Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 9]
which God forbid, that we go down fighting with our colours nailed still, though perhaps very much tattered and torn, to the mast.
But why think of such a possibility, there can no IF, there is no doubt we must win, we will win, and you can rest assured no Australian wishes to go home until this desideratum is reached. "Go Home" yes, this sounds sweet, how sweet, you have to be away from home and take part in, and be mixed up with the miserable business of war, to realise, However. Longer deferred the sweeter the realisations especially when one returns victorious.
But I must get off this moralising, I am sorry, but out here I necessarily think a good deal, and sometimes like to write just what I am thinking, but I know you sufficiently well to believe I will not, by so doing, unduly bore you.
I had a nice letter from Mr. Henry, and it gave me much pleasure, I am sorry I have not yet replied, but tell him I will do so, he is one of my oldest friends in the office, and I appreciate his kind thoughts and good wishes exceedingly . I am sorry the President and Mr..Smail have again had trouble with the water supply at North Sydney. I hope it is now at an end. I notice that tenders have been invited for more machinery. It is a pity sufficient money is not placed at the disposal of the Board, but the only solution appears to be "raise our own loans".
I heard that Mr. Henley was at Alexandria and Cairo, but I have not seen him, I only had one day at the former place, and have not been able to get to Cairo at all, since my return from Anzac, I am sorry for this as he would have given me so much news of everybody.
Since returning from Gallipoli I have handed over the command of the 2nd Australian Division to General Legge, whom I found awaiting at Tel-el-Kebir, and resumed command of my own Brigade, "The Dandy Fifth" with which I am very happy, although I was, of course, very proud of having the command of the Divisions for seven weeks, particularly as that period too included the delicate operation of evacuation, which was a unique performance, and a bloodless victory. Dr.Stokes will be able to best explain the difficulties