Item 04: E. J. Martin diary, 25 October 1916-3 February 1917 - Page 40

[Page 40]

unpopular. No doubt the rebellion engineered by Roger Casement & the stringent measures that had to be adopted had made the sight of an English soldier a hateful distasteful one. They were bright young fellows &amp fairly well educated. They were unanimous in believing there would be a rush to Australia when the war was finally [indecipherable]. There were two impelling reasons: (1) the climate; this was the worst winter they had ever experienced; and (2) – They were convinced that Australia presented a better field for the right brand of young men than did the old country.