1943 – OCTOBER – DECEMBER

1943 – OCTOBER – DECEMBER

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

31 Oct.43.

Dear Bet,

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.

See you later,

Love,

Bruce.

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Natives.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

3 Nov.43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

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.

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Bruce’s parents owned a Ham & Beef shop.

Corporal.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

7 Nov. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

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.

This morning, Padre Seatree held service & communion & we went over.

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 fromTokyo” 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.

Keep smiling & Happy Days.

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

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.

B.

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!

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Japanese.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

22 Nov.43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

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.

We also have a new Pln Officer & are happy.

A letter from Aunt Maude came to-day.

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.

Did Bet ever get the book “ Captains Courageous”?

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,

What is life without hope?

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.

Lots of Love to all,

Bruce.

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False Teeth.

Commanding Officer.

Commander.

Middle East.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

29 Nov 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

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.

Beatrice should be happy at Petersham for it was a good girls’ school.

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.

I hope Vera & Marg are well. I wrote to the Bub. Love to Bet & yourselves.

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.

CENSORED BY MCCLEAN.

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Bruce’s niece. May’s daughter.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

7 Dec. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Tuesday & I’m answering yours of 21^st & 28^th. A big mail came yesterday.

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.

Pleased to hear from May & I hope she settles in happily.

I guess Margaret has my letter by now so she may return it.

I’ve kept the blank sheet. There’s no catch to it is there?

This is brief, but you’ll forgive for the old routine is on & I don’t mind.

Now cheerio & I hope all are well. The envelopes came after a long journey.

Happy Days,

Lots of love,

Bruce.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

17 Dec 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Having a delightful spell & expecting Xmas parcels any day.

Your letters & Betty’s of 5 Dec came two days ago.

So far the cakes have been very good, no mildew at all.

As for turkey at Xmas, I don’t think so.

The days have been uneventful, nice & quiet enough too to keep us in good trim.

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

As for how long we go on, we know nothing.

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.

I hope all are well,

Cheerio,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

Christmas Day 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

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.

I heard from Fergusons’. A card & a letter.

The war is very much our way still in these parts & the Yanks

are properly into New Britain. In fact, the news is excellent from all fronts.

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

Well, that was quite nice. I scored the breastbone.

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

I hope you are both well & all at home.

Cheerio & Happy Days,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

CENSORED BY K MC LEAN.

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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

AUGUST-OCTOBER 1943

1943 – AUGUST – OCTOBER

 

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

Brisbane.

8 Aug. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

What luck, still here, as you see & no idea when the next move will be. We are very eager to follow our pals now & we have seen nearly every show on here & the money we have spent. Something terrific.

I am in on my own to-day. The others are on odd-jobs but I like to make the most of every opportunity to have some really good food & see some show or sports.

We had a look at a League game yesterday at the Showground & there is a soccer game on to-day so I shall go out.

Yesterday gave us rain all day but now the sun is shining and the sky cloudless.

Bambi is showing here. I shall try & get in to see it. Quite a job, believe me, the Yanks are practically in possession here & with their money, well, there are comparatively few Aussies with girls. It is a bit of a laugh.

If you write to the following address , Bruce should receive the letter if he is still there & he should be , for some days at least.

Sgt. B. Sanders. NX27395.

Tennyson Block,

1 A.P.S.C.

Yeerongpilli.

Brisbane.

And now, I’m off.

Cheerio & Love to All,

From,

Junior.

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Brisbane.

15 Aug. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Pleased to receive your letter yesterday & as you see, I am still at the same address. Some of our group moved & so we are hoping to soon be on our way to join our pals.

I think I will send my sneakers home. They will be much safer there than in the store here.

We have been invited out to dinner to-night by Mrs. Baxter, the mother of one of our party & so we anticipate a very enjoyable evening & a very pleasant change from walking around town as we have been obliged to do. Quite a task for any woman, four hungry visitors.

On Friday evening, we went to see “ Desert Victory” & thoroughly enjoyed it. Its realism is certainly vivid. I was quite stirred by the barrage scenes. I hope you can see it as it is a very true picture of the show.

The weather is wonderful, only shirt and slacks in daytime though the nights are cool.

Well, there’s very little to tell & so I shall close. If you write to that same address , I shall probably be here. If I am moving I shall send a telegram & then you can address my mail as always.

Cheerio,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

No. 1 Coy.

N.G. F.A.R.D.

Selheim.

Nth Q.

22 Aug. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Stuck again, worse luck. I do hope, not for long. One feels out of place in these strange camps. This one reminds me of some of those on the way to Darwin & the weather is quite warm.

Fortunately Don is still with me so, I , at least, have someone to keep me company & vice- versa.

This morning we went to church parade at the Sally Hut & surprisingly the singing was quite hearty, not a bad little service.

There is a mess here ( there was none at the last stop) last night we had pudding & custard & then – ice cream & jelly. The first time I have had two sweets in this Army. It looks promising.

After mess, we went to the camp cinema ( open air) & saw a film about two years old. Plenty of wisecracks from the onlookers. Gave us quite a laugh.

The night before we left Brisbane, Snow & I were standing on a corner in Brisbane, wondering what to do with ourselves & a tall good-looking Yank strolled over, asked us where he could get a shoe-shine, at 9 p.m. well, we couldn’t help him & told him & then he started to talk & we think we learned part of the reason for the attraction they possess for Aust. Girls. They can certainly talk & so freely, with hardly a word of encouragement from us. He told us of his 8 mths service, how well he thought he would acquit himself up North, showed us a snap of his wife & baby & finally we broke in & took him for a pineapple drink.

