Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Charles Gifford Pryce letters, 28 October 1915- 5 September 1918
MLMSS 3444 ADD-ON 1255 / Series 2 / Item 1

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The Salvation Army
Headquarters: 69 Bourke St., Melbourne

W. Bramwell Booth, General
James Hay, Commissioner

Salvation Army Institute.
Military Camp at Holdsworthy
28 Oct 1915

My Dear Mother

I suppose you are wondering just where I was at present, well on Monday I called on Major Timothy Colbourne he gave me a note of Introduction to Warrant Officer at Victoria Barracks but that Gentleman could do nothing as the artillery was already filled, so I am at present in one of the Infantry Battalions, we arrived here on Monday about 3 P.M. and were sworn in after tea they do this now as soon as possible as men "a few of them when they get this far think better of it and do a slide, there are all sorts and conditions of men here some very decent fellows some the reverse. I was one of the lucky ones. "I had no friends in camp there were about a dozen more, "so we were picked out and 10 of us put into one tent, all the lads in the tent that I am in are fairly quiet steady lads and we get along well. I have the first part of my uniform. The Blues, they are a splendid fit, the trousers were made for a very fat man they would just suit the fat Boy at the Junction the flanells likewise, the cardigan jacket is a little better, the sox 3 prs are supposed to be all wool. they are not too bad, but I dont think they will last

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as we were marching out we saw a lot of the Horses both Artillery and Light, they crowded along the fence and watched us march, the Light horses started Whinnying and caused some amusement amongst the Boys as all along the line the call was Marmalade "the nick name of the New Recruit". There are a lot of splendid horses here and they are in tip top condition.
New Recruits are left in this camp about 3 weeks or a month then moved to Liverpool. There are shower baths here, but sometimes you have a job to get a bath as the water supply runs out, then you have to wait however I managed to get a good wash this evening Must Ring off now with Love to all heaps for yourself & Bet
from your loving son Chas G. Pryce

Please Excuse scribble
A.Coy
9th Batt
Tent 21
Holdsworthy

Post address
C.G. Pryce
A Coy
9th Batt. Tent No. 21
Holdsworthy Camp

28 Oct 1915

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A.Coy – 19 Batt Casula 28th 11.15

My Dear Mother
I received your letter card with news that Jack Harris was killed, in Aug. yesterday evening. things are very unsettled here at present and there is every indication of a storm, the men will most likely follow up the lead given them by the men in Liverpool camp. The paper this morning made little of the disturbance there on Friday night. I fancy things were only middling there for awhile some of the men turned out with fixed Bayonets, they set fire to some of the police tents then puled others down, and piled all the contents up and burnt them, blue metal was used freely one liverpool lad I was talking to last night said that one of the Red Cross men told him that there were a dozen men in hospital, and that one man died as a result of injuries received during the riot. I received a letter from Dr. Armstrong, with two papers enclosed, one to the O.C. 19. Batt. and one to Capt. Lenchan. L. Horse. Dr Armstrong evidently misunderstood things, and told the Major that I wanted, to get into the L.H. the letter to Capt. Lenchan was a recommendation, and also asked him to arrange for a transfer for me, to the L.H. I have not been able to go over yet and see Cap. Holborow I will very likely go over one evening this week. Last Wednesday we were taken out on a Route march.

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we went out about 7 miles along the Campbelltown road, had tea then took up a position to defend the Sydney water supply from an imaginary enemy, and after sitting in a paddock at the side of the road for some time, set out for camp. we reached camp about 9-45–P.M. well satisfied on Thursday we went out trench digging I was put with two mates in one of the communication trenches of a Redoubt. we had very little to do, and plenty to time to do it in, Our next trench digging expedition will be at night, so we expect to have some fun and perhaps a casualty or two, one man came very close to being one. on Thursday a lad using a pick just behind him, drove the pick through his trousers and just grazed his his hip. We are having a wretched day today windy and dusty, and fairly hot. there are a couple of good fires burning not very far out. I dont know when I will be down in town again. not till next week I think, as I did not get a night off this week
must close now with love to all from your Loving son Chas G. Pryce

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Troop Ship Berrima 18th.12.15

My Dear Mother
I kept a look out for you and Bett when we were marching from the Rly to Wooloomooloo but could not see you so I suppose you were unable to get in. it was just 6 am when we reached the Loo. the friends and Relatives joined in all along the line and I can tell you that we looked a particularly mixed lot: the civilians were all stopped just before we got to the wharf we were all lined up in the big shed at the wharf and the roll was called, then we went aboard the Boat Then dress off and anchored in the channel until 3.30 P.M. then we set out, for a while we were running into the teeth of a good strong southerly and some of the men, gave in very quickly, to make matters pleasanter there was a light misty rain falling, and all the sheltered parts of the boat were crowded, when dinner time came we had a job to get anything, as the cooks were both tipsy

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I found that the Quarter master had been round collecting blankets, all our blankets had to be handed in, and fresh ones sent aboard ship for us so we just spread our waterproof sheets out and slept in our overcoats, at 2 a.m. we were called out, and at 3 a.m. coffee and chops were brought down, then there was a scramble some had no mugs and some no plates, I had a plate but no mug so I secured a plateful of chops, then we presented Lieutenant Smith with a Toilet outfit amid a general uproar then fell in with our kits. we found that instead of only having one bag to carry to the Rly we had two our Kit bags were not sent to the boat at all, and we had to carry them. I dont think there is much news to give you so I will Ring off with Love to All heaps for yourself & Bett – from your Loving son Chas. G. Pryce

[Note on side of page – Dec 18 – 1915 troopship Berrima.]

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however after awhile we managed to get some Roast Beef and boiled beans. This morning we got Porridge stew and Bread & margarine for Brek at Dinner, Roast Mutton, Potatoes & Cabbage Most of the men are pretty right again but some of them are feeling very downhearted yet I am feeling allright and pretty hungry. so far I have not felt ill and at present the sea is comparatively smooth, we are now somewhere off the Victorian coast and expect to pass Melbourne early tomorrow morning. I dont think we call at Melbourne I had a good sleep last night the first for some time, the last 3 or 4 nights in camp I was never in bed much before 1 am. we have a mixed crowd aboard. Artillery, Engers Remounts. A. & C. A.M.C. and [indecipherable] about 1400 alltogether, I suppose we will call at freemantle but dont know how long we will stay there. Thursday night things were only middling in camp when I got to camp

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A Happy Xmas and all Good Wishes for New Year from Chas
arr. Freemantle today 27th all well may be here a while. Chas.

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No. 3598 8th R. [indecipherable]
At Sea January [indecipherable] 1916

My Dear Mother
We may reach our journeys end now in a few days but we do not know our destination yet, we have been very fortunate, the weather has been perfect, and ever since we left Freemantle the sea has been calm. I was hoping that we would have a little rough weather to make things lively, but so far we have struck none. I suppose you read in the papers, of our doings in Perth, well I hope if you did that the N.S.W. papers, gave a truer account than the Perth Rag did, the account they published put all the blame on to the Disorderly soldiers from N.S.W. and stated that none of the local lads participated, in the window smashing, or, looting Well the second window smashed was broken by a [indecipherable] soldier who had returned from the front wounded, our boys then started, and they were Reinforced by civilians, and I saw Girls amongst the crowd picking up metal and

throwing our boys were blamed for breaking a window that was smashed before they ever saw Perth and that made some join in that would not have done so. We received a fine welcome when we arrived, we marched off the boat and after waiting a few minutes on the wharf for the train to arrive we entrained, and were taken straight out to one of the W.A. camps "Black Boys Camp", it is a lovely place we were assigned to our huts and told that no one was to leave, then cooks were called for, to prepare dinner for us, this was our welcome. the cooking arrangements will not stand pulling to pieces, our Officers were treated just the same as we were, there was a train leaving about 1 P.M. and when that train left, there were very few N.S.W. men left at Black Boys Some of them did not come back to camp untill the evening before the Boat was due to leave .. then they simply secured their Kit bags and left for Freemantle

[What follows appears more as a foot note on the page.]
The Following is the name of one of my mates a very steady decent chap before he enlisted an athlete runner etc. down near Sydney to a member of the Botany Harriers club. W. Simmons No. 3.6.17. same Batt etc as myself

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The Camp Commandant happens to be Colonel Batteye and he is not liked as well as Colonel Kirkland so you can guess that he is hardly to be envied he sent Pickets into Perth with fixed Bayonets to keep us in order, and I think they did more harm than good, I pitied them, for awhile, they were kept marching up and down and wherever they halted a crowd
soon collected when the window smashing was in progress They made matters worse by trying to hunt the crowd back then the mounted police came out but they did not last long, I will say one thing for the W.A. Police they had enough common sense to keep them from rousing the boys up too much, they confined themselves to seeing that the crowds were not allowed to block the footpaths altogether, the chief sufferer was a German Tobacconist they smashed a window of one of his shops, and smashed the both windows and the glass door of the second then in the early morning they looted the place, and some of the men carried their share of the spoil about the town

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showing them to the crowd, the looters were assisted by W.A. Soldiers civilians and various small boys who were out to get as much as possible boxes of cigars etc were taken and cigars were handed round amongst the crowd, some of the windows broken would not have been touched had it not been for civilians egging the men on, One was a civilian wanted me to get some of the boys together and start operations on a butchery business then he said that once we had started the crowd would be able to join in, of course he did not say that the civilians would share the blame, but that did not matter much. Perth is rather a nice town far better than Freemantle, I did not manage to see Mary B. Northam is about 72 miles from Perth and [indecipherable] is 20 miles from Northam, so I did not go up as I was short of funds, I visited the Musuem & Art Gallery in Perth, they do not compare with Sydney – at all. we sighted the first land today must stop now. with love to All heaps for Yourself & Bet. from Your Loving Son C.G.P.

Wish J. Many Happy Returns of 16th –The same of [indecipherable] or Me.

The Young Men’s Christian Association with H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt.
29th Jan 1916

My Dear Mother. We reached Port Suez after a splendid trip all the way the weather was all that could be desired, although the last couple of nights on the ship were windy and cold we disembarked at Port Suez and then proceeded to camp by Rail. I was detailed off with five others to guard some of the Baggage which was left on the wharf and, in the evening we were able to take a walk round part of the Port. it is a dingy dirty little place at the mouth of the canal the town proper is about a mile away I did not manage to have a look through it but I dont think I missed much as the accounts I heard of it were not very alluring ones, I believe it is even dirtier than Cairo and that is not saying much for it, I arrived in camp, on Tuesday morning about 3 a.m. after a very unexciting trip Per Rail

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The Young Men’s Christian Association with H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt.

A guide was waiting on Cairo Rly Stn to meet us and show us where the camp was [indecipherable] [indecipherable], on Tuesday after dinner two of us had a look round part of Cairo. There is much to see, in this place It is full of Bazaars and each guide who accosts you assures you that the Bazaar he wishes to show you is the only genuine one. We went into one, but did not like the look of the place, so turned and went out much to the disgust of the Proprietor, whose name I might mention was "Cohen" he followed us protesting that everything in his Bazaar was allright, and produced Police, certificates, etc to prove his assertions but it was no good we went on our way and did not visit any more bazaars in the evening we secured a couple of Donkeys and went for a Ride. there is nothing very exciting about a Donkey Ride in Cairo but you want to be a good hand at abusing the boys, who will not make their donks go unless you do. The vendors of Sweet Oringues matches & Walking canes are very much in evidence they ask

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The Young Men’s Christian Association with H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt.

any price from 5 Piastres down for an ordinary cane but if you tell them it is no good, and off 2 Piastres they generally accept, if you are not carrying a cane each one that you meet follows trying to persuade you to buy one. Our Camp is not as I expected to find it on Sand, it is more like a mixture of Sand & clay and beats down very hard, the camp is kept "Scrupulously" I dont think that is spelt "correctly" clean, and in front of each tent the men are building low parapetts they just dig out some of the sand & clay mixture of which I spke. and puddle it up then stamp it in between two planks and there you are. when these parrapetts are white washed they look nice. some of the tents have designs in front of them perhaps a shield with number of Batt etc. done with little round pebbles. some a Rough copy of the Aus. Coat of Arms. they look very nice, and they men take a lot of interest in their different designs,

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The Young Men’s Christian Association with H.M. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt.

Today we are going over a little more of Cairo, but at present it is a little warm for walking and this is a good place to write. The Y.M.C.A. here is for Soldiers only & they have a Skating Rink on which there is a game of Hockey proceeding at the Present moment. Now about myself there is little to tell except that I am in good health, and Received your letter written on the 17 Dec for which many thanks I received it after I came into camp on Tuesday I daresay it Reached Egypt before I did. Where we are going I cannot say, but I fancy we will be here Training for some time, there are of course plenty of rumours afloat. Regarding our destination when we leave, but I will know when we get there that is the most I can tell you. I found out that Alf Phillipss’ Regiment is camped not far away so Tomorrow I may be able to look him up I will try anyway I will also try and see, May Bowman now I must close with heaps of love to all. Heaps for yourself & Bett from your loving son CGP.

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[Noted on side of page 29th Jan.]
Keep all the allotment money drawn and use it as you please, if Havy has not been able to fix up the Bike, some of it could be used for that; tell him Dunlop tubes are the Best, and if he thinks they are too expensive, continentals are not too Bad but Dunlop Tyres are about the only class worth using
C.G.P.

I am numbering all letters - and keeping a check - this end when you write mention number on top, and I will know if any go astray. the numbers are not running consecutively no. 6 will be for Min.

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No 9 9th Feb. 1916
My Dear Mother = Since I wrote to you I have not been able to see much of the country round here, on Saturday last a couple of my mates & I went out to the Zoo, we did not have much time, so could not see everything, but we found the Kangaroos that the 3rd Light Horse brought out with them, They look quite at home in their little enclosure, There are a few Australian Birds in the collection and they have unpronounceable names. The Lions are fine, one old Lioness, was busy with a piece of meat and her three cubs, were prowling round the cage. The Zoo is out towards the Pyramids from Cairo, about 30 minutes ride in the train for which you pay ½ Piastre. On Sunday we went out to the Pyramids. Saw the Sphynx & also the Temple of the Sphynx. We did not have time to climb the Pyramid of Cheops, or go inside, The guide wanted 3/- to take us round but we refused to have anything to do with him, so at least he came down. The next man wanted nearly as much to take us inside the Pyramid, so we did not bother trying to beat him down, when the first Brigade came over here and found that every thing was cheap they just spent their money for spending sake, and now things that were sold for a few Milliemmes cost as many Piastres for the Natives were not slow to see that the Australians did not know the value of his money in Egypt, and up went the prices I thought

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that I would be able to purchase dates at a reasonable price, but they run into 8d per lb. other things are just as dear, Every shop displays Souvenirs of Cairo, some rather nice others not worth having but all of them are dear, the Shopkeepers will work any sort of design you like in Silk "while you wait" you can get embroidered handkerchiefs Scarfs etc. "with the Australian coat of arms, or any other pattern you fancy worked, in a very short time, needless to say they do it with a sewing machine and some of them are not too neatly finished. The Museum is the next Place we are visiting I believe it is a very fine one.
I should like to explore part of Old Cairo the part that Napoleon Smashed up, but I would also like a good revolver in my pocket. as Cairo once you leave the main Part of the city, is by no means inviting, and the Arabs, you meet are a dirty, sullen looking crew, that look as though they would, stick a knife between a mans ribs for ½ a Piastre. we have been warned that it is not safe for any man to walk about by himself and I quite believe it, you can buy cards showing views of different parts of the Native quarter of the city, but they give one a very poor Idea of the real thing with the narrow filthy streets if they can be called by the name, and the ramshackle houses that seem to be built of mud and stone mixed together, how they get them to stand up is the puzzle that has made me wonder

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some parts, look, as though someone had set to work to build a couple of houses and had left a space between them for a passage way, then later on had wanted a larger building so had set to work and built the passage ends up. I was looking at one place, and wondering how they had managed to stick it together, "it was one of the stone & mud houses" while I was wondering a cat came round a corner of the building, and proceeded to climb the wall. it went up about 3 stories sometimes moving along the wall diagonally sometimes going straight up and at last disappeared onto the roof which looked very much like a heap of Sugar cane leaves. This will give you an idea, of the class of architecture used in these buildings, a couple of hundred, High explosive shells would not be wasted, if fired into the native quarter of Cairo – Sugar Cane Seems to be a favourite article of diet amongst the poorer class of natives, you can see them along the Roads in the streets of Cairo and Heliopolis chewing away as if their sole aim and object in life was to eat as much cane as Possible When you are writing just address C/o. Base Depot. dont send through Barracks. I must stop now with heaps of love to all. heaps for yourself & Bet from your loving Son C.G.P.

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Feb 9 1916 Egypt

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I wrote and posted a letter to Mother a couple of days ago so will not send any more news, there is little to send except that the last couple of days have been fine, quite a change. after all the rain. Love to all the Relations and Good wishes. I only have a few of these cards, some of the boys here had them printed, heaps of love to all from Chas.

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Egypt 19.2.16.

My Dear Mother
Your letter dated 9th Jan. reached me safely yesterday. Thank Betty for hers I will write her one soon. I have not received your letter yet telling me that Stafford was abroad the Troopship, the other had that Bett. mentioned in her note is in the same company that I am in. I think I told you in my last letter that I had been out to the Pyramids, we Intended making a second trip someday, but I do not think that we will be able to do so now. I saw one of the Egyptian Cammel drivers having some fun with three of his long legged Brutes, one of them, was a bit obstinate and would not lead freely so the Gyppo commenced jerking the rope. This annoyed the Dromedary some and he rushed the Gyppo and tried to bite but only managed to secure part of the mans head-dress The Gyppo was scared some and ran like a scorched rabbit, long legs was tied to the other Camels and could not follow so had to wait for his "master" to return, as soon as that individual did, long legs went for him again, this went on for some time untill the Camel, and the man were just about thoroughly roused, The Camel frothing at the mouth, and he man standing off talking and although we could not understand him I’ll wager that what he was saying was far from complimentary to that Camel, eventually some of our boys who were near went to his assistance, and after a little persuasion with a good heavy cane, Legs decided that he would be safer lying down. Some of the Camels are far from safe and so far I have not felt inclined to go for a ride on one from the look of them, as they shuffle along. I think that I would prefer a good lively horse, – I saw Alf Phillips a few

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I was making inquiries for him, and had just made up my mind to give up and try some other day, when one of his mates told me were to find him. I was not able to have much of a talk with him. I may see him again before long and I may not We do not know what changes might take place in 24 hours, so we can never be certain of seeing anybody, but it is all in the game of war, After you receive this dont think of sending any parcels of any sort out here we can buy things that we need, for a little bit more than Sydney prices. Bar Tobacco and some brands of that article are, dearer than any other class of Poison that I know. In consequence I am smoking less and, may leave off for awhile. I dont believe in paying the prices that some of these dark skinned thieves ask. Cairo is full of these rooks. They have all sorts of articles for sale all Souvenirs of Egypt and the Bulk of them are the greatest trash, made up to catch the unwary I was looking at some pretty little spoons, Gilt & Enamel. I was informed that they were made of good silver so I asked why they were gilded, and was promptly told because Silver and Enamel did not look nice, Silver would not show the Enamel work off. The spoons were only 12/- a pair. I would have given 2/- for them but no more. Silks of various qualities are on view in abundance, but the prices asked are too hot altogether and other things Dates for Instance are dearer here than they are in Sydney – I cannot tell you anything about our movements or where we are The Drill we are at now, is making the Boys Buck up and take some more Interest in the work so far we have been very lucky and Instead of a sandy desert to drill on we have had good solid walking. – We passed through one of the native villages a couple of days ago

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when out on a march. I can only give you a poor description of the place & People. Lack of Building space seems to be one trouble, here or else it is that these people are far more sociable than the majority for the houses if they can be called by the name, are huddled together, or rather built together and roofed with all sorts of rubbish. The place is about as clean as a badly kept Piggery and the people themselves, are if anything worse than pigs. There are a few that seem to try and keep themselves decent, but the majority, are absolutely strangers to soap and water. When you write again be sure and note the change of address – I have not been issued with new number yet, so will still use the old one. Give my Love to all friends & Relatives, when you see them. much for yourself & Bet from your loving son Chas G. Pryce

New Address No. 3598 B. Coy. 2nd Battalion 1st Brigade
Intermediate Egypt Base Depot

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19 Feb 1916 Egypt

No 3598 Pte C.G. Pryce
B. Company
2nd Battalion
1st Brigade
Intermediate Base Depot
Egypt

28th – Feb your letter dated 17 Jan just to hand we

N.B. I have just received a letter which I posted at Heliopolis on the 9th Feb it was amongst a lot that were in the orderley tent waiting to be censored, someone upset a tin of Milk over them and the letters were transferred to fresh envelopes and returned to the writers

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March 4th 1916

My Dear Mother

No doubt you allready know that the Brigade is in France, we had a splendid trip over. Stopped at Toulon en Route, but no Troops were allowed ashore, as we were only there for one night, Toulon is a very pretty place, the hills rising behind the town, on the Southern side of the bay are orchards etc, and some rather fine buildings, we landed at Marseilles and entrained straight away. The journey through France takes some time and we were only out of the Train for a little while, at some of the Stopping places, but I enjoyed every hour of daylight, France is a beautiful country, with its tiny green fields and hedges, along the line every piece of land that is any good is cultivate even on the hillsides, where you would think it was allmost too steep to cultivate, the line follows a River, or I should say, runs beside a river, for miles, I dont know the name of the stream, but it is a pretty trip along the valley and when the spring is more advanced and the hedges etc, are green it will be pretty indeed, Along some parts of the line patches of Primroses and Cowslips were growing in abundance, and daisies they grow every where. just the same daisies that we take so much trouble to grow here. The fields will soon be white with them.

