ards at a considerable height.

Probably owing to the dislocation of the services brought about by the
evacuation, the Battalion received no Australian mails for some time,
and its latest news from home was quite two months old. About the 20th
December, however, information was received that several thousand bags
were in the vicinity. Later, curious members located these on the east
side of the Bay. Representations made to higher authority failed to
secure delivery, the statement being made that no transport was
available but that battalions would receive their portions on reaching
the next theatre of operations. This answer not proving satisfactory, a
mild conspiracy was indulged in which covered the chartering of a local
fishing boat and a trip across the Bay. Lieut. Nicholls was master, the
owner pilot, and 28th men formed the crew. This and other measures were
successful, and the Battalion got its letters just before the end of the
month.

As time went on the Battalion so far improved in health and training
that unit and Brigade route marches were undertaken. Here the Western
Australians came under the eye of the Divisional Commander
(Brig.-General W. Holmes, D.S.O.), who complimented them on their march
discipline. On the 31st December he inspected them in close order drill
and the practice of formations when under artillery fire. So pleased was
he with their performance that he characterised the unit as "a damned
fine battalion. I have never before seen such good work done in the
Division."

On the 27th December was received, and read on parade, a message from
the King congratulating the troops on the successful evacuation of the
Peninsula. About this time arrived news of the deaths at Alexandria of
Captain H. B. Menz and Lieut. H. E. C. Ruddock, both of whom had
succumbed to disease.

A series of evening open-air concerts, arranged in the Brigade,
concluded on New Year's Eve with that given by the 28th. Visitors from
other units attended in considerable numbers and all enjoyed the
following programme:--

28TH BATTALION.
_Camp Concert--Programme._

Song "The Deathless Army" Private Allanson.
Song Private "Sport" Edwards.
Song Private Bolt.
Recitation "Voice of Gallipoli" Private Carr.
Song "Queen of Angels" Private Rolfe.
Song