Can you imagine the average Aussie letting all that information go at once. No sir & yet, all these Yanks are pretty well as he was. One can honestly say that though the streets were filled with servicemen & girls, an Aust. With a girl was a very, very rare sight. Good Show !

I believe I told you of the Yank Sgt. With whom we had dinner one evening. L10 per week, his pay. It must be a wealthy country.

I hope the sneakers etc arrived O.K. the books which I should like kept after you have read them will not be along for quite a while, so do not expect them.

We voted yesterday. I must admit I knew little or nothing about the candidates. Only recognised Marr, Dean, Nock & Arkins, so, as I had intended to vote in that direction, I did so & put the others down with very little reason at all. I have not seen a paper to-day. I should like to see the final results for the whole. The radio seems to indicate a return of Lab. But there are a lot to come in yet.

Ah well, its two months since we left our units so let’s hope we soon rejoin them.

Cheerio now & Love to all. If you write to this address, the letter may catch me & if not, will be forwarded.

Happy Days,

Love,

Bruce.

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Salvation Army.

Labour.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy

2/3 Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F.

Australia.

27 aug. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Here I am again & still on the loose but gradually nearing old Poss & Co. I hope Bet’s letter arrived O.K. & in time for the 29^th. I do not expect any mail until I am back at the old show & so have no letters for quite a while but it is unavoidable.

How is Clyde getting along? Please put his new address in the next letter , also give my best wishes to Eileen. I hope she is well.

Aren’t the elections terrific? Mr. Curtin certainly has the “ Go” signal from the people & Sir Charles loses his seat at last. I was surprised.

I met two of the chaps who were my pals in Brisbane yesterday. We are jolly near going around in circles. You can guess how aggravating it is. We were fortunate last night in getting three boiled eggs each for tea. It was a very enjoyable change from meat etc. We had it in a house which is

In use as a restaurant, sat up to the family dinner-table just as though we owned it. The lady was very obliging ( contrary to quite a number in these parts) & we were only charged 2/- which was very reasonable as we emptied all the dishes & had a second cup of tea each.

A Victorian Sgt. & myself went in to…… ( censored). To have a meal & see a show & we certainly had a meal, steak & eggs & fish. It was alright & then we saw Bill Powell & Myrna Loy in “ Love Crazy” which was an extra good comedy. My mate paid 2/6 for a small tube of toothpaste. Something terrific. We purchased the same size in the canteen for 9d. apples are 3d & 4d each & 3d size ice-creams are 6d. taken all round one needs quite a deal of money to live in these parts.

Last Sunday evening I went to the Sally Haut & the old padre had a sing-song which went very well. All good old numbers & finished up with “ Till we meet again”. I thoroughly enjoyed the hour or so. ‘ though I was not very strong in voice at the conclusion.

28 Aug. just to close. A lovely day to-day. Getting a little warm though. The mess is quite good here & so one can live on the Army tucker for a change.

Well, I shall write later in the week & hope I have caught up with the show by then.

Cheerio & Love to all,

Bruce.

Love to Joan & the children.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Aust.

29 Aug. 43.

Hello Bet,

Just a note to ask a favour of you & hoping that you are enjoying yourself to-day.

I want you to try to me a copy of the poems of Maurice Clough, the same as the one which I gave to Mum & Dad & send it to me at the unit. Mum will give you the money. “ We of the A.I.F.” is the name, I think.

As I wrote yesterday there is little I can tell you now. I am having a lazy time & eating well, so cannot complain.

I shall write later, Bet, when I am able to tell you something. Don’t forget to sendClyde’s address along.

Cheerio,

Love to all & yourself,

Bruce.

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NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

5 Sep. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Another Sunday nearly gone. I have not caught up with my mail yet, so I hope all are well. I am quite O.K. & to-day I went for a swim in the river, morning & afternoon. It was very enjoyable & the sun was lovely after a couple of days continuous rain. I am slightly burnt but should brown up quickly. We did our washing in the stream. Someday we’ll be able to give the clothes a boil for a change.

The week has been a very quiet one. No leave & so there’s no entertainment. We’re bored stiff. The Mobile Cinema put on a show but, as usual, the film was about five years old & I had seen it a couple of times. Unfortunately, there is no library. My mate has been showing me how to play drafts & crib, I must practice the latter. Quite a fascinating game.

We have one of the National Geographic’s magazines & I can see I neglected some excellent opportunities to increase my knowledge with those you have. Did you keep them? They would be lovely, bound, for a library.

The news is very interesting just now especially for Italy.

There is a new chap here. They call him “ Lofty” being over 6 ft. he is quite a card. His pal showed us a newspaper cutting which told of his winning a swimming race after a bad start. When the gun went he turned & waved to a friend, then dived & chased the leader & won. A fair effort.

Well, for now, I’ll have to close but maybe next time I shall be able to tell you more.

Love to everyone & to yourselves,

Cheerio,

Bruce.

---

NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

12 Sep. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Sunday & a peaceful one. I have just done the washing & am very peckish now. Hope lunch is good.

There’s not much I can say of the past week, security for ever, you know. I have been very lazy. Went for a march & a swim, early in the week but haven’t used much energy since. I should very much have appreciated some good books. They are truly scarce now. I often resort to that book of poems.

You might tell Bet that the belt has been very, very useful. I have used it to tie my blanket roll & it saves a great deal of trouble fiddling about.

Unfortunately, I have not yet caught up with the mail but any day now should see me with a bundle & extremely pleasing it will be. I have met several chaps from my show but none from my Pln.

