ANZAC Sons
Page 67
A week later he reassured Jim that he would be home for the next harvest, a time that had never been too far from his thoughts since his departure from Australia:
… No doubt you are pleased that the harvest is over. It was not such a success this year. Well Jim old boy I will give you the good oil and that is that I will be well home for the next. There is a big draft from the 38th down here now. Percy should have been on it but somehow missed anyway he will be on the next. George Wilson from Macorna is on the draft and he would like to see you all. He is a fine lad and has been a great pal of mine …
Just two days later, Allan replied to Jim’s letter:
France
Monday
24-2-19
Dear Jim
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & trust you all are the same. I received a very nice mail of 13 letters from Aussy a few days ago and needless to mention I was awfully delighted. It was between 7 & 8 weeks since we had received one. The letters were dated from Nov 14 to Dec 27th. Glad to hear the harvest was finished but what I heard I thought it would have turned out better, anyway that is far better than a drought … Well Jim the troops are coming down very quickly now. There is a big draft of 3rd Div here now and will be leaving here on Friday for Blighty then Aussy. I thought Percy would have been on the draft but somehow missed I have written up the demobilization officer to have him put on the next. Geo Wilson from Macorna is on it. He’s a Lieut now, got his commission in October … Please give my very kind regards to Myrtle and tell her that I am writing tomorrow. When you write next time I want you to tell me what parcels you have received since June. I have sent an awful lot since and you don’t seem to get any at all.
Cheerio Allan
MARCH
With over 180,000 Australian men to be repatriated, many with new wives and children, the return to Australia proved a slow process. Ships were in high demand and were scarce. The repatriation was a mammoth task. As the waiting continued, Percy wrote from France. He was no longer with the 38th Battalion but attached to the 3rd Division Headquarters in a position he clearly enjoyed.
8-3-19
Dear Jim
Well old boy, I suppose you have been expecting to hear from me again; I received two letters from you, a short time ago. Still at the Div Wing on Mail man now Jim, some job, do me for a steady job better than with the Battalion. You have finished early with the harvest this year, don’t suppose you are sorry either. Hope you get over to Tasy for your holidays. So Myrtle Saville is engaged, another girl you are going to loose Jim, spose you got one booked Jim, sooner have a nice little Scotch girl Jim, very nice too. Getting a fair share of rain lately, but it is not very cold and I think the snow has finished thank goodness. How is Mum, Dad and Myrtle keeping? Well Jim, I will send those cuttings out of the papers on to Allan. Close now Jim, hoping it finds you all well. I am your loving brother
Percy
MOLOGA
Names of soldiers appearing in the newspapers often sparked curiosity. There were few Marlows living in Australia at the time, certainly as far as the Marlows of Mologa were aware. In total, 28 Marlows enlisted from various locations across the country, including the five sons of Charles and Sarah. Jim wrote to the family of George. H. Marlow who was returning after being listed as a prisoner of war. Reading his name in the newspaper may have sparked some momentary hope for the family. Jim received the following reply:
8 Salisbury Grove
Northcote
17-3-19
Dear Mr Marlow
I received your letter last week have waited to see Father. He lives at Preston Reservoir. The G.H. Marlow you mention is my brother. He arrives home next week after 1 year 8 months in the German’s hands. He was only 17 when he sailed. Father comes from Berkshire England his people were bakers in business Wakingham and Reading. He has one brother and one sister so I don’t know if we can claim relationship or not Father’s parents died when he was a boy he came to Australia coming on 40 years ago. During my leave in England I saw my Uncle. My Aunt came to Australia seven years ago. That is the only relations that Dad knows of. I am very sorry to hear that you have lost three brothers. But trust it will not be long before the other two return home fit and well Your family have done more than their share. I arrived home Xmas Eve and was discharged last month, I have started work at my old trade Painting and Papering not so easy as my last four years job. The reason of different address. My wife and little boy lived with her Mother while I was away at Fenwick St. We are now in our own home I thank you for congratulations on the M.M. I am to get it Wednesday.
