24 April 1916 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 27 AP 16
APL24-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France 24th April 1916
My dearest mother,
It is now twenty past twelve in the morning of your birthday and I must write a letter to you without fail today, it is the only practical way in which I can keep the occasion. So I have made an early start.
This is our first night back in the trenches again, having been out for a few days spell and I am on the old job again from 12 midnight to 4 in the morning, looking after the telephone.
How glad I am that you are getting letters from me again, all mail was stopped for a time after the evacuation and not being one of the heads I couldn't send a cable until I got to Cairo, that is why you did not hear from me. It must have been a terrible strain on you all dear, a good job too that you didn't know what was taking place, otherwise you would have worried your dear heart out. Here I am
[written down side of page]
writing away and I haven't wished you a happy birthday today. I wrote to you from Moascar I think it was, wishing you the happiest birthday possible. I hope you received the letter ok. By this time I suppose you have the little snaps I sent you, what do you think of them, aren't I an awful looking customer.
Did I ever tell you that during our march to the front line
[Page 2]
we passed General Joffre. Well we did and our chests came out I can tell you as we swung past to the tune of the Allies National Anthems, of course starting with the Marseillaise.
During our train journey through France one little girl said to us after we had sung the Marseillaise - "we know the Marseillaise sing us God save the King" and so we sang it, and she clapped their hands afterwards and we yelled just like a lot of ninnies, that was the rowdiest train journey I've ever been on.
What a dear old sport you are in giving Una another photo of me. I'm so glad mum dear that you like the family so. I only saw Mrs Brown once myself and she seemed very nice, it is no use telling you what I think of Una, you know I daresay. I'm still a terror on girls I'm afraid, seems a second nature, I couldn't resist the temptation of kissing a pretty pair of cheeks a few weeks ago when I saw a chance.
Easter and Good Friday have come and gone mum dear and the nearest I got to church was reading my little testament Una gave me. I did not know that it was Good Friday until it
[written down side of page]
arrived and the only different thing in the daily routine was that I had the first hot bath since leaving Sydney. Jack was there too but of course had his in the officer's bath. He did not see me. I was in the bath when he came in with about 20 other chaps. It was a
[Page 3]
sight to see us scrubbing the dirt off one another. What a change to Gallipoli eh? Is it any wonder that we prefer France, even if they do make it willing at times.
Oh I nearly forgot to mention that by this mail I received a tin of Winifred Cigarettes and a pair of socks from home. How good you are, to tell you how the cigarettes were appreciated, there are none left now and I only got them Thursday last, the socks too mum are bonz.
Dick was good enough to send me a tin of cigarettes too so I am not doing at all badly and I also received several letters too. Inez telling me all about her trip to date and in fact letters from everyone. Clara and Florrie both wrote most cheerful letters. A little while ago (when in Egypt) I sent nearly all my girl friends a handkerchief each. The reason I sent nothing home was mum, that each wouldn't stand it and these girls have been so good to me that I didn't like to send it to one without the other, in case they mentioned it you see. Now if they mention it to one another "Billy sent me a handkerchief" they can answer "me too". Of course mum's the word that I sent one little girl three. I wondered afterwards whether you would think it funny in not sending Elsie one, but I'm sure dear old sis will understand.
I'd love to see the old man Reilly here in the trenches. He talks about enlisting. I wonder what new complaints he'd get in the trenches, pretty near all he could get from the doctor would be one of these and two of those.
[Page 4]
As for the sheepskin vest he sent me I never got it, but am glad to say that I have not been without one owing to the goodness of a messenger at Barrack St Bank. I wrote and thanked the old chap (RHR) for sending it when on the desert.
Its getting pretty cool mum dear wait until I spread this piece of bread with some of our old friend MARMALADE. A bit of tucker inside makes a great difference and a Mak Kah cigarette on top of it. What! What! Who said I was having a rough time. Got the excitement of dodging a few bits of iron, got a bigger banking account then I've ever had in my life (and ever likely too) and seeing plenty of country. Why a 6/- a day tourist. I don't know what to say about the riot at Central Station, Sydney. We were
[sideways on edge of page]
dumbfounded, the silly thing we wish , was that we had been the picket. The fellows themselves are hardly better than Germans, they will have to alter greatly if they want to
[Page 5]
come to France.
Thank you so much mother dear for Roy's photo. I like it much better then the other one too. No one can say Roy is bad looking, not that they ever have, he looks just ripping. If he's at home still ask him what that's worth, another box of Winifreds. I am more than disappointed he did not get on the "Karoola", it would have been lovely for you dear but perhaps better luck next time. It was bad luck too that he didn't get in the Ambulance that was chosen, especially as I daresay most of his mates would be picked. Tell Roy they don't know talent when they see it (another box of Winifreds). Tell him not to mind what people think about him being at camp so long, if they pass any remark, stouch 'em one Roy and an extra one for me too.
xxxx Ron [in margin]
Well mother dear this piece of bread will be getting cold!!! Besides my paper has run out so my news therefore (as old Frogger would say) I must stop. Give my love to all and hope your birthday was as happy as possible. I am ever your loving son Wilf XXXX
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 27 AP 16
APL24-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France 24th April 1916
My dearest mother,
It is now twenty past twelve in the morning of your birthday and I must write a letter to you without fail today, it is the only practical way in which I can keep the occasion. So I have made an early start.
