BRUCE SANDERS - 2/3 PIONEER BATTALION WORLD WAR II - A SOLDIERS LETTERS HOME - 1943 - OCTOBER - DECEMBER

Your letter came during the week & last night a good batch of mail arrived with one from May & Clyde & Dad’s & Mum’s of Oct 17^th & 24^th which is the quickest delivery we have had yet.
I am having quite a pleasant time. The food is very good. Lovely porridge each morning & we had some issue cake a couple of nights ago. I am looking forward to the ones Mum has sent but quite a few are arriving mildewed. I’m hoping.
Our padre came across this morning & had a service & communion. The rain eased off for it.
I saw Bob through the week & he is quite O.K.
Glad to know the cocoanuts arrived. I guess Marg would be excited. We quite often hear a thump on the ground & go out & pick up a nice nut & have a drink one has to be careful under the trees.
The Fuzzies

are a good type generally. Very well-built, but one must not become too familiar with them.
There was a passage in “ Guinea Gold” about our little adventure. I shall try & obtain a copy, ‘though it is difficult. We had quite a time & can see now, how thankful we should be for our guidance through to our lines.
I have sent two letters each with L5 in it & have sent another L10 through my paybook. Doubtless the increase in allotment has reached Mum by now.
Thanks for sending the envelopes. I hope to receive them soon.
Tell me when you write, whether Mum has had her eyes fixed. And, I hope, the Chapter frock.
I shave every second day now & have been getting excellent use from some German blades .We cannot carry any surplus gear whatsoever as you can imagine, with our guns etc.
Glad to hear the new minister is a nice chap. I shall surely look him up next leave.
To-day I have another one of my old B. Coy mates in this Pln so we are a very good little crew now. I am without an officer & have to do a little more work but I like it.
I will have some use for what I learnt at Bonegilla in braking him in.
And now, Bet, those lovely rissoles are sizzling on the fire & so I had better hop in & enjoy them.
Cheerio & I hope you are well & happy & also Dad & Mum, Vera & Marg.

Hello. I am writing firstly because the thought struck about becoming a Mason & I was wondering what you thought of the idea, whether it would be advisable & if so, could my admission be arranged for next leave which must, I think, be within 6 months. Could you give me an idea of what it involves?

Quite a few parcels arrived last night & several of our lads scored cakes. So far I have missed out. I rally think the Japs must have got one of mine. If you could send a few sweets or jellies ( those solid ones) it would enable me to repay my mates for we share everything. In fact the spirit is grand. Whatever the boys receive is spread around. Another thing which I think keeps O.K. in this climate is any broken biscuits from the shop

. The gang loves them. Just if you have time now & again. I think most of the parcels will eventually arrive. So long as the letters keep coming as they are, I shan’t complain. Three days from Sydney is the record.

I saw Bob two days ago & he was on his way out, classed as unfit for this area with something like ringworm or tinea , lucky blighter, so I guess he’ll have a new address.

At long last, I am getting a new set of teeth. The dentist asked me how long I had had them & straightway told me to put then away & I am to get the new lot on Friday. The impression fitted well & unlike my present set, the plates meet. I certainly had a long wait. I told you I had received the 17^th & 24^th letters & in quick time.

One of our chaps received a parcel from his mother yesterday, of seven torches for his mates, which was very nice of her. His mother’s name is Mrs Pallister & she & his family live in 188 Enmore Td, Enmore. There is a big sign over their butcher’s shop of Pallister & Sons. I have never been introduced, but once, when we were waiting in Belmore Park to board the train for Cowra, Alf pointed me out as his Cpl

. His mother couldn’t believe it of such a small chap as I , surrounded by villainous looking Pioneers. If you are about Enmore, call on Mrs Pallister. I’m sure she’d love to have a chat. She never misses Alf’s letters. Her other son is one of our men also, but he has not rejoined as yet.

Kirkwood has done a very good job here. He is a game & carefree old bird. His section likes him.

And now, I shall sign off. Regarding the sweets, envelopes, just once of fortnight, no more.

We had church on Sunday & again on Monday & many attended. Our trip out made a great number of us appreciative.

