"Enjoying Myself So Far" A Guthrie

France 9/4/16

 

D Company

1st Pioneer Batt

1st Australian Division

 

Dear Colina,

A few lines to let you know I am well & enjoying myself so far.  We had a pleasant trip over except for the usual few things we have to put up with.  We had a long train journey 3 days and nights in train so had a good opportunity of looking at the country.  It looks tip top and the women were all busy working in the fields.  We passed through several large towns and over some fine rivers + through a lot of tunnels.  There seemed to be a town then a tunnel nearly everywhere.  We were in a small carriage 7 of us and couldn’t stretch out to sleep + you can imagine we all felt a bit tired but we never got tired of looking of looking out of the window.  There was always something to look at.

We are billeted now at a farmhouse in the loft & will be fairly comfortable while here.  We could here (sic) the guns as soon as we got here & they keep going pretty constantly.  It won’t be long before we are in the trenches to have a turn.  It is fairly cold here but is better than Egypt so far although if we have to sleep out we will notice it.

We can buy beer + bread + butter here at the farm.  The people are at work late + early  + have some old-fashioned ideas.  The people along the line all seemed pleased to see us, all giving us a wave.  We had tea at several stations which was very acceptable.

We can’t make anything of the French language but there are a good few who can speak ours & we get all we want.  We won’t have a chance of being free here I don’t think.  We are getting a lot of marching  & the roads are hard after the sand, & make our feet a bit sore.  I tried to get into the Engineers with (indecipherable name) but didn’t get the transfer although he said it would be alright.

I haven’t had any letters for a long while now & suppose won’t get any for a time.  I hope you are all keeping well.  Remember me to everybody.  I am feeling very well as our rations are a lot better over here.

I will close now with best wishes.

Yours Sincerely,

A Guthrie