ORO-08

Dear Mr Goldsboro, ²⁰¹

I received your letter all right, and will endeavour to give you a description of this place. It is very large, covering a space of about 2 sq miles. We are in good dry & warm huts, thirty to each hut. I am lucky to be in a very good squad. There are six Belfast Boys here with me, and the camp is near full with them.

There are also a lot of conscripts here, of the B1 & B2, & C3 class undergoing training.

Everything here is in tip top order each man having plenty of hard work. I am enjoying myself thoroughly and am improving in health. The inoculation was pretty severe on me. I was in hospital for two days, it having affected my heart. I'm alright now and next week I have to get all my teeth out. I expect to be home for Xmas.

We get up at 5.30 & go to bed at 9.30, lights going out at 10. Sometimes we are working either at fatigues or cars up till 8.30 pm but we generally get off about 4 and are allowed out of Barracks after 6 till 9.15. Pretty short time isn't it? Referring to my Army Pay, I get 4.3 one week & 4.9 another week and am allowing my mother 3/6 per week to which the Army puts 7/0 making a total per fortnight 30/-. I can't understand why you need this information, and would feel grateful if you would explain its necessity.

I will write you in 3 weeks time, giving you further details as I have to go on parade in 10 minutes. So,

I will remain
Dear Mr Goldsboro²⁰⁰
Yours sincerely

Patrick O'Rourke

P.S. Please pardon the pencil, as pen & ink are a scarcity in this quarter.

PR