Y.M.C.A.
N.Z. Expeditionary Forces,
Concentration Camp,
Forbury Park, Dunedin.
20/4/1914.
Dear Sister,
Will be sailing from Port Chalmers next Thursday, to day week. So I will wish you ta ta.
Wibb xxxx
Note from William Charles Bottle [4551]
Troop Ship Did you get that little
November 9 photo I sent you
Wellington
Dear Sister
Just a line to let you know we are in Wellington, will be here for a time yet. Frank, Fred and I were up town the other night.
Young Frank has joined the expeditionary force he is in the Eltham mounted rifles. Had a letter from Ivy today whe was saying Mum has gone to Geraldine Grandmother is very ill hope she is better by now.
Excuse this scribble have to go on guard. write soon.
Be good
Love to all
Wibb xxxx
Letter from William Charles Bottle [4551], written on 5 postcards:
Cairo
Egypt 1-1-15
Dear Sister,
Recieved your letter today. I have just come in after a couple of days march. We spent our new year out in the desert sleeping out in the open on the cold sand, by goodness we are getting some solid work, drilling night and day. We live on a few hard biscuits and a drink of hard water when we go for a three days march.
They are getting us ready for the front, we are all anxious to have a smack at the German's.
Had a letter from Aunt Nellie the other day. Frank is camped near me, I see him every day, we often go to town together. Bill Carver from Geraldine is in the next tent to me, he is in our company, he is a grand chap.
Silk and ostrich feathers are very cheap here. Send your letters to the same address, they will find us anywhere, we might shift anytime. They are keeping us here because they are frightened of the Turk's coming. I don't think we will see N.Z. for a while yet, if the war ends now they are sure to keep us awhile till things are settled up and that will take a good while.
I have had a letter from all hands in N.Z. They must all write regular I have written to everyone I know I think.
I suppose you will be back in Oamaru by the time this reaches you. I wrote to Aunt Emma, did she get my letter. Went to see the pyramids the other day they are a great sight. Well Siss dear I will have to close now, bed time, we don't get much sleep here, we are up long before daylight.
Remember me to them all in Geraldine I suppose we will be getting ready to go to France by the time this letter reaches you. Well good bye dear
With Fond Love
Brother Wibb xxxx
Letter from Frank Edgar Bottle [4550]:
5/3/15
Headquarters,
New Zealand Expeditionary Force,
Cairo, Egypt.
March 5/3/1915
Dear Sis,
Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive. Are
you still working at Barklies. How is Maggie Sangron getting on. I met Tommy McGrath he is in the Auckland Infantry. Wib is back from the Canal he had a rough time down there. We had a letter from dad last week he said it was the first letter he had wrote for fifteen years he must have been well pleased when he wrote it he wrote this bit of poetry at the bottom of it.
When you hear the piper reel stick
those Germans with your steel.
Well Sis Must close love to all
From your loving brother
Frank
Letter from Frank Edgar Bottle [4550]:
Abbassia Hospital
Sunday
11-4-15
Dear Sis,
Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive. I have
been in the hospital for three weeks with pleurisy but I am better now. I am going out on Tuesday. Wib's crowd went to the Dardenalles yesterday. He never came to see me all the time I was crook. Aunty Nellie sent us fifty packets of cigarettes. Jack Johnston and Bert Austin came to see me last Sunday, they came over with the third regiments. Bert has grown a mow and he looks a man on about thirty.
Well must close
Love to all
Frank
11-478
Trooper Bottle
Headquarter Staff
Wellington Mounted Rifles
Main Body
N.Z. Expeditionary Force
C/- G.P.O.
Wellington