13 June 1916 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 15 JU 16
13-6-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
[Note in top left corner]
Will enclose this spare photo perhaps someone would like it if you like to part with it.
Love Bill.
France
13/6/1916
My dearest mother
Many many thanks for your letter of 16th April also parcel consisting of prunes and sweets etc. There was one tin of stuff I think it was coconut ice once, but I don't know what it was when I got it, all the same it went the same way as the other stuff.
So Roy has left at last eh? I suppose he is glad but it must be very hard for you now dear, he will be pretty safe where he is mother, I won't try and get him with me, much as you like it, he is safer and better where he is. I saw a doctor from his ambulance the other day and told him about Roy being in the 11th reinforcements and he said he would look him up when they arrive. Such a nice doctor and knows the Riley boys, Dr Frizere from Strathfield.
You will be glad to hear that last week I attended Holy Communion, the first since leaving
[Page 2]
Sydney. I was also at another ordinary service in the same barn as last Sunday.
So you got the little photos ok. I'm so glad you like them and I'm also sure that other photo is a mistake. It was a pretty roughy I sent Una wasn't it, but it was the only one I had at the time and wanted to send her one. I was able to get one like I sent you with the flag, and send it to her tonight, she said to send her some more if I had them to spare, she liked having them!!
Was so glad little Ron got my letters in time for his birthday also you dear. Ron must be a little darling alright, everybody tells me the same about him and you don't know how nice it is mum to hear that he still remembers me. I suppose that he is at school now.
It was a great mistake about that 1/- per day racket mum, just one of those rumours that get around amongst us. They are a bloomin' nuisance and I hope I did not put you to too much
[Page 3]
trouble dear.
Una has some strawberry plants? I wish I could help her grow them!! It's a good job Bruce is having a good time he deserves it. I can't make out why I haven't heard from him, the letter must have gone astray and he is waiting an answer to it. As soon as I heard from him that he had been at Wansworth [Wandsworth Hospital in London] I wrote to that hospital with the hope of finding him.
Coming back to the photo again I simply love those little ones that Ebbo Brown took at home. Yes mum dear you do look very grey in that photo, how heavy the strain on you must be, dear Sis and Dad too, it makes my heart ache at times to think how you are suffering, why ours is nothing to it.
I wish I could cable to you mum dear but I asked the officer the other day if I could do so, but no luck. You like him evidently he is G. T. Sadler and censors my letters. He is very good to me and we get on splendidly together (he calls me Billy). I wrote something to you about him from
[Page 4]
the peninsula running him down, but the point on which I wrote (not sat?) is his one failing, but it doesn't affect us here in France. I forgive him all that.
Mrs Elliot has been entertaining returned soldiers, how patriotic of her!! And how I would like to be there, do those awful servant girls worry her still I wonder.
What do you think I did tonight mum. Was sliding this way and that in the slush and mud, but at last I didn't recover from a slide and neatly sat down. I reckon I'm what the chaps call 'stiff'. Consequence is my trousers, puttees, boots and cape Phil gave me are in a nice condition. I am breaking the rules tonight and sleeping without my trousers, it is a good job I am in reserve.
How does this song strike you
Father went out on Sunday night,
Leaving his family behind him.
He hadn't come home on Monday night
So I set off to find him.
On Lescester Square with a lady fair
He was strolling at his leisure.
He said run away home to ma
And tell her you've seen papa
And he's looking for the hidden treasure.
Well mum dear it's after midnight and will be light in about 2 hours time so will say so long once more.
Best love to all
Your ever affect son
Billy
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 15 JU 16
13-6-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
[Note in top left corner]
Will enclose this spare photo perhaps someone would like it if you like to part with it.
Love Bill.
France
13/6/1916
My dearest mother
Many many thanks for your letter of 16th April also parcel consisting of prunes and sweets etc. There was one tin of stuff I think it was coconut ice once, but I don't know what it was when I got it, all the same it went the same way as the other stuff.
So Roy has left at last eh? I suppose he is glad but it must be very hard for you now dear, he will be pretty safe where he is mother, I won't try and get him with me, much as you like it, he is safer and better where he is. I saw a doctor from his ambulance the other day and told him about Roy being in the 11th reinforcements and he said he would look him up when they arrive. Such a nice doctor and knows the Riley boys, Dr Frizere from Strathfield.
You will be glad to hear that last week I attended Holy Communion, the first since leaving
[Page 2]
Sydney. I was also at another ordinary service in the same barn as last Sunday.
So you got the little photos ok. I'm so glad you like them and I'm also sure that other photo is a mistake. It was a pretty roughy I sent Una wasn't it, but it was the only one I had at the time and wanted to send her one. I was able to get one like I sent you with the flag, and send it to her tonight, she said to send her some more if I had them to spare, she liked having them!!
Was so glad little Ron got my letters in time for his birthday also you dear. Ron must be a little darling alright, everybody tells me the same about him and you don't know how nice it is mum to hear that he still remembers me. I suppose that he is at school now.
It was a great mistake about that 1/- per day racket mum, just one of those rumours that get around amongst us. They are a bloomin' nuisance and I hope I did not put you to too much
[Page 3]
trouble dear.
Una has some strawberry plants? I wish I could help her grow them!! It's a good job Bruce is having a good time he deserves it. I can't make out why I haven't heard from him, the letter must have gone astray and he is waiting an answer to it. As soon as I heard from him that he had been at Wansworth [Wandsworth Hospital in London] I wrote to that hospital with the hope of finding him.
Coming back to the photo again I simply love those little ones that Ebbo Brown took at home. Yes mum dear you do look very grey in that photo, how heavy the strain on you must be, dear Sis and Dad too, it makes my heart ache at times to think how you are suffering, why ours is nothing to it.
I wish I could cable to you mum dear but I asked the officer the other day if I could do so, but no luck. You like him evidently he is G. T. Sadler and censors my letters. He is very good to me and we get on splendidly together (he calls me Billy). I wrote something to you about him from
[Page 4]
the peninsula running him down, but the point on which I wrote (not sat?) is his one failing, but it doesn't affect us here in France. I forgive him all that.
Mrs Elliot has been entertaining returned soldiers, how patriotic of her!! And how I would like to be there, do those awful servant girls worry her still I wonder.
What do you think I did tonight mum. Was sliding this way and that in the slush and mud, but at last I didn't recover from a slide and neatly sat down. I reckon I'm what the chaps call 'stiff'. Consequence is my trousers, puttees, boots and cape Phil gave me are in a nice condition. I am breaking the rules tonight and sleeping without my trousers, it is a good job I am in reserve.
How does this song strike you
Father went out on Sunday night,
Leaving his family behind him.
He hadn't come home on Monday night
So I set off to find him.
On Lescester Square with a lady fair
He was strolling at his leisure.
He said run away home to ma
And tell her you've seen papa
And he's looking for the hidden treasure.
Well mum dear it's after midnight and will be light in about 2 hours time so will say so long once more.
Best love to all
Your ever affect son
Billy