Item 01: G. O. Hawkins articles and notes ca. 1916-1919 - Page 78
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[Page 78]
1.
Eye Witness of
Australians & others embarking for the front Some for first time? I think not
from England
Here, at Southampton Docks, has arrived from the Australian Engineers Training Depot at Brightlingsea, a draft of troops.
They have just de-trained and, having been marched into a wharf shed that seems to extend for miles beneath a weary repetition of ugly roofing, stand awaiting further orders, as soldiers must. These men are to embark for France to re-inforce Engineer Companies of the A.I.F.
Many of them are Sappers who have already done their bit at the front but having recovered from the wounds that [indecipherable] them to Blighty are once more destined for the trenches.
There is the usual delay that attends all military movements on such occasions, for no single officer knows exactly when or where to fit his little bit of duty