OUR SOLDIERS

The following are extracts from a couple of letters received from Private J. E. Diver, of Buckley street, Essendon, who is in France with the Australians:

France,

April 26, 1916.

Just a few lines to let you know I am still all right and contented, as far as I can be away from home. I can't make out what is the matter at the Intermediate Base. I know there are a lot of letters there for me from you all, yet I haven't received any for over a month. I will probably receive them when I come home.

Now for some news: We are given to under stand that the whole of the battalion will get leave for eight days before long. We will go away in batches of probably 50 at a time; so it is on the cards that I may be in England before you receive this.

You will wonder what sort of paper I have got hold of this time. It is out of a biscuit tin, and makes a good substitute-"any port in a storm."

Yesterday was Anzac Day, and our battalion kept it up with sports and competitions, and as far as we were concerned (the cooks) the four companies competed by making "plum duff" for the battalion. A certain amount of ingredients was allowed, and the judging was done by taking a slice from one of the puddings of each company, and the officers adjudicated. On the sly we added a few drops of whiskey to our slice, and we took first place. If we get our prize, we will get four bottles of champagne. I might add it took 21 "duffs" (large) to feed our lambs.

What a lot I could write about this country and the people; but I am afraid it would not look nearly so interesting on paper as it is to see it all. The day is such a length. It is breaking day at 4 a.m., and it is now 7 p.m.: the sun not yet down. The farmers are ploughing still, al though they have been at it since early morning. The French are a fine race of people; more stunted than the Australians, with broader features. There are some very pretty girls about, with the same clear complexions of the Australians. Still I like our own type best.

I forgot to say, when I was speaking about champagne, the price of it here is 4s 6d per large bottle - slightly different to Victoria. Beer Id per glass, and wine 2d. These prices are surely tempting, and if I contract the drinking habit, you will have to blame the French prices and people, for they make us welcome every where. There is a farm house opposite to where I am now sitting. There is nothing to indicate that beer or wine can be bought there, yet they do a large business.

It is grand to be back again in a country where you can admire and respect the inhabitants. The time spent in Egypt seems more like a bad dream that is past. All I want to see of that country again are the banks of the Canal on our home trip, and the sooner I see them the better. The people here seem confident that the war will not last much longer; but   I often think the wish is father to to the thought. I hope their wishes will prove correct, for it is a barbarous af fair, and many a heart will he sore for years to come over the greed of man. We are on the right side, and I have often felt glad since I came here that I threw in my lot to do what I could to drive out the nation that interfered with harmless, hard-working and peaceful people, whom I have met since I came here.

Perhaps you will wonder how I get on with the language. Well, I don't get on at all; but I am getting proficient in the deaf and dumb. But look, it is getting dark. I have a "Graphic" for a writing desk and a bacon box for a seat, writing paper described and pencil for pen. The shades of night are drawing in, so I must close, with fond love to you all.

J. E. DIVER.

France,

May 3rd., 1916.

I received your letter of February 12th yesterday, so you will see it has taken nearly three months to reach me; yet I have received a good many letters compared to some of our chaps. My mate up to the time of seeing him last, had not received a letter from anyone. If I could only write freely, what interesting letters I could send; but as I am anxious to keep well with in bounds, perhaps I keep back more than there is any occasion for.

I am still in best of health and spirits, and not killed with work; but we have to keep on the move-of course, no holidays. We are still in flat country,  with farms all round. The farms seem to be "manned" by old men and women, and they go on with their usual occupations, the same as if there was no war on. I have seen a man working on his farm, and a shell fell close to him. He just moved away a few yards and went on with his work. We are on the borders of Belgium, and it is pitiable to go through some of the cities and see the destruction that has been wrought. I thought I could picture the sight I was to see; but a person has to actually see them to realize what war really is. I came here, as you know, to do my bit. If some of those who are left behind and won't come, and have a house out of danger could see the effect of only one shell and know that that shell is destroying the home of a person who, perhaps, will never be able to repair or replace it, they would act differently. I have often been thankful that our home is thousands of miles away from this hell. I am quite satisfied the Germans will get all they don't want here, and I think before very long: so we need not fear our homes being de stroyed for their ambition.

It is thoughtful of Eddie wishing to send me a periscope. If this reaches you in time, don't send it; if anything is at all necessary, we are supplied with it, and extras cannot be carried. We carry all our equipment, so anything we can do without is left behind. Here is what I carry: Web equipment, haversack, water bottle, mess tin, knife, fork and spoon, overcoat, singlet, spare pants and set of blueys, 2 blankets and waterproof sheet, shaving gear and nicknacks, rifle, bayonet, trenching tool, 150 rounds of ammunition, steel helmet, 2 gas helmets, 1 tear helmet, besides towel, soap and all those little things that are absolutely necessary. As we are on the move most of the time, never in one place long, and often marching 6 or 7 miles behind our cooker, you will un derstand a person will not add to his heavy load. I am separated from all my Royal Park mates; but we will meet again before long.

I have wished dozens of times that I had a smattering of the French language. The people here are very friendly. Our chaps are behaving like gentlemen. I have not heard of one case of them giving offence. We had to shift our quarter two days ago. My mates got on the wine. Two of them got to the cooker and thought it was a machine gun. They kept on shooting at imaginary Zeppelins and air ships, and, according to them, they brought down two of the former and four of the latter in a very short time. It is a good job we did not shift far, or I would have had a job. As it was, I got their equipment on them and what they couldn't manage, I shouldered (for I took mine up in the afternoon), and eventually got them to our new billet. Then went back to get the cooker. The following day, "cooks indisposed."

Here is a description of "home": Our shed is about 15ft. by 20ft. I have fixed up a bench in one corner. Table by day, my bunk by night. Joe, the head cook, has a bunk at the foot of mine; the quarter master on the ground; next to him Tom, and Pat in the other corner; between Tom and Pat we have the cooker. The wheels are sunk in the ground, so that the fire box is about a foot off the ground. It is made of rough pine, and there is a window and an opening about 2ft. wide for a door. It is very comfortable. My carpentering has stood me well since I have been here, for wherever we go we have to make or alter something. In conclusion, don't think I want for any thing. I believe those in authority are doing everything that can possibly be done for the men. They are protecting us to the utmost, and everything that is necessary is supplied in abundance.

Heaps of love to all at home and respects to all friends.

PTE. J. E. DIVER.

France. (1916, July 20). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved February 3, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74593564