Post War

"I am please to say I am quite well. I am at the Base now. I wasn’t in hospital very after I wrote to you last. I have met Edgar here. He is quite well. It’s a treat to be together again. Claude & Harry warren are both here & I have just been told George Oliver is here. Who else do you think is here? Will Newport. He gave me some very sad news. Nellie’s brother Dick was reported killed on Sept 3rd. Isn’t it awful. You could have knocked me down with a feather when I knew. Poor Dick had been wounded 5 times & then to be bowled over. Oh dear my heart aches. I daresay I shall be getting some letters from you in a day or two from the line. I trust you are both quite well also Fred. I believe our Division are coming down from Beirut so we are being kept here till they arrive. Will Newport expects to be home before Xmas. Our Division marched 150 miles to Beirut that is why the other divisions expect to be out of the country first, there are thousands of troops here & they must send some out before our boys come here, it is 3 years 4 months since our Batt came out so I think we deserve to be among the first to get home. I am a cook here. I thought that would be better than drilling etc. Dear Mother if you can send a letter of sympathy to Mrs Walker I will be very much obliged. I was all yesterday afternoon writing to Nellie & Mrs Walker. It was a hard job. Will Newport will call on you if he gets home first. I bet things a lively in ‘Blighty’ now. We had some lively scenes here."

Lionel King, 18th November 1918

"We are still at the Base. The weather here is still great. It is rather cold of a morning. Too cold for my liking. It is about 10:30 am now & the sun is shinning & it is quite warm. Edgar & I had a fine time in the canal yesterday afternoon. Last evening we paid a visit to the Cinema. It was a very good show indeed. We have been expecting the battalion down everyday but they have not arrived yet. I have not heard from Will Newport since he left here. I believe he is at Alexandria. We expect to go to Cairo when the division is together again. It is Sunday today & Edgar & I are going to the Garrison Church this evening. Dear Mother & Dad this is the second start on this letter. Edgar & the Warrens came across for me to go down the canal for a swim. We had a fine time this afternoon. We found some diving boards put up by the R.E.s so you can guess we had “some” time."

Lionel King, 1st December 1918

" Of course as soon as I joined the Batt I went back to the ‘Drums’. It is in the ‘Drums’ all my time is being taken up. On the 18th of this month that is Wednesday there is a big service in Cairo. Our Division is marching through Cairo & our ‘Drums’ are the only ’Drums’ in the Brigade that are leading their Battalion so you see it is up to us to make a show. We have been putting in as much practise as possible. We have 12 new marches & others coming so we have got something to keep our minds occupied haven’t we. Edgar & Harry are both here & are quite well. We are in tents. I don’t know what sort of Xmas we shall have this years. They will do their best for us I suppose."

Lionel King, 12th December 1918

"There are quite a lot of things to occupy my mind now. For instance I am in the ‘Drums’ & we have to have practise. Then they have started an educational scheme which includes lectures, excursions to places of interest, etc. Of an evening either Edgar or the Warrens come round for me & it is almost impossible to write then. I can ease your mind by saying we are nice & comfortable here & we are having a real decent time. I have met George Oliver here. By the way he is a sergeant & is working in one of the offices in Town. I had a nice little Christmas Box from him. He gave me a bottle of Port wine. It is a gift for all his old chums to have a little drink at his expense. Very good of him wasn’t it? You may be please to know that neither Edgar, the Warrens or myself drink anything stronger than a drop of Port. I get disgusted the way some of the chaps get & that alone would stop me from getting intoxicated. I am rambling off on different subjects. Lets see I must first tell you of the march past we had last Friday. It was a great success. Our ‘Drums’ did splendidly. We had a fine reception in the town. I am enclosing a photograph of our respectable commander. This morning we had a short Church parade. I am sending you the leaflet for you to see the hymns we sang. If possible & if Edgar agrees I shall try & get to church in town tonight. Dear Mother & Dad I am making another start. We have just finished dinner. It was a very good spread. We had roast beef, cabbage & potatoes then Christmas pudding & custard. Beer, lemonade, cigars & cigarettes were very plentiful. Officers & sergeants waited on us. The tables were quite turned. To see an officer with four plates of pudding & custard & one of them slipping & the custard going on his clothes was a sight worth seeing. After dinner we had a little sing song & then we went back to our tents. By the way tables & [??] were not available so two long trenches about 18” deep were dug for each company. You sit with your feet in the trench & the ground between makes a serviceable table. Edgar & I were not together at dinner as Edgar is attd to ‘B’ Coy & I am in ‘A’ Coy. They have just been round to find out the men who have been out here over three years. I wonder what’s doing? Edgar has just come in & we are going along to see Claude & Harry to see what they are doing tonight."

