George
L/Corp G.T. Marlow
After ten months of war, George had lost contact with many of the mates with whom he had trained. As he explained to his father, some were now casualties. Less than a fortnight later, George wrote to his mother of a chance meeting with Tom Alford, Jim’s mate from Mologa. It was a little over 12 months since they had last seen each other, yet George remarks on how Tom has altered. Perhaps Tom thought the same of George. The young men of World War I had left their youth behind and had become hardened, many also haunted by their experiences.
France
Jan 19th 1917
Dear Mother
I received yours and Jim’s letters dated Nov 26. You seem to be having funny weather, we had a heavy fall of snow a few nights ago, it is warm while it is snowing but after it gets cold. Albert has arrived in England after a very long time on the water I might get over on leave in time to see him there, Charlie is over here now but haven’t seen him or the others yet, I had a letter from Allan he had been in the trenches and was out for Xmas. Percy is isolated for mumps. I met Tom Alford a few days ago but only had about 5 minutes to speak to him as he was marching up to the trenches and we were about to move, he looks well but seems to have altered a little. We are out of the trenches now but don’t know how long …
While George was rotated through the trenches, to the north Charlie remained in the isolation camp. As his letters to his mother and uncle suggest, he and his comrades were anxious for mail to arrive with its news of home.
Jan 7th 1917
France
Dear Jim
… I am in an isolation camp still, we are not overburdened with drill and I suppose we will be going up the line soon after we come out, I have written to the boys twice since I have been here but so far I have not got any word from them, I have also written to Payne’s in Leicester but have not got any reply as yet the mail do not run very often to England or I would get some letters as Ida said she would write to me, but I hope this week will bring me some news from there of Albert. We have French money over here we are paid in French money and hardly ever see British money, since we have been over here we get issued to us every week 4 packets of cigarettes and one box of matches so we don’t do too bad as regards smokes, Alf Ferris is in this camp with us, also Ottery and Guinane I have not seen Wilson Townsend but I believe he is over here and Jack Sinclair also. Bill Crossman was in Hurdcott when I saw him last. I suppose you will be finished harvest by now how did the crop turn out how did Mahoneys crop yield and who took it off are they pooling the wheat this year the same as last wheat is a big price in England now …
To his uncle, Charlie wrote:
… We get the “Daily Mail” over here every day but there is not much news in it other than war. There is canteens here just the same as England and they sell every thing from beer upwards, we get issued every week with 4 packets of cigarettes and one box of matches since we have been in France and women come round selling fruit cakes lollies postcards etc. I suppose you will be finished up with the harvest by now I believe the crops yielded well in Australia this harvest, wheat is a great price over here. Is there any more young fellows about Calivil declared war yet I think a few more from around that could come and lend a hand …
11th January 1917
France
Dear Mother,
… it has been raining here a good deal lately and today it is snowing it is the first snow that I have been in since we have been in France, we have been confined to our tents this last three days with the wet, it rains over here more often than when we were in England but is not near as cold, I have not received any letters from you or from Pearl since I have been over here I have been expecting a letter from Ida but so far have not received any I write to them every week and also sent a letter to England for Albert but so far I have not heard anything of him the mails to England do not run very often but I hope to get a letter from Paynes this week. I am still in the isolation camp we go for a rout march one day and to the training camp the next so you will see that we are not over burdened with work, Jack McDonald from Pyramid is in here I also met one of the Jaspers from out Pine Grove way the other day he is in the same battalion as we are, we get the papers here every day at about 4 oclock so we see how things are going. I suppose they will have finished up with the harvest by now, wheat is a high price over here and bread is very dear, but I think on an average things are cheaper here than in England Capstan cigarettes were 4d a packet in Lark Hill and the same cigarettes over here are 3d and yet they are made in England and sent across, we are issued with 4 packets and a box of matches every week so we do not do too bad for smokes. I write to the boys every week and to you also …
A week later, he wrote to his mother again:
… I have not got any mail from Australia for a good while, but I believe Allan is getting his letters alright and perhaps my letters may have gone to the battalion so Al will perhaps get them for me. We get the paper here every day and there is Australian news in it at times I saw two Pyramid papers and a Bendigonian last week. Jack McDonald from Pyramid got them. All the news of the show was in it and I saw where the Gordon Shire and the Dimboola Shire were neutral and up to the time it was printed they had decided not to declare war. I am not fighting yet but suppose it will not be long before we will be going up the line, it has been very miserable weather over here this last two weeks raining and snowing nearly every day, but still it is better over here than at Lark Hill …
Charlie took the opportunity to read about the news from home, critical of reports indicating that the Gordon Shire, in which Mologa was located, had chosen not to promote conscription. The Federal government’s recruitment scheme required local governments to be actively involved in recruitment campaigns to the point of quotas being issued. An article in The Argus of 25 December 1915 states that, of the 50,000 men then promised, the quota for the Gordon Shire was 32 men — nine soldiers per month.
