France; December 17th, 1918

My Dear People,

Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well. We have been in this place about 10 days & expect to be moving into Belgium in a few days. The weather has been very wet, but it is not cold. I went over & saw some of the Mt. Bryan boys yesterday, they were 5-miles away & are moving on to-day. I saw Mat, Bert, Frank & Aleck Burton, it is the first time I have seen Bert since I was hit. They are all quite well & hope to be home soon. Noel Tiver has been to Paris on leave & is not back yet, they kept him for some work down at the Base. Ernest Ray is in the 27th. I did not see him but I believe he is as hard a case as ever. I got a letter from Mick last night, he was sailing for Aussie in a few days, so I suppose he will be home by the time you get this.

Well I will close now, hoping you are all well.

I remain

Your Loving Son & Brother

Tom.

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.

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.