Oct 12th 1915
My own Darling
I joined the base detail camp here yesterday. I have of course no idea how long I shall be here. It might be over a month, or I might suddenly get orders to go across tomorrow. I know there is a pretty good supply of officers with the regiment, and there are a lot of new ones here from home besides us old ones, so the chances would seem to be in favour of a considerable stay. This camp is in quite a different part from that where we were placed when I was here before, right on the opposite side of the harbour. It is much pleasanter now that the days are not unduly hot, and the dust has been laid by rain. We are near the more mountainous part of the island. Everybody who stops here long finds it very dull, and probably I shall do the same as time goes on, though I am never so easily fed up with dullness as most people.
On Saturday afternoon I managed to get ashore for an hour with a party who got a ship’s boat. So I went to our base store to secure my valise, but found to my annoyance that all the kits of wounded had been sent back under a vague impression we had all been sent to England. I hope to get it returned from Alexandria where I think it must have arrived just after I left – unless it went direct to England which is just possible. Today Marshall, who followed on here just behind me and is in camp with us, made enquiries at headquarters about our valises and they arranged to telegraph about them, so I hope with luck we may see them in a week or two. Meanwhile I can sub along as I am pretty well though there are lots of handy things I could do with but have not got.
I made another trip ashore on Sunday and paid a visit here, finding Beard and Rawle here. The former has been here a long time, and very much wants to get back to the regiment.
We have run through all our original officers’ mess stores, but a pretty good supply of stuff can be purchased here either at canteens (when they are not sold out) or in the various village stores. The prices are the only objection, especially in the villages.
I have little doubt that fresh supplies have been ordered to be sent to the regiment; Sanderson is the sort of man who would be certain to see to that.
I don’t see any chance of getting letters for some time though. I have sent my address to the regiment, the base post office, and Cox’s.
I met Dick New of Evesham in camp this morning; he is in charge of the details for the 4th battalion at present, though he thought when he was coming out that he would be sent to the 9th.
We had a route march today; not very strenuous but my feet are so unaccustomed to marching boots that they felt it towards the end. Otherwise I was feeling very fit.
I am writing by the dim light of a candle in my tent, the other two occupants having turned in to bed; I suppose I had better follow them. I slept remarkably well last night considering I have not had time to accustom myself to a hard floor yet. I hope to have plenty of opportunity to write while I am here; this is only a not to let you know what has been done with me. I know you will be pleased at every delay I have on my return journey to the peninsula.
All my best love, dear, as ever, from
Your most affectionate
Cyril E Sladden
