219021 Spr. Colin Augustus David Finch Australian Army 2nd Australian Divisions Signals Coy from:Kew Australia (d.20th Sep 1917) Sapper Colin Finch served with the 2nd Australian Divisions Signals Coy
This 10 page letter to his brother Malcolm, found recently during our family history research - we think may be of interest to you. Some words in italics are not deciphered yet. Malcolm would have been 17 in 1916.
Addington Park War Hosp.
Croydon, London
Thurs. 14th Sept 1916
These are the first I’ve had now for months. Two from “Koromikoâ€, one from George Mc D, one from Joan Hurst. & the last from Miss Hunt in Melbourne. But you see I’m answering your letter first, being the most important. The last letter I got from home, before these two, was one written while I was on my way to Egypt. I don’t know where all the others are tho? for there must be many more somewhere. I’m very glad that
you are once again at school, for I know you will like it!! I can well imagine how you feel about the tucker; especially as you are used to having nearly all you want in “plenty’.
As regards meat, I think that one can very easily eat too much for his health. A good feed of meat once a day should be plenty provided that you have any amount of vegetables & other foods to fill up the cracks. I’ve been in some places in Egypt where one can get little else to eat except eggs & meat, but I often used to go hungry to bed rather than fill up on boil eggs. Two (or more) eggs for breakfast & tea, with half a chicken or so for a mid day meal was too much for me in hospital & I was very soon a mass of pimples.
At this place, the trouble is the reverse, as some gets a miserable bit of bacon on a bit of bread, (sometimes with porridge, without milk or sugar) for breakfast, with a fair dinner & for tea, bread & marmalade. But we manage to get along very nicely.
You don’t say whether you like the school or not, but I’m sure, you can make yourself fairly comfy, where ever you are, which is just as well.
I’m sure you would like to be here for a little while, as there is such a lot of very interesting places & things to be seen, everywhere you go. This house is a beautiful old stone building, & was built in time of Henry V!!!, when the old rogue used to come here & make love to some of his 6 wives! We are only a few miles out of London, altho’ neither leave or money is given to us.
When I came from Egypt, I happened to have a sovereign in my pocket, so I’ve been able to slip out & go into London. Three times I’ve been in, & would soon be in again if I had any money left, but 20/- does not go far when there are two to spend it. My friend & I have been all through St Pauls Cathedral, & Westminster Abbey, also through the magnificent Houses of Parliament, where the two Parliaments sit, - The Lords & Commons.
It is wonderful! We’ve also been up to Piccadilly, Strand, Trafalgar Sq. Whitehall, Hyde Park, St James Park & Green Park, also the King’s Palace at Buckingham & many other wonderful sights & places. We’ve been very lucky & on all three trips into town managed to dodge the M.P.’s (Military Police).
We left Egypt nearly five weeks ago. I came up to Southampton in N0. 2 Australian Hospital Ship, where we had a great old time for a fortnight, calling in Malta & Gibralta on our way. We had a lovely trip & very few
Were sick. I wasn’t.
A comfortable Hospital Train met us at the Pier & brought us here, & now we’ve been here nearly three weeks. We expect to leave shortly now though & after a little necessary buzzing round to get our furlough, (I think six weeks) when I hope to go up to Scotland & perhaps to Ireland, & call in & see Auntie Kit, on my way back. I intend to have a good time while I’m about
It, as it is quite probably that it will be my last. Amongst other things I hope to bust up a quid or so in going up in an aeroplane.
I’m all anxious to get over to France to join up my old unit where all my old friends are, or where were. Some of them are dead I’m sorry to say, but I hope that most of them are still as lively as of yore.
So you see, a fellow might just as well have a good time when the chance offers, for when his time comes he’ll be dead a jolly long while, you know.
Well, old chap, I must finish as I have five more letters to answer as well as others to write. Cheer up, old boy, & keep smiling, & don’t forget that you have a skinny old brother who is always so glad to hear from you, even if it is only a very short letter, so don’t forget to remember!
Give my love to Mum & dad. When you write & with much love from myself, your affectionate brother Colin.
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