14 October 1917 France
[Envelope]
Postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 16 OC 17
PASSED FIELD CENSOR 1910
14th Oct 1917
Mrs Armstrong address and news of poor Tiny's death
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
Have you received the little photo album Tiny gave me full of snaps.
Love WS
If you would like to write to Tiny's mother
Mrs H. J. Armstrong
"Wyalong"
Coonil Crescent
Malvern
Melbourne
France
14th Oct 1917
My dearest mother
I have to thank you for numerous letters received within the past week, I have received splendid mails lately.
Tonight I hope you will excuse me dear if my letter is not as bright as usual, for lately we have been in a very heavy action and I have lost many more good pals. But the greatest hit of all is poor old Tiny Armstrong. He was killed instantly by a shell four or five days ago. I only heard this afternoon for certain although I heard a rumour two days ago. I feel it deeply for I don't think I ever had a pal for whom I cared
[Page 2]
so much, he was quite the reverse to me at times, quiet and thoughtful, always reading, while I was kicking up a little hell of my own, raving about girls, singing etc. But other times he would be quite gay and then didn't things move. I find it hard to realize he is gone, I use to love to talk to him about our times together and how we cheered one another about the way we would carry on with our different girls in Australia when we got back.
The last time I saw him I mentioned that perhaps it would be a good idea if we gave one another a couple of addresses in case of accident to either us, at the same time mentioning that I was not a pessimist, quite the reverse. He agreed readily but little did I know how soon I would have to use them. I still have the rotten
[Page 3]
task of writing to his mother and girl ("Pat" Cameron) a most unenviable task. Take very great care of his photo dear and put it close to mine. Its sometimes hard to say "Thy will be done" isn't it? I've felt the loss of good pals but never anything like I have felt this loss. It was not intended that he should go into this battle, but owing to the heavy loss of officers in his battalion he was sent for and was killed just prior to the attack.
While I am on the war question dearest let me tell you that I was very slightly wounded myself, high up in the right arm, but not badly enough to leave the line or battalion, just cut the skin that's all. At present I am Signal Officer, Arthur Cooke being wounded, but he is getting better in Blighty.
Now let me leave this beastly
[Page 4]
war alone and thank God that I am safe.
By the time you receive this it will be very near Xmas time and I must wish you all the very best Xmas possible. Another one gone by eh and still no sign of returning home but perhaps for the next, one thing everyday brings the war closer to an end, and that means home. Never be afraid of your son wanting to leave home and roam mother dear, he has learnt the full meaning of that word alright.
I'm not writing in a cheerful strain at all dear. I'm sorry I know you have the greater trials than I. I only wish that Dad was having a bit better luck. Just at present I can't help but I am waiting for my pay book to get a bit of a credit balance when I shall cable some money home
[Page 5]
for your own use. I can't stand to think of Dad cooking his own meals poor old chap, it is hard isn't it?
Thank dear little Ron for his letter to me will you, my word he is doing well at school alright, got a better head on him than his brothers I'm afraid, they thought too much of sport, I did anyrate.
What a trick he must be I laughed at his wanting to knit me a scarf, he can beat me though for you say he did 11 stitches, that's 11 more than I could do.
By George I would have loved to have been behind the curtain when you were reading Roy's letter concerning my cricket at Cambridge. I think honestly though that Roy is stretching things a little but it will do Pa Reilly good all the same.
One of these days it would give
[Page 6]
me the greatest pleasure to be playing on the opposite side to Laurie and be able put him to that off boundary time after time, with the old man looking on. Or equally as well pleases to whip his bails off "stumped" with the same spectator present.
It seems Bruce Brown is not turning out what I expected. It's a pity, for he was good to me and I liked him, but I will admit that it was because he was Una's brother, had a lot to do with it. I'm sorry he hasn't been to see you for he promised me on the peninsula and Egypt that it would be one of the first things he would do.
Well mother dear I have said about all. Don't worry over your photos I have them safely here. Best of love to Dad, Elsie, Ron and tons for your dear self and a merry Xmas to all.
Your ever loving Son
Billy
XXXXXX
Death notice
Postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 16 OC 17
PASSED FIELD CENSOR 1910
14th Oct 1917
Mrs Armstrong address and news of poor Tiny's death
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
Have you received the little photo album Tiny gave me full of snaps.
