The Henty Observer
and Culcairn Shire Register (NSW)
2 August 1916
The following letter has been received by Mrs G. Graham from her son Reg, from somewhere in France, under date June 18:—
"Just a few lines to let you know that I am tip-top, and that I have left the sands of the desert. Well, we had a seven days' trip on the water and then three days and two nights on the train before we reached our destination. I think that during the long trip in the train I have seen some of the prettiest scenery that I ever wish to see, besides a few big towns.
My word it is no wonder that the French people stick up for their country. Just at present everything is nice and green, and where ever you look there are flowers of all colors and kinds in full bloom; we are right in the heart of spring. All along the railway are little villages hidden amongst fruit trees and grape vines, all well looked after, and big hedges marking off the different blocks of land. There are hedges of big trees, well pruned, in the place of a fence along the railway line.
We came through tunnel after tunnel miles long cutting through great hills. Although we put in about 60 hours in the train, I think I could have put in another 60; I was never tired of looking at the scenery. I used to sit up from daylight in the morning till dark at night, never tiring, and I might tell you that it never got dark till after 9 at night, and it was day light between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning.
We came over in trucks, as there were not enough carriages for us all, so some of us had trucks and we could see both sides; had we been in the carriages we could have only had an occasional look out of the window. We came right from one end of France to the other, so you can guess what a trip we had, following rivers for miles, turning in and out hills and gullys: it is quite a great change from the heat, flies, and sandy deserts of Egypt; I never want to see them again. I think I could live here nearly as well as in Australia; the climate might be a little colder in winter.
I saw Jack Stibbard before I left Egypt and tried to get him to join up with me, but he seemed to like the Light Horse best. If he sticks to it I have a big idea that he will never see France, for I hear they are not leaving Egypt. I also saw Jim Saunders, he looks a different lad, and has filled out a bit. I have not seen Sid Jewell up to now, but may see him before long, I don't quite know what he is in yet. Anyway I don't know where they all are now. This place is different to Egypt. There you always knew where the Australians were, but here we know nothing and have to be careful what we say.
See also (letters):
Soldier Identified: Driver Reginald Graham, Service No: 408, 6th Light Horse Regiment and 4th Division Artillery, A.I.F. Killed in Action 5 August 1917, Belgium.
Brother: Sergeant William John Graham, Service No.: 1225, D Company, 28th Battalion, A.I.F. Returned to Australia, 8 April 1919.
See also (letters):
Pvt. Willie Graham, 28th Battalion, 1915 (brother)
France, 6 August 1916. As a troop train carrying Australian soldiers from Marseilles to Le Havre makes a rest stop, the soldiers have disembarked to stretch their legs on the tracks beside the train, rest on the embankment (right) or pick wildflowers to decorate the train carriages. (Courtesy: Australian War Memorial)
Sources:
- From our Soldiers (1916, August 12). The Henty Observer and Culcairn Shire Register (NSW : 1914 - 1950), p. 2.
- France, 6 August 1916. As a troop train carrying Australian soldiers from Marseilles to Le Havre makes a rest stop, the soldiers have disembarked to stretch their legs on the tracks beside the train, rest on the embankment (right) or pick wildflowers to decorate the train carriages. Australian War Memorial
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