Letter from Walter Cass to Helena Holmes, 1916 September 27

He writes 'today the King reviewed the Australians - somewhere about 37,000 of them . . . the show was splendid, the marching uniformly good, and while the King was there the weather remained fair.' All the C.O.s were 'introduced to George, yours truly among the number.' An aviator performed for the troops and crowd. He writes that orders will come out on Friday with regard to the group and that he has '3 battalions - not six as rumoured - and we go to Codford on Saturday. Henceforth my address will therefore be Commanding "D" Group A.I.F. Codford.' C Group will also be going to Codford. His troops move to Codford on 30 September. He speaks of a visit from Sergeant Stringer and his Sergeant Major [from 2nd battalion, not named]. He speaks of 'about 9 killed and a dozen or so wounded. The place where they had been billeted was heavily shelled on the Saturday that the church was burned, and a number of houses and the church were totally demolished. Three of my lads were hurt' . . . 'word has been received that about 40 of the lads are prisoners in German hands.'