Love WS
If you would like to write to Tiny's mother
Mrs H. J. Armstrong
"Wyalong"
Coonil Crescent
Malvern
Melbourne
France
14th Oct 1917
My dearest mother
I have to thank you for numerous letters received within the past week, I have received splendid mails lately.
Tonight I hope you will excuse me dear if my letter is not as bright as usual, for lately we have been in a very heavy action and I have lost many more good pals. But the greatest hit of all is poor old Tiny Armstrong. He was killed instantly by a shell four or five days ago. I only heard this afternoon for certain although I heard a rumour two days ago. I feel it deeply for I don't think I ever had a pal for whom I cared
[Page 2]
so much, he was quite the reverse to me at times, quiet and thoughtful, always reading, while I was kicking up a little hell of my own, raving about girls, singing etc. But other times he would be quite gay and then didn't things move. I find it hard to realize he is gone, I use to love to talk to him about our times together and how we cheered one another about the way we would carry on with our different girls in Australia when we got back.
The last time I saw him I mentioned that perhaps it would be a good idea if we gave one another a couple of addresses in case of accident to either us, at the same time mentioning that I was not a pessimist, quite the reverse. He agreed readily but little did I know how soon I would have to use them. I still have the rotten
[Page 3]
task of writing to his mother and girl ("Pat" Cameron) a most unenviable task. Take very great care of his photo dear and put it close to mine. Its sometimes hard to say "Thy will be done" isn't it? I've felt the loss of good pals but never anything like I have felt this loss. It was not intended that he should go into this battle, but owing to the heavy loss of officers in his battalion he was sent for and was killed just prior to the attack.
While I am on the war question dearest let me tell you that I was very slightly wounded myself, high up in the right arm, but not badly enough to leave the line or battalion, just cut the skin that's all. At present I am Signal Officer, Arthur Cooke being wounded, but he is getting better in Blighty.
Now let me leave this beastly
[Page 4]
war alone and thank God that I am safe.
By the time you receive this it will be very near Xmas time and I must wish you all the very best Xmas possible. Another one gone by eh and still no sign of returning home but perhaps for the next, one thing everyday brings the war closer to an end, and that means home. Never be afraid of your son wanting to leave home and roam mother dear, he has learnt the full meaning of that word alright.
I'm not writing in a cheerful strain at all dear. I'm sorry I know you have the greater trials than I. I only wish that Dad was having a bit better luck. Just at present I can't help but I am waiting for my pay book to get a bit of a credit balance when I shall cable some money home
[Page 5]
for your own use. I can't stand to think of Dad cooking his own meals poor old chap, it is hard isn't it?
Thank dear little Ron for his letter to me will you, my word he is doing well at school alright, got a better head on him than his brothers I'm afraid, they thought too much of sport, I did anyrate.
What a trick he must be I laughed at his wanting to knit me a scarf, he can beat me though for you say he did 11 stitches, that's 11 more than I could do.
By George I would have loved to have been behind the curtain when you were reading Roy's letter concerning my cricket at Cambridge. I think honestly though that Roy is stretching things a little but it will do Pa Reilly good all the same.
One of these days it would give
[Page 6]
me the greatest pleasure to be playing on the opposite side to Laurie and be able put him to that off boundary time after time, with the old man looking on. Or equally as well pleases to whip his bails off "stumped" with the same spectator present.
It seems Bruce Brown is not turning out what I expected. It's a pity, for he was good to me and I liked him, but I will admit that it was because he was Una's brother, had a lot to do with it. I'm sorry he hasn't been to see you for he promised me on the peninsula and Egypt that it would be one of the first things he would do.
Well mother dear I have said about all. Don't worry over your photos I have them safely here. Best of love to Dad, Elsie, Ron and tons for your dear self and a merry Xmas to all.
Your ever loving Son
Billy
XXXXXX
Death notice
- Donald Goldsmith Armstrong 22nd Battalion www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1726344/ Before our attack that morning at the point of assembly he was hit direct by a shell and killed instantly. His remains were buried on the spot, between the Zonnebeke Lake and Broodseinde Ridge about 6 miles from Ypres. He was one of my Coy Officers and I found him a very capable and brave leader, and felt his loss very much. Capt H. C. Sandford. Details of the battle can be found at www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/zonnebeke/what-happened-here.php