6 September 1916 Flanders
[Envelope]
Postmark: PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3519
6th Sept 1916
At Talbot House Rest Camp
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
Received your letter 23rd July last night.
WS
7/9/16
Flanders
6th Sept 1916
My dearest mother
I have found the nicest spot since I left Sydney to write this letter. It is a place (the place I mean not the town) in a big town set aside for soldiers, a nice house with a piano, reading, writing and canteen. Talbot House it is called and at the back is a very pretty little garden with a few tables sprinkled around and seats that are far too good for only soldiers. I wish some of the Australian lassies could walk in now. Well mother I'm in the garden sitting at one of the tables and my pal Mac (I think I mentioned him in one of Else's letters) is lying in a hammock and says for goodness sake Satch don't wake me it might be a dream. This
[Page 2]
Mac is one of the best and about the hardest case I ever struck. He is a signaller. I got him into them last Xmas at Lemnos. I was with him in Suez Hospital so was only too glad to have him. He has a very loud voice and eyes that he can twist all over his face. He has just brought two cups of tea out with some biscuits and is now telling me that the butler is away and he thinks the chauffeur must be on the "shiker", taking off a Tommy officer to the T. I have been speaking to him of you reading parts of your letter 9th July, and he remarked that he pities the man that has no mother. I agree with him dear.
Don't you worry about winter time mother, we will have plenty of warm clothing I hope. I will buy some if we don't get issues. I have a splendid overcoat now and rainproof cape. Oh! a bunch of us had our photos taken
[Page 3]
the other day and if they are alright I will send you one.
You ask me can I picture you all sitting round the fire listening to Harold spinning yarns. Yes mum I can picture it alright. I've seen it many a time in the last fifteen months. Harold is a hard case I know and should be pretty good at spinning a yarn.
I can't place young Jimmy running messages. Why he must have grown a lot in every way, I'd like to watch him crossing the street. It's a good thing he won't be sent away to the war, two is plenty eh? In some ways I'd like to see Conscription and in others I wouldn't. I notice that we fellows might get a vote as regards it. I would just love to see Maybury and Reilly etc sent away but take the Broadbents for instance it would be very hard for them if Harold was made go. News has not been so
[Page 4]
bright and good for a long while as some man wrote "The dawn of the day is breaking". It must be very nice for you all to read such good news.
I have met Geoffrey Leaue only this morning. He was glad to see me ok and I him, he also told me that Percy Hodge was alright too. I told him news of certain chaps and we had quite a good old talk. The poor fellow has not heard from home for three months. Just think what that means, I'm sorry for him.
I will enclose a couple of flags for Jimmy and tell him that as soon as I get the time I will write him a letter. Oh! I forgot it is your anniversary of Wedding day in a few days time, believe me dear, your boys will be thinking of you and Dad that day.
Give my best love to all and Mr Bryant and any other ladies (elderly) I know and keep tons for yourself.
I am your loving son
Billy
XXXX
Postmark: PASSED FIELD CENSOR 3519
6th Sept 1916
At Talbot House Rest Camp
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
Received your letter 23rd July last night.
WS
7/9/16
Flanders
6th Sept 1916
My dearest mother
I have found the nicest spot since I left Sydney to write this letter. It is a place (the place I mean not the town) in a big town set aside for soldiers, a nice house with a piano, reading, writing and canteen. Talbot House it is called and at the back is a very pretty little garden with a few tables sprinkled around and seats that are far too good for only soldiers. I wish some of the Australian lassies could walk in now. Well mother I'm in the garden sitting at one of the tables and my pal Mac (I think I mentioned him in one of Else's letters) is lying in a hammock and says for goodness sake Satch don't wake me it might be a dream. This
[Page 2]
Mac is one of the best and about the hardest case I ever struck. He is a signaller. I got him into them last Xmas at Lemnos. I was with him in Suez Hospital so was only too glad to have him. He has a very loud voice and eyes that he can twist all over his face. He has just brought two cups of tea out with some biscuits and is now telling me that the butler is away and he thinks the chauffeur must be on the "shiker", taking off a Tommy officer to the T. I have been speaking to him of you reading parts of your letter 9th July, and he remarked that he pities the man that has no mother. I agree with him dear.
Don't you worry about winter time mother, we will have plenty of warm clothing I hope. I will buy some if we don't get issues. I have a splendid overcoat now and rainproof cape. Oh! a bunch of us had our photos taken
[Page 3]
the other day and if they are alright I will send you one.
You ask me can I picture you all sitting round the fire listening to Harold spinning yarns. Yes mum I can picture it alright. I've seen it many a time in the last fifteen months. Harold is a hard case I know and should be pretty good at spinning a yarn.
I can't place young Jimmy running messages. Why he must have grown a lot in every way, I'd like to watch him crossing the street. It's a good thing he won't be sent away to the war, two is plenty eh? In some ways I'd like to see Conscription and in others I wouldn't. I notice that we fellows might get a vote as regards it. I would just love to see Maybury and Reilly etc sent away but take the Broadbents for instance it would be very hard for them if Harold was made go. News has not been so
[Page 4]
bright and good for a long while as some man wrote "The dawn of the day is breaking". It must be very nice for you all to read such good news.
I have met Geoffrey Leaue only this morning. He was glad to see me ok and I him, he also told me that Percy Hodge was alright too. I told him news of certain chaps and we had quite a good old talk. The poor fellow has not heard from home for three months. Just think what that means, I'm sorry for him.
I will enclose a couple of flags for Jimmy and tell him that as soon as I get the time I will write him a letter. Oh! I forgot it is your anniversary of Wedding day in a few days time, believe me dear, your boys will be thinking of you and Dad that day.
Give my best love to all and Mr Bryant and any other ladies (elderly) I know and keep tons for yourself.
I am your loving son
Billy
XXXX