11 February 1919 Montigny les Tilleul Belgium
[Envelope]
Postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE B
PASSED BY CENSOR No 4590
[Page 1]
Montigny les Tilleul
Belgium
11/2/19
My dearest mother
I started a letter to you about three days ago, and half finished it but somehow or other have lost the run of it.
There is still no Australian mail to hand, a full month now since we received the last here, enough to make a chap go mad isn't it? This waiting to go home is bad enough but when there are no letters to read it makes things rotten.
You will notice by the above that our battalion has moved from Walcourt, a distance of 9 or 10 miles. We are very very comfortable
[Page 2]
here but we were all sorry to leave Walcourt, the people were really good to us, and all the troops were "well dug in" as they call it. It was the first time I have been told that my service to the country could never be repaid. Madame passed the remark when I offered to pay her something for my room. The poor beggars are simply delighted to be free of that German pest. Uncle Edmund told me that I couldn't imagine what it was like to be able to travel in the trains and not be with German soldiers.
That reminds me that I am going to Brussels again tomorrow and will stay a few more days with
[Page 3 and Page 4]
Uncle. I told him that if possible I would come again before coming home. I have quite a good time up there, besides being a bonza place, the relations of Uncle's are full of interest for me, although they can't speak a word of English. I don't think I have told you yet much of of my other trip have I mother dear? I'm awful I know!
On New Years afternoon Aunt Madelene had her married sister over and her two daughters and son. One of the daughters is married and has a sweet little girl the living image of herself. Oh! such an exceptional prettyness, the other daughter aged about 18 or 19 is very nice but much more like her mother, who is not what I call at all pretty. Though the daughter has not got to the stage yet when she turns ugly!! Say what you like I won't have it that you can beat me for a description!! You can almost see them can't you?!
They are wonderful these people of France and Belgium. Talk about light hearted and gay, yet they can be just the reverse. So I believe!! I had great fun with the "cousins" especially the unmarried one, dressed them in my hat, belt, tunic and
[Page 5]
Greatcoat. Played the piano with one finger, tested our strengths; wrote one anothers addresses in books under a street lamp, said 'Yes' when I should have said 'No' and goodness knows what else. What a time I could have if that French lingo was more deeply routed in my brain. This time I am taking some badges and stars up to them for souvenirs.
This last Sunday I went back with a cobber to Walcourt to spend the day with our friends there. He (my cobber) speaks French fluently, fortunately for me, and needless to tell you that we had a good time. I am making
[Page 6]
up for my leave now aren't I? I said to spend the day. Well they put us up for the night also and you would have roared laughing. They gave me a night gown to sleep in and of course I paraded in this thing with an old fashioned night cap, one of these things with a tassel on. They couldn't stand up for laughing. I must admit I did look a peculiar kind of being. My friend had a pair of pyjamas, so they called me Madame Daniel. (the name of my pal!) The old madame is never so happy as when she is giving you more coffee
[Page7 and Page 8]
or more of something else, and though I can accommodate her to a certain extent, she often leaves me helpless. A dear old soul indeed. Did I tell you that she was put in prison for four days for allowing her son to escape to the frontier and so join the Belgian Army. He was home on leave on Sunday, and the 'old boy' and daughter were in good spirits too, so you can just imagine the good jolly time we had. Absolutely the finest family I have met in France or Belgium.
When the mother was sent to prison the father was also sent and that left a young girl of about 27 in the house on her own. The German Commander came one morning and tried to get to her room to look for a letter which he said was there, but the girl said "No". She told him no letters went to the bedrooms, if there were any he would find them in her fathers office. After a long while and he found he was beaten, he sent her to prison to join her father and mother!! I wonder why a man ever took prisoners. Should have killed all the brutes.
Well mother dear no more tonight. The strikes in England have put the demobilization back for a bit, anyrate it won't be long now before I come.
My bestest love to Dad, Sis and Ron. With tons for your dear self and XXs.