France
21st Sunday Jan 1917
Dear Jim,
… I got another letter from Ida she said that Albert was up at their place, she said she would have known him from the rest of us, he did not go to Drayton as it was a terrible day and about a foot of snow on the ground, I was expecting a letter from him, but so far have not received any. I saw the Pyramid papers last week and the Bendigonian, they were sent to Jack McDonald I saw in one of them about the Gordon Shire deciding not to take any part in the conscription bill also Dimboola shire they are apparently the only two pro German shires in Victoria, they ought to change the name of Gordon Shire Councillors to German Shire Councillors for they are little better. We will be coming out of here some time this week and I suppose it will not be long before we go up the line. I don’t think Albert will be over here for a good while as he is too young for the winter fighting. It has been very cold over here lately but the winter is getting on and it will soon be getting into the warmer months. We get the paper here everyday the Anzacs are playing football in Paris today I would like to have seen it as I believe Paris is a grand place, I saw some very nice houses when on a route march yesterday they were a fair way out from the town …
Charlie and Percy were reunited just prior to making their way to the front-line trenches around Armentieres. One can only imagine the delight of meeting a family member on distant shores and Allan’s pleasure at the arrival of his brothers in his own D Company although, as a later letter reveals, their arrival may well have been met with some reservation.
On 29 January, 800 men from all battalions of the 10th Brigade were selected for a raiding party to conduct a large-scale assault in February. Allan indicates in his letter of 8 February that his commanding officer had asked him if he wanted Percy ‘on this stunt’. Allan had refused the offer, replying that ‘one of us is quite enough’. Allan left Charlie and Percy at their billets and moved to nearby Erquinghem for training. Within days both Charlie and Percy were to gain their first experience of warfare in
the trenches of Bois-Grenier to the south of Armentieres.20
Charlie penned a brief note before moving out to join his battalion:
France
24th Jan 1917
Dear Jim,
… Percy and I are leaving for the front we will be both together and will be with Allan, I have not heard from Albert but got a letter from Ida to say that he was up there on leave I also got a letter from Flo Wilson and one from May Payne they were all well.
