Sunday 17-9-16
My Dear Mum
Well Mum I hope you and all at home are well as it leaves me at present. I received your most welcome letter. I also got others which you will read about in the other letter. Well Mum we are having a good time here. We have been having sports and football kit inspection and feet inspection and washing parades. But oh I did do a big washing. I have not a dirty thing now. We get hot water to wash with but still it is no joke. Mum when I come back you wont have to do my washing I am too good at it now. In fact I’ve a bit of a mind to take washing in, but when you come to think of it, I have come to be a soldier and not a washer man so I think I will leave it alone. Well Mum I have met such a lot of boys I know Alf Ferris and Will Guinane are here now they are coming down to night. Jack Price has just come down and he has just gone over to see Will Stevens. He is going away next week so I cannot get him in the battalion. He is well again. Well mum dear things have not been going to well about the districts lately between men getting killed and suicides a man is far better here. Well Mum Les and I rigged up a table in a dugout about 100 yds from the hut and it is here where we are writing. It is too noisy in the huts and I have such a lot of letters to write. I got a letter from Miss Mc Neilly it was very acceptable. She is sending me a couple of pair of socks. It is very good of her. I am writing to her to night. Well Mum you will have a lot of work to do now that the cows are in and it wont be long before you will be in harvest too. Well Mum after this is all over you ought to go for a good holiday to the seaside. Here at night it is that cold. I am getting some woollen flannels. Mum who is the new girl of Jims, he never says who she is. You will soon have the Pyramid Show to go to. That was a day that I was always looking forward too. Do you remember the time that I bought those fancy flowers for my coat. I think they are still home. I will never forget it. I don’t think you will either. Ha wasn’t it fun. I didn’t think so then but I do now. Charlie seems to like the camp life alright. And his girl came to our place. I will never forget the last time she came. Mum I got such a nice letter from that little girl of mine that used to live at Mologa. She said that her uncle had met Amos Haw over there. I write to Georgie every week and I send those Pyramid papers on to him. Well Mother dear I always [write] every week to you all and I hope you get all my letters. Never worry over us mum we are well and happy and according to this mornings paper the war will not last much longer. Well Mum goodbye for the present. I do hope you get my parcel alright.
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan S
Allan mentions more soldiers from the local area arriving on the training grounds of Salisbury Plain. Alf Ferris was 31 years old when he left the farm at Terrick Terrick to enlist in the 60th Battalion in March 1916. After the 1917 battles at Ypres he was seconded for duty with the 5th Division Horse Clipping Depot. He returned to Australia in July 1919.16 Will Guinane of nearby Mincha enlisted at the same time as Alf and they served together in the 60th Battalion. A 34-year-old farmer, Will was wounded at Bapaume on 12 May 1917. His wound was severe and, as he was no longer fit for duty, he was discharged the following March.17 Will Stevens was also a farmer and lived at Sylvaterre, where he enlisted at the age of 22. He was shot in the chest on 19 July 1917 but recovered to return to C Company of the 38th Battalion on 12 October 1917, a day of disaster for the 38th. Will eventually returned to Australia in September 1919.18
Tom Alford, who was about to leave England to reinforce the 59th Battalion of Pompey Elliott’s 15th Brigade, dashed off a hurried note to Jim to acknowledge that he had received a letter from Mologa and to tell him that his time on the Western Front was about to begin.
Perham
Sept 21st
Dear Jimmy,
I received your welcome letter yesterday. I was glad as I am off to France on Saturday. Well I’ve had a pretty good time in England taking it alround so Hurrah
From T Alford
While continuing to reassure his mother that he is well, Allan’s letters are now laced with nostalgia and a tone of intimacy. His sentences frequently begin with ‘Mum’, as if he longed to be sitting opposite her at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of tea and chatting over the latest news. He does his best to provide reassurance to his mother, yet reveals a longing for family and the comforts of home.
