NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
7-1-1942
Dear Dad & Mum,
Another week passed & it rained practically all the time although yesterday & today have been beautiful. The hills in the distance are very pretty with snow covering them, but we had our balaclavas on for a couple of days, they even gave the guard a rum issue, which proves how cool it was.
Most of the School was indoors owing to the rain but it was a good refresher & I passed O.K. managed to top it & learnt quite a lot, you’ll be pleased to know that our ranks have been confirmed, which makes a big difference.
Dave Hart, whom Vera may know ( his brother has a shop at the Terminus) is off for three months O.T.s & looks like getting “ pips”, good luck to Dave, he’s certainly worked for them
Bob is in “ C “ Coy now, I believe he had to forego his L/Cpl rank in irder to get into the unit from Reinfs. I have not seen him for some days. Gordon Craig called last night when I was at the Talkies.
I had Sunday evening at the “ flics”
also, it is a pleasant break from work. “ Mail Train” & “ If you could Only Cook.” Were the shows.
Your letter of 21st Dec came yesterday & I was pleased to receive it & to know all are well, one also came from Auntie Maude. Betty’s reference was an excellent one, I hope it produces a good position.
Sorry to hear you missed a holiday trip but I suppose everyone is flat out there now, they should be anyhow. We are all keen on hearing news of Aussie and get quite a lot over the B.B.C. The wireless in the mess is very nice, quite a lot of German waltzes, which, as you know, are beautiful.
I shall enclose a postmark & stamp which may interest Bet. “ Marlin” is the name of the shop at which I bought the purse.
If you happen to be sending a parcel would you enclose a few pairs of sox, not that I ams hort, but wollens do not seem to be plentiful and I’d like to have some handy.
Well it seems I am at a loss for news again so its cheerio. I hope evberyone is well as I am feeling fine, still moaning in good style & thinking I know more about training than the C.O.
all of which keeps us in a happy frame of mind.
So long,
Lots of Love,
Bruce.
Movies.
Commanding Officer.
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
12/1/1942
Dear Dad & Mum,
Just a line because I may not have time for several days to write . I have been away a couple of days on a guard job & a sweet cop it was from my point of view. There was an Arab boy, Mossa, about fifteen year-old, who did all the kitchen work & he was a fine young chap, so different to most of them. He was clean, for a change, & spoke English very well. There was an old chap also , who swept the tents out each day so what more could one want.
The “wog” workers” were jolly funny at times a nuisance wanting to buy our sweaters & other gear, the boys were “fed up” with them in the end & slipped a round into the breech, at which there was a frantic rush from the scene.
I saw Bob on Saturday & he was not too well with flu but nothing serious, he is now in “C” Coy, maybe I told you before.
Three of us took a walk through a fairly large village & for a while we were wondering when they would rush us, it was quite a relief to see some policemen when we reached the main square. The people were at work on all the ancient trades , spinning & weaving. Some of the children are bonny although in the main, they are not too clean & there are many deformities.
The weather has warmed up considerably after last week’s rain & snow, to-day was very pleasant , it is
Well, I really think I have run out of news, so forgive the brevity, maybe next time I shall have a lot to tell.
I hope Bet’s teeth are O.K. & that you are both well, all the best to Vera,
Cheerio,
Lots of love,
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
Dear Mum & Dad,
Here I am again , a little later than usual but I have been moving around. Your letter of Xmas day caught me yesterday, pleased to see all are well. We have been getting the news fairly regularly- hope things are improving down that way. I’d rather not comment on the U.T. s attitude re Xmas leave, some of our chaps have some suggestions as to how they should be regarded.
Thanks so much for the fruit cake which came yesterday, it was the best yet, everyone said so, also for Bet’s chocolate, very nice and undamaged.
So its hot there is it? Well I am in
The hills are very pretty, such a contrast to
Syrian money is mostly paper. 1 Pound Syrian equals 2/10 Aust so we sound rich drawing 22 Pounds which is really 3 Pounds 2/4. My cobber & I went to a fair theatre & saw “ Anthony Adverse” again. English speaking with French and Arabic writing.
The
In Damas, we paid 1 Pound 25 piastres for a meal of 5 courses which was not bad, the dishes were far from filling but still, we did the same thing again and were more or less content.
