NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

30 May. 43.

 

Dear Dad & Mum,

          I was beginning to wonder what was wrong when I missed out on mail for over a week & then, one evening, when we were camping by a river for the night a letter came, dated 16^th & I saw it was ordinary mail which accounted for the delay. Next day yours of 23^rd arrived. That was fourth day since posting which was very good.

          Very pleased to hear that Marg had improved. Bob’s letters had seemed to show that she was fairly bad.

          May is having more than her share of trouble. She is a plugger to keep her chin up.

          I have had a couple of days of scrub itch. You may have encountered it in the country. Just a matter of being jolly uncomfortable.

          You are having cold weather also. The nights are very cold here & the other day we were bivouacced on a riverbank & was I frozen. Naturally one cannot carry  more than one blanket but I’ll carry extra clothes if I am able. The point is that one has to carry everything so you can imagine how loaded a man is. Clyde could be in his element here except for his feet, especially as we took out a slab of steak each & cooked it for lunch. I’ve got a lot to learn about cooking. This time I put it in a dixie ( no fat) & put a little water in & believe it or not it went down well.

          Poss’ father died last Tuesday so Poss would get there too late & so far we have not heard from him ‘though he should be in Sydney by now.

          Regards to Mr. Schuberg.

          To-day, the Bn are playing two other units, League & Union. Should be good games. We have some classy players & I did my heavy washing yesterday so I shall go down & have a look.

          Now, I shall close, hoping all are well & shall write through the week.

          Cheerio,

                   Lots of Love,

                                      Bruce.

I had a letter from Bet this week & it seems she is rather upset because of various things, mainly, it appears, she is not happy about her progress with boy-friends especially as so many of her friends have regulars.

          You both know just how disturbing that business can be & Bet, being so highly strung, I think would feel it more than most.

          So, without overstepping myself, I’d like to suggest that she be allowed to bring a lad home for tea occasionally.

          This may sound a little precocious, but I think you will understand that I just want to see Bet get along well & if she must have a pal & I guess most people must. Then if she has one whom she can display to you now & then for approval, she will be far better off than going out with lads of whom you know nothing.

          At present, she is definitely unhappy as you have doubtless noticed & not a small amount of blame lies with myself, Clyde & Vera for we have nagged her far too much, she being least able to speak for herself & I think she is a little afraid of what people think of her, which should not be.

          I wrote this because I think I should, if it will help to make everyone happy & give Bet a chance to make good friends rather than unknown ones. Forgive me if I am impertinent.

          There should be no fear within the home , of one another, should there? & I think Bet is a little afraid to talk with her Dad about these things.

 

                             Cheerio,  B.

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NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia       

Dear Mum & Dad,

          Sunday & we’ve had  a free morning being a bit too wet for church Pde. Now it is overcast but we are going down to watch our Bn. Union team play Bill’s (Rhoda) McCarthy’s unit.

Jolly glad to know Marg is well again & thank her please, for her reply. Sorry I can’t catch any nigger boys.

I hope Poss managed to get out. I know he rang Pam so possibly he has been out by now.

You’ve been having some nasty weather it seems.

A letter from May came two days ago & the kiddies are much better with Noelene still in hospital.

Don’t send any stuff up for a while until I write again.

I had a game of League on Friday , at half back this time. My first crack at that psn . I’ve learned that it is useless to butt fifteen stone forwards. My neck is stiff as a poker. We had a good game & won. Yesterday two of our lads ran 100 yds for a 1 Pound bet, one having 10 yds start. He won. It was pouring rain. I sometimes think we do some silly things.

To-morrow, I shall go up & see if I can have my teeth fixed. I have had the bottom plate out for a fortnight now. The dentist are very busy.

Last night, I had my turn again on the beer issue. We have to hand it out to the boys from kegs with our mugs. What a job!  I was cashier last night and fortunately didn’t miss out on the cash.

          8 p.m. in the mess, & surrounded by darts players & beer imbibers which make letter writing quite a task.

Bob was over Friday evening after a game of soccer during which he copped a black eye. Otherwise he is quite O.K. & has been walking in his own time as well as training so his feet are standing up alright.

