Oct. 3^rd 1908. I enlisted at Aldershot, Hants, in the 1^st Battalion, Hants Regt. I was attached to the South Wales Borders Regt, North Camp, A'shot, for a few days then sent to Winchester, Hants; which is my regimental depôt. Here I am learnt my foot and rifle drill. After six weeks at Winchester, I am sent to my battalion; which is stationed at Londonderry, Ireland. L'derry is rather a cold wet place, situated on the banks of the river Foyle; which flows out to the sea on the north coast of Ireland. There is a fine bridge across the river; Carlisle Bridge. Once a year we have to go to a place called Maggiligan Camp for our annual course of musketry and battalion training. Maggiligan is situated on the north coast of Ireland, between Port Rush and the mouth of the river Foyle. It is a fine place for bathing, except when the tide is going out, when it is rather risky. The last time we were here we marched back to L'derry (28 miles) through pouring rain. This was my first long march, & I am afraid my feet were rather sore after it. After passing out in drill & gymnastics at L'derry, I am sent to join my company at Enniskillen; a pretty little place about 80 miles from L'derry. I have some good sport here; fishing & boating on Loch Ern. During the 1909 season I caught the finest & largest fish out of the whole detatchment. May. 1909 I go to the military school & pass the exam for my 3^rd class certificate of education. Aug. 1909, We trained to Dublin, where we started manoeuvres. We marched from Dublin to the Curragh Camp (32. miles) the first day & pitched camp. In the latter part of 1910 we rejoined our Regt at headquarters (L'derry) where I enjoyed myself very much. We left L'derry on Oct 3^rd 1910 for Aldershot, Hants, where we arrived the following day. I am now entitled to wear my 1^st good conduct stripe (2 years good conduct) I start school again & obtain my 2^nd class certificate of education, I am now going for my 1^st. Oct 19^th 1911. I embarked at Southampton on H. M. Y. "Soudan" for South Africa. Nov. 10^th 1911. We arrived at Cape Town, S. Africa. I am glad to say the sea did not have any effect on me, but a good many of the men were very sick the first few days. We disembarked at C. Town, & entrained for Wynberg, which is about half an hour's ride. We find it a good deal warmer here than in England. C. Town & Wynberg are very modern towns, & there are plenty of Europeans amongst the inhabitants; also Cape dutch Boers & natives (Kaffirs.) Three of my chums, & myself, climbed Table Mountain one day. We started early in the morning; taking some sandwiches in our haversacks, some water in our water bottles. It took us about four hours to reach the top, where we had our refreshments & a smoke, & afterwards set out to pick some silver leaves & everlasting flowers. We returned to camp about 7 o'clock in the evening; rather tired after our day's climb & tramp, Dec. 7^th 1911 we embarked at C, Town on the R. I. M. S. "Dufferin" for Mauritius, via Durban. Dec. 10^th 1911 we arrived at Durban, where we stopped 3 days to coal. We marched through the town for exercise, & also went bathing. The bathing place is fenced in by tall iron railings, to protect the bathers from sharks. There are plenty of rickshaw boys at Durban.