliff forts were at
gun practice and were firing at Hong Kong targets We
reached home at a quarter to seven we let all the
crowd get off and let two trains go to Melbourne
before we attempted to go. I said good by to Jack and
caught the Hawthorn train and came home with Captain
Booth of the OZone. When I arrived home Charles and Dorothy
and the baby were there and Freda & Cecil and Charles
were all having a confab so I slunk down to the
school room and asked Alice to give me some
food. I have now settled down again to the confined
life of Town. I am very glad I shall be able to
see you face to face once more at the end of
next month.
Your loving Brother
Geoff McCrae
1DRL 427
6/12