No. 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am getting on alright.
I received your cable of 21st, the day before yesterday and I expect you would get some of my letters from hospital shortly after you sent it. There is no need to send me anything as I have everything I want.
I went to the entertainment yesterday at Crayford given by some of the Vickers workers. I was a first class affair. They gave us what they called "Tea" but was more like dinner and some very good singing. I enjoy these affairs immensely.
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It has been raining a little here today and is fairly cold.
We have Mass here 3 or 4 times a week, but the priest was away at Hurdcott for a few weeks and only came back here a day or so before Christmas.
Hurdcott is the convelescent home and they do massage work there now. I think the 8th training Battalion is shifted to Codford now. I will not go through the 8th Battalion, but will most probably go to the Command Depot at Sutton Veney and from there to France.
My wound is not healed up yet but is getting along very nicely. I go for a good long walk every afternoon trying to get back into a bit of form again. I am a bit afraid my leg will not stand the route marches like it used to. One of the big nerves was cut by the piece of shell and I have a strip of "dead" flesh in my leg which will affect me for a long time and I don't suppose I will ever be quite the same again.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your loving Son and Brother,
Tom.
Showing posts with label 1917. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1917. Show all posts
Dartford; December 25, 1917
No 3. Australian Army Auxiliary Hospital
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am getting on alright.
My wound is not quite healed up yet. We have had a good day to-day, the Sisters and doctors have done all they possibly could to make the day enjoyable for us.
They gave us a very nice dinner, Turkey, ham, pudding etc. half a pint of beer for those who could drink it. The Australian Red Cross gave us a parcel consisting of 1/2 doz packets of cigarettes, a pipe and tin of tobacco, a packet of cards, handkerchief and some chocolate. We also got some small cigars and other cigarettes, all of which were no use except for the handkerchief and the chocolate. The YMCA gave us a very handy writing wallet. We had some snow here the other day and a sharp frost after, but it has all thawed away now.
There has been an air raid or two on London since I have been here. We can hear the planes and anti-aircraft guns going.
I have seen some good displays in France, a plane shines like gold with the searchlights on it, but of course they score with their bombs sometimes. I have never had a bomb drop near me yet, only shells.
I hope you had a merry Christmas to-day, we are to have a concert here tonight.
Well I must close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom.
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am getting on alright.
My wound is not quite healed up yet. We have had a good day to-day, the Sisters and doctors have done all they possibly could to make the day enjoyable for us.
They gave us a very nice dinner, Turkey, ham, pudding etc. half a pint of beer for those who could drink it. The Australian Red Cross gave us a parcel consisting of 1/2 doz packets of cigarettes, a pipe and tin of tobacco, a packet of cards, handkerchief and some chocolate. We also got some small cigars and other cigarettes, all of which were no use except for the handkerchief and the chocolate. The YMCA gave us a very handy writing wallet. We had some snow here the other day and a sharp frost after, but it has all thawed away now.
There has been an air raid or two on London since I have been here. We can hear the planes and anti-aircraft guns going.
I have seen some good displays in France, a plane shines like gold with the searchlights on it, but of course they score with their bombs sometimes. I have never had a bomb drop near me yet, only shells.
I hope you had a merry Christmas to-day, we are to have a concert here tonight.
Well I must close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom.
Dartford; December 18, 1917
No. 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital
(Addressed to Miss C. K. Quinn)
My Dear Sister,
As I have received several letters from you lately I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
I suppose you hear a fair bit of my doings from home. Well my leg is getting along pretty well and I am able to get about alright now, but I still have a bit of a limp. We had a heavy fall of snow the night before last, the first I have seen this winter. It has froze hard since and the roads are as slippery as glass.
Our wards are heated by steam pipes so we do not notice it but it is very cold outside.
I have had a very good time since I was hit and as I never had very much pain. I have enjoyed my spell pretty well. I have not heard from France since I left. I received the P.C. of you and Nell alright a very nice photo it is too. I am enclosing one of myself in hospital "blues" which I had taken in Milton. I will be going on furlough directly and hope to have a real good time. They are doing a bit of decorating here for Christmas. I expect I will still be here for that day. I am sorry that I never received the little parcel of gloves etc. that you sent me but they may have been sunk. There are a lot of Australians here and a good many of them who have been badly hit are going home.
Well I must close now, hoping that you are quite well.
I remain
Your Affectionate Brother
Tom
(Addressed to Miss C. K. Quinn)
My Dear Sister,
As I have received several letters from you lately I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
I suppose you hear a fair bit of my doings from home. Well my leg is getting along pretty well and I am able to get about alright now, but I still have a bit of a limp. We had a heavy fall of snow the night before last, the first I have seen this winter. It has froze hard since and the roads are as slippery as glass.
Our wards are heated by steam pipes so we do not notice it but it is very cold outside.
I have had a very good time since I was hit and as I never had very much pain. I have enjoyed my spell pretty well. I have not heard from France since I left. I received the P.C. of you and Nell alright a very nice photo it is too. I am enclosing one of myself in hospital "blues" which I had taken in Milton. I will be going on furlough directly and hope to have a real good time. They are doing a bit of decorating here for Christmas. I expect I will still be here for that day. I am sorry that I never received the little parcel of gloves etc. that you sent me but they may have been sunk. There are a lot of Australians here and a good many of them who have been badly hit are going home.
Well I must close now, hoping that you are quite well.
I remain
Your Affectionate Brother
Tom
Dartford; December 13, 1917
No. 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
My leg is progressing very well but it will be some time before I am fit for furlough. I will most probably be in a hospital for Christmas which will do me very well. I do not like this place as well as Milton, but, still it is very comfortable and we get plenty of good food. I hit the scales at 12st 4 lb so you can guess I am not doing too bad.
This is a big place and there are hundreds of Australians here. They come from hospitals all over England. Those who are fit are sent out on furlough and anyone who required massage treatment is sent to Hurdcott. This is a very cold place, quite close to the Thames but the wards are heated with steam pipes and are quite warm enough. There are a lot of factories about here but the town of Dartford does not seem much of a place.
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We have had some frosty weather lately but I have not seen any snow yet. We had a polling day for the Conscription Referendum yesterday but, as I did not feel interested I did not vote.
Anti-conscription leaflet 1917
Well I will close now as there is a concert on and yours truly loves a bit of music or a good song.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
My leg is progressing very well but it will be some time before I am fit for furlough. I will most probably be in a hospital for Christmas which will do me very well. I do not like this place as well as Milton, but, still it is very comfortable and we get plenty of good food. I hit the scales at 12st 4 lb so you can guess I am not doing too bad.
This is a big place and there are hundreds of Australians here. They come from hospitals all over England. Those who are fit are sent out on furlough and anyone who required massage treatment is sent to Hurdcott. This is a very cold place, quite close to the Thames but the wards are heated with steam pipes and are quite warm enough. There are a lot of factories about here but the town of Dartford does not seem much of a place.
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We have had some frosty weather lately but I have not seen any snow yet. We had a polling day for the Conscription Referendum yesterday but, as I did not feel interested I did not vote.
Anti-conscription leaflet 1917
Well I will close now as there is a concert on and yours truly loves a bit of music or a good song.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
Milton Hospital; December 9, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting on.
