11 February 1918 1st Anzac Sig School France
This is one of the few letters that I have the original copy of.
[Envelope]
Postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 12 FE 18
PASSED BY CENSOR No 1007
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney Australia
[Page 1]
I'm enclosing some views taken by Tiny in Scotland. They are no good, the weather was too dull. Also some views of Egypt and desert.
Love WS
France
11/2/18
My dearest mother
This afternoon I received a bonza letter from you dear, in fact it was a lovely letter, one of the nicest I think you've ever written me if it be possible to pick one out. It was dated 16th December, and it was only two days ago that I received yours of 28th November telling me of the arrival of my photos at last! I know I'm an awful fool for not ordering all the one sort, but that side faced one certainly looked better in the proof, but you can't manage without your mother you can see that eh? I'll see if I can get some more of the full faced ones when I
[Page 2]
go on leave again.
I'll answer your letter as it comes. I couldn't help smiling when you talking about my slight wound said "How very lucky I was only if it had been a bit worse I may have had rest and peace for a while." I may have had dear with a vengeance too, for it only wanted to continue its journey and it would just about knocked the main artery in my arm silly. But "C'est la guerrie" and I'm quite O.K. That in case you don't know, pardon me if you do, is a common saying among the soldiers which means 'it is the war'.
You wrote beautifully of Tiny's mother dear. You can see how it made me feel when I kept getting messages from everyone to give to him, hard headed now as I am in such things, a fellow you
[Page 3]
now become horribly callous at time. They didn't say to whom he gave that photo, but what I send home is as much yours as mine.
Thanks you dear for telling me not to be frightened to tell you my troubles. I haven't very many mum and those I do have I can always get over without worrying anyone. Things are hard enough now a days for all, without fellows making mountains out of mole hills. So don't worry dear. Forgive me if this letter seems doleful in parts but your loving letter has stirred me up and makes me realise afresh the love for which I'm fighting. Surely no sacrifice that I can make is too much for such a mother as you are to me. As to little Ronnie, you say you can see him in days to come leaning on my knees
[Page 4]
looking into my face while I tell him stories of this life. No one longs for "the day" more than I when this path of duty can be thrust aside and the old one taken up. God grant that it may be soon for occasionally I get horribly homesick. Now let me get on to something a little more cheerful.
In exactly what way do you mean Clara and Florence are a little jealous of Una. Do you mean the privileges that Una is allowed at our place, surely not for I don't think those two girls could wish for more than they have , or do you mean in regard to me. If the latter it's absolutely knocked me flat. I can see now why they have never mentioned Una in their letters, really I am surprised! I thought they must have met.
[Page 5]
I can't imagine anyone not loving Una, anyrate they'll get a shock when I return for I shall not conceal what she is to me. Has Una herself noticed anything do you think for I think I once told her to be sure and meet them for they were such good fun. Needless to say I won't mention the subject. I wonder why people become so silly at times. The Guille girls have been simply bonza to me but I don't want them to come at those capers.
So Charlie Scharkie is home again, one little stunt eh? and he's home, lucky chap. Herb Bancroft no doubt will be able to tell you what a bounder I am etc. Give Doris Woodhill a photo if she wants one and don't forget to tell Vic I hope he is ok again but if Os Wayling wants a photo and he admires me so
[Page 6]
much tell him he'd better write and ask me. I'll tell him off. Takes a soldier to admire a soldier or something like that.
Poor Truda! I am so sorry for her. Surely Gibson Kemp could have put things a little milder, its an occasion when a lie is justifiable. Some fellows are terrible fools, there is none of the Pharisee stunt about me but I'm thankful I've managed to put many a letter together more comforting than his.
Now a little about what I've been doing. First of all this school finishes in a few days and I go to my "home", the battalion. The last few week ends I have had leave, two I mean, I took the other and have heard some lovely opera. The Chorus work is no good at all but the main artists themselves are as good as ever I've heard. The French
[Page 7]
language is much softer than ours when singing and good voices sound lovely. The tenor yesterday is I think the best I've heard and the soprano not far off the best. She took a top note once. "C" if it was a note at all and attacked it softly, swelled until I thought my head was off and the way she came down off it, really she was an artiste. "Manon" was the name of the piece, I believe Quinlan played it in Sydney once.
Well mother dearest I must stop now. I'm glad to see by your letter that you were feeling better than you had been. Keep it up.
Give my love to Dad and Sis not forgetting Ron and your dear self. I am as fit as a fiddle.
