HG12/30/4

Letter from Alfred Sullivan [?] to Captain Higgins. Printed letterhead of South African Expeditionary Force, 2nd Regiment S.A Infantry. Hand written address Bordon Camp, Hampshire.

30 Nov 1915

From: 1915 To: 1915

Thanks Higgins for his letter. Was interested at the account of the fracas in Durban at one of the writer's meetings; he remembers it was very exciting while it lasted. Leaves for Flanders on 16th as part of the 16th Division and going right in to the front line. We all given seven days leave on arrival and the writer spent an enjoyable time with his people. Found several relations in the hospital for the wounded, including his brother minus a leg and two cousins much the worse for wear. 'Their tales of what we are in for does not tend to cheer one up..' Writer's wife and children are due to arrive about the day he leaves. Have a lot of sickness and have lost three chaps, whilst there are a lot in the hospital and others off duty. 'What joy is was to get the results of the elections and find Botha had won so handsomely at the polls' [Refers to South African general election in October 1915]. 'I have very strong personal ideas on the sending of our men over in this weather but my ideas go for zip...' Please remember me to any pals there may be left in Potch [Potchefstroom, South Africa]

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Longuet-Higgins, Henry Hugh Longuet,
Sullivan, Alfred

general correspondence, World War One, South Africa, Flanders