Since last writing to you I have received thirteen letters, dating from August up to October 8th. One from Nell with a P.C. of her and Kath which I was very pleased to get & which I think is very nice. By the way - who did Nell beat for her wristlet watch?
One was from Hilda Pohlner, 2 from Kath, 3 from Siss, 1 from Dad & Mum, 1 from John & Will, the rest from my good little correspondent Annie. I was very pleased to hear you were getting on alright, and that you had such a nice lot of sheep to shear. The wool will certainly be worth a lot of money. Will also tells me the crop on the Block was looking very well. I was particularly amused at the two boys account of the lad you had working home. They seem to think him "cocky" as usual. I was glad to hear Flower had a nice foal. I am under some doubt as to the sex of that animal as Dad said it was a colt & Will assures me it is a filly, but I guess Will must have made a mistake.
Mum said she had been hoping for me to be home for Xmas 1917, but I do not expect to be home for Xmas 1918 unless I get a harder "whack" & get rendered unfit for active service the next time I go out to France.
We have had a good many people coming to see us here & urging us to vote "Yes" on Conscription, but, while I am quite willing to run the risk of getting my own head knocked off in France, I don't think I have any right to order any one else over here if he doesn't want to come.
I am leaving this hospital & going to Dartford in the morning.
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I have been here 4 weeks & I am sorry to leave it as the Sister & nurses have been very nice to me. Of course since I have been able to get about I have helped a good lot in the ward, my particular work being to go to the kitchen & get the meals & hand them round. Sister said she was very sorry I was going as it was a pleasure to have me in the ward.
She took great care of my leg & it has done splendid under her treatment. I also used to help the night nurse to make the beds & I am quite a dabster at the game now. The night nurse makes a cup of tea first thing every morning and gives it to any one who helps or is very ill. She has to buy the tea & sugar herself, but I think her people have plenty of money but, as it is a very hard job to get sugar. She could not get enough as the store-keepers would not sell it to her. So I used to go out & being a "Mounded Australian Soldier" I could get it at 1/2 lb. at a time where she could not. The people round here are particularly good to us & Australians can get things that an"English Tommy cannot.
I went to a Matinee down in Portsmouth yesterday afternoon & enjoyed the show very much. We were given a free ticket. It was a play depicting life in Canada.
I went on board Nelson's old flagship, the "Victory" the other day & was very interested looking over her. She has been kept in a good state of repair & until recently was used as a training ship.
I got some views of her & will send them home directly.
I wrote to Mary Agnes the other day & as I was not sure of her address I sent it c/o you so that you could sent it on to her. I was very much surprised to hear of Mrs. Ward's & Fred Taylor's death. I must write to Mrs. Taylor next mail. I suppose Charley Dare is married before this. What is the meaning of Frank Thomas & Miss Kelly? I suppose she is a R.C. & surely that would prevent anything serious. I have not seen any French girl I could take home to John. Best he might be married by the time I got home & I would be left in the lurch with something I didn't want & couldn't get rid of. So Bill Stewart & Myrtle got married. I was surprised at Arthur Rush being best man. It was very sad the School teacher at Petherton dying so young.
I have not received any of the parcels you sent me yet. If they go to the Battalion I will not get them. My last three letters were stopped in London & did not go to France so I may get them. I have only received the one parcel of flannels you sent me since I left home. The people of Mt. Bryan are dead wrong when they reckon I would take on smoking over here. Not a bit of it. But some smoker will appreciate their tobacco alright.
Well I must close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
P.S. I suppose John does cut a dash with his bicycle. Poor old Will has lost his girl Ada, hard luck.
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting on.
Since last writing to you I have received thirteen letters, dating from August up to October 8th. One from Nell with a P.C. of her and Kath which I was very pleased to get & which I think is very nice. By the way - who did Nell beat for her wristlet watch?
One was from Hilda Pohlner, 2 from Kath, 3 from Siss, 1 from Dad & Mum, 1 from John & Will, the rest from my good little correspondent Annie. I was very pleased to hear you were getting on alright, and that you had such a nice lot of sheep to shear. The wool will certainly be worth a lot of money. Will also tells me the crop on the Block was looking very well. I was particularly amused at the two boys account of the lad you had working home. They seem to think him "cocky" as usual. I was glad to hear Flower had a nice foal. I am under some doubt as to the sex of that animal as Dad said it was a colt & Will assures me it is a filly, but I guess Will must have made a mistake.
Mum said she had been hoping for me to be home for Xmas 1917, but I do not expect to be home for Xmas 1918 unless I get a harder "whack" & get rendered unfit for active service the next time I go out to France.
We have had a good many people coming to see us here & urging us to vote "Yes" on Conscription, but, while I am quite willing to run the risk of getting my own head knocked off in France, I don't think I have any right to order any one else over here if he doesn't want to come.
I am leaving this hospital & going to Dartford in the morning.
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I have been here 4 weeks & I am sorry to leave it as the Sister & nurses have been very nice to me. Of course since I have been able to get about I have helped a good lot in the ward, my particular work being to go to the kitchen & get the meals & hand them round. Sister said she was very sorry I was going as it was a pleasure to have me in the ward.
She took great care of my leg & it has done splendid under her treatment. I also used to help the night nurse to make the beds & I am quite a dabster at the game now. The night nurse makes a cup of tea first thing every morning and gives it to any one who helps or is very ill. She has to buy the tea & sugar herself, but I think her people have plenty of money but, as it is a very hard job to get sugar. She could not get enough as the store-keepers would not sell it to her. So I used to go out & being a "Mounded Australian Soldier" I could get it at 1/2 lb. at a time where she could not. The people round here are particularly good to us & Australians can get things that an"English Tommy cannot.
I went to a Matinee down in Portsmouth yesterday afternoon & enjoyed the show very much. We were given a free ticket. It was a play depicting life in Canada.
I went on board Nelson's old flagship, the "Victory" the other day & was very interested looking over her. She has been kept in a good state of repair & until recently was used as a training ship.
I got some views of her & will send them home directly.
I wrote to Mary Agnes the other day & as I was not sure of her address I sent it c/o you so that you could sent it on to her. I was very much surprised to hear of Mrs. Ward's & Fred Taylor's death. I must write to Mrs. Taylor next mail. I suppose Charley Dare is married before this. What is the meaning of Frank Thomas & Miss Kelly? I suppose she is a R.C. & surely that would prevent anything serious. I have not seen any French girl I could take home to John. Best he might be married by the time I got home & I would be left in the lurch with something I didn't want & couldn't get rid of. So Bill Stewart & Myrtle got married. I was surprised at Arthur Rush being best man. It was very sad the School teacher at Petherton dying so young.
I have not received any of the parcels you sent me yet. If they go to the Battalion I will not get them. My last three letters were stopped in London & did not go to France so I may get them. I have only received the one parcel of flannels you sent me since I left home. The people of Mt. Bryan are dead wrong when they reckon I would take on smoking over here. Not a bit of it. But some smoker will appreciate their tobacco alright.
Well I must close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
P.S. I suppose John does cut a dash with his bicycle. Poor old Will has lost his girl Ada, hard luck.
