Item 02: Fred Hamilton-Kenny letter diary, 5 December 1914-26 February 1915 - Page 177
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[Page 177]
the main spring & this makes it awkward to sell – Nelson is an ass. When he's ashore he drinks too much & gets maudlin & wants a tune & the results to the machine are dire – we curse him – Well – Davies – Bumpus & I have sold everything bar the gramophone – We are the Saviours of the Fantome mess – I was so pleased when last eveg Fitz sent for Gin - I'd bought up all that was left – for self & pals – not much – None in the ship – Sir – I sold every drop of Brandy ashore –
The climate is hot – depressing & men will drink & you can only stop them by not having it - Fitz can go & buy stuff for himself & not sponge on the ward room so far as I'm concerned =
I said Rabaul is empty – I saw the troops land from the Berrima last September & I saw them leave to-day – The main street of R. had not a soul in it – not a soul in the side streets – no salutes – A calm, a quiet, a peace unknown since the war came has descended on hot Rabaul –