I did not hear from Geordie but Paynes and Allan heard from him and he was alright, I have not much time so will have to ring off I will write whenever I can I am writing to Pearl tonight, I have not heard from you for a good while. Well I will say goodbye for this time again hoping you are all well so once again goodbye
I am your affect. brother
Charlie
Allan wrote to tell his mother that his brothers had arrived at their billets:
…Well dear mum we are out on a decent spell now and it is very acceptable too. We are having very cold weather now, but we are in nice warm billets & have a good fire going Charlie & Percy both joined up the battalion yesterday. They are both in D Company with me. They have had a good time especially Percy. My officer is going to get Charlie into the Lewis Gun. I have not heard from Geordie for a while now. He is fighting a long way from us…
ENGLAND, JANUARY
Albert soon settled into the training routine at Larkhill and was entertained by the many letters from home, some of which amused him, while others appeared somewhat disheartening:
Jan 4th 1917
Dear Jim
Just a few lines to say I have received two letters from you, rather interesting ones at that, I damn near died laughing at the one I got this morning. An Australian mail came in today, I got 10 letters, one each from you 1 from Mum, Myrtle Saville, Auntie Florrie, Mollie Gamble, Dolly Rowe, G. Price, Myrtle, and Will Stone, and one from Dolly Burgoyne that was addressed to Royal Park. When they were giving out the letters to me, all the boys said – the lucky devil. I also got two from Leicester today. One from Ida Payne, and one Charlie had left there for me. I was sorry to hear about those buggars you called traitors etc. I suppose they will all get out of going into camp now. I got a letter from M. Saville and she said, “I hope you have a good time in England before you go to the death-bed.” Rather encouraging isn’t it. I was sorry to hear you did not have a tart for the show. Why didn’t you get Eva. By your letter you seem rather taken up by her, so I will not be surprised to hear anything now. Your letter was rather amusing about Tom Reigel. I fancy I can see him now, with the straw in his mouth and kicking the dirt with his hoof. I got those letters from J. Price they were a bit funny, especially about the saluting. If the M.P.’s see you pass an officer without saluting him, you are in for a warm time. I was glad to hear you got the photos. Don’t forget to send one to Dolly Rowe. If you ever go to Bendigo, you ought to go into Brown’s and see her. I got a very nice letter from her today. Well Jim you asked me how I liked the snow I have been here a week and haven’t seen any yet. There is 4 blankets for every man in the huts and last night they issued us with another blanket, one that we take to the front with us, also a pair of black boots, that weigh about 9lbs and a pair of gloves. It is not cold at night as we have 5 blankets to sleep in, besides the waterproof sheet and the overcoat. Tell Mum not to worry about me being cold. I think it is colder in the day time than it is at night. Anyway we don’t have time to get cold in the daytime. We drill with our overcoats on, and some days with the equipment on. They don’t waste any time drilling here. Everything is at the double, meals and all. The tucker is good here. One doesn’t care a damn how stiff the drill is, as long as the tucker is good. Aeroplanes are as thick as bees here. I counted 17 this morning. They sound like a harvester, when they are about 3 000 feet up. Harry Street applied for a transfer to the artillery but was refused. He is trying to get out of going into the trenches. Jimmy O’Hare is in this company. He is likely to get into trouble again. He got down on some of the kits, he is the biggest waster in the company. Les Cant from Pine Grove is camped about 50 yds from my hut …
Lark Hill Camp
Amesbury
Jan 5th
My Dear Mother
… Since I last wrote to you, we have been drilling fairly solid. We got inoculated again tonight. It is a dam nuisance. We get our 4 days leave on Monday. I was sorry to hear that the referendum was defeated, and that the shirkers are still at large. Well Mum, you seem to think that I will be cold here, but it is no colder than Australia so far. We have 5 blankets, and a waterproof sheet and an overcoat to sleep in. Also we drill in uniforms, and as they keep you moving we never get cold. They issued us with gloves yesterday also a pair of boots, that take all hour to up-end them. The tucker is very good here so far … It doesn’t cost me much here, as I hardly ever smoke and the only thing I get is a few buns sometimes. They are very cheap here. Well dear Mum, I suppose Mologa is busy with wheat carting. I was supposed to get teeth out today, but when I got to the dentist, he said he wouldn’t bother, so I didn’t bother either. Well dear Mum, news is very scarce here, so I will ring off, hoping all are well as it leaves me at present.
I am
Your Loving Son
Albert
Excuse the scribble as the light is bad. We had a dance in the hut a while ago. I have not received the tin yet.