Lionel King, 25th December 1918

"Here I am on my kit once more & I will finish this this time I hope. Well last night we had a very poor time. We had a walk round Heliopolis & there was nothing doing there except plenty of fellows who had drunk well but not wisely. We managed to get a cup of tea & a few cakes. What a poor way to spend Christmas. Today we are spending the evening at a place called the ‘Kursall’. It is about the best place of amusement in Cairo. A musical comedy called the ‘Runaway Girl’ is being played tonight. This morning I football match is in progress & this afternoon some sports are being held tomorrow. I am going for a trip to the Pyramids. It is the first excursion of the Education scheme I mentioned previously in this letter."

Lionel King, 26th December 1918

"A few men have left the Batt for Blighty. I hope I can get home early in the spring. Tomorrow is the last day of the year I sincerely hope the New Year will bring with it happy & joyous times. Won’t it be a day when we meet again. I often think of that day!"

Lionel King, 30th December 1918

"Edgar & myself are both quite well. The weather here has changed a little. We have had a little rain. I am glad we are not up the line in Boobies. Edgar & I are going up to see ‘The Glad Eye’ at the ‘Kursall’ tonight. The ‘Kursall’ is the best place in Cairo for amusement. Edgar & I have made an application for instruction in Commercial work. If we are lucky we shall go to school. I am enclosing a few photographs to go towards the collection. Edgar is the only one you know. The corporal is in our ‘Drums’. I don’t think I shall have my photograph taken here as they are too dear & not of a very good quality."

Lionel King, 4th January 1919

"Dear Mother you seem to be under a misapprehension about my coming home. I myself cannot see any signs of it yet. I started in an educational class yesterday. I am learning book-keeping & shorthand. The weather here is grand. Edgar, Claude Warren & myself spent a very enjoyable afternoon at a place called ‘Luna Park’ yesterday. It is a miniature “White City”. There is a scenic railway, a water chute & all the usual attractions. Most of our time was occupied by dancing lessons. We found a nice secluded spot in the corner of a ‘Skating Rink’ which was not used. Claude was the tutor & Edgar & I the learners. Claude’s people owned a dancing academy before the war so we had a fine tutor & Edgar & I were both apt learners. We learnt to waltz & do 5 round dances."

Lionel King, 10th January 1919

"We are still in camp near Cairo. The day before yesterday it rained all day. Most of the camps were flooded. Our Battalion area was extremely lucky as we were on a bit of a rise & it drained into other peoples camps. The rain played havoc with the train & tram service. In some parts the lines were washed away & in others they were covered with three or four feet of water. The natives are in a pitiful state. Their mud huts were washed by the floods & many of the houses collapsed. They do not prepare themselves for rainy weather. Even the main streets in Cairo were flooded as there are no drainage systems. It is a nice bright sunny day today. I have just come off church parade. We had the usual parade service. Last evening Edgar, Claude & I went to the ‘Cinema’ that is near the camp. It was a very good show indeed. By the way I don’t know if you now that Claude Warren & his brother Harry are two of the best chaps you would wish to meet & they are Edgar’s & my closest pals out here. I have mentioned them several times to you but I do not know whether you knew whom I was talking about. Harry Fisher is still with the boys & is quite well. I have not heard of Con for sometime. Dear Mother & Dad I am getting on alright with my classes. I am learning shorthand & book keeping & I am attending a mathematics class just for a livener. I do not get much time to practise with the ‘Drums’ now. I turn out with them when they beat ‘Retreat’ or are on a route march. Edgar is still in the ‘pink’. He is groom to one of the O.C. company. I suppose Fred is back in France now? I cannot see any signs of leaving Egypt for a while. I should like to be home for my 23rd but I don’t think I should like to get to Blighty while it is so cold. I am longing to get home to see you & I am sure you are looking forward every day to see me. I daresay something will be done for the chaps who have been out here so long."

