5 November 1918 4th Army Sig School France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 8 NV 18
PASSED BY CENSOR No 4590
Master Ronald Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney Australia
[Page 1]
Have you ever heard that song kind of 'rag' - "I want to see my dear old ma'am". Bonza. No one more than I dear mother.
Love
Billy
France
5/11/18
My dearest Mother
Thank you ever so much for your letter of 21st August and also for the bonza socks and sweets which I received a few days ago. The wet weather is setting in and the socks are a treat dear, within the last week I have received a parcel from Una, lovely cake and two more pairs of socks and tonight a small parcel from Evelyn containing a pair of mittens and sweets. What with all the sweets I am a sugary kind of person, why old madame here tells me I like tre's gentil. I did laugh when she said it. I have great fun with her and her old daughter. Dinkum. They are very very good to
[Page 2]
me and can't do enough, a treat to be billeted on such people. You know by now I suppose that I am at the 4th Army Sig School (don't alter any address for goodness sake) and have one of the best billets in the town. The room is very comfortable with a nice garden outside and it is made quite homely (I mean the room) with photos of you, Sis, Una, Ron, Rob, Mum, Dad. One of the officers who was having a look at them the other day, said, Why Satchell your mother is the finest looking of all. That is the 'dinkum oil' Mum dear and he picked your photo up for further examination. Needless to say I have a soft spot for that officer although he is a comparative stranger. I might add though a brother Australian. No wonder Arthur also thinks you charming!!!!
[Page 3]
Well I have told you about my room, but I also have full run of the whole house. They wait for me to come home at night after parades and pull the big chair up to the kitchen fire, can imagine me can't you. All the time I'm sitting back and saying this is a great war!! (Sometimes). You would roar laughing at me talking to these dear old people, nearly stand on my head at times with actions, but I can speak enough or understand at least to get on famously and have great conversations. Well this is getting over the fence, nearly three pages on nothing else but myself.
How are you all dear? I am glad to hear Ron's measles are over, but your headaches continue. That is no good you know mother,
[Page 4]
you worry too much. But I suppose its alright for me to speak. Anyrate I don't think you will have to worry too much longer. Isn't it beautiful news. When I think that it may soon finish I almost stand on my head with joy. Germany on her own now, the devil bite her. What a General Fock has proved himself to me, no half touches with him. When all said and done its much better than the old style as results prove.
Hang the war. We'll talk of something we can eat. You and Sis seemed to enjoy your visit to the Browns very well indeed!!! I know the Little girls (Dulce and Mill) are very nice, although I have only met them once, but Mill Little often gives Una the Kings School Magazine to send
[Page 5]
me and it is much appreciated. I am more than glad mother dear that you get on so well with my dear little girl, I was under the impression that you did not "hit" it too well, I don't mean that exactly, but I thought you were a little unsatisfied with her, but your last letter makes me feel how wrong I was and how rotten of me to think of such a thing.
Have you seen Bas yet? What a leave we had. One morning the maid at the hotel couldn't make out who was in bed with me when she came in with hot water and to pull the blinds apart. No one more or less than dear old Bas. I was lying watching her pretending to be asleep and could see she was puzzled, old Bas was fast asleep. I might
[Page 6]
add that he should have been back at the hospital the previous night, but I only had 14 days although I took 15. Everything in the garden was delightful though. Prior to that I was responsible for him being kicked out of one ward at the hospital for not turning up. Two finer boys than Bas and Bern can't be found, and I'm more than thankful that they are both home. Their sort can ill be spared.
Well mother dear no more now. Give me bestest love to Dad and dear old Sis (How's the business Sis!!) not forgetting dear young Ronnie and your dear self.
Ever your loving son
Billy
XXXXXXXXXX
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE 8 NV 18
PASSED BY CENSOR No 4590
Master Ronald Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney Australia
[Page 1]
Have you ever heard that song kind of 'rag' - "I want to see my dear old ma'am". Bonza. No one more than I dear mother.
Love
Billy
France
5/11/18
My dearest Mother
Thank you ever so much for your letter of 21st August and also for the bonza socks and sweets which I received a few days ago. The wet weather is setting in and the socks are a treat dear, within the last week I have received a parcel from Una, lovely cake and two more pairs of socks and tonight a small parcel from Evelyn containing a pair of mittens and sweets. What with all the sweets I am a sugary kind of person, why old madame here tells me I like tre's gentil. I did laugh when she said it. I have great fun with her and her old daughter. Dinkum. They are very very good to
[Page 2]
me and can't do enough, a treat to be billeted on such people. You know by now I suppose that I am at the 4th Army Sig School (don't alter any address for goodness sake) and have one of the best billets in the town. The room is very comfortable with a nice garden outside and it is made quite homely (I mean the room) with photos of you, Sis, Una, Ron, Rob, Mum, Dad. One of the officers who was having a look at them the other day, said, Why Satchell your mother is the finest looking of all. That is the 'dinkum oil' Mum dear and he picked your photo up for further examination. Needless to say I have a soft spot for that officer although he is a comparative stranger. I might add though a brother Australian. No wonder Arthur also thinks you charming!!!!
[Page 3]
Well I have told you about my room, but I also have full run of the whole house. They wait for me to come home at night after parades and pull the big chair up to the kitchen fire, can imagine me can't you. All the time I'm sitting back and saying this is a great war!! (Sometimes). You would roar laughing at me talking to these dear old people, nearly stand on my head at times with actions, but I can speak enough or understand at least to get on famously and have great conversations. Well this is getting over the fence, nearly three pages on nothing else but myself.
How are you all dear? I am glad to hear Ron's measles are over, but your headaches continue. That is no good you know mother,
[Page 4]
you worry too much. But I suppose its alright for me to speak. Anyrate I don't think you will have to worry too much longer. Isn't it beautiful news. When I think that it may soon finish I almost stand on my head with joy. Germany on her own now, the devil bite her. What a General Fock has proved himself to me, no half touches with him. When all said and done its much better than the old style as results prove.
Hang the war. We'll talk of something we can eat. You and Sis seemed to enjoy your visit to the Browns very well indeed!!! I know the Little girls (Dulce and Mill) are very nice, although I have only met them once, but Mill Little often gives Una the Kings School Magazine to send
[Page 5]
me and it is much appreciated. I am more than glad mother dear that you get on so well with my dear little girl, I was under the impression that you did not "hit" it too well, I don't mean that exactly, but I thought you were a little unsatisfied with her, but your last letter makes me feel how wrong I was and how rotten of me to think of such a thing.
Have you seen Bas yet? What a leave we had. One morning the maid at the hotel couldn't make out who was in bed with me when she came in with hot water and to pull the blinds apart. No one more or less than dear old Bas. I was lying watching her pretending to be asleep and could see she was puzzled, old Bas was fast asleep. I might
[Page 6]
add that he should have been back at the hospital the previous night, but I only had 14 days although I took 15. Everything in the garden was delightful though. Prior to that I was responsible for him being kicked out of one ward at the hospital for not turning up. Two finer boys than Bas and Bern can't be found, and I'm more than thankful that they are both home. Their sort can ill be spared.
Well mother dear no more now. Give me bestest love to Dad and dear old Sis (How's the business Sis!!) not forgetting dear young Ronnie and your dear self.
Ever your loving son
Billy
XXXXXXXXXX