Now, cheerio, & I hope you are well as I certainly am. We had a glorious meal last night, of salmon rissoles & rice & fruit. There are rumours of bread. Can you imagine? Love to all.
Lots of Love, Bruce.

Bruce’s parents owned a Ham & Beef shop.

Corporal.

Sunday & an extremely pleasant one, particularly as, just now, your last Sunday’s letters came. Unfortunately no parcels have reached me yet. I hope I am soon lucky, mainly because the boys have been so decent in sharing their own parcels & one feels a little peculiar doing nothing in return.

We are all in good spirits & have had a very good, quiet fortnight. His air efforts have been weak for some time now, just enough to make me & my friends dive into our muddy foxies.

Maybe you read of some of our exploits in the papers . Rather overrated , I fear. There seems to be a terrific amount of praise flying around for the 7^th & 9^th , but whether we will do any good out of it, is another matter. Rumours there are in plenty but not one substantial fact.

Envelopes are very scarce. I am indebted to the boys for quite a few of those, also.

A couple of days ago, we had quite a handout from the canteen 1 chocolate, box of Minties, tobacco, papers & cigarettes. The best yet!

As I told you, Bob has left the area & should have a new address now. I saw Keith Garlick from the Macleay yesterday.

Ron Davis is an amazingly fortunate man. He has missed everything, everywhere. Perhaps he will get a job in Aussie ?

Our chaps have certainly matched the Jap. & the incredible numbers killed in comparison with our smaller casualties are understandable after seeing the thoughtless manner in which Nip

carries on. One chap was wounded by our lads & killed himself with a grenade. Most peculiar! They rarely give anyone an opportunity of capturing them.

The day has been dry & now we are all happy again with our clean clothes & some new ones.

And my new teeth are an excellent fit. The bottom hurts a little but I think perseverance will overcome it.

The three Japs who came our way wearing swords did not get much chance to use them. I’m sure I would not carry one ’though apparently it is traditional with them. One was a pearl-handled job & wonderful quality steel. For my part, they can keep their watches & valuables.

The news is good isn’t it. I am convinced

Germany

, that is, must crack. How they can stand that intense bombing I do not know. One bomber is bad enough, let alone one thousand.

One of my boys has just received a letter telling him he is to be divorced, a nice present. He is hoping for home leave to straighten things out.

My old boss, Mr. Banks, has left us & I am looking after the Pln. He had a nasty experience early in the show, being buried by a bomb for a few minutes. No effect other than on his nerves. A most unenviable happening.

Whilst reading a paper today, I saw in Anthony Hordern’s ad., several books which I should like to read when I return if you could buy them & keep them for me . to send them here would be no good for I cannot carry them. I asked Bet to get “ Battle for

Egypt

”. The others are “Digger Hat”, poems by Tip Kelaher, a chap from Gordon’s unit, “Ark Royal”, “Report from Tokyo” by Grew, “

Britain

at War”. I shall add to my library with those.

Surprised to hear of a letter being returned. Must have been incorrectly addressed.

You should hear the boys’ ideas for parties on our return. we intend having a Pln. Show if the essential liquid is procurable in sufficient quantity. How about canvassing for us & ordering several kegs for about March, or do you think that is too early. One thing, after such a long spell off it, one bottle should very nearly do the trick.

The other evening for a change from Bully, some spaghetti, Frankfurt’s & sausages came along & we had a most enjoyable breakfast. Some comic, on one of the indents with a tinned M & V load, had written “in lieu of fresh meat”.

One chap was stuck some distance from here for a night in a Yank’s camp & his tales of the breakfast which they gave him were amazing. Bread, of all things, butter, another forgotten substance, plenty of jam, steak. Can you imagine? We’ve forgotten. Some people have it all. But we still think they’re a mighty good crew. The tales which we heard of the Yanks were like those some people spread about the Tommies & those boys were tops & these chaps are on a par. One particular chap did a wonderful piece of work, being wounded about 8 times & carrying on ‘til a grenade killed him. He got at least 30 Nips.

Tom Pike must have enjoyed living in this country in peacetime. Apart from the malaria, it is lovely & not nearly so oppressive as Darwin. At least, we have not found it so.

