Trooper A. W. Harland, 1st Light Horse, July/August 1916

The Henty Observer 

and Culcairn Shire Register (NSW)

12 August 1916

Private A. W. Harland says:

I have now finished my holidays in hospital in Alexandria, and there is a great difference between it and Tel-et-Kebir. This place in the day time feels as if the old fellow with the tail was keeping the fire going well. Out beyond Hay we used to have the same temperature as here, but it must have been a different kind of Heat, I am well off here, though, as there are only 20 of us in the mess, and we put in a few piastres each and get extras. But things are quiet, and one almost forgets there is war on. 

Two weeks back I found my brother, who I thought was in France, and we had a few hours together. So far I have not met any Henty boys, who all seem to be away with their regiments. I heard a rumor that one Henty chap was getting married. My word, I hope all the Australian girls do not go off before I get back. One of the boys here is homesick and lovesick, and I find it my duty to tell him a lot of lies, etc., to cheer him up. But its very sad to be an only son, a spoilt boy, and for the first time away from home in such a place as this. 

I have not had any papers for some time from Henty. But I have word now that my brother has gone to France— Lucky beast!

Soldier Identified: Trooper Arthur Wade Harland, Service No. 1094, 1st Light Horse Brigade, Machine Gun Squadron, A.I.F. Returned to Australia, 15 March 1919.

Alexandria, Egypt. c. 1916. Alexandria Square in the centre of the city. (Courtesy: Australian War Memorial)

Sources:

1. From our Soldiers (1916, August 12). The Henty Observer and Culcairn Shire Register (NSW : 1914 - 1950), p. 2. 
2. Alexandria, Egypt. c. 1916. Alexandria Square in the centre of the city. Australian War Memorial