Letter - 9 and 16 October 1916 - another desert reconnaissance adventures

Athol writes home to mother. More parcels arrive at the base at Sherika. Athol and his pilot, Lt Murray Jones, take part in more reconnaissance work further up the Nile. They also take a ride in a Rolls Royce with a 'whole lot of heavy stores' and nine other men. On a camel excursion Athol and four companions visit the nearby ruins of Hibris, the Christian necropolis and a Roman fort.

This letter is written in two parts. First part was written on 9 October and the second part on 16 October.

67 Australian Squadron

RFC

Egypt

9.10.16

Dear Mater,

Once more a whole lot of parcels to thank you for, two of food, two of netting and one of clothing, also letter 16.8.16.

I've got heaps of shirts and things now thanks very much and Ferguson, my batman, says I'll have to buy another trunk to put them all in.

I got back from Cairo last Tuesday. Not sorry either. Leaving here on tonight's train with Jones (Lt Murray Jones, pilot) to do a job of work up the Nile. Don't know how long we'll be away expect about a week.

16-10-16

Have been away nearly a week up the Nile. Jones and I did a job up there. Went up by rail. Two machines were brought from Cairo. We went out to a post 60 miles out and did a reconnaissance from there. Next day two other chaps did it again and we then went in to the railway in a Rolls-Royce. There were nine of us in it and a whole lot of heavy stores. It's simply marvellous what the cars can do. The Rolls and the Ford are the only ones that stand up to it. Curious, though true. We left the same night by train and got back here on Saturday evening. 

Yesterday five of us got camels fro the I.C.C. and went down to the Temple of Hibis (image below) and then on to the Christian necropolis and the Roman Fort. Both the latter very disappointing. 

No.59 also a tin of chocolate, two lots of socks and one of clothes and Australasian and Table Talks to thank you for since I got back. Don't think I can do anything about a permit for you. I never was a wire puller. 

I've had a couple of letters from Pater and some parcels from Aunt May. Also a few letters from the Body's and one from Mrs Gillan (never can read hers). 

My love to Aunts and Pater.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

Temple of Hibis

Kharga Oasis: the Temple of Hibis after reconstruction. Photographer unknown, 1937 (K3-839).

Archives of the Egyptian Expedition, Department of Egyptian Art,

the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Reference: http://www.metmuseum.org/met-around-the-world/?page=10149