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[page 12]
21
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they would even assume the importance that has been thrust upon them during the past 18 months. French youngsters shout as the train goes by for "souvenir", "Souvenir", our badges and buttons being especiall sought after. Our lads soon ran out of these and in looking round for something to give away one genius thought of the hard issue biscuits. These were autographed and donated in large numbers. They formed excellent souvenirs as you can write quite well on them with an indelible pencil or fountain pen, and of course it is impossible to break them except with an axe. I have heard it said that if you soak them in water for a couple of days, you are able to break them with your hands but I have never seen it done. If any particularly pretty girl asked for a souvenir as the train went by she would get a shower of biscuits thrown at her, and beyond a few chips out of them (the biscuits, not the girls) I dont think I ever saw one break despite the fact that they often landed up against stone walls railings, etc. As the men have plenty of money they buy bread and won't eat the biscuits and it's very funny to see the uses they make of the latter. In muddy weather they make little paths up to their tents with them, also door mats to wipe your feet on whilst many an ornamental garden round about the camps is bordered by biscuits much the same way as some people delight in using bottles.
From here on I must necessarily be vague, otherwise I shall be offending against the Censor and having been one of these myself I know what to expect should I transgress.
Our camp is a good one, elevated and well arranged. We were the first Australians to come to this part and we formed the 2nd. Australian Divisional Base Depot. The second Australian Division