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[Page 6]
useful. In the evening we went to the Dandies with Ron, Keith and Billy McDougall. I happened to mention that there would be a lot of grandmothers in Perth to-morrow in order to get leave and a lady named Mrs.Tweedall, next to Keith evidently heard for she took our names and said she would write to Collins for leave to visit her.
Tuesday 28/12/15 To-day I was on town picket and Keith, Bill and I got leave from Clive who was Sargent to go to Mrs.Tweedall to tea. We did not do much all day having plenty of time off.
Wednesday 29/12/15 The picket had general leave to-day and so I went to Freemantle this morning and got my mail from the boat and also had a look round the town. I met Bill Wright in the afternoon and had a look round the streets and shops of Perth. The evening I spent at the Y.M.C.A. writing letters.
Thursday 30/12/15. Only about 75% of the troops were on parade this morning and Colonel Batty the W.A.Camp Commandant gave us a lecture saying his first good opinion of us was ruined and that we were the worst lot of soldiers he had ever seen. At that the men promptly hooted and counted him out although they were on parade. He then took us for a stiff route march, with the weather steaming hot. In the afternoon to took them for another, but I slipped off the end of the line as they marched out and spent the afternoon writing letters at the Y.M.C.A. The Y.M.C.A. is a most up to date affair this city. It is an asbestos sheeting building with reading and writing room, billiard room with 5 tables, soft drink canteen and canteen where tea was 1d a cup, cocoa and coffee 2d. milk 2 and 3d a glass and 4d a mug, which was larger than the glasses. Roll and butter was only 2d also pies. These prices are of course very low. The camp itself has very good appointments with cement floors on showers and latrines and a small meat safe for each hut. There are also a large number of tents which are lavishly shaded by gum trees. That evening I went to Perth to get any telegrams and received a lettergram from Topsy and those at Middleton, so sent one in reply. I returned to camp early. I should have mentioned that before this afternoon's parade a great number of the troops formed up and started to march out of camp. On reaching