Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

vBarrier Miner Sunday 13th of August 1916.

PRIVATE P. RICHARDS, writing from France on May 30th 1916, to his parents
Mr. and Mrs. Richards, corner Kaolin and Williams streets, states:

"We are still in the trenches, having been in 40 days this time, but we hope to be going out in a few days time for a spell. The battalion that I am in is very lucky. We have not lost many only about five or six.
The other day an aeroplane flew over our line, and the Germans started shelling it. A little piece of shell came down, hit a piece of iron, and then hit me on the leg just above the knee. It left only a scratch. I thought I was very lucky indeed. That is the nearest I want to get to getting wounded.
I wish the men get what they ask for from the Arbitration Court, and if the mines are likely to start again, things will soon boom in Broken Hill.
The weather here is very funny. For two or three days it will be very warm, and then the next three days it will be raining. To-day is one of the rainy days, but we have got everything we need to keep us dry. A good down pour of rain would clear all the sickness out of the Hill.
I was very pleased to get the results of the football. I see the Brokens had another win.

I heard about Harold Mills and Williams enlisting.
You said that if I wanted anything I was to write and say. Well, you can send me a couple of handkerchiefs; that is all I need. We get a hot bath often, and. some clean clothes, and when the clothes get a little old we get all new stuff, so that we are well looked after.
We get fairly good tucker now. We get butter every other day and bacon every morning for breakfast. Now and again one of our section will buy some eggs, and others some custard powder, and we live like fighting cocks.
When we go out in billets we buy some pork chops.
We buy two each, and they cost us two and a half francs the two-that is, 2/1 in English money, but only l/0 in military money - so there is no need for any of you to worry about me.
I am very sorry to be away from your silver wedding, but I hope to be home again before 12 months have passed.
Things are fairly slow in the trenches where the Australians are, but on both flanks there is some heavy fighting, and the British are holding more than their own.
The Australians are getting English leave. Four men out of the battalion go every four days for eight clear days in England and two days for travelling.
I am expecting to go any time now. I have been saving my money up for the trip. When you see my friends again tell them that I am in tho best of health and not down-hearted, and am willing to fight to a finish.
We have a concert to ourselves every night in the trenches. All the boys have a sing-song, and then go off to bed happy.
The Mining Corps is in France, not very far from us, but I have not seen them yet."