“France is a picnic compared to this they say.”
RI MS RCB/A/08
28th July 1915 to William Henry Bragg
Written to his father on board the H.M.T. “Enkosi” but still docked in Alexandria. Robert was travelling with 14 other officers and the bulk of the men. His friend, William Ellison, had been sent out with most of the guns and a few men a few days before and would arrive at Gallipoli almost a fortnight in advance of the rest of the brigade.
Robert is quite relieved that they are not travelling with the horses this time but annoyed that he has to cut his kit down yet again.
Alexandria
July 28th
Dear Dad
Just a note befor[e] we go. I am writing this on board. It is rather a relief to get away from the camp with all its sand & flies. I don’t believe anybody is sorry to be on the move again, but we are for it this time I think unless we spend a few days at a delectable small island near our goal. We have a varied crowd of officers on board nearly all of them have been either in France of [sic] here, fighting, and their stories are very interesting. France is a picnic compared to this they say. They are cutting down our kit I have left a considerable amount at Cox’s in Alexandria. When we land we can take a coat, a change of underclothes & a blanket rolled up in a waterproof sheet. The vest, valise etc.. will be left at this island. I rather imagine one has a few days on the peninsular & then a rest on the island. I am afraid I cannot tell you all I should like but you will probably get some news from the papers of what is happening to us. We haven’t got our horses this time so its going to be a bit of a joy ride on board. I will write some more letters on the voyage but this I will try & post in the morning before we sail.
My Best love to Mum & Bunts.
Bob.
Photos courtesy of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. RI MS RCB/A/08
Notes and General Information
The ‘delectable’ island they’re heading for is Lemnos, an island about thirty miles to the west of the peninsular. This island was initially intended to be the base from which the Allied forces launched their attack on the Dardanelles but the limited resources made this difficult, the main bases shifted to Egypt and the island seems to have been used as a way station instead. It’s hard to tell whether Robert is being optimistic or trying to reassure his parents when he suggests that the island will be used for regular breaks for troops fighting on the peninsular.
