"BACK TO THE OLD PLACE."

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15246, 7 April 1915, Page 7

"BACK TO THE OLD PLACE."

Private Roy Massey, who is with the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, writing to hi* parents from Zeitoun Camp, under date of February 28th, says:— Wo got back again to the old place yesterday morning. We havo been down at Ismailia for a month. Tho town is very beautiful, moro so than Heliopolis- There are not many English people thero except the military and naval officers. When we arrived at Ismailia we.wero almo-.t on half rat-ions; half a loaf _ of bread for three meals, about 2oz of jam for breakfast and one for tea. two small

cups of tea twice a day, stew for dinner, and about _os of choose per day. However, we were on full rations about ten days after our arrival. I am in No. 4 Platoon, and we wero in the trenches at Sernneum, about ten jniles (train and march), from Ismailia Camp, right on the edge of tho Canal. Wo wore in the trenches three times, and tho last time we _;ot there just about an hour after tho big batt!© took place. When w wero inarching there an English officer of tho Indians, coming from tho trenches with prisoners (Turks and Germans) under an escort of Sikhs, told us to hurry up, as wo were just iv timo to take part, but when we reached there- the enemy had just withdrawn, much to our disapnointm'ont. Our post was between the Indians and a battery of English Territorials. « We have just had butter for breakfast, and milk in our tea, which is the first time we have ' had butter t*.ince about throe weeks after landing in Egypt. Somo of the- boys wanted to know the name of the "extra," as it was so lon-» since they had soon any. Tho Mipply may not last, very lon_\ as it is Australian, and very likely has come off their transports. * When w»> .got back to Zeitoun we found that reinforcement.!*- had arrived. They thought their -vacks were heavy, but they arc only greatcoats. I don't know what- they will think when they hnvo pucks like ours, which are about 751 h with every thins (tools, etc.). The newspapers you send every week are extremely -welcome; everybody likes to see thorn." You should see the rush of men when they call out, " 'A' Company mail." They run and crowd round like mad. and then- those who get nnythinr? return to their tents to read tho news.