BRUCE SANDERS - 2/3 PIONEER BATTALION WORLD WAR II - A SOLDIERS LETTERS HOME

1942 - JANUARY 7th

NX27395

Sanders B.

Sgt. B. Coy.

2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F

ABROAD.

7-1-1942

Dear Dad & Mum,

                   Another week passed & it rained practically all the time although yesterday & today have been beautiful. The hills in the distance are very pretty with snow covering them, but we had our balaclavas on for a couple of days, they even gave the guard a rum issue, which proves how cool it was.
Most of the School was indoors owing to the rain but it was a good refresher & I passed O.K. managed to top it & learnt quite a lot, you’ll  be pleased to know that our ranks have been confirmed, which makes a big difference.

          Dave Hart, whom Vera may know ( his brother has a shop at the Terminus) is off for three  months O.T.s  & looks like getting “ pips”, good luck to Dave, he’s certainly worked for them

          Bob is in “ C “ Coy now, I believe he had to forego his L/Cpl rank in irder to get into the unit from Reinfs. I have not seen him for some days. Gordon Craig called last night when I was at the Talkies.

          I had Sunday evening at the “ flics” also, it is a pleasant break from work. “ Mail Train” & “ If you could Only Cook.” Were the shows.

          Your letter of 21^st Dec came yesterday & I was pleased to receive it & to know all are well, one also came from Auntie Maude. Betty’s reference was an excellent one, I hope it produces a good position.

          Sorry to hear you missed a holiday trip but I suppose everyone is flat out there now, they should be anyhow. We are all keen on hearing news of Aussie and get quite a lot over the B.B.C. The wireless in the mess is very nice, quite a lot of German waltzes, which, as you know, are beautiful.

I shall enclose a postmark & stamp which may interest Bet. “ Marlin” is the name of the shop at which I bought the purse.

          If you happen to be sending a parcel would you enclose a few pairs of sox, not that I ams hort, but wollens do not seem to be plentiful and I’d like to have some handy.

          Well it seems I am at a loss for news again so its cheerio. I hope evberyone is well as I am feeling fine, still moaning in good style & thinking I know more about training than the C.O. all of which keeps us in a happy frame of mind.

                             So long,

                                      Lots of Love,

                                                          Bruce.

 How’s Vera & Margaret, give them my best.