17 February 1916 - The Desert

Dearest Girl

I have just received your letter dated 19/1/16 & am sorry you have not had a letter for such a long time as I am sure you should have some by now, of course we could not send any letters for some time & I hope you have them by now.
I would like to let you know just where we are but I suppose you can guess somewhere. Well we have got our billies at last and they were very nice we all had quite a birthday for that day. My billy was sent from a Mrs I.M. Turner of Alma Road, Camberwell. You may know her, she wrote a very nice letter & offered to send me socks or anything I would ask for, but I refused as I have plenty of socks & all these things make your pack heavier when you have to march a long way. 
I see by your letter the Germans are having a bad time. Of course they make it a bit hot on them but they should not be allowed to carry on business at all & we are only getting a bit back on them. I am sorry to hear that you nearly melted away with the hot weather you are having lately. I could *imagine what it would be at 104 home. Still that is nothing  to what we have here in Summer in the glaring hot sand. I had a letter from Harold & he was telling me what a good time he had at Mooroolbark & I felt quite jealous. 
I am glad you have gone in for bookkeeping but hope you don’t get as tired of it as I used to get I can fancy you are going to class, mind you don’t get the strap. You say that Mother Goose is on again you should go & see it I only wish I was home & I would take you but never mind dearie. I hope to be able to do so some day & I only hope it is very soon. You tell me that you are longing for a good old talk well when I get back I will talk that much you will be glad when I run dry. I must close now dearest as I am run dry of news so with fond love, 

I remain yours ever xxxxxx Ozzie