5 June 1916 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 8 JU 16
5-6-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
5/6/16
My dearest mother
This paper no doubt will surprise you but this is how things are in reserve, a bit better to Gallipoli eh? I'm not quite sure whether I wrote to you or Elsie last but I think it is your turn. Isn't it a good job that it was only rumour about the mail being stopped for a month, such a thing would be too hard on you altogether.
This afternoon I have had a visit from Phil Kemp, he is looking splendid and is a very spruce soldier to yours truly, nice clean boots and trousers, but he is in a Divisional Headquarters so perhaps they have to be more particular there. The infantry can't keep clean. He was good enough to give me a tin of cigarettes and waterproof cape, which will be very useful I can tell
[Page 2]
you. He is also very disgusted with Jack Broady. One day he rode about 10 miles to see Jack and I, but as I was in the trenches he didn't see me but went on and saw Jack. Jack was playing cards at the time and spoke to Phil after about 2 minutes (no more Phil says) asked would be excuse himself and come another day. Poor Phil he couldn't make it out, he says it was the last thing he would have thought of Jack. I don't quite understand it, it does seem strange for Jack to treat a fellow and old school mate like that.
How is poor Mrs Guille and the girls. I wish I could see them, I might be able to draw the girls minds away from the sad event a bit, personally I think they (the girls) will feel Fred's death far more than their fathers.
Don't you worry over me not being able to stand the strain that is placed upon us at times. I'm a different kind of chap that left Sydney as far as being strong and hardy is concerned. By the bye I haven't had any leave to England yet, but it ought to come in the next couple of
[page 3]
months (its always the next couple of months isn't it!) do you know mum dear I haven't heard from Bruce since he left England. I can't make it out, his letter must have gone astray or else he has forgotten my address. Una told me in her last letter that he was at Wandsworth but was expecting to be moved soon, anyrate I immediately wrote to him. I hope he got it. Did you get the hankys, I sent you all something to remember France by. I think yours dear was a beauty, hardly fit for use eh? I wanted to get Una one something like it but they had sold out of good ones when I tried, so I will have to wait.
Last night Sunday they had a Service in this barn and it is the best service I have been to since I left. A good number of the "Signallers Choir" were present amongst them three or four old choir boys and didn't the hymns sound out. I'm the basso of
[Page 4]
this choir and believe me, we don't do too badly. The chaps sang last night the best I've ever heard a crowd of men sing at church, no piano you know, but we didn't want it.
In case you didn't get my last letter home, I didn't send you that photo at which there has been great competition at trying to pick me out, in fact I know nothing about the photo. The censor must have got things mixed, send me the photo mother and let me see what it is.
We heard news yesterday of the horrible fight in the North Sea. It came as an awful shock I can tell you but the confidence in the Navy is not in the least shaken, it is terrible though to think of those brave sailors. General Birdwood says in the Anzac Book "Boys hats off to the Navy". I should think so. I meant to get you that book mother but I was just too late, buy it in Sydney, it is worth the money.
Well dear I must stop now. I hope you are all well and give my love to everybody.
Your ever loving son Wilf
XX for Ron
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 8 JU 16
5-6-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
5/6/16
My dearest mother
This paper no doubt will surprise you but this is how things are in reserve, a bit better to Gallipoli eh? I'm not quite sure whether I wrote to you or Elsie last but I think it is your turn. Isn't it a good job that it was only rumour about the mail being stopped for a month, such a thing would be too hard on you altogether.
This afternoon I have had a visit from Phil Kemp, he is looking splendid and is a very spruce soldier to yours truly, nice clean boots and trousers, but he is in a Divisional Headquarters so perhaps they have to be more particular there. The infantry can't keep clean. He was good enough to give me a tin of cigarettes and waterproof cape, which will be very useful I can tell
[Page 2]
you. He is also very disgusted with Jack Broady. One day he rode about 10 miles to see Jack and I, but as I was in the trenches he didn't see me but went on and saw Jack. Jack was playing cards at the time and spoke to Phil after about 2 minutes (no more Phil says) asked would be excuse himself and come another day. Poor Phil he couldn't make it out, he says it was the last thing he would have thought of Jack. I don't quite understand it, it does seem strange for Jack to treat a fellow and old school mate like that.
How is poor Mrs Guille and the girls. I wish I could see them, I might be able to draw the girls minds away from the sad event a bit, personally I think they (the girls) will feel Fred's death far more than their fathers.
Don't you worry over me not being able to stand the strain that is placed upon us at times. I'm a different kind of chap that left Sydney as far as being strong and hardy is concerned. By the bye I haven't had any leave to England yet, but it ought to come in the next couple of
[page 3]
months (its always the next couple of months isn't it!) do you know mum dear I haven't heard from Bruce since he left England. I can't make it out, his letter must have gone astray or else he has forgotten my address. Una told me in her last letter that he was at Wandsworth but was expecting to be moved soon, anyrate I immediately wrote to him. I hope he got it. Did you get the hankys, I sent you all something to remember France by. I think yours dear was a beauty, hardly fit for use eh? I wanted to get Una one something like it but they had sold out of good ones when I tried, so I will have to wait.
Last night Sunday they had a Service in this barn and it is the best service I have been to since I left. A good number of the "Signallers Choir" were present amongst them three or four old choir boys and didn't the hymns sound out. I'm the basso of
[Page 4]
this choir and believe me, we don't do too badly. The chaps sang last night the best I've ever heard a crowd of men sing at church, no piano you know, but we didn't want it.
In case you didn't get my last letter home, I didn't send you that photo at which there has been great competition at trying to pick me out, in fact I know nothing about the photo. The censor must have got things mixed, send me the photo mother and let me see what it is.
We heard news yesterday of the horrible fight in the North Sea. It came as an awful shock I can tell you but the confidence in the Navy is not in the least shaken, it is terrible though to think of those brave sailors. General Birdwood says in the Anzac Book "Boys hats off to the Navy". I should think so. I meant to get you that book mother but I was just too late, buy it in Sydney, it is worth the money.
Well dear I must stop now. I hope you are all well and give my love to everybody.
Your ever loving son Wilf
XX for Ron