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truth there will be very few of us see old Victoria again. Perhaps I should not have said or rather written that last sentence. We are not pessimistic or downhearted but just looking things straight in the face.

The 1st & 3rd C.M.R’s have their horses but no saddles, ours have not arrived yet. Personally I think we shall go dismounted as they need all the men they can get.

Today we had an inspection on St. Martins Plain by Premier Borden and Sam Hughes. There were about 25,000 men on parade and goodness knows how many bands, bagpipes, fifes and brass bands and all trying to drown each other. It had rained and blew a hurricane last night, and as the ground we are camped on is clay our boots were laden with mud

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MS-1902, File 15 Shires to Russell 17/07/1915 p.3