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Quinton-F-W-J-Driver-12965

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 1 year, 11 months ago

Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

The Quinton family farewells Fred Quinton in 1916. Courtesy of Wilma Quinton.

Quinton F W J Driver 12965 Frederick William James AASC 21 Clerk Single Meth

Address: Flemington, Shields St, 109

Next of Kin: Quinton, William J, father, 109 Sheilds St, Flemington

Enlisted: 9 Sep 1916

Embarked: A38 Ulysses 25 Oct 1916

Prior service: 3 years Citizen Forces; 2 years Senior Cadets 58B.

Mentioned in this publication:

Farewell at Mr Wright's, Essendon Gazette 26 Oct 1916

5th Divisional Supply Column, 11.6.17;

1st Divisional Supply Column, 16.1.18;

1 Divisional Motor Transport Co, 12.3.18;

Returned to Australia via the Argyllshire.

Discharged 3MD 6.11.19.

Letter from William Thomas Quinton to his son Fred Quinton on his departure for the war.

Courtesy of Wilma Quinton.

109 Shield St

Flemington

15/1/17

My Dear Boy,

Doubtless ere you read this we will have received your long looked for missive of your journey in the far away how long it has seemed to me how I miss you my son time seems long for you are ever before me in my thoughts day and night space seems as nothing while thinking of your movements, you experiences no doubt are many & varied even in this short time you are now in the great city of wonders even with it all your thoughts are our thoughts of home with its many little comforts which now are not yours but let them keep evergreen before you and keep your pathway straight let no temptation mar your onward course to success keep your mind and body clean for only one thing I live for and its your home coming but Son we know not what is before us our faith must be in God for his ways are not our ways but our prayers are heard how I look on that photo ere I retire you cannot conceive he comfort it gives me when I look on that empty bed it brings many thoughts back to my memory of your growing up to manhood then I think how soon my idol was taken from me but you will come back again to us to relate all your experience I feel full of faith for I know you will not run into danger knowingly prepare yourself for the time before you make good every chance you can for your success the anxious times you have I know keep your head up lad for you have your mission to do and I know you will do it manfully.

Your Xmas was much different to us I know winters cold & snow no sitting over the old stove to think of us at home watering those flowers you set how you would have been pleased to see them

The old lady next is jogging along the same per usual she is always asking if we have heard yet from you. You recollect Will's friend a Mr Hamilton he lost his wife lately Will felt it very keenly they were much attached the youngsters are coming on grandly Will has become quite an expert rose grower now Sam reckons he will get the medal this year he deserves if for he puts a lot of time in it. Queensland has has a bad time lately a terrible flood. The wheat crop is going to be good in Vic this year I think Lah [?] is going to have a good yield suppose your aunt Emily be coming along in her motor. Your Uncle Charlie has been made Dep Grand Master for Mildura district he will be top [illeg] next year he sent along the paper they gave him a good reception according to acct. Federal Parliament is any how possibly an Election in April Hughes is not going to London to the conference they are trying to form a National Parlt but I think he is out. Fancy our member Fenton is on the stump advocating recruiting what do you think of him he is a twicer I suppose you have not come across Charlie Clark tis a by order say you I hope son they keep you in London till this war is over you will be quite near enough for my liking We have done our share there plenty in England according to acct fit like here but they wont go the cold-footers. Well Fred I suppose you will be getting weary of this conflamoration of events or details so as tis after 11 by the clock by the way they put all our clocks back 1 hour till March so will stop wishing you well Dear Boy trusting you are keeping up your health & spirits looking forward to your home coming & this terrible war will have ceased & our Nation will have succeeded in its mission to humanity. The World will be once again at Peace. Give my kind regards to the boys if you see any of them tell them I wish them God speed and a safe return to their native home for I know you all will say Australia every time.

God Bless you my own Dear Boy my prayer for your safe return to me in all the vigor of manhood is my earnest wish.

Your loving father

W J Quinton