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[Blank page with the exception of the note "March 4 1916"]

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Mrs H.G. Pryce
11 Ben Eden St
Waverley
Sydney
N.S.W.
Australia

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But all along the line on the farms, one feature that was most noticeable was the absence of men. There were a few but they were mostly old men, or lads too young to join the Army. The women do the Farm work now. Some of the old farmhouses are very picturesque with their moss covered thatched roofs, some have tiled roofs and do not look nearly so nice allthough they are pretty. Before I left Egypt I saw some of the Old hands, in the 1st Batt. but could not find out anything about Cyril Horton, except that he was killed, I was also talking to one of the men who was in the fighting at Lone Pine. From him I learned that Jack Harris was killed instantaneously by a shell "he was in the same station" as the I saw Alf Phillips before I left Heliopolis, to join this Unit. I dont know whether his Regmt will come across here or not somehow I dont think they will , I dont know whether the weather is just the ordinary everyday article or whether it has been specially prepared for us, yesterday was a nice sunny spring day, Today is a dull grey winter one, cold enough for snow, Which, by the way, we saw on the hills, when coming along in the Train. The first show that I have seen for many years. After Egypt, the cold here is no joke one allmost gets warm "Shivering"

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When we were coming through in The Train, Some English Red Cross Nurses heard that we were coming so they waited on the Rly Stn, for 3 hours, we arrived at 11 P.M. and were awakened, by the nurses - at first I did not know what was wrong. Thought we had to detrain, but soon found out that, the Nurses had just waked us up to give us some Chocolate and tell us how glad they were to welcome us to France. I guess we were glad to see them too, They were the First Ladies we had spoken too since leaving Perth – They said they hoped some of us would come along to their hospital, when we got wounded. Now My Dear Mother I must stop, my hands are allmost too cold to write, Tell Bet that I will write her a letter soon. much Love to all from Your loving Son C.G.P.

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30/3/16

Dear Bett
Just a line to let you all know that I am well and at present am enjoying myself some. Some Nurses came down to the train last night, and woke us up, they were jolly Girls. We quite enjoyed talking to them. This is a bonny country, green & fresh after Egypt. Snow in places, and a heavy frost this morning,
Love to all from Chas.

[The diarist’s address is also noted on this page –
2nd Battalion 1st Brigade Aif

[Page 31]
[Copy of the front of a postcard from the diarist addressed to Miss B.I.N. Pryce – 11 Ben Eden St Waverley Sydney New South Wales Australia. No doubt the message on this postcard is the transcription on page 30.]

[Page 32]
undated
France
My Dear Mother, I will just about have time to catch this mail before it closes, we have been in our present quarters for 16 days, and fritz has not treated us too badly just a few grenades etc, this morning some heavy shells to dig us out, I wish the Russians were all over Germany armed with all the latest and most Diabolical weapons that man has made. There is a very warm time ahead for Fritz. I suppose we will get it pretty hot ourselves but Fritz will, get, all he deserves, or I hope he will, last mail in I had letters from Min & one from Dora, - a few days ago I received a card from Cousin D. at Narrandera just before we came here I received your letter and Betts. The parcel has not arrived yet, it may come along at any time, About three weeks ago I had a short note from T. Kennett. B.N. to tell me that they have had good rains in the N. West and there is plenty of feed again, if some of this French weather could be sent across Aus. would be absolutely the finest country under the sun, This is mid summer here, and the hottest day so far has not been worse than a nice sunny day in Spring in N.S.W. I dont think that we will get any hot weather now, and when the winter comes round, well, I dont know what we will do, for I guess that this place is going to be cold, and then our feet will be colder than "Frogs on Ice", – "That’s not a french dish" – just a metaphor, or any name you like to call it.

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Some of the papers sent have reached me, but there are a lot away yet, I do not expect to see them, Dora. C. told me in her letter that She was sending a Mail with account of Anzac day. we were in the trenches that day, – I have not received any letter from H. yet. I daresay it will get here, in time, I have some cards to send Bett. Some Cairo views, I did not manage to get very good ones, as the Gyppos. wanted as much as 6d each for decent cards, and I did not consider them worth it. So far I have not purchased any French views, I dont know whether the Military authorities would allow them to be sent. I heard when we landed, that, they would not pass the Censor, it may be true and it may not, All round here, There is not a farm house that has not suffered, They are nearly all alike, battered to the ground, by Shell fire. You see first, a patch of fine old trees Cider apple & pear. Some fine old cherry trees etc., Then if you look round in the vicinity you find a heap of battered bricks, once they found a house, of other houses the walls, reman, some of the villages that the huns had to be hunted out of escaped with very little damage nearly all the fighting in those places was done with the bayonet. There will be plenty more work of that sort done on this side before Fritz is eventually hunted back to his own Territory, and I fancy myself that Willie, will wish That he had stayed home, and let sleeping dogs lie.

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its dangerous work, helping to hunt Fritz back to Berlin because he doesn’t want to go, and argues the point, over going someday perhaps they will get him moving, and then he wants to either move very fast, or very cautiously. I saw a fine sight a few days ago, four of our large Planes passing. The Huns were shelling them for all they were worth, but the airmen kept straight ahead, flying two in front a little higher than the two in rear. The sky was covered round them, with white patches of smoke, we could see them coming for some time, just tiny specks, with little white & black patches of cloud forming round them. They passed us and faded away in the clouds, The airmen seem to bear charmed lives, of course it is very hard to determine whether a shell is bursting close to a machine, when you are down below, the shells burst all round them, when they get close the airman just alters his course and often he will be sailing along, and the Hun Shells will be bursting right away in a different direction, when one of Fritzs machines, travells over, and our guns commence work it does not take him long to turn for home and show his heels.

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Nell. C. has sailed for Australia so Dott. told me in her letter. I suppose She has arrived home long ago, I was in hopes I would see her in England, but it will be some time before I see that side unless Fritz send me a free ticket, and does not overdo things. I dont think that I am particularly anxious to go there, if I knew someone, or had a few friends there, it would be very different, no doubt if I did go over I would manage to enjoy myself, but I will not worry over that till I get there, life is too uncertain here, One of our lads was killed yesterday, when he was standing in a place where he seemed perfectly safe. A Ricochet bullet got him, I must close as news is far from plentiful. Love to all, heaps for Bett and Yourself from your Loving Son Chas.
My Love to Bea and thank her for the present. it has not arrived yet. C.

[Page 36]
France April 26th – 16
Dear Bett.
I have very little news just now Things are quiet here, and [indecipherable] not too brisk, and the weather, well since we landed on this side we have only enjoyed about 4 fine days. The rest have been cold and wet weather something like, that which you had on the Hastings, just before you went to Sydney and mud well I never saw mud before I landed here, the place is all mud & water a trifle different to Egypt, the last two days however have improved things and the ground is drying steadily I hope this fine weather continues for a while it will improve things greatly I suppose there are a good bundle of letters etc waiting for me somewhere. I have only received one since I landed over here and it was written in Dec. 1915 so there must be quite a pile on the way When you see Mrs Harris again you can tell her that L.C. Hall is attached to this Batt. as Signaller I see him sometimes. "I also met one of the men who was at Lone Pine, and was in the same Platoon as Jack. he knew Jack and told me that there was absolutely no doubt about Jack he was killed by a shell just near the trenches, when the charge was made. "You can see what Mother thinks before you tell Mrs. Harris this".- A little over a fortnight ago we had some lovely weather, a regular French mixture wind, snow & rain combined & I can tell you it was pleasant, I dont think, France is a lovely country, but, when cold and wet is just as miserable a place

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[Blank page with the exception of the notation "April 26 1916"]

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as any other that I have been in, but colder than the coldest winter, Australia ever knew. a few nights ago I was out on post, it was raining some, and before morning, my feet were like lumps of Ice. They felt as if they did not belong to me, if any one had accused me of having cold feet, I could not have denied it. Anyway I made a quart of Oxo soup when I came off duty then turned in to sleep. Such is life here in France I may get a chance to visit England sometime so, if you send me the address of any Relatives over there, if there are any I may possibly go and see them I am not saying for certain that I will I only might. If I get the chance I will certainly go over – now I must Ring off. with

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heaps of Love to all from your loving Bro Chas G.P.

Address
No. 3598

B. Company
2nd Battalion
1st Brigade
A.I.E.F.
France

N.B. Had a cold when I left Egypt but it is gradually improving. C

[Page 40]
Somewhere In France 27th 5 1916
Dear J.
Your letter dated 13.3.16 arrived yesterday also one from Mother & Bett. my letters are just beginning to arrive, here, a few days ago I received 7 and yesterday 5. I think all Mothers letters have arrived now. I mean those that were posted addressed to Egypt. Thanks much for the present. I will be able to change the notes here, and I fancy they are worth a little more than Aus. paper would be over here. But just where to spend them, and what to buy is another matter if we were near one of the larger towns, way back from the firing line it would be easy enough but here the only articles worth purchasing are Luxuries that our Comisariat Dep. does not supply. Such as Eggs, they are only 2 ½ d each. Preserved fruits 2/- per tin, in Aus. about 1/1 other articles are much the same. Bar, Wines & Beer. "So far as the brands of Wine stocked here in these Esta [blank] are concerned I dont like them they dont come near the Australian article Champagne, at 5 Francs, per Bottle is not too bad But the 15 franc article is better. But I can assure you that I dont go in for any. "A Frenchy told me that it was no Bon for Privates, only for Officers meaning that a privates pay would not stand the strain, I quite believe him. The French Beer you can purchase for 1d per glass, if you are very thirsty and there is no water about the stuff is just drinkable or some of it is. I have seen a good solid beer drinker turn round after taking one mouthful and leave his Beer on the Table. at one place they stock an article which they claim is English beer. it is certainly a better article than the other, but I fancy only English in name, but it is 3d per glass, only small glasses at that, so what is a man to do when I want a drink – go for the 3d article.

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We heard various accounts of the way in which the L pool and Casula men had set out to make a name for themselves But at first I thought some of the accounts were overdone however we learned a little of what they had been at from News cuttings sent across. I guess any of the lads who took part will be wise, when they are eventually drafted out amongst the different Battallions, if they keep their mouths shut, and know as little as possible about the whole affair for the Old hands over here will not hesitate to let them know just what their opinion of them is. I can tell you that they will not find it a very flattering one, Say Sweetman is the sort we want over here No doubt they will present him with the Royal Humane Society’s medal Well I showed the account of the rescue to one of the Lone Pine men and remarked that, Sweetman would no doubt receive the R.H.S.M. and would be just the sort to pick up a V.C. or D.C.M. in action. "He said oh yes. Perhaps." in my opinion its harder to win the R.H.S.M. than either V.C. or D.C.M." – That is the opinion of one who survived the L.P. charge and is considered a good soldier, he certainly has a good nerve I am not a bit surprised to hear that H.s Produce business is Mafush" as a Gyppo would say, it was a bad time to start anything of that sort, Now if H. could manage to secure a billet as Station Bookkeeper, somewhere in the Sou West or Nor West division he would benefit more ways than one for I’ll wager that although he might find the climate a bit warm at first

[Page 42]
he would eventually get to like it, and I guess that it would suit him better than the coast, as for his idea of joining the L.H. well I don’t, fancy he would have a possible hope. he has never done any riding, and would find, that, being amongst horsemen was not the sweetest, of jobs if you dont understand looking after your mount on some of the Stations, in the Nor West. a book keepers job is not too bad on others a book K. has to be a general handy man, able to ride help muster, count sheet, etc. If he could secure something of that sort, he would find, before long that the dry climate out from the coast, was far better for him than st "guess I’m trying to write and listen to some of the lads talking". I would have tried to run him onto something of that sort, when I came down from Q. But H. is a hard chap to advise, and as he had that Business in hand, I didn’t like saying anything or another good line is the forwarding agency business, it would also Suit H. now. Wright H & Co. are allways on the look out for places to open new branches, in parts that are just or are being opened up by new Rlys
The manager at Headquarters if he took a fancy to H. would fix him up for they have to enlarge their staff when they open a new branch, You have a yarn to Dott. when you are over at Mossman’s again and see if She does not think Mr. B. would do as I say. Say we’re having a high old time here, just at present, you’ve read in the papers of FATIGUE Works and you have also seen Photos of Australians engaged on them

[Page 43]
Well we are fast being iniatated into the art of doing Fatigues of different Kinds, Lately we have been on two different jobs No 1 – we Rise from our feather beds at 4.30 A.M. Breakfast, 4.45 AM. start work about 6 A.M. after walking about a mile, we only do 4 hours on this job then home for dinner, during the afternoon some of us sleep read or write. Those who cant sleep do the reading & writing. Im one of them – No. 2 job we fall in a 7-15 P.M. same day march about 6 miles and commence work finish between 2 a.m. & 4 a.m. we usually arrive back about 4 a.m. and turn in, last day we were on this job we arrived back at camp a little earlier, waked up again at 5 A.M. for Breakfast, and then allowed to retire and sleep till dinner time, at 2 P.M. fell in for Parade, but we are lucky, our company does the job and, says things, regarding Fatigues in general, another company I will not name, went out on this same job. 3 or 4 parties, went to where the work was to be done, but they did not like the job, so under cover of the darkness they decided to leave it for anyone who was willing to do it and off they went, consequences were, the allotted amount of work was left to a few, but that Company has been sent on the same Fatigue, about twice to our once as Punishment.

[Page 44]
One of our Cooks, is an artist in his own way but never shows unless he has been looking on The wine when it is Red. Pale Amber or Colourless, or when he has been cooking his parched throat with beer, at 1 d per glass. Many and strange are the things he has met with, "While under the influence" He will discourse at length, on many and various deadly reptiles the bites of which he professes to be able "to cure". If any one interrupts, he will advise them in language, more forcible than polite, "to keep quiet and then warns them that if they give him any provocation, they will fancy they have bumped up against a Traction engine or a big barn in France, then he proceeds with his lecture on Snakes, of various kinds and Colors. - The Mudgee Adder famed for its, viciousness, and deadly fangs generally takes first place, but close in its track follow the deadly, Goudle Goudle, the Bandy Bandy the Ground [indecipherable], and several others I cant name, Where he finds these Reptiles, I cant tell, but they must exist, for didn’t a ground hasher, chase him once for 8 miles he was about 250 yds in front, when a man on the road stopped him and inquired what his hurrying was caused by, cant Stop, said Jack, Ground hasher, about 200 yds back, been after me for 8 miles," "and on he went". The man who had stopped him just side stepped to watch that Reptile pass, but no fear. The Snake smelt him stopped, got its evil eye on him and went straight for him, it chased him 3 miles, Right into the middle of a town which Jack forgot to name

[Page 45]
otherwise you would be able to write to someone there, get them to hunt up some of the Publicans who would not doubt be able to verify the yarn for no man could stand the strain, without having something to steady his nerves again. His latest Reptile is a very deadly variety, and strange to say is Right here in France allthough it was never discovered till Jack had Partaken of some French Beer, by way of Refreshment, "So far he has been unable to secure any Specimens, to Show us, but we live in hopes. The new Rep. is the Deadly "Yak Yak" how he got the name is a mystery – but the fact remains he got it. A few days ago J was out drinking up, coming along the Street he met one of the Captains, stopped him and proceeded to enlighten him, regarding the habits of the Yak Yak. the Capn. listened there turning to a Private who was standing near, said Fake J. home Page. and passed on laughing – J is a student of all things, Birds Insects, etc. At one of our Billetts he was watching a Sparrow building a nest. Not because he admired his idea of architecture but because there was something he liked about that particular sparrow. – J. says the architecture is too Rough for him, but he watched Mr. S. sitting near the nest.

[Page 46]
looking down at the ground first with one eye then with the other, at last down he flew selected a straw, and returned to the nest, then his troubles started that straw would not go into position and at last Mr. S. had to let it go. For awhile he sat and thought, then flew to a harrow near, where a lot of sparrows were holding a meeting, discussing the possibilities of a plentiful wheat harvest This year "he selected one gave him a …. …. …. …. hiding, in fact made the feathers fly for a few seconds. Then took No.2. back to the nest, and talked things over explained his trouble, and, decided that two of them could overcome the difficulty so down they flew got the straw and soon had it in position, Then the air was filled with their song of Rejoicing – I must let J slide for the present but I might add before I finish that although he has cured the bites of all Australia’s deadly Reptiles Imaginary and otherwise, has met with and cured the bite of the Famous Indian Cobra. yet he is frightened of and cannot cure the bite of the Ausn. Carpet snake he says that, that snake has got the whole world bamboozled, they cannot heal the bite permanently. I heard him advising one youngster when he got back to Aus. "to go out into the bush and find all the different breeds of poisonous Reptiles, he had named and let them bite him, he would find that they were easy to cure but

[Page 47]
with the Carpet snake – I dont fancy the aforementioned youngster will try the experiment. When you are at Goonigal again give all the Girls and [indecipherable] my love, And by the way Dott told me in a letter that I only received a couple day’s ago, that Uncle Cliff was asking if he could have a one of my Photos it seems that the old Chap takes a good deal of interest in the Wellfare of yours Humbly – so if there are not quite enough to go round just draw on my back Pay and get a few more, and give him one. I’d like him to have one. I fancy I told Mother that T. Kennett – Blue Nobbys was promised one then you can keep a spare one for me, and I will perhaps send along further Instructions say when the Boat was pulling out from the Wharf at Freemantle, I wrote my name on a slip of paper, rolled the Paper round the staff [indecipherable] flog that one of the lads had when leaving Sydney, and threw it down to Girl who was standing on the wharf – She got quite excited and waved untill the boat swung round in the channell, after that I never saw whether she waited with the crowd who had come down to see the last of the boys who smashed the Huns windows, and took his cigars etc –

[Page 48]
Well when I landed in Egypt I was only there a few days, when I received a letter, a jolly nice letter too from this young lady – she seemed so far as I could make out from the Promenade deck to be Rather Pretty, and seemed to be a quiet Sensible young lady. She seemed to be looking for someone, and looked as though she could not find whoever it was. In her letter She told me that She had gone down to the boat to See her Cousin a Young Engineer, but named Jack Newlings, but his wife was there, and Monopolised him – She is employed in the Customs Department, Freemantle, what as I dont know.
I wrote in answer to her letter and with the budget of letters I received a few days ago, came an answer She, was quite Surprised that I answered her letter, she also informed me that she writes to two boys from other States, one from N.S.W. & one from S.A. and says she just writing to boys at the front. I tell you that, ever, if she was surprised to receive an answer I was more surprised to receive a letter a few days after I landed in Egypt – Now Old Chap I must Ring off, as it is growing dark. my Love to Everyone at Home Good Luck. from your Affec Bro Chas

[Page 49]
Tell Bett. that I will send some P.Cs along as soon as I get a chance to get some good ones I have a few Gyppo’s with me, they are not every good ones but I will send them along – also tell her not to worry about sending stamps at any time, thank her for them all the same. So far as spending money is concerned I have ample tell Mother, so there will not be any need to worry thinking I maybe short, in fact I secured an Australian note at the Y.M.C.A. I was thinking of sending it home Bacca. I have just as much as I care to smoke I bought ½ lb of Havelock Plug in Cairo and still have a plug on hand, They issue tobacco & Cigs some of the weed is not much to write home about but I am getting used to it now, a lot of the boys dont care for the Bacca and I generally give one them my Cigs and he gives me his bacca, so I have Plenty. I had a ¼ tin a couple of weeks ago, and had a job to give it away. Chas

[Noted on the side of the page –
Using a piece of indelible Pencil dissolved in water for ink Acts well but inclined to blot easily ].