My Dear Mum
… we have been on march. We had a march past our divisional officer [General Monash] the other day, and since then we had a march past the King, it looked very nice. There was 40 thousand of us altogether but the only fault it was a wet [day]. Well Mum I got a terrible shock when I heard that Charlie was married. I never thought he would be doing it before he left. He ought to be over here soon now if he sailed when you said he was. I have only got one letter this mail so far that was from Albert. Percy only got one too and that was from Hilda. The other boys have not got any yet, so they must be in camp somewhere. I hope I get them so I can see about the wedding … We are going into the trenches next week for 5 days, that will be nice too. I don’t think they are going to shift us from here before winter and I don’t think the war will last much longer. They are taking a lot of prisoners lately. I was in London last Saturday and we could hear the shells dropping when the Zeppelin raid was on. They made a terrible row and I would have liked to have seen it, but it was about 1 or 2 oclock in the morning. They tell us we are going to get another 4 days leave if so we are going to see our other relation. We have had letters from them all and I can tell you we are kept writing. I have not had a letter from Geordie lately but ought to get one any time now. We are getting splendid tucker now. I had my photo [taken] in London on Sunday so I will send them over soon, I expect them today … I hope you have a good time at the show I shall write another letter this mail and tell you if I got your letters. I hope you get my parcel alright.
… I feel lovely I never felt better in my life. This climate agrees with me. I have not had a cold or an hour sickness of any sort since being here. About the flannels mum well I was going to get some but I have worked a good scheme and are getting two good ones from our Quarter master. We are having a lot of rain here again. You will see by Albert letter what a time we had at the trenches. It was raining all the time but I enjoyed it it just reminded me of when I was [young] and use to paddle in water. Mum I have just finished my Sunday dinner and this is what we had Roast beef, and a plum duff. I always have a cut of toast every meal. Yesterday when I was in the cook house toasting some the cook roused on to me and told me I was not going to make a b- rest home of this place. So I only told him I only came 3 times a day and that made him worse, but anyway I was back again today. It don’t trouble me. Well mum they tell us they are going to give us another 4 days leave if so that will be great. I am on the look out for Charlie he ought to be here soon. We have just finished a bombing course but you cant beat the machine guns. We don’t get half the work the other boys do. Mum I was sorry to hear about the boys getting wounded. I have got 2 letters from Georgie since last Saturday and he is getting mine too. So that is first rate. Mum I am sending you my photo it is not much but you will be pleased to get it just the same. Mum when you go to Bendigo again I want you to get your photo taken and send me one. Mum I would like one. Send me one of dad too then I will have the lot. Mum I am glad you are having a prosperous year. Auntie Ette could not have got my Cape Town letters but all the same I wrote. I have wrote thanking Miss McNeilly for the socks. Mum you can thank her personally to for me. Mum they are lovely there is no kid about it. Lily Sharp has sent a pair too but I have not got them … Mum I am going to write to different others. But Mum you cant rely on getting 4 letters at home every mail as I write 4 letters to home every week. Mum I hope you have got my parcel. Mum I hope you like the brooch and I hope the others like the present. I did not know what Jim would like. Mum I have found a few little relics here and I will send them home. I found a great coin in the ground the other day. I tried to get a bit of stone henge but I could not break it off. There a
re some bonnie flowers here. I wish I could send you a cutting. Our battalion colours are red and purple. One of the boys got a table centre made of them and they are very pretty. If I can get one I will send you one. Well dear mother I think I have told you all the news so I will close with love.
From your loving son
Allan S
Mum what ever you do don’t worry over me I am well and happy as well.