We received a parcel from the Comforts Fund on Wednesday. Quite handy, only some so & so lifted portion of mine. There was soap, toothpaste, sweets, shaving soap, hanky, paper, envelopes ( already stuck) & a singlet which I swapped for some chewing gum.

Well, as I cannot talk of my doings & have no mail to answer , it seems as though, once again, I must close . maybe next time I shall have a deal more to tell you & I hope, answer your letters.

Give my love to Grandma & Aunt. I hope they are both well. I shall write them when I can say something.

Cheerio & love to all.

‘Til later.

Love,

Bruce.

Did Bet get my letter asking for a copy of “ We of the A.I.F.”, the poem book? I just want to make sure in case that letter did not reach you.

---

Platoon.

---

NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

24 Sep.1943.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Friday & I am writing in case there is no opportunity on the week-end. Still, none of your letters have been forwarded to me but the next day or two must yield some. One only has reached me & that from Mr. Roads’ daughter, Iris, sent on 10^th Sept. ordinary mail.

Things have been quiet. The movies have kept us entertained in most evenings thanks to the Yanks but otherwise there has been nothing unusual. I lost my spoon last night which is a tragedy as so much of our food necessitates the use of same. However , the Q was able to replace it to-day, so all is well again.

You remember Acland, our old C.S.M. who got his ‘pips’ just before we returned, well, he had his name mentioned in an article on the unit printed in the ‘Mirror’ ( Sydney) on Sep 14^th or thereabouts. Try & get it to read. It gives our lads quite a boost Harold Ebling was also mentioned. He is in that group photograph which we had taken in Syria , the one where we wore our equipment. Tom Quinn , one of my platoon, was in the list , too. I have not heard of Poss or Mr. Banks. I hope they are O.K. & should know soon.

After due consideration, I have decided to increase my allotment to 8/- per day so that the money will go into the bank & not remain in my book. Unthinkingly , I brought my bankbook with me & so shall send it back & I should like to put the 4/- increase into that account, just to build it up. I may not be able to make the adjustment for a day or two , so don’t expect it too quickly.

That leaves me with 3/6 per day & that amount should be ample , as one’s expenses here are caused mainly by cordial, fruit, stamps & stationery & perhaps further up the last will be the only one.

Incidentally, Miss Roads tells me her Dad has very definite plans for the post-war period & that I feature in them, which is pleasing. I only wish I could study for it but certainly for quite a time to come, I will be occupied so I shall just have to wait.

I shall be pleased to hear of Clyde’s address for he may be near me.

At the pictures, we had a nice chat with a Yank, quite enlightening & interesting. He, like many others, thinks he will come out here after the stoush & settle in Queensland. That’s O.K. by me. They might make a big improvement there and better than “Ities.”

The chap next to me, Cpl Joe Stevens, who is also on the way back to our show, is the brother of a lass who used to live at the Girls’ Home in Garnet St. & is now married. Perhaps Auntie Maude knew her. He used to go down quite often, he tells me, & knew the lot of them, a Joyce Compton who was in the Dulwich Choir.

And so, once again I’m hoping I can tell you how Poss & Co. are when I next write.

Cheerio & Love to all,

Love,

Bruce.

MAIL YOUR LETTERS A.P.O. DO NOT MENTION MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

---

Italians.

---

NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

4 Oct. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Settled at last with the gang again & they are all O.K. I am sleeping with Poss & his section & hope to eventually figure out some means of keeping dry , ‘ though I think tonight should see us with a dry sleep.

I guess the mail will become pretty well regular now as the lads have been receiving theirs & I have heard from several people. Beryl Linklater is in the A.W.A.S. at the Showground, lucky ?

Envelopes are very scarce, if you could send some AIR MAIL I may eventually get them. Some can be bought now, with paper under the flap to prevent sticking. We have an excellent cook. He gave us some scones yesterday & can improvise very well. Plenty of opportunities to boil clothes here, for a change. I’ve made everything green , now, even my towel.

The surf is very pleasant & everyone is benefiting by the exercise it gives. I do not know where Bob is. I don’t think he is here.

You smut hear all the news over the radio, just as much as I could tell you. Things are progressing well everywhere. I have not seen a Jap. But the lads tell me they are good & small and that’s how I like ‘em.

I had a short ride in a ‘plane & it was bonzer. I should like to travel that way back. Speedy & clean & as much fun as the Big Dipper.

After all my meanderings , I haven’t had my teeth fixed so I shall wait now until we come out or they break.

Incidentally , the lads are pleased to call the Yanks their cobbers. They are as game as any & jolly decent with it.

And, now, I shall close. I hope you are well & everyone. I am 100% & improving. Happy to be getting around all the old mates again. Old Scotty Ewbank is here also.

Cheerio,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

P.S. I increased the allotment to-day dated from about two weeks ago.

---

Australian Women’s Army Service.

---

NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

10 Oct. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Sunday & a day of rest after a fairly busy week. I have just arisen after a lovely sleep ( minus 1 ½ hrs picquet) . The sea air is soothing & my bunk after much scrounging & toil, is quite comfy & I hope inconspicuous.

It is rumoured that mail may arrive to-day . We may be lucky, as for parcels, so far, none has got through. The envelope situation is a little grim, if you can manage some by Air Mail, I would be able to help some of the lads out, too.

All the gang are well. I’ve seen no sign of Bob. He may be anywhere. I shall watch out for him.

Rain has started again. It is fairly persistent , but doesn’t worry us greatly, so long as we are able to sleep dry & we usually are.