Lionel King, 19th January 1919

"I wish the “Anglo” would hurry up & send an application for me through the Ministry of Labour. Several chaps who have received them a leaving here for Blighty tomorrow. Claude received his today so I don’t suppose it will be long before he is on his way home. If a representative calls from the ‘Anglo’ please try to find out if they have received my letter & form. It relies on the ‘Anglo’ how long I shall be before I am demobilized. All that is wanted is a form from the Ministry of Labour to say the ‘Anglo’ are willing to employ me in my return to civil life. When I received this form I hand it into the orderly room & I shall be then waiting for my trip to Blighty. Dear Mother I have not heard from Nellie for sometime, have you? I have written so I can’t make out why it is! I don’t like to write & ask her if she has got tired of writing to me for she may be ill or something may have happened so that she could not write. I think I will just write as per & wait till I come home & then I can see for myself whether the girl is worth troubling over. Who do you think I had a letter from this morning? Rosie Smith! It is nearly a year ago since I heard from her last. She said she was writing to you & that she & Olly Bigg were going to pay you a visit. If she has written to you I hope you have answered it for her last letter you did not acknowledge. The weather here is very warm. Our Battalion is giving a concert tonight, I met George Oliver last evening & he has invited Edgar, Claude & myself to a concert on Thursday. I am getting on alright at my classes. The ‘Drums’ are still going strong. Yesterday one of our old Padres gave us our service. It was a treat to have him amongst us again. He was on the peninsula with & through the first three Gaza stunts. He said being among you ‘Essex Boys’ is next best to being home."

Lionel King, 27th January 1919

"Edgar has left the battalion. He went to Kantara on Saturday. I don’t know when he will be sailing. He is letting me know when he leaves for the Boat. The ‘Drums’ played the party off to the station. Claude & myself waited till the train moved out. There was a band on the Station & it played “Auld Lang Syne” as the train steamed off. The train was packed cram full. I wonder how many more parties I shall have to marched down with & then come back. Not many I hope. Edgar does not want his people to know he is coming home till he has actually left Egypt. So do not inform Mrs Bigg if you have not done so. We are still jogging along as per here. We do three hours practise in the morning & we beat “Retreat” three times a week, Mon, Wed & Fri. we beat ‘Retreat’ this evening. It was rather windy & it makes playing a flute hard work. On Saturday I had the afternoon & evening in town. I paid a visit to the Museum. It contained all old Egyptian arts etc. I saw for the first time a mummy. Claude was with me & he took a snapsnot of the main hall so one day in the near future I shall be able to tell you a little more of what I saw. We also visited the Aquarium. Next we went & had some tea & spent the evening at the Cinema. Friday evening Edgar, Harry, Claude & myself pass the evening together at a farewell concert given by our boys. Two of the party were among the lucky ones for Blighty. I quite enjoyed myself. I should like you to see one of our shows but that us hardly probable. I met Con Grange the other day. He has come down from Rafar. He wishes to be remembered to you. Harry Fisher is still here & quite well. You see there are a “lot” besides myself who are waiting for the lucky day. Dear Mother & Dad how the time must hang when you are waiting & waiting every letter to know if I am on my way home. I trust it welcome soon. I am ever so impatient but I suppose I must “meekly wait & mummer not”."

Lionel King, 3rd March 1919

"The weather has been a bit rough for the last two or three days. Yesterday we had some rain but today it is glorious, I have just had a shower bath & it was great. I had a letter from Edgar this morning. He is at Kantara. He expects to be there some little time. He is letting me know when he leaves. I hope it won’t be long before I am on my way home for your sake. I myself am contented to wait till it is warmer in Blighty, but as you are not very strong Mother. I am downhearted when I see other fellows going home & I am one of the first out to still be hanging on. Being in the “Drums” might be something to do with it for if three or four of the flute players went home it would be finish “Drums”."

