28 January 1918 1st Anzac Sig School France
This is one of the letters that I don't have a full scan of, so have to make do with the pieces that are available.
at 1st Anzac Sig School
[envelope]
ARMY POST OFFICE 29 JA 18
PASSED BY CENSOR 1007
Mrs C.W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
28th Jan 1918
My dearest mother,
On my return from week end leave to one of the larger French cities I was lucky enough to find that some Aussy mail had arrived and amongst it a letter from you dated 15th Nov! Only took about 10 weeks to find me, as you say mails are terribly mixed.
I was glad dear that you liked Roy's photos and I only hope mine have turned up long ere this. The old souvenirs turned up ok. That's good with the little album Tiny gave me. Yes they are bonza snaps aren't they and Tiny ...
[rest of page 1 covered]
[part of next page]
(two) from the start. We caught a motor lorry from here which dropped us at the place of which you have several pictures. The place where the statue of the Virgin Mary has been nearly knocked off the tower by a shell. We were waiting there for another lorry when a beautiful staff car came along and the driver said he was going to Amiens would we like a lift. Would we what?!!! So in we get and did about a 20 mile run in just a couple of minutes over the half hour. When I come home I will tell you a few more details of that ride but must not now. Although I censor my own letters they may be opened by the base censor anytime. On Sunday afternoon we
[part of next page]
Coming back to your letter. I couldn't help smiling at your remark about going forward two or three years so that the war would be over and Una saying she would like to go back about three years. Personally I wouldn't mind much which way it went as long as there was no war. I don't know what Una
[part of next page]
and the Kemps. Tell Lois next time you see her will you. I think I mentioned to you that he was gassed in a previous letter. I didn't know that it was mustard gas though. You say in your letter that it sounds awful, well it is not far off . I'll tell you more some day, no need to tell you any horrors.
[part of next page]
you know what that is dear. We "old" fellows might have had a chance if our people hadn't turned conscription down. Have you heard General Birdwood's message to Australia "Australia dying, we salute thee". I can't vouch mother that it is true, I only heard it, perhaps its only rumour.
[written down the side of Page 1]
may even race the letter. He also mentioned that he was "in" again.
Well no more now Mum. Give my love to Dad, sis and Ron and I don't wonder at Una liking being at our place. Wish I could hope in and see some of these jokes you all must get up to, at least I should say the girls!
Tons of love to you dear Mother.
Your ever loving Son
Billy
XXXXX
I'm very grateful to Mrs G for
PS A lady who stops at the hotel where I make my HQ when in London often writes me such nice motherly letters. She spoke very nicely to Tiny and me the day we left for France. Mrs Cooper is her name. WS
[envelope]
ARMY POST OFFICE 29 JA 18
PASSED BY CENSOR 1007
Mrs C.W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
28th Jan 1918
My dearest mother,
On my return from week end leave to one of the larger French cities I was lucky enough to find that some Aussy mail had arrived and amongst it a letter from you dated 15th Nov! Only took about 10 weeks to find me, as you say mails are terribly mixed.
I was glad dear that you liked Roy's photos and I only hope mine have turned up long ere this. The old souvenirs turned up ok. That's good with the little album Tiny gave me. Yes they are bonza snaps aren't they and Tiny ...
[rest of page 1 covered]
[part of next page]
(two) from the start. We caught a motor lorry from here which dropped us at the place of which you have several pictures. The place where the statue of the Virgin Mary has been nearly knocked off the tower by a shell. We were waiting there for another lorry when a beautiful staff car came along and the driver said he was going to Amiens would we like a lift. Would we what?!!! So in we get and did about a 20 mile run in just a couple of minutes over the half hour. When I come home I will tell you a few more details of that ride but must not now. Although I censor my own letters they may be opened by the base censor anytime. On Sunday afternoon we
[part of next page]
Coming back to your letter. I couldn't help smiling at your remark about going forward two or three years so that the war would be over and Una saying she would like to go back about three years. Personally I wouldn't mind much which way it went as long as there was no war. I don't know what Una
[part of next page]
and the Kemps. Tell Lois next time you see her will you. I think I mentioned to you that he was gassed in a previous letter. I didn't know that it was mustard gas though. You say in your letter that it sounds awful, well it is not far off . I'll tell you more some day, no need to tell you any horrors.
[part of next page]
you know what that is dear. We "old" fellows might have had a chance if our people hadn't turned conscription down. Have you heard General Birdwood's message to Australia "Australia dying, we salute thee". I can't vouch mother that it is true, I only heard it, perhaps its only rumour.
[written down the side of Page 1]
may even race the letter. He also mentioned that he was "in" again.
Well no more now Mum. Give my love to Dad, sis and Ron and I don't wonder at Una liking being at our place. Wish I could hope in and see some of these jokes you all must get up to, at least I should say the girls!
Tons of love to you dear Mother.
Your ever loving Son
Billy
XXXXX
I'm very grateful to Mrs G for
PS A lady who stops at the hotel where I make my HQ when in London often writes me such nice motherly letters. She spoke very nicely to Tiny and me the day we left for France. Mrs Cooper is her name. WS