Private C. C. McMullen, of 65 Shields street, Flemington, sends the following: Just a line to let you know I had the luck to pick up an "Essendon Gazette" to-day. I got a surprise when I saw it. I hope I will see many more of your welcome papers. We all received a billy each, and were quite happy. We had a day of sports on Xmas and Boxing Day. The high jump was won with a jump of 5ft. 5½in.; the long jump was 19ft. 10in. Both these jumps were very good, considering it was on the sand. You would not think we had to face anything to see us. We are all happy and expect to spend Xmas, 1916,   in Melbourne. For proof that I found your paper over here, I am sending the heading in this letter.

OUR SOLDIERS. (1916, February 10). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 24, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74591819

LIFE IN EGYPT AND ENGLAND ROYALTY ENTERTAINS ANZACS

Private C. Dalton, writing from England to the Editor of ''The Winner' on July 2, interestingly describes life in Egypt and England. In the course of' his remarks he says: — [earlier remarks about sport in Egypt not included here.]

MAKING FOOTBALLS

Whilst in Egypt, we had our own football maker, Corporal C. M'Mullen (late of Fordham's, Brunswick). These Australian footballs were the only ones obtainable in Egypt, and Corporal C. M'Mullen received many testimonials on his work. They were as good as any ball I have seen made, and it was marvellous how they were made so true under the difficulties which Corporal M'Mullen was faced. Everyone of the soldiers had praise for him, officers included. Brigadier-General Spencer Brown, of Queensland, who had charge of the Australian troops in Egypt, was one of the first to handle the first Australian-made football in Egypt by Corporal M'Mullen. We stayed until May 30. Then on June 1 we sailed from Alexandria en route to England.

IN MERRIE ENGLAND

We arrived on June 11, and had a pretty ride for 5½ hours in the train to our camp. We had hardly settled down when we were told to pack up and be ready to move in a couple of hours. We marched for about seven miles to our present camp. Here Corporal M'Mullen, who is secretary of the Sports and Amusement Club, was not long in getting the sports going again.

SPORTS ITINERARY

So we still have our own Australian games of football, also cricket, boxing, Soccer, Rugby, medicine ball, hockey (having a full set of sticks), tennis and last of all, we have a couple of punching ball ceilings. So we reckon our club the biggest in the Australian Army. I forgot to mention that we use mattings for our cricket matches. Hughie Petrie, of South Melbourne, is a great trainer here, and is as popular as Corporal M'Mullen among the boys. The latter's people, from what I hear, live at Shields street, Kensington

QUEEN ALEXANDRA

YMCA Aldwytch Hut, The Strand, London.

He had leave last week in London, and had the honor of shaking hands with Her Majesty Queen Alexandra. Also he had the honor of being served with a, cup of coffee by Her Majesty. It was at the opening of a Y.M.C.A. hut in the Strand next to Australia House, where Corporal M'Mullen and Private Forden, both of the 5th Battalion, met the Queen. I am sending you a couple of cards of the hut, which the good Queen was s0 kind as to open. There were a number of wounded soldiers (British) present, also a number of sisters of different hospitals Well. I think I have told all in regard to our club. I will see M'Mullen, and ask him to send a few notes now and again to 'The Winner.' I only wish that this paper would come regularly to me, as all the boys love to read it.' June 23 was the date of the opening of the Y.M.C.A. Hut.

Our Sportsmen at the Front. (1916, August 23). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 9. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154554718

ANZACS UPHOLD TRADITIONS ON ENGLISH PLAYING FIELDS

A long and interesting letter written from the Sports Hut, Salisbury Plain, on August 16, has been received by the Editor from Corporal C. M'Mullen, of 65 Shields street, Flemington, who also encloses lengthy reports from certain local papers of cricket matches. Corporal M'Mullen's letter is so complete that from the extracts printed below an admirable idea can be obtained of the sporting prowess of the 2nd Training Battalion.

[A lengthy report of cricket matches follows].

ANZACS UPHOLD TRADITIONS ON ENGLISH PLAYING FIELDS. (1916, October 4). Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914 - 1917), p. 9. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154556186