Ah well, I had better draw to a close, hoping you are both well & your eye troubles remedied. I am quite O.K. & have no complaints. Love to all & to Grandma & Aunt.

P.S. Mrs Pallister of Enmore , whose address I gave you last letter, was very kind & thoughtful in sending seven torches for her son & his mates. A nice gesture.

Do you still write to Mrs Kirkwood. His men are all for him & would go anywhere with him which is a jolly good show.

I am very pleased to say that we have a new Cpl now. His name is Arthur Hillier of Casino. He knows Gordon & family well. He is a stout chap & I am very confident with him & Poss together & another Tamworth man, Albert Henderson as Cpl in the other. Albert has five brothers in the A.I.F. some Record!

A line after quite a solid day of toil. I am feeling quite contented. We had steak for lunch & the new “tats”

are excellent.

I have just written to the father of one of our lads who fell, a very brief not for the circumstances were unfortunate. Poss wrote to the wife of the other boy, married only seven months. We lost two fine chaps.

We had a stiff march the other day. I was sorely tempted to dice my 2^nd blanket but carried it & now have a comfortable cane bed & I hope, a waterproof shelter.

Doubtless, you have the news of here as much, if not more than, we. The Nip is persistent but the Infantry are whittling him down. Those lads deserve a medal each.

Once again the unit has been written up in the Telegraph. Did you see it? This time, it was a description of our doings from Cowra days. If you can get it I should like it. Also those others about the isolation & the presentation of swords. The iso. One interests me particularly. Guess we’re just glamour kids.

Our new Padre seems a decent sort. I enjoy his services. Yesterday we had two, communion in the morn.

The new C.O.

is my old B. Coy Comdr.

I think I pointed him out to you, Dad, from a train in Castlereagh St. one Cowra Leave. We expect big things now, with a younger & more vigorous leader. Hope he is not too game.

It has been pleasing to see a few Yanks toss the Japs from the sky now & again, though I have not seen so much air activity as in the desert. I think our fellows get him out over the sea.

To-day, I sent my watch home registered air-mail. The spring seems to have gone so, if you could take it to Saunders, cnr King & George Sts for repair. I purchased it there & cannot remember having anything done to it since.

Well, now, darkness is falling & the myriad insects & etc are pestering me so I shall withdraw. Goodness knows how long this goes on but I tell you that I feel much more at rest in my mind than in M.E.

I feel that I have faith in God, that whatever He wills, so it will be & that no power can keep us apart . someday we shall all meet, may be here. If not, in more peaceful & eternal surroundings.

As I reflect on the ups & downs of my religious pursuit, I feel now that I have the true idea. Though many faults are mine & I may falter , I shall never forget that someday one must place oneself in God’s hand alone & I know that all will be well.

I hope we may be granted the joy of a peaceful existence in happiness, but whatever be, I thank you for your teaching & guidance, both of you. I hope Bet & Vera & little Margaret may also see the truth.

Don’t expect a great change in me for I have a long way to go to what I should be. Seeing a true friend die without a whimper stirred me & I know many of our boys, to thought,

Never again could I be as some of our Church people would have us be. People who have never had want or fear. I prefer to do as I feel, not as they think is the right thing. Theirs is a poor religion of Criticism. I hope mine is practical & that I may never cease to be thankful for all I have received, the greatest thanks for salvation & for grand parents to whom I owe my faith. I should like to say more but must close.

False Teeth.

Commanding Officer.

Commander.

Middle East.

To answer yours of 21^st which just came at lunchtime. It is very nice to have mail only one week away. Thank you also for the cake which was very nice. We had it for supper last night. There are about a dozen of us in the group.

Glad to hear Clyde writes. It is good to keep it up . I received one from him yesterday. Bob is hard to understand. He certainly was in an awkward position for a few weeks but should be able to write now. I do not know where he is.

I hope to hear next letter just what you have had done to your eyes, Mum. Quite a while since you said you were going.

Our axemen are in their glory now & are making the pace. I am in a carrier & certainly know it with these boys.

