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11 August 1916

France
11/8/16

Dear Homefolks,
Am now well back out of sound of the guns enjoying a well earned rest. Met Percy’s units as we came through yesterday and learned that he was OK but hadn’t a chance to look him up. Left word for him that I was going strong. In our last stunt the Batt did good work and a number of distinctions are to be awarded. As the O.C. couldn’t differentiate between us, myself & the other sub in A coy tossed up for who would be recommended. I lost. Gambling is not my strong point so I have to wait for it until another opportunity offers but I assure you I’m not looking for anything beyond doing my job and getting safe home again. I’ve too high a regard for this precious skin of mine to risk it for the purpose of hanging a metal tag on myself. The stunt we were in was described by the papers as a neat piece of work. We hopped over at dusk and occupied our objective which was two lines of trenches about 100 yds apart. Captured and sent back the occupants about 80 with little loss but as usual we had to hang on. I’ll try to give you an idea of the affair without infringing the censorship. We left early. Our job was to be in close support of the attacking unit. To understand it you must have a rough idea of the country. I’ll refer it to Gladesville. Suppose the German front line was on Brereton’s Hill, following the top which would roughly correspond with the road and facing towards Buffalo Creek and their second line about a hundred yards behind, towards the Parramatta [river]. Our front line would be running along near the foot of the slope just beyond the creek, behind Kirkwoods towards Ryde the German line would curve round towards ours commencing at the Convent Rd corner, until it approached to about 150 yds from ours somewhere behind Holy Cross College.  [page missing]

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