[Page 50]
[Copy of a telegram with the following notation –
Contains a stamp – Eastern Extension Telegraph Co. Ltd. 17 OConnell St Sydney Aug 10 1916.

The following Telegram Received via EASTERN, at 4.46 p.

1498 London 13 5th 3 PM from J.S Pryce
Sunday Times Office
Castlereagh St
Sydney

All well writing
Pryce

[Page 51]
[This is a carbon copy of the telegram message noted on the previous page.]

[Page 52]
10th July
was surprised to hear that H was going into camp let me know if possible what Batt. he goes into. I think all letters have reached me now coming to hand fairly regularly now. Chas G

I have received your letter with extracts from Alans diary Mother, Dear also the parcel, it arrived a few days ago. The Chocolate are appreciated,although we can get lots of it here, we have a job to get the plain Choc. other sweets I seldom worry about. there are a few delicacies that we go in for when we get a chance, preserved fruit is our favourite, but it is fairly dear 21d per tin Cocoa, etc. now the cherries are ripe and allthough they are dear, we buy whenever we get a chance, A hat full costs 10d, one Franc this is not very much when we have plenty to spend. some of the boys waste their money gambling for pennies and drinking French beer Vin etc. most of the drinks manufactured over here are, worse than our worst. the french beer sold in some places is more like sour tea favoured with vinegar than anything else, "I have seen a good beer drinker taste it then set his glass down and walk away disgusted, he could not swallow the stuff Their wines are not much better, no doubt better quality would be obtainable in Gay Paree or any of the larger cities but in those places we will never be. There are few things to buy in most of the villages. I got some good Cigars in one place, they were a welcome change after smoking light tobacco’s of different brands and quality for some time, I dont care much for the english brands of Tobacco that we get but I am getting used to it. I have some good old Australian Plug that I keep and use some now and again to mix with the lighter brands –

[Page 53]
It is a pleasure to walk along the roads here now and see the various crops when we passed through this part a couple of months ago. The crops were just springing and the Hop vines were just shooting, now the Hops are growing luxuriantly, they are worth seeing here they do not grow them on Poles, but on wires first they erect their posts for the top wires they are about 20 feet from the ground. then fine wires are attached to these overhead wires and fastened to pieces of stronger wire, which are set firmly in the ground. The vines are trained on the small wires, they look very pretty growing and I should think that they would be far easier to harvest than when grown on poles, other crops Wheat & Oats give promise of a plentiful harvest But Beans & Peas they grow here to perfection whether they bear well is another thing. The Peas & Broad beans grow better, than I have ever seen them before if good green foliage is any Criterion. Red Clover is another crop that grows well. the farmers have cut the first crop for hay and it is still out in the pad fields curing in some places they are cutting grass for hay today I saw a load on the road when we were marching along. how long we will be in this part of France I cannot say not very long I think.

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11th
Last night we passed through some fresh country, per Road early this morning I looked out of our [indecipherable] , and could see fresh scenery, green forest country with dense under growth, it was very pretty, but I was tired and sleepy and was in too crowded and cramped a position, to take very much notice of the country we passed through, we detrained at a Rly Stn somewhere and after waiting for some time set out for our present destination, again the country had changed, and after leaving the Rly we marched along a road, shaded by tall trees. I fancy they were Elms, There were a few poplars [indecipherable] by trees that had been lopped and only a bushy top left, the wheat crops here are not quite so fine as those we left behind us but the poppies grow all through this wheat here, they are very pretty, one wheat field was a picture, poppies, Red and blue Cornflowers, amongst them other wild flowers, place Puce and white were growing, the Road at one place ran round the side of a hill and gradually led down into the valley, on our left was the hillside with a few straggly patches of wheat, oats etc, and flowers growing through them on our right the valley stretches, patches of green crops, potatoes Beans wheat etc, and Through them scarlet patches of poppies, and away in the valley a small cluster of houses, amongst the trees, on the opposite slope more crops, and more flowers, it was a very pretty scene, the name of the place I cannot tell

[Page 55]
I dont think we will be here long, I expect we will be taking part, in the push we read so much of in the papers but do not know for certain, This is one of the old fashioned French villages quiet and sleepy I should say at the best of times, Last night we marched through a fairly big town the place was practically in the darkness, and no one about at all I wonder where we will be next week. When you see Bea again give her my love and thank her for the Sox. They just got here at the right time, I still have a good pair that I brought over a couple of the heavy pairs I put in my black kit bag, I think that it is at the base in Eng. now and I gave Simmons a couple of pairs as I could not carry them, we can nearly always get a pair of sox if we require them, By the way a parcel, sent out to Summons from home had a handkerchief for me in it a lot of parcels have been posted to him but so far only a few have reached him. the Authorities must have a job to handle mails etc, the papers you send get here sometimes. I have not received one for some time now. Min sends them too, and [indecipherable] sent me a copy of the S. Mail with an Account of Anzac Day doings in it but so far it has not reached me. now I must ring down the curtain much Love to all from your loving son C.G.P. All well so far no need to worry -

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17-6-16

Your letters sent on 28th of May reached me safely a few days ago, also Two from M. and one from West Australia, of which I will speak later on. I hope Mother Dear that you have received my letters by now. They have been posted each mail I suppose they will eventually reach you my letters seem to be coming along, all except papers which only arrive at intervals, I have not received many. I told you in my last letter that we were seeing a little of lush country, some parts are very pretty here the country is hilly and, there are some very pretty spots, that I would like to go over, the trouble is that we have not been near any of these beauty spots long enough to see any thing of them, we just see them and pass on, You would love to see the wheat fields etc. here poppies and cornflowers a few pretty blue Larkspurs and numerous other flowers grow in wild profusion through the crops. I have not seen any Hop plantations down here, so if you know the parts of France that go in for Hops and wet weather you will be able to guess where I have been, in F here things are better; but the country though not quite so good, is I think prettier. I expect to be in one of the machine Gun sections very shortly, so if I get through all right, I will have a chance of doing something. I have not heard of Alf Phillips since I left Egypt and so far have not heard anything of Bruce Rae yet It is just a chance whether I meet him or not, Tell John that I met Ted Mackinson a couple of days ago, he asked to be remembered to J. have not seen any of the others that J – gave me the names of, we do not have a great deal of time to run round, looking [for]

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anyone, All the villages have a fine big church with high steeple. They are all very much alike, from one place that we spent a couple of days in we could see 4 steeples, or church spires rising above the trees that hide the greater part of each village from sight the french people believe in plenty of shelter, expect for coolness in Summers. Wallnutts, Lymes, Poplars, Elms, and trees of names of which I do not know, yet, The Horse Chestnutts are very pretty trees, I wondered what they were when I saw them first, with their prickly pods on. They grow some good roses here too, we saw several very fine clusters of Crimson Rambler or a rose, very much like it. At present the weather is unsettled and the roads are very muddy, it is only just the surface, but it manages to splash about pretty freely - plenty of heavy gunfire, some where away out in front of us, we hear rumours of victories won, and captures made, Fritz is getting a hot time, I fancy but I will know before long perhaps now I must stop for the present, I may have another chance to write more later much Love to All from your Loving son C.G.P.

22nd
Still alive and well. Tonight I will see The Huns for first time. Love to all at Home from Your Loving son Chas more news when I write again if that is to be dont worry Mother –

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6th Aug. 16 Stoke War Hospital Stoke On Trent. Eng.
My Dear Mother I arrived here from France on the 29th of last month. How long I will be here I cannot say, perhaps my area will keep me long enough to miss the winter or the greater part of it. I have no wish to be in the trenches in winter. This game is not what it is made out to be. We left the Flanders, Front "we were right opposite Lille." and travelled South through Domart, Allonville Warloy – Albert. went into the firing line near Albert, opposite what was once the village of Pozieres, that was our objective, On Sunday the 23rd at 1 am. we left our trenches and crossed no mans land towards the trenches our guns were going a treat, and, our leaders, well the less said the better. before we knew just what was happening some of us were in under our own guns, and they are no joke, we got orders to dig in so we started, next thing I found that the Sergeant in charge had disappeared where he was no one seemed to know and when I looked round to see if I could find him I found that we were only about 16 strong. The rest of the company I could not see anywhere, so I decided to stay where I was. I was busy trying to dig deep enough to lessen the risk of stopping a piece of Hot Iron. There was plenty of it moving but I gave the job up one gun was dropping shells a few feet away behind a bank. The bank used to fairly shake again when one of them burst.

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so I sat there and waited, presently I saw two men come from the direction of the German lines. I was not sure what they were so I watched them. They made towards our lines but presently returned. I got a good look at them, as one of the German Flare lights went up. They were Huns, so after that I kept a pretty good watch. They came out again and, ran right onto us. I saw them coming, and grabbing my rifle jumped out to meet them, the sight of the Bayonet was enough They threw up their hands, said they were our comrades Then threw themselves down on the ground and rolled and groaned, and alltogether showed that they were proper curo, they will fight with machine guns but when you reach their lines they do not care to faced the steel they either run or else try to throw themselves on your mercy and plead that they are comrades - But this game is not going to work with us – they must either Fight or go under. The Prussians are game enough though and the Branden burghers. They will fight, Saxons & Bavarians would give the game up, if they had their way. I am rather sorry for the Saxons. They are fighting, because they had no choice in the matter. But to get back to business just before daybreak on Sunday morning I found that a lot of our men were digging in about 40 yards behind us, They were a mixed lot from 1st to 6th Battns. The men that I was with went over

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and joined them, and as daylight came over Engineers came across with wire etc. Fritz did not seem Inclined to attack us, so we continued and gradually during sunday we were sorted out, and found where our company’s were, then we had to set to work to dig trenches and make things secure, This was awkward for our own guns were sending shells over, again they thought that we were digging in outside the ruins of the village, word had to be sent up to them. Then things were fairly quiet, wherever you looked our lads were walking about just as though they owned the place rummaging round looking for Souvenirs etc. which reminds me I have a rather good Souvenir that I am sending out as soon as I get a chance. "It is a fine automatic Pistol that one of the two huns I spoke of had he threw it away when we caught him There was a very nice Bayonet on the belt as well. I gave it to a little English man who admired it very much and who was good enough to guide me to the Australian Hospital at Albert. I brought the pistol along with me allthough I was warned that if it was seen I would lose it, as all these things are supposed to be handed in. However I did not see any fun in handing it over to any

[Page 61]
one else and I still have it when I will be able to send it along I dont know, I wrot you a short letter, in which I told you that I had just received the sox. I left it with one of our Corporals, to post when we attacked Pozieres, he was left in charge of our belongings that we could not carry I came away from the trenches just as I stood up. arrived in England Hatless, our hats were left in our Packs, and I handed the Steel Helmet in at the Hospital. I have written to the Quarter Master asking him to send me some of the things out of my Pack but the letter is here yet, whether I will ever get the articles or not I dont know. He told me to write if I wanted them, and, promised to send them along. but, promises are cheap and I have learned to look askance on the military man who promises too readily However I will wait and see what eventuates, before I judge. So far I have not heard how we got on that our men Still hold the ground won I know, but I fancy that we paid a fairly heavy Price on the Monday. Fritz sent us coal boxes and Shrapnel good & Plenty, and it is marvellous how many of these big shells can fall round about without doing any damage. it took over 60 to get me, then I am not certain that it was not a piece from one of the small Shrapnell shells that I stopped

[Page 62]
Australian Imperial Force,
Base Records Office, A.I.E.F.
Victoria Barracks,
Melbourne. 18th August 1916

Dear Madam,
I regret to advise you that No. 3598 Private C.G. Pryce, 2nd late 19th Battalion, has been reported wounded. It is not stated as being serious and in the absence of further reports it is to be assumed that all wounded are progressing satisfactorily.
In the event of further information coming to hand you will be promptly notified.
It should be clearly understood that if no further advice is received this Department has no later information to give.

Yours faithfully,
J.N. Lean.
Major, Officer i/c Base Records.

Mrs. M. Pryce,
11 Benedin Street,
Waverley
Sydney N.S.W.

[Page 63]
Stoke War Hospital
28th 8.1916 9.30 P.M.

Dear Bett. No chance of going to sleep just yet so I am going to start a letter to you. The day has been fair, cloudy, but no rain, this afternoon two of us went out for a walk and saw a little of the country round. it is pretty, but does not come up to some parts. near here are some very large pottery works, and when the furnaces are going full force, there is very little to see round except clouds of smoke. This morning I saw them and was struck by the volumes of black smoke rising from one quarter so made inquiries and found that the potteries were just putting a little fresh fuel on the fires, not a very pretty scene I have a P.C. that I will send along, A Whiff from Hanley, it is quite close Another batch of wounded coming in tonight, so I should not be surprised if we do not get to sleep till late, but that will not be anything new, for me as I generally manage to keep awake, till 4 P.M.

[Page 64]
Then I go to sleep for awhile, if I go to sleep earlier I generally wake up again later on, and then sometimes, one of the nurses on night duty brings in some hot milk for the patients who cannot sleep. I told her when she brought me the first lot, that I would keep awake every night, just to get the milk. This morning she came in at 3 oclock I was awake and, she wanted to bring me some tea but I wouldn’t let her. She is such a bright jolly girl, nearly as tall as me just a little taller than my shoulder, so I call her little Sister – She moves round the ward, as though she was never tired, but this morning when she came in I could see that she was just about tired out. They have to work hard sometimes, then for awhile when the men are nearly fit to go to a convalescent camp, they have easier times, but there is allways plenty for them to do. Life as a Hospital Nurse would not suit me. I dont think that I will be here much longer my arm is pretty well healed now, but it is stiff I cant raise it very high but that will soon wear off. then I suppose back again but it is no use worrying about that, just at present as long as I dont get much winter work over there. But I suppose it would be nearly as bad in camp here, in England – there is a big camp over here for Australians I think somewhere. I better no say where lest the censor dissapproves if he sees.

[Page 65]
I think that I will go down to Surrey to Mrs. Horton. She wrote and invited me down there to spend my convalescing period, but that will not be allowed. So I will wait untill I get my furlough. I believe Wallington Surry is a very pretty place. So I will have something to look forward to, we will get 10 days furlough when we are discharged from Hospital. I may be able to see Eric Elder if he is still with the Battn. The other I will not have a chance of seeing if he is still in Egypt anyway I would stand a very small chance of seeing him, for we do not see much of the A.H.S.C. men they are generally behind at a good distance except when on duty. I am glad that I did not get into the A.S.C. now. The artillery or Engnrs would have suited me but still there is a sporting chance for the "common or garden" Saper The infant. any way we get plenty of work, and Bally the latter does not agree with me and the former I begin to like less & less, but what is the use of telling the Cap. he wouldn’t believe it really. I’ve got a nice Souvenir of Pozieres to send out to John if it gets to Austral. safely you will see it if it goes astray, then you will not see it. "That a piece of good solid reasoning" Say I received the letters with account of the lilly and its white blooms yess it is a very pretty thing and up on Blue Nobbys there are hundreds of them. I also received a letter from Harry with a Pen & ink sketch of a way back

[Page 66]
sniping bunyips on the banks of the Bogan. They have been long in reaching me I received 19 letters all at once, all old I should have received them all "bar one" while I was in Egypt. two from Dora C. written in January one from a friend of Johns written in May, a Mr G.A. Linter. ask J when you see him I dont remember him giving me Linters address, he gave me, Charlie Edwards and another, I saw one of them Mackinson, he asked to be remembered to J they are attached to our Brigade, but I only saw any of their Coy once to speak to just before we went to Pozieres, I dont know where they are now, none of my Platoon mates came to this hospital and I dont know just how many of them were killed or injured over there, it was a hot corner for a while but we gave more than we got, and if we lost heavily, fritz did also and our lads held what they had taken. I must ring off now it is 10.40 P.M. So for the present goodnight the first patient for this ward has just arrived a stretcher case, there has been once death in this ward since we arrived here a young fellow from somewhere up near Grenfell. he had his left arm off and suffered a lot at times. The nurses were very good, and did everything Possible but could not "save him".

[Page 67]
I had a letter and some papers from Mrs. Horton this morning, in which she told me that they are looking forward to having me there when on Furlough. Today the weather seems to be changing it was rather cold and foggy this morning, and it has been cloudy all day long, and far from pleasant. I hope it is fine when I am on furlough. Mother asked me in one of the letters that I received the other day whether I wished any inquiries to be made about my tent. well I was under the impression that I left a letter with H for Carter, it was instructions for Carter to hand over the tent and fly to H. and it was to be sent to No. 11 Ben Eden St I suppose it would be quite safe at Carters. John could ring him up if the tent is still there when you receive this. I Harry will be one his way over when this gets out to Australia, well I am allmost sorry that he could not have found something else. if he gets to work and goes in for signalling he might get a job that will not mean too much hard work. I dont think that his

[Page 68]
constitution will stand much infantry work. and yet it may do more for him than any doctor could do, I suppose it is on the cards that he should come over and now that Rumania is with us things will doubtless improve, and although things are pretty hot at times, we have the biggest end of the stick Fritz lost trenches that he thought were absolutely impregnable and when one looks at them it makes one wonder how the British Tommies ever got the Huns out of there. Fritz believes in the old saying that discretion is the better part of valour and if a Hun one of the Saxons or Bavarians finds himself in a tight corner, he will surrender sooner than fight. They are pretty good at throwing down their guns. – I must stop heaps of love to all at home and to Relatives & friends.
from your Loving Bro
Chas. G.

N.B. If there are any Spare Photos and Mrs. Church did not get one I think she would like one. Ruby is a Prudens the Photographers. I have forgotten Mrs. C. Address it is out some where five Dock way. And Mrs. Bell could also have one. C.

[Page 69]
[Y.M.C.A. letterhead ]
On Active Service
With the British Expeditionary Force

My Dear Bett.
I have just arrived here in this part of [indecipherable], after a quiet and uneventful journey. so far I have had neither time nor Inclination to look round, but later on if I have time may be able to find out whether Jack and Willie are here in this Depot or whether they have declared war and joined their respective Units. I suppose they have. How long I am going to be here I dont know, not long I hope. the first part of our Journey was the longest. we left camp about 8.30. P.M. entrained about 9 P.M. moved out about 10 P.M. detrained at Port of Embarkation about 4 A.M. and went to a place that the authorities use as a resting place for soldiers about to embark. had a couple of hours sleep there, then brek. After that a walk round in the enclosure of course, we were not allowed to explore the Town. we embarked before dinner arrived at this side and went straight to a receiving camp, were duly installed in our hut there rations issued and we had our tea. then set out to have a look at the Town, I cant tell you about it for it was too dark to see much but it is rather a fine city. Though the streets are narrow and some of them not over clean we did not have much time, and were too tired to wander far. There are a few places there that I would like to go over with a guide they should be interesting. this morning we left the camp and came here by rail, arrived here and here I am. as you will be able to guess in the Y.M.C.A. where paper etc. is free. I came down to buy some envelopes and was sent here to the writing room. I had envelopes so a couple of

[Page 70]
them addressed. some cards also that I wanted to send home. well the other day I went to get them and found that the whole lot had dissappeared I daresay the Colonel wanted to write home and borrowed them a Private wouldnt think of sneaking anything from one of his mates.. anyway they went addressed envelopes and all. One addressed to Syd. had two of the Bovington Xmas Cards in.
This is a fine big camp. and the country is inclined to be sandy so we will not be troubled with so much mud as we had to put up with at Perham. its closing time So I must hasten and close up now heaps of love from your loving bro. Chas. G. Pryce
Sorry that I have not time to write more just now.