Lionel King, 6th March 1919

"You may have heard of the disturbances that have been going on in Cairo, Alex & several other places in Egypt. On Monday morning we were told to get ready for a joy ride into Cairo in motor lorries as the Gyppos were causing trouble. Our boys weren’t slow you can bet. Since then there have been several little stunts between the natives & the troops & the troops came off best. You see it has been stones, bricks & a few fire arms against rifles & bayonets. The boys are in their delight when they are off for a stunt. About twenty get in a motor lorry & drive to where the trouble is. If the crowd get hostile well they get more than they bargain for. It think it is pretty nearly all over now. Yesterday we went back to camp & got all our belongings. We are quartered now at the different police stations so we are all handy if there is anymore trouble. I am at the central station. This morning I went for a joy ride to disperse a crowd. We just fixed our bayonets & ran into them, giving a yell as we went & they very soon disappeared. I am enclosing a cutting from yesterday’s paper. A few more casualties happened yesterday. The whole affair was first started be the students but it is the roughs that are carrying it on. Dear Mother & Dad I hope this will find you both quite well. I am still in the “Pink”. I have received two letters from you since I last wrote. Thank you very much for the Birthday card & wishes. Tomorrow will be my fourth birthday overseas. I am afraid it will be rather dull penned up in a police station. Edgar left Egypt last Sunday so he will have his birthday on the water or else going through France. Harry & Claude are still here."

Lionel King, 15th March 1919

"I did not get it as soon as the mail came in as I am on a job away from the battalion. I am on the very best job I have had since I have been in the Army. Since last Monday I have been living at the English School. During the trouble we have had in Egypt the headmaster has been worried a little about his pupils & asked our C.O. if he would let him have 3 or 4 men just as a safeguard. The children were rather uneasy till we came. There are about 12 girls & 15 boys here that are borders. There are several day pupils but they have not been at school for the last two or three days. I am quite enjoying myself here. It is a real treat to be among English civilians. The mistresses & masters all talk to us & we are made quite at home. We do nothing in the day & we patrol the grounds at night. There are four of us here. We have a room on our own & of course we have beds. You should see us at dinner. We have exactly the same food as the others. Last evening we had a five course dinner. Breakfast is at 8am, lunch at 12 noon, tea at 4pm & dinner at 8.30pm. Some swank eh! I take it as an honour to be on this job as we were all picked out by very nice. The boys & girls are very nice. The boys do ask some funny questions. One wanted to know if we had blancmange in the Army."

Lionel King, 20th March 1919

"I am still at the English school & I am having a ripping time. Most of the children have gone home for their holidays. There are only three boys & one girl here now & they expect to go tomorrow. The last week has been one of real enjoyment to me. Nearly all the boys are Scouts & they borrowed our mess tins & I built them an oven & they have been having a rare time cooking their own dinners. I shall miss them if we are still kept on duty here. I should like you to see us at dinner. Some swank I can tell you."

Lionel King, 23rd March 1919

"Dear Mother & Dad you must not worry over what has been happening over here. The natives are coming to their senses. General Albenby is High Commissioner of Egypt now & he won’t stand any of their old buck. Of course this trouble has stopped demobilisation out here for a time but it may please you to know my name was in Battalion orders for demob so if this trouble hadn’t started I should have been on my way home by now. Such is life!!!"

Lionel King, 30th March 1919

"I arrived at Taranto 14th March. Left on the 16th and arrived at Le Harve on the 22nd, stayed there until 1700 24th and landed at Southampton @ 0800 the 25th. We arrived at Crystal Palace at 1600 and by 1800 we were right through, but it was nearly 2100 by the time I arrived home.

The boat that I left Egypt on the S/S Caledonia had the ringleaders of the recent trouble on board so we had to go out of way to land them at Malta. I was very sorry to hear of the Gyppo’s rising but don’t see why it should stop demobilisation as from what one can hear there are plenty of chaps reenlisting.

The following are some of the places in Italy and France that you will pass through if you come the same route as myself. Taranto, Brindisi, Bari Termoli, Ancona. Faenze, Voghedra, Asti, Turin, Montmellian. Chambery. Euloz, Lyon, St Germain, Cosne, Gien, Motteville and then Le Havre. At Chambery a French Tommy took me into a buffet and brought me a bottle of beer. I couldn’t make him understand I was a TT so to save offending him I drank it."

