My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well. Since writing to you I have received 6 letters - one for Siss (April 4th) one from Kath (March 29th) one from Aunt Bessie (April 8th) one from Nell (March 31st) and two from Annie (9th and 21st of April). I was very pleased to get these letters and to hear that you are all doing well. I also got my Records and see that there had been a lot of socials etc. around there lately.
I was surprised to hear of the rumour that John Best was married, but I hope that it is true, and if it is I wish him the best of luck. I was sorry to hear that Ralph Thomas had lost his leg. I did not know he had been wounded as badly as that.
I got a letter from Mat Griffen. He is in hospital in England, wounded in the elbow, very near the same place as before. He does not expect to be laid up very long with it this time.
I went and saw Buzz Simmons about a fortnight ago. He looks well and hardly knew me. He was mending boots and says the job will do him - better than carting ammunition.
Kathleen says Mrs. Siegert wanted to know if I had heard anything of her boy George, but I have not been near his Battalion so I have not had a chance to make any enquiries. "Missing" is a very unsatisfactory return in a casualty list. I feel sorry for anyone who has their soldier laddies reported that way. If they are not reported Prisoners of War within 2 or 3 months, there is very little chance of them being heard of again. So I am very much afraid that little Georgie was killed. I see by the Record that Augie Pohler was given a great reception home. Hilda is evidently doing well too with her reciting etc. By the way I hear that she has got herself a returned soldier boy - is that so?
I am very glad I did not order a French tart for John Best if that is his game. Frank Richards and Harry Tralaggan are quite alright. Wally Arnolds is having a spell out of the line this trip, he well deserves it as he has done a lot of line work.
We got some Christmas parcels yesterday and some shirts and socks from the Australian Comfort Fund. It was rather late for Christmas parcels, but they are just as welcome. We often get tobacco, cocoa and milk etc. from the Fund.
I will close now hoping you are all well.
I remain
Your Loving Son and Brother,
Tom.
Showing posts with label injury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label injury. Show all posts
Warminster, UK; March 3, 1918
No 3 Battalion
Overseas Training Brigade
Sandhill Camp
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I received 7 letters last week, one from Mum (Dec 16th) two from Siss (Dec 18th and 30th) one from Aunt Bessie, one from Elsie Bryce and two from Annie (Dec 28th and 1st Jan). I was very glad to hear you were all doing alright but sorry that you were worrying about me as I was having a splendid time.
There are a good many of my letters missing. I suppose they are chasing me round the hospitals I have been in. Noel Tiver is in this camp. He had an ingrowing toenail & was lucky enough to be sent to England with it.
From Mum's letter I see that some of your ideas of a wounded man's treatment are wrong. For instance, when you heard I had been sent to England you thought I was badly hit. This is not always so as men are sent to England with very slight affairs sometimes. It depends on the hospitals in France. If a big "stunt" is coming off all the hospitals in France are cleared out to make room for the wounded who are sure to come. That was how Noel got over with such a trifle. He was in hospital in France & nearly right, when a special clear-out was made for the Cambrai business.
Overseas Training Brigade
Sandhill Camp
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well.
I received 7 letters last week, one from Mum (Dec 16th) two from Siss (Dec 18th and 30th) one from Aunt Bessie, one from Elsie Bryce and two from Annie (Dec 28th and 1st Jan). I was very glad to hear you were all doing alright but sorry that you were worrying about me as I was having a splendid time.
There are a good many of my letters missing. I suppose they are chasing me round the hospitals I have been in. Noel Tiver is in this camp. He had an ingrowing toenail & was lucky enough to be sent to England with it.
From Mum's letter I see that some of your ideas of a wounded man's treatment are wrong. For instance, when you heard I had been sent to England you thought I was badly hit. This is not always so as men are sent to England with very slight affairs sometimes. It depends on the hospitals in France. If a big "stunt" is coming off all the hospitals in France are cleared out to make room for the wounded who are sure to come. That was how Noel got over with such a trifle. He was in hospital in France & nearly right, when a special clear-out was made for the Cambrai business.
So if I get wounded again & sent to England, do not think it is serious until the Military tell you so. You can rely on the casualty reports being pretty correct, as I have seen men wounded & then seen the reports on them & they are pretty accurate. Do not worry the Red Cross or cable, as if a man is dangerously ill the authorities always let his people know. If an English soldier is very ill in a French hospital the doctor sends for his people & the Government pay their expenses & send them over to France to see their son. Of course that would be impossible for an Australian. I do not know if you are aware of it but that is what most soldiers pray for - a nice little wound to get them into hospital for a spell. A man who is so seriously damaged as to be discharged is considered the luckiest man alive.
The weather here is lovely now (real spring) & yesterday was the nicest day I have seen in England. At Church this morning the priest gave us a great sermon on our boys marrying English girls. (There were 800 Australians married English girls last month). He was pointing out the difficulties & dangers of doing this especially to Catholics who, of course, generally marry Protestant girls. Besides this he did not think it fair to forget about the girls that most of our chaps have waiting for them in Australia. I do not think it is fair either. It is a standing joke in this country that the "Aussies" English wife does not have to knit him any socks as he gets plenty of parcels from the girl he left in Australia. Of course some of the English girls are alright, but, the class that most of our chaps marry are, well "not much".
I expect to go to France on Thursday to have another go at the horrible Hun. If I don't have any harder time than I did last trip I will be alright. The weather from now on should not be so bad. Aunty tells me Kath has got six months leave (what's the matter Kathy tired of the game?) & that Annie is going to T.T.C.
I suppose Will put in some good work while Megs was staying with you (go for it while you're young Will). By the way, who is Phil O'Rielly marrying, Miss Nugent? I am enclosing a little sprig of shamrock. Noel Tiver tells me that there were big bush fires in the North East. The feed must have been pretty good & the wheat crops must have been pretty good too. It is a pity you cannot sell it straight out for full price.
I was glad to hear Ralph Thomas had only been taken prisoner. I expect he will have a pretty rough time for a while, but he will be fairly sure of getting home alright. I suppose his mother is worrying about him.
Well I will close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
The weather here is lovely now (real spring) & yesterday was the nicest day I have seen in England. At Church this morning the priest gave us a great sermon on our boys marrying English girls. (There were 800 Australians married English girls last month). He was pointing out the difficulties & dangers of doing this especially to Catholics who, of course, generally marry Protestant girls. Besides this he did not think it fair to forget about the girls that most of our chaps have waiting for them in Australia. I do not think it is fair either. It is a standing joke in this country that the "Aussies" English wife does not have to knit him any socks as he gets plenty of parcels from the girl he left in Australia. Of course some of the English girls are alright, but, the class that most of our chaps marry are, well "not much".
I expect to go to France on Thursday to have another go at the horrible Hun. If I don't have any harder time than I did last trip I will be alright. The weather from now on should not be so bad. Aunty tells me Kath has got six months leave (what's the matter Kathy tired of the game?) & that Annie is going to T.T.C.
I suppose Will put in some good work while Megs was staying with you (go for it while you're young Will). By the way, who is Phil O'Rielly marrying, Miss Nugent? I am enclosing a little sprig of shamrock. Noel Tiver tells me that there were big bush fires in the North East. The feed must have been pretty good & the wheat crops must have been pretty good too. It is a pity you cannot sell it straight out for full price.
I was glad to hear Ralph Thomas had only been taken prisoner. I expect he will have a pretty rough time for a while, but he will be fairly sure of getting home alright. I suppose his mother is worrying about him.
Well I will close now hoping you are all quite well.
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Dartford; December 30, 1917
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.
View Larger Map
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.
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.
View Larger Map
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