God bless you all
Your loving Son
Billy
XXX
Postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 12 FE 18
PASSED BY CENSOR No 1007
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney Australia
[Page 1]
I'm enclosing some views taken by Tiny in Scotland. They are no good, the weather was too dull. Also some views of Egypt and desert.
Love WS
France
11/2/18
My dearest mother
This afternoon I received a bonza letter from you dear, in fact it was a lovely letter, one of the nicest I think you've ever written me if it be possible to pick one out. It was dated 16th December, and it was only two days ago that I received yours of 28th November telling me of the arrival of my photos at last! I know I'm an awful fool for not ordering all the one sort, but that side faced one certainly looked better in the proof, but you can't manage without your mother you can see that eh? I'll see if I can get some more of the full faced ones when I
[Page 2]
go on leave again.
I'll answer your letter as it comes. I couldn't help smiling when you talking about my slight wound said "How very lucky I was only if it had been a bit worse I may have had rest and peace for a while." I may have had dear with a vengeance too, for it only wanted to continue its journey and it would just about knocked the main artery in my arm silly. But "C'est la guerrie" and I'm quite O.K. That in case you don't know, pardon me if you do, is a common saying among the soldiers which means 'it is the war'.
You wrote beautifully of Tiny's mother dear. You can see how it made me feel when I kept getting messages from everyone to give to him, hard headed now as I am in such things, a fellow you
[Page 3]
now become horribly callous at time. They didn't say to whom he gave that photo, but what I send home is as much yours as mine.
Thanks you dear for telling me not to be frightened to tell you my troubles. I haven't very many mum and those I do have I can always get over without worrying anyone. Things are hard enough now a days for all, without fellows making mountains out of mole hills. So don't worry dear. Forgive me if this letter seems doleful in parts but your loving letter has stirred me up and makes me realise afresh the love for which I'm fighting. Surely no sacrifice that I can make is too much for such a mother as you are to me. As to little Ronnie, you say you can see him in days to come leaning on my knees
[Page 4]
looking into my face while I tell him stories of this life. No one longs for "the day" more than I when this path of duty can be thrust aside and the old one taken up. God grant that it may be soon for occasionally I get horribly homesick. Now let me get on to something a little more cheerful.
In exactly what way do you mean Clara and Florence are a little jealous of Una. Do you mean the privileges that Una is allowed at our place, surely not for I don't think those two girls could wish for more than they have , or do you mean in regard to me. If the latter it's absolutely knocked me flat. I can see now why they have never mentioned Una in their letters, really I am surprised! I thought they must have met.
[Page 5]
I can't imagine anyone not loving Una, anyrate they'll get a shock when I return for I shall not conceal what she is to me. Has Una herself noticed anything do you think for I think I once told her to be sure and meet them for they were such good fun. Needless to say I won't mention the subject. I wonder why people become so silly at times. The Guille girls have been simply bonza to me but I don't want them to come at those capers.
So Charlie Scharkie is home again, one little stunt eh? and he's home, lucky chap. Herb Bancroft no doubt will be able to tell you what a bounder I am etc. Give Doris Woodhill a photo if she wants one and don't forget to tell Vic I hope he is ok again but if Os Wayling wants a photo and he admires me so
[Page 6]
much tell him he'd better write and ask me. I'll tell him off. Takes a soldier to admire a soldier or something like that.
Poor Truda! I am so sorry for her. Surely Gibson Kemp could have put things a little milder, its an occasion when a lie is justifiable. Some fellows are terrible fools, there is none of the Pharisee stunt about me but I'm thankful I've managed to put many a letter together more comforting than his.
Now a little about what I've been doing. First of all this school finishes in a few days and I go to my "home", the battalion. The last few week ends I have had leave, two I mean, I took the other and have heard some lovely opera. The Chorus work is no good at all but the main artists themselves are as good as ever I've heard. The French
[Page 7]
language is much softer than ours when singing and good voices sound lovely. The tenor yesterday is I think the best I've heard and the soprano not far off the best. She took a top note once. "C" if it was a note at all and attacked it softly, swelled until I thought my head was off and the way she came down off it, really she was an artiste. "Manon" was the name of the piece, I believe Quinlan played it in Sydney once.
Well mother dearest I must stop now. I'm glad to see by your letter that you were feeling better than you had been. Keep it up.
Give my love to Dad and Sis not forgetting Ron and your dear self. I am as fit as a fiddle.
God bless you all
Your loving Son
Billy
XXX