Edgar Bigg, 1st April 1919

"Well dear Mother & Dad there are no signs of demobilisation starting again just yet. There is much doing here now. Harry Warren was lucky to get away in time. Claude is still here. I saw him on Monday.

We have been issued with sun helmets & I daresay the drill clothing will be along in a day or two. I never thought I should have to wear drill again."

Lionel King, 2nd April 1919

"So glad Edgar arrived safe in Blighty. So you are still having bad weather. It is grand out here. We are wearing ‘drill’ clothing now. I had a few hours in town yesterday afternoon. I paid a visit to the school that I did the guard at & had tea there. Things are just about the same here. I shall be glad when it is all finished. I am with the HQ company stationed at a Police Station. Harry Fisher is still here & is quite well."

Lionel King, 9th April 1919

"I am feeling more cheerful today than I have for a long while. In today’s “Rag” it says troops are being sent from Blighty to relieve chaps who have been out here so long. I shall be home before Christmas now. I should like you to see our boys now. They have got two little Gyppo kids. They have no home & usually sleep outside the station. Our boys have bathed them and they needed it! Now they are raking out all the old clothes they can find for them. I contributed an old sleeping helmet. We have given them an old blanket so they won’t sleep so cold as they have been at nights. They got plenty of tucker. I have not been in town this week. It is so miserable there that I don’t trouble to put in for a pass. The weather is as per. I was on guard yesterday & I was on duty from 10:30 till 12:30 noon & I can tell you I had had quite enough of the sun in those two hours."

Lionel King, 12th April 1919

"The exact time now is 12:40 midnight. I am on duty where the men sleep & I have to wake them up if there is any trouble. As there us a fairly good light I am passing my two hours away by writing. I have just finished a letter to Gwen. I am still jogging along A.1. I went in to town for a few hours yesterday afternoon. A motor lorry took us down & four of us can back in a garry or open carriage. We are having things much quieter here now. Yesterday was Palm Sunday. We had a church service but only six of us attended as most of the men were on duty doing patrols in motor lorries, etc. I had a letter from Rosie yesterday morning. Rosie addresses her letters ‘A’ Coy so I do not get the direct. The rumours are still very cheerful. All troops who have been engaged on this ‘stunt’ are going to receive the full army of occupation pay from the 1st of Feb so we are going to be paid a little for our trouble & disappointments."

Lionel King, 14th April 1919

"I am on duty again & the time now is 3:40 am. I find it just right for writing letters. Everything this is so quiet. The light is bad though. So you have seen Edgar? I bet you were pleased to see him? All the mail is not up yet so I may receive a letter from him. I had a nice letter from Auntie. We are still in the same place but I am please to say we are having things very much quieter now. The weather was a little colder yesterday. We do notice a change in the weather so! Our mascot I told you about in my last letter is getting in A.1. We have dressed him up in a little pair of khaki shorts & a khaki jersey. He also wears one of our service caps & badge. His name I find out is Mahmoud Mahomed Ibrahim Hassen? Some name eh. I had a good laugh at him yesterday. I found him in a corner trying to use a knife & fork as we do. When he woke up yesterday morning I said “Good Morning Mahmoud”, “Good night” said Mahmoud. That’s a day gone pretty quick I thought & I set to & taught him to say “Good Morning”.

Lionel King, 16th April 1919

"We are still having splendid weather. It is St George’s Day today & all the fellows are wearing roses in their hats. I believe I told you in my last letter that we are now stationed at the English Schools. Well on Sunday afternoon one of the Egyptian servants of the school came up to my room& told me the Matron wished my three chums & myself to take tea with her at 4 o’clock. Of course I replied we should only be to pleased. Punctual at 4 o’clock we were in the Matron’s sitting room. There were four ladies & us four at tea. You don’t know how I enjoyed myself! The Matron left here yesterday to go to another situation and another of the ladies left for Blighty. Yesterday my pal & I had another little spree in town. We were allowed passes till 9 pm so we were able to go to a Cinema. We saw Charlie Chaplin in “A Dog’s Life”. Charlie’s the one to cure a fit of blues. In the afternoon we had a walk along the River. There are plenty of House boats on the Nile, but they do not appear to be occupied. I received ever such a long letter from Edgar. It made me feel down hearted for a while but I soon got over it. Yesterday they brought the ‘Drums’ here. I am not sorry for I like playing & it will relieve the monotony a bit. Tomorrow we are playing to the English residents who are at a large school. They are there for safety, we aren’t losing much time are we? Dad is right! It is a drum on my arm. I am very glad to say things seem to be fairly quiet here now."