Portsmouth; November 27, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
My leg is getting along very well. I go out every afternoon for a bit of a walk, & I find this "wounded soldier" business is the best "stunt" I have been on for a good while, that is, of course if the "crack" is not too hard. I was out walking the other day & I was "swinging" my leg so well that a young lady came & offered me a walking stick to help me along. I very very politely declined her nice offer. I do not know if you have heard the saying "swinging the leg, or "lead", but, it means dodging the "line" & it is a very common phrase this side of the world.
I went to a stock market the other day. Things were rather dear. Cattle, that would dress from 8 to 10 cwt were bringing from £30.0.0. to £40.0.0. Calves that we would knock on the head £2.0.0 and £3.0.0. and sheep that would dress about 70 lb £5.5.0. Meat is of course very dear & runs from 1/2d to 1/8d a lb. I saw a price list of Australian Jam in a shop window to-day. It was from 1/3½ d for plum to 1/8½ d for black currant per 27 oz. tin. Sugar is only obtainable on the card system. In the hospital we scarcely get any Jam but have plenty of bread & margarine. It is real good margarine, almost as good as butter. We have fish or sometimes an egg for breakfast & meat & vegetables & pudding for dinner & I do very well on it. I do not think Germany is at all likely to starve England out, but it may put a serious strain on us supplying some of our Allies.
I will be sent out of this hospital to another any day now. I may be sent to one of the Australian hospitals at Dartford or Harefield near London, or perhaps to some small place not far away. If it is no worse than this place it will do me.
I went to a Confirmation Service at a little Church not far from here last Sunday. There were a good many little boys & girls confirmed. When the Bishop was addressing them, asking catechism etc., he was very keen on their going to Church every Sunday at least - take note "all" boys who neglect Church.
We have not had any very cold weather yet, the winter being I think rather later than last year. It may not be so cold as last winter. I hope not anyhow. I had my "Phiz" taken the other day in my hospital "blues". I am enclosing one in this letter. It is a "Dinkum" likeness but, the blue shows up grey in the photo.
Fruit is very dear here. Grapes from 1/- to 2/- per lb. & other fruit in proportion. Apples being about the cheapest from -/4d -/6d per lb.
I saw in a Casualty list over here the other day where a C. Pohlner was wounded. I do not know if it was Charley or not but I think it was. I see they are having another go at conscription again but I bet No wins. I suppose you are busy hay-making now. I hope things are going alright home. Well I must close now. Hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting along.
My leg is getting along very well. I go out every afternoon for a bit of a walk, & I find this "wounded soldier" business is the best "stunt" I have been on for a good while, that is, of course if the "crack" is not too hard. I was out walking the other day & I was "swinging" my leg so well that a young lady came & offered me a walking stick to help me along. I very very politely declined her nice offer. I do not know if you have heard the saying "swinging the leg, or "lead", but, it means dodging the "line" & it is a very common phrase this side of the world.
I went to a stock market the other day. Things were rather dear. Cattle, that would dress from 8 to 10 cwt were bringing from £30.0.0. to £40.0.0. Calves that we would knock on the head £2.0.0 and £3.0.0. and sheep that would dress about 70 lb £5.5.0. Meat is of course very dear & runs from 1/2d to 1/8d a lb. I saw a price list of Australian Jam in a shop window to-day. It was from 1/3½ d for plum to 1/8½ d for black currant per 27 oz. tin. Sugar is only obtainable on the card system. In the hospital we scarcely get any Jam but have plenty of bread & margarine. It is real good margarine, almost as good as butter. We have fish or sometimes an egg for breakfast & meat & vegetables & pudding for dinner & I do very well on it. I do not think Germany is at all likely to starve England out, but it may put a serious strain on us supplying some of our Allies.
I will be sent out of this hospital to another any day now. I may be sent to one of the Australian hospitals at Dartford or Harefield near London, or perhaps to some small place not far away. If it is no worse than this place it will do me.
I went to a Confirmation Service at a little Church not far from here last Sunday. There were a good many little boys & girls confirmed. When the Bishop was addressing them, asking catechism etc., he was very keen on their going to Church every Sunday at least - take note "all" boys who neglect Church.
We have not had any very cold weather yet, the winter being I think rather later than last year. It may not be so cold as last winter. I hope not anyhow. I had my "Phiz" taken the other day in my hospital "blues". I am enclosing one in this letter. It is a "Dinkum" likeness but, the blue shows up grey in the photo.
Fruit is very dear here. Grapes from 1/- to 2/- per lb. & other fruit in proportion. Apples being about the cheapest from -/4d -/6d per lb.
I saw in a Casualty list over here the other day where a C. Pohlner was wounded. I do not know if it was Charley or not but I think it was. I see they are having another go at conscription again but I bet No wins. I suppose you are busy hay-making now. I hope things are going alright home. Well I must close now. Hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
Portsmouth; November 21, 1917
Ward A 15
5th Southern General Hospital
Milton Division
My Dear People,
Just a short note to let you know I am getting along first rate.
I am able to walk about now but it will be a month before my wound is healed up, although it is very healthy and is doing first rate. Of course the bandages hinder me a bit but I think I will go for a stroll tomorrow. I do not use a stick as I have no faith in them. They are like girls, they would let you down if it came to a pinch.
There is a lady here who looks after the Australians here and gives us our Red Cross stuff, cigaretes etc. I got a razor etc. off her. We are looked after real well. There is a chap here who was in the same section as Bert Lilley and he tells me Bert won the Military Medal - good luck to him.
I do not know how long I will be here. I might be sent out to an Australian hospital at any time. We are paid the magnificant sum of 3/- a week here, but I do not spend any at all as I do not want for anything.
I am enclosing the bit of shell that made a hole in my leg. If ever I get home I will make a watch pendant of it. Well I must close now. Hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
5th Southern General Hospital
Milton Division
My Dear People,
Just a short note to let you know I am getting along first rate.
I am able to walk about now but it will be a month before my wound is healed up, although it is very healthy and is doing first rate. Of course the bandages hinder me a bit but I think I will go for a stroll tomorrow. I do not use a stick as I have no faith in them. They are like girls, they would let you down if it came to a pinch.
There is a lady here who looks after the Australians here and gives us our Red Cross stuff, cigaretes etc. I got a razor etc. off her. We are looked after real well. There is a chap here who was in the same section as Bert Lilley and he tells me Bert won the Military Medal - good luck to him.
I do not know how long I will be here. I might be sent out to an Australian hospital at any time. We are paid the magnificant sum of 3/- a week here, but I do not spend any at all as I do not want for anything.
I am enclosing the bit of shell that made a hole in my leg. If ever I get home I will make a watch pendant of it. Well I must close now. Hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother
Tom
England; November 13, 1917
My Dear People,
As I told you I would give you a full account of my experience when I was hit. I will do so now.
I was not with the the Battalion at the time, but was doing some fatigue work (carrying duckboards and making roads behind the line) for the Engineers.
We were camped around the edge of a big mine crater in little sandbag dugouts. The dug-out I was in was not satisfactory to me so I was building another. I had it nearly finished and it was just getting dark on the 16th October (Dad's and George's Birthday) when Fritz put over a few 5.9s. I did not take much notice but went on working, when one landed in the crater and I felt an awful blow on the leg.
When I came round they were working on my leg and someone called for a stretcher. It was not the artery that was cut but a big vein and the bleeding had stopped. I now began to demand my pack, which was in the dugout not far away because I wanted my razor. To pacify me they sent a fellow to get it, but they carried me away so quick that he never caught us up. So I never got my razor or anything else.
