Item 05: John Duncan McRae papers, 20 March 1917-27 September 1917 - Page 5

[Page 5]

fired the final salute over his grave & presented arms with fixed bayonets while the 'Last Post' was being sounded by the buglers. This done we formed into column & route marched back to camp to the tunes "Keep your eye on Germany", "Australia Will be there", "Put your troubles in your old kit bag", "Get out & get under" etc., for in military life all mourning ceases once the warrior is placed beneath the clay. We got back to camp by 6.30 after completing a 9½ or 10 miles march. The whole ceremony was grand & well worth witnessing & the march with the full band was most enjoyable.

I think a good many letters from home never reach me for I have only had one or two from Brown St. during the last fortnight. Perhaps it is only delayed & I may get it all in a bunch some of these days. I heard from Leonie & Aunt Enid & Ken & Jack, Gordon & Cruiky last week as well as from my Birmingham friend. From the way she writes I think it is just as well that I was not at her place too long while we were on leave. The poor wee girlie has