19 September 1918 France
I suspect there may be several letters missing before this one, based on what is mentioned in this letter and the gap in time.
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POT OFFICE 20 SP 18
PASSED BY CENSOR 4590
Master Ronald Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
19th Sept 1918
My dearest Mother
For once I know whose turn it is for a letter having written to Sis a little over a week ago.
Thank you so much dear for your letter of 14th July it came along with one from young Ron, at least I should say his came with yours. Thank Ron for his too will you I must make an effort and write to him, the poor kid will be thinking I've forgotten that he is a growing young son-of-a-gun.
[Page 2]
At present the battalion is spelling. I don't know for how long, I'm lucky for they have been 'out' since I came back from leave and so it is a month now since I saw the line. Terribly anxious to get back and see what it is like!!!! Did I ever tell you I was at a friends place to tea in London one Sunday afternoon on my previous leave and a warning was given that aircraft were on their way. They didn't come further than the coast. Well the girl at the place was horribly nervous and being a most noble brute of course I did my best to inform her
[Page 3]
that a bomb was not likely to drop just where she was. I'd previously told her that I had never been in an air raid in London and after a few minutes trying to persuade her the girl that everything was O.K. she said "Oh! its alright you just ought to be in one!!!!" I said nothing but didn't tell her that Fritz had literally knocked the dust off our heels day and night in France. She thought she had a great victory!
Well Mum I had a game of football yesterday and I wasn't in condition for it, lacked wind. I am feeling a little stiff this morning.
[Page 4]
Rather lucky this game (we got beaten) all I managed to collect was a scratch on the leg. We haven't half as good a team as we had last year, poor lads lots of them are no more.
So Edgar and Edie are engaged. How strange!! I should say it is just about time they came to some decision, but Edie has mocked his wicket for him now alright. I don't know really why Edgar hasn't come away. Anyrate its not for me to judge. I heard from Mrs Rule that Edie was engaged and on writing to Dick the other day
[Page 5]
asked him was there any truth in it!! and who was the fellow!!! Anyrate good luck to them I must write and congratulate them. More letters!
I say Mum I'm horribly disappointed with the photo I had taken in Blighty. Out of the four sittings I only received one proof and that is not a good one. I'm too serious. What rotten luck isn't is especially as I can't hop in to have another sitting, but I will send you some of this one and if you like it, I can easily get some more. I'm really sorry for your sake dear. Sounds rather
[Page 6]
funny that a soldier can't stand steady to have his photograph taken! You can only conclude one thing from that and that is "I'm no soldier!"
Oh! thank you all so much for the snaps you sent me. They are lovely all of them. The group is a beauty and by Jove! I would not have known Mary, tell her from me that she looks "tres chic". You are much greyer mother dear but look well. Sis still looks the same dear old kid. As for Ronnie what a nugget he is.
Have had quite long walks with Jack
[Page 7]
lately, he is living about 50 yds away so I often see him. He showed me snaps of Harry Bryant, I mean the Rector, and some other men out for a tour somewhere. Very good ones too. So little Mr North-Ash is coming away as chaplain. Good for us but no good for Mrs NA. They will miss one another alright and in one way it is a pity that he should have to give up his good position in Tasmania.
A dear lady who lives at the Abbotsford Hotel, Russell Sq London is going to write to you. That is where I stay when in London. Mrs Cooper is her
[Page 8]
name, a Scotch lady, and she is such a dear old soul. Washed collars for me while on leave and paid not 1s thank her for it, she was a mother and she knew just what I wanted. Always saying "Poor boy" and telling me to run no risks. "Poor boy" and there was I brown as a berry and fit as a fiddle. Sympathy is very nice but sounds so peculiar after life in France.
Well no more this time mother dear. Don't worry too much over me, I have a feeling that everything is O.K.
Love to Dad and good luck to him. Did you get that 15 pounds I remitted to you a long while ago. Tell Dad that Aunt Sissie is well and has a lovely place to live, the lady is very kind and good [continued Page 7] to her. She is a bit lonely though. I gave her 5 pounds to help her. Best of love to dear old Sis and Ron with tons for yourself.