Satelburg is ours now. He’ll cop it now that we are on top of him. The Yanks are striking hard in the Gilberts. They are coming into their own.

Let’s know how the liquid situation will be for about March, then I shall be able to promise a quota for our celebration.

There’s still very little to tell about here. All our yarns must wait. One of my mates in the 7^th Div. Addressed a letter to me as “ Old Digger Sanders”, so I am being chipped a lot on that score. The gang say I must have cracked my whip exceeding well. Whip cracking is the art of exaggerating one’s experiences & we are all pretty good.

We do not get much time to write or do much else, but as our work is for a good cause, we do not complain. I shall write to May & to Grandma to-morrow if possible.

And now, I’m off. I hope the news keeps up as it is & may Berlin’s suffering wake them up.

Cheerio, Lots of Love, Bruce.
Hope my watch has arrived. I’m lost without it. My pen is O.K. as you can see but the old pencil has split in several places & is just a mass of plaster. The heat has been too much for it.

To-day I filled out the papers for a Building Construction Course per post at the Army Education Services expense. I am hoping the course will arrive when we ate nearly finished here & then I will be able to do some good. Some lads have made good progress in their different pursuits & I am sure, if I try hard, that I will surely benefit.

When we reach Aus. I may be able to do some drawing & so would you please check on my drawing board, that is, the large one, also the large T-square & tell me if they are O.K. as for pencils & instruments if Clyde still ahs them, could you get them for they will be necessary as they cannot be bought now.

I should very much like to spend some time memorising Trade Calculations which exercise books are with my other stuff in the drawer. However I do not think it advisable to have those books up here so I shall try to think of a way.

Perhaps, if you can find time, there may be a text book ( small) on the subject, Trade Calculations for Building & if so it would do the job probably.

Amongst my stuff there is also a thin pamphlet of City Of Sydney Ordinance No. ? & if you could send it, I could study it up. It contains council rules for building foundations & such.

Well, there is very little one can say about present doings. We are doing well & getting practically all we can wish for. The fighting is our way as you doubtless hear.

News has been scarce but we’ve heard enough to know that MacCarthur is stuck right into Nip around here.

I went for a walk with some of the lads on Sunday & looked over some of the ground won & the grave of one of our chaps. The scenes were magnificent, reminding one of Sublime Point & one particularly interesting sight on clear days. Too bad I can’t tell you of it.

Two rifle shots shattered the quiet last night & I wondered for a while if any bad men were about. Eventually, I heard & saw a snake which the chap had shot. It had crawled over his bare feet in bed & he received quite a shock. Nevertheless his aim was true & one bullet hit 5” behind the head. It was five feet long so I certainly do not envy him.

And now, there is really no more to tell. The envelopes all arrived & we are well fixed for stationery now.

Dinner is just about ready & the turkey looks delicious. We are faring extremely well, with cakes & hampers from the A.C.F

.a glorious sunny day, our mess place in the shade & free to do as we wish for the day.

Padre Seatree held a brief church service just now & I have enclosed the sheet used, also the card from the hamper I received.

My bed is a very comfy one of slats & I carried three groundsheets, a gas cape, half a blanket & mos. Nets so my dingus is good-o. However ,as I could hardly breathe on the march, I fear I shall not carry it all on the next move.

Last night there was an enjoyable concert, by the boys, & the Sallies & Y.M. put on coffee after it.

Betty’s book arrived yesterday, Very nice. I would not send any decent books here though for they are too heavy to carry & I get very little time to read.

And here is the dinner call. I can imagine the table at home & hope you enjoy it.

And now, I think a stroll to the creek & a look around will finish off a quiet day.

NX27395.

Sgt.Sanders.B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust.Pioneer Bn
A.I.F. Australia.
29 Dec. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

A brief note , I expected some mail to arrive to-day, but if it does, then I will answer it. Christmas has gone & we certainly cannot complain for we have been deluged with parcels & there is an abundance of cakes & so on. I fared extremely well with
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BRUCE SANDERS - 2/3 PIONEER BATTALION WORLD WAR II - A SOLDIERS LETTERS HOME

1943 - OCTOBER - DECEMBER

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