Lark Hill
Jan 10th 17
Dear Dad,
Just a line to let you know I am still going strong. We got our 4 days leave on Tuesday, and got out to London at 2 o’clock. I then caught the train to Leicester. I sent a telegram to Ida Payne to tell her I was coming and she was out at the station to meet me. I got there at 6 oclock, They were all home except Clem. He is on the H.M.S. Fox and is at present in Bombay, where the Fox is getting repaired. Paynes have a very nice house. They were very nice to me, and I had a real good holiday, only it wasn’t half long enough. On Wednesday Ethel and I went all over Leicester. We went to the Museum and saw a lot of old Roman war images that were dug up in the streets of Leicester. I have often heard you speak of Daniel Lambert. In the museum there is a photo [of] him, the chair he used to sit in, and a pair of his trousers and a waistcoat. He weighed 52 stone. I sent you some postcards of Leicester. I was under the St Mary’s Gateway, and also saw the magazine. Then we went to the Church where Auntie was married in, St Martins, and also saw the other churches there. They look very old. I don’t know if you remember the Drury wall, there is only a few feet left of it now. It is a wall that the Romans built around a part of Leicester, Auntie and I were going to Drayton on the Thursday to see Aunt Charlotte, but through the night there was a heavy fall of snow. Wilson’s place is 3 miles from the station, so it was too far for Auntie to walk in the snow. It was no use me going on my own as they did not know I was coming. I would have liked to have gone over to see them, but it was too bad a day for Auntie. I left Leicester at 5 oclock on Friday night, and didn’t get back to camp till half past two on sat morning. We had to get up at 6.30 and after breakfast went for a 10 mile march. Some of our fellows stopped 2 days over leave and got 28 days in clink with their pay stopped. One of the corporals has not come back yet. If they catch him he will most likely go up in front of a brick wall. They are very strict here. If you go on parade with a button undone they will crime you. The officer that was over us before is not with us now, and a damn good job. I said in my letters from the boat, that our officers were good, but we couldn’t say anything else as they censored our letters. He used to try and bounce the men. He used to roar Harry Street up a treat. Harry applied for a transfer to the artillery but they wouldn’t listen to him. Now he is going to try and get transferred to the Army Service Corps. He wants to get out of going into the trenches. His feet are very cold. There is 50 men going to France out of our company soon, and Harry will most likely have to go, as he has had a lot of drill. I got the tin that Mum sent on Saturday, also a box from the Australian War Contingent
in London. This notepaper was in it. Well Dad, I have not heard from the other boys yet, but Ida got letters from all of them. I think Geordie will soon get his leave, as a lot are coming out of the trenches now on leave. Well Dad, I think I have told you all so I will close hoping you are all well as it leaves me at present,
I remain
Your Loving Son
Albert
Harry Marlow is still in the hospital and I think he will not be much good for anything, when he gets out. I got a Bendigo Advertiser yesterday, and it had our photos in it, I also saw in the Bendigonian where Jim is made president of the Farmers Union in Mologa.
An article entitled ‘Mologa Family: Five Sons Serving the Empire’ appeared in the Bendigo Advertiser in late November. The article included a photo of Sarah and images of each of her soldier sons. There was generous praise for the family:
… Only one son remains at home. All were members of the Mologa Football Club, and being thoroughly good sportsmen, it is small wonder that, one after the other, they are all finding their way to the front to fight the battles of their country. No small measure of satisfaction must be felt by both Mr and Mrs Marlow in the knowledge that their duty to their country has been well done … 21
The propaganda and pressure to enlist could be as overt as large coloured posters and the anonymous delivery of white feathers; it could also be as subtle as public tributes to a family shouldering a great burden for their country. To Albert the publicity meant little, he was a soldier and he had embarked on a wonderful adventure.
Albert made the most of his leave and enthusiastically wrote home to his father of the sights he had seen, particularly those with which his father was familiar. Prudently, Albert was not one of the many Australians who chose not to return from leave at the designated time, staying days, sometimes months past their return date. While Albert appears concerned that one such soldier may face the firing squad, this severest of penalties was never enforced against an Australian soldier in World War I. The Australian government refused to endorse the death penalty, much to the annoyance of British authorities who considered this attitude a factor in the lack of discipline for which the Australians were renowned. While the volunteers of the AIF may have been considered undisciplined given their contempt for military courtesies and rules, their initiative, staunchness, loyalty and sense of comradeship would later mark them as among the finest shock troops of the Allied forces.
ANZAC Sons Page 30