Pte George Milne (Lilydale), 6^th Battalion: In camp in Egypt. In a letter to his mother in Lilydale –‘Our trip across was made in record time, and one could liken it to a trip down the Bay, and, of course, the size of ship no doubt contributed to the steadiness, and for the first time in my sea travelling did the voyage without seasickness.

This is not such an out of the way place after all. One week only in this camp, and have seen local boys, although opportunity has not always presented itself to speak, as it was during a march I passed several. Amongst others close handy are Wardell, Bedford, Poyners and others. Also saw the camps where Tait, Whelan, Robinson and others are located, and not envy them their position, and they are certainly in a place where cash will not be of much use to them.

It is dark here at 5.15 p.m., and evenings very long, arid conditions even now are not too comfortable and guess it will be a bit livelier later. Very few English people are here. We have several times conversed with both young and elderly ladies, and they all seemed pleased to tender us any information, and ask us questions about ourselves. We get practically no war news; the Egyptian papers give very little news.

Feeding arrangements at present are particularly good. Stews for breakfast. Midday mostly fruits and rice, or tomato salads, and for tea more stew. Occasionally salmon and tinned goods are obtainable. The only way we get a square meal in Cairo is to order the same meal twice. Fancy six eggs and bacon, bread, and tea, not satisfying one (cost 1/6), but the eggs are the size of pigeons only. We are going to give the premier hotel (Sheppard’s) a call next week, while the boys have money (personally, am broke myself). This is the great hotel for officers, but the privates also help to keep it going. The Y.M.C.A. look after our writing needs in this place’.