Sarah’s Blog

A letter to home 4^{th of May}

Hi Mum, Dad and Alice.

Sorry that I couldn’t write to you for so long. I was too busy fighting, and had no time to even go to the toilet! I miss you Dad, Mum and Alice, so much. I think of you every time I go to bed. I hate it here, and would do anything to leave, but I would do anything to defend my country, even sacrifice my life. I got wounded once, when a Turk shot at my right leg. I thought I had no chance of surviving, until a kind man and his donkey came to my rescue. I had no energy to talk to him so I do not know his name.

?I spent 5 months in hospital recovering from not only the pain, but also the shock. Tell Alice that I miss her dearly. She is a great little sister and when I come back I will take her to the forest. When we first arrived, the Turks shot at us. Lots of people died when we didn’t even get out of the boat! Our bags were humongous and we all had trouble walking. We had to walk in a swamp to get there. Some people drowned because the bags put a lot of pressure on us. It was hard work trying to keep our guns out of the swamp, but I managed.

?Our tents are really cramped and freezing, but like I said, I would do anything to defend my country, even die. I lost my possum in Egypt. I was heart broken, until I found an abandoned mouse. I even toilet trained him. I hope I get to see Mary again, as she is my Wife. Please don’t grieve if I die. I want you all to always be happy. I know I will always be even through tough times. I hope Alice likes her present. I sent my mouse to you. Please name him anything you like. I shot 5 Turks. I felt really happy.

?My legs feel like jelly because we had to keep walking to stay awake. I hadn’t had a shower for ages. When I come home, the first thing I will do is have a shower. I know it sounds like I am over confident, but something inside me tells me that I am going to go home. I hope I am right. Sometimes I feel homesick, but I know I will be with you soon, that makes me happier. I will send more letters to tell you what is going on whenever I can. Don’t miss me because you will see me later on. I promise! Oh no, another Australian shot! All the Turks are on top of a cliff, so we have to climb up towards them, but they can easily shoot at us, so we have to dig trenches in the cliff with our hands! My hands were bleeding and I nearly collapsed, but I was too busy thinking of being shot, then me losing both my hands! Luckily I recovered!

We hardly have any time, or any thing to eat. I am starving! We only have some water and a biscuit to share between us, because no one wants to go out looking for food, we are too scared that some one will shoot us. I know that one day I will see your happy faces again!? Thank you for the photo of the family you have sent me. It means so much to me! It makes me think of you every single night! I am not going to give up! Australia has to beat the Turks! I miss you a lot! I will never stop thinking of you! I made some friends, so I am not that lonely. One of my closest friends is Phillip! He is still alive! He is fighting right now! It is nearly my shift! I have to go now! I miss you so much! I will see you soon!

Lots of love Patrick