Item 04: G. O. Hawkins letters to his family, 2 January 1915-November 1917 - Page 142
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[Page 142]
From 1654 Sp G.O. Hawkins
7th Field Coy Engineers A.I.F
Southampton Docks
England
26 June 1917
Dear Beatrice and Dear Mother
Have sent other hurried letters to explain that I am off to France. I had no opportunity of posting them myself, but handed them to a girl carriage cleaner at one of the stations through which we sped, on our way from Brightlingsea. She promised to post them; so that will be all right, for girls don't forget matters of that sort like men.
Here, at Southampton we have already de-trained and are now waiting to embark,
But as usual the army, in its actions, is slow.
There seems to be nothing doing for a while.
No one knows when there will be
This is the normal state of matters military; so we simply accept it as a sign of good health in the great war organization; and remain mentally neutral
"Mark time in front"!
"Halt!"
"Into line – right – [indecipherable] !"
"Right dress!"
"Stand at ease"
"Take of packs"
"Dress packs in line"
"Troops may be easy and sit down"
These were the last orders received.
Look round and you