I was speaking to an old mate of Clyde’s in this unit & he saw Clyde before I returned so I know where he is ‘though I don’t expect to get back near him for some time.

There is some bonzer fruit of unknown species here. We go for it in a big way.

So far I’ve not seen much of the Nip’s gear, just a few odd items of interest. He has a lot of our ideas in guns etc.

Well, this is brief, but I cannot tell you much, so I shall close. Love to all & to yourselves. I am extra well.

Cheerio,

Bruce.

The Baptists send a canteen order along. I shall have to save it for an opportunity.

---

Japanese.

---

NX27395.

Sgt. Sanders. B.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn

A.I.F.

Australia.

27 Oct. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Just after I last wrote, your letters of Aug 17 & Oct 10 arrived, sad to say, no cakes yet. Two of our lads scored & we had an enjoyable little supper. For the past few days our food has been very good, especially the porridge & sugar. Some evenings , we have cordial which comes in tins & is very pleasant to drink.

Yesterday I went & looked Bob up & he seems quite O.K. apart from his touch of itch, which is healing. I had a letter from Clyde also & he is pretty well placed. Was in canteen of all the glorious places. There are rumours to-day of some chocolate, I hope they prove correct,

Betty’s letter of 10 Oct also came. She tells me to look up Clyde when I have time. Well, even if I get time, it would be a little difficult.

My watch has failed at last so I shall have to wait until I get near a good repairer.

Things are quiet now & very, very restful. We hear the news each day.

The rain is not much trouble for we just get wet & then dry & feel none the worse.

29 Oct. and now to finish. I am sending two envelopes to-day, each with L5 in them & to-morrow , I shall send L10 to the allotment but it will take some time. I expect by now the increase has been paid.

I do hope ,Mum, you have had your eyes seen to. Let me know next letter.

To-night, we have some cake, issue, & it looks very inviting.

A letter from May came to-day. I h

18 & 31 JULY 1943

1943 – JULY 18 & 31

8:25 AM, 6/11/2007 .. Posted in LETTERS 1943 .. 0 comments .. Link

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

18 July. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Here we are & only one more week to go. I expect to leave here on Saturday evening so, maybe, I shall be lucky on Sunday & see you but I am not certain.

I heard from Nev. Wood & he is at Officers’ Trng. School in Adelaide.

The course here is going well. Expect there’ll be several exams this week but if I do nothing silly I should handle them.

Last night there were pictures on here. A programme of shorts & very enjoyable.

I struck picquet at 0230 for two hours. Lucky to be bale to sleep in this morning.

Beatrice wrote & had been in hospital for a week with pneumonia. She came out last week-end. She had also had her half-yearly exam. Passed in 4. Missed 2.

They were still at Kempsey so little Eddie must still be a soldier.

The weather is lovely to-day so I think we shall go for a stroll this afternoon.

And now, cheerio & I hope fortune smiles upon me,

Love to all,

Bruce.

---

Bruce’s niece. Daughter of May & Ted Everson.

---

Brisbane.

31 July. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Having a quiet afternoon in town. I guess we will go to a show to-night. We have been the last two evenings. Saw “ Star Spangled Banner” & “ Once Upon a Honey moon”. They were very good films.

I shall be on my way soon, goodness knows where.

Too bad I did not leave my “ sneaker” boots home for I have to leave them here & they may go astray. Still, too late.

I did not see Clyde again so I guess he must have come through here.

The W.A.A.Fs & Air Trng Corps just marched through the town. Very quiet.

We had some of the cake this morning, being too lazy to get up for breakfast. It was very nice.

I have been fortunate in sticking to two chaps from the school & we have an enjoyable time together.

And now, I shall close & will write next opportunity.

Cheerio & Love to All,

Bruce.

MAIL YOUR LETTERS A.P.O. DO NOT MENTION MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

---

Training.

LiveJournal Tags: CLYDE SANDERS,SNEAKR BOOTS,MILITARY ACTIVITIES WWII,WAAFS,AIR TRAINING SCHOOLS,STAR SPANGLED BANNER,ONCE UPON A HONEYMOON

11 JULY 1943

1943 – JULY 11

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

11 July , 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Sunday again & reasonably warm. It was lovely to stay in bed this morning.

This week has been a busy one, flat out all the time but we are over half way through.

I hope Margaret had a happy day yesterday.

So, Bob has taken the typing job. He might do alright, I think. It would be in Bn. H.Q. , not so much marching.

As you say, it seems Clyde will be unable to get down, hard luck.

Billy Sanders is at the same place as Hilda Polack, Ascotvale.

Things are moving overseas again. Dear Musso will be jolly uneasy.

I heard from Poss this week & they are still working hard. I shall be able to help them a lot with what I am learning here. There have been several small exams to date & pleased to say , I have managed them O.K. so long as calculations are not required. I can handle them. I am still very weak in that direction.

Well, I shall close now. Hope you are both well & the family.

Cheerio,

Love,

Bruce.

---

Battalion Headquarters.

Mussolini.

11 JULY 1943

1943 – JULY 11

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

11 July , 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Sunday again & reasonably warm. It was lovely to stay in bed this morning.

This week has been a busy one, flat out all the time but we are over half way through.

I hope Margaret had a happy day yesterday.

So, Bob has taken the typing job. He might do alright, I think. It would be in Bn. H.Q. , not so much marching.

As you say, it seems Clyde will be unable to get down, hard luck.

Billy Sanders is at the same place as Hilda Polack, Ascotvale.

Things are moving overseas again. Dear Musso will be jolly uneasy.