[Page 71]
Monte Video Camp. Weymouth. 6.9.16

My Dear Mother
I have been out on furlough for a fortnight, and returned on the 4th to this camp. it is a bleak and dreary sort of place and just at present it is not at its best, light scuds of wind driven rain, and the wind blowing half a gale nearly all the time There is plenty of mud about you can just imagine what it is like. I believe we move next week to Salisbury, then I suppose it will be France later on. whether we go there in the winter or not I cant say but I would not be surprised. I am just about sick and tired, "not of the war" but of the men at the head of affairs, and a lot of the cold footed swine that are over here in fat jobs and who will take their share of praise for what has been done when they get back. some of them have been here over 12 months and there is nothing wrong with them, and never was much at any time except that their feet were cold, Well if they get the praise when they get home, they are gaining the contempt

[Page 72]
curses of those who have been doing their share, but I will let them go. They are a crawling lot of Back Street Sergeants and Corporals with a sprinkling of stars amongst them. When out on Furlough I was in London for a couple of days but did not see much of the city. I was on my own all the time, as none of my mates that I was with in France and Egypt are here. I met a couple of Boys I knew in London. one was on his way to Scotland, on Furlough and the other had only just arrived in London. I left London on Saturday night just as the Zepps were getting busy I did not see any of the Searchlights, or hear the guns, but I saw a few people nearly running mad in their hurry to leave London and escape The Zepps. one woman charged down the Platform and got into a Manchester carriage. Then out of that, when told where it was going, declaring that she would go somewhere. She would not stay in London to be blown up. When the train arrived at Brum. I had a look out it was about 3 A.M. and cold and foggy so I stayed where I was at Stafford. I was supposed to change trains

[Page 73]
but when I got out and inquired when the Stoke train left. he advised me, to get back into the train and, go to Crewe then catch a train back, So on to Crewe I went got a train there and Landed back at a little Siding near Newcastle about 8 A.M. had I waited at Stafford I would not have caught a train for Stoke untill 10 A.M. so by going to Crewe gained nearly 3 ½ hours. I walked up to Newcastle and secured accomodation then went down to the Hospital to see the Sisters & Nurses. Stayed in Newcastle untill the following Friday then left for Liverpool. arrived there 10 P.M. and stayed at the Temperance Hotel. that night Sat morning caught the electric Train out to Orrell Park to visit the Gees. Nurse Gees People. Met Mr. G. and asked him where his residence was, for a moment he did not recognise me. Then when I reintroduced myself insisted on returning home with me. my Paper is a little bit damp This accounts for the blotches

[Page 74]
Paid my respects to Mrs. G. then returned to town with Mr and accompanied him to his place of business, he carries on the business of Tin manufacturer makes tins of various kinds from Army biscuit to vaseline tins and incidentally makes a very fair amount of Tin which he puts into the bank. he told me confidentially that there is nearly 93 per cent profit in the business – and the turnover is upwards of 12,000£ per wk. just a present , ----what seems enormous. he has money to play with, one of his sons manages the Biz, a second is in a second biz somewhere, and Jack the third is in the Army a Lieut. Jane is the Nurse of whom I wrote and Elsie the baby – has a childrens class somewhere. She is delicate, but is an exceedingly nice girl, very quiet, and quite natural in all her ways. we got on well during my two days visit, I also met the sons wife "a Lively Talkative Lady who asked me many questions about Australia, of course I could not resist telling her a few stories of the bush which at first she was inclined to believe were romances – never the less they were Perfectly true.

[Page 75]
They did everything possible to give me a good time. I went with Mr. G. junior to Bibby’s Printing works. and would have visited several other branches and factories belonging to the same firm had there been time. Mr. G. Senior took me through Part of the city and pointed out some of the Principal buildings, and told me about them. but as time was limited it was a rush through. on Monday morning we went across to New Brighton, and had a look round. There is a lovely Promenade there, and the Tower one of the tallest in England is about 680 feet high, it was a miserable morning, cold and windy and a light misty rain falling. The river was shut out from view by the mist, and the Shipping could just be seen, here and there, through it we just walked round then back to the Tin shop. I saw Part of the docks only Part. There are 14 miles of them.

[Page 76]
and I did not have time to visit them all. The landing stage, for the Ferry boats is a fine affair. Three or four boats and a Traffic punt or two can pull in alongside it at once, it is floating, and the traffic approach is quite worth seeing as it is a floating bridge, of some length and is hinged in several places. The effect is rather funny a heavily loaded van gets on to one of the Sections and the old bridge twists and buckles, one joint sinking and the rest rising, The Mersey runs very swiftly here, and in rough weather, is fairly nasty as the river is just a mile wide. – I left Lpool by the 11.55 train, for Euston, arrived there early in the morning caught the tube to Victoria and went down to Peel House, "Queen Mary & King Georges Club for oversea Troops had breakfast then set out to see the town but rain started to fall so after looking up the names of a few books in a Shop. I returned to the house, and wrote a letter to Mui. Then next morning caught the 10.30 From Paddington For Weymouth

[Page 77]
and here I am. Class C. 3 which is getting very close to Active Service again I have not entered into any details of my trip, as it was, a very hurried, and not over exciting trip throughout, however I enjoyed my self. When at Newcastle I visited Hanley and went to see

[Page 78]
The world famed work of Josiah Wedgewood. They were very interesting I saw them from mixing room to Showroom where they have a collection of Crockery, Vases, etc. that are worth money. The gentleman who took me round told me that they are at present filling large orders for America. The Yanks dont mind what they Pay as long as they get the goods. Goodnight now much love to all from your Loving Son Chas. wrote J. to advise Parcel sent From Newcastle

[Page 79]
Monte Video Camp Weymouth. 7.9.16.

My Dear Mother
Just a few lines this time to let you know that I am now in a different part of England, We came down here last monday, worse luck. it is a cross between a convalescent, and a training camp. so a man hardly knows just what he is. at present I am having my arm massaged. it will be allright again before long and then the authorities can please themselves and send me back to the Batt. There are too many coldfoots here for my liking some of them have been here 12 months. I dont think I could put that length of time in, in a place like this. I expect to be sent off on furlough next week. I was to have gone this morning but did not wish to go yet, as I am waiting for a couple of the boys who came here with me, and I waited to give Mrs. H. fair notice. I suppose I will go to one of the training camps here for awhile and learn to drill by numbers again

[Page 80]
I may be here for a couple of months and I may be here for 12. I dont think that I will though, not if I can help it.
I cannot tell you anything about the town we are in camp a couple of miles out and so far I have seen very little of the town as it was late when we arrived there and we were just shoved into cars and rushed off to this place. Tonight I think we will be taking a walk in there this evening to have a look round. There perhaps I will be able to find something to write about at present all I know is that we can see the ocean out at the back there from the hill we can get another glimpse of it from out in front so I guess this place is on a sort of peninsula. I was sorry to leave Stoke as I was very comfortable there, and I like the sisters. I did not get an opportunity to go over the Stoke and Hanley potteries I would like to have seen them before I left

[Page 81]
but it does not make much difference I dont suppose I would have learned a great deal. The trip down in the Train was rather tiring, we were delayed for two hours, at one place, just a siding, The town was a mile distant and as it was raining I waited with a couple more on the platform, the line passes through some very pretty country on the trip south, and also through some rather poor looking country. I must ring off now with Love to all at home from your Loving son
Chas G. Pryce

N.B. When in hospital I received several letters from you all addressed 8th of 19th – one with verses, "enclosed. "Our Graves at Anzac" Mrs H. sent me. The paper you sent over with the verses in. I also received the letters with full account of Blue Nobbys Lily. I am glad that it bloomed They are very pretty and especially as when growing close together I fancy they are fairly good seeders as in some Places they grow very thickly

[Page 82]
[Letterhead

King George And Queen Mary’s Club For The Oversea Forces.

Peel House
Regency Street
Vauxhall Bridge Road S.W.

21-9-16

My Dear Mother – I am out on Furlough, and you will see that I am at Present in London. I will not be here very long though I was going to Mrs Horton but just at the last moment received a telegram saying do not come letter following, I had to leave with the others, before the letter arrived so do not know yet what is wrong. I had my Railway warrant made out for Liverpool and the man who made it out made it via Crewe instead of London, so I dont know yet whether I will be able to get through Euston Stn with it I may be able to get it fixed up at Horseferry Rd, the Aus. HQS, if I cannot I will have to pay my fare part of the way but that will not cost me a great deal. I suppose I want to go down to Newcastle Staff to See all my friends there again before I leave. when I get back to Weymouth I may be sent out to Perham Downs if considered fit Eric Elder is out there, to I may meet him there is just a chance. Weymouth is a quiet place, a nice beach and Promenade we can get a pass out of camp early every evening one

[Page 83]
till 9 pm and next till 11 p.m. I generally get one, so that I can get as far from camp as possible for awhile. There are quite a number of our Gallipoli heroes over here who were slightly wounded soon after the landing and in the landing they have no intention of going back if they can scheme out of it they were brave men who thought that they were going out on a Picnic, and were very dissagreably surprised by Johno Turk other men who went through the landing and Lone Pine and various other Parts say that the whole lot were not as bad as Posieres and all agree that it was far better than France except so far as water was concerned it was very hard to get. There are rumours afloat that the Australian forces may winter in the Land of the Pharoah’s again it may be true I dont relish the thought myself but it will be preferable to being frozen to death in France I am going to try and hunt up the Head Quarters of the Royal Red Cross and see if I can find out Nell Crommelin’s address. I saw in a Sydney mail that she had left for france then shortly after Min told me in a letter then at Weymouth I received your letter I am still getting odd letters addressed to 8th of 19 – but I fancy that most of them have come to hand

News is scarce a lady just came in waiting [indecipherable] for Lady Somebodys concert and tea party I did not feel inclined for concerts or tea party’s so declined with Thanks much love to all from your Loving son Chas.
am enclosing letter to Bea I dont suppose she will be with you when it arrives, but I did not know where else to send it. Thank Betty for her letters.

[Page 84]
[The printed letterhead has been crossed through and the following written in its place.]
Australian Imperial Force No. 3 Command Depot Bovington Camp Wareham Dorset
16th.10th.16

My Dear Bett. I have very little news of Interest this letter, but what I have I will send along I think that I told Mother in my last letter all that there was to tell about my furlough so I will not bother travelling over the same ground again I am not certain though whether I told that my visit to Overstrand Surrey did not come off just as I was ready to start off I received a telegram telling me not to come, when I got back to Weymouth Mrs Hortons letter explaining what was wrong was waiting for me. one of my mates had put it in another envelope and sent it on after me to Newcastle, but it was promptly sent back to Weymouth, the trouble was that the maid had been suddenly taken ill, "Chickenpox" being the complaint, and Mrs H. was hourly expecting one of the children to develop the disease, domestic help not being procurable. does not look well for the employers of domestic’s "here" all the Girls here seem to prefer working in various factories munitions being favourite if one can go by the numbers that have signed on, then the Buss’s Trams etc have drawn on the Supply, and Unhappy Madame’s who never worked before are learning that a little work is good for anyone.

[Page 85]
It hurts some of them, but it will do them good. Some time, I dont know just when, I will if I’m lucky get four more days holiday, then I will be able to go up and See Mrs. H. and Elsie – I believe that my room was all ready and Elsie had, taken in fresh flowers to decorate it, - I am on a fresh job at present. Orderley Room, Orderley, "Otherwise messenger, and general Lackey for the Orderley Room Staff, of course I am marked down on the Staff myself so if anybody should ask you what I am doing, say I’m on a nice little job and have a stove to keep my feet warm. Its handy for when I get a little time to spare I have a decent place to write in "That is if all the tables in the room are not being used by the Staff. Now for some of my doings since I came off Furlough, I was in camp at Weymough for a few days then was sent off in one of the drafts to Perham Downs, "Salisbury Plains." arrived there secured our blankets and mattress’s, then waited for our tea. after some considerable an officer came round and told us that we would be paraded, but could not say whether we would find anything to eat however they eventually secured some very ragged looking bread for us, and later still some Hog Wash that the Orderley called Tea. then after a further Period another orderley arrived with an armful of best Devonshire, "with a trade mark on it which clearly Proved it to be Margarine – however its better than a good lot of Butter that I have tasted especially some of the tinned stuff that was issued to us out in France - it was absolutely, the Limit. Guess ill have to get back to my tale of woe, lest I forget, what t’was all about, we had our tea. – or those of us who waited did the rest went off to the Canteens, Y.M.C.A. and various other institutions where Sausages & mashed and various other Palatable and Indigestible. Luxuries might be Purchased

[Page 86]
Australian Imperial Force, No. 2 Command Depot, Monte Video, Weymouth, England

next morning, nobody seemed to want us, not even the cooks or mess orderlies, so we marched ourselves down to the dining room, and found that breakfast was ready for us. bacon, & stewed tomatoes. "What." very little bacon very fat bacon, and plenty of water, in with the stewed tomatoes truly it was a dish that would have made a good cook weep with shame to think that anyone should be guilty of turning out such a mess, and then calling himself a cook. "I really believe that those same men have no concience’s We eat that breakfast and so far there have not been any deaths, dinner was a little better, but the tea was still a very suspicious looking, & Tasting mixture. Tea time came, and once again we repaired to the establishment wherein, the valiant Anzacs never overgorged themselves. O. Joy Bread very much damaged, aforementioned Butter and Herrings in Tomato & more "Dishwater" a really Truly, Bagmans feed. We did enjoy ourselves "I dont think" after tea we went out. [indecipherable] there are so many talking that I’m like the A.I.F. books, accounts, etc "getting badly mixed" The Bagmans feed was served out on the following evening Third evening at P. we went out to tea, the Second evening at Perham, and after a fairly long walk down one of the roads through, country, neither ugly nor Pretty

[Page 87]
we repaired to "Ye Olde Chapel Café" where light refreshments, or various dish’s were Procurable "we were warned by a Patient waiter "he was waiting for his tea", that if we ordered eggs we would have to wait untill the hens laid if we ordered Sausages, we would have to wait until they sent round to the butchers then a further Period while they cooked them, it sounded cheerful so we chanced it and ordered Tea and Bread butter and cakes and had to wait for them The tea & Bread and Butter arrived first, very scanty supply of both, we finished it and waited for the cakes, they were long in coming so I ordered more tea, then the cakes arrived, they were very small and only 4 in number, so we eat them and ordered more. at last they arrived the tea with them, we finished them and the tea, and then went to the Pictures The first screened was one of the everlasting war films – after a couple of films had been run through, the management, turned on a little variety. a girl any age from 10 to 15. she was fairly clever at some things selling Postcards for one. "I bought two from her for 2d" She buys tobacco to send to the men in the trenches." or at least she gives the money to one of the Tobacco funds. She also sings and her voice Suits the songs. She sings – "If I were the Only Girl in the world, etc" – was one. after the Pictures we returned to camp and retired for the night, next morning there was to be a Parade. Morning came, and we had breakfast, then Prepared for the Parade, "we were to go before the M.O. but when we got to the Parade ground he came before us, so everything was quite all right, asked us how we felt, and what class we were in - all men who were in B. class and were not undergoing massage or dental treatment, or any other medical treatment were, warned off to come down here. The others were

[Page 88]
Australian Imperial Force, No. 2 Command Depot, Monte Video, Weymouth, England

sent somewhere else, then we found out just what the Parade was for we were not wanted at Perham, so were to be sent to another camp. 1600 all told. Wool: we were told was the name of the Place, and reports that we heard were far from reassuring. Reveille, was to be sounded at about 3.30 A.M. next morning for us and we were to hand our blankets etc into the Store, before 5 a.m. some of us did so, others just dumped their bundles outside the stores, and rushed off to secure some breakfast. The cooks complained that they had not been warned, so there was nothing ready for us they managed to secure some cold joints, and some bread and when nearly everyone had left some tea and margarine came along. I finished my breakfast and then returned to the lines to find the company in line waiting for stragglers to fall in, got my belongings and fell in. marched to the Parade ground handed out Kit bags over to the transport, then waited, in the rain for orders. after we had waited for some time, we were marched into one of the stables to allow the wet that we had accumulated, to soak in, eventually about 10, A.M. we moved off for Tidworth Rly Stn there we waited for some more weary minutes, amused ourselves by waving

[Page 89]
to every girl in sight, which waving was vigorously responded to. at last the train arrived, and we embarked, then waited again untill they had everything ready then twas goodbye Tidworth, but our troubles were not over. Something went amiss up about the middle of the train, and when we arrived at Andover some of the men had to get out, then we were shunted into a loop out of the way and a man arrived with some tools, to fix the train up. Some of the comments were humourous but I cannot repeat them here. one man asked if a piece of string would be of any use to tie it up. there was something wrong with a coupling I fancy and there were many other things said about the train, that did not amuse the Rly officials who heard them. They took the damaged carriage off and then away we went en Route once more for Wool. at last we arrived got off the train, hungry and tired, it was 3 P.M. and we had not had any dinner, that did not matter as we were only convalescent, not fighting soldiers. we formed up and set out for camp. arrived there and after some time some light refreshment was served out very light any way a loaf of bread between 4 men and a tin of Salmon between 6. that nice old Salmon that is as dry as Sawdust. I wouldnt like to move camp too often here. The Department save too much on the meals that we dont get. Coming down from Tidworth I saw some fine old Pheasants in the fields along the line, it must be fine sport Shooting them, they seem allmost as quiet as ordinary Poultry. They were feeding amongst the stubble, and in some of the Ploughed fields, I also saw a few Partridge feeding in the stubble fields beside the line. I will write some more tomorrow it is late so I will say Goodnight

[Page 90]
Australian Imperial Force, No. 2 Command Depot, Monte Video, Weymouth, England
17th– 10th-16

Today the weather is all that could be desired, a lovely breeze blowing and driving rain the drought has surely broken, Well it was getting a wee bit serious the drought having lasted for nearly 10 days. I have been running about with messages, etc nearly all day, and the wet has very nearly cured my cold. Strange to say, when I left Egypt I had a nasty cold, it would not leave me, we landed in France with one blanket each, and for the first three nights perished like frogs on an Iceberg, we were cold. I was living in hopes, of Double Pneumonia, Pleurisy, and possibly several other, more or less dangerous complaints but it was no good, my cold improved, and when we went into the trenches, and stood out in the rain at night, and slopped around in the mud, and went about, hungry as "Pariah dogs" at a Gippo Village" that cold dissappeared, at times I get a slight one then it rains, and away goes my cold. so I dont know how to dodge the Doctor, of course at present I am booked down on the "Staff" capital S Please and if I give Satisfaction, I’m right here for the winter. I think after that I dont care much. "I must say that I dont particularly wish to be a General in command, its not

[Page 91]
my idea of a healthy job, not much, there are some reinforcements here in this camp. Glad I’m not in their lot, a lot of the old hands have not got much time for them, - I am expecting word at any time now from you or Mother to Say when Harry is leaving, if he does not leave before Xmas, dont forget to Send along his Regmtl No. No. of Regmt, and what Battn tell him if he gets half a chance to collar any sort of a Staff job to take it. I believe Eric Elder is on the Pay Staff at Barracks near Perham. – they want clerks, badly some of the men they have are real proper muddlers, guaranteed to tangle a set of books up in a week, and give a competent bookkeeper, a fortnights work untangling them. – Yesterday the voting for or against conscription. nearly all the old hands are going strong for NO. a few vote yess. but I fancy NO stands a big chance. for my own Part I favour No. I would have voted yess at the commencement of the war but not now if the Government has only just waked up. well its is too late. Australia has done her share Hughes may talk of Dishonour, or anything else he wishes. he is rousing the boys here, and they are against him, but that does not matter. As the English People think that he is all that a Politician should be and they hold him up as an example to their own. Politicians. Such is life Prophets & Politicians have no honour in their own countries. I am very much in favor of Hughes & his Policy myself, but he is late trying to bring in Conscription now I must ring off. I dont know just what I have written, but I have written, and must, write half a dozen more letters as soon as Possible Much love to all at home. some for relations & friends from your Loving Bro Chas G.P.

