16 January 1917 France
[Envelope]
postmark: 24 JA 17
Mr C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingwtone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
16th Jan 1917
My dear Dad
I wanted to write to you on your birthday but was in the line and couldn't possibly do so. By jove! Dad, I almost celebrated the day with a vengance. In the early hours of the morning of the 7th another lad and myself had the ticklish job of laying a line in a dangerous "possy". "Bushy" Harris was the chap you will see him in the photo I sent home. He is one of the best and a good fellow. Well I can't explain all details of the event, but we got beyond our own trenches somehow (terribly hard to pick up bearings at night time) and walked almost into the German line. I thought I couldn't make out where we were, so I said to him stop here with the
[Page 2]
wire while I scout round. Then a shrapnel burst near and we thought we were seen so lay in shell holes for a few minutes. That saved us, for if I had scouted round I would have walked into Fritz's trenches for sure and No 87 would have been "missing", and "Bushy" would have been sure to have come and looked for me. Anyrate we know we were lost so decided to go back for a guide, and after going a little distance hanged if we weren't halted. It was one of our own machine gun crews already to settle us and told us would have done so too, thought there may be some mistake, everyone they saw out in the direction we'd been were Fritz's. So everything is ok and the old man smiles again! When Bushy and I got back just before daylight, we gave that rum issue some hurry up, talk about cold feet and hands
[Page 3]
I bet Os Maybury's weren't in it!!!
A few days ago I received a letter from Aunt Sissie dated 7th Jan "Your father's birthday". She is a dear little soul and can't get used to beeing called Auntie, she calls me her big uncle. When she said goodbye to me at Reading she could just get her arms round my neck standing on her toes and when I bent slightly, she is small. Told me Fred came to see her but only for an hour or so, missed the train, I said to myself not a bit surprised. Amongst her photo collection were some real old ones of mother and you, she is proud of them all. I saw Mr Farr and Miss Farr, both of whom are very nice folk and he reckons Aunt Sissie is a living miracle. I am going to send her some pretty French post cards, she said she would like them. At times
[Page 4]
you have to speak to her like a little girl of six and at other times her mind seems to broaden.
I suppose you think it rather funny not sending you some present or other from England while I was there, but I didn't know what to get you Dad so I thought I would send you some "doe". That note is the first 100 franc one I've seen and got it when I was changing my English money back into French after leave. Accept it from me Dad with the best of luck. I think I will be altering my allotment or sending a draft soon, 5/6 a day accumulates too fast in my book and there may be difficulty in getting that surplus if I should be knocked. So if you hear or get word from the Govt about my money you will know what it is.
Well Dad, best love to all
Your loving Son
Bill.
postmark: 24 JA 17
Mr C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingwtone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
16th Jan 1917
My dear Dad
I wanted to write to you on your birthday but was in the line and couldn't possibly do so. By jove! Dad, I almost celebrated the day with a vengance. In the early hours of the morning of the 7th another lad and myself had the ticklish job of laying a line in a dangerous "possy". "Bushy" Harris was the chap you will see him in the photo I sent home. He is one of the best and a good fellow. Well I can't explain all details of the event, but we got beyond our own trenches somehow (terribly hard to pick up bearings at night time) and walked almost into the German line. I thought I couldn't make out where we were, so I said to him stop here with the
[Page 2]
wire while I scout round. Then a shrapnel burst near and we thought we were seen so lay in shell holes for a few minutes. That saved us, for if I had scouted round I would have walked into Fritz's trenches for sure and No 87 would have been "missing", and "Bushy" would have been sure to have come and looked for me. Anyrate we know we were lost so decided to go back for a guide, and after going a little distance hanged if we weren't halted. It was one of our own machine gun crews already to settle us and told us would have done so too, thought there may be some mistake, everyone they saw out in the direction we'd been were Fritz's. So everything is ok and the old man smiles again! When Bushy and I got back just before daylight, we gave that rum issue some hurry up, talk about cold feet and hands
[Page 3]
I bet Os Maybury's weren't in it!!!
A few days ago I received a letter from Aunt Sissie dated 7th Jan "Your father's birthday". She is a dear little soul and can't get used to beeing called Auntie, she calls me her big uncle. When she said goodbye to me at Reading she could just get her arms round my neck standing on her toes and when I bent slightly, she is small. Told me Fred came to see her but only for an hour or so, missed the train, I said to myself not a bit surprised. Amongst her photo collection were some real old ones of mother and you, she is proud of them all. I saw Mr Farr and Miss Farr, both of whom are very nice folk and he reckons Aunt Sissie is a living miracle. I am going to send her some pretty French post cards, she said she would like them. At times
[Page 4]
you have to speak to her like a little girl of six and at other times her mind seems to broaden.
I suppose you think it rather funny not sending you some present or other from England while I was there, but I didn't know what to get you Dad so I thought I would send you some "doe". That note is the first 100 franc one I've seen and got it when I was changing my English money back into French after leave. Accept it from me Dad with the best of luck. I think I will be altering my allotment or sending a draft soon, 5/6 a day accumulates too fast in my book and there may be difficulty in getting that surplus if I should be knocked. So if you hear or get word from the Govt about my money you will know what it is.
Well Dad, best love to all
Your loving Son
Bill.