TWENTY THREE
… ITS ABOUT OVER NOW
NOVEMBER
In France, the Australians remained out of the line. Joe Stone wrote to Jim with optimism that the war would soon end. He could not have envisaged that the end to the dreadful slaughter was just days away.
France
November 4-18
Dear Jim Just a --- in haste hoping it finds all in the best of health as it leaves me at present. Well Jim it is getting a little on the cold side again now but I have not put on a flannel yet you do not feel the cold so much if you don’t put them on until you feel it a bit. I had a few letters from Aussy a few days a go. All the beginning of Aug so you see they take a good while to reach here. The war looks good now only Jerry left in it I think we can lead him a pretty good dance on it. I suppose Mologa is just as quiet as ever. I hear all the girls are getting caught. So I think I will do my dash over here. Well Jim it is tea time & I am short of news. So I will Ring Off
I Remain
As Ever
Joe [Stone]
On 9 November, as the Australians were preparing to return to the front, the Kaiser abdicated. Revolution and the proclamation of a republic had ended his reign as Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia. He fled to the Netherlands and never returned to Germany.
On the night of 9 October the German armistice delegation crossed the line in northern France. On 11 November, in a railway carriage at a forested siding at Compiegne, the armistice was signed. It was 5.00 am. In six hours all hostilities were to cease. The armistice marked the end of a global catastrophe.
At 11.00 am the armistice took effect. All operations on the Western Front abruptly halted. An eerie silence fell on the killing fields. The slaughter was over. The Australian soldiers, expecting soon to return to the front line, remained where they were. An air of disbelief pervaded the ranks.
For the troops who had been consumed by the grinding slaughter of the war, peace appeared beyond comprehension. Many could not understand what peace really meant. A deathly silence hung in the air that for four long years had reverberated with the roar of artillery, the chatter of machine-guns and the cries of the wounded and dying. The reality of peace must have been difficult to comprehend. Allan wrote home, continuing to reassure his family that Percy would remain out of the line. Perhaps for Allan an end to the war was simply too good to be true. He had heard stories of the war coming to an end before, and may have assumed that this was yet another wild furphy.
The 38th Battalion diary simply recorded:
Telegram received from Brigade at 7.45 stating that the Armistice had been signed. Training proceeds.
The following day, little had changed:
Training as per syllabus 1
The telegram with the news that the war had ended arrived a little later at the 1st Australian Convalescent Depot at Le Havre where Allan continued in his role as censor. The 1600 men who were fit to parade were assembled and the news was read to them. The Convalescent Depot War Diary records that the proclamation was ‘received enthusiastically’ but that discipline was maintained. The soldiers were marched to the parade ground and then dismissed to continue with their routine. At 5.00 pm that afternoon, the Depot Band marched through Le Havre where the residents cheered the musicians warmly. They marched and played until 9.00 pm, a crowd following them through the town. The diary attributed the ‘maintenance of good order and discipline’ to the impromptu concert. Any concerns that the troops would become ‘unsettled’ remained unrealised.2
While the devastating war had truly ended, it left the darkest of legacies in its wake. The number of lives lost could never be accurately determined. Historian John Terraine suggests that the estimates of 12 million lives fall far short of the actual number.3 Another 20 million were listed as wounded. This was a tragedy on a scale that beggars belief. What is certain is that, of the total Allied battle casualties, Australia suffered 64.8% killed or wounded, proportionally the highest of all Allied fighting forces. According to Charles Bean, of the 416,809 men who enlisted, 331,781 fought and of these 59,342 were killed with another 152,171 men wounded.4 Some were wounded time and again. Many had sustained wounds that were not visible to the eye, emotional and psychological scars which no treatment could ever erase.
The portion of a group photo taken on Armistice Day near Le Havre. The inscription reads: ‘Taken on 11.11.18 at Rouelles, France 1st ACD.’ Allan is seated far left, middle row with arms folded.
