Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The following has also been received from Trooper J. Waddell, a companion of " Gunnie's," as will be noticed by the familiar way in which each refers to the other; Mena, Egypt 24 11 15. i Just a few lines again as it is Sunday. The papers are all very much appreciated and we love to read them very much., Don. Drysdale has lent me his fountain pen and I am going strong with ink this time but do not be at all surprised if I finish up with the common leady, as Don, may want it at any moment. I most dodge him so at to get a whole page of ink in anyhow. Things are going along here a just the same as per usual. All last week we had some pretty hard work, but it was most interesting so we did not mind, We were working on-outpost duty, also patrols and reconnoitering parties,and we had some grand rides. Last Friday was the best day though, We started out at 9 o'clock in the morning and landed home about a quarter past 5 and were going all the time. We had to move out with the main body to a little Arab village called Marne (with the accent on the e, at least I think so), and from there D Troop was sent out as at reconnoitering party all through palm groves and cotton fields to another little village about 4 miles distant, and there did outpost duty till we received signals from the main body to move off and meet them at another village about three miles distant. We were going through little villages nearly all the time, and in one particular village we scared all the life out of the inhabitants, and they ducked into their little mud houses like mad. The streets which we rode through were just wide enough for one horse to go through at a time, and were bounded on each side by high walls of mud. There were some very fair houses, two storied in some of the villages and these are owned by the Sheiks or Chiefs of the villages. Where we camped for dinner was on the banks of the canal, and you might call it the city square of the village. As soon as we rode up we were, of course, surrounded. by the jabbering and excited mob of natives, who did not know what on earth was going to happen, but-as soon as we said "Siada," which is Arabic for good day, they cleared off and brought oranges, sugar cane, and bundles of green staff for our horses, and wanted us to buy it. They are all cadgers, and all the little kids about, and I might tell you there are about 2,000 of them, are always crying out backsbeesh, which means money, I think this is about the first word they are ever taught, but they don't get too much off our boys. Well, we finished up the day with a sham fight, and after galloping all over sand hills and the desert we captured C Squadron and those who were captured were shot, This is what B squadron says, but C have quite a different tale to tell. They reckon they won but, fair dinkum, I reckon we dished them up. We are all quite well, and the weather is getting very much better each day, and we are beginning to feel it now, but the nights are still cold, and they get very sharp towards the morning. I believe it is like this even in the middle of summer, hot days and cold nights. I believe the Second Force have arrived at Alexandria but could not say for certain as there are so many rumors. I do not know when we are leaving here but I notice by an English paper that we are not picked for Kitchener's next two armies which go out in, the Spring. The general belief is that Egypt is as far as we will go. But there is no telling, Some of the infantry have been moved down on to the canal from here and they kept them shifting all over the place, but the Light Horse are still here. I went into town yesterday as usual and Gunnie and I went in with Le Jeune, the Frenchman, of whom I have told you before. He has had bad luck. He received a letter to say that his two brothers had been killed at the war, and it has upset him. One of his brothers was em ployed here at one of the big stores called the Una Pretemps, which is a big ladies' store for all ladies' wear ing apparel, which is conducted by a French lady named Madame Jacob. Her husband is also at the war at the present time. We called on them as Ernie Le Jenne wanted as to meet her and he introduced as to her Madame showed us all over the shop and we shook hands with nearly all the girls behind the counters, pretty little French girls they were, and looked awfully dainty in their shop attire of white and black with little caps to match, which reminded me of the first set of Miss Gibbs. I am sure I shook hands with 20 of them at the least. It is a lovely shop, and everything fitted up to dick. After having a look round the shop Madame took us to the back and showed us into a very pretty reception room which they have to receive any visitors She told us to wait a few minutes and she would call her mother in to see us. Her mother, by the way, has just returned from the front and is a Red Cross nurse, and is having a holiday with her daughter in Cario, She is a very fine elderly lady, and has a very kind face. She took a great fancy to us and could not do enough for us. They gave us wine and than made us stay and have tea with them, afternoon tea of course, They were very kind indeed to us and when we left them and said good bye they presented as each with a little souvenir in the form of a package which contained a nice silk neck muffler, a block of French toilet soap, a packet of cigarettes, and some postcards, It was very good of them don't you think? The old nurse showed as the iron Cross which the Kaiser is decorating his troops with. I am sending you some postal cards which I hope you will like. I think they are very amusing, The four pigs is a good puzzle and I am send ing one folded so that you can see the solution, I must close now as my litle stock of news is about petered out, We are all well and all the boys wish to be very kindly remembered to all. I am feeling very well and fit. We always look forward each week to our mail, and have sweepstakes on who will get the most mail, I started this letter this afternoon but am finishing this evening and then I will feed up the horses and go to bed . CURTHEW.