There are real gendarmes in these parts too , revolvers and rifles hanging all over them.
The “wogs” are slightly better than in Pales. But are still a pain in the neck with their souvenirs etc.
Well I guess there’s no more to tell & 2 pages is our limit so I’ll close and we’ll finish off the cake with a cup of tea & sugar. Plenty of stews lately but they are good-o in the cool weather.
All the best to Vera, Bets,
Cheerio, Lots of Love,
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
Hello there!
Well, I’ve not heard from you since your Xmas day letter but something will turn up soon. I hope you are all well. I am quite O.K.
A parcel from the Baptists arrived yesterday, a decent little job. Brian Hughes , my platoon Sgt received a big parcel from his lass & we had quite a tuck-in.
We were looking over photos & Betty may be flattered to know that she was classified as pretty by such experienced gentlemen as my roommates. I hope she is over her teething troubles.
Four of we Sgts had leave in
We had an excellent dinner for about 7/6 & there were some good turns on the floor show plus an extra good orchestra.
Some chaps have received letters half burnt by enemy action so I guess we are fortunate to get our mail.
We have been following the news very closely lately and hope all is well in Aussie, we do not feel so pleased about our impatience up north now but we’ll be put where we can do the most good, so it matters little.
You must be having a hot time in contrast to us, although our clothing is quite ample to withstand the winds we get here. Our H.Q. boys have made a hot shower which is A1, saves our skins for I’m sure, very few would have a cold bath.
I’ve not seen Bob for weeks as we are separated but doubtless you’ve heard from him.
& Lots of love to you both,
Bruce.
Did you ever see any photos of our embarkation in the paper also the snap of Bet and me in town.
Sergeant.
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
Dear Dad & Mum,
Saturday evening again. & things are very much as they were. I hope my letters have been getting through to you, it seems the Japs are making things difficult but some must go. Some papers arrived this week for a few chaps but no letter-mail since yours of Xmas Day.
I have been having an easy time lately but managed a lovely blister on my heel this week, first for a long time. In one local paper there was an article on one of do not get ideas.
Today I had one pair of my boots replaced, they served well, over eighteen months.
I was in
My cobber was a L/Cpl & we wanted to go to the Café Trianon which is for Sgts. And above so I gave him my o’coat & in we went. As he is well over six feet you can picture him in my greatcoat.
The Y.M.C.A. is an excellent spot for meals attended by French and Syrian ladies who are very charming.
We are having a little difficulty in getting Aus. Stamps but have managed enough for this week & next. Everything else is fairly plentiful except for the substitution of margarine for butter.
The weather is warming up a little, we have been fortunate.
I am still following the papers closely. I don’t doubt we’ll scorch them out your way shortly, fancy the U.T.S being in it before us.
Well, I’ll say so-long, hope all are well. I am putting on weight & feeling O.K. so don’t worry.
Love to all and yourselves,
Bruce.
Officers.
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
15/2/1942
Dear Mum & Dad,
Well, it is a glorious day & I am on my lonesome in the tent, all the boys have gone out- I am Orderly Sgt.
We have had a grand week-end, races yesterday & a concert last night & then no church parade this morning.
I do not know who thought of having a race day but it went off well , not horses, but mules & donkeys. The C.S.M. rode a winner & our Coy had one other win. I did about L9 Syrian on the day as I did not back a winner. Each Coy had a bookie & our chaps made a big profit for the Coy Funds.
The track was 400 yds long & with the Band playing it was quite a gala day. By some miraculous means, there was Australian beer & tobacco on sale, so things were quite merry by the time the concert was due.
The concert was jolly good, the band came up & everyone had a hearty sing-song, nearly all the Coy were there. The O. C. rendered a song which brought a terrific round of applause at the close, the boys started throwing all the officers & so on out, just for fun, well, the R.S.M. came up, I don’t know why, but he fell as they were carrying him & was knocked cold. Not often one has the “ pleasure” of seeing one’s R.S.M. unconscious, but he was still out when I left.
It is just one month since my letters came here so something should turn up soon.
According to the local papers you must have seen a lot of Yankees by now, I hope there are plenty of them.
I suppose your black-out is the real thing now, I often wonder just how than over here where so many locals are still out of the army.