Allan’s first letter to Jim following the end of the war contains little euphoria. Rather, there are signs of confusion. His reassurance to his family that Percy would not go back to the line, that ‘everything is fixed for him to keep out’, could imply that he thought there was more fighting to come, yet he also acknowledges that there are now excellent opportunities for the Australians to travel.
France
13-11-18
Dear Jim
Just a few lines to let you know both Percy & I are excellent & trust that you all are the same. I received such a lovely lot of letters (24) from Aussy the other day and was so awfully delighted. I received 8 or 9 from you all. I also got the photos they are dam fine and Jim believe me they made me think for awhile. Well Jim I was very pleased to hear that there are every indications of a good year. You must have found it dam lonely out yonder but it is nice to have visitors out there. Jim I think I told you I had a letter from Pearl at last. In my last letter I told you that Bosch would turn it in and of course you will have heard that by now. What rejoicing there will be in Aussy now wont those cold footers be pleased. Oh it is a pity we never got conscription over there and some of those damned cold footers would have had a taste of it. They will get a hell of a lively time when all of the boys get back. The Bramly boys have had hard luck. Well Jim someone has to go but unfortunately they all seem to go from one family. Well now Jim I suppose you are awfully busy over there, there is no doubt you all have had a lot of work since we all came away but I honestly believe that we will be home about next August or Sept well anyway let us hope so. Yes I am still at the base and I believe I will be here until the finish. I was so awfully pleased to hear that you got 14 letters from me I tell you I am always writing but I cannot understand why you never got any from Percy. I always hear from him. Fancy them dam fools arguing over a soldier’s parcel I cannot make them out at all. It seems petty and ridiculous. I will get a lot of parcels this week. Mrs Stone has sent me more by jove they are awfully good to us. I say you all may rest assured that Percy does not go back to line. He has not been in the trenches since January and everything is fixed for him to keep out you might tell mum & dad that I was so pleased to hear Myrtle was still over there and it is awfully good of her mother to let her stay. No doubt she is great company for mum. Jim every letter I get from Etta is about Milne so I just wrote back & told her that he was in the trenches but was in England. She is always talking about Pearl and of course I don’t know whether it is true or not and I don’t think she should say anything to us about it. I don’t mind if it comes from home because then I know it is true… There are lots of things I could tell you but it does [not] do [to] put it in letters as you never know where they go. Yes I was awfully pleased to meet Tommy A. I have just sent home some photos and will be sending home some later on. I cabled for money as I am going to Paris just before Xmas and may go on to Italy. It is a great opportunity for us now. Jim I think I told you before that I had finished with the girl at P.H. about 12 months ago. It was getting too hot for me anyway I bet I get a stir from them when I return. Dam the girls Jim I will use my head next time. You might tell me if Dad & mum know that. Don’t forget Jim. The boss always had the spike in me over that I will never forget the last to [of] leaves I had at home the boss gave me a dam hard time especially the last time you may remember that anyway don’t forget. Well now Jim I have sent home a lot more Anzacs [Anzac Bulletins] hope you get them alright. The French people have gone fairly silly over here now but they have good reason to do s
o. Billy Hughes is shaking them up in England over the sums. Well now Jim this is all the news tonight so will close trusting all are well.
I remain
Your Loving Son [brother]
Jim there is a note in here for mum but give to her privately
I have put it in a separate envelope. [not found]
The Bramly boys, who had ‘hard luck’ as Allan describes, had both once lived at nearby Mincha West, their parents pioneers in the district. Lance Corporal Horace Bramley was killed in action in early 1918.5 His younger brother, Private Charles Bramley, returned to the front after 14 months’ convalescence and was killed on 10 August 1918.6 Small townships all over Australia had lost so many of their young men.
Allan standing far left; photo taken on Armistice Day.
France
December 1st 1918
Dear Jim,
Just a rough photo of two pals & self which was taken the day the armistice was signed so it has rather an historical touch with it. One of the officers is an Adelaide boy & the other a Sydney boy I think I came out best of the lot.
