8 May 1916 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POT OFFICE 9 MY 16
8-5-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingston St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
8/5/16
My dear old Mum
How are you? Not worrying too much are you? I'm alright. I am in the trenches again, having a longer stay in this time but I hope we will have a longer rest to make up for it. I sent you, Elsie and Ron a little souvenir each from France, as you have one of Egypt. I think one of this place would be nice too, don't think I'm wasting my money for I'm not, there is nothing nicer to me to spend my money in such a way, besides I'm getting a
[Page 2]
good screw now.
The weather here lately has been much brighter, it makes such a difference in getting about. Though we have boards on the bottom of our saps they get so slippery that a fellow has got to stop to turn around corners, perhaps not quite so bad as that but really it is very slippery.
Since I have been here I have seen more shells fired by the Germans in 2 hrs than the whole 4 months on Gallipoli. Once they think they have the range, it's really not pleasant, especially at night. I don't know whether anything has
[Page 3]
appeared in Sydney papers yet, but you will notice very likely a number of Jack's Battalion killed and wounded. He is still ok but his battalion just close to where I am. Got a terrific bombardment the other night, pitch black it was too. They put in something like 3000 shells in 1 hr and 50 minutes. Our brave pals will stand underneath that and be terribly wounded, killed and burned by falls of earth, while other back in Sydney think about joining Flying Corps and knocking Sydney about. I would like to tell you more about the
[Page 4]
affair but I mustn't. If you tell the Broadys let them know that Jack is ok I made enquiries next morning.
Has Roy left yet, I am glad he is in the 5th Field Ambulance, that's our Ambulance but not with us at present. For your sake dear I wish he could have got on the "Karoola" or some hospital ship, it would be less worry to you, but if he gets a job as orderly at the Ambulance he is alright.
It is just about 12 months since I became a soldier, it seems longer I can tell you. I have
[Page 5]
travelled about a bit too since June haven't I. Egypt, Lemnos, Gallipoli, Lemnos, Egypt, then the desert, back more into Egypt again, then France, lucky fellow to have seen so much uncommon country.
You tell me in your last letter that you feel inclined to give me a good lecture for writing to you when I was tired after a big march. I wish you could lecture me mum, why I stand a jolly big hiding to get back in Burwood now. Yes I am much stronger than when I was in Sydney, the training and open air life make a fellow
[Page 6]
very hard. Leave is being granted to us now, a very few at a time to England. My turn will come though I hope for I've stuck to the Battalion right through. It would be nice to see Auntie Sisie.
You ask me dear to let you know what kind of things to send me. Well I'm quite satisfied with Satchell and Coy's catering, they'll do me. Wasn't it a nice coincidence I being gazetted a Corporal on your birthday, something to remember it by. I was surprised and of course delighted to hear that pay dated back from
[Page 7]
1st March.
Did I tell you that I received the socks and cigarettes you were good enough to send me, I really forget what I do say at times, so excuse me if I tell you old news at times, though this time it doesn't matter repeating "thank you".
Roy seems to have excelled himself in being humourous by all accounts, that's a good job, it's right not to get down in the dumps. How lovely it must be having Una at home so often. I often think of you all together and wonder what
[Page 8]
you are doing. I see all kinds of pictures through the smoke from my pipe and cigarettes but one day soon I hope I'll join the happy party and it will be one too, won't it?
What a little darling Ron must be, just fancy him calling you "dear little soul", it must have sounded funny to have heard him say it.
Well mother dear I must stop now. Give my love to all and keep plenty for your dear self.
Ever you loving son
Wilf
XXXX For all
postmark: FIELD POT OFFICE 9 MY 16
8-5-16
Mrs C. W. Satchell
Macclesfield
Livingston St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
8/5/16
My dear old Mum
How are you? Not worrying too much are you? I'm alright. I am in the trenches again, having a longer stay in this time but I hope we will have a longer rest to make up for it. I sent you, Elsie and Ron a little souvenir each from France, as you have one of Egypt. I think one of this place would be nice too, don't think I'm wasting my money for I'm not, there is nothing nicer to me to spend my money in such a way, besides I'm getting a
[Page 2]
good screw now.
The weather here lately has been much brighter, it makes such a difference in getting about. Though we have boards on the bottom of our saps they get so slippery that a fellow has got to stop to turn around corners, perhaps not quite so bad as that but really it is very slippery.
Since I have been here I have seen more shells fired by the Germans in 2 hrs than the whole 4 months on Gallipoli. Once they think they have the range, it's really not pleasant, especially at night. I don't know whether anything has
[Page 3]
appeared in Sydney papers yet, but you will notice very likely a number of Jack's Battalion killed and wounded. He is still ok but his battalion just close to where I am. Got a terrific bombardment the other night, pitch black it was too. They put in something like 3000 shells in 1 hr and 50 minutes. Our brave pals will stand underneath that and be terribly wounded, killed and burned by falls of earth, while other back in Sydney think about joining Flying Corps and knocking Sydney about. I would like to tell you more about the
[Page 4]
affair but I mustn't. If you tell the Broadys let them know that Jack is ok I made enquiries next morning.
Has Roy left yet, I am glad he is in the 5th Field Ambulance, that's our Ambulance but not with us at present. For your sake dear I wish he could have got on the "Karoola" or some hospital ship, it would be less worry to you, but if he gets a job as orderly at the Ambulance he is alright.
It is just about 12 months since I became a soldier, it seems longer I can tell you. I have
[Page 5]
travelled about a bit too since June haven't I. Egypt, Lemnos, Gallipoli, Lemnos, Egypt, then the desert, back more into Egypt again, then France, lucky fellow to have seen so much uncommon country.
You tell me in your last letter that you feel inclined to give me a good lecture for writing to you when I was tired after a big march. I wish you could lecture me mum, why I stand a jolly big hiding to get back in Burwood now. Yes I am much stronger than when I was in Sydney, the training and open air life make a fellow
[Page 6]
very hard. Leave is being granted to us now, a very few at a time to England. My turn will come though I hope for I've stuck to the Battalion right through. It would be nice to see Auntie Sisie.
You ask me dear to let you know what kind of things to send me. Well I'm quite satisfied with Satchell and Coy's catering, they'll do me. Wasn't it a nice coincidence I being gazetted a Corporal on your birthday, something to remember it by. I was surprised and of course delighted to hear that pay dated back from
[Page 7]
1st March.
Did I tell you that I received the socks and cigarettes you were good enough to send me, I really forget what I do say at times, so excuse me if I tell you old news at times, though this time it doesn't matter repeating "thank you".
Roy seems to have excelled himself in being humourous by all accounts, that's a good job, it's right not to get down in the dumps. How lovely it must be having Una at home so often. I often think of you all together and wonder what
[Page 8]
you are doing. I see all kinds of pictures through the smoke from my pipe and cigarettes but one day soon I hope I'll join the happy party and it will be one too, won't it?
What a little darling Ron must be, just fancy him calling you "dear little soul", it must have sounded funny to have heard him say it.
Well mother dear I must stop now. Give my love to all and keep plenty for your dear self.
Ever you loving son
Wilf
XXXX For all