Letter - 1 February 1915 - application for commission and endless training

The continual rigorous training takes its toll on the ANZAC troops. The New Zealanders see action. Athol's application for a commission in the English Army is rejected.

A transcript of the text appears below.

Dear Mater,

I have to thank you for a P.C. 30/11/14. We still get our letters in a column of lumps, regardless of date and time of posting at your end.

The New Zealanders have been in action on the Suez I believe, but of course we haven't had anything so dangerous. We might get hurt.

I had a notification about the English Commission a day or two ago. Refused with thanks as they applicant is not a 'citizen force' officer and the position is only open to these. I should have thought Major H. would have found that out at the time, or that the people at HQ would have noticed the discrepancy. I think they were wary of appointing me and then losing me to the Imperial Army. I don't know for certain but I'm fairly sure of getting one now.

We're all getting fed up with this eternal training and there is a great deal of discontent among the troops. As a matter of fact there has been far too much work which in this climate knocks too much out of everyone. The number of men and officers off parade through sickness, which in many cases is purely 'run down', is rather a big item. Captain Carter is in Mena House, Captain Flockhart also, while there are about four of the other officers of the Battalion on 'light duties'.We have 14 in Hospital in the Company and about 8 or so 'light duties'.

They are beginning to wake up at H.Q. for in today's orders they are going to give one whole holiday a week. No work on Sundays for church parade, and the work limited to 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day on the 5 work days.

The second contingent has arrived and they are sending home some of the medically unfit.

I'm A1 myself but a bit on the 'fed up' side. Everybody is the same and short temper is the prevailing rule, though of course there are the wonderful few who are always happy. 

I expect after a week or so on the new program things will be happier. I can feel my own spirits rising at the thought of the lighter prospects already.

This is a dismal kind of a screed but after a days work in the field and then a dose of office work on is apt to be grousy. I'll knock off now and turn in.

Remember me to Pater and all inquiring friends.

With love, Athol.

Post card - 17 January 1915 - The Mohammed Ali Mosque interior

This post card was written by A.G. Adams to his step-father, Guy Sherwood.

The text of the post card reads as follows:

17/1/15    Mena Camp Egypt
I had a look at this last Thursday. Also the other mosques near by. All the camps are electric which seems incongruous.
AGA

Post card - 17 January 1915 - Cairo

This post card was sent by A.G. Adams to his step-father whom he addressed as 'Pater'.
On the cover of the post card he marks with an 'X' the two mosques he visited with his mate Harry Maloney.

The text of the post card reads:

17/1/15 Mena

Had a look at ones marked X on Thursday last. Very interesting.AGA

Letter - 17 January 1915 - Mena Camp, Egypt

This letter from A.G. Adams was written to his mother and concerns practising advanced guards, the Brigade's route march of 10 miles and visits to the Citadel and mosques. He is concerned about his elder two brothers who are battling a bad drought in the Riverina district in south-western New South Wales, Australia.

The text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Mater, 

I have to acknowledge letters of 6-8, 18/1/14 which all came in a bunch for which many thanks. I suppose you will be back in Melbourne by the time you get this. We will probably be here still.

We started Battalion training the other day and have been practicing advanced guards etc. On Friday we had a Brigade route march with engineers, ambulance and our own transport. We went along the Mena-Cairo road for a couple of miles and then cut out along one of the raised roads through the fields which wound about past several villages and eventually got back to the sandy desert about 3/4 miles from camp. Total distance about 10 miles which we did in just over 3 hours in full marching order, including halts. I don't think anybody dropped out of our Battalion which is pretty good. 

Last Thursday Harry Malony and I went in to Cairo and had a look over the Catadel and the mosques near it. I suppose Pater can tell you more about them than I but they are simply wonderful. The silver urns and ivory inlaid doors are magnificent, whilst the alabaster mosque of Suliman is something to take all the ...in the world. The whole of the mosque, with the exception of 4 great supporting pillars, is made of alabaster, dazzling white. The floor is covered with magnificent carpet and hundreds of lights hang in great concentric circles, giving a hint of the great size of the place. Get pater to tell you about it. I'm sending him a P.C. of it. 

The season seems to be pretty rotten in Australia. I hope the boys are getting some rain. Remember me to all enquiring friends. 

Yours lovingly
Athol

Post card - 16 January 1915 - Mena Camp

The first post card written by A.G. Adams to his mother from the Mena Camp, Egypt. This is the last of the batch of post cards purchased in Colombo.

The text of the post card reads:

16/1/15 Mena Camp
Everything A.1.
Everybody well & happy
Love AGA

Post card - January 1915 - Egypt

This post card was sent by A.G. Adams to his mother on his arrival in Egypt.
No date is given. It looks like it is one of the batch of post cards purchased in Ceylon.

The text of the post card reads:

Stationed Egypt I think

All well writing later

Love AGA 

Letter Card - 31 October 1914 - HMAT A3 Orvieto

This Letter Card was sent from A.G. Adams to his mother on the day of his departure from Melbourne on H.M.A.T Orvietto.

My apologies for the lateness of this post. I have only found this document in recent days.

You might note how the Letter Card was re-addressed from the Oriental Hotel, Melbourne, and on to the Huddart Parker firm in Wellington and then on to the Grand Hotel Rotorua, New Zealand.

The text of the letter reads:

31.10.14 H.M.A.T. A3 Orvieto

Dear Mater,

Am quite well leaving tonight. 

Love 

Athol