          Well for now, I’ll say cheerio & hope that all are well. I am quite A.1.

          Goodnight,

                             Lots of Love,

                                                          Bruce.

Love to Vera, Bet & Marg.

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NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small  Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

20 June 43.

 

Dear Dad & Mum,

          Just a line before  settling down to a month’s solid work.

          The camp is very nice even sheets on the beds & a radio & lovely meals. But cold, oh boy, everything they said is true. Still, plenty of clothes & work will overcome that.

          I met a chap who used to go to Ashbury Church, the first chap I have contacted. He has been in N.G.

          Well, I shall write through this week so, until then,

 

                   Cheerio & love to all,

 

                                      From,

 

                                                Bruce.

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NX27395.

 B Sanders. SGT

Small  Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla. Vic.

27 June 43.

 

Dear Mum & Dad,

          Not much to tell, plenty of work but I’m learning plenty & the discipline is doing me good.

Conditions are very good , food  & etc & the instructors know their game well.

Last night, we went to the pictures & saw “ The Man Who Came For Dinner” & it was a good show. To-day was the warmest yet  & I had a quiet time. To-night we are going to a concert.

Next time you write  please send me Clyde’s correct address. I have just had another letter returned.

The weather is very cold. Thank goodness hot water is plentiful.

Well, its brief but this work has been work, mainly, so there you are.

 

Cheerio for the present,

 

                   Lots of love to all,

 

                                      Bruce.

 

Margaret’s “ letter” came.

Please thank her.

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NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small  Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

11 July , 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

          Sunday again & reasonably warm. It was lovely to stay in bed this morning.

This week has been a busy one, flat out all the time but we are over half way through.

I hope Margaret had a happy day yesterday.

So, Bob has taken the typing job. He might do alright, I think. It would be in Bn. H.Q. , not so much marching.

As you say, it seems Clyde will be unable to get down, hard luck.

Billy Sanders is at the same place as Hilda Polack, Ascotvale.

Things are moving overseas again. Dear Musso will be jolly uneasy.

I heard from Poss this week & they are still working hard. I shall be able to help them a lot with what I am learning here. There have been several small exams to date & pleased to say , I have managed them O.K. so long as calculations are not required. I can handle them. I am still very weak in that direction.

Well, I shall close now. Hope you are both well & the family.

Cheerio,

 

          Love,

 

                   Bruce.

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NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small  Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

18 July. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

          Here we are & only one more week to go. I expect to leave here on Saturday evening so, maybe, I shall be lucky on Sunday & see you but I am not certain.

          I heard from Nev. Wood & he is at Officers’ Trng. School in Adelaide.

          The course here is going well. Expect there’ll be several exams this week but if I do nothing silly I should handle them.

          Last night there were pictures on here. A programme of shorts & very enjoyable.

          I struck picquet at 0230 for two hours. Lucky to be bale to sleep in this morning.

          Beatrice wrote & had been in hospital for a week with pneumonia. She came out last week-end. She had also had her half-yearly exam. Passed in 4. Missed 2.

          They were still at Kempsey so little Eddie must still be a soldier.

          The weather is lovely to-day so I think we shall go for a stroll this afternoon.

          And now, cheerio & I hope fortune smiles upon me,

 

          Love to all,

                            

                             Bruce.

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Brisbane.

31 July. 43.

 

Dear Mum & Dad,

          Having a quiet afternoon in town. I guess  we will go to a show to-night. We have been the last two evenings. Saw “ Star Spangled Banner” & “ Once Upon a Honey moon”. They were very good films.

I shall be on my way soon, goodness knows where.

Too bad I did not leave my “ sneaker” boots home for I have to leave them here & they may go astray. Still, too late.

I did not see Clyde again so I guess he must have come through here.

The W.A.A.Fs & Air Trng Corps just marched through the town. Very quiet.

We had some of the cake this morning, being too lazy to get up for breakfast. It was very nice.

I have been fortunate in sticking to two chaps from the school & we have an enjoyable time together.

And now, I shall close & will write next opportunity.

 

Cheerio & Love to All,

 

                                      Bruce.

 

 

 

 

 

MAIL YOUR LETTERS A.P.O.            DO NOT MENTION MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

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