The following letter has been received from Corporal J. C. Blair: France.

11/6/16.

Just a line to let you know I am still in perfect health. We have now left Egypt, of which I am pleased to write. We left camp about 10 p.m. in cattle trucks, and travelled all night. It was rather cool, but got some sleep. Arrived at about 6 a.m. and went on board, but did not sail that evening, but next morning, from the port I was at last Boxing Day. We had a lovely voyage of five days to France, the sea being calm all the way, and beautiful warm weather, just like our spring. Had got a bit thin during last few weeks in Egypt, but picked up on the voyage. We had an uneventful trip, having a cruiser with us all but the last day. They say there was a French boat torpedoed nine miles behind us on second day but cannot vouch for that.

Coming into the French harbour early in the morning was a sight worth seeing. You can picture large hills in the distance, well-wooded and gradually sloping down to the town, which nestles at foot, and continues to water's edge; all red-tiled houses, from old Norman to modern style, and nearly every one with lovely garden and bushy trees around it - very like Dunedin (N.Z.), with Maori hill at back - only much prettier. On one of the highest peaks in rear of town is an immense cathedral, with large bronze figure of Christ on top; this overlooks the whole city, and you can see it for miles out at sea.

We disembarked about three o'clock on afternoon of 7th-and what a different reception to what we received in Egypt. Everyone was pleased to see us, and all through our journey came out to see us pass; what with trying to throw kisses with both hands, and wave both arms at same time, they must have been pretty tired. We entrained about 5 p.m., and had three nights and two days in train, practically without any sleep; but did not notice this, as the country we passed through would keep anyone awake and they would not feel it. I have read a bit about the beauty of France, but it was altogether above my expectation; it is just like one big garden. We are not allowed to put names of cities we passed through, but saw a good many of principal ones. During the journey I do not think we saw any land not under cultivation. Right along the Rhone Valley is one mass of vineyards, then vegetables, then crops; all intermingled with love ly avenues of poplar trees and bushy elms; no fences, but briar hedges or other bushes, separating plots. Every half mile or so, a small village of red tiled or thatched houses nestle at foot of hills, with its large steeple church in centre; and we were travelling along top of these hills looking down to the valley. It was great. All along the way mixed in with the wheat were wild poppies, and every variety of wild flowers imaginable, blue, pink, red and white, and the effect was striking.

One thing very noticeable in the journey was the absence of young men in the fields; old men and old women of 60 to 80, who could hardly bend, being out ploughing, picking fruit, weeding and hoeing the ground right along the route; and all stopped to give us a wave on our way. Our journey was full of interest from start to finish. One city we passed through, saw about 100 German prisoners being escorted along by chasseurs, or mounted cavalry men. The Australians made plenty of noise going through towns, in singing and shouting, but also plenty of friends, too, as they seem to take very much to us, and are not like the robbing Egyptians; but trust you. They are a fine people, and have a beautiful country, and I do not wonder at them fighting hard for it.

When we arrived at our destination we were billeted at different farm-houses. I am in a barn with about 3ft. of straw, which is nice and comfortable after the train journey. The weather is a mixture of fine and showery, also pretty cold, just like Dunedin spring weather. The country itself is very like it also. We get papers from England day after issue, so get news up to date. There is a pretty village about half a mile from here: I must try and get a few postcards of same and send you. I forgot to mention that Bill Mundell* (or rather Captain) came over on same boat, so had a yarn or two with him. He is billeted not far from us, and is looking well on it. There are some long tunnels here; one we passed through was about four miles long. Also saw the Palace where Napoleon was when he divorced Josephine. It was a picture, a beautiful white palace with lovely grounds, with lake in front almost to steps, and large monument this side of lake, with green lawn all round.

OUR SOLDIERS. (1916, August 17). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved February 4, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593789

* Embarked as Lance Sergeant William Twynum Mundell in 1914, aged 25, a merchant of Hawthorn.

PROMINENT SCULLER BACK AT THE FRONT  

Sergeant James Blair, the well-known Essendon sculler, writing home from  somewhere in France on July 7, says:   "You will see I am once more in France, left England on July 1 and have been here a week, and will join  up my battalion next week.  

PROMINENT SCULLER BACK AT THE FRONT. (1917, October 10). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 8. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154546409

SGT. J. C. BLAIR REJOICES  

SGT. J. C. BLAIR REJOICES. (1917, October 17). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 8. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154546303

Another rowing man who is expected to arrive shortly is Sergeant J. Blair of the Essendon Club. He has been actively associated with the sport for many years, and few oarsmen were better known to a wide circle of rowing friends than Jimmie Blair, he was for many years a keen supporter of country regattas, and was always to be found at them usually as a competitor. He was badly wounded on two or three occasions, and well deserves relief from the strenuous conditions at the front.

BACK FROM THE WAR. (1918, March 9). Weekly Times (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 22. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122132951

AN ESSENDON GATHERING

Essendon members assembled in strong force on Saturday last at a "smoke night" given in honor of Sergeant "Jim'' Blair, who has been invalided home as the result of severe wounds. Mr A Watson, president of the club, was in the chair, and proposed the toast of the guest of the evening, which was  supported by Mr N. Fitzmaurice. Sergeant Blair, in responding, gave some  interesting news of other club-members who are at the front, and his remarks were listened to with the keenest  interest.

A good musical programme was provided, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent. Other members who were present were Privates Blair and Dobney, and an old member in  Bombardier "Danny" M'Naughton, whose name will always be associated with the Essendon Club as captain and stroke about 1905-6 and for some seasons later. He played an important part in the history of the club. In the course of a happily-worded speech, Bombardier M'Naughton gave some interesting reminiscences of old times and old faces in the club. He has promised to donate trophies annually for pair oared races, to be called the "M'Naughton Pairs."

The toast of "Absent Comrades" was proposed by Mr E. Kenny, hon. secretary of the Rowing Association, and received with enthusiasm. Essendon Club has a large proportion of its members on active service. 

AN ESSENDON GATHERING. (1918, June 22). Weekly Times (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 22. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129475500

ENTHUSIASTIC WORKER

To confer life membership is the highest honor which a club can bestow on any of its members, and is Indeed the best way in which to show appreciation of services rendered. All who have seen the amount of work done for his club by Jim Blair, who returned from France lately, with the rank of Sergeant, will agree that he is one of the most enthusiastic members that the Essendon Club has possessed. As an oarsman he rowed with a considerable measure of success, and was in most of the crews which were responsible for bringing the Essendon Club from a state of comparative lethargy into its present live condition. This required much uphill work, and J. Blair was always prominent in the band of enthusiasts to whom the club owes its revival. After having won most of his  maiden and junior races, he devoted a lot of time to coaching the younger members,  and was rewarded with a considerable measure of success. In the

ENTHUSIASTIC WORKER. (1918, September 14). Weekly Times (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 23. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132724689