Ever your loving Son
Bill.
XXX
Postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE B
PASSED BY CENSOR No 4590
[Page 1]
Montigny les Tilleul
Belgium
11/2/19
My dearest mother
I started a letter to you about three days ago, and half finished it but somehow or other have lost the run of it.
There is still no Australian mail to hand, a full month now since we received the last here, enough to make a chap go mad isn't it? This waiting to go home is bad enough but when there are no letters to read it makes things rotten.
You will notice by the above that our battalion has moved from Walcourt, a distance of 9 or 10 miles. We are very very comfortable
[Page 2]
here but we were all sorry to leave Walcourt, the people were really good to us, and all the troops were "well dug in" as they call it. It was the first time I have been told that my service to the country could never be repaid. Madame passed the remark when I offered to pay her something for my room. The poor beggars are simply delighted to be free of that German pest. Uncle Edmund told me that I couldn't imagine what it was like to be able to travel in the trains and not be with German soldiers.
That reminds me that I am going to Brussels again tomorrow and will stay a few more days with
[Page 3 and Page 4]
Uncle. I told him that if possible I would come again before coming home. I have quite a good time up there, besides being a bonza place, the relations of Uncle's are full of interest for me, although they can't speak a word of English. I don't think I have told you yet much of of my other trip have I mother dear? I'm awful I know!
On New Years afternoon Aunt Madelene had her married sister over and her two daughters and son. One of the daughters is married and has a sweet little girl the living image of herself. Oh! such an exceptional prettyness, the other daughter aged about 18 or 19 is very nice but much more like her mother, who is not what I call at all pretty. Though the daughter has not got to the stage yet when she turns ugly!! Say what you like I won't have it that you can beat me for a description!! You can almost see them can't you?!
They are wonderful these people of France and Belgium. Talk about light hearted and gay, yet they can be just the reverse. So I believe!! I had great fun with the "cousins" especially the unmarried one, dressed them in my hat, belt, tunic and
[Page 5]
Greatcoat. Played the piano with one finger, tested our strengths; wrote one anothers addresses in books under a street lamp, said 'Yes' when I should have said 'No' and goodness knows what else. What a time I could have if that French lingo was more deeply routed in my brain. This time I am taking some badges and stars up to them for souvenirs.
This last Sunday I went back with a cobber to Walcourt to spend the day with our friends there. He (my cobber) speaks French fluently, fortunately for me, and needless to tell you that we had a good time. I am making
[Page 6]
up for my leave now aren't I? I said to spend the day. Well they put us up for the night also and you would have roared laughing. They gave me a night gown to sleep in and of course I paraded in this thing with an old fashioned night cap, one of these things with a tassel on. They couldn't stand up for laughing. I must admit I did look a peculiar kind of being. My friend had a pair of pyjamas, so they called me Madame Daniel. (the name of my pal!) The old madame is never so happy as when she is giving you more coffee
[Page7 and Page 8]
or more of something else, and though I can accommodate her to a certain extent, she often leaves me helpless. A dear old soul indeed. Did I tell you that she was put in prison for four days for allowing her son to escape to the frontier and so join the Belgian Army. He was home on leave on Sunday, and the 'old boy' and daughter were in good spirits too, so you can just imagine the good jolly time we had. Absolutely the finest family I have met in France or Belgium.
When the mother was sent to prison the father was also sent and that left a young girl of about 27 in the house on her own. The German Commander came one morning and tried to get to her room to look for a letter which he said was there, but the girl said "No". She told him no letters went to the bedrooms, if there were any he would find them in her fathers office. After a long while and he found he was beaten, he sent her to prison to join her father and mother!! I wonder why a man ever took prisoners. Should have killed all the brutes.
Well mother dear no more tonight. The strikes in England have put the demobilization back for a bit, anyrate it won't be long now before I come.
My bestest love to Dad, Sis and Ron. With tons for your dear self and XXs.
Ever your loving Son
Bill.
XXX