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Transcription
These are the troops that are supposed to fight against German discipline! There is no conscription in Australia, i.e. only to defend the country itself. They’d like to make fighting in Europe compulsory, at least Britain badly wants that, but so far without success. The trade unions are mostly opposed to it. Many nowadays enlist because of the high pay of
6/.- and hoping, as a Pommy told me, ‘’to have a free trip to Europe’’, but they soon
enough regret it and simply desert.
5th July 1915. Mr Burkard was transferred to Berrima after his stint in the Kallabush, as he was considered to be one of the ringleaders during the strike. One of our main demands was that he be brought back immediately and he has indeed returned after a bit less than 8 days. On his trip to Berrima a large part of his belongings went missing. He complained to the Major, who replied:
‘’The Germans have pillaged and ransacked Belgium so thoroughly that you should
hardly get agitated over a few belongings of yours.’’
Burkard is not likely to see any of it again.