Just before they started away with me they gave me a big nobbler of rum which I drank like water. Now the rum that is issued to troops is Dinkum stuff - 40 over proof - and as I have never drank my issue yet, this took considerable effect on me and I was very talkative indeed.
Well four of the lads carried me about half a mile to a dressing station but as there was no doctor there I was put in a motor and taken into one of the big dressing stations at Ypres. Here I was undressed and my wound washed and dressed. I had a hole about 1 1/2 inches long in my leg and 3-4 inches deep with a small piece of shell in the bottom. The orderlies got everything out of my pockets and put them in a little bag for me. I had about 60 francs on me so I have enough money for my requirements in hospital.
I was then put in a motor and sent down to a Casualty Clearing Station. The two stretcher-bearers who were there were arguing the point about all the work they had to do. I promptly roused on them and shut them up - you see the effects of the rum had not worn off.
I was then inoculated against Tetanus. A priest came round looking at my cards and enquired about confessions etc., but I assured him that I was quite a good boy. They then took me into the operating room and at 11.30 that night I was put under chloroform and ether. Now I think going under chloroform is lovely. I like it alright. An American doctor got to work on me, sliced my leg open, took out the piece of shell, tied up the cut veins and stuffed the wound with packing so I could travel. It was still dangerous as the big artery ran on the side of the wound.
I came to, a couple of hours later and was terrible sick. An Orderly came to me and cleaned things up a bit. I missed my teeth and he assured me that they were in the little bag I had. But I wasn't satisfied so he got the bag and showed them to me, all wrapped up in cotton wool. I then fished around in the bag and found the bit of shell wrapped up in the same way.
The next day I was very thirsty, making up the blood that I had lost, but the sister gave me plenty of lemon and water to drink. That night I was put in a Red Cross train and taken to No. 16 General Hospital Le-Treport arriving there about 3 pm next day. Those Red Cross trains are done up splendid, have comfortable beds in them and are alright.
I was looked after pretty well in the hospital. My leg did not trouble me much, although it would insist on lying a certain way for a start. The doctor gradually removed the packing from the wound and the hole is filled up now, so it ought to be all healed up in another month or so. I was in that hospital over three weeks and I was sent in a train to Havre and put on an Ambulance ship.
The Captain thought the Channel too rough to cross that night so we waited in the harbour till the next and then crossed. We had a lovely smooth trip. Those ships are very comfortable and the food we got on ours was splendid.
We pulled into Southampton yesterday morning, was put on a train and arrived at this hospital yesterday afternoon. This is Milton hospital close to Portsmouth. I am able to walk a bit now but I am still regarded as a bed patient.
I see by the news from Australia that there are a considerable number of strikes going on there. I saw in a Casualty list that Bob Crewes was wounded, young Dew from the Burra was wounded on the same job that I was - he got hit in the arm. I was not with him at the time but I do not think it was very serious.
The description I have written of my experiences on being hit are about the usual ones of a man hit behind the line. If a man is seriously hit in the line you have got to add a carry of about 3 miles on a stretcher. It takes about 4 men and is dreadful heavy work over shell holes, through mud and all sorts of tangles and probably be shelled on you on the way out.
Sometimes if you are not too bad to travel you are sent to England straight away. I would have liked to go to some hospital in Ireland but I could not get there. It is usual to get 10 days leave on leaving hospital and as I have about £25 on my Pay book I could have a slithering time on it if I liked.
Well I must close now. Hoping you are all well and assuring you that I am getting along quite well.
I remain,
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom.
As I told you I would give you a full account of my experience when I was hit. I will do so now.
I was not with the the Battalion at the time, but was doing some fatigue work (carrying duckboards and making roads behind the line) for the Engineers.
Australian soldiers walking on Duckboards
We were camped around the edge of a big mine crater in little sandbag dugouts. The dug-out I was in was not satisfactory to me so I was building another. I had it nearly finished and it was just getting dark on the 16th October (Dad's and George's Birthday) when Fritz put over a few 5.9s. I did not take much notice but went on working, when one landed in the crater and I felt an awful blow on the leg.
A 5.9 gun
I waited a bit till the pain went, as I thought it might have only been a piece of dirt. But when I looked down at my leg I saw the blood pouring away. I then called out that I was hit. To stop the blood, as I thought a main artery was cut, I took a few steps towards the dug-out where a Red Cross man lived, but feeling a bit weak, I laid down and went out for a bit.When I came round they were working on my leg and someone called for a stretcher. It was not the artery that was cut but a big vein and the bleeding had stopped. I now began to demand my pack, which was in the dugout not far away because I wanted my razor. To pacify me they sent a fellow to get it, but they carried me away so quick that he never caught us up. So I never got my razor or anything else.
Just before they started away with me they gave me a big nobbler of rum which I drank like water. Now the rum that is issued to troops is Dinkum stuff - 40 over proof - and as I have never drank my issue yet, this took considerable effect on me and I was very talkative indeed.
Well four of the lads carried me about half a mile to a dressing station but as there was no doctor there I was put in a motor and taken into one of the big dressing stations at Ypres. Here I was undressed and my wound washed and dressed. I had a hole about 1 1/2 inches long in my leg and 3-4 inches deep with a small piece of shell in the bottom. The orderlies got everything out of my pockets and put them in a little bag for me. I had about 60 francs on me so I have enough money for my requirements in hospital.
I was then put in a motor and sent down to a Casualty Clearing Station. The two stretcher-bearers who were there were arguing the point about all the work they had to do. I promptly roused on them and shut them up - you see the effects of the rum had not worn off.
I was then inoculated against Tetanus. A priest came round looking at my cards and enquired about confessions etc., but I assured him that I was quite a good boy. They then took me into the operating room and at 11.30 that night I was put under chloroform and ether. Now I think going under chloroform is lovely. I like it alright. An American doctor got to work on me, sliced my leg open, took out the piece of shell, tied up the cut veins and stuffed the wound with packing so I could travel. It was still dangerous as the big artery ran on the side of the wound.
I came to, a couple of hours later and was terrible sick. An Orderly came to me and cleaned things up a bit. I missed my teeth and he assured me that they were in the little bag I had. But I wasn't satisfied so he got the bag and showed them to me, all wrapped up in cotton wool. I then fished around in the bag and found the bit of shell wrapped up in the same way.
The next day I was very thirsty, making up the blood that I had lost, but the sister gave me plenty of lemon and water to drink. That night I was put in a Red Cross train and taken to No. 16 General Hospital Le-Treport arriving there about 3 pm next day. Those Red Cross trains are done up splendid, have comfortable beds in them and are alright.
I was looked after pretty well in the hospital. My leg did not trouble me much, although it would insist on lying a certain way for a start. The doctor gradually removed the packing from the wound and the hole is filled up now, so it ought to be all healed up in another month or so. I was in that hospital over three weeks and I was sent in a train to Havre and put on an Ambulance ship.
The Captain thought the Channel too rough to cross that night so we waited in the harbour till the next and then crossed. We had a lovely smooth trip. Those ships are very comfortable and the food we got on ours was splendid.
We pulled into Southampton yesterday morning, was put on a train and arrived at this hospital yesterday afternoon. This is Milton hospital close to Portsmouth. I am able to walk a bit now but I am still regarded as a bed patient.
