Ismailia 28/2/16

Dear Mother
I received your letters and was glad to learn that you were all enjoying yourselves in Wellington. The photos that Bob sent were very good. I enclose here a couple of snaps that we took when we were in isolation they are not very good I have some better ones which I will send later. In a few days I a going to Zeitoun along with others of the Machine Gun Section to the School of Instruction there for three weeks instruction on the machine gun. That will make a change from the eternal tramping on the sand here. I see Gordon McDonald often he is looking very fit as also are Linus and Cecil Walker.
Well there is not much I can say I will write again soon. We have plenty of work plenty to eat and are all very fit.
Love to all, Rawei

Note: There is some more information about WWI machine gunners here.

Moasca Camp, Ismailia, 14 Feby 1916

Dear Mother,
I have been having a fairly easy time for the past week one of our chaps caught the mumps and the rest of the tent, six of us, have been in isolation for seven days. We have nothing to do in the way of parades and put in the day reading and writing.
Last time I was isolated was at Lemnos when about forty of us were put in isolation and inoculated against diphtheria. There doesn't seem to have been anything discovered as a preventative against mumps so that we have been spared an inoculation this time.
Under separate cover I am sending a scarf. It is suppposed to be Egyptian crochet work and of silk. I am a poor judge of such things and do not know if it is worth much. There is not much opportunity to buy anything here.
My address is now,
Machine Gun Section
Canty. Inf. Batn.
N.Z.E.F.
and letters so addressed will reach me quicker than those addressed 2nd Coy although they all get here ultimately.
Well I trust you are all in good health best regards to all your affectionate son,
Rawei