Well, I’m stumped again for something to say so I shall sign off.
I suppose Bob has told you that he has his second stripe in C Coy.
Cheerio, best wishes to Vera, Bet & Margaret. I am very well & still getting peaches for dessert on Sundays , hope you’re the same.
Lots of Love,
Bruce.
Company Sergeant Major.
Civilians.
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
Dear Mum & Dad,
I was so pleased to get some of your long awaited letters this week & after hearing to-day’s news, I guess we are very fortunate to get any mail. The letters were those written on 4th, 11th & 18th Jan. there were several others from friends but I missed out on one from Pam, it seems to be just luck as to how they turn out , some chaps are extremely fortunate & others have a long wait. I have written each week so far , stamps have been a little hard to procure but I’ve had sufficient so far.
Bob has written but, of course, his letters may have gone astray, just as others have.
Before I forget, Happy Birthday to Vera, I hope this letter gets there.
Yesterday it was but snowing, a couple of flakes floated down & it sure was cold. Being Saturday afternoon, we are cuddled in bed for once & its blowing strongly. In the distance the mountains are covered with fresh snow & are very pretty.
There was an unusual occurrence last week when one of our drivers was halted at night by a Brigade Major & being dark, he could not see who it was & unthinkingly told the Major to mind his own business. There was a Brigadier in the car & he told him where to go as well so we are waiting to see the penalty for telling a Brig. To go and………. It took a Pioneer to show them but I’m glad it wasn’t me.
We are all wondering what lies ahead, this work is monotonous especially with things the way they are in Aussie, we are quite bamboozled as to what may happen but I hope it is soon, I hate being idle.
Bob was just over & is O.K. he’s not far from us now.
Well there’s little to say so I’ll close hoping you are all well, greetings to everyone &
Lots of Love,
Bruce.
NX27395
Sanders B.
Sgt. B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F
ABROAD.
Dear Dad & Mum,
Saturday again & the last day of February, quite an eventful month for you & just the opposite here, however the weather is lovely & even though we copped two needles just after lunch, we are enjoying our afternoon off.
The past week has been fairly solid on the legs but the exercise is doing us good. A little parcel came in & some of the Sgts scored so we’ve had a couple of banquets on preserved fruits and so on.
Did I ever mention how quickly the raisins around the second cake went?
No letters have come since yours of 18th Jan & Pam’s of 30th Dec. the deliveries are very uncertain.
I went to see “ Hollywood Cavalcade” this week. I remember seeing it at Katoomba but I enjoyed it very much.
Bob was over last Saturday & some of his letters should have reached Vera by now.
At the Movietone News at the theatre “ A Letter from
The news from
There are repeated warnings to us about writing more than two pages in one letter, well, I’m blowed if I can find enough to fill enough two pages without writing something of censorable & that’s a waste of time.
One of the new Sgts attached to us, named
In case the mail is interrupted, I’ll wish you both a Happy Birthday now.
And now, I’ll say cheerio & hope you are all well. I am A1, no trouble at all,
Love to everyone,
Lots of love,
NX27395
Sanders. B. Sgt.
B. Coy.
2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F.
Abroad.
Dear Dad & Mum,
It is pleasantly warm this afternoon & except for the babble of “ wog” workmen, very peaceful. The boys all have different ideas as to how their Sunday should be spent, some have gone cycling, some walking, the majority like me are reading or writing.
The countryside is much more pleasant now with Spring on the way, the beautiful patches of green on the hill slopes brighten the whole scene.
Java seems likely to go any time by the news in this morning’s papers, we all wonder but can only wait & hope.
No more letters have come for about three weeks. I hope mine are reaching you, this is the 18th I have written. Some chaps scored parcels last week & we had fruit salad & cream for tea last night, thanks to Alf Pickett.
To break the monotony, we’ve been to the theatre twice this week & saw “
I thoroughly enjoyed both shows . I think I shall be a Gilbert and Sullivan fan when this is over.
Its only a month to your birthdays and God knows when this letter will reach you but Happy Birthday to you both.
Well, I am afraid I shall have to say cheerio & hope you & everyone are well. I am 100%. Just a little bored. Love to
Keep smiling,
Lots of love,
NX27395
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