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No. 2 Depot Company Bovington,. Wareham Dorset. 13.11.16

Dear Mother Some more of your letters have reached me about 4 this week, the latest dated, I think Sep 4th I have not got it here just at this minute, I also received on from Bea dated August 1st I also received the second pair of Sox with my Battln Colors worked into them and the Pair Sent by Mrs. J.H. I think that makes three pairs since I came out of Hospital I have never heard anything of the Parcel of Tabac but I do not wonder at that for they must be handling millions of parcels at the Depots, and there are thousands waiting to be delivered, no doubt many of them will never reach the men for whom they are intended, as they get badly battered in transit even in our small office here there is enough work for half a dozen men, and there are scores of letters that have travelled far, and will go on again from here before they reach the men they are addressed to. Some of the boys returned to France on Saturday night, "that is they left here for France, and about 1600 [indecipherable] arrived here. I really do not know what is in the wind, there were Rumours abroad that we might move at any time but this last crowd of Reo’s are attached to us now so it does not look as if we are likely to move for awhile. Well it will suit me to stay here. I am not anxious to go and train in France.

[Page 93]
Tell Father to thank H & H for her enquiries and convey my Best wishes for Xmas & New Year to the Lady, I am not too sure where I met her, but think in town = Lys.
I would not mind going over again if some of the Hd Qr. Crowd had a better idea of the Rules of fair play, I am sorry to say their Ideas are all one-sided. they appeal to the men to trust them but they show the men in every way possible that they do not trust the men themselves, they would not grant the men who went away on Saturday any embarkation leave, after the first move was cancelled, a sort of half promise was given, that an effort would be made to grant leave, then they were told that in all Probability 48 hours leave would be granted, that helped to steady some of the men, but the next thing we heard was that they would moving off that same night had I been on that draft I would have set out for London right away and had a few days holiday whether they liked it or not. they simply encourage the men to take French leave. but enough of the military, we have been having what an Englishman here told me was real Nov.ber weather, it’s a good job it was the real article and not an Imitation, the coastal weather at home cannot compare with this, here it just knows how to rain, in a dreary, monotonous sort of way that keeps the Place nice and wet. we have good hard roads through the camp, so do not get covered in mud. That is one blessing, the last couple of days have not been too bad, in fact it was a rather nice day today no Rain

[Page 94]
and for awhile the sun was Shining.[indecipherable] the winter will not last long that is one good thing, it does not seem nearly 12 months since I left Aus. time has gone past very quickly but the last three have gone too fast. It seems only a few weeks since I left France

I had a letter from Nell [indecipherable] the other day in answer to one I wrote to her from London, She is at a French Hospital near Rouen. I did not know that she was coming over soon enough or I could have made arrangements to meet her in London. I may be able to see her when I return to France whenever that may be. as soon as I get an opportunity to secure some leave I am going up to stay with Mrs. H. at Wallington I am going to have a try for four days I fancy I will have a good chance of securing it, if I cannot then I will have to be satisfied with week end leave, but it is rather along run for week end as we only get from Saturday noon till Sunday midnight. I have not asked for any leave since I returned from furlough, partly because, all leave except week end, and night leave, was cancelled. when it will start again I dont know, but when it does I’m after Some. I received two letters from Uncle Harry day before yesterday in which he sent me the address’s of the English Cousin and also those of some Friends. I hope I am able to use them. I may be able to go to a couple of them but the chances are against

[Page 95]
had I received them earlier I could have used nearly all of them but that cannot be helped, now, the sites picked for camps are good, but they are in the most out of the way, and inconvenient place that anyone could have selected, it is a good way, too, as it makes it awkward for week enders, and the camps are free from visitors Thank Betty for her letter which was enclosed with yours. I received your letter with Pansy enclosed. I am fixing the Pansy in my Auto Book I have only just started the book and at present only have 4 names, "nurses at the Hosp. - I think Eric Elder is on the clerical staff at Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth but am not certain. Harry does not seem from the tone of his letter to have fallen in love with Seymour camp. well I have heard reports about the place that were not in its favour. it is nearly as nice as Black boys in W.A. where we were supposed to stay "but failed to do so. I still get letters from W.A. from my little W.A. Girl I dont know whether I ever mentioned her before or not, a few days ago, I received a letter with her Photo enclosed I had been expecting that letter for some time and had begun to think that it was lost. The funny part of it is I never saw her before I was aboard the boat, ready to leave, the W.A. boat was just swinging out when I decided that I would throw her my name and address attached to a little flag that one of the boys had when we left Sydney. She seemed, very pleased, and went home, and sat down and wrote to me

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I received the letter a few days after I landed in Gyppo land, and I answered it much to the young lady’s surprise, since then she has been writing to me, and of course have been answering She told me in one of her late letters that her Sister wanted the flag for a Souvenir, but she wouldn’t part with it, so to stop sister from getting it, "and making a cushion cover of it, "She had it Re Painted and Framed, and hung it on the drawing Room wall." She was in the Customs office at Freemantle but left some time ago to make room for some wounded soldier who wanted a job. one of her girl friends who had been working in the customs office for 10 years, left her job in favour of a one armed Soldier and went to one of the big tea Rooms in Perth. When Nell wrote me from france She enclosed a letter from Lyb. telling of Dotts engagement to Melville Doyle. I was rather surprised to hear it, but not in the least to hear of Kits for Dott told me various things in one of her letters, and I was prepared for that piece of news, it was a far greater Surprise to hear that Nell was returning to take up work again France. When I was leaving Perth, I scribbled a note to a young lady that I met, the night that the boys broke Erf Bros

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Shop up. She was standing near me on the outskirts of the crowd, with her sister watching Proceedings, she asked me why they were so set upon smashing the place, and I told her. Then stayed out talking to her, for some time, I had one of the W.A. boys from I think the 12th or 16th Btns. and I let him look after the other sister, we escorted them home safely and said Goodbye I did not see them again, so scribbled a short note just to tell them when we were going abroad, as they said they would most likely go down to Freemantle to see the boat leave. the W.A. lad who was with me, told me the correct address, but I fancy he was very much out, as the letter came across here after me returned from Dead letter Office, I was wondering when I saw the official envelope who there was in Perth likely to use one, to write to me = imagine my surprise when the note I had written came out, but I am rather glad for I might have had more letters to write I am a long way behind now, with my correspondence, and I dont care much about writing to casual acquaintances, "except Madge of course she is my little W.A. Girl. now I must stop with heaps of love to all and all Good Wishes for Xmas and New Year from your Loving son Chas, "Love and Good Wishes to all the Relatives especially Molly. I have not time to write to all C.

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Worgret Camp Wareham 3.12.16

My Dear Mother
I have not done any writing since 3.12.16 I came down here the conditions are very much altered, since the move and I am back with the boys again, my staff job ended when we left Bovington. I was recomended for another job. but did no like it so got one of my mates to relieve me, "Officers Orderly. The work was light enough and the quarters fairly comfortable but I could not make myself like the job so left. I have not been able to go and see Mrs H & family yet I was to have gone on four days leave from Bovington but the move, spoilt that. All leave was cancelled some days before we left and since I came down here. I have not asked for any leave. If I have any luck at all I will most likely get another job here, anyway I am going to have a try, if that fails well I’m going to try for leave and then France again There is very little of Interest in a in a camp in England The restrictions are too many and we are fooled about and treated as though we were a lot of irresponsibles, all untrustworthy all incapable of Thinking for ourselves "any way if we are" we Showed the Military authorities that we had an opinion of our own

[Page 99]
Regarding Conscription. I dont think that any more than 5 % voted yess, if there were that many. We are only about five minutes walk from Wareham, it is a quaint old place none of the streets are straight, they are narrow and crooked and the buildings are nearly all old. There are one or two fairly modern places the old Roman earthworks are still round the town. I have not been able to see much of it so far as we are not allowed to go in before four P.M. and then it is soon dark at night it is quite dark in the streets, as the place is not lighted at all, why I do not know. other places of far more importance are well lighted up. this morning we were marched down to the Church a very fine old building with large stained Windows. The walls inside are covered with "In Memoriam Tablets." There is one Church there 1250 years old, but I do not know any of its history. Later – We went out to see the Ruins of Corfe Castle on Sunday afternoon, it stands about four miles from here on the line to Swanage we had the walk out but came back by train. The Castle is or was one of the oldest in England and was used to Imprison all prisoners of any importance in and it is said that once they entered the Prison Gate they gave up all hope of ever seeing the outer world again. I am sending a few P.C’s showing various parts of the old ruin

[Page 100]
The weather has improved and we are enjoying some nice fine days and some beautiful white frosts They are real stingers, and my hands are still so cold and helpless that I can hardly write, although it is nearly 11 A.M. I can see trouble ahead this winter. There are rumours afloat that we are moving again shortly, this time somewhere up into Somerset. The rumour may be true, I cannot say. We will not be any better off than we are here, and we can not be any worse, Certainly we will see a little fresh country, and that will be something for here there is nothing to see, and nowhere to go, and life in the camp, is too monotonous for anything.
I wrote a letter to Harry some time ago, but received your letter telling me that he might be leaving in Sys. I fancy it said as I did not post it as I have been expecting to hear from him at any time, so far I have not heard and still have the letter here unposted & have received one letter and one Sydney mail since I came here. They were sent along by Mrs. H. I meant to tell you long ago not to bother sending papers for we seldom get them. I have not received one quarter of the Papers sent me. I fancy they go to Headqrs and then are sent out to Hospitals etc. some are sent to the front but insufficient Transport facilities sometimes stop delivery and only a few get through must stop now with much love to all from your loving son Chas.
I think I told you that I had a letter from Sister Nell. She is at Le Hospital 117 Auxiliarre Les Andelys. [indecipherable] F.

[Page 101]
Please excuse smudges. This Ink is not much good.

Worgret Camp. Wareham. 14.12.16

Dear Mother
Today I received another letter from you the one with enclosure from Harry, also my Photo. I dont think that I will send it to the Fair Lassie in W.A. "Who by the way happens to be dark, and is a nice girl judging by her letters and Photo which she sent me. it reached me when we were at Bovington I had some Photos taken here a couple of weeks back but was dissappointed with the Result so I am having some more taken as soon as Possible. They cost me 3/6 per doz. P.C. size. I have been holding my cash so that I would have some when I got my four days leave. I have applied for 4 days at Xmas. "I think that I will get it all right I hope so anyway, I heard from Mrs. Horton again today, She is very anxious for me to go up and stay with them for awhile in fact as long as I like, but the Military Authorities have a say there, and it is not what I would like, however if they do not give me a fairer deal than they have given some of the others, I will make a bid for a holiday, some of our boys are away now, and they are likely to be away

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for some time yet. as they have friends and Relations who are only too Ready to keep them, as long as they care to stay. when they get back they, or some of them will be caught, and Perhaps fined and given a spell in "Detention" but that has no terror for them, and they do not count it as a disgrace, for the heads of the army have gone to such a lot of trouble to manufacture "crimes" and then enforce the Punishments for them on every possible occasion. That men do not care. One man reported here after 69 days holiday, of course he was grabbed, but when they hunted up their Records they found that they had no Record of him, his name was not on any Roll. so they let him go, and now he is on a Staff job. "here men are in Responsible positions in these camps, and when at Bovington, I overheard on Officer in the Orderly Room say "that if he had a business in Civil life, that was so Rottenly managed and, carried on in such a slipshod bungling manner," he would burn it, and then try to start afresh." I quite agree with him their lack of system, is evident to all, who care to take notice.

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We have some good doctors, and we have some, who may be Doctors, "for my own Part I keep away from them, as much as possible.. in France our Battalion M.O. was Dr. Henderson. I used to wonder if he was one of the Old Richmond or Windsor Hendersons of whom I have heard you speak. anyway he was a good Doc. and a fine man. at any time. A lot of our Docs. when they get their tailor made Uniforms on their Stars or Crowns up, and their Sam Brownes on, think they are just "It" and set out to have a good time. "one Pill Box" at Telekebir gave me "Asparins" for acute Influenza and only 3 Tablets then, he would stand with his hands in his Pockets and ask a Patient what was wrong with him then Prescribe "Rumour said that he was once a Vet." "I doubt the accuracy of the statement, for I would be very sorry to let him experiment on any animal belonging to me. But, I have said enough about the army etc etc.
Two days now we have enjoyed an all day frost. This morning the Hedges, and trees, etc were a Picture, all white, and they

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have remained so all day. Its very Pretty but has its disadvantages, yesterday was really colder than today, or seemed so. Perhaps we are growing used to it Today we did some very useful work, about 30 of us were sent down to the Camp Quarter Masters Store to do fatigue work. we arrived there, and waited out side had to keep moving to keep warm. after some time, six men were sent off to do about 10 minutes work then after a further Period, six more were sent off. The rest waited about then two or three marched off to their hut, tired of waiting in the cold. eventually we all went back to dinner, with orders to Report again in the afternoon. at 2 P.M. about 8 of the men left had helped to unload a waggon that came in we took about 6 cases of boots off it. in the afternoon we Reported again but after waiting some time were told to clear out to our huts. we had done nothing at all. "This is only one instance there are plenty of these fatigue Parties who do Practically nothing, but to leave the army again. We set out on Sunday to leave

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it behind us for a while, at any rate. left Wareham at 2 P.M. and took the road that leads to Tyneham. it is about 9 miles from Wareham. in Spring the Road would be a very Pretty one. it Passes through some very pretty country, but all tho trees were bare, save the Pines, they made fine dark Patches of Green, and there are some fine trees in some of the Clumps we passed about five miles out we came to Steeple Grange. a fine old House with quite a cluster of buildings round it or I should say on one side of it, and a fine old Church standing a little way off. Like many more of these old Places, the Grange is built down in the bottom of the valley. There is a splendid site for a home on the hill in front with a fine view of the country. N.S. & East Bostward there is a high hill that Shelters the spot from the gales from the Ocean. The road winds along the side of the hill up to the top, then along the top for awhile, down on the valley below two roads wind along towards Corfe Castle, and a couple of miles away the old Ocean lies. The Tyneham Road branches off to the left and winds along

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down hill all the way for nearly a mile and a half and seems to end abruptly in a tiny cluster of old fashioned dwellings. "Tyneham" There is a nice little church there just as old fashioned as the rest of the Place but there was no "Inn" so we had to Press on to Lulworth for tea it is two miles away, and we had to climb over the hill again we arrived at Lulworth between 5 & 6 P.M. and had tea, at a little wayside Place. Rested there awhile then Proceeded on our way. we had a nice walk home in the moonlight. next Sunday if we have a chance and the weather is fine we are going down to Lulworth West, it is right on the coast and is a rather Pretty little village I believe. I am now waiting to hear whether my application for Xmas leave is going to be granted. I would not be a bit surprised if they try to send as many of us as possible off to France before Xmas. They are quite capable of doing it

[Page 107]
I received another note from Mrs. H. today telling me that they were waiting and expecting to hear any day now that I was coming up. I had a letter from Jack Howell a few days ago. I received one from Aunt Nellie telling me what he was in and that he expected to go to Salisbury, had I known before I would have been able to see him as he was at Bovington while I was there, but we did not meet I have been wondering if Harry is on this side of the Universe and intend Posting a note to him Care of Head Quarters. It may find him. Today we went out on a Route march out towards Bere Regis, you will Possibly be able to find it on the map near Wareham, it is just an Inn the "Angel" and a few Thatched Roofed Homes clustered round. then this afternoon the decision of the Court was declared in the usual manner. one of the L.H. sergeants was sent up for a Field Gen. Court Mart and Reduced to the Ranks. it seems that for some Reason or other he broke a few window Panes at Bovington.

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The decision of the Court was, as I have said, also that his Pay should be stopped untill the damage was paid for. I do not think any of the troops were sorry as "Sergeant Onions was one of the Anzac Police that the Papers are so fond of Praising up. There are some very decent fellows amongst them and also some of the Greatest Mongrels that ever wore out Good Boots."
It is nearly tea time and I will have to stop as there are about 30 hungry men in this hut and they will be wanting their tea. I dont know whether there is any more that I can tell you just yet so I will Ring off with heaps of Love to all at Home. from your Loving Son, Chas.
Love to all the Relatives when you see them especially Little Mollie

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Overstrand
Surrey 22.12.16

My Dear Bett.
I am here at last, as you will see, I nearly missed my chance thanks to our muddling leaders. I was to have gone on leave from Bovington, but as a draft of men were leaving for France all leave was cancelled, so I waited saw one of our Officers and he told me to apply in the following week, and I would get it, but my luck was out. we got orders to move to Wareham, and the Officer who was backing me up went away to Salisbury. I was amongst strangers, however I asked for leave at Xmas and for awhile was let think that it was quite all right and would be granted, however, a few days ago I was placed on a list with a lot more men who were to be transferred into the A. class group. "No leave is granted to the men in that lot I believe, so, I had to get busy I guessed that asking would be no good, so decided to use the General Australian method I did not intend leaving here before Xmas, as I had spent the last aboard ship so I handed my belongings over to one of my mates, and just dissappeared. Getting away was a bit awkward, as I had no Pass and there are Plenty of Police on

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most of the Rly Stns near so I walked to Dorchester 17 miles, and took tho train there – arrived safely in London and set off to find Wallington it is one of the Suburbs, a very nice Place. I would have liked to come here in the Summer for Surrey is a very pretty place. at present the weather is not very good a few days ago it was freezing, now it has started to thaw, so there is plenty of mud, except on the main Roads They are all good and are well Tarred to Preserve them and keep the dust out down, it is a good Idea, it also helps to keep them good in wet weather as they are raised in the centre, and the water runs off freely. a few days ago I received a letter From Mrs. Tom Barker of "Marylands" They are sending me a Parcel I hope it gets through I also received Mothers letter with List of Things sent in Xmas Parcel, so I may soon hear of the Parcel itself. it takes some time for Parcels to get through as they have such numbers and the Transport facilities even here, are limited, and the Staff in the Post & Parcel Office, not too careful. But they manage to send things along sometimes so I am living in hopes. I hope that I get them while I am here in England. I think I told mother in my last

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that I had a letter from J. Howell. he was up at Salisbury, and expected to leave for France at any time They were to be sent over to the Training Base over there, it is near Bologne. I may manage to meet him over there. So far I have not heard from Harry. I will have to write to Horseferry Road and try to find out whether he has landed here yet.
A couple of days before I left Wareham it started to snow, then rained a little on top of it and at night froze hard. The Place was lovely it was so slippery that we had a job to walk about, several of the men came down and hurt themselves I had one fall and jarred my back but it is allright now
The Road from Wareham to Dorchester was very Pretty. The fields on either side were white with snow, and the hedges were partly covered but it made walking tiresome for in some Parts the Roads were very slippery and in others rough, but I had plenty of time so it did not matter. I did not see anything worth writing about in Dorchester, as it was dark when I arrived there and I was only there for one hour. I would have liked to stay there for a couple of days as it is the Principal town in Dorset, and has some queer old buildings in it.

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I nearly forgot to tell you that I also had a letter from Miss Lowe. She told me that she had been up at Ourimbah and had met F. Wilcox who looked extremely well. from the way the letter read I fancy he must be on his way over here, to see what its like. did you ever hear whether he had enlisted. Tell Mother that I dont fancy there is anyone else who would care for Photos of yours Humbly, unless Perhaps it might be that my old acquaintance. Mr A.W. Stagg. The agent who persuaded me to take out that Insurance Policy. he was a very nice chap, but I have not heard from him for some time. so do not know just were to write, but Care of T. & G. Insurance Coy should find him as he is one of their agents, but dont send any unless there are plenty to go round. Now I must close with heaps of Love and Good wishes to all
Love to all at Goonigal when you see them from your Loving Bro. Chas. G. Pryce
I have not told you anything about Mine Host or Hostess or the Children will tell in next letter.