I see by the news from Australia that there are a considerable number of strikes going on there. I saw in a Casualty list that Bob Crewes was wounded, young Dew from the Burra was wounded on the same job that I was - he got hit in the arm. I was not with him at the time but I do not think it was very serious.
The description I have written of my experiences on being hit are about the usual ones of a man hit behind the line. If a man is seriously hit in the line you have got to add a carry of about 3 miles on a stretcher. It takes about 4 men and is dreadful heavy work over shell holes, through mud and all sorts of tangles and probably be shelled on you on the way out.
Sometimes if you are not too bad to travel you are sent to England straight away. I would have liked to go to some hospital in Ireland but I could not get there. It is usual to get 10 days leave on leaving hospital and as I have about £25 on my Pay book I could have a slithering time on it if I liked.
Well I must close now. Hoping you are all well and assuring you that I am getting along quite well.
I remain,
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom.
France; November 1, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a short note to let you know I am getting along very well.
I have just had my pulse & temperature taken & as soon as have had supper I will be off to bye-bye. My wound is getting along nicely & I will be going to England within a few days now. I think my leg is strong enough to move about on but the doctor advises me to keep quiet for a while yet.
You had better still keep the same address for your letters. They will then send them back to the Base P.O. & I will get them re-addressed from there. Of course there will be a lot of delay about it, but that cannot be helped.
It is quite possible that I will not get back in the 32nd when I come back to France again but I will let you know about that later & you can alter my address then. When I get to England I will send you a full account of my experiences when I was wounded. I will also send the piece of shell the doctors took out of my leg. It is only a little piece about the size of a bullet, but I it was though a ton weight had struck me when I got hit. I would have sent you a cable had I been moved to England straight away as there is not much chance here. It will be stale news to you by the time I get to England.
I only hope you do not think it is serious because it not.
I must close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
P.S. Tell Annie I am sorry Maud & her glasses have beat her for Jack, but better luck next time.
Just a short note to let you know I am getting along very well.
I have just had my pulse & temperature taken & as soon as have had supper I will be off to bye-bye. My wound is getting along nicely & I will be going to England within a few days now. I think my leg is strong enough to move about on but the doctor advises me to keep quiet for a while yet.
You had better still keep the same address for your letters. They will then send them back to the Base P.O. & I will get them re-addressed from there. Of course there will be a lot of delay about it, but that cannot be helped.
It is quite possible that I will not get back in the 32nd when I come back to France again but I will let you know about that later & you can alter my address then. When I get to England I will send you a full account of my experiences when I was wounded. I will also send the piece of shell the doctors took out of my leg. It is only a little piece about the size of a bullet, but I it was though a ton weight had struck me when I got hit. I would have sent you a cable had I been moved to England straight away as there is not much chance here. It will be stale news to you by the time I get to England.
I only hope you do not think it is serious because it not.
I must close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
P.S. Tell Annie I am sorry Maud & her glasses have beat her for Jack, but better luck next time.
Belgium; October 6, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
Since last writing I have received a lot of letters, one each from Siss & George, 2 from Kathleen, & 2 or 3 from Mum & Annie the latest being August 9th. As I expected, there was evidently some of my letters on the "Mongolia". In one of these I acknowledged the parcel of flannels & told you not to send me any eatables as I can buy plenty here if I want it, but any warm clothing arriving here between October & March are always very welcome. I have only received that one parcel so I suppose the others were lost at sea.
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It is raining here now & it is getting very cold, the first snap of winter. I sent a lot of Christmas cards away yesterday. I hope they reach their destinations safely.
October 19th.
Since writing the first part of this letter I have been wounded as I expect you will know before you receive this. I was hit on the inside of the left leg, about a foot above the knee, by a piece of shell. I expect it will be about two months before I will be fit for duty again. It is a fairly big cut but did not touch the bone, but it cut some big veins & I lost a fair drop of blood. I am in an American hospital on the coast of France but may be sent to England at any time.
Nurses in American hospital in France
Now do not worry about me because I will be alright soon & Remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
Since last writing I have received a lot of letters, one each from Siss & George, 2 from Kathleen, & 2 or 3 from Mum & Annie the latest being August 9th. As I expected, there was evidently some of my letters on the "Mongolia". In one of these I acknowledged the parcel of flannels & told you not to send me any eatables as I can buy plenty here if I want it, but any warm clothing arriving here between October & March are always very welcome. I have only received that one parcel so I suppose the others were lost at sea.
It is raining here now & it is getting very cold, the first snap of winter. I sent a lot of Christmas cards away yesterday. I hope they reach their destinations safely.
October 19th.
Since writing the first part of this letter I have been wounded as I expect you will know before you receive this. I was hit on the inside of the left leg, about a foot above the knee, by a piece of shell. I expect it will be about two months before I will be fit for duty again. It is a fairly big cut but did not touch the bone, but it cut some big veins & I lost a fair drop of blood. I am in an American hospital on the coast of France but may be sent to England at any time.
Nurses in American hospital in France
Now do not worry about me because I will be alright soon & Remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Belguim; September 29, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I am writing this in the front line on some ground that has only just been taken. Except for a few odd shells we are having a fairly quiet time as Fritz is considerably frightened of our artillery barrage & does not care to expose himself to it.
Yesterday morning, about a 100 Fritz's came in & gave themselves up to the people just alongside us. It was funny to see them coming in in little parties of about a dozen & our chaps taking charge of them, getting souvenirs & giving them cigarettes. They have had their hearts knocked out by our artillery which is something terrible up here when it opens up & I do not wonder that Fritz is getting tired of it.
Since last writing to you I have received two letters. One from Kath (July 11th) & one from Annie (July 16th) & was glad to hear you were getting on alright.
I saw Mat & Mick Griffen last Sunday they had just come out after being in one of those big attacks that have been going on here. They both got through alright, but Mat had a narrow escape. A piece of shell whizzed past his face & just took a bit off his nose. Pretty close I reckon. Sgt. Lackmann I believe was killed, but, the other lads we know are alright.
Lyall Bell came & saw me the other day. He is quite well & had a hand in the Messines stunt. He told me he was nearly buried by a shell there, but little trifles like that don't count much in this part of the world.
2nd October.
We are back from the line again & having a quiet spell for a few days, when I think we will be going back for a bit more "stoush". When I got back I received two letters one from Mum & Annie (July 24th) & one from George Dare (July 18th). I was sorry you had not received any letters from me but they must have been sunk because I write fairly regularly & you should hear from me every mail.
I do not know how much longer the war will last but I think it will go at at least another twelve months although Fritz is a beaten man. If the Russians had done anything this summer it would most likely have been over by this time. The weather is still keeping good but the nights are getting chilly. I believe there were some heavy floods in S.A. in July, especially down Adelaide way.
Well I must close now as I have to go on guard directly.
Hoping you are all quite well as I am.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I am writing this in the front line on some ground that has only just been taken. Except for a few odd shells we are having a fairly quiet time as Fritz is considerably frightened of our artillery barrage & does not care to expose himself to it.
