Trp Bert Hutchinson (Lilydale), 4^th Light Horse Regiment: In camp in Tripoli. In a letter to his future wife, Jessie Mackenzie of Yalca, Vic – ‘Our present home is a few miles out of Tripoli on the side of a high hill and we get a splendid view of the surrounding country. In the valley there is a pretty village amongst the olive groves. Beyond the village there are large olive groves and the snow clad hills of Lebanon form a very pretty background. Sorry to say the inhabitants around this part of Asia are starving and all their clothes are in rags. They have enough food now but they need their winter clothing. Most of the inhabitants are Syrians and a few of them have been in America and speak English fairly well. Do not confuse this place with Tripoli in Africa. This town is on the coast between Alexandretta and Beirut. We did not travel beyond Homs and we have not visited Haifa or Beirut but we may go touring before we leave this fair land.

Well Jessie I expect we shall be coming home before so very long but you never know your luck these times. All the 1914 men have left the unit and I expect they have sailed before now. It would be nice to go home as a unit but the fastest method of going home would suit me best. The home coming will bring sadness to many homes. Still it will be a time of rejoicing. My brother was anxious to enlist but I’m afraid he will have to wait for another war and go instead of me’.