I don’t know if you will be able to trace any relationship between us. We may be 42nd cousins anyhow there are not many Marlow’s that we know of. Trusting you will let me know if your people know of my father
I will now conclude
Yours Sincerely
Ern Marlow
Ernest Marlow enlisted in August 1914 at the age of 22 and was awarded the Military Medal in December 1917.3 His brother, George Herbert, was just 17 when he signed up in February 1916. He was captured at Riencourt (near Bullecourt) in April 1917 and interned at Dulmen in Germany for the remainder of the war. His records indicate that he returned to England on 7 December 1918 where he was granted leave until 11 January 1919. He arrived back two days late and was promptly docked two days’ pay. It would seem that some higher authority later saw sense — further documents listing his absence without leave are marked in red ‘in error’.4 I hope George had his pay restored.
FRANCE
France
Wednesday 17-3-19
My Dear Dad
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & trust that you all are the same. It is raining a treat today but not a bit cold. This is just a ruff snap of myself which I had taken when I was in Leicester. It was a bitterly cold snowy day so I didn’t bother to take my coat off. Well dear dad it should not be long before we all get home and then will be time. I met Tom Gray the other day he is splendid & is on his way back.
Well goodbye dear dad
Your Loving Son
Allan
While Allan was anxious to leave for Australia, his priority lay with visiting the graves of his mates and brothers. His departure from France was to be his final farewell:
France
Tuesday 17-3-19
Dear Jim,
… We are having very nice weather here and the trees are getting their foliage back again and the flowers are beginning to bloom. Anyway in a few weeks it will be lovely. I received an Aussy mail a few days ago but only got 1 letter from you & you were at the seaside when writing. It was dam hard luck not being able to get to Tassy. Well Jim old boy I don’t think it will be long before I am home. They are getting them away very fast now. There was another big draft from my div today but were all 9th Brigade. Percy should be on the next one from the tenth away I should be too but I know I wont. I met Tom Gray a couple of days ago. He was going home. I am going to see all the boys graves before I go & have them fixed up. I am also going to Les Townsend & Bill Streets. Jim I am sending you a bit of a ruff photo with this letter. News is not too plentiful so will close with best love to all.
From
Your Loving Brother
Allan SM
While on leave in Leicestershire, Allan had a photo taken to send to his family.
APRIL
Allan’s next letter to Jim is tinged with melancholy. Percy and Allan had been reunited at Le Havre as Percy arrived in the latest draft en route to England and then onward to Australia:
France
12-4-19
Dear Jim,
… Percy arrived down on the 10th Brigade quota a couple of days ago & will be sailing to England about Monday afternoon. He is looking real well. I only wish I could get home with him as all my old boys are on the draft. Tom Alford & Tom Gray are over in England on their way home. I think I am last of the Mologa boys now. By hell I will soon be on my way believe m
e. Ida [Payne] is getting married on the 24th and she wants me to go over and give her away but I cant possibly get away. I think Percy will be there for it. Ida is jolly fine girl and I have got a lot of time for her. She is marrying a very nice man & he is very clever. Well Jim I hope you had a decent trip, it would be rather disappointing not getting over to Tassy. I hope mum went for her trip, it would do her the world of good. I met Joe Stone yesterday, he is looking tip top, and is on his way home. Is Myrtle still at our place. It is jolly good of her to stay there. What a great assistance she must be to mum. We are sending out of here 1 000 men a week so the whole of the AIF should soon be out of it. Well Jim news is not too plentiful so will close with best wishes to all…
Leaving Le Havre — quota of 45 men leaving France in 1919, comprising 10 Officers 12 Sergeants and 98 ORs (image courtesy of the Grinton Collection, Bendigo RSL and Eaglehawk Heritage Society).
At some point Allan purchased a camera, perhaps while on leave in England, and sent home photos taken both during his leave and of his last weeks in France at Le Havre. There were also several from the journey he made to farewell his brothers.