Yesterday morning, about a 100 Fritz's came in & gave themselves up to the people just alongside us. It was funny to see them coming in in little parties of about a dozen & our chaps taking charge of them, getting souvenirs & giving them cigarettes. They have had their hearts knocked out by our artillery which is something terrible up here when it opens up & I do not wonder that Fritz is getting tired of it.
Since last writing to you I have received two letters. One from Kath (July 11th) & one from Annie (July 16th) & was glad to hear you were getting on alright.
I saw Mat & Mick Griffen last Sunday they had just come out after being in one of those big attacks that have been going on here. They both got through alright, but Mat had a narrow escape. A piece of shell whizzed past his face & just took a bit off his nose. Pretty close I reckon. Sgt. Lackmann I believe was killed, but, the other lads we know are alright.
Lyall Bell came & saw me the other day. He is quite well & had a hand in the Messines stunt. He told me he was nearly buried by a shell there, but little trifles like that don't count much in this part of the world.
2nd October.
We are back from the line again & having a quiet spell for a few days, when I think we will be going back for a bit more "stoush". When I got back I received two letters one from Mum & Annie (July 24th) & one from George Dare (July 18th). I was sorry you had not received any letters from me but they must have been sunk because I write fairly regularly & you should hear from me every mail.
I do not know how much longer the war will last but I think it will go at at least another twelve months although Fritz is a beaten man. If the Russians had done anything this summer it would most likely have been over by this time. The weather is still keeping good but the nights are getting chilly. I believe there were some heavy floods in S.A. in July, especially down Adelaide way.
Well I must close now as I have to go on guard directly.
Hoping you are all quite well as I am.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Address torn out; September 20, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a short note to let you know I am quite well. As you will see from my address we have shifted camp since I last wrote to you & are a bit nearer the line but still a good way off.
I have just received a letter from Hilda Pohlner (July 1st). They were quite well then, she gave me all the news of that part.
The people here grow a lot of hops. They are just ripe now, so some of our chaps do a bit of picking. The hop plant grows a lot different to what I thought it did. I reckoned it was a little bush, but they put up poles about 15 ft high & have wires crossed all over the top Then they tie a thin piece of wire with a piece of string and tie the other end in the ground.
They plant the hops in April & they climb up the thin wire right to tie the top, & they hang down like a great big bunch of mistletoe. When they go to pick them they cut the string with a knife arrangement on a long pole and they whole plant comes down. Then they sit in chair and pick off the hops & put then in a cane basket. The contract price is threepence a basket. I guess I would starve at that game.
I see in the Record that Ralph Thomas has been having a good time invalided in England.
It is my Birthday to-day & I am twenty-five, terrible old isn't it.
Well I must close now. Hoping you are all well & doing alright
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Just a short note to let you know I am quite well. As you will see from my address we have shifted camp since I last wrote to you & are a bit nearer the line but still a good way off.
I have just received a letter from Hilda Pohlner (July 1st). They were quite well then, she gave me all the news of that part.
The people here grow a lot of hops. They are just ripe now, so some of our chaps do a bit of picking. The hop plant grows a lot different to what I thought it did. I reckoned it was a little bush, but they put up poles about 15 ft high & have wires crossed all over the top Then they tie a thin piece of wire with a piece of string and tie the other end in the ground.
They plant the hops in April & they climb up the thin wire right to tie the top, & they hang down like a great big bunch of mistletoe. When they go to pick them they cut the string with a knife arrangement on a long pole and they whole plant comes down. Then they sit in chair and pick off the hops & put then in a cane basket. The contract price is threepence a basket. I guess I would starve at that game.
I see in the Record that Ralph Thomas has been having a good time invalided in England.
It is my Birthday to-day & I am twenty-five, terrible old isn't it.
Well I must close now. Hoping you are all well & doing alright
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
France; September 15, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I received a letter from Annie & Mum (July 10th) & was very pleased to hear you were all well & I was pleased to hear Mum had got her little souvenir alright. I am a long way from that Cathedral now, although in our last camp we used to see it every day as we were within 2 miles of it.
The summer ends here on 17th September when the clocks are put back in accordance with the Daylight Saving law. The leaves are beginning to fall & it will soon be getting cold again.
Mat & Mick & the other lads have moved up to the line & I think we will soon be going up too. It is pretty near time we do a bit now as we have had a big spell.
Harry Tralaggan has gone away to hospital with his shoulder again. It is very weak and comes out easy now. I told you before that I gave him £5.0.0 and that his people would pay it to you over there. I was very glad to be rid of the money as it was a regular nuisance to me. I have not received Siss's wedding cake yet. In fact, the only parcel I received was the parcel of flannels you sent me early in the year. I suppose the others are lost at sea.
Well I must close now as it is nearly mail time. Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I received a letter from Annie & Mum (July 10th) & was very pleased to hear you were all well & I was pleased to hear Mum had got her little souvenir alright. I am a long way from that Cathedral now, although in our last camp we used to see it every day as we were within 2 miles of it.
The summer ends here on 17th September when the clocks are put back in accordance with the Daylight Saving law. The leaves are beginning to fall & it will soon be getting cold again.
Mat & Mick & the other lads have moved up to the line & I think we will soon be going up too. It is pretty near time we do a bit now as we have had a big spell.
Postcard from France
Harry Tralaggan has gone away to hospital with his shoulder again. It is very weak and comes out easy now. I told you before that I gave him £5.0.0 and that his people would pay it to you over there. I was very glad to be rid of the money as it was a regular nuisance to me. I have not received Siss's wedding cake yet. In fact, the only parcel I received was the parcel of flannels you sent me early in the year. I suppose the others are lost at sea.
Well I must close now as it is nearly mail time. Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom
France; September 4, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I received a letter from Sis (June 19th) & one from Nell Simmons & Pat (June 26th). Sis said she wrote me a letter but thought she put the wrong number on it. I have not got it yet but it may have been sunk.
Things are very quiet here at present we are having lovely weather. Our concert party are giving us some concerts here now. I went last night & enjoyed it first rate.
Harry Tralaggan put his shoulder out again, it is very weak & I tell him he had better get boarded & go home. Mick got a letter from Augie Pohlner. He was getting along fairly well but there is some probability of his going home. Wallie Arnolds heard from Frank Richards. He expects to come to France any time now, but he may not come to our Battalion now as some of our reinforcements are going to other Battalions now. Nell Simmons tells me that Charlie Dare gave his young lady a bonza engagement ring. I suppose they will soon be married.
By the way it's quite time Len "Almond" got busy & made a bit of a move of some sort.
Well I must close now as it is time for letters to go in. Hoping you are quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I received a letter from Sis (June 19th) & one from Nell Simmons & Pat (June 26th). Sis said she wrote me a letter but thought she put the wrong number on it. I have not got it yet but it may have been sunk.
Things are very quiet here at present we are having lovely weather. Our concert party are giving us some concerts here now. I went last night & enjoyed it first rate.
Harry Tralaggan put his shoulder out again, it is very weak & I tell him he had better get boarded & go home. Mick got a letter from Augie Pohlner. He was getting along fairly well but there is some probability of his going home. Wallie Arnolds heard from Frank Richards. He expects to come to France any time now, but he may not come to our Battalion now as some of our reinforcements are going to other Battalions now. Nell Simmons tells me that Charlie Dare gave his young lady a bonza engagement ring. I suppose they will soon be married.
By the way it's quite time Len "Almond" got busy & made a bit of a move of some sort.