I heard from Poss this week & they are still working hard. I shall be able to help them a lot with what I am learning here. There have been several small exams to date & pleased to say , I have managed them O.K. so long as calculations are not required. I can handle them. I am still very weak in that direction.

Well, I shall close now. Hope you are both well & the family.

Cheerio,

Love,

Bruce.

---

Battalion Headquarters.

Mussolini.

23 JUNE 1943

1943 – JUNE 23

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

B Sanders. SGT

Small Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla. Vic.

27 June 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Not much to tell, plenty of work but I’m learning plenty & the discipline is doing me good.

Conditions are very good , food & etc & the instructors know their game well.

Last night, we went to the pictures & saw “ The Man Who Came For Dinner” & it was a good show. To-day was the warmest yet & I had a quiet time. To-night we are going to a concert.

Next time you write please send me Clyde’s correct address. I have just had another letter returned.

The weather is very cold. Thank goodness hot water is plentiful.

Well, its brief but this work has been work, mainly, so there you are.

Cheerio for the present,

Lots of love to all,

Bruce.

Margaret’s “ letter” came.

Please thank her.

---

Bruce’s niece. Daughter of Vera and Bob Latimer.

20 JUNE 1943

1943 – JUNE 20

6:46 AM, 3/10/2007 .. Posted in LETTERS 1943 .. 0 comments .. Link

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

. B Sanders. SGT

Small Arms School,

B Wing.

Bonegilla.

Vic.

20 June 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Just a line before settling down to a month’s solid work.

The camp is very nice even sheets on the beds & a radio & lovely meals. But cold, oh boy, everything they said is true. Still, plenty of clothes & work will overcome that.

I met a chap who used to go to Ashbury Church, the first chap I have contacted. He has been in N.G.

Well, I shall write through this week so, until then,

Cheerio & love to all,

From,

Bruce.

---

New Guinea.

 

Technorati Tags: SMALL ARMS SCHOOL BONEHILA,ASHBURY BAPTIST CHURCH,NEW GUINEA 1943,WW 2 1943

JUNE 1943

1943 – JUNE

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

Dear Mum & Dad,

Sunday & we’ve had a free morning being a bit too wet for church Pde. Now it is overcast but we are going down to watch our Bn. Union team play Bill’s (Rhoda) McCarthy’s unit.

Jolly glad to know Marg is well again & thank her please, for her reply. Sorry I can’t catch any nigger boys.

I hope Poss managed to get out. I know he rang Pam so possibly he has been out by now.

You’ve been having some nasty weather it seems.

A letter from May came two days ago & the kiddies are much better with Noelene still in hospital.

Don’t send any stuff up for a while until I write again.

I had a game of League on Friday , at half back this time. My first crack at that psn . I’ve learned that it is useless to butt fifteen stone forwards. My neck is stiff as a poker. We had a good game & won. Yesterday two of our lads ran 100 yds for a 1 Pound bet, one having 10 yds start. He won. It was pouring rain. I sometimes think we do some silly things.

To-morrow, I shall go up & see if I can have my teeth fixed. I have had the bottom plate out for a fortnight now. The dentist are very busy.

Last night, I had my turn again on the beer issue. We have to hand it out to the boys from kegs with our mugs. What a job! I was cashier last night and fortunately didn’t miss out on the cash.

8 p.m. in the mess, & surrounded by darts players & beer imbibers which make letter writing quite a task.

Bob was over Friday evening after a game of soccer during which he copped a black eye. Otherwise he is quite O.K. & has been walking in his own time as well as training so his feet are standing up alright.

Well for now, I’ll say cheerio & hope that all are well. I am quite A.1.

Goodnight,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

Love to Vera, Bet & Marg.

---

Position.

Yards.

30 MAY 1943

1943 – MAY30

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

30 May. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

I was beginning to wonder what was wrong when I missed out on mail for over a week & then, one evening, when we were camping by a river for the night a letter came, dated 16^th & I saw it was ordinary mail which accounted for the delay. Next day yours of 23^rd arrived. That was fourth day since posting which was very good.

Very pleased to hear that Marg had improved. Bob’s letters had seemed to show that she was fairly bad.

May is having more than her share of trouble. She is a plugger to keep her chin up.

I have had a couple of days of scrub itch. You may have encountered it in the country. Just a matter of being jolly uncomfortable.

You are having cold weather also. The nights are very cold here & the other day we were bivouacced on a riverbank & was I frozen. Naturally one cannot carry more than one blanket but I’ll carry extra clothes if I am able. The point is that one has to carry everything so you can imagine how loaded a man is. Clyde could be in his element here except for his feet, especially as we took out a slab of steak each & cooked it for lunch. I’ve got a lot to learn about cooking. This time I put it in a dixie ( no fat) & put a little water in & believe it or not it went down well.

Poss’ father died last Tuesday so Poss would get there too late & so far we have not heard from him ‘though he should be in Sydney by now.

Regards to Mr. Schuberg.

To-day, the Bn are playing two other units, League & Union. Should be good games. We have some classy players & I did my heavy washing yesterday so I shall go down & have a look.

Now, I shall close, hoping all are well & shall write through the week.

Cheerio,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

I had a letter from Bet this week & it seems she is rather upset because of various things, mainly, it appears, she is not happy about her progress with boy-friends especially as so many of her friends have regulars.

You both know just how disturbing that business can be & Bet, being so highly strung, I think would feel it more than most.

So, without overstepping myself, I’d like to suggest that she be allowed to bring a lad home for tea occasionally.