A collection of photos Allan took while at 1 ACD, Le Havre. Allan is second from the left in this image
Possibly a photo of Allan’s quarters which he shared at Le Havre. The officer is admiring a photo.
MAY
Percy had now begun the long journey home. Men of the 38th Battalion had been crossing the channel from Le Havre since February. While married men and those serving the longest had been given priority, Percy’s time to say farewell had now come. He would never return. He departed on the Rio Padro with Knowlson Haw, Tom Dickinson and Austin Henderson on 27 May 1919 and arrived in Australia on 7 July. He had spent just short of three years away from his homeland.
Codford
England
14-5-19
My Dear Jim, Mother & Father
Just a few lines to let you know I am well, and am on my way home. I have had the fourteen days leave and it will not be long now before we will be sailing so I ought not to be long after you get this. Its lovely here now, in fact its getting quite warm. Very sorry to hear Mother has not been too well lately, she wants a good holiday. Expect to get another four days leave before we go. Well Jim I spose you have plenty of work to do just now. News is terrible scarce so I must close with love to all.
I am your loving brother
Percy
MOLOGA, MAY
At home, letters from the Red Cross and those who served alongside Charlie continued to arrive, describing the circumstances of his death. Sarah actively sought more information, writing to a friend of the neighbouring Haw family who obligingly replied and who shared his story of Charlie’s death and of his own narrow escapes. He candidly wrote of his disapproval of the actions of his brother, the rift between brothers not uncommon — a side effect of war which continued to affect families everywhere.
20-5-19
Roughead St
Leongatha
Dear Mrs Marlow
Your welcome letter to hand Saturday dinner-time. We all regret very much to know that 3 of your sons out of the five have paid the price & we all at home send you our deepest sympathy. Sgt Marlow of D Coy. 38th Battn I cant think of his Christian name Frank is it not. It was about middle of April last year 1918 in the morning serving out rations to the lads on his post at about 7 am when he was caught by a bullet from an enemy sniper just in centre of his forehead death being instantaneous. The place being on railway embankment between Mericourt-Ribemount & Albert Somme on main line from Amiens to Bapaume. He is buried just close by with a very nice cross inscribed in white letter black border. My brother Allan is still in England Sgt Major he was on the “Ballarat” when it was torpedoed in the Medderinean Sea. His wife has not had a letter from him for close on 12 month 14th June last year was her last letter he is not playing the game at all she is only [a] young girl not very strong but she is still managing the 5 little children. It seem a down right shame on his part in not writing to her; don’t you think. I suppose it [is] because he wont take the time or trouble if it was on a post card I’ve sent a cable over month now asking for reply but nothing has come through yet. My sister husband is still over there expected home any time now last heard [from] him he was in Belguim (Charlerio) expecting to get to board for home that was in March. I know that Polygon Wood too well. In fact I escape my life by a very narrow margin there at that time October 1917. Yes thank you I am in splendid health. I had trench feet at Xmas 1916 & also received a very nasty gun shot wound at Perrone on 30th Aug 1918 in head just missing my right temple of forehead I have still got the piece the doctor took out of my head in hospital in France so if you or when you happen to be coming up to Leongatha to visit Mr Haw whom I know very well I’ll be able to show it to you. I don’t know when I‘ll be able to pay you a visit I am very busy getting my own ground ready, I’m starting to settle down about Oct or Nov just became engaged about fortnight ago so I’ve got to set to hard work now. Thank you very much for your kind invitation to your place.
Well Mr & Mrs Marlow & rest of your family hoping this finds you all well I will now close.
With best of health & wishes to all
I remain
Yours Sincerely
Bruce Nelson
THE WESTERN FRONT, JUNE
Allan knew that his time to bid farewell to the Western Front and his beloved brothers was now close. He took leave before travelling to London and paid his final respects to his brothers, farewelling also those friends both old and new who had survived the Great War. Like Percy, he was never to return.
