Happy Birthday, randomkiwibirds! - Dee


Army Base in Queensland

28 May 1940

Dear Miss Harvey,

I have to apologize that it's taken me this long to write, settling in here took longer than I expected. Training is going well - bit of a kick in the teeth some days, but it's good… feels good. I'm not jumping to go to the front like some of the men here are (they're worried the war will be over before we get there), but even I can see that this war isn't ending any time soon, not with the news coming out of Europe.

I'm surrounded by new people, which is unsurprising. My old boss is here from City South, though, so I at least know one face out of the thousands. It's strange to be around this many people. Which, that's strange to think, given that I came from Melbourne, but… it feels different than the normal hustle and bustle of the city. I have to learn to trust these men however, as they'll be with me on the eventual battlefield. It's just hard knowing which ones will actually be worthy of that trust.

Thank God we're in training for awhile yet.

The nights are quiet - drier than I'm used to, never thought I'd miss the cold of Ballarat, but I do. It's cold here once the sun goes down, but not the kind like in Ballarat. I could use some of that coffee from the diner, the kind they've got up here isn't great, they overbrew it a lot (same with the tea). I suppose it's another change I'll have to get used to in the army.

I don't know where we'll be sent, I honestly don't think they've figured that out in the higher ups yet, but they have already said for us to take care in our letters back home. I'm not supposed to mention wherever we are in case of the letters falling into the wrong hands, but they do check before sending them on, so I guess if my letters have anything blacked out I wasn't as careful as I should be.

For now, we're training and learning and waiting. So, if you have any book recommendations, I'll be happy to take them, I've already read mine a few times over. How's school going for you? Any interesting things you've learned?

Sincerely,

Matthew Lawson