26/7/16

Dear Mother

This short note is only to let you know that I and Harold and Bert Allen have been ordered to proceed to the front and will most likely be in thick it in a couple of days. I am quite pleased about it as I am just about fed up with bayonet fighting and rifle drill on our parade ground which makes us feel dopey instead of improving us.

I may not be able to write as often as before but well stick to my old promise of sending a letter as often as possible and remember that no news is generally good news unless you can find out different.

Our pack of equipment is getting a bit heavy now and I often think that a packhorse would come in handy, especially where we have 120 rounds of ammunition and 48 hours rations besides rifle water equipment gas helmet as contents of pack. The weather over here is pretty good now, and I hope it remains like it as I don’t go much for having rain in our boots and down my neck.

I received another parcel and letter from Aunts C and E a couple of days ago. They came in handy I can tell you.

Please give my best wishes to all at home and tell Pa I will write to him a special letter as soon as I get chance as your letters generally take all the gleanings

I will close now.

With love from your affect son.

Walter

PS give my best wishes to those at Homebush. 26/7/16