26 May 1918 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 28 MY 18
PASSED BY CENSOR 4590
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
26th May 1918
My darling mother
It is a long while dear since I've written but we are having a rough spin. It hurts me not being able to write as often as I would like but duty has to come first, so what good does it do to growl. The work has to be done and that's the end of it.
I have several good old letters of yours to answer all written in February and March and one on my birthday. Thank you as much as ever for them mother, they can't be beaten.
I think the idea of letting "Macclesfield" for a few months and going to the mountains is
[Page 2]
a good idea and ought to do you all the world of good. But as you say, a suitable tenant would be the trouble. You may be lucky but can't run the risk of having the home spoilt by carelessness etc. Good luck to you dear whichever you do.
I say I hear from Bas that Bernard saw Stephen Bryant on the same boat as he is returning to Australia on. Stephen evidently is going home too, but from all accounts the war has been his downfall. Bern says that he has absolutely gone to the dogs, manner, language and drink. Swearing horribly in front of the sisters too. This war will make and has made
[Page 3]
lots of chaps, but others it has ruined horribly. The temptations which beset a fellow as a soldier are great, some have the will to withstand them, others haven't. I am very sorry for Stephen's mother and father, I wonder what the Rector will think of the men this war is going to make. I admire his letter to us in the Parish Paper and I wish you would tell him so and how it is I can't write to him, also that the lessons he taught me as a kiddie were great. He taught me what a soldier's first duty was viz obedience. Of course with a meaning to higher things. This way is a curse in more ways than one. The morals of England were never lower than they are at the present time. That
[Page 4]
is a big statement, perhaps I've only seen it from the soldiers stand point. But this is not the kind of letter you want from me dear is it? I get carried away at times I fear.
I can imagine mother what a disappointment it was to you my not getting your Xmas parcel. But it couldn't be helped dear. Now there is one thing I want to tell you and that is not to send me any more parcels. I have loved your parcels but as things are it will help you a little if you have not to worry over them. You see I am paid well now and live very well, it is not as if I was undergoing any particular hardships, the Army as a matter of fact is the best fed of all at present.
[Page 5]
You perfectly understand what I mean mother dear, if you wish send me a birthday cake. But lets hope you won't have to send any more of those, the war may be over. Long ago I promised to send you some money. I haven't forgotten it but I expected leave and was going to send it then, but as leave seems a thing of the past well I think I shall do it from here. It will take 3 or 4 months.
By this time I suppose Kim is a married lady. it sounds damn funny to me but I hope she will be happy and has not made a mess of things. Personally I think she just likes the excitement and doesn't realize how she is tying herself down. If Gould has no cash
[Page 6]
he should be jolly well ashamed of himself. Lucky for him she has the doe.
Well mother dear I have no news to tell you. In and out of the line very regularly, always handy as well when out, little rest nowadays.
The poor lads have got to do a battalion's work, when the battalion is only half strength, you know what that means. Thanks to our "glorious manhood" left behind in Australia.
This is not a bright letter at all dear, but one becomes fed up at times. Give my love to Sis, Dad, Ron and tons for your dear self. I am ever thinking of you.
Your everloving son
Billy
XXX
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 28 MY 18
PASSED BY CENSOR 4590
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
26th May 1918
My darling mother
It is a long while dear since I've written but we are having a rough spin. It hurts me not being able to write as often as I would like but duty has to come first, so what good does it do to growl. The work has to be done and that's the end of it.
I have several good old letters of yours to answer all written in February and March and one on my birthday. Thank you as much as ever for them mother, they can't be beaten.
I think the idea of letting "Macclesfield" for a few months and going to the mountains is
[Page 2]
a good idea and ought to do you all the world of good. But as you say, a suitable tenant would be the trouble. You may be lucky but can't run the risk of having the home spoilt by carelessness etc. Good luck to you dear whichever you do.
I say I hear from Bas that Bernard saw Stephen Bryant on the same boat as he is returning to Australia on. Stephen evidently is going home too, but from all accounts the war has been his downfall. Bern says that he has absolutely gone to the dogs, manner, language and drink. Swearing horribly in front of the sisters too. This war will make and has made
[Page 3]
lots of chaps, but others it has ruined horribly. The temptations which beset a fellow as a soldier are great, some have the will to withstand them, others haven't. I am very sorry for Stephen's mother and father, I wonder what the Rector will think of the men this war is going to make. I admire his letter to us in the Parish Paper and I wish you would tell him so and how it is I can't write to him, also that the lessons he taught me as a kiddie were great. He taught me what a soldier's first duty was viz obedience. Of course with a meaning to higher things. This way is a curse in more ways than one. The morals of England were never lower than they are at the present time. That
[Page 4]
is a big statement, perhaps I've only seen it from the soldiers stand point. But this is not the kind of letter you want from me dear is it? I get carried away at times I fear.
I can imagine mother what a disappointment it was to you my not getting your Xmas parcel. But it couldn't be helped dear. Now there is one thing I want to tell you and that is not to send me any more parcels. I have loved your parcels but as things are it will help you a little if you have not to worry over them. You see I am paid well now and live very well, it is not as if I was undergoing any particular hardships, the Army as a matter of fact is the best fed of all at present.
[Page 5]
You perfectly understand what I mean mother dear, if you wish send me a birthday cake. But lets hope you won't have to send any more of those, the war may be over. Long ago I promised to send you some money. I haven't forgotten it but I expected leave and was going to send it then, but as leave seems a thing of the past well I think I shall do it from here. It will take 3 or 4 months.
By this time I suppose Kim is a married lady. it sounds damn funny to me but I hope she will be happy and has not made a mess of things. Personally I think she just likes the excitement and doesn't realize how she is tying herself down. If Gould has no cash
[Page 6]
he should be jolly well ashamed of himself. Lucky for him she has the doe.
Well mother dear I have no news to tell you. In and out of the line very regularly, always handy as well when out, little rest nowadays.
The poor lads have got to do a battalion's work, when the battalion is only half strength, you know what that means. Thanks to our "glorious manhood" left behind in Australia.
This is not a bright letter at all dear, but one becomes fed up at times. Give my love to Sis, Dad, Ron and tons for your dear self. I am ever thinking of you.
Your everloving son
Billy
XXX