490517fbd9e4a1a8ce87b763086cba84e804dde480946
1915. August 29 Cedric write to sister Hilda
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DescriptionAcknowledgement Roly Hume. Letter written by Cedric Graham from Europe to sister Hilda.
2/9th D.L.IHeworth CampFelling-on-TymeSunday, August 29, 1915
My dear Hilda
I have before me a letter from you written on July 18 and which arrived in this camp today just before church parade.So I answer right away: it was good of you to write to me such a nice long encouraging letter, and I hope all your good wishes will come true.I somehow think they will, but I shall not spare myself if ever the occasion should crop up, when I can get in & do a bit of dirty work. But I shall certainly try to follow outs your advice by trying to make my letters as cheerful as possible for the sake of poor mother, who, I have no doubt, feels rather worried about me.
p 2
But, on the other hand, would she have me behave in any other manner then I am at present, I guess not, for every young fellow worth a dam had better not hang back at this critical stage of the history of the British Empire.
In the meantime, and while and training at this very comfortable for & interesting camp of the 2nd Battalion the 9th D.L.I.
I continue to make good progress and I am enjoying life very well indeed, I & I would not discard my uniform now, nor for any thing that would be offered to me. Of course the 15th D.L.I is still my proper battalion but I have not seen it yet, but I may get orders tomorrow or not for three months time yet to proceed to the 15th which is at present as far as I know at Turing, about 30 miles from London. Are my name appears in the army list, 15th D.L.I from June onwards.
P3
Should the war end without CKO 9 being called on, I would kick my heels in disgust. My one regret is that I am not in the flying corps art, or the submarine service or something like that. I'm sure I could settle a Zepp, first time up. Oh! Yes!! quite correct, I might be settled myselffirst, but, after all, that's only a detail in this war of millions. Grandma Sue & Aunt Susie continue writing to me, sending my N.Z. papers etc etc. Really, I'm sure if my home was actually in London I would not be better looked after, & honestly, Hilda, I lack nothing, & am as happy as a lark on the first of June. If you ever hear of anybody worrying for me, then you can just ask them to stop and give them my compliments.
Three days ago I noticed among the list of killed a lieut
p4
A.G Hume of the Auckland Infantry, & until about an hour or so I thought, in fact I was sure it was Allan, but now I seem to remember that Allan's initials are A.M., but I am not at all certain even yet. I shall await further news on the subject with interest, I also saw the death of Mr. Savage alf Merington, and I was very aggrieved to hear from Gertrude of the death of Mrs. Purchase. Yes, this Gallipoli business is a big thick, and it's about time it was through. By the time you get this letter it may be. Your rug which you gave me over five years ago continues to keep me warm at nights.
Undoubtedly the most useful present and I have ever had. Also, it's as good as the day I got it. But I am not likely to take it to France with me for why would no doubt lose it.
Dear Hilda, this may be the last letter I may ever write to you, so keep it, frame it, hang it up, do anything he liked with it but if it finds you as well as it leaves me, & as for for for the off for for hearty, then you are all quite all right.
Best love to all, am ever you or affectionate brother. Cedric K.O. Graham
To learn more about Cedric or read other letters, see http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/en/remembering_war/topics/show/1067
----
A version of this article was archived in August 2016 at Perma CC https://perma.cc/9M4V-P49M.
2/9th D.L.IHeworth CampFelling-on-TymeSunday, August 29, 1915
My dear Hilda
I have before me a letter from you written on July 18 and which arrived in this camp today just before church parade.So I answer right away: it was good of you to write to me such a nice long encouraging letter, and I hope all your good wishes will come true.I somehow think they will, but I shall not spare myself if ever the occasion should crop up, when I can get in & do a bit of dirty work. But I shall certainly try to follow outs your advice by trying to make my letters as cheerful as possible for the sake of poor mother, who, I have no doubt, feels rather worried about me.
p 2
But, on the other hand, would she have me behave in any other manner then I am at present, I guess not, for every young fellow worth a dam had better not hang back at this critical stage of the history of the British Empire.
In the meantime, and while and training at this very comfortable for & interesting camp of the 2nd Battalion the 9th D.L.I.
I continue to make good progress and I am enjoying life very well indeed, I & I would not discard my uniform now, nor for any thing that would be offered to me. Of course the 15th D.L.I is still my proper battalion but I have not seen it yet, but I may get orders tomorrow or not for three months time yet to proceed to the 15th which is at present as far as I know at Turing, about 30 miles from London. Are my name appears in the army list, 15th D.L.I from June onwards.
P3
Should the war end without CKO 9 being called on, I would kick my heels in disgust. My one regret is that I am not in the flying corps art, or the submarine service or something like that. I'm sure I could settle a Zepp, first time up. Oh! Yes!! quite correct, I might be settled myselffirst, but, after all, that's only a detail in this war of millions. Grandma Sue & Aunt Susie continue writing to me, sending my N.Z. papers etc etc. Really, I'm sure if my home was actually in London I would not be better looked after, & honestly, Hilda, I lack nothing, & am as happy as a lark on the first of June. If you ever hear of anybody worrying for me, then you can just ask them to stop and give them my compliments.
Three days ago I noticed among the list of killed a lieut
p4
A.G Hume of the Auckland Infantry, & until about an hour or so I thought, in fact I was sure it was Allan, but now I seem to remember that Allan's initials are A.M., but I am not at all certain even yet. I shall await further news on the subject with interest, I also saw the death of Mr. Savage alf Merington, and I was very aggrieved to hear from Gertrude of the death of Mrs. Purchase. Yes, this Gallipoli business is a big thick, and it's about time it was through. By the time you get this letter it may be. Your rug which you gave me over five years ago continues to keep me warm at nights.
Undoubtedly the most useful present and I have ever had. Also, it's as good as the day I got it. But I am not likely to take it to France with me for why would no doubt lose it.
Dear Hilda, this may be the last letter I may ever write to you, so keep it, frame it, hang it up, do anything he liked with it but if it finds you as well as it leaves me, & as for for for the off for for hearty, then you are all quite all right.
Best love to all, am ever you or affectionate brother. Cedric K.O. Graham
To learn more about Cedric or read other letters, see http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/en/remembering_war/topics/show/1067
----
A version of this article was archived in August 2016 at Perma CC https://perma.cc/9M4V-P49M.
Relates To
PeopleCedric Kenny Onslow Graham (1889-1916)Part of Publication CollectionTauranga Memories (2011-2021) - Publications
1915. August 29 Cedric write to sister Hilda. Pae Korokī, accessed 07/06/2026, https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/49051
