Letter from Roy Bruce to Helen Bruce

We are living
in great times, and it has
been my privilege to take part
in the greatest victory of the
war, and a march by this
Brigade that will go down in
history. It is early yet to
estimate the far reaching effect
this defeat will have on the
Turks and indeed on the whole
Eastern question. It is difficult
to see how Germany can come to
the assistance of her ally, and
I think one can almost write
'Finis' across the page of Turkey .

We have had a strenuous time,
and were called upon to perform
a special effort, which we did
with an hour to spare, and
remarkably few casualties.

I don't much care for infantry
work, and am not much good
at it, and I have hoped for
some time past to be sent else-
where, but now I am proud to
have been associated with this
Brigade in what it has done.

Can you imagine a narrow
road running through a gorge
packed for 5 miles with guns
and transport of all kinds,
dead and wounded men and
animals. They were caught getting
away by the air force, and bombed

and machine gunned. They
cut the animals loose from the
guns & wagons and some got
away on them. There was
every description of vehicles from
high powered motor lorries and
cars to little carts, all full of
the paraphernalia of an army.
The sight was indescribable, and
the stench after the first day
appalling. You will probably
have read of these things long
before you get this. I shall never
forget the sight, and noone will
ever see another quite like it.
It was ghastly and the saddest
sight I ever saw.

I am fit and well after the
most strenuous week I have had
yet. I rode one horse to a stand-
still on the day of the battle, and
I don't think he will ever be much
good again.

It is good to think we are winning

at last, only I do not think
peace will come so soon as some
people appear to imagine.

I do not expect to remain with
this Bde Brigage much longer, but have
not the least idea what the
'powers' will do with me. There
has been a good deal of friction
one way and another since I have
been here. I am rather a square
peg in a round hole. Suppose I
can't have my own way all along
the line.

I am longing for a peaceful
time and a good rest, but can
see no prospects of it. I wish
the future was not so uncertain.
I shall probably go to pieces when
the strain of war is lifted.

No more now, dear, am very
busy. Take care of yourself. I
hear there is a mail not far away.
Wonder if it will bring a letter.

All my love. Roy