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Worgret Camp Wareham 3rd.1.17
Dear Betty
I am still here in camp as you will see by top of letter so far I have not been re classified since I returned from my Xmas Holidays. I dont think I will be here much longer though I have not heard from H. since he came down here to see me. he went up to London and stayed for a couple of days with Mrs. Horton. I suppose he will tell you just what he thought of London. I think that I thanked you for the letter with the Flanell flowers enclosed when I wrote to Mother Last. I am sending one of the Flowers to Elsie She is very interested in the Australian wildflowers that you sent across has some of them still. The lowlands here are still frozen over some of the ice is thick enough to Skate one but I have not tried yet. dont think I will either it is nearly 3 weeks now since we had any rain, here but the wind has been bitterly cold and a lot of the water supply pipes here are frozen solid. The last 3 or 4 days

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have not been so bad the wind dropped and the air was allmost warm again but during the day the sky is still cloudy and there is a heavy haze allround. it makes the place very dull. I dont like the english climate in winter at all and what we hear of France does not make any of us wish to go there yet.
I have just been moved to a new Group so now I suppose I will be sent for Reclassification perhaps tomorrow or next day. I will not have quite the same easy time here that I have been having lately though. I expect it will be Parades etc each day but it wont last very long. A lot of men are being sent back to France each week from this camp to Rejoin their Units.. so I will soon be leaving again. I have had a fair innings over here, just over 6 months. So cant grumble. Some of the men who were sent away from Bovington are back allready. I met one man in London out on Furlough, he came over in July, went back again and

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left France again in Dec. only very slightly wounded in the wrist.. he was lucky. I suppose when I go back there will be some of the Tanks working with us. I want to see them at work So far I have not seen any at all though they are at Bovington.. they came there after we left for this camp. I am enclosing a couple of Photos with this Some say they are good, others say I look too stern. I am sending some more by Registered Post. and will send Instructions with them.. I had them taken at Croydon near Wallington. I am also enclosing the photo of the "Gee" family with whom I stopped when up at Liverpool, they gave me two Photos and I am keeping one. I have not heard anything of Simmons since I left the Battn. I wrote to Horseferry Road and I also wrote to S. but have not heard yet he may still be allright a lot of the 2nd Boys are here now a very large percentage were very slightly wounded. S. was with the Lewis Machine Guns. and

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one of the men who was with him was wounded and sent over here but I do not know which hospital he was sent to and do not know his number so cant write to him to find out. I may hear before I leave for France. There is very little news of any sort here, the place is very dull except on Payday. then some of the crowd make things lively for awhile. must stop now. Give my Love to the Relations when you see them and thank Aunt Nellie for her letter I will write to her as soon as possible. Heaps of love to Mother and Father and yourself.
From your Loving Bro.
Chas. G.P.

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[What do you think of my note Paper it is some Mrs.Horton gave me when I was leaving. This piece is a bit discoloured by carrying it in my overcoat pocket]
Worgret Camp
Wareham Dorset
14-11-17
My Dear Mother. It is nearly true that I set to work and wrote a few more letters. I received another from you yesterday, the one with Photos enclosed. I fancy that I told you in a previous letter that I had recv’d a letter from Mrs. Barker telling me that the parcel had been sent. I daresay that I will receive it someday I hope so The Parcel with Tobacco etc has never come to light, but it may reach me someday. There must be hundreds of Parcels at Head Qrs. that are waiting to be sent on. I am glad to hear that my letter which you mention caused so much interest, but I could have said much that possibly would not have appealed to any man who was championing the cause of Conscription for like the majority of the Boys here I am very much against it. I would have voted for it willingly enough had it been brought before the Public at the commencement of the war but they woke up too late. The result of the Soldiers Ballot was never declared, in fact the voting was suddenly suspended and never resumed. I think that the Authorities realised that it was no use, the boys were so set against it and the result at home certainly met with their approval England has just begun to realise that something must be done and you will no doubt read much in the papers of parks being ploughed up for potatoes etc. and of vacant Building allottments being placed under vegetables by enthusiastic householders, who want to help the country but you will not read of the vacant farm lands owned by rich men, who do not want the land except for Breeding rabbitts and Pheasants you will not read of the miserable failures that these aforementioned enthusiasts make they expect to just dig the land, put the seed spuds, cabbages or what ever class of veg. they fancy in and then nature must do the rest. They will have done their bit poor fools. they dont know what they’re doing, but they fancy they do. I saw plenty of plots of land being prepared. I also saw a good many with cabbages, etc, yellow shrivelled up Plants that would not appeal to a decent pig. There will be thousands of these plots. Then some other idiot has pointed out that if the householders, in Suburban London each keep a pig in their backyard or garden, that 50,000 Pigs will be

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added to the food supply. "it’s a good Idea." and one that is going to cause a great deal of fun and also a very great deal of annoyance, if put into Practise. the man who is responsible for the suggestion evidently has a very poor knowledge of Pigs, or else just wish’s to see how many fools will try the game. he suggests that the London County Council, allow suburbanites to keep a pig and the Local Sanitary Insp. go round and see that piggys quarters are kept clean. now just fancy a Business man rising early, to feed Piggy, clean his pen, then get ready for work at the office. of course feed for the animal is easily procured. any one who has kept pigs knows that, scraps from the house, that would otherwise be wasted are good, then some Turnips, they are fairly cheap. A few other items, and then if you are lucky you may grow a Pig worth 3£ [indecipherable]. for not less than 5£ when all expenses are counted up. then who’s going to kill poor Piggy. I saw a cartoon today a City Gentleman taking his pig to market, a string on it’s leg and he is evidently not enjoying himself. I am not an authority on Pig keeping but if they start keeping them in their gardens, I wont to be here to see. "I’m afraid the man with Pig Ideas thought too soon. forgive the un. If they would close all the hotels and use all the whisky for making explosives, they would win the war. Perhaps they will do it someday, the war [indecipherable] threatens to be a huge success, but you will read all about it, in the daily rags. they allways print anything good, but they reserve the bad stuff for future use. we have not read very much lately about our air supremacy. why, because it has very nearly slipped from our grasp. The Huns had to get busy and do something so they built a new machine and now our chaps have to look out, or they meet trouble. everyday we lose a machine and nearly always the two men, pilot & observer no doubt we will get the upper hand again before long. and no doubt this year a very big attempt will be made to smash Fritz on this front. At present the British troops are holding a very large portion of the line and a lot of the French are back resting I expect that means putting in crops etc. behind the lines.

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when the big push this year, is going to start we do not know yet, but we know that it is going to start. So does Germany, and she is still barking about Peace. but that is her business she does not want to face the push yet she wants to gain time. So does King Tino and perhaps the Australian Rags shewed how the British War Office were playing the same old game with that wily gentleman they let him play his own game. when they decided to land troops on the Peninsula, Tino failed them there, then when they landed at Salonica Tino was not friendly still they treated him as an honest friend "the old style "Believe a man honest untill you prove him a Rogue.." he generally gets first hit in then, and you realise that your policy has got you into a mess. So it is with England, they have trusted, Tino allmost too far. instead of
smashing Athens up with heavies, and salting the small coast towns with Shrapnell and high explosive shells. None of their parties Royalist or otherwise are safe. I would not trust them any further than I would a hun. Bismarcks policy would carry more weight with the Greeks than any of the Soft Answer Business. England is beginning to understand that much and the great hives of workers are turning out good hard answers, tons and tons of them. and the new tanks are preparing for great things, it will be lively somewhere in France when the spring comes. Some of our boys who were slightly wounded at Pozieres in July have been back to France on the Flers front, and are back here in Blighty again they had a pretty bad time out there in the mud. I am not looking forward to France at all, the cold there is worse than the shells for the cold kills slowly. but a shell just does the job or else sends you back. here. Mrs. Horton told me about Johns friend Littler I was surprised to hear of him. I had a letter from him when I was in hospital but it had no Rank or Reg No. on it and I could not make the name out, it looked like Linter. I made inquiries from various Machine gunners but no one knew Linter, so I gave up, when Mrs. H. told me of him I wrote to him had I known of him, when I was on Furlough I could have gone up to Huddersfield to see him but now I will not see him at all. I have not

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seen Harry yet. I may see him before I leave for France, and I may not. He arrived at Salisbury about the 28th of Dec. but he will have told you all his experiences. So far I have only received one letter from him, I expect there is another somewhere that I will receive someday. The weather is just the same I wouldnt mind living in England .. during the summer for about two summers, that is providing I had sufficient money to go touring but England in the winter, is a dreary hole. Overhead a grey dull Sky, not a ray of sunshine for days, then the stories we read of a snow clad world etc. are all imagination, it is only in parts, and we can do that much out in Australia, true it will start and snow at night in the morning you look out, and everywhere it is white, and very pretty, but by 10 am it has nearly all gone as silently as it came and it leaves a nice slushy mud to help make life miserable. then when the sun does eventually get out, it has no warmth in it but it does not shine long. This war will perhaps do the British people some good, it will teach the classes that their very existence depends almost entirely on the masses, up to the present they
the upper ten have done nothing in fact many of them have tried to keep the working man down. they did not want him to rise, so they would not try to help him, instead they, or many of them threw all sorts of obstacles in his way. "The wealthy tradesman who had made his money, managed to get a little somehow and then looked down on the good old Aristocrat who had just gone on the same for years living, or starving" as the case might be on his fine old estates that had been handed down generation after generation tho. gentleman in turn looked with scorn on the Titled Tradesman "because he was jealous I expect" - and so it goes on they are too narrow minded and too snobbish to realise that, a Tradesman can be a gentleman also, and they teach their children the same even today. the men who had the money and did not have to work, there was no need. They sent their sons to college and paid for an expensive education for them, but how much did a lot of them learn. it was too much [indecipherable] [indecipherable] they were good at Footer or Rowing Cricket etc. but everywhere else a number of them were failures the ones who came out as successes, were those who had to Battle for their living either, with their brains or hands so they had to work. now the war is making a lot of them think, but it is from amongst the ones who had to work that some of their best men are coming. the others are not up to much they are rather good at doing nothing except talk at the Club. Things were rather pleasant here for Xmas. a certain amount of leave was granted but the men were not allowed to travell on the Railway, the authorities had some fool Idea in their heads, soldiers must not travell, presumably because the train service was altered and there was a shortage in Rolling stock, yet, every paper advertised the Xmas Holiday Resorts, and Holiday makers seemed to be enjoying themselves as usual "but soldiers must stay in Camp for Xmas. one man told me that, leave was only granted Xmas week in extreme cases such as sickness at home and then two days only. I am speaking of men who have relatives on this side of the world. But the Issuing of orders forbidding troops to travell on the trains did not deter a few of them from going. I do not blame them. I did once. But now Good luck to the man who beats them, and gets away. I had my Photo taken sometime ago here in Wareham but I do not like it much however everyone seems to consider that it is a first class likeness, perhaps that is why I do not care for it I am sending a couple out, also some that I had taken when at Wallington. I am also sending Madge one. She is as you know the W.A. Lassie I have not heard from her for some time. When you see Aunt Nellie again will you please thank her for her Card allso Ivy for her letter I will write as soon as possible, but writing in these huts is far from pleasant as the Tables are nearly allways in use. men playing cards etc. and they make writing quite a task. When up at Wallington I went out for several walks sometimes with Harold. sometimes with Mrs. Horton and once with Elsie & once with Edgar. But I did not go up to Lunnon to see the sights, Lunnon in winter does not appeal to me any it’s a dreary sort of place, especially when it rains. I mean, you know what I mean so I wont explain. I was advised once to see the Tower and Bridge, but I have heard so much about them that they have lost interest for me no doubt I would enjoy seeing them but somehow when I go to any of those sort of places by myself I always start wishing that someone else was there with me and they I begin to lose Interest in them.

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Perhaps it was the thunder of the guns that started me writing poetry, perhaps it was the rest in Bed. I think the latter coupled with the novelty of having two or three nice nurses and a sweet Sister to look after me. I know that since I left Hospital and the Nurses I have not felt like writing Poetry, it is hard enough to write a decent letter, When up at Wallington I felt more like reading, Mr. Horton has a very good library, books of all sorts. Science, History, Classic Literature, Botany etc. and a fine assortment of good Novels. I read several books "For God and the Czar" a story of Russia, and the methods of dealing with any who were unfortunate enough to offend those in Power. "The Servers" another rather good Story of Russia. A young Russian Prince, the hero whose sole aim is to help his people." Clementina another good novel – and another I have forgotten the name of for the moment, it was recomended by Mrs. Horton as a rather unusual novel, so I read it then I read "Malice in Kultur Land" it is only a short book and is simply a Parody on Alice in Wonderland – it was all the rage when it came out. Now perhaps I had better tell you something of the Family. Mr. H. is a great believer in Education, and says that he is going to give his children the best he can then they must make the most they can of it. I enjoyed talking to him, on various topics. Australian Politics being one. Mrs. Horton is a dear little woman and did everything possible to make me at home. and she told me to tell you if I got back to Aus. how much she looked forward to receiving your letters. Harold, a rather Keen student of Chemistry, etc also very keen on getting into the Flying Corp. we got on well together. Edgar is rather a queer youngster loves Botany, and nature, but is not over fond of school and I dont fancy he is very smart so far as lessons are concerned. for my own part I dont fancy that will do him much harm. he is very quiet but a nice youngster. Elsie, is sometimes quite the young Lydie, but Mrs. H. has not spoilt her. she is a regular live wire and full of life and is not the least bit shy. now I dont know what else to say about the family so I’ll just stop. when you see any relations just give ‘em all my love and tell them I’m still well. also the Goonigal Folk. say that Photo of Dot holding Babs. Dot looks a regular dragon in it I must write and find out whether she was feeling savage about something or whether the Camera was to blame. Now I must Ring off with heaps of Love to All from your Loving son Chas.
I have not heard anything of Simmons since I left France I wrote to him the other day and addressed to Horseferry Rd.

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Worgret Camp
Wareham Dorset 21st 1.
Dear Mother. I received a couple more letters from you one dated 23rd Oct So far I have not received any from John. so expect that there is one from him somewhere. your letter had one from Betty enclosed. The two Flannell flowers were in perfect order, but one of them broke as soon as I touched it. I am going to try and gum the other onto a card for Elsie. She is very interested in the Australian wildflowers that Betty has told her of and has some of them fastened onto stiff paper with gum. some Baronia, Wattle and a couple of others. I was going to send the other to Nurse Gee. I may still send it but it is broken so I am hoping that some more arrive I was telling Nurse one day about the different flowers. she wanted to know what Australian Wattle was like, and when I showed her a piece, she knew it, for it is grown in France and Italy, and is sent over here to sell, each year. I saw great Bunches up in London when I was up there this trip but it is not nearly so fine as our Australian Wattle.
The weather here is wretched it froze hard last night and has been busy Thawing all day, the Ground is nice and slushy in consequence, the Sky has been the same leaden

Im afraid that there is very little news in This when I start to pull this Army to pieces I feel I could keep going for any length of time

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grey for the last three days. and the atmosphere is damp and raw. its dreary dreary weather. no wonder those who could afford it went to Spain, or Italy for the summer. I guess I would have gone further. Had a nice letter from Mrs. H. a few days ago. She sent my Photos down. I have them done at Croydon and I am sending some across under Registered Post so that you can choose whichever you like. I am also sending one to Mrs. Barker. I have not heard anything of the Parcel yet. I suppose that it will come along someday. The Sun Parcel of Tabac. has never arrived. I do not expect to see it, either. Some of those things appeal to some of the men who have the handling of parcels. I have not heard any more of Harry. I wrote to him a couple of times, but he may have gone on leave. just when I wrote he was up at Perham Downs. I may go up there myself before I leave for France, but I will not be there long so if he is there I may have a chance to see him The military authorities have some queer Ideas at present. they will not allow soldiers from these camps to travel on the Rlys. why I do not know this week they gave some of the men leave to visit Bournemouth but told them that they could not travel by rail, they would either have to walk or

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pay for a car. What the idea is I cannot say. certain it is though they are gradually rousing the men up and men who manage to get away simply stay away until their money runs out, or they are caught and brought back. They might just as well shift us all over to France and get on with the Business. we would have a chance of coming back to Hospital and that is far preferable to fooling about as we are doing someday they will learn to handle men. Perhaps I fancy I told you in my last letter that I had written to John’s friend Littler. you can tell John not to worry about him, there are plenty of really Genuine people here, who are only too ready and willing to do all that they possibly can for our boys it is our own people here Doctors etc who do not give a fair deal. our best doctors are in France. there are several in this Depot. and some of them, well I wouldn’t let them doctor a dog for me. One of them a Major was examining a young chap a few weeks ago and told him there was very little the matter with him "he had a very bad cold. and had been badly wounded. So he flared up and told the Major what he thought of him. "The M. said when some of you fellows get back to Australia, you’ll be a nine days

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wonder, then you’ll be walking round looking for work and nobody will want you. The man retorted, perhaps, but I wont. I didn’t join this [indecipherable] Army for the palty 6/- a day. I lived before it was thought of and since I joined it I’ve only existed …um said the Major and what may you have been in civil life B, only a wheat farmer was the reply and I never did a days work on it then he added in civil life it was fools like me that made it possible for your sort to live, you wouldn’t have been able to sell a box of pills in 12 months otherwise and if I had a cold not half as bad as this, and you had been my Doctor you would have advised me to go to bed. and then you’d have trotted in as often as possible just to get the 10/6 fee. but now as your salary is assured you wont bother your head as long as you are comfortable yourself. Your better off today than you ever have been or ever will be again when this war is finished. The Major bent his head over his papers and said no more. he didn’t like a man who was perhaps higher up in Society to tell him what he knew was the Truth in front of a crowd of men. Another rather amusing case happened at the pay office. one of the men

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had made no allotment, and was drawing the full Six Shillings a day although his pay book showed that he was married and his wife was living. the officer paying was very Brusque and told him that he would have to make an allottment. "he said that he didn’t see any reason why he should as the money was his by right. What about your wife she’s alive isnt she queried the Ossifer .. you cant leave her with nothing, or to live with relations… O "was the answer." I thought she had enough. "What do you mean" snapped Stans ….this started the man going .. and he let out properly. "saying - Look your’e an Officer, Im a Private you keep in your place and mind your own business. I can mind mine and I dont see any reason why I should discuss my private affairs with anyone of your stamp. But if its any news to you and will do you any good I consider that I left my wife ample money to do as she likes with. "I left her 2000£ a year and the Car. and I think that I’m entitled to draw that – Six shillings to spend as I like full amount paid over. and no more said some of these fools cant understand that there are Privates here with more money than they ever saw. I think that I’ve run them down nearly enough. So will say no more

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but I cant help enjoying seeing them taken a down a peg or two. we lose our best at the front, some of these others are either too far behind the line when there is anything doing or else they get in the safest dugout they can find. You can take Captain Dignams case. "he is some sort of Relation…Cousin of Aunt Katies I think." well it is hardly safe to speak of him to any of the old hands who know him. They curse his memory in a way that would make him Shiver, if he could hear – but he has left the Battalion for good. possibly the Army. he was a Dugout King, also a champion Rum Drinker I had a letter from Ruby Church this week. Lily is in London nursing so I may possibly meet her someday when I come back from France. Have not heard from Nell. C. lately She was at 117 Auxilliary Hospital Les. Andeleys. it is not far from Rouen. I must write to her again soon. now I must stop heaps of Love to all Thank Betty for her Letter and the flannel flowers. Did I tell you in my last letter that Mrs. Horton asked me to tell you when I got back to Aus. "how much she looked forward to receiving your Letters, She said that your letter was the first real ray of Brightness they got after the News that Cyril was killed. Now I must stop heaps of Love from your Loving son Chas

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I am sending a Post Card …Photo of the Gee family they all look Pretty Glum. the son had just been ordered to report for duty in Messopotamia he only left a few weeks ago. In have another photo.

