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

Letter - 6 August 1916 - total of 12hrs and 55 minutes in the air

Athol writes home to mother. He receives a parcel of socks. His flying hours total 12 hours and 55 minutes. Athol hopes to sit his tests for Observer Wings soon. And along with two others from his unit, he visits a ruined temple 8 miles from Sherika.

Sherika

Kharga Oasis

6.8.16

Dear Mater

Many thanks for parcel of socks 15.5.16 also lot of Vermin Killer which arrived yesterday. I don't know if I thanked you for your letters 48 & 49. I have an idea I did but, as I only keep letters until I am sure I have the sequence and no gaps, or until they are answered, I don't seem to have done so. These letters came in reverse order from 51, so perhaps that accounts for it.

I have now got 12 hours 55 minutes in the air and will shortly do my tests for Observers Wing then it is only a matter of a few months before I go to a school for my pilots wings. Perhaps VHA (Valentine Harold Adams, Athol's elder brother) will get through first because in England one can do the pilots course without being an observer.

Now please forget all about stars promotion etc. If I'm not worrying I don't think you have any grouch. At present I'm not considering keeping in the Army after the war unless they offer me something out of the way, so what difference does a star or two matter. I'm getting good experience all the time and anyway I don't think I've ever been a marvellous success as an officer, because I hate grousing and have always followed the line of least resistance all my short life. All of which you probably know. Good officers don't get from one unit to another as easily as I've done.

Yesterday ??, one of the pilots, Hanmer, one of the observers, and I went down the railway line about eight miles and got dropped at a ruined Temple of Hibis, had a look round, took some photos and bought 4 water melons and had a feed of fresh dates and came home.

I have bought a camera and so you will be getting some pictures soon I expect.

Love to Pater and Aunt Puff also any E.F. (enquiring friends).

Yours lovingly,

Athol.

Temple of Hibis today

Ref: http://www.egypttoursplus.com/temple-of-hibis/