Extracts from letters published in Dear Annie, by Elizabeth Elson.
"April 23rd 1916
Dear Annie,
No doubt you will have heard from home that I arrived in Egypt safe and well and while there had the pleasure of meeting George in Tel el kebir he was dressed in shorts and looked the picture of health. I also met Arnie Shaw (sic) and a few other Flemington boys. On Tuesday March 14th at 1 am we embarked and put out to sea, and after six days trip, arrived in France at the post where the [censored] are now landing........Unfortunately my ear gave me much trouble and on Sunday the 26th I was sent into the Hospital with a bad abscess in the left ear ad while being treated, developed Facial Paralysis and it was last Tuesday April 18th when I was discharged, feeling much better but not quite as well as I should be.
After two nights train travelling I arrived at the 2nd Div Australian Base Depot further north and on the coast. On arrival in camp I was put in the Artillery Details, so I presume it will be some time before I join the Brigade. My tent mates are a rough lot, and excepting those out of Hospital, the remainder of the men are mostly culls from different Brigades. I shall be very pleased when I join my mates again".....
I am Your affectionate cousin
(No 11911 Jack 4 Brig.)
France
December 12th 1916
Dear Annie,
...Leaving the base on 1st and 2nd July I journeyed to the front and arrived at Steinwick (sic) there joining the DAC for a week and carting ammunition et, then we started on our move to the Somme, our next stop was at Bailleul where we stayed for a few days..... We journeyed by road to Castre, a small village, the first VC was won the3re (about five days).... Another day;s road journey we arrived at a station near St Omer and there entrained and arrived at our destination near Amiens the following afternoon. When detrained we ha a few hours road journey then camped along a beautiful road about 4 miles from Amiens. Our wagons were our homes some slept inside and some underneath.
.... After a few days at the roadside camp we harnessed up and took to the road and once more and got much nearer the line, although still a safe distance, we camped for a few days right near a Field Hospital and at nigh we used to go across and give a hand to carry the wounded about.
****
It was while going down the Doullins hill that I learnt of George's fate. Fred Wretham met me and broke the news. I could not believe it at the time, any how I hoped a mistake had been made, bu unfortunately as I learnt at Penighhills near Ypres the worst had been happened. Fred sent for me and I went into his office from him I learnt the fate of many local boys. Chubby I believe has a good position in one of the Hospitals. Poor George he had done so well and was on the way to rapid promotion but such was not to be. I did not see him while in France.
...
Starting on the track again we struck wet weather and as it was a long trip things were a bit miserable. At night we again camped in billets and stayed for a few days- rain all the time. At midnight we started off again and in the early house of the morning entrained and arrived once again near Amiens but this time we came straight into the firing line. Mud and slush everywhere and very deep in places from our wagon lines we set out and walked to our gun pits. We arrived at dark and relieved Tommies, we were wet through and the pits and dug-outs were all under water - the Tommies roosting like fowls - the lazy beggars are too lazy to do a little work to make themselves comfortable. We put in a wretched night but the following day,. got to work and made a bonzer dug-out, fireplace and all, and for the four weeks we were there we were very comfortable and Fritz did not trouble us much. But our luck was out and we had to shift our positions and went to the Salient in the night of ? and there we were like hunted rabbits our gun was blow out the first night, the following night, two of our chaps were killed and during the day we often had to make for the trenches far across. As we had been at the pits for over thirty days without a rest the second crew was sent up, and we were sent back for a rest and I can answer your letter. I feel all the better for he change but I am to go up again soon and relieve the present crew, so I will likely put the Xmas in at the pits.....
Wit best wishes to all
I am your loving cousin
Jack
My fingers were too cold to hold the pen so I go a mate working nearby to address the envelope.
*****
France
July 4th 1917
Dear Annie,
I was on the Station a week or two ago on my way to the city near by and guess who I met - no not Chubby but his old pal Abber Barton who is in the same Field Ambulance as your friend. Chubby has certainly done well - now Lieut Quartermaster in the 8th Field Ambulance. Abber looked very well and said Mac is in the best of health and doing well.
The 8th are now out from the line so if time permits I may take a ride over o see him. Abber told me Bob and Dave Hunter have both fallen. Dave in the last big stunt in which we had a rough time. We are enjoying a rest at present in a res area just behind the old Front line, quite a treat I can assure you, since we only had twelve days out from the line in seven months all the winter included. So we have had our share of the toil. Within next week we will be on the move again on our way back to where business is very brisk.......
There are about four villages all within ten minutes walk of any one, so we could always get a good feed of eggs, that's all one can get in most villages. The last night I was there, I, with others in an Estaminet and who should walk in but Arnie Shaw, (sic) the first time I have seen him since Egypt now 16 months. Arnie looked much older than he is, and has changed considerably but is feeling well, he has only returned from a school and expects to go into an Officers School in England soon. The last time he was in the line they struck a rough go. I well remember the nights old Fritz launched a heavy attack but failed, but did much damage...
I am Your loving cousin
Jack
*****
"Belgium
September 1917....
..... Yesterday was another day such as this we had the afternoon off so I and two other boys rode into Patterson and Allard - you know this well known firm - we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and when going along the main road who should I see but Bill Ward, his lot were on their way to the line. He had a star on his shoulder, Bill comes from Ormond Street and at one time belonged to George's Batt.
Further along the track, I met another unit coming in and who do you think I met - Lewis Cameron. We pulled into a side lane and had a yarn for a while. His lot will not be far from here so when time permits, I will go across and see him again. Lewis looked very well. As all Australians will soon be together again, I may see a few more of he old boys. I must look Chubby up as soon as the unit arrives."
****
In the Field
November 25th 1917
....... I am now only just waiting on pay day I shall saddle up my noble steed and go forth to find George's grave. I have an idea of the place he is buried in, so I may find it without trouble. I must also go and see young Alf Morey* I believe is not far away. We are only a few miles from where George met his fate. Just before coming out of the line I met young Vallence and Sharp, you may know them, they come from New Market. Poor beggars, I felt very sorry for them, just as I do for all the new chaps, they had only been out a couple of weeks and struck an awful hole to gain their first experience in war fare. The sights along the roads were enough to dishearten any man and the number of live mines eight inch bombs etc that had a nasty habit of blowing up the roadways did not help to improve things. Yet what must poor old Fritz have suffered I certainly would not like to be caught in one of our barrages.
* Probably Pte Alfred Ernest Morey, aged 20, motor mechanic, born in Kensington, but living in South Yarra when he enlisted on 7 Sep 1916.
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