9 July 1917 Emmanuel College Cambridge
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Emmanuel College
Cambridge
9th July 1917
My dearest mother
It is your turn for a letter, I think I have written to Sis twice in succession, but hang it if you don't mind do you, you can know it is for you too.
You can see that I am still at Cambridge, our final examination takes place on 31st of this month and I think I can pass it alright dear. We did the last months exams for practice and I am only ten marks off a pass and my third paper has still to be corrected, so that's alright eh?
Sport is still in full swing and especially cricket. This has been a splendid summer to date. Did I tell you I represented my battalion here about a fortnight ago and kept wickets for them but did not get more than four or five runs. The Battalion is playing again on Saturday next, I
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hope I'm picked again, I think I will be. Have you got the little snaps I've sent you. I'm enclosing some more which I think you already have, but you can distribute them amongst my friends, Una first don't forget.
I don't think that I've answered the two letters that you sent to me c/o of Roy one dated 15th April and the other the 29th April, I got them a little sooner that the rest of the mail that date. Whoever was the person that said "Oh, but he'll be in greater danger when he's an officer". There are some wet blankets in this world aren't there, I don't think that I could go through more danger than I have already been through. Yes, the cable must have been great news for you, I smiled when I sent it. Roy is coming down again shortly and we are going to have a good photo taken, I'm sorry the other things were such rotters, I'm anxiously waiting for yours dear I shall love to have it. Dear old Ellen Jussel(?), what nice things she
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says about we boys, give her my love when you see her again. No, mother I'm afraid I didn't receive my birthday parcel, the lads in France must have got it, I have only had one parcel since I came to England and that was from the "Edgeroi" folk, I don't know why the lads sent that. I know you will feel sorry about it, but dear those brave lads have not had the luck I've had so think that they benefited from it, the lads I love.
You know Mum dear you are a dear old sport to tell me all the goings on with Una while at our place, the things that are said and done regarding me. I have often smiled about it and I'm very thankful to you dear for it, you know I reckon you must have been a "bit of a lass" in your day! Excuse my impudence!
I am surprised to hear that Win Broady and Boy seem rather thick again, really I am sorry for her I cannot understand it, there is only one thing about Boy that is
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any good and that is he is kindhearted, and I must say too that it is when it suits his own selfish ends.
I was so glad that the 100 franc note came in so useful, I only wish I could send more, but I think you can realize what extra expense I have now. I cannot go to the same places as I used where a soldier could get a fine feed for 1/-. Perhaps later I shall be able to send more home for you and Sis. You know Mother (I don't know whether I've mentioned this before) that I can see my life being laid out for me as a soldier for if this war allows me to come back to Australia as I left it, strong and healthy, and the rate of pay for an officer keeps fairly high, I can do nothing better than help drill the future young boys and men of Sydney or New South Wales. At the end of this month I shall be earning 1 pound 1/- per day including 3/6 field allowance, so that is rather good salary. Why I can see me helping old Dad get square and having a little home and wifie all to myself within a few days of my return!!! Well my deary I must stop now. Best of love to Sis and Ron and Dad and tons for yourself.
Your ever loving Son Billy XXX
Emmanuel College
Cambridge
9th July 1917
My dearest mother
It is your turn for a letter, I think I have written to Sis twice in succession, but hang it if you don't mind do you, you can know it is for you too.
You can see that I am still at Cambridge, our final examination takes place on 31st of this month and I think I can pass it alright dear. We did the last months exams for practice and I am only ten marks off a pass and my third paper has still to be corrected, so that's alright eh?
Sport is still in full swing and especially cricket. This has been a splendid summer to date. Did I tell you I represented my battalion here about a fortnight ago and kept wickets for them but did not get more than four or five runs. The Battalion is playing again on Saturday next, I
[Page 2]
hope I'm picked again, I think I will be. Have you got the little snaps I've sent you. I'm enclosing some more which I think you already have, but you can distribute them amongst my friends, Una first don't forget.
I don't think that I've answered the two letters that you sent to me c/o of Roy one dated 15th April and the other the 29th April, I got them a little sooner that the rest of the mail that date. Whoever was the person that said "Oh, but he'll be in greater danger when he's an officer". There are some wet blankets in this world aren't there, I don't think that I could go through more danger than I have already been through. Yes, the cable must have been great news for you, I smiled when I sent it. Roy is coming down again shortly and we are going to have a good photo taken, I'm sorry the other things were such rotters, I'm anxiously waiting for yours dear I shall love to have it. Dear old Ellen Jussel(?), what nice things she
[Page 3]
says about we boys, give her my love when you see her again. No, mother I'm afraid I didn't receive my birthday parcel, the lads in France must have got it, I have only had one parcel since I came to England and that was from the "Edgeroi" folk, I don't know why the lads sent that. I know you will feel sorry about it, but dear those brave lads have not had the luck I've had so think that they benefited from it, the lads I love.
You know Mum dear you are a dear old sport to tell me all the goings on with Una while at our place, the things that are said and done regarding me. I have often smiled about it and I'm very thankful to you dear for it, you know I reckon you must have been a "bit of a lass" in your day! Excuse my impudence!
I am surprised to hear that Win Broady and Boy seem rather thick again, really I am sorry for her I cannot understand it, there is only one thing about Boy that is
[Page 4]
any good and that is he is kindhearted, and I must say too that it is when it suits his own selfish ends.
I was so glad that the 100 franc note came in so useful, I only wish I could send more, but I think you can realize what extra expense I have now. I cannot go to the same places as I used where a soldier could get a fine feed for 1/-. Perhaps later I shall be able to send more home for you and Sis. You know Mother (I don't know whether I've mentioned this before) that I can see my life being laid out for me as a soldier for if this war allows me to come back to Australia as I left it, strong and healthy, and the rate of pay for an officer keeps fairly high, I can do nothing better than help drill the future young boys and men of Sydney or New South Wales. At the end of this month I shall be earning 1 pound 1/- per day including 3/6 field allowance, so that is rather good salary. Why I can see me helping old Dad get square and having a little home and wifie all to myself within a few days of my return!!! Well my deary I must stop now. Best of love to Sis and Ron and Dad and tons for yourself.
Your ever loving Son Billy XXX