Well I must close now as it is time for letters to go in. Hoping you are quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
France; August 28, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
Since last writing I have received 4 letters - one from Annie (June 3rd) & one from Nell (June 17th), one from Mum & Annie (June 24 & 27th) & one from Mrs. Taylor. I was glad to hear you were all quite well but I am sorry Dad could not get a man for the tilling as it is rather heavy work on Will.
I saw Sgt Lackman the other day. He is quite well & wished to be remembered to you. I saw in a casualty list that Joe Statton was severely wounded. Frank Cahill showed me a letter from his mother the other day, she said she was quite well & was working somewhere near Adelaide. She said Will's girl (Ada O.) had left Beckwith's & was back in Town. I suppose Will had a real good time while she was up. Her brother is returning, he has lost his arm. Mrs. Taylor told me Len was going to marry a Miss Rielly shortly.
I suppose Jack Connors will soon be getting married now. I am sorry my little Jane is leaving the Mount as I expect she will get some other boy now. How about Paddy? Does he still try & beat Frank Richards for his girl?
Lyell Bell's Brigade are up this way somewhere, they have had a good spell in the line, but I think they are out now, but it is too far away for me to go & see him. We are going to be reviewed by some big head to-morrow & have got all our gear cleaned & polished as if we were on garrison duty.
I do not know when we are going in the line, but I think, it is nearly time we had a turn. It has been very rough & windy to-day & it rains pretty often, but soon dries up again.
Rain-soaked trenches in France
I think some of your letters have been sunk, as I did not get the one saying that Mrs. Cutts had paid the money and that you had sent her the receipt. Harry Tralaggan not been very well & is in Hospital for a few days but is getting on alright now.
Well I must close now, hoping you are all well.
I remain,
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
Since last writing I have received 4 letters - one from Annie (June 3rd) & one from Nell (June 17th), one from Mum & Annie (June 24 & 27th) & one from Mrs. Taylor. I was glad to hear you were all quite well but I am sorry Dad could not get a man for the tilling as it is rather heavy work on Will.
I saw Sgt Lackman the other day. He is quite well & wished to be remembered to you. I saw in a casualty list that Joe Statton was severely wounded. Frank Cahill showed me a letter from his mother the other day, she said she was quite well & was working somewhere near Adelaide. She said Will's girl (Ada O.) had left Beckwith's & was back in Town. I suppose Will had a real good time while she was up. Her brother is returning, he has lost his arm. Mrs. Taylor told me Len was going to marry a Miss Rielly shortly.
I suppose Jack Connors will soon be getting married now. I am sorry my little Jane is leaving the Mount as I expect she will get some other boy now. How about Paddy? Does he still try & beat Frank Richards for his girl?
Lyell Bell's Brigade are up this way somewhere, they have had a good spell in the line, but I think they are out now, but it is too far away for me to go & see him. We are going to be reviewed by some big head to-morrow & have got all our gear cleaned & polished as if we were on garrison duty.
I do not know when we are going in the line, but I think, it is nearly time we had a turn. It has been very rough & windy to-day & it rains pretty often, but soon dries up again.
Rain-soaked trenches in France
I think some of your letters have been sunk, as I did not get the one saying that Mrs. Cutts had paid the money and that you had sent her the receipt. Harry Tralaggan not been very well & is in Hospital for a few days but is getting on alright now.
Well I must close now, hoping you are all well.
I remain,
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom
France; August 12, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a little note to let you know I am quite well & doing alright.
I was going to see Mat & Mick last Sunday but met them coming over to our camp. They are both quite well. On Friday night I went to see Frank & Aleck, they are just back from leave in England & are both doing pretty well. I saw Lorrie Bell too, they tell me Jim Burton has lost his right foot, so I suppose he will soon be back at Mt. Bryan.
Harry Tralaggan was rather short of money so I gave him Five Pounds which his people will pay to you (I will mention this in another letter in case this goes astray). I was very glad to get rid of the money as it was a regular nuisance to me. I have not drawn any pay since I came to France so I have a credit balance of about fifteen Pounds in my Pay Book, which I could draw at Headquarters in London if I wanted it.
We are camped near a canal here & can see the barges going by. They are drawn by one & sometimes two horses.
We can swim in the canal if we like, but I have not been in yet. We went & had a hot bath & some new clothes this afternoon. We generally have the afternoon off & then the troops play cricket etc. We have some very good cricketers in our Company. Tom Dearlove from Ketchowla is in B Company. I have not spoken to him as I did not know him much at home. Harry Webster from Leighton is in B. Company too.
Well I must close now as it is nearly tea-time.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Just a little note to let you know I am quite well & doing alright.
I was going to see Mat & Mick last Sunday but met them coming over to our camp. They are both quite well. On Friday night I went to see Frank & Aleck, they are just back from leave in England & are both doing pretty well. I saw Lorrie Bell too, they tell me Jim Burton has lost his right foot, so I suppose he will soon be back at Mt. Bryan.
Harry Tralaggan was rather short of money so I gave him Five Pounds which his people will pay to you (I will mention this in another letter in case this goes astray). I was very glad to get rid of the money as it was a regular nuisance to me. I have not drawn any pay since I came to France so I have a credit balance of about fifteen Pounds in my Pay Book, which I could draw at Headquarters in London if I wanted it.
We are camped near a canal here & can see the barges going by. They are drawn by one & sometimes two horses.
We can swim in the canal if we like, but I have not been in yet. We went & had a hot bath & some new clothes this afternoon. We generally have the afternoon off & then the troops play cricket etc. We have some very good cricketers in our Company. Tom Dearlove from Ketchowla is in B Company. I have not spoken to him as I did not know him much at home. Harry Webster from Leighton is in B. Company too.
Well I must close now as it is nearly tea-time.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your loving Son & Brother
Tom.
France; August 3, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I got two letters to-day, one from Annie & Mum (May 27th & 28th) & one from Kath (May 29th) & was glad to hear you were doing alright & had had plenty of rain. Your letters from 1st to 27th May are evidently down with Davy Jones. I was glad to hear Mrs. Cutts was paying the £10.0.0 into Elders alright, but the Military are undoubtedly slow with my C.D.P.
Since last writing to you we have shifted a long way. We had a long ride in a train & a little march of about 5 miles to finish up. We are now billeted in a stable at a big farm-house. We are still a good way behind the line.
I saw Bert Lilley again the other day. He is attached to Brigade Headquarters as a runner, his job is to take messages to the Battalions & he does not have to go right in the line, so unless he is very unlucky he should get through alright. They are camped about 3 miles from us, so I will see Mat & Mick & the other lads if we do not move too soon.
It has been very wet since we came here & things are pretty sloppy. The crops here are nearly ripe & are the heaviest I have seen in France. I saw Noel Tiver the other day. He is in the Light Trench Masters & is quite well. I suppose Sis & George are quite a staid, steady couple by this time. I hear there is some likelihood of Charlie getting married & all living at Glen Dare. Yours Truly tips some stormy weather if that goes on for long.
I saw in a Casualty list where poor old Jack O'Reilly is missing. Bert Lilley tells me he does not hear so regularly from Mt. Bryan since I left, but he got a parcel from Annie a little while ago. I do not know when we are going in the line again, but I wish we would go in & make a splash & be done with it before the winter comes on.