Cheerio old boy
From AS Marlow
Allan was now turning his thoughts to home. He expresses unease over his lack of letters to the family of his earlier romantic interest in Pyramid Hill, while his concern for Pearl is clearly troubling him.
Postmarked Nov 14- 18
Dear Jim
I very seldom hear from Pearl as a matter of fact only once since dear old Charlie was killed, she take it dam cold. I am afraid anyway. I sent you that letter to see for your self Jim tell me all you know about the people at hill don’t forget I am rather anxious to see how things are.
ASM
Allan included the letter from Pearl in which she appears to be seeking reassurance that Charlie’s personal belongings would be returned to her and baby Eva. Allan had sent them home to his mother and they may have eventually been passed to Pearl. The diary which Pearl mentions was not with the collection of letters and personal items.
208 Barnard St
Bendigo
August 6th 1918
Dear Allan,
Just a line in answer to your letters, I received one this morning so thought I would answer it at once, not put it off as I have done the other letters. Allan I got your kind letters telling me about my dear one, it was good of you to write and tell me and I thank you very much. Allan dear no one knows how much I feel my loss, words are useless to describe how I miss my dear husband although we were parted I knew he was always thinking of me and his baby Eva, how I do miss his letters. I am so pleased to know his personal belongings are safe I will value them more than anything. Allan dear Charl told me that he was keeping a diary that will be lovely for baby to have, when she is older she will value her father’s things very much. I would be pleased to know you was well out of the firing line Allan it is terrible for your Mother dear to know you are there. I have not seen your Mother only for a few minutes the day I came home from Kerang. I got your cable Allan thank you for sending it. I suppose Allan your people will have told you how Charlie made his will. Allan all our people are well, Annie received your letter also Percy’s.
I can’t write any more Allan dear so will close, from your loving sister Pearl.
Allan wrote on the bottom of Pearl’s letter:
13-11-18
Dear Jim
This is the first letter [I] have had from Pearl since Charlie was killed I have sent home some of his personal belongings to Mum. The war is practically finished Jim I am writing you a long letter and a note for mum & you.
So Cheerio
Your Loving Bro
Allan
Percy wrote his first letter home since the signing of the armistice, simply indicating that there had been ‘some joy’ when the news was announced. It seems the Australians were being cautious in case the announcement was later revealed as simply another rumour. A few days on, and with time to contemplate, Percy was hopeful of returning home soon.
In the field
15.11.18
Dear Jim, Mother & Father,
…. Well the news is good; it’s about over now, there was some joy here when the news came over so in the course of the next twelve months or so, we ought to be home. Having a pretty good time here now, at the Div Wing, good meals and not a great lot to do. Did you cable five pounds over. I was notified from the bank that there was five pounds there for me, which I am getting put in my pay book for the next blighty leave. Well Jim, I spose you are busy with the harvest now. Over here the weather has been good, for this time of the year, had no snow so far, a few nice frosts, the nights are a bit cold, but I have plenty of blankets, so am set. Well Jim, there is no news at present, expecting an Ausy mail.
Well goodbye for the present hoping all are well your loving brother Percy
On 19 November Allan was admitted to the hospital at Le Havre suffering from tonsillitis. He remained there for ten days before he recovered and returned to his duties at the base where keeping the troops meaningfully occupied was now paramount. Lectures in mathematics, French, history, English, book-keeping and shorthand along with regular concerts, dances and sporting events were all on offer. Later in the month, with the constant stream of sick and wounded now abating, the depot had an abundance of beds available. All sick or wounded Australians who had been discharged from hospital spent their convalescence at the depot in Le Havre.7
France
27-11-18
Dear Jim
Well old boy I am dropping you a few lines to let you know that I am progressing very well indeed. I wrote to mum the other day told her I was in hospital with toncilitus. Of course I suppose you have received a cable about it. But don’t get the wind up. I am alright it was just a swelling under the jaws. In ordinary life one would not take any notice of it. But Jim I am in the army and the armistice has been signed & they are awfully good to us and will give us rest for toothache now. You know what I mean. Well I am in a dam nice hospital, right on the beach in Havre, We get plenty of good food & there are very nice sisters here. So everything is ok. I will be going back to my depot about Saturday. Well Jim everything is at a standstill over here now & there are great rumours that we are going to Egypt. It will be a dam good job if we do as we will be nearer home & when we do sail it will not take us so long. Well Jim old boy it has been raining a treat this last few days. It is getting very close to Xmas now. I hope you have a good harvest I believe you have every prospects of it. Jim I was just wondering whether that block of Reily is sold yet. I think we will buy that when I get back. What do you say. I received a very nice parcel from Lily Stone just before I came into hospital. They are awfully good people. They have sent quite a number of parcels to me & post the same to the other boys. Well Jim old boy I will close with best love to all & trust all are well.