This may sound a little precocious, but I think you will understand that I just want to see Bet get along well & if she must have a pal & I guess most people must. Then if she has one whom she can display to you now & then for approval, she will be far better off than going out with lads of whom you know nothing.

At present, she is definitely unhappy as you have doubtless noticed & not a small amount of blame lies with myself, Clyde & Vera for we have nagged her far too much, she being least able to speak for herself & I think she is a little afraid of what people think of her, which should not be.

I wrote this because I think I should, if it will help to make everyone happy & give Bet a chance to make good friends rather than unknown ones. Forgive me if I am impertinent.

There should be no fear within the home , of one another, should there? & I think Bet is a little afraid to talk with her Dad about these things.

Cheerio, B.

23 MAY 1943

1943 – MAY 23

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

23 May 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Sunday night & we have just said cheerio to Poss ( Sgt. Hegerty) who is off on his way to Sydney. His father is dying and his sister is ill so I , sincerely hope he finds things better when he reaches home at Maroubra. I gave him your address so he may be able to get out to see you. He is from my platoon and sleeps next to me here.

The pyjamas arrived last night & razor blades & I thank you. Now I am just about right for everything & the sharpener is very effective. This week I have not had any letters other than one from May. I hope the mail is going down O.K.

I have to leave my bottom plate out for a fortnight. Dental treatment is hard to get. I think I should have paid a civilian dentist to remedy the plates. It is not inconveniencing me very much however, except for talking. I have trouble with “s” s.

We had a quiet day, to-day & a good rest & read. The weather is very pleasant & training , not over arduous as yet.

Things are very quiet, the old routine to work.

The news from Tunisia is certainly inspiring, good old 8^th Army & I think we can hope that soon Germany will crack. However we had better not become too cocky.

Now there is little to say so I shall sign off. I hope Margaret is improving. Give her my love.

Love to you both,

Bruce.

Love to Vera & Bet.

19 MAY 1943

1943 – MAY 19

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia.

19 May. 43.

Dear Betty.

Well , my lass, how are you. I haven’t heard from you since I left. I guess you must be very busy at the new position.

I am doing quite well & am feeling very fit now, have had a couple of games of football & plenty of marches, all of which does us good.

Fortunately, our camp is becoming nicely settled & we have electric light in some of the places including our mess so it is good-o for letter-writing. The darts players are hard at it , also.

You hear me speak of Poss Hegerty. Well, I’m sorry to say he received word last Sunday that his father was in a critical condition & so far has been unable to get leave or find out anything. He has gone in to ring up to-night, so I hope he gets good news, it is a nasty position.

Bob was down last night & told me how ill Margaret was. I do hope she is improving & shall post this letter with one for her. It should please her shouldn’t it?

To-day the shorts & pad arrived & the text-books & the other parcel with the blade sharpener , clip & watch cover, all of which are very welcome & very good.

There were two more Vickers books which must still be there, so would you please look them up as I could use them. Envelopes are still scarce, cannot get them through the canteen yet.

May send a few sweets & jellies which came to-day.

And while I think about it, if you can procure a brown pencil and a red one, they would come in handy on mapwork, which is good fun if one can finish it off properly.

We’ve got this washing down to a fine art now. We go down to the creek each free afternoon, after parade & do a couple of articles, use a scrubbing brush, it gets them clean. those slacks of mine are nearly white now. They look nice but they do get dirty.

You’ve no idea how funny these dart players are. I have a terrific laugh as they bung on their antics.

The other night several of us went out on a “patrol” & had to cross a river by a flying fox, one of those boxes which hang from a cable. It was a peculiar feeling suspended over the rapids in moonlight.

You should see the kangaroos & wallabies. There are some big ones here & we are continually surprising them & they go like the wind. There are some beautiful butterflies also. We saw a lovely big blue one to-day. The Lt. Offered 5/- for it but it did not come within reach.

And now, Bet, I think I shall slip into bed as I didn’t have much sleep on Monday night & I sleep well in this lovely cool weather.

Love to Dad & Mum. I hope they are both well, all the best to yourself & keep smiling.

Cheerio,

Love,

Bruce.

16 MAY 1943

1943 – MAY 16

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

16 May. 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

In answer to yours posted the 10^th inst. Thank you. The newspaper extract is jolly welcome. To-night we are quiet as Poss, my co- Sgt has had word that his father’s condition is critical. We are wondering just what is what & hoping that he will be able to get leave. It is a nasty position for anyone, so far away.

Bob was up to see me last night & very concerned about Margaret as his last letter seemed to show that she was far from well. I do hope she is O.K. please give her my special good wishes & hopes that she is alright.

To-day we had a game of League after Church Pde. ( We had out first game last Wednesday) I, of course, don’t know much about the game but have a jolly good time. It is great fun & to-day I was on the wing most of the time, a bit too fast for me & I am so light in comparison with the others. I hope to have a go at scrum-half to-morrow, our sports morning.

The ground which has been loaned by a local farmer is A.1. & I wear my rubber-soled creepers, in lieu of football boots. They are quite good for speed.

Poss & I still go down to the creek each afternoon to wash our sox & have a bath. It is good-o. the football shorts are jolly handy. I hope the elastic survives. I am using a woollen singlet as a jersey as I do not us them for ordinary wear.

Glad to hear of the pleasant evening at Grandma’s. I have not written yet, to be honest. All are jolly busy on little fiddly things & preparation for the next day & actually we have very little spare time.

I wonder what will happen to Clyde. I guess his present routine becomes a little monotonous but its just luck, the way jobs pan out.

The letters are coming in fairly regularly now & I think, if you get the Sunday letters in on Sunday night or early Monday morning then they should arrive on Wednesday which is very good.

