18 August 1916 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 21 AU 16
PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3519
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
18th Aug 1916
My dearest Mother
I received another letter from you last night dated 24th June and of course was glad to get it. Home letters are always read first and last night came one from Else and Roy as well, not to mention one from Una, Inez, Clara, Win and Eva. How's that? Its simply great getting such mails, its the only thing a
[Page 2]
fellow looks for, you might notice the number of letters I get from boys!!! Dick writes nearly every mail and Edgar and Cec Mallett occasionally. Oh! I forgot Os the "funk" and Harold Brown but I must say the "little things" stand by me well.
I was so glad that the little handkerchiefs I sent home were received and also that you like them so well. Yours with the roses on was a bonza I thought, you know I'm always afraid I will get something that to an experienced eye is rubbish, but if I send much more stuff away and people tell me I'm a good judge I'll be kidding myself. But they must be polite you know mum.
Would you believe it but I'm beginning to be sorry I ever mentioned these French girls, nearly every letter I get is giving me a rough time and I feel it terribly!!! Just one that would you know! One thing though they know I don't forget them and all French girl business is at an end now, just a flash in the pan. All the lads are getting knocks about them and I've heard many an expression as they were reading a letter "Damn the French girls"! It has caused great fun at times.
Roy tells me he starts 4 days leave in England today, his second since June. Lucky kid. He has been appointed for hospital work. Oh! What a relieve for you dear, in fact
[Page 3]
for all of us. One is plenty in the infantry eh? What say you. While all this heavy fighting is on mother dear you must be having a bad time especially as you know I'm in it, but you can only trust in God dear and my good luck and try not to worry over much. Just fancy you cleaning Roy's and my boots and airing our clothes occasionally, indeed we have a mother to be proud of.
Isn't it nice that Roy has been able to see Aunt Sisie. Dad will be more than pleased won't he and Roy says she is a dear but of course very simple and it is just wonderful to see her walking about. She was good enough too to send him a couple of pairs of socks which were very acceptable as he has not yet received any parcels. He said this leave he would go and see her again as well as Mr Rule, Dick's cousin. I gave him (Roy) his address.
Well mother dear I must draw to a close. We are moving up to the firing line gradually again and at present are in a big wood, very pretty but very mucky. I'm in splendid health in fact I've never felt better, a pretty tough one aren't I? Give my love to everybody and tell little Ron I'm so glad he liked the cigarette cards with the flags on, sorry I have no more to send him. So long dear
With tons of love and kisses
From your affect son
Wilf.
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 21 AU 16
PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3519
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
18th Aug 1916
My dearest Mother
I received another letter from you last night dated 24th June and of course was glad to get it. Home letters are always read first and last night came one from Else and Roy as well, not to mention one from Una, Inez, Clara, Win and Eva. How's that? Its simply great getting such mails, its the only thing a
[Page 2]
fellow looks for, you might notice the number of letters I get from boys!!! Dick writes nearly every mail and Edgar and Cec Mallett occasionally. Oh! I forgot Os the "funk" and Harold Brown but I must say the "little things" stand by me well.
I was so glad that the little handkerchiefs I sent home were received and also that you like them so well. Yours with the roses on was a bonza I thought, you know I'm always afraid I will get something that to an experienced eye is rubbish, but if I send much more stuff away and people tell me I'm a good judge I'll be kidding myself. But they must be polite you know mum.
Would you believe it but I'm beginning to be sorry I ever mentioned these French girls, nearly every letter I get is giving me a rough time and I feel it terribly!!! Just one that would you know! One thing though they know I don't forget them and all French girl business is at an end now, just a flash in the pan. All the lads are getting knocks about them and I've heard many an expression as they were reading a letter "Damn the French girls"! It has caused great fun at times.
Roy tells me he starts 4 days leave in England today, his second since June. Lucky kid. He has been appointed for hospital work. Oh! What a relieve for you dear, in fact
[Page 3]
for all of us. One is plenty in the infantry eh? What say you. While all this heavy fighting is on mother dear you must be having a bad time especially as you know I'm in it, but you can only trust in God dear and my good luck and try not to worry over much. Just fancy you cleaning Roy's and my boots and airing our clothes occasionally, indeed we have a mother to be proud of.
Isn't it nice that Roy has been able to see Aunt Sisie. Dad will be more than pleased won't he and Roy says she is a dear but of course very simple and it is just wonderful to see her walking about. She was good enough too to send him a couple of pairs of socks which were very acceptable as he has not yet received any parcels. He said this leave he would go and see her again as well as Mr Rule, Dick's cousin. I gave him (Roy) his address.
Well mother dear I must draw to a close. We are moving up to the firing line gradually again and at present are in a big wood, very pretty but very mucky. I'm in splendid health in fact I've never felt better, a pretty tough one aren't I? Give my love to everybody and tell little Ron I'm so glad he liked the cigarette cards with the flags on, sorry I have no more to send him. So long dear
With tons of love and kisses
From your affect son
Wilf.