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Wareham
15.2.17.
Dear Mother
I hope that long ere this reaches you. You will have quite recovered from the operation, and also that you will be able to have a good rest, do not hesitate to use any of the money I left. I know that you are banking it, but I would sooner have you spend it on anything you want. I had Aunt Nellie’s letter but I have not answered it yet. I must try and write to her as soon as possible here things are much the same. I am training now for Active service again and will be over there for the Spring handicap as the boys call it, there will be some heavy work. had a letter from Harry yesterday he had not been too well, had a touch of Bronchitis, but was better, said he would very likely be sent to the Signaling School and if he passed stood a chance of Promotion Also had a very nice a letter from Mrs. Horton. She is a Dear Little woman and wants to do everything She can for

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for me. a couple of days ago I received one parcel a cake from Min, it carried splendidly .. and was very much appreciated the other parcels have not arrived yet. they may come any day for every day brings a fresh wagon load of parcels and mail I have just succeeded in gumming the two flannel flowers Betty sent me, onto two Post Cards, one for Nurse and one for Elsie. I think they carry better than any of the wild flowers .. the soft silky sheen on the petals lasts, but the green tips fade. I am sending a Registered packet of Photos and Post Cards along this mail hope they will arrive safely. there are 5 photos, of self one for Min the Rest you are to do with as you please. on the paper they are wrapped in I just wrote a couple of lines. Mumps are prevalent in this camp 3 huts in these lines are Isolated .. and all the men in them in quarantine. It is still cold and today a cold wind is blowing, but the weather has improved considerably some days lately have been quite mild, and the Ice all round is beginning to thaw. soon it will be all gone, while it was freezing on the low

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Swampy land along the Frome valley the Sea Gulls came round the camp looking for food, now they are getting very tame and arrive at Dinner time for their share there are plenty of scraps for them Last Saturday we walked out to Lulworth to the cove there it is a pretty little place hidden away down in a valley. these people seem to like solitude they get as far down in a hollow as possible to build. I suppose to get away from the wind as much as possible Had a nice letter from Ruby Church a couple of weeks ago. Lily is in London Nursing at King George 5th Hospital. Had I known sooner I would have called when up at Xmas time, but it is too late now So far I have not heard of Simmons one man told me that he thought he was transferred to the Transports, but I think that is hardly likely as he was a Machine Gunner. when I get back to the Battn, I will be able to find out. I have not heard from Johns friend Littler yet I wrote to

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him when up at Overstand. Do you remember the Comforter that Kitty gave me, it was the only thing left in my Kit bag. the sheep skin jacket was gone. I think all those articles were comandeered by the Military authorities they were wanted in France. I will get there for the tail end of the winter so dont mind so much I dont like the cold and wet combined. I would sooner get a blighty than trench feet. a lot of our men were sent across suffering from that complaint, and its no good. I must stop and try to write a couple more letters. Dont let yourself worry about me too much I hope to be home for next Xmas dinner I had to tell Mrs Horton not to worry. she did not think it fair that men who had been wounded should go back. Heaps of Love to all especially yourself
from your Loving Son Chas
Next letter may be from Perham and may be from France

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Perham Downs
27th. 2.17.
My Dear Mother
Had a short note from H. yesterday with Letter from yourself and Betty enclosed, I was very glad to know that you were about again, and getting better, I have not received any Australian mail myself for sometime, but when I rejoin the Battn and have a more settled address I daresay I will receive letters more regularly. Sine I left Wareham I have only received English letters, I just reached this camp the night before H left for the Sig – School at Grantham. I went up to his lines to see him but found that he had gone. he may be 6 or 8 weeks at the school. and there is no knowing what may happen in that time We leave at 8 P.M. tonight for France. and I suppose we will be in the Depot there by Tomorrow night. I hope so, any way. This camp is not a very nice place, just at present, mud in plenty, and food is not as plentiful as might be. we get stew, thickened up with flour, more flour than anything else. it is growing rather monotonous … and men are asking to be sent to France everyday.

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For a long time now, the men at Wareham have been very discontented, and there have been growing signs of an open mutiny, the heads, did not seem to care whether there was trouble or not, untill it came, then from what we can hear, things were lively and a considerable amount of damage was done. "I believe that the Military police raided a "Two up" school. and one of the players was knocked down and Injured by one of the horses. the mob then went mad, and raided the Police headquarters went everywhere looking for M.P.s raided one of the Canteens, then a lot of them boarded a train and went to Poole to smash the police force there, for sometime to come an M.P. will not be safe unless armed. Officers and men were sent from this camp to help quiet the mob. but how things are now we have not heard yet. I would not be surprised if trouble breaks out in this Depot ere long the ration shortage is likely to cause trouble as well as the fact that no leave is granted from this camp.

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Someday perhaps, our Head Quarters Staff will learn to handle the men and avoid friction. at present they seem to do all that is possible to rouse the men up. they do not seem to realise yet that the men are not going to stand being imposed on or bullied. their Idea of Discipline will never work. nor their Idea of Justice. We can read of "British Justice" anytime but army Justice here. is "Rotten" in many ways. and amongst the civilians, Justice seems to be made to suit one set only "the Rich". it was planned purposely to cripple the poor man. or in other words British Justice as practised here in Britain is a farce. We have far more of it in Australia, and many of our laws are years ahead of this Islands laws. But I did not sit down here to tell you about The way things are done here.
I had a very nice letter from Mrs. Horton last night when I came here from Wareham I was in hopes that I would get leave before I left for France so that I could go and see them again, but it is out of the question. I met one of my old mates here, also my Platoon Sgt. Simmons was still going strong in December and may still be allright I hope so anyway. he was very lucky.

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when in the Trenches at Pozieres, a Shrapnell Shell case fell just missing his head it just brushed against his leg, had it hit him it would have allmost cut him in halves. I suppose when we get across to F. we will go to the Depot "Etaples". I dont know whether that is the correct way to spell it. but no matter it is somewhere near Bologne. I dont particularly wish to see it, I think that I would sooner go straight to the Battn. I think that I told you that Lily Church is nursing in London. had a letter from her when at Wareham. She was very surprised to hear from me. the only place I have been able to visit since I came is here is Ludgershall, a quaint old fashioned place about a mile away. there are some old earthworks there very like the Roman earthworks at Wareham. I did not know about them untill the day before yesterday so have not had a chance to go over them and find out just what they are. the village is a queer little place some of the houses dating back to 17 something … some are Thatch roofed others slate and some are built to suit the shape of the road, the old english style was very crude in many ways. the architects seemed to delight in building a

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house with crooked walls, and rooms any shape but square. low ceilings, and various other things that were detrimental to the health of the inmates, the general convenience of the same and the appearance of the place in general, but I daresay they were satisfied, and thought their houses something out of the ordinary. Now I must stop and go for tea before you receive this I may be back in Blighty, and I may not.
Heaps of love to all especially yourself and Bett. from your Loving Son Chas. G.P.
I was pleased to know that the Pistol arrived safely. some of the men who knew I had sent it seemed to think that the postal officials would keep it. it was a fine souvenir and I could have sold it several times. C.

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[On letterhead of the Y.M.C.A.]
On Active Service
With the British Expeditionary Force
4.3.17

I have only time for a short note Bea. just to tell you that I am once more in France, and ere long may go up to have another interview with Fritz I left E. this week and arrived here without seeing anything exciting we werent even chased by Submarines or torpedoed or anything just came across, and here I am. The last part of my diary in England was not quite so pleasant as the first for when the ground started to thaw and we had some rain, the place was just lovely.. mud there was plenty of it, everywhere you went you found it. it was nice and sticky too and walking became first class exercise, in fact it was better than Physical drill. I did not have to put up with it long. we were sent over here and for the present things are different for the country here is of a sandy nature, and much better for camping in wet weather.. The last few days the sun has struggled through the clouds. quite a treat after the long dull winter, with it’s grey leaden Sky and cold miserable days. What wouldn’t I give for a glimpse of our own Australian Sunshine When I get back I guess I’ll just want to go somewhere out on one of our beaches and lie in the sun and sleep for the sake of sleeping.

[Page 139]
I have not received any letters from home lately but Harry received one from Mother which he sent on to me. She is now out of Hospital, at home again but cannot do very much yet .. Harry may be at School in England for a few weeks yet. I just missed seeing him before I came away but I saw him, when I was down at Wareham he came down there and we were together for one evening. he had a good trip over from home and looked fairly well. Soon we will have the Spring here then perhaps I will be able to write you sometimes and tell you what sort of time we are having I dont suppose it will be much to write about. The wattle is out in blossom over here I suppose it is somewhere away down South, but it is sold here in the streets, and looks so fresh and sweet but it has not the scent of our wattle at home I saw some in London in September January when up there, the boys were buying it to put in their hats. now I must close Bea. With love and Good Wishes
from Chas.
The old address if you have it will find me. if not the Australian Head Quarters England will eventually find me. The same as the Parcel was addressed. C

[Page 140]
Somewhere In France 5.3.17
Dear Betty. yesterday I received a packet of letters. five of them from you and Mother. I was very glad to know that Mother was out of Hospital again. You must not let her try and do too much. Last night the weather changed and there was a good fall of snow. when we got out this morning, the place was white everywhere. it had to be shoveled up into heaps in the lines, after dinner some of the boys started snowballing but the snow had commenced to thaw, so the battle did not last long. A french woman was carrying a basket of washing up the lines and somebody landed a snowball in the basket then the band played, as you can well Imagine. now there is hardly any snow to be seen once it starts to thaw it does not last long. Soon there will be plenty of slush about but it will soon dissappear, as the ground is very sandy. I was down at the YMCA writing room just before dinner trying to write but my hands were too cold I could hardly hold my pen.

[Page 141]
Next week I may be able to find Eric a Jim Elder. They are up with the Btn again I had a short note from Simmons I guess he will be surprised when he sees me he received the verses Mother sent and in his note he asked me to thank her for him he has been very lucky, has not had a scratch yet, but he must have had a hard time in the cold weather, in fact all who were in the trenches must have suffered. had I been there in the winter I should have gone away with Trench feet for even now I feel the cold in my feet and hands. I wish we were a long way farther south then I might have a chance to run down and see Sister Nell. She is at Les Andelys, and that is too far from this camp. if I get hit again I may be able to go and see her. Last night I wrote to J. H’s letter came along with the rest, so I answered it straightaway. now the sun is shining but only very feebly so I am going outside for awhile as it is very cold in the tent.
heaps of love to all especially Mother and yourself from Chas

[Page 142]
France 23.3.17.
Dear Mother
Last week I received another packet of mail from Aus. some letters from yourself and Bett. one from John and also some from M So far I have not been near the line since I rejoined, We were up within sound of the guns for awhile but they moved out some distance after friend fritz who it seems has suddenly made up his mind to move to a quieter place or perhaps a stronger. The latter I fancy is correct anyway he is moving at present we are away back having a rest for how long I dont know. it’s a rest from the guns that’s all. we have same old Parades etc to do and they are growing very stale, but I have been luckier than some for I have missed them for nearly seven months, now I have to start again. Since rejoining I have met some of my old mates that I never expected to see again and I have also found out that reports that I heard of others were incorrect . I think that I told you once in

[Page 143]
one of my letters that I had been told that the Chaplain Capt McKenzie had been killed, it was not true. I got quite a surprise when I saw him here. I tried to find out about Simmons and one man told me he was killed. I was not satisfied and asked a second, and he told me that he was allright and had been transferred to the Transport. I also made Inquiries through the Base but never heard from them. When I rejoined I found Sim. going strong and he asked me to thank you for the Xmas Wishes which he received. he intended to write but I fancy felt a trifle shy. The parcels have never arrived but they may later on. The one that Mrs. Barker sent came along in January, and was opened by the boys. They enjoyed it. I am glad that it got through safely. The weather has been cold, but not unbearably so. I daresay that when the wet weather starts, if we are in the line, I will feel it a lot more. at present it might be worse. How long we stay out here I dont know and where we go from here I dont know. I’ve no doubt that it will be to some nice lively part of the line but that doesn’t matter.

[Page 144]
up at the camp we have just left Fritz used to live and he had made the Position very strong. There was a small village there I believe, only a few heaps of broken bricks and other debris scattered about bear witness [indecipherable][indecipherable][indecipherable] people there at all wherever you look there are Trenches that show out like great white scars. wherever they have been dug down into the chalk, and the ground between them is pitted with shell holes. some of the big dugouts remain but they are not altogether pleasant places to go through. I did not bother exploring them much. It will be many a long day before the country round there loses its battle scare. I had a nice letter from Mrs. H. a few days ago. She told me that Harold has Passed for the Artillery he wanted to get into the G.F.C. but they are full handed. When I heard from Harry last he was still allright, at school. he will be in a pretty good job if he passes his exams allright. now it is nearly tea time so I will have to stop and get back to billets or else I will miss my tea, and I cant afford to do that as this weather makes one very hungry so I will close with love to all especially yourself and Bett.
from your loving son Chas.

[Page 145]
France
13th.4.17.
My Dear Mother
Your letter and B.s. with the Photo of the Lily arrived safely a couple of days ago. it is one of the latest I have received. Feb.13th. my letters have been coming along fairly well since I left Eng. I also received another letter from J. will you please thank him for me. I will write him when I get back again for a rest just at present we are busy, and writing is allmost out of the question. We have just come through a fairly lively interview with fritz .. we won the day and hunted him out of another ruined village. he is doing all the damage possible as he is hunted back. blowing the villages up with explosive, and burning parts destroying as many of the ornamental trees along the roads, as possible partly to block Traffic, and I suppose to do away with as much cover as possible, so that he will be able to observe our movements. Yesterday I had a look round for awhile, visited the fritzs Burying ground. they have comandeered a nice plot of land near the village cemetery and their graves are nicely done up and marked with wooden crosses when we attacked The Hun a few nights back I fancy we gave him a bit of a surprise. The resistance he put up was short and sharp while it lasted but he soon broke down and we got him on the run. Before we came up here I met Eric a few times but did not see Jim. he was away for awhile, but I suppose he is back

[Page 146]
now. I have not heard from Harry lately but had a letter from Mrs. Horton a while back telling me that H. might be leaving for this side any day, so I am waiting to hear from him before I write. There is little news that I can tell you here. In some of the gardens a few flowers are beginning to show. Snow drops. Solomons Seal Lillys of the Valley and Primroses, etc. but most of the gardens are like the Houses ruined. just heaps of broken Bricks Timber and roofing slates. The Huns have destroyed all the fruit trees as they have been ready to retreat, but you will see full accounts of their doings in the Papers so I will not try to tell you more here When you see Madeline again will you please thank her for the Little Parcel. I received it safely just before we moved up here. The other Parcels are still missing
Now I must stop with heaps of love to all especially yourself and Bett
from your Loving Son Chas.
Love to all the Relatives when you see them
This Paper I found in a german dugout. as it looked rather good quality I annexed it as I thought I might have an opportunity to write. his envelopes were all spoiled so I could not get one. C

[Pages 147-148]
France [indecipherable] 9.5.17.
My Dear Mother
I am once more away from the line, this time I stopped a small piece of shell with my leg. whether they will send me over to Blighty I cannot say but it is highly probably that I will have to remain this side of the channel this time, still I am hoping that they send me across for I want to go and have another holiday in Surrey. I have received several letters from Mrs Horton, and, in the last she told me that your letters for me had arrived. I have not received them yet, but they will come along safely some time, I also had a letter from Harry he was still at the School and seemed to be having a fairly good time, was not certain how much
longer he would be there, but thought that he might be sent across to join his Unit. Your letter telling me about willie, was the last that I received I did not have an opportunity to find out anything at all, as we were very busy. We have been ever since Easter Monday, that was the day they picked for us to start, and then we had to keep at it. On Easter Monday we had The Wurlimburgers to hunt out of a village but last oponents were the Prussian Guards, it was all bomb fighting and they fought well, they did not like leaving their trench, at all, but we wanted it so they had to. after we had taken a part of it we were relieved and went back a couple of miles to have a rest We were only back a few hours then

had to go up to another part to relieve one of our Battns, I was there about 10 hours before I got "hit" but did not stop 10 minutes after. I left quickly as fritz was just opening up with his Artillery. I had a lively trip down from the line, but got through safely and here I am I was not quite so unlucky this time as last. Our R.Q.M. had his head quarters not very far from the Casualty Clearing Station so I walked across and saw him and got Permission to get anything that I wanted out of my pack. So I secured my razor and a couple of other small articles which I wished to save. This year the Spring is very late here very few of the trees have any leaves on them yet, and the hawthorn hedges
are just beginning to look green but I have not seen any in bloom. In some of the ruined villages that we passed through some of the garden flowers were out in bloom. Snowdrops and Lilys of the Valley Daffodils, some of them rather fine Cowslips and Primroses and I found one little bunch of Violets out in bloom. out in the fields there are daisies but not nearly so many as we saw in flanders last year There is little new of any Interest that I can tell you now, but later on I may have more. at present I am in bed but I wont be for very long. Lately the weather has been clear and sunny and we have had several days of real summer weather the first I have experienced since leaving Egypt. Now I must close with heaps of Love to all especially yourself and Bett. from your Loving Son Chas.

[Page 149]
[Missing page]
How much longer we are going to be here I dont know but we have had a good rest, and conditions generally been far better than they have ever been before. This time last year we were up north in the trenches then we set out on our travels, where we go from here we do not know but which ever part of the Line it may be we are looking forward to no easy task, but it will not be any worse than before and it may be better The reports we have heard lately are good. I’m glad to say, but you will no doubt get them lone ere this reaches you, so I will not say more. The cherries are ripe here but they are too dear to buy 1 ½ to 2 f. per lb. other fruit is just as dear oranges 3d. each and then they are not the best quality there are some cheaper but I have seen better fruit thrown away as unmarketable at home. France is a pretty country in Spring and summer but very far behind the times. I dont fancy the french are

[Page 150]
a very progressive nation in many ways! what Grandfather did seems to suit them, but I suppose we must let them do as they please. They are very industrious and good hard workers on their farms. I should not care to settle down and live here, though I dont think there is enough of our french ancestors blood in my veins to ever make me take to the place properly Harry may. I had a letter from him today he was well and had just been down to Wallington for a week end. he has been having a pretty good time over there, Im glad to say it wont do him any harm and the longer he stays the better for himself. I met one of J. Howells Battn, a corporal, he knew Jack and told me that in April J was all right they are some distance away from here but I am going to try and find out where they are and see if I can get leave to go up and see J. if he is still allright. I also met one of Willies mates. W. was very well liked by all and the man I spoke to about him spoke very highly of him. I received another pair of sox from Bea a few days

[Page 151]
ago but no letter in the last letter She told me that the Sox were ready to send. you asked in your letter what was the matter with my foot. "it has not troubled me lately I got it wrenched up at Cowra, by a runaway horse on North Logan Stn. and after I came here got Rheumatism in it. in the winter at times it plays up a bit especially when I have been marching but otherwise it is quite all right and not worth worrying about. I daresay if I happen to get trench feet if I am here next winter ("I hope I wont be") it may trouble me, but I shall try to avoid getting them. There was a confirmation service in the village church today. I saw some of the candidates all dressed in white, and now the Bells are ringing for evening service. We march out to Church parade every Sunday it is a Brigade parade now, and we have a new Padre I dont know his name. No doubt you

[Page 152]
will Remember fighting Mac. Cpt. McKenzie well he was our Brigade Chaplain for some time now he is Mjr. McK. he has been over in Blighty on holiday but I fancy he spent the greater part of the time visiting the boys in Hos. he arrived back here last Thursday evening, and received a cheer from the mob as soon as he put in an appearance. There is very little more that I can tell. I hope that Bett is non the worse for her illness I must write to her soon I was very sorry to hear that Mollie had hurt herself again, poor kiddie Much love to all at home and heaps for yourself from
Your Loving son
Chas

[Page 153]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A.]
On Active Service
With the British Expeditionary Force
France 22nd.5.17
Dear Betty. I guess that its very nearly time that I sent you a line to tell you that I’m still O.K. also that Sunny France, now that Winter has left us is just as green as when I first saw it, and the trees are once more just a mass of young green foliage but pretty as they are, our own bush lands can beat them easily. I left the Hospital on the 16th and arrived at the Base same day, just in nice time as the Base was being moved to a fresh centre. So I was just in time to be in the fatigue work involved. We left on I think the 18th and arrived here next day the line passes through some very pretty country, so I was at the door of the truck all the way. We dont use carriages, so if I get

[Page 154]
back safely dont be surprised if I show a marked preference for cattle trucks when going on a journey After we had rested for a little while we had to set to, and commence work unloading stores etc. carrying Tables Stools etc into the Dining Halls from the Store, then off to another place for Blankets, etc. we had quite a busy time, I can assure you. and still there is plenty to do. The camp is quite new and when thoroughly in order will be some place our Div has Two fine Dining halls and Canteen run by [indecipherable]. There is also a new Y.M.C.A. Hall near it is a double Building so that one part can be used for reading writing etc. and the other can be used as concert and amusement Hall at the same time. On the opposite side of the camp the Salvation Army have a fine building, so we are well fixed for writing accomodation. The

[Page 155]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A.]
On Active Service
With the British Expeditionary Force

S.A. has done a very great deal to help the forces and they have followed us wherever it was possible. I guess that there are hundreds of men today who have learned to appreciate the Army "S.A." I mean and have given up judging and condemning them as they were in the habit of doing before the war started. I myself think that they do more good from a practical point of view than many of the other Institutions. But still I dont advise you to join the Ranks on that account. I have not heard from Harry for some time but that is not to be wondered at. we have been so much on the move that letters might take some days to reach us after

[Page 156]
being sent from the Base. Now I will have to advise the Base P.O. of my whereabouts as then perhaps some of my letters will be sent across. The Parcels never arrived and I do not expect to see them now. I think that it would be best not to send any. I can get all sorts of little things over here. up near the line we have a small canteen for each Batt. So anyone who wants buscuits of sweets can purchase them there also Tobacco, etc. Pencils "Indelible" are hard to get at times but I have allways managed to keep one. I had it ever since Pozieres and only lost it in 47 Gen Hos. I lent it to one of the Canadian Sisters and never saw it again. However as soon as I arrived here I was able to purchase a fresh one.