Lionel King, 23rd April 1919

"I am on guard & I am writing this just before I turn in for two or three hours “kip” before I go on duty again at 1 am. A mail is expected up tomorrow so we shall get our letters on Tuesday. We are still at the English schools! Claude paid me a visit this afternoon but I was unable to go out with him being on guard. I met Claude last Friday. It was the first time I had seen him for a month. I have arranged to spend the evening with him on Wednesday. There is nothing exciting going on here now. On Thursday & Yesterday the ‘Drums’ played to the English residents who are living in a large school for safety/ our concert party also gave a show last evening. In return we had been invited to a dance tomorrow evening. I am going but I don’t know if I shall try my hand at dancing. I have got to make a start sometime so I may try my luck.

There has been no further news referring to demobilisation. As it says in one if the chaps letters in the cutting “Deferred hope make one fed up”."

Lionel King, 27th April 1919

"The weather is still grand. I am so sorry you have been worried. Poor Mother, I wish they would send me home for your sake. I can quite assure you that things are quite normal here now. We are granted passes till 11 pm. I promised to meet Claude at 4 pm but I am unable to do so as the ‘Drums’ are playing to the English residents again. By the way I went to the dance given by the residents & it was a great success. I danced four dances. They were the “Veleta”, “Boston Two Step”, “Military Two Step” & a “Waltz”. I was rather surprised at myself. They are giving another one in a day or two. Yes Harry Fisher is still here! So please Edgar paid you another visit. The country looks lovely now I bet. Hard luck for Fred getting into trouble with the car. One of the lorries here knocked down one of the gate posts. I suppose the driver will get his pay docked. Dear Mother & Dad there are ever so many long service men out here. You ought to hear some of them “moan”. I have a moan now & again. It is a soldiers privilege to have a “moan” now & again."

Lionel King, 30th April 1919

"Our battalion was inspected this morning by General Albenby. The ‘Drums’ played the batt to the parade ground & back. It is the first march we have had in the streets since the trouble started. Claude & I spent yesterday afternoon & evening together. It was very quiet in town. We both had a fine time Saturday evening. We went to a dance given by the British residents. I danced five & I think Claude danced every dance. The two photographs enclosed are enlargements of snaps Claude took from the roof of this school. The Church is a Greek Orthodox church, just around here is one of the worst quarters of Cairo. You will notice most of the roofs are flat topped. This enabled another story to be built on top for another family if necessary. Dear Mother I had hopes of being home for your birthday, but that’s imposs now. I wish you many Happy Returns of the day. "

Lionel King, 5th May 1919

"Yes! Harry Fisher & Claude are still out here. I was with Claude last evening. Claude & I are together pretty often now. I was unable to go to the dance on Saturday as I was on guard. On Friday evening Claude & I went to the Y.M.C.A.’s Physical training & Gymnastics etc. we had a very enjoyable time but it made us ever so stiff."

Lionel King, 12th May 1919

"We are at the English School at present but expect to move during the week. I do not know where. We are having some fine weather. I have had several swims lately. Claude & I went to a dance on Thursday & we had a very enjoyable time. Both Claude & I are still waiting patiently for our demob. It does seem a long time, waiting, waiting, waiting. I have just put our Mascot to bed. He quite enjoys a shower bath now. When I woke him this mornig he said “moi-ya coo-loo” meaning “water all over”. I replied “awa” (Yes) He said “Cuoise” (Good) I cannot speak Arabic very well but with a bit of pigeon English I can make myself understood fairly well."

Lionel King, 25th May 1919

"It is the joyful news at last I am now at the Demob Camp, Kantara. I left the Battalion yesterday. I expect to be here a few days, may be a week. It is according to the number of ships how soon I shall get away. A big draft left here last evening. They are going via Italy. I am sorry to say Claude is not with this draft. He expects to come with the next. Harry Fisher is here. I am quite well & I am eagerly looking forward to the day when I shall see your dear faces again."

Lionel King, 1st June 1919