Letter from Roy Bruce to Maud Bruce

Yet more
delays. I am beginning
to think we never will
get away. We were
to sail at 9 o'clock on
Thursday morning last,
but at the last moment
the orders were cancelled
and now we are to go
into camp at Trentham
for an indefinite period
which in any case will
be at least a fortnight.
It is disgusting & very

trying to one's patience.
We start unloading horses
tomorrow. Trentham
is a very wet place, so I
suppose we will all
get colds again.

My own idea of the
delay is that the trouble
is not here but nearer
home. The sinking of
those 3 British cruisers
may have enabled some
of the Germans to get out,
and as they have also
recalled the Canadian
troops, it may be because
of that.

Life on board this ship
is very luxurious. We
have first class cabins &

the ship's stewards to look
after us. The usual
saloon fare is provided
& we will soon be
wallowing in fat.

There are about 1400
men on board & over
400 horses.

We got away from
Lytellton very quietly, none
of the Christchurch papers
had a word to say
on the subject, and
very few knew anything
about it.

I am afraid so
far as the squadron is
concerned we are not

going to be much good.
Old T.J.W. is getting
everyone's back up, both
officers & men, it is a
great pity, because they
are such good fellows.

There is nothing much
to say, we all have
the miserables, and
mooch around with a
hangdog expression.

I will write from
Trentham .

Goodbye dear, kiss
Helen & here is x is one
for you. Roy .