From the Cobram Courier: 21 December 1916

Somewhere abroad, 26/10/16
Dear Sir,
I have just received a donation of tobacco from your committee for which I am very pleased.
I am doing well so far, only the weather has not been too good, raining most of the time since our landing here. I think a drought is unknown here, and am getting quite used to plodding up to my ankles in mud.
I am getting accustomed to the roar of the guns, but as things are fairly quiet here at present I have not come in touch with Fritz and his guns, although I can hear him bombarding in the distance.
We had a taste of winter here a few mornings ago, and can assure you it tickled us up a bit. They were the worst frosts I have ever seen, but have been told it is nothing to what we will get about Christmas time.
I am also told there is very little snow, only plenty of rain and sleet. I do not know how we are going to get on through it, but daresay we will pull through all right.
I wish you would convey to your committee my very best thanks for the tobacco and numerous papers they sent me. I can assure them that I have enjoyed reading them in this far off foreign land.
Wishing you the best of luck in the good work.
Yours sincerely,
Sapper C.E. Gorey