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 front line. Show all posts
Showing posts with label front line. Show all posts
France; April 9th 1918
My Dear People,
Just few lines to let you know I am getting along alright.
Since last writing I have received a Burra Record & 3 letters - one from Mum (Jan 9th) & two from Annie (Dec 2nd & 12th). I told you in my last letter that I had received 2 letters before that, so I think I have got just about all my letters now.
We were up near the line for a day or so but are back in fairly decent billets now. It has been raining a lot lately. Things have been a bit sloppy at times.
April 22nd
I am still quite well, but, have not been able to get any letters away since I started to write this. I hope you do not worry if my letters are a bit straggly now as we are likely to be fairly busy for a while. Just at present we are having the time of our lives in a village which the French have left and this soldier has never been on such a good job in the army before, it would do me quite well for the duration of the war.
When we came here last night I got six letters. Two from Mum (Jan 27th & Feb 5th) 1 from Kath (Feb 6th) 2 from Annie (Jan 29th & Feb 9th), one from Siss (Feb 10th) & one from Hilda Pohlner. I was very glad to hear you were all doing fairly well & that you had received my Photo etc. from Portsmouth. I told you in my last letter that I had received the 10/- note Kathleen sent me.
I would like to be able to tell you about the things I see in this village. It is a terrible thing to have to pack up & leave your home at very short notice & I am very sorry for the poor people who have to do it. There are some beautiful homes here & the soldiers are sleeping on feather beds with eider-down quilts & generally living like lords, as of course the French did not have time to take their stores with them. I have got some flour & intend having fritters for breakfast in the morning, the first since I left home.
All this comes strange after being in the line & I am afraid the troops will be ill, having such a good time. It is however a terrible shame for the people who have had to leave it & war is a rotten thing.
April 24th
Just few lines to let you know I am getting along alright.
Since last writing I have received a Burra Record & 3 letters - one from Mum (Jan 9th) & two from Annie (Dec 2nd & 12th). I told you in my last letter that I had received 2 letters before that, so I think I have got just about all my letters now.
We were up near the line for a day or so but are back in fairly decent billets now. It has been raining a lot lately. Things have been a bit sloppy at times.
April 22nd
I am still quite well, but, have not been able to get any letters away since I started to write this. I hope you do not worry if my letters are a bit straggly now as we are likely to be fairly busy for a while. Just at present we are having the time of our lives in a village which the French have left and this soldier has never been on such a good job in the army before, it would do me quite well for the duration of the war.
When we came here last night I got six letters. Two from Mum (Jan 27th & Feb 5th) 1 from Kath (Feb 6th) 2 from Annie (Jan 29th & Feb 9th), one from Siss (Feb 10th) & one from Hilda Pohlner. I was very glad to hear you were all doing fairly well & that you had received my Photo etc. from Portsmouth. I told you in my last letter that I had received the 10/- note Kathleen sent me.
I would like to be able to tell you about the things I see in this village. It is a terrible thing to have to pack up & leave your home at very short notice & I am very sorry for the poor people who have to do it. There are some beautiful homes here & the soldiers are sleeping on feather beds with eider-down quilts & generally living like lords, as of course the French did not have time to take their stores with them. I have got some flour & intend having fritters for breakfast in the morning, the first since I left home.
All this comes strange after being in the line & I am afraid the troops will be ill, having such a good time. It is however a terrible shame for the people who have had to leave it & war is a rotten thing.
April 24th
We are still in the same place & I am doing quite well, although Fritz annoys us now & again with nasty things that go bang. Ralph Thomas is indeed lucky to be exchanged as a prisoner of war & I suppose he will soon be back home now. I guess his mother will be pleased to have him home again.
Well I must close now, hoping you are all quite well,
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
Well I must close now, hoping you are all quite well,
I remain
Your Loving Son & Brother
Tom
France, March 29, 1918
My Dear People,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well. I joined my old Battalion 10 days ago and went into the front line the same night. We did a few days in the line and then shifted out. I suppose you know that Fritz has made his big attack and it is quite likely that I will be having a bit to do with stopping him during the next few days.
I had a very good trip to France this time, but have not had an opportunity to write owing to the shifting about. I sent a couple of field cards which I hope you get alright.
Since joining the Battalion I have received a Burra Record and 12 letters - 3 from Mum (Nov 4, 8, and 15th) 4 from Annie (Nov 11th, Oct 28th, Jan 13th and 21st) 2 from Siss (November 20th and Jan 16th) and 3 from Kathleen (Nov 2nd and 29th and Jan 20th), one of which contained a 10/ note. I appreciate Kathie's kindness but I am glad to say I do not need the money. I think this is just about all my letters now. The only thing that I have not received is the parcel with Siss' wedding cake and the parcel of gloves Kathie sent me, so I have been pretty lucky.
Harry Tralaggan is still going, but I think his shoulder is pretty weak. He tells me there is a rumour going around at last Burra Show that I was killed. I do not know if you heard it or not. It was supposed, in the Battalion, that I would not get over my "whack" as the man who dressed me did not give me much of a chance, but it will take more than that to finish me.
Wally Arnolds is quite well and has got a stripe now.
March 31st.
Still quite well and resting in billets, must close now.
Hope you are all well,
T. J. Quinn
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well. I joined my old Battalion 10 days ago and went into the front line the same night. We did a few days in the line and then shifted out. I suppose you know that Fritz has made his big attack and it is quite likely that I will be having a bit to do with stopping him during the next few days.
I had a very good trip to France this time, but have not had an opportunity to write owing to the shifting about. I sent a couple of field cards which I hope you get alright.
Since joining the Battalion I have received a Burra Record and 12 letters - 3 from Mum (Nov 4, 8, and 15th) 4 from Annie (Nov 11th, Oct 28th, Jan 13th and 21st) 2 from Siss (November 20th and Jan 16th) and 3 from Kathleen (Nov 2nd and 29th and Jan 20th), one of which contained a 10/ note. I appreciate Kathie's kindness but I am glad to say I do not need the money. I think this is just about all my letters now. The only thing that I have not received is the parcel with Siss' wedding cake and the parcel of gloves Kathie sent me, so I have been pretty lucky.
Harry Tralaggan is still going, but I think his shoulder is pretty weak. He tells me there is a rumour going around at last Burra Show that I was killed. I do not know if you heard it or not. It was supposed, in the Battalion, that I would not get over my "whack" as the man who dressed me did not give me much of a chance, but it will take more than that to finish me.
Wally Arnolds is quite well and has got a stripe now.
March 31st.
Still quite well and resting in billets, must close now.
Hope you are all well,
T. J. Quinn
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; 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 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.
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