[Page 157]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A.]
On Active Service
With the British Expeditionary Force

So will be allright for awhile Have you been over Goonigal way lately and if so How are they all. I have not heard of them for quite a while. Soon as possible I must write to them I have done very little writing since I rejoined the Batt in March, but may be able to write a few letters now. Perhaps soon I will be able to have a look round and see some of the surroundings I hope so at present every where seems to be out of Bounds if you have no pass and They are only granted from 4 P.M. to 9 P.M. ‘cept on Sundays. So a man will not have a lot of

[Page 158]
Time for sight seeing. There is a nice Town not very far away and I must have a try to see some of it. it will be the first time I have had an opportunity to see a decent french town and if I am granted leave it will be the first in france for I have never had a pass on this side of the water as I have never been near a place that was really worth seeing except when we were Travelling. Now there is little more to tell you just yet. So I will ring down the curtain. Heaps of love to all especially yourself and Mother from your Loving Bro. Chas. G.

Did I tell Mother in my last letter that I had a letter from Bea. my letter reached her Safely at Omdurman.
C.

[Page 159]
France 2nd 8th.17
Dear J. Its nearly time I sent you a line to let you know that I am, still on the List, and have an average chance of remaining on. I dont feel much in the humour for writing, it has been a rotten day, all together rain, and cold wind, and theres any quantity of mud outside, one good thing we are at present quartered in a fine large barn which has not had any troops in it for 6 months so we are a little better off than we might have been. Where we will be and what we will be doing in the next 10 days is a matter for speculation, rumour predicts that we will be out looking for stouch, or fritz. just at present we hear tales of vain searches for the enemy yess… we heard the same just before Herme’s but when we went up he was there allright, we arrived up here last friday about 3 a.m. detrained and marched straight out to Billetts, as per usual every place that might prove of interest is labelled out of bounds to all troops, and we are warned that if caught therein we will be Sumarily dealt with. such is life out on a couple of route marches we have been able to see a little of the country but only a little. The crops look O.K. in most cases the wheat especially, but a lot of the oat crops have been laid low by heavy wind and rain and look like being spoiled alltogether, potato crops look healthy, but rather too much top on then, Beet crops also are coming on nicely other miscellaneous crops, Beans french, & Broad, peas.. Maize, etc. all look well very different to the crops down where we were last billetted, there were a few decent patches of wheat there, but the majority was poor on account of the chalk which was very close to the surface. We can purchase plenty of eggs, and Butter here first named 3d. each second 3/- per lb. so anyone who wants it, and had the needful, can get it without any trouble, at times it is harder to secure the cash than it is to get the other things, but we are paid at fairly regular intervals. Was making inquiries about Ted Mackinson a couple of weeks ago, and found that he is now with the 1st Inf. as Lieut received his Com some time ago. have not been able to see anything of Jack Howell so far and have not heard from Harry for some time, he was still in Blighty when he wrote last but was expecting orders to move at any time, so he may be over here by now.

[Page 160]
Latest letters from Home were dated 27th May. some of the earlier letters are to come along yet, they are wandering round, or perhaps waiting somewhere for someone to send them on Say while I think of it one of the boys cut a small piece out of the paper here the other day Re War Minister Pearce’s Inquiries .. Re food issued to soldiers at Perham. I have the clipping somewhere, and will enclose it if I can find it again. on the whole it is quite true, but they forgot to mention fish, we sometimes got fish for Breakfast, generally Bloaters, we were allowed one each per man and I must say that for my own part I was allways glad when I saw them on the Table for we got a better Breakfast the other items were there allright, but in quantities, that bordered on a true starvation allowance, and good as the living may seem to Pearce and the rest, I have seen soldiers go and ask to be sent across to the line, because they would receive better treatment with their units, and they were not heroes that were allways thirsting for gore. Had Senator P. been dumped suddenly in the middle of any camp and given a week on the same fare as the men I’ll wager that he would have refrained from laying himself open to ridicule per medium of the papers even though the Tale which he so readily swallowed, may have seemed dinkum, when any of these man wish to find out things of that sort why dont they get some one that they can rely on to tell the Truth, as it is not as it seems. I might write and say they issue us with dates, so they do, but in very small quantities, and they cut out the jam when they issue dates, so we lose one luxury to get another. They issue Bacca, Cigs, and matches once a week and on that day cut out the Jam & Butter, but we dont mind over here. Over in Blighty its different, if they get news that any big head is in the vicinity, or likely to be, look out, there’ll be a decent dinner, so eat as much of it as possible for there’ll be little to eat next day that is the way of the military over there. Speaking to any officer here one day we got onto camp conditions in Blighty, and I told him straight that they were rotten. after awhile he admitted that he knew they were not good, but said he could not say why so I asked him if he did not think that it might be done with a purpose, "IE" Sickening the Troops that were there so that they would

[Page 161]
Try to get back to their units, he agreed that very likely there was something in that, I know that men did try to get away and others simply went for a holiday. when I left the rations were so low that we had to buy at the canteens and I am not a large eater at any time, but I very seldom left the mess room feeling that I had eaten a decent meal for anyone who had to work. I was really glad to get away after 10 days of it. They put up placards in the huts "Dont waste food" its wanted at home." There was seldom any to waste, except at odd times "one item quoted is Liver and bacon." I have seen it thrown out for the simple reason it was putrid before it was cooked, and a dog would have passed it by. The bacon was allways the same, hardly enough to taste, so next time Senator G. wishes to find out anything, the best plan for him to follow, will be the one I have suggested, he will never get at the truth through hd. qrs. They are a great lot of shufflers than even Little Willie H. can pretend to be. Saw Little Willie some time ago dont know why they call him little he made some of our Stalwart Anzacs look small when he walked along the line when they read that he had been up the line, and was nearly killed. there was much laughter, and they gave their opinion of the warmth of Willies feet freely, but next issue of the mail announced the death of the Officer who was with him at the time, and they were silent. Do you think that they will ever give him credit for the good that he has done, "they have been ready enough to see all his mistakes, I’ve no doubt" myself that when little Willie hands in his cheques. They will suddenly see his good points, as they did with old E. W. OSullivan, but such is human nature. Wm Hughes seems to be affording the caricurists some scope to exercise their talents like George Reid & Joey Chamberlain, he is a good subject, with a good policy to pull to pieces, but that is neither here nor there. I have seen little in the home papers that have drifted this way, of Davey Hall, what is he at now. still helping the wheat grower, along the road, or is he still getting in the way of the food profiteer, had there been a few Davey Halls in the power over the other side of the duck Pond, I guess things might have been considerably better for all [indecipherable] as much as they do.

[Page 162]
but let them study, the politics of other countrys and then talk, our laws in Ausi and the general administration of same, will compare favorably, with any on this side, "I mean Blighty of course." there they just seem to be squabbling over trivial matters, and letting more important things, look after themselves. Think Ive said quite enough on subjects which I dont fully understand so will look for something fresh to talk about. I wrote to you about a fortnight ago but could not post the letter so decided that I would rewrite it, thats was I’m doing now. it was in answer to yours of 21st March which had just drifted in, On the 8th of Last Month I was at Pozieres.. no doubt the cable told all about the memorial held there for men of the 1st A.I.F. I was one of the men who had been in that attack, only a few from each coy went, and I was one chosen from our lot. we marched out & back, it was between 8 & 9 miles each way. Rain fell nearly all the time, but during the service it held off The monument erected is just a plain wooden cross about 12 feet high set in concrete an Iron railing round it. it is not in the village but back along the road Gen. B. was there and unveiled it. I did not get a chance to visit the old Battleground as we had to have our dinner, as soon as the ceremony was over. Then back again to our Billetts at buire pur le Ancre a little lathe and Plaister village in a general state of disrepair. In your letter you told how the Wharfies dared Hughes to address them.. I dont wonder that he did not go near them. I have met and mixed now with men from pretty well every Trade and Industry. I have seen them En Mass and give them a start, that is all they want and very little of it. The majority of the men of that class will act on impulse with nearly as much reason as any ordinary animal. The are at times an interesting study, their politicks, are all one way, anything that does not look as though it was of direct benefit to them, was not good. Now the average shearer that you will meet today is a man who takes a great interest in matters political yet they threw their money away blindly because a few shrewd heads pointed out to them how they would benefit, by running a labour daily you know as much as I do about that organ perhaps more. I know that the shearers threw nearly £50,000 into that for what? yet if any one [agreed?] to pay they were feeding and fattening a few shark [indecipherable]

[Page 163]
Hughes brought forward a policy that they did not like, so they did not wait to see whether the country would derive any direct benefit they simply, rejected it, and condemned Hughes. yet amongst them we find a few who admit that though they were strongly opposed to Hughes and his party before the war. At the present time he is the only man that has a policy worth supporting. Humans are a strong lot surely. Guess I’d best let the Sub. drop for awhile. Simmons my mate left some time ago for Blighty for Six months on that side Lucky dog. he had only just returned from 10 days furlough during which time he enjoyed himself. some, he told us when he came back of some of his experiences one of which I give you. "I might tell you before I go further that Bill is a member of the Y.M.C.A. and lives right up to his principles.. but never preaches. well he was speaking to a Padre over here and the old Gent, gave him a card to hand in at the Y.M.C.A at Birmingham. Sim visited the Y.M.C.A. and was welcomed by a middle aged lady who was rather doubtful about allowing him to stop there unless he promised not to come home the "Worse" Bill doesn’t drink.. so he assured her that she need have no fears, and produced the Padre’s card. That settle the Biz. Bill was forthwith invited to visit the good Ladys home if he should feel inclined, a convenient day was named and after thinking over it for some time Bill found himself at the house. Then his troubles started it was one of the finest private residences in Birm. In fact Bill says a palace." so he began to beat a retreat, but a heavy shower forced him to take refuge in the Porch, so he pushed the Bell push and a Trim little maid immediately appeared and ushered him into the receiving room once there he began to wish he was away. The hostess appeared, and poor Bill felt very awkward and out of place as he says that he had never been in a palace before. After noon tea arrived and the cup of Bills misery was full. There was a neat Maid holding cakes, Bread & But, etc. in front of him and he had to think hard. so he decided to just be natural and act as though in his own home and allmost before he realised it, found that the visit was going to be quite a huge success all went well. After noon tea finished. The rain over

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The hostess decided that she would show William round a bit, so out they went through the garden as they worked their way round towards the back of the grounds they came on a party of girls playing cricket and the Lady explained that all her girls played cricket, and inquired if Bill like the game. he said he did, and next thing found himself numbered as one of the Team and his Troubles were quite at an end while I’m on the subject he asked me one day to ask you to remember him to Dick Coombes – says that you are bound to know Dick, who is at the Office. I fancy that the letters that are missing are addressed to Horseferry Rd always put Batn and Coy on. Last time that I was away letters came to the Coy. and I received them on the day that I rejoined, the same thing occurred in March and strange to say on each occasion, one of the Letters was from Sister H. who looked after me at Stoke. No doubt the news that you heard Re fritzs Crab walk was in a measure correct but he didnt run far at Bul. court. when he was retiring before Easter he had time to lift the Rly and cut down all the fruit trees and bust the villages up generally with high explosive. hes a beauty alltogether. The Huns of Attila, and that crowd, are right out of the running now. Now Ive given you most of the news that the other letter contained, and I think pretty well all there is if you can get a war map look at the top end "did you ever see a piece called "Canadian Remounts" I thought it rather good. ` They offered a prize for a piece written in the same style.. "In connection with the A.I.F. horses we’re not far off the "spot". It runs thus,

Broncho Dams they rany by, on the ranges of the, Praries
Heard the chicken drumming in the scented Sasketoon,
Saw the jewelled humming birds the flocks of wild canaries,
Heard the coyote dirging to the ruddy northern moon
Wooly foals leggy foals foals that romped and wrestled.
Rolled in beds of golden red and charged to mimic fights
Saw the frosty bear wink out and comfortably nestled,
Close beside their vixen dams beneath the Wizard lights.

Far from home, and over seas, older now and wiser,
Branded with the arrow brand, broke to trace and bit.
Tugging up the grey guns, to strafe the blooming Kaiser,
up the hill to "Kemmel", when the mauser bullets spit
Stiffened with the cold rains, mired and tired, and Gory
Plunging through the mud holes as the battery’s advance
far from home and over seas, but Battling on to Glory
With the English 18 pounders and the 75s of France is so [indecipherable] Quinze

Could not find the cutting have mislaid it. C.

Perhaps it was because I have always been interested in the Mokes that that piece caught my eye. It was written by a canadian Soldier I believe. Now I must ring off with heaps of love to all at home, from your Loving Bro. Chas. G.

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France 20.9.1917
My Dear Mother Your letter dated 8th August, arrived here a couple of days ago. There were also a couple of other letters, one from Mrs Barker, and one from Min, also a short note from Harry, he was feeling better. In your letter you named two places, where New South men took part in the fighting on the 10th & 11th of April. we were at the first named H. on Easter Monday morning, we commenced just about four oclock after waiting nearly all night, at the starting point, we were up near the last named R. on the fourth and 6th of May it was then that I got hit, the papers will have told you more than I would be able to, so I will not say more here. Had I known of Lybs approaching marriage earlier I would have asked you to get her some little present for me, also something for each of the other girls, I would have sent something from this side, but have not the ready money. I am not short so far as pocket money is concerned. 28/- per fortnight does me nicely but then there are generally one or two who want little loans. and whenever we get a chance, we buy extras, such as bread. Tinned fruit Tomato’s, fruit of other sorts, pears & apples mostly. They are rather expensive though, so the money soon dwindles, soon things may be a little better I hope so. Jim Elder is here in this camp I see him pretty well every day I hunted him up one day, some time ago, I had been looking for Eric, and finding that he was over in Blighty I looked Jim up. he had a letter from Eric, not long ago which he shewed me. E was then at Weymouth, and did not say whether he was likely to come across soon. he has never told Jim, whether he was hit badly or not. Ken is a Sergeant, somewhere over here. I have never met him yet. I fancy that he has a pretty good job and it does not take him into much danger but I may be wrong. In your Letter you spoke of Henrietta Lowe being at Ourimbah, was it L.W. or the Brother who was so ill, I fancy the latter, for I think that someone told me in a letter that F.W. had come over to this side, and had been wounded, I may have made a mistake, Things are very unsettled with us just at present.

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we are just waiting, and waiting, but it is no use letting that worry us, The weather, has been fairly good, and that is a very big item, just at the present time, Sunday was a lovely bright sunny day, with scarcely a cloud in the sky. There have been a few dull cloudy days, but not very much rain lately. Last night it started, and for a while I thought we were in for a good heavy downpour, but it ceased after awhile and now the sun is shining bright and warm, again, for which we are all very thankful, The farmers have most of their wheat stacked and a few of them have started threshing, and all are busy plowing They only just scratch the surface of the ground some of them not more than 2 inches deep, then after awhile they go over it again with a cultivator, they may be well satisfied with their methods of farming, and the results but I dont like them my self, but I do like the way some of them work, they are very patient especially the womenfolk. some of them seem to work harder than the men out in the fields, These men have just come in off parade, so I will not get much peace now while they are out it is nice and quiet, and I have a better opportunity to write up some of my back correspondence, I still have a lot of letters to answer, I have not heard from Mrs. Horton for about three weeks now. but they were all well, when I got the last letter. I wrote to Nurse G. again but I have not heard from her yet. I dont know whether my Letters have been going astray, or not. I wrote some time ago but never received any answer, and I fancy some of my letters never got through, to Overstand, Did I tell you in any of my Letters that the sox made by Aunt N. from Monars. wool. arrived safely. I have been wearing them, and they are very comfortable. I wrote to thank Aunt. N. for them, but the address that I have is not too good, just the street but no name or No of the house, I hope the letter gets through safely. Mrs. Barker enclosed some very good snapshots, shewing the house, and part of the grounds. one of them, was a picture

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of part of the garden, Shewing the Yucca, which Grannie gave her, it has grown into a fine large plant, and had Several very fine spikes of bloom on it, another shewed the house, from the paddock in front, and the ford Car, standing in the foreground, and another, the main gate standing wide open. "through which they someday hope to welcome me again, the photos were beautifully done, the shade and light effects, especially, I fancy Mrs. B takes them but whether she develops as well, I cant say, 23rd Sunday, Last night was bright and clear, and some of the Fritz’s machines were over, somewhere out towards the line, we could hear the AAs talking, and our machines were buzzing about in all directions they are overhead all day sometimes, in fours and fives some going towards the Line, and others coming back. Like birds coming home to roost,

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The Little flower that was in your letter, I got just after Easter Monday in a ruined garden. there were a few violets there but they would not press. also Daffodils, we did not hunt Fritz out of that village, one of the other lots had that job. a little before we went up to that part, I like your verses that you sent and I am putting them with my collection, I had several rather pretty poems that I culled from home papers, but I managed to lose them, sometime ago. Then I had to start afresh, Some of M. [indecipherable], verses are very pretty, I had some of them, in the book. Sometime when you write would you send me your Lines, "Children of Empire", Bett would copy it out, now I must close as there is no more news. heaps of Love to all, at Ben Eden St. also to Uncle Billy & Aunt C. when you see them, also Hilda & the Youngsters,
Heaps of Love for Yourself from
Your Loving son Chas.

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26/9/17
Dear Mother
This morning the mail brought along a letter from Overstrand, with John’s Letter enclosed, I will write J. as soon as possible, though news is very scarce, your letter dated 16.7.17. came along yesterday also one from Min, and, a short note from Simmons who is away in Blighty at one of the camps. I expect that he will be returning shortly but do not know for certain, I hope that you have received more of my Letters, there must be some of them astray, Harrys too, do not seem to reach their destination, I suppose that it cant be helped. Nothing fresh has eventuated since I wrote last week. the weather still holds good, and the days are quite warm and pleasant, I hope they keep good, for awhile Jack Howell was. well, when. I heard from him not long ago, I have not been able to see him yet, and have no idea when I will get an opportunity to hunt him up. The people here are busy, hoppicking, at this farm. there are about 28 pickers,

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the hops, are packed in long bales, resembling very much, overgrown bags of chaff. "then they are sent away, that is just all I know about them except, that they are used for beer etc. "and the class of beer that the Frenchies manufacture is.. "worse than anything I have ever tasted anywhere: but some of ther men seem to like it.. I fancy that I mentioned in my Last letter that Min had told me a little about Alf Phillips, I wrote to him sometime ago, but have not yet received any answer. Harry told me in his last letter that he was feeling a good deal better, than he had been for some time previous to writing. I fancy that he was getting very tired of the camp life, over there, and I dont wonder, I am waiting now expecting to hear from him at any time, saying that he is on this side. Did I ask you in my Last letter to get some little present for each of the Girls for a wedding present from me. I meant to, they may be a little late, but Im "Lybs. case." it cant be helped. and I know that She will understand, the other girls can put theirs in their Glory boxes. untill the happy days arrives, Someday perhaps.

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if all goes well, I will be able to get a few things over on their side of the world, and send across, "But first I will have to get hold of the cash and second, get into a town where they keep a decent stock, from which it is possible to select something nice.. "In one little place a few days ago. I saw real. hand made Lace advertised, Brussels etc. but as I know very little about the said article, I did not attempt to buy any. when I have the cash, I shall have to call Sister Nell, or someone else, who can help me. before I commence purchasing those sort of things, I have never heard from Sister N. "bye the way." since she wrote to me when in Blighty I wrote but never received any answer. so conclude that my Letters never reached her. now I have a fresh address so am writing to see if I can find her. I had May. B’s address. but lost it, Auntie sent it in a letter she wrote, when I was in Hospital over in Blighty, it was the Heliopolis address but I fancy that May is over here, but