“Ellison & I have been making pigs of our selves all day and now we feel so ill.”
RI MS RCB/A/14
29 August 1915 to Gwendoline Bragg
This is the last complete letter from Robert in the collection but it is a very cheerful one. After a long wait and some mis-direction to Cape Helles the battery’s parcels have finally arrived and have been very welcome, Robert is still thinking of things which might be useful including drawing equipment.
Same Place
29. 8 . 15
Dear Mum
Cheers! To day has been a day of days. We have just got our first parcel post. I scored 4. First of all a solaro shirt, for which many thanks I have been longing for a new shirt as one was lost at Anzac. The next I opened was also from you. It contained the Army & Navy chocolate, a tooth brush, ear plugs, thanks very much for these, also tooth paste refills & some shaving soap. This had squished out a bit but didn’t do any harm.
The next parcel I opened had many good things to eat in it. It was from Sylvia & Gwen Wasn’t it topping of them, they did do me proud too I can tell you. They sent some awfully good American crystalized figs. Ellison & I have been making pigs of our selves all day and now we feel so ill. The fourth & largest parcel was done up by Dad and had more chocolate in it also some Bromo & the parcel done up in a towel. We have had a cheery day & as I said befor[e] we do feel so ill. We are getting very comfortable here now. It looks as if we shall be here for a bit so it is worth while taking some trouble over our dug outs. I spent yesterday & last night up at the observing station.
We work it in 24 hour shifts in the middle of the day one simply bakes because there isn’t any protection from the sun. At night it gets horribly cold & the wind whistles down the trench.
However I keep Little Man well wrapped up & have escaped all ills so far. I am thinking of things I want & have made out this list.
1. Cap comforter (mine was lost)
2. Cigarettes, must be in tin boxes
3. 1 indelible & 1 good drawing pencil
4. 1 india rubber
5. ½ doz rubber bands size -> [drawing] For putting round small stores
6. 1 doz Ever Ready Razor Blades
One of those tins of Three Nuns lasts me about 2 weeks so you can gauge the tobacco supply by that. So far I haven’t been able to smoke a pipe much as it has been so hot, but when the cold weather starts I will start a pipe again. So far I have had plenty of cigarettes that I brought with me if you are sending cigarettes send Turkish Abdullas. Virginians I never smoke & we have had so many Egyptian cigarettes that I am a bit tired of them. Your parcels were just right. Keep everything you can in tin boxes or else they get terribly bashed about. Things like tooth paste, if squashed, run the risk of spoiling everything. I feel very bucked with life today getting those parcels was great joy. I must write to Sylvia & Gwen. The March & A have been sending me some illustrated papers. Will you thank them for me, I have just written. We get a battery supply of the Sketch, Tatler & Punch so send other than these. By Jove nobody could complain of this as active service. For us the last week has been a pleasant picnic & I am enjoying life no end. Love to you all.
Bob.
Photos courtesy of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. RI MS RCB/A/14
Notes and General Information
‘same place’ The battery has had a gun repaired and has possibly been firing but hasn’t had to move again and will possibly be digging in a bit more. The main duty seems to be manning an observation post.
The major battles of the August Offensive were pretty much over at this point, no major gains had been made and from this point troops start to be taken of the peninsular and sent to other theatres of war