This is our first night back in the trenches again, having been out for a few days spell and I am on the old job again from 12 midnight to 4 in the morning, looking after the telephone.
How glad I am that you are getting letters from me again, all mail was stopped for a time after the evacuation and not being one of the heads I couldn't send a cable until I got to Cairo, that is why you did not hear from me. It must have been a terrible strain on you all dear, a good job too that you didn't know what was taking place, otherwise you would have worried your dear heart out. Here I am
[written down side of page]
writing away and I haven't wished you a happy birthday today. I wrote to you from Moascar I think it was, wishing you the happiest birthday possible. I hope you received the letter ok. By this time I suppose you have the little snaps I sent you, what do you think of them, aren't I an awful looking customer.
Did I ever tell you that during our march to the front line
[Page 2]
we passed General Joffre. Well we did and our chests came out I can tell you as we swung past to the tune of the Allies National Anthems, of course starting with the Marseillaise.
During our train journey through France one little girl said to us after we had sung the Marseillaise - "we know the Marseillaise sing us God save the King" and so we sang it, and she clapped their hands afterwards and we yelled just like a lot of ninnies, that was the rowdiest train journey I've ever been on.
What a dear old sport you are in giving Una another photo of me. I'm so glad mum dear that you like the family so. I only saw Mrs Brown once myself and she seemed very nice, it is no use telling you what I think of Una, you know I daresay. I'm still a terror on girls I'm afraid, seems a second nature, I couldn't resist the temptation of kissing a pretty pair of cheeks a few weeks ago when I saw a chance.
Easter and Good Friday have come and gone mum dear and the nearest I got to church was reading my little testament Una gave me. I did not know that it was Good Friday until it
[written down side of page]
arrived and the only different thing in the daily routine was that I had the first hot bath since leaving Sydney. Jack was there too but of course had his in the officer's bath. He did not see me. I was in the bath when he came in with about 20 other chaps. It was a
[Page 3]
sight to see us scrubbing the dirt off one another. What a change to Gallipoli eh? Is it any wonder that we prefer France, even if they do make it willing at times.
Oh I nearly forgot to mention that by this mail I received a tin of Winifred Cigarettes and a pair of socks from home. How good you are, to tell you how the cigarettes were appreciated, there are none left now and I only got them Thursday last, the socks too mum are bonz.
Dick was good enough to send me a tin of cigarettes too so I am not doing at all badly and I also received several letters too. Inez telling me all about her trip to date and in fact letters from everyone. Clara and Florrie both wrote most cheerful letters. A little while ago (when in Egypt) I sent nearly all my girl friends a handkerchief each. The reason I sent nothing home was mum, that each wouldn't stand it and these girls have been so good to me that I didn't like to send it to one without the other, in case they mentioned it you see. Now if they mention it to one another "Billy sent me a handkerchief" they can answer "me too". Of course mum's the word that I sent one little girl three. I wondered afterwards whether you would think it funny in not sending Elsie one, but I'm sure dear old sis will understand.
I'd love to see the old man Reilly here in the trenches. He talks about enlisting. I wonder what new complaints he'd get in the trenches, pretty near all he could get from the doctor would be one of these and two of those.
[Page 4]
As for the sheepskin vest he sent me I never got it, but am glad to say that I have not been without one owing to the goodness of a messenger at Barrack St Bank. I wrote and thanked the old chap (RHR) for sending it when on the desert.
Its getting pretty cool mum dear wait until I spread this piece of bread with some of our old friend MARMALADE. A bit of tucker inside makes a great difference and a Mak Kah cigarette on top of it. What! What! Who said I was having a rough time. Got the excitement of dodging a few bits of iron, got a bigger banking account then I've ever had in my life (and ever likely too) and seeing plenty of country. Why a 6/- a day tourist. I don't know what to say about the riot at Central Station, Sydney. We were
[sideways on edge of page]
dumbfounded, the silly thing we wish , was that we had been the picket. The fellows themselves are hardly better than Germans, they will have to alter greatly if they want to
[Page 5]
come to France.
Thank you so much mother dear for Roy's photo. I like it much better then the other one too. No one can say Roy is bad looking, not that they ever have, he looks just ripping. If he's at home still ask him what that's worth, another box of Winifreds. I am more than disappointed he did not get on the "Karoola", it would have been lovely for you dear but perhaps better luck next time. It was bad luck too that he didn't get in the Ambulance that was chosen, especially as I daresay most of his mates would be picked. Tell Roy they don't know talent when they see it (another box of Winifreds). Tell him not to mind what people think about him being at camp so long, if they pass any remark, stouch 'em one Roy and an extra one for me too.
xxxx Ron [in margin]
Well mother dear this piece of bread will be getting cold!!! Besides my paper has run out so my news therefore (as old Frogger would say) I must stop. Give my love to all and hope your birthday was as happy as possible. I am ever your loving son Wilf XXXX