NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD. 

24/11/1941

 Dear Mum & Dad,

                   We are here, safe and sound & into the route marches already, also getting used to the smells & habits of the locals, who are as much of a nuisance as when you saw them last time, Dad. Jolly amusing to see the overseer lash into them with the whip & and anything else  he could grab, yells & screams everywhere & plenty of encouragement from the boys.

                   Sounds alright, being paid three or four thousand mils per fortnight, fortunately it is fairly easy to understand the money part of it. As we had been told the oranges are jolly good but the other articles on sale do not appeal to me , after viewing the vendor’s dainty habits etc.

                   On our arrival in camp, Bill Mc Carthy, Rhoda’s husband was here helping us to settle down. I did not recognise him for a moment but he had his M.M. ribbon up & I woke up when I saw it. Noel Kirkpatrick is somewhere here & I hope to see Gordon Craig when I have an evening free.

                   I must admit I feel a bit of a “ rooky” up against all these old hands but they are a good lot. Many of them praise the Provost Companies for their work, you may remember Dudley Woods was in them. The 1^st are also highly thought of , for their work, so we have a good example before us.

                   Fortunately, since we left the tropics the tinea situation has eased & I am practically presentable again, the salt water baths must have made it worse I think & here the water although it is hard, is fresh.

                   The weather is quite pleasant in daylight but when darkness falls, we appreciate the three blankets & the wind is as keen as I have ever known it.

                   So far, no mail has reached us, it will be welcome when  it does.

                   We are under canvas but there is a mess hit for us which will be O.k. if we can get some tables and chairs.

                   The children have picked up a lot of Aussie slang & worse, so that quite often, a dirty little brat will tell the boys where to go in strong language instead of the boys doing the telling.

                   Well, I shall call it a day & will write soon so I hope everyone is well as I am feeling good-o. Maybe we’ll be able to say more next time.

                   Cheerio & lots of love,

                             Bruce.

NX27395

Sanders B.

Sgt. B. Coy.

2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F

ABROAD.

Dear Dad & Mum,

          Just a line, as Xmas mail closes in a day or so, everything is going alright, plenty of duties & route marches so we are all stiff & sore, especially after a game of League, I haven’t played since I left Petersham.

          I am in Palestine, so I suppose you will have an idea of the country, it rained yesterday & made things muddy but to-day is lovely. These Gyppos are a sticky lot, we are told they’ll pinch anything, so that means picquets.

          An old Tech. Cobber came over to see me & I went to Bill Mc Carthy’s mess for dinner, he is a non-drinker & non-smoker & very keen on his job. I hope to see Noel Kirkpatrick tomorrow.

          There’s a jolly good picture show here, or so the boys say, I may go over tonight when I come off guard. The programme changes each evening & the shows are fairly modern, 40 mils admission, that is 6d

          These oranges are certainly the goods & some of the grapefruit are quite nice, the sugar is in large grains, quite different to our stuff.

          I received a letter from Pam & Bet yesterday, dated the 10^th. We are entitled to two 3d letter cards per week, which go Air Mail, we have to put the stamp on. All other Air Mail is 9d & ordinary mail, free. Each letter censored by our “pips” now & maybe further on.

          You did not mention the menu I sent.

          Our Pioneer Sgt, an Irishman, is having the time of his life with a dozen “wogs”, who have to assist him. Few of us can understand him alone, and when they all get together, it is a heck of a row.

          There is a laundry service, run by Jews, I think, about the only cheap thing they do run, I had about eight articles done for 55 mils. I strolled up to some Jewish cafes in the camp to buy a torch & gave 200 mils for a measly little thing which won’t work now. I thought I was paying half a dollar & I was paying 5/-. What a mistake!

          Well, I hope this reaches you for Xmas, all the best wishes to everyone & to Grandma & Auntie. I’ll write to them later. I might say Bill is looking extra well, in case they’re interested.

                             Cheerio & keep smiling.

                                                Lots of Love

Bruce.

 Censored by Colin Knott.

NX27395

Sanders B.

Sgt. B. Coy.

2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F

ABROAD.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Your welcome letter of 16^th arrived on 2^nd inst., the mail is an irregular business, it seems, comes in any old time, quite a few chaps have had no letters which is very disappointing to some. At 9d a time, its an expensive business, so I’ll write at least once per week, then you’ll know what to expect.

          I am quite settled now, the weather is fairly cold, we have four blankets now & I am wearing woollen undies for the first time, what changes we have had in climate. For the past week, it has rained every day & the ground is very muddy, not so hot for marching.

          Yesterday, I had another go at rake in the Sgts. Team, we played Bill’s gang & were stouched 20-0, at Union, I had not played it before but I enjoyed it, plenty of aches to-day but they’ll wear out. Those blue shorts came in handy for that.

          The boys have been promised turkey for Xmas dinner, of course they wanted to know the catch, but it should brighten things up plus a bottle of beer per man or 30 cigs.

          So old Puss had to go, eh, hard luck but she’s better off.

          Bill tells me Boyo is on a sweet cop, quite a bludger’s job , in fact, I do not know just where.

          I was talking to Bob yesterday, he is quite well & being kept busy, there is a mixup regarding his stripes, he has them up but they have not come through orders yet so I do not know what is what.

          I had ideas of saving some cash here but it goes like wildfire, however, once I get settled I should be able to store a little. Some chaps are on Cairo leave but it required about Ł14 in the pay- book  & that seemed too much to me. Lots have had leave to various places, one or two days so I am hoping to get some in a week or so, to visit, well, I’ll tell you after I’ve been, as those are our instructions, one can describe the places after one has been, not before.

          The boys are not over-pleased about the squad drill & so on that they have to do but I suppose you did the same old thing over and over again. It is monotonous & the duties keep their time occupied but I think everyone gets the same.

          When one is free at night the talkies provide a good break . 6 & 1/- & a daily change of programme, I’ll go along tonight I think, although a storm is in progress so it may be sloppy. They come out at 10 p.m. so one does not miss much sleep.

          We have been told that, for discipline purposes, we are classed on active service, but it takes time to sink into some heads. Two courts- martial are pending now , one for leaving his sentry post & one missing his defaulter’s call. They still seem to think they can play the goat but sad to say they’ll wake up too late. Peculiarly  enough , any efforts to advise them ,on our part, are greeted with contempt.  I believe I mentioned   the chap on the transport who copped two years, even that did not impress some. Most  of the chaps are playing their part, plenty of healthy moans , but they are taking everything , I am pleased to say the old No. 5 section are not causing any trouble. Two of them got lost in Jerusalem & were A.W.L. but I hope they get off O.K. as they are good men.

          Payday last Thursday , I drew Ł4 Palestine & that means Ł5 Aust. In my book, so when I think I have about Ł20 in my book, I suppose I shall actually only have about Ł16 . I must watch my step.

          Well, for the time being, I’ll close, maybe some mail will arrive tonight.

          Best wishes to Vera, Bet, Clyde & family & love to yourselves,

                                      Cheerio,

                                                          Bruce.

P.S. I wrote Clyde on 19/11 so tell him, in view of stamp situation, I’ll answer when I receive his letter & he can get the  news from you.

7^th Dec. Noel Kirkpatrick came over to-day, he is as big as ever and quite well.