The 8th Battalion of the 1st Division,
AIF, included many Ballarat men who enlisted in the first days after war
was declared. In the history of the 8th Battalion, Cobbers in Khaki, the author Ron Austin
describes the Battalion’s first Christmas away from home as “a most forgettable
one” - the Christmas dinner left a lot to be desired. It sounds a very ordinary menu – stew,
followed by rice and raisins. The
Battalion was encamped near the Pyramids and after lunch some of the men
climbed the Cheops pyramid – and then had bread and jam for tea!
Cyril Bryant, from Ballarat, wrote home to his mother –
Just fancy Mother, it is Christmas Day that I am writing this letter in
Egypt, little did we know that I would be so far away from you this Xmas. We
had a telegram from the people of Ballarat today, wishing us a merry Xmas…1
Meanwhile, the 100 year old Ballarat Courier reports arrangements
have been made for soldiers in Egypt to have cablegrams sent to them at reduced
rates:
…cable messages could be sent to the Australian troops in Egypt at the
rate of 10 pence a word. The ordinary
rate would be 3/6 a word.
And on Christmas Day the Courier reports:
Taking advantage of the innovation the Mayor of the City (Cr. R.
Pearse) despatched the following message: Col. Bolton, 8th
Battalion, Mena House, Guizeh: Ballarat greets Australia’s soldiers and wishes
them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
On the 28th December the Courier records Colonel
Bolton’s reply:
Greetings much appreciated. Please express greetings to all our
folks. Our hearts are in Victoria.
Bolton