Well I must close now hoping you are all quite well & getting along alright.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I got two letters to-day, one from Annie & Mum (May 27th & 28th) & one from Kath (May 29th) & was glad to hear you were doing alright & had had plenty of rain. Your letters from 1st to 27th May are evidently down with Davy Jones. I was glad to hear Mrs. Cutts was paying the £10.0.0 into Elders alright, but the Military are undoubtedly slow with my C.D.P.
Since last writing to you we have shifted a long way. We had a long ride in a train & a little march of about 5 miles to finish up. We are now billeted in a stable at a big farm-house. We are still a good way behind the line.
I saw Bert Lilley again the other day. He is attached to Brigade Headquarters as a runner, his job is to take messages to the Battalions & he does not have to go right in the line, so unless he is very unlucky he should get through alright. They are camped about 3 miles from us, so I will see Mat & Mick & the other lads if we do not move too soon.
It has been very wet since we came here & things are pretty sloppy. The crops here are nearly ripe & are the heaviest I have seen in France. I saw Noel Tiver the other day. He is in the Light Trench Masters & is quite well. I suppose Sis & George are quite a staid, steady couple by this time. I hear there is some likelihood of Charlie getting married & all living at Glen Dare. Yours Truly tips some stormy weather if that goes on for long.
I saw in a Casualty list where poor old Jack O'Reilly is missing. Bert Lilley tells me he does not hear so regularly from Mt. Bryan since I left, but he got a parcel from Annie a little while ago. I do not know when we are going in the line again, but I wish we would go in & make a splash & be done with it before the winter comes on.
Well I must close now hoping you are all quite well & getting along alright.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
France; July 21, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
We are still in the same camp, but had a trip of about 13 miles to a place the other day. Stayed away the night & came back next day. The whole Brigade was on this march; we carried full packs, & very few of the men fell out, although some of them had very tender feet when we got back. Marching does not trouble me much & I can carry my pack as well as most. There is some probability of us doing a fair bit of tramping directly.
We have not had any mail from Australia since 1st May, & I have not seen or heard anything of the other boys over here. We are still having leave to the town I told you of & I could go again if I wanted to, but I don't think I will bother.
Sunday 22nd.
We had Church parade this morning. We go to a little French Church about a mile away & have Mass before the French people have theirs. We had a thunder-shower yesterday but it is a lovely day to-day, & I think I will go for a swim this afternoon & get a few black-berries on the way, as they are nearly ripe now. We can also get a few strawberries if we like here as they grow wild in these parts.
Well I must close now as it is nearly dinner-time & there is not much news.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Later.
Bert Lilley came & saw me this afternoon. I was away swimming when he came, but he waited till I came back. I was very glad to see him. He tells me Mick Griffen is back with the Battalion again & Mat is fairly well. Frank Cahill & Alick Burton have gone to England on leave. Bert is quite well & wishes to be remembered to you all. They are camped about 15 miles from us, but he came on a bike. If I could get one I would go & see them all.
Tom
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
We are still in the same camp, but had a trip of about 13 miles to a place the other day. Stayed away the night & came back next day. The whole Brigade was on this march; we carried full packs, & very few of the men fell out, although some of them had very tender feet when we got back. Marching does not trouble me much & I can carry my pack as well as most. There is some probability of us doing a fair bit of tramping directly.
We have not had any mail from Australia since 1st May, & I have not seen or heard anything of the other boys over here. We are still having leave to the town I told you of & I could go again if I wanted to, but I don't think I will bother.
Sunday 22nd.
We had Church parade this morning. We go to a little French Church about a mile away & have Mass before the French people have theirs. We had a thunder-shower yesterday but it is a lovely day to-day, & I think I will go for a swim this afternoon & get a few black-berries on the way, as they are nearly ripe now. We can also get a few strawberries if we like here as they grow wild in these parts.
Well I must close now as it is nearly dinner-time & there is not much news.
Hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Later.
Bert Lilley came & saw me this afternoon. I was away swimming when he came, but he waited till I came back. I was very glad to see him. He tells me Mick Griffen is back with the Battalion again & Mat is fairly well. Frank Cahill & Alick Burton have gone to England on leave. Bert is quite well & wishes to be remembered to you all. They are camped about 15 miles from us, but he came on a bike. If I could get one I would go & see them all.
Tom
France; July 13, 1917
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well & doing alright.
Our Division was reviewed by the King the other day and we had a splendid display. The ground was just like a busy show-ground. Our Company represented the Brigade to present arms to the King. After we left the ring the A.S.C., Artillery, Red Cross, Physical Exercise & a lot of other teams gave an exhibition of their smartness. The King did not stay very long as I guess he has a busy time looking at his troops. It was a lovely day, nice & warm.
I went & had a swim this afternoon & I think the Battalion is going for a route march & a swim to-morrow. Some Fritz prisoners are cutting some of the big Beech trees around our camp. They have put up a little saw mill & saw the timber up. It will be used for making roads etc. in the wet-weather. Most of the prisoners seem fairly handy with timber. They are well treated & I suppose have never been better fed in their lives. I do not think our prisoners are so well treated in Germany.
German POWs with Australian troops
They tell us that our last mail from Australia has been sunk, so we have not heard any news since the 1st of May.
Saturday 14th.
We had our route march & swim this morning. The water was very pleasant, just a trifle cold going in. I hear it was the mail that left Adelaide 30th May that was lost at sea, so if you sent any important news from 1st to 30th May please repeat.
We expect to leave this camp shortly & will very likely shift a fair distance & probably see a fair
bit of the line, as our spell is just about over now. We hope to get in a good push shortly, which if the Russians keep worrying on the Eastern front may end the war. But somehow I think it will go another twelve months easy, although the Yanks might help a bit directly.
Well I must close now hoping you are all well & doing alright.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well & doing alright.
Our Division was reviewed by the King the other day and we had a splendid display. The ground was just like a busy show-ground. Our Company represented the Brigade to present arms to the King. After we left the ring the A.S.C., Artillery, Red Cross, Physical Exercise & a lot of other teams gave an exhibition of their smartness. The King did not stay very long as I guess he has a busy time looking at his troops. It was a lovely day, nice & warm.
I went & had a swim this afternoon & I think the Battalion is going for a route march & a swim to-morrow. Some Fritz prisoners are cutting some of the big Beech trees around our camp. They have put up a little saw mill & saw the timber up. It will be used for making roads etc. in the wet-weather. Most of the prisoners seem fairly handy with timber. They are well treated & I suppose have never been better fed in their lives. I do not think our prisoners are so well treated in Germany.
German POWs with Australian troops
They tell us that our last mail from Australia has been sunk, so we have not heard any news since the 1st of May.
Saturday 14th.
We had our route march & swim this morning. The water was very pleasant, just a trifle cold going in. I hear it was the mail that left Adelaide 30th May that was lost at sea, so if you sent any important news from 1st to 30th May please repeat.
We expect to leave this camp shortly & will very likely shift a fair distance & probably see a fair
bit of the line, as our spell is just about over now. We hope to get in a good push shortly, which if the Russians keep worrying on the Eastern front may end the war. But somehow I think it will go another twelve months easy, although the Yanks might help a bit directly.
Well I must close now hoping you are all well & doing alright.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom.
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