Your ever loving Son
Billy
XXX
postmark: FIELD POT OFFICE 20 SP 18
PASSED BY CENSOR 4590
Master Ronald Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
19th Sept 1918
My dearest Mother
For once I know whose turn it is for a letter having written to Sis a little over a week ago.
Thank you so much dear for your letter of 14th July it came along with one from young Ron, at least I should say his came with yours. Thank Ron for his too will you I must make an effort and write to him, the poor kid will be thinking I've forgotten that he is a growing young son-of-a-gun.
[Page 2]
At present the battalion is spelling. I don't know for how long, I'm lucky for they have been 'out' since I came back from leave and so it is a month now since I saw the line. Terribly anxious to get back and see what it is like!!!! Did I ever tell you I was at a friends place to tea in London one Sunday afternoon on my previous leave and a warning was given that aircraft were on their way. They didn't come further than the coast. Well the girl at the place was horribly nervous and being a most noble brute of course I did my best to inform her
[Page 3]
that a bomb was not likely to drop just where she was. I'd previously told her that I had never been in an air raid in London and after a few minutes trying to persuade her the girl that everything was O.K. she said "Oh! its alright you just ought to be in one!!!!" I said nothing but didn't tell her that Fritz had literally knocked the dust off our heels day and night in France. She thought she had a great victory!
Well Mum I had a game of football yesterday and I wasn't in condition for it, lacked wind. I am feeling a little stiff this morning.
[Page 4]
Rather lucky this game (we got beaten) all I managed to collect was a scratch on the leg. We haven't half as good a team as we had last year, poor lads lots of them are no more.
So Edgar and Edie are engaged. How strange!! I should say it is just about time they came to some decision, but Edie has mocked his wicket for him now alright. I don't know really why Edgar hasn't come away. Anyrate its not for me to judge. I heard from Mrs Rule that Edie was engaged and on writing to Dick the other day
[Page 5]
asked him was there any truth in it!! and who was the fellow!!! Anyrate good luck to them I must write and congratulate them. More letters!
I say Mum I'm horribly disappointed with the photo I had taken in Blighty. Out of the four sittings I only received one proof and that is not a good one. I'm too serious. What rotten luck isn't is especially as I can't hop in to have another sitting, but I will send you some of this one and if you like it, I can easily get some more. I'm really sorry for your sake dear. Sounds rather
[Page 6]
funny that a soldier can't stand steady to have his photograph taken! You can only conclude one thing from that and that is "I'm no soldier!"
Oh! thank you all so much for the snaps you sent me. They are lovely all of them. The group is a beauty and by Jove! I would not have known Mary, tell her from me that she looks "tres chic". You are much greyer mother dear but look well. Sis still looks the same dear old kid. As for Ronnie what a nugget he is.
Have had quite long walks with Jack
[Page 7]
lately, he is living about 50 yds away so I often see him. He showed me snaps of Harry Bryant, I mean the Rector, and some other men out for a tour somewhere. Very good ones too. So little Mr North-Ash is coming away as chaplain. Good for us but no good for Mrs NA. They will miss one another alright and in one way it is a pity that he should have to give up his good position in Tasmania.
A dear lady who lives at the Abbotsford Hotel, Russell Sq London is going to write to you. That is where I stay when in London. Mrs Cooper is her
[Page 8]
name, a Scotch lady, and she is such a dear old soul. Washed collars for me while on leave and paid not 1s thank her for it, she was a mother and she knew just what I wanted. Always saying "Poor boy" and telling me to run no risks. "Poor boy" and there was I brown as a berry and fit as a fiddle. Sympathy is very nice but sounds so peculiar after life in France.
Well no more this time mother dear. Don't worry too much over me, I have a feeling that everything is O.K.
Love to Dad and good luck to him. Did you get that 15 pounds I remitted to you a long while ago. Tell Dad that Aunt Sissie is well and has a lovely place to live, the lady is very kind and good [continued Page 7] to her. She is a bit lonely though. I gave her 5 pounds to help her. Best of love to dear old Sis and Ron with tons for yourself.
Your ever loving Son
Billy
XXX