Item 01: Oliver Hogue letters, November 1914-29 December 1915 - Page 166

[Page 166]      

Ryries Post
Gallipoli 4.9.15

My dear Everybodys
Some time ago I penned a rather grateful appreciation of the postal service in war time. At that time I had but little to complain of for  my mails had come fairly regularly & I had the comfort of knowing that all - or nearly all of my love letters had safely reached their destination.  But now take back all I said. The Postal Service is a cow & a fair cow. What have I done - or left undone   - that I should receive this unkindness  at the hands of the postman? I ask you? You dont answer? You cant?

Well, I was about to remark when my fury & righteous indignation choked my utterances - we've had no mail for around 7 weeks - at least - not a real up to date  mail. All we've had are dribs & drabs of old newspapers & older letters. The regular weekly batch that used to make life worth living have ceased to gladden our tired eyes. Only one thing prevents me taking to drink.   That is (as Jean has already guessed)   the absence of anything to drink. But hold!!! (these funny dots are exclamation marks) I lie!! There is something!   Last night I received Two Beautiful Big Bottles of Champagne.   They came from   a naval officer Captain Raikes of the Raglan  whom I showed round our trenches. We are going to empty one of the bottles at mess tonight & put the Bubbly Water where it will do the most good. Thats why I write this afternoon. If I tried to write tonight the lines would be running up & down all over the shop like this. [words written so]  So I get rid of my letter now so as to leave myself free for the debauch.