So far, no parcels have arrived but they should be here soon as some chaps have received quite a lot.

The weather is bonzer here for training , nice & nippy, not too hot in the day & plus the glorious food ( we have our mess near) its A.1. we have electric light in the mess for 2 hrs. each night & that is very good also.

I had my last tooth out last Wednesday, didn’t hurt a bit & now have to go back in a week to start on a re-model of my plates. Alan Downer from the Methodist is orderly at the Dental Unit. I will be very pleased to get them fixed, the lump on my bottom gum is gradually going down & I have to wait till it is down before the dentist will fix the plate.

I had a crack at the 30 yd. Range again yesterday & was able to knock up 43 out of 50. The last shoot I had only scored 30. Not so good. Generally our Pln. did very well & had an excellent average.

Some chaps are taking course in Army Educational Schemes but I felt it would be too much for me as I am going all day now with odd jobs, so I shall not do anything yet.

After these games of rugger & a couple of marches, I am feeling jolly fit & have got rid of my leave laziness. And now, I guess I had better close & take our mail up for censoring. I hope you are both well. Also Vera & Bet & Margaret. My love to all.

Goodnight,

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

Isn’t Tunisia a grand show. Good old 8^th Army & N.Z.s They deserve the best.

CENSORED BY C.M. BANKS.

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Platoon.

 

Technorati Tags: COL BANKS,ARMY EDUCATIONAL SCHEMES,WWiII,AUSTRALIAN ARMY,TUNISIA,1940S

6 MAY 1943

1943 – MAY 6

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

6 May, 43.

Dear Dad & Mum,

Your letter of Anzac Day came yesterday. I thought you would have used Air-mail. It operates here & is , I think, a three-day

Service. The news sheet is an excellent idea.

The Anzac Day crowd must have been terrific. We had a service but worked Easter Monday.

Some of the nights are very cold, but all round, the weather is wonderful & the food is also, so we should become very fit, with training in full swing.

I have had a week’s light duties because eof a boil on the bridge of my nose. It is just about O.K. now & so I can get stuck into work again. It was quite a flare & you can imagine what a sight I was, hardly able to see out of my eyes & copping all the cracks from the gang. The Doc. Says it is most likely the effects of rich food on leave & since.

If I am not troubling you too much I should like the pyjamas here. They are jolly nice. No more shorts are being issued so I had better reserve a couple at home in case I ever want to wear them.

Poss & I & several other N.C.O.s have got to learn Morse at night so we shall be kept busy with that & the preparation of the next day’s lessons. Earning our money again. The smartening up is doing us the world of good for we were all a little downhearted , as you can imagine, after such a good leave & seeing so many bludgers. Now , however, the lads, in general, are putting their best into the job, realising that we will need to be well trained to beat the Jap. It is great to see them trying. This morning, we were doing a stalk & by George, they moved well.

This evening there was an excellent Comfort’s Issue. Soap ( both kinds), pkt biscuits, 2P.K.s , 1 oz tobacco, boot polish to each man. The tobacco is very restricted. I am more than ever pleased at being a non-smoker.

Writing paper & envelopes are scarce. Hard to understand the lack of preparation in that respect.

Just as well I took that exercise paper from Betty’s books. It is very useful as there are a lot of reports & orders going in & the Army doesn’t supply paper.

The country is bonzer for trng . heavily wooded with a creek through it & this morning, three big kangaroos hopped by about 200 yds from our squad. Quite a lot of wallabies about too & kookaburras galore.

I should like to know something about timbers in their tree state as I am told that Black Beech, Kauri, Maple & other good woods are in abundance here. There are certainly some good sticks.

One of our chaps is taking a correspondence course through the Army Educational Scheme & I am considering it but I really do not think I could do it & the training. However I shall think about it. Mr Roads thought it would be a good idea but after all, one job must be properly done.

I’ve just  thought of a book I left in that batch “ Learning Morse Code”. If you can fit it in a parcel it may help us.

Bob is O.K. I saw him to-night walking through our lines.

Believe it or not , the white kitbag still has a faint twang about it. What a cat! I don’t use it now so it doesn’t matter.

And now, I can feel the air cooling. Its about 9 p.m. so I shall turn in. a nice big march tom-morrow. I hope you are both well. I am gradually getting rid of my laziness.

Greetings to Vera, Bet & Marg.

Goodnight.

Lots of Love,

Bruce.

CENSORED BY C.M. BANKS.
Packet.

Chewing Gum.

Training.

 

Technorati Tags: JAPANESE,WORLD WAR 2,COMFORT RELIEF,ARMY IN AUSTRALIA,LEARNING MORSE CODE,KITBAGS,2/3 PIONEER BATTALION,AUSTRALIAN PIONEERS

Technorati Tags: censorship

30 APRIL 1943

1943 – APRIL 30

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia

30 Apr, 1943

Dear Mum & Dad,

Pleased to receive your letter of 18^th inst. & no doubt you have two of mine by now. I guess you have a fair idea where I am now & it is jolly pleasant now that we are settled in, though we find ourselves short of a few things, as I mentioned in my previous letter.

The food is excellent & now that training is on in earnest, we can put it away. Poss and I have a large tin of fruit each evening & no trouble at all. I have been playing in a little jungle we have near here & gradually am getting into nick.

Last night , we walked about a mile to the pictures. They have a couple of tent flies for a screen & the picture was “ Damaged Lives”. Do you remember it? A V.D. film about ten years old. We were somewhat disappointed.

