14 July 1916 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 16 JY 1916
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
14th July 1916
My dearest mother
Just a couple of pages mum dear while I have the time, we have been marching for 4 whole days lately and now having a couple of days spell. I am sorry to say that it is the first time in all the marches I've taken part in that my feet have turned dog on me. I put it down to the cobble stone roads, but I stuck to it mum and didn't fall out the last day they were easier and we entered the town singing, although we slept in the train the previous night, 42 in a horse box. I don't think I will want a bed when I return (just try me and see). Now mother dear I told you about my feet but I don't want you to worry because it is only a matter of a couple of days and they will be as good as gold again, only a few blisters and the skin rubbed off a bit on the inside of my feet. The doctor is a good old stick and looks after us, he has put some good ointment on and bandages, so I'm right.
[Page 2]
At the place we're stopping at now there is an old chateau which we are told was fought for in the Seven Years War. A quaint old place it is with the great thick walls around it. Next door to it is a very old church (Roman Catholic of course) and we went inside last night and had a look at some old paintings. Did I tell you one of the signallers is an organist and so with the permission of the old priest he had a go at the organ. It was only a small one but it sounded well and about half a dozen of us climbed up into the organ loft and started to sing good old hymns. Pretty hot aren't we but we enjoyed it and so did the old priest who seems a bit of a sport.
I cabled to you about a week ago mum dear and I hope you got it ok. You poor dears must worry a lot about me now, especially if you are following the papers, don't imagine that every move and raid that is made the Australians are in it mum!
Taking some things dear the French people in the towns near the firing line treat us well, but in other ways they give you nothing more than they can possibly help. Would you believe that a young girl about twelve the other night broke a small biscuit in two to make the scale go down, deliberately pulled a whole biscuit out of the bag and tried the the half. I looked at her
[Page 3]
but said nothing, but you can imagine I thought a lot.
A couple of days ago I called on Jack. I saw him looking out of the window of his billet so I went in and had a yarn with him. He told me you were good enough to send him a parcel, did I thank you for the last one you sent me. I think I did, as usual I made short work of it.
Since Roy wrote to me from England I have written twice but have received no answer. I hope he has not been removed to another unit and so having trouble in getting his mail. My leave is further away than ever now Mum but if everything goes well within the next few months my turn might come. I noticed a man writing in an English paper the other day thought it was quite right the way the slightly wounded were treated, but added that people seemed to forget the men who were lucky enough to have escaped bullet and shell and who kept on doing their solid work night and day. Well mother dear must stop now.
best love and luck to all, your ever loving son
XXXX Bill
[Page 4]
PS Just received a one page note from you telling me Roy was in Egypt. I have not yet received the letter you wrote on the previous evening. I notice they are going to take a vote as to what times they will close the pubs, you know what I hope eh? Strikes me I'm starting a fresh letter but it was funny that you should hear I had been sent to England. No such luck for this chap, his only luck strikes me is not being hit with shells etc and I suppose that is the best of all.
Well so long mother dear
Love Billy
XXXXX for Jimmies and hope he got my letter. How does he like school. Clara told me.
W.S.
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 16 JY 1916
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
14th July 1916
My dearest mother
Just a couple of pages mum dear while I have the time, we have been marching for 4 whole days lately and now having a couple of days spell. I am sorry to say that it is the first time in all the marches I've taken part in that my feet have turned dog on me. I put it down to the cobble stone roads, but I stuck to it mum and didn't fall out the last day they were easier and we entered the town singing, although we slept in the train the previous night, 42 in a horse box. I don't think I will want a bed when I return (just try me and see). Now mother dear I told you about my feet but I don't want you to worry because it is only a matter of a couple of days and they will be as good as gold again, only a few blisters and the skin rubbed off a bit on the inside of my feet. The doctor is a good old stick and looks after us, he has put some good ointment on and bandages, so I'm right.
[Page 2]
At the place we're stopping at now there is an old chateau which we are told was fought for in the Seven Years War. A quaint old place it is with the great thick walls around it. Next door to it is a very old church (Roman Catholic of course) and we went inside last night and had a look at some old paintings. Did I tell you one of the signallers is an organist and so with the permission of the old priest he had a go at the organ. It was only a small one but it sounded well and about half a dozen of us climbed up into the organ loft and started to sing good old hymns. Pretty hot aren't we but we enjoyed it and so did the old priest who seems a bit of a sport.
I cabled to you about a week ago mum dear and I hope you got it ok. You poor dears must worry a lot about me now, especially if you are following the papers, don't imagine that every move and raid that is made the Australians are in it mum!
Taking some things dear the French people in the towns near the firing line treat us well, but in other ways they give you nothing more than they can possibly help. Would you believe that a young girl about twelve the other night broke a small biscuit in two to make the scale go down, deliberately pulled a whole biscuit out of the bag and tried the the half. I looked at her
[Page 3]
but said nothing, but you can imagine I thought a lot.
A couple of days ago I called on Jack. I saw him looking out of the window of his billet so I went in and had a yarn with him. He told me you were good enough to send him a parcel, did I thank you for the last one you sent me. I think I did, as usual I made short work of it.
Since Roy wrote to me from England I have written twice but have received no answer. I hope he has not been removed to another unit and so having trouble in getting his mail. My leave is further away than ever now Mum but if everything goes well within the next few months my turn might come. I noticed a man writing in an English paper the other day thought it was quite right the way the slightly wounded were treated, but added that people seemed to forget the men who were lucky enough to have escaped bullet and shell and who kept on doing their solid work night and day. Well mother dear must stop now.
best love and luck to all, your ever loving son
XXXX Bill
[Page 4]
PS Just received a one page note from you telling me Roy was in Egypt. I have not yet received the letter you wrote on the previous evening. I notice they are going to take a vote as to what times they will close the pubs, you know what I hope eh? Strikes me I'm starting a fresh letter but it was funny that you should hear I had been sent to England. No such luck for this chap, his only luck strikes me is not being hit with shells etc and I suppose that is the best of all.
Well so long mother dear
Love Billy
XXXXX for Jimmies and hope he got my letter. How does he like school. Clara told me.
W.S.