Postcard of Lille
Lille
13-6-19
My Dear Mum & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know that I am in Lille. I landed at Paris last night & came through Brulles to here today. I am on leave with a Padre from the demobilization depot. I am on my way to Messines tomorrow to see Alberts grave then going to see Georges at Popperinghe and then down on to the Somme to see Charlie also to take a photo of them. Then I am returning through Germany back to Paris and then to England. Well dear mum 2 1/2 years ago we were fighting just behind this place. Cheerio dear mum & Dad & best love
Allan XXXX
Postcard Paris
Paris
18-6-19
My dear Mum & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & trust that you all are the same. I am leaving Paris to day for Havre and on Friday I sail to England. I have had a wonderful trip I went and seen all the boys graves and took a photo of them. I will tell you all about the trip when I get home. So goodbye & best love from
Allan XXXX
Allan standing beside George’s grave. Allan visited the resting place of each of his brothers prior to leaving France.
MOLOGA, JULY
As Allan prepared to leave France, Percy arrived home and the local communities welcomed their brave sons who had survived the carnage, holding gala evenings with songs, dance and speeches. At Mologa Amos Haw, who George often mentioned as close by in the trenches, was welcomed home, as was Tom Alford. Tom, Jim’s laconic mate, disembarked on 21 July 1919. His family tells the story of the day he marched down the gangplank onto the wharf. A representative of the fledgling Returned Sailor’s and Soldier’s Imperial League of Australia stopped Tom and suggested he sign up as a member. Tom asked, ‘Is it compulsory?’ Having been told it was not, Tom replied, ‘Well get out of my way then.’ Tom was home and it was time to forget the war; he rarely spoke of his experiences, did not attend an RSL meeting or an Anzac Day service. He later married the sister of Les Townsend who had lost his life in the closing stages of the war. Tom’s daughter married my uncle, Allen Marlow Junior.
CORPORALS J RYAN AND T. GRAY; LANCE-CORPORAL P MARLOW AND PRIVATES. T. ALFORD, AMOS HAW
MOLOGA. On Thursday 24th inst., residents of Mologa and surrounding districts assembled in full force at C Jones’ barn to welcom
e home the following soldiers.—Corporals J Ryan and T. Gray ; L-Corpl P Marlow and Ptes. T. Alford, Amos Haw. The president of the Patriotic League, Mr. W. Fyffe, occupied the chair. The barn was very tastefully decorated with flags and bunting, and as the soldiers took their seats they were loudly applauded and the chairman then welcomed them back. If I were to write down all the speeches and all the good things that were said of the “Diggers” by the many speakers it would take up a lot of space in this paper. It is almost needless to mention that every speaker warmly welcomed them home and praised them for their gallant work at the front. After the chairman had welcomed the men, all present sang Home, Sweet Home, which was followed by the National Anthem. The concert which followed was much appreciated … 5
Percy received another warm welcome from the community of Calivil North where he had spent some time at school:
LANCE- CORPORAL PERCY MARLOW
Calivil North.
A welcome home was accorded to Lance-Corporal Percy Marlow on Wednesday evening 6th inst, in Mr George Mahoney’s barn, which was nicely decorated for the occasion. Lance-Corporal Marlow is the first of Mr and Mrs C. Marlow’s five sons to return to his native land, three of whom have made the supreme sacrifice for King and country …
L.-Corpl. Marlow on rising to respond was received with great cheering. He thanked them all, his friends for their kind words and the gifts, which he said he did not deserve, as he had simply done his duty. The Chairman then said they had another duty to perform that night, that of presenting to Mr. and Mrs. D. Townsend a framed memorial of their son Leslie, who was killed in action in August, 1918, and he asked the Rev. Nichols to make the presentation. In doing so Mr. Nichols said the occasion was of necessity a sad one, for the residents were paying a tribute of loving sympathy to the memory of one whom they held in high esteem. Mr. David Townsend feelingly responded and thanked the residents for their kindness …6