We had heard about the Harbour incident before we left but did not know whether it was authentic or not. They are cheeky and after the tales our instructor has passed on to us, we don’t like them at all & we are full of admiration for the New Guinea lads. They certainly earned their name. Some of the bludgers down there should hear his story,

Tell Bet her song books are giving the platoon a lot of pleasure & I am using the belt now as long as trs are the wear for this undergrowth.

If possible, I should like several small things, which you may be able to get.

-A clip for my issue knife, similar to the one on a scout belt.

-6 globes for my torch. 2.5 volts.

-some sort of blade sharpener whichever you think best.

-some B.M.I. jelly cut into squares for eating.

- a watch-cover, leather.

That’s a fair list, I know, but I am not in the race of getting them here & I really need them.

I shall send Ted’s clothing coupons down in this envelope & would like a pair of pyjamas, please, no hurry to send them up, only select some material which washes easily as I am not overkeen on laundry work which occupies Sunday afternoon.

Please add 6 Hambags to the above list for dishrags, they are very handy.

I saw Bob the other night. We had a pot together, the only night beer has been on. They definitely mean us to get fit.

When addressing letters, make sure you put 2/3 very clearly & Pioneer also, then the letters will come O.K.

Did you get the street shot of Dad & I?

My creepers are nice for a spell at night especially as , in this week’s school, we cross a river in the morning & evening & are consequently wet all day. I may send the shoes back later.

I have never seen so many leeches as are in this scrub, ’though I have not been a victim yet.

No word of Clyde yet. I shall write to him this week.

By the way, will you send Ted’s ration book to May after you have used the coupons & after this I shouldn’t want anything else for quite a while.

After such a long spell, we N.C.O.’s have to buck in now & do some work. Quite a lot of study as we have all forgotten so much & there is a nice bayonet course being made so we shall need to be tough. It will do us good. I feel better already, ‘though I am somewhat weary.

For the present, I shall say goodnight & shall write later. Love to all &

Love to you both,

Bruce.

Happy Greetings for Mothers’ Day.

CENSORED BY C. BANKS.

---

Trousers.

Non Commissioned Officers.

---

Your 1^st May letter came today. Shall answer later.

 

LiveJournal Tags: RATIONS,WORLD WAR 2,ARMY IN AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY HARBOUR 1943

20 APRIL 1943

1943 – APRIL 20

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.
NX27395.

SGT. B Sanders.

H.Q. COY.

2/3 Aust. Pioneer Bn.

A.I.F. In Australia.

20 Apr. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

Just settling in & was very pleased to complete the trip which was very interesting & through grand country. I hope I shall be allowed to tell you about it later.

To-day, we walked about 10 mins to a creek & in we went to wash our clothes which we had worn since Sydney & they took some washing. I believe washing soap is hard to procure up here so perhaps , in about three weeks’ time, if you could send some up, it would save some trouble. I have 6 cakes to carry on with, so am right for quite a while.

There will be not much beer. They apparently intend to make us fit so the paybook should build up for a change.

I slept like a top last night. Cool. To-day is jolly warm but we can have a bath at night & so that is very good.

Air-mail operates & so it is a change from the other side & a nice change.

I doubt if I will use my shoes here but I shall wait a week or two & see if any civilization shows up.

Another thing I could use is one pair of shorts. I shall give up underclothes now & cut down laundry.

Both the cakes were jolly nice & moist but the caramels in the Elastoplas tin were melted & it was all I could do to open the tin. They were certainly elastic.

The bed-boards we have are A.1. A sheet of 3 ply braced & on legs. Bends nicely & is very comfy.

Well, this is just like Darwin days over again & plenty of work to do, so I’ll write later in the week

Cheerio & Happy Days,

Love,

Bruce.

How is Bet going? Sticking , I hope. Love to Vera & Marg.

P.S. please send my 303 inch Vickers Machine Guns books & if possible buy a pugaree 6 7/8 size. Keep it in case I lose this one

 

LiveJournal Tags: WORLD WAR 2,2/PIONEER BATTALION,AUSTRALIAN ARMY,VICKERS MACHINE GUNS,DARWIN

16 JANUARY 1943

1943 – JANUARY 16

Letters written by Bruce Sanders of the 2/3 Pioneer Battalion , 2nd AIF to his family in Sydney during World War II.

NX27395

Sgt. B Sanders.

H.Q. Coy.

2/3 Pioneer Bn. A.I.F.

16 Jan. 43.

Dear Mum & Dad,

I am back with the unit now & quite O.K. still taking it easy.

“ Ack” from B Coy has his “pips” now & is in H.Q. Coy. We are all pleased to see him.

Bob is also back here & seems alright.

I think I have all your letters now, up to Dec. 6^th & was pleased to hear that you had a few days up north. I hope May is O.K.

Pleased to know Grandma had improved. I trust she is well.

The weather is bonzer now after some heavy rain. The country is a nice green & very pleasant.

Nev. Wood’s letter came yesterday. He has been in Aussie 8 mths. I also received one from Mr. Roads.

I had a needle yesterday & it had quite a kick.

I was very pleased to get into my kitbag again & get my shoes & other odds & ends out. The mess is operating & it is nice to clean up & sit down to dinner & a very good dinner too.

There are many new faces & two of the chaps knew Clyde at Dubbo & Bathurst. They are Max Dent & I think the other chap is Jim Hacker. The Sig. Pln. Has a Clive Townsend. I must look him up.

Well, now , for the time being, I shall say cheerio & will write again shortly.

Cheerio & Lots of love,

Bruce.

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Sister of Bruce Sanders.