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Allan
I had another letter from Percy the other day. He is splendid and having a good time.
PYRAMID HILL, NOVEMBER
At home the celebrations reverberated across the country as Australians thronged the streets in an outburst of public jubilation. For others, the armistice did little to ease the heartache, the dreadful gaping hole left by the loss of their loved ones now in graves on the other side of the world. In Pyramid Hill the celebrations were reported in detail by the local newspaper:
THE ARMISTICE
The news of the most significant event of the past four years was telegraphed to Pyramid Hill on Monday night, and it transformed the quiet township into a centre of hilarious rejoicing and harmless noise. The clang of the church and fire bells roused the people from their slumbers and soon the streets were thronged by the crowd, who with band instruments, bells, beating of tins and other means greatly accentuated the feelings of rejoicing and thankfulness … The fire bell was rung with such vigour that the bolt broke and bell fell the forty feet to the ground, and fortunately the ringers were on the outsid
e of the tower and no one was hurt … A copy of the telegram from the Governor-General, stating that the armistice had been signed, was read; and the people stood in silent respect for those who sorrowed for fallen ones. On Tuesday morning flags were hoisted, and school-boys, revelling in unusual liberty, paraded the town, beating tins and ringing bells, only stopping for the several ice-cream “shouts” which were offered in appreciation of their efforts …8
LE HAVRE, DECEMBER
While nations the world over celebrated, Allan’s reaction was more muted. With Christmas and his birthday approaching, he wrote to his parents and Jim on a series of postcards and photos. His letters home had tended to spare the family descriptions of the worst moments of the war, and Allan had written of the daily routine: the weather, the harvest, how many letters and parcels he had received. However, with thoughts of home as his birthday and Christmas approached, he was clearly struggling with his grief.
5 Postcards of Perth
Havre
1-12-18
My Dear Dad & Mum
Just another few lines to let you know that I am absolutely better again now. I am back in my depot again I was not to go out until tomorrow but I have to go to Rouen tomorrow on duty I will be there 3 days. It will be a nice little spell for me. Well dear dad it is a “awful day” with cold wind & showers. I think it is going to snow I hope so anyway because it is much warmer when it is snowing. This is the first cold spell we have had & it is not bad at all. There will never be a winter like we had in 1916, by jove that was terror. I would sooner be dead than have to stand another like that, especially with the mud up to your waists. Well dad it is nearing Xmas again, those dear boys gone. This time last year dear old Charlie & I were trying to get to Paris but they stopped all leave. Oh dad I miss those dear boys but not as much as you at home do as the whole time I think they are still with me. Sometimes I cannot realize they are gone, but they are. When I leave France and the going home and when I get home will be the time I feel it. No doubt the war has brought sadness on our little home. I never like to mention about the boys as I am afraid it worries you all [the] more but today I cannot help it as there has been a big discussion of the going home & I cannot help thinking about the boys. There is no doubt Mologa has suffered badly. Well dear dad I suppose you are all awfully busy with the harvest now. I hope everything turns out well. I am sure we will be home for the next. I am going to send home some of my books a few odds and ends. I will be in Paris for Xmas and will send you all a little present from there. Well dear dad & mum I will say goodbye now with best love from your loving son.
ANZAC Sons Page 65