Letter written in England by Lt Horrie J Rex to his pregnant sister, Nell Mayberry.
17th Reinforcements
24 th Battalion
9 February 1917
Dear Nell,
A few lines to let you know that I have got used to the cold weather and all the rest of it. Wrote home last Sunday so there is little news to tell you.
The School still goes merrily on and each day we cram more and more rubbish into our now too full heads. I often wish that I was your loyal Husband then perchance I could understand these damn Machine Guns better. However, I still console myself that there are many worse than me. In fact I got 10th highest score yesterday on the range when we fired our first shots of the Machine Guns. 600 shots a minute rattle out. The first time I shot frightened me. I only touched the button and before I took my finger off or rather before I could let go, which was almost as quick as lightning about 18 shots were off. Sort of makes you feel that this war is a serious thing.
The cold weather still sticks to us. It is the coldest ever experienced in England. Many of the Australian Boys are dying in Salisbury Plains. Poor wretches .
To give you an example of it. Every morning your tooth brush is frozen hard and your towel is always frozen stiff. Needless to say we don’t like getting out of bed. The days are not so bad but it seems funny to line amongst the snow every day and never see the ground. We have got to the stage now that if we don’t see snow it is quite unusual, we sort of expect it.
Had my Photo taken yesterday with my big French Boots that weigh about 50 lbs and big waterproof French coat. I look something like a man going to the South Pole, will send you one.
All the Australian officers are going very soon. We have not had letters for two weeks. Every day we look out for the post only to be disappointed. Have not heard from Fred (brother). Wrote to him last week but suppose it has not arrived yet.
I do sincerely hope that you and Bill are both well and happy. You don’t know how I envy you the bonny sun of NSW. We never see it here. Hope Bill keeps his eye in with the gun. I shall have some more Mayberry-Rex wars with the rabbits next year, I hope.
You can’t guess how I miss the bunnies, the tennis, the GIRLS and a thousand other things dear to Australians. You know camp life here is very different to Goulburn. Other People don’t make a fuss of you and all the rest of it, like they do out there. And as for girls, well they are out of the question.
We live the Hermit life here alright. Too cold to go out anyway.
Tomorrow is Saturday. We are all going skating. Have to do something to break the monotony.
Well I have but a few minutes to go back to the School.
Please convey to all at home and "Maybrook" my kindest.
Very Kindest wishes
Love Yours Horrie