As Allan and Percy received the news of their brother and his bride, the young couple was preparing to be parted. With the likely assurances of return, Charlie farewelled his wife of just five weeks and embarked on the Shropshire on 25 September. Thousands of kilometres away at Shropshire’s destination, further news of the unexpected union and of Charlie’s departure was eagerly anticipated as Allan wrote to Albert:
Sept 27 1916
Amesbury
England
Dear Albert
Well Albert I received your most welcome letter but it is the only one I have received this mail, but expect more tomorrow. Well Albert I nearly dropped dead when I read that Charlie was married. I never dreamt of him getting married before he went to the war. In your next letter tell me all about it. We have been going very solid this last week or two. We have been out route marches and shooting a terrible lot. We had a 15 mile route march and field operations the other day. Last Thursday we had a march past General Monash our division officer and today we had a march past the King. There were about 40 thousand of us altogether, and it was raining pretty well all the time. We were all out there yesterday practising the day before … Last Saturday 3 of us got leave to go to London and we had a fair time. Percy could not go as he had been before. Percy and Les have gone down to a place called Andover today, they have to be back tonight.
Well Albert we went through our machine gun tests the other day and I passed easy. Yesterday we went through our machine gun tests at the range. There is only 7 or 8 of us that get our 1st class machine gun certificates as on the whole the shooting was not too good. The possible was 75 and I got 70. Percy done very crook. He only got 15. When they give us the certificates I will send it home. I have not had a letter from Georgie for a long time. I have only got one letter this mail so far. I am anxious to get mums letter to see about the wedding. No doubt it was a shock to Percy and me. If he sailed when you said he was to sail he will soon be over here. All the boys seem to be up on final leave together. Ralph Alford is a dam fool to try again. Well Albert we are working very solid lately. Next Tuesday we are going into the trenches for 5 days, so that will be nice wont it. We are getting splendid tucker now. They say we are going to be billeted out for the winter. That is that we are going to stop at peoples places, but I would sooner be here because here a man is sure of getting plenty and good tucker. In your next letter tell me about Charlies wedding in case I don’t get anymore. Well Albert old boy I think I have told you all the news. I am sending you some papers and postcards.
Well Albert goodbye
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Allan S
AT SEA, SEPTEMBER
As Allan was writing home to Albert, Charlie was aboard the Shropshire, en route for England and the training grounds of Salisbury. Like Allan he was anxious to reunite all the brothers on the Western Front in the belief that they should fight together.
27th Sept
At Sea
Dear Mother, Father & Brothers,
Just a few lines to you today. I am writing this in case we pass a mail boat or have a chance of posting this, well I am getting on alright now, but the first two days I felt a bit off in the stomach I lost part of me tea one night but put it down to my cold I started to cough and up it came, but now I am very pleased to say that I feel splendid and am enjoying the trip first rate, the sea is very calm especially this last few days, we get splendid food on board and plenty of it. W. Crossman J. Sinclair Wilsin Townsend G. Humbert, L. Cant Tom Roberts and G. Collison are on board with me they were all a bit sick but are quite well again in fact I think a bit of a heave do not do us any harm. We were paid the day we came on and can get almost anything at the canteen on board, there is all sorts of amusements on board and we have a little drill now and again to give us exercise. We are not allowed to say anything about where we are going or the nature of the ship. I wrote to Pearl and told her to tell you that she heard from me if she got the letter, so in case she did not get it and you get this one you could let her know that you heard from me. If at any time you want to find out any thing about any of us write to the Secretary Department Defence Melbourne, we were told to tell our people about this. My address is No 2123 Private C. E Marlow 3rd Refs 38 Batt 10 Inf Brigade A.I.F. England. There is a splendid band on board and also other kind of music, including a piano. I have heard for certain that I being the oldest brother can claim Geordie and get him into my battalion, so when I get abroad I will write to him and see if he is willing to join us. I believe I will see Uncle Arthur on the way over and will let you know later how he is getting on. Just a few lines today as I believe we can post this today I am feeling splendid and enjoying the sea air, the sea is not rough yet, it surprises me to see how calm it is to what I thought it would be. Well I have no more news so will say goodbye hoping all are well as I am,
So goodbye I am your affect son
Charlie
SIX
I NEVER THOUGHT YOU
WOULD LET HIM GO …
THE WESTERN FRONT, OCTOBER
As the weather deteriorated with the approach of the European winter, George remained in the Ypres salient in Belgium where the 1st Division continued to rotate through the front-line trenches.
October 1st 1916
Dear Albert
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping all are the same. I received a letter from you a few days ago saying that Charlie was married and that he was about to sail he didn’t stop long in camp, I didn’t think that he was going to be married before he left. I had a letter from Percy today they are still in England, perhaps Charlie will get there before they leave. Well we have just come out of the trenches, I was only out a day and was writing a letter here in the Y.M.C.A. and the corporal came over and said they wanted some of us to go back again to take part in a raid so I went and was there 3 days, it turned out very successful, we gave them a great doing with bombs. We have just arrived back and am going my hardest writing letters as the mail closes tonight. We are camped in huts here not far behind the firing line there are a Y.M.C.A. and a Picture Show here so it is not too bad. Well it is coming on winter here now the time is put back an hour today, I believe we are to have two blankets this month. I have just found out that Charlie Fyffe and Ewin Johnson are in the 6 Batt. here and that they joined the Batt. while we were in these last trenches. I am going to look them up as soon as possible. I don’t know how long we are out for, don’t think it is for long. The fighting on this front has been very successful lately. Well Albert I have a lot of letters to write so will have to close, hoping all are well.
I remain
Your affectionate Bro
George
The raid George mentioned was a highly risky foray launched in the darkness of 30 September. Clad in balaclavas and with blackened faces, 80 men crawled towards the enemy lines, their mission to take prisoners and collect intelligence. The raid was hailed a success and a number of members of the raiding party decorated for their bravery.
Eighteen-year-old Jack Price, who Allan had been attempting unsuccessfully to have transferred from the 46th Battalion to the 38th, had now reached France. He wrote to Albert with indignation after an earlier letter had been censored, while also hoping that Albert’s parents would follow his own in consenting to his friend’s enlistment.
France
Tuesday Oct 3rd 1916
Dear Albert
A few lines to let you know that I got two letters from you last Saturday. I was pleased to hear that you are all well. I wrote to you yesterday and put in a
song about the Kaiser. I have just been up to the orderly room over the song and also parts of the letter. I did not think there was any harm in sending it to you but I believe I was lucky to get off the way I did. The Officer who censured it said he would let me know in time to catch the mail, if I wanted to go with another letter, so I thought I might as a man never knows his luck when he goes up to the firing line. I hope your father and mother will let you go if you pass when you enlist this time. I was up to see Allan and Percy the night before I left England, there wont be many of you left if you come over too. I suppose I will get to the firing line soon now or I hope so as you get sick of camp … Well laddie I don’t seem to have much to write about and it is nearly dinner time so I will close by wishing you all the best of health and luck.
From your sincere pal
Jack Price
France
Monday October 16/10
Dear Albert
Just a few lines to catch the mail for good old Australia. It is a bonzer day over here today and we have no drill. I have just come off a fatigue party all the same. We are going to get our vote today on conscription and I think will win easy enough here. I got four letters from home on Saturday night. I have not had any from England since I came here I don’t know where they go to. We get issued with plenty of cigarettes over here but they are not much good. We play banker for cigarettes sometimes and I won a lot that way. I was marked an efficient soldier this morning. My mate went into the observation tent yesterday with a bad cold but I hope we get away together. He knows that Collison that used to be at Durham Ox and Salter that used to play football with Calivil. There has been a lot of fights about here lately. We had one in our tent the other day but one fighter spent too much time on the ground. I got down to the village the other day with the chap from the Officers mess for some things. All the townships are out of bounds from our Division. The permanent men can get a pass allright. We get our meals in big mess huts here and the tucker is pretty good lately. Well Albert I must bring this to a close with kind regards to you all from your sincere pal
ANZAC Sons Page 20