9 March 1917 France
[Envelope]
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE MR 12 17
PASSED FIELD CENSOR 2073
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
9th March 1917
Dearest Mother
Just a little present for 24th April. I hope it takes all sorts of good luck with it and may I be home for your next birthday.
Am writing this in the shop, so please excuse shortness. Going to write to you tonight.
Best of love
From
Billy
PS Hope Ron won't mind me sending no present. Tell him I will make up for it when I return.
WS
[Page 1 second letter]
Am forwarding enclosed a few more photos. Give them to whom you like. They are not good ones. Una has one strange to say!!!
Best love
Bill
Roy has met Cecil Mallett. WS
France
9th March 1917
My dearest mother
I hope this letter reaches you in time for your birthday, I'm afraid I've left it a little late, all depends when the mail closes. I wish you very many happy returns of the day dear and I hope it will be the last time I will be away from home for it. I believe I said that last year didn't I, but I don't think I will have to repeat it next year, lets hope so anyrate. By the same mail I'm sending you a little present. The French lady in the shop told me the thing was for handkerchiefs, it is rather pretty I think.
How pleased I was to receive your letter of 21st December telling me how jubilant you all were on receiving my cable stating I had met Roy in England. I guessed you would think I would be in Blighty for Xmas but it was not to be, I left on 22nd Dec.
[Page 2]
As you say Aunt Sisie was delighted, she is such a jolly sort, I took to her as soon as I saw her. Mr and Mrs Rule were both very kind to me too, but between you and me dear, they are a bit too good for my liking, don't believe in theatres etc. They didn't seem to know what a young fellow would like (outside father!), they didn't even ask a soul to the house for one evening, I suppose they thought a girl or two would be bad for a soldier. One evening Mrs Rule asked me would I go with her to a friends place for about an hour. It was some mothers meeting or sewing meeting, one of the two. Of course I met the lady of the house and afterwards when I was waiting in the dining room, I heard about half a dozen other ladies voices saying we have a soldier for tea. Bet your life I thought I was right in it, but could have gone up the chimney when I saw them. One thing though I hit that tea to right and left and scored a good cigar afterwards. All the same mother every one was very kind indeed to me and I had a great time, during the game but mostly by myself. All together I saw Roy about half a dozen times and the Riley Boys at least three.
[Page 3]
I am indeed sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Yates, she was a fine looking lady and one of those sort who was not above speaking to a chap in the street.
The Wilkies leaving Burwood too eh? Great Scott! a fellow will notice the difference when he returns. I am sorry for you too dear as I know you are very fond of Mrs W. I remember how you and Sis used to enjoy her company, she was such a hard case.
I can just imagine Ronnie with his little red face playing about in the sand, how he must have enjoyed himself at Austinmer. I can quite understand what you mean when you say your holiday has not been quite the rest for you that you hoped it to be, but don't let those things worry you mother, I can quite imagine what the girls would say t times, I know them perhaps almost as well as you!!!
Well mother dear I must stop once more. I still have a week at the school and then join my battalion.
Give my best love to Sis and Dad and Ron and I hope you are all "in the pink".
With tons of good luck and love
from your loving son Billy
XXX
postmark: FIELD POST OFFICE MR 12 17
PASSED FIELD CENSOR 2073
Mrs C. W. Satchell
"Macclesfield"
Livingstone St
Burwood
Sydney
Australia
[Page 1]
France
9th March 1917
Dearest Mother
Just a little present for 24th April. I hope it takes all sorts of good luck with it and may I be home for your next birthday.
Am writing this in the shop, so please excuse shortness. Going to write to you tonight.
Best of love
From
Billy
PS Hope Ron won't mind me sending no present. Tell him I will make up for it when I return.
WS
[Page 1 second letter]
Am forwarding enclosed a few more photos. Give them to whom you like. They are not good ones. Una has one strange to say!!!
Best love
Bill
Roy has met Cecil Mallett. WS
France
9th March 1917
My dearest mother
I hope this letter reaches you in time for your birthday, I'm afraid I've left it a little late, all depends when the mail closes. I wish you very many happy returns of the day dear and I hope it will be the last time I will be away from home for it. I believe I said that last year didn't I, but I don't think I will have to repeat it next year, lets hope so anyrate. By the same mail I'm sending you a little present. The French lady in the shop told me the thing was for handkerchiefs, it is rather pretty I think.
How pleased I was to receive your letter of 21st December telling me how jubilant you all were on receiving my cable stating I had met Roy in England. I guessed you would think I would be in Blighty for Xmas but it was not to be, I left on 22nd Dec.
[Page 2]
As you say Aunt Sisie was delighted, she is such a jolly sort, I took to her as soon as I saw her. Mr and Mrs Rule were both very kind to me too, but between you and me dear, they are a bit too good for my liking, don't believe in theatres etc. They didn't seem to know what a young fellow would like (outside father!), they didn't even ask a soul to the house for one evening, I suppose they thought a girl or two would be bad for a soldier. One evening Mrs Rule asked me would I go with her to a friends place for about an hour. It was some mothers meeting or sewing meeting, one of the two. Of course I met the lady of the house and afterwards when I was waiting in the dining room, I heard about half a dozen other ladies voices saying we have a soldier for tea. Bet your life I thought I was right in it, but could have gone up the chimney when I saw them. One thing though I hit that tea to right and left and scored a good cigar afterwards. All the same mother every one was very kind indeed to me and I had a great time, during the game but mostly by myself. All together I saw Roy about half a dozen times and the Riley Boys at least three.
[Page 3]
I am indeed sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Yates, she was a fine looking lady and one of those sort who was not above speaking to a chap in the street.
The Wilkies leaving Burwood too eh? Great Scott! a fellow will notice the difference when he returns. I am sorry for you too dear as I know you are very fond of Mrs W. I remember how you and Sis used to enjoy her company, she was such a hard case.
I can just imagine Ronnie with his little red face playing about in the sand, how he must have enjoyed himself at Austinmer. I can quite understand what you mean when you say your holiday has not been quite the rest for you that you hoped it to be, but don't let those things worry you mother, I can quite imagine what the girls would say t times, I know them perhaps almost as well as you!!!
Well mother dear I must stop once more. I still have a week at the school and then join my battalion.
Give my best love to Sis and Dad and Ron and I hope you are all "in the pink".
With tons of good luck and love
from your loving son Billy
XXX