"The Daison"
No 2 Company
New Zealand Discharge Depot
Torquay
29/1/18
Dear Uncle Julius
We arrived here from Sling yesterday at 2 o'clock after a quick run and no changes. I had heard good reports of this place, and so far as I can judge at present, it is going to be even better than I had anticipated. There are two large establishments occupied by our troops, besides private billets. In am in one of several marquees in the grounds of "The Daison". I shall enjoy being here. The grounds are magnificent but I have not half had time to look round them yet. The building itself has evidently been a gentleman's home in pre-war days and it seems rather a pity that it should have to be used as a kind of barracks for troops. Everything is well cared for though, and is in as good order as is possible under the circumstances.
I believe there are several ships leaving for New Zealand with returning soldiers during the next week or so, and I thought it possible I might have found myself on the boat roll. However I have made some inquiries and I am told that the men who have just arrived here are not likely to be going away yet and even I were on the roll I could apply to be taken off. I am not ready to go back to New Zealand yet and it would not suit me at all to be bundled off at so short notice.
The weather continues to be wonderfully mild, and apparently this applies to other parts of England as well.
This is only a short letter but I shall write more later. No leave is being granted at present. Please address my letters as ear heading of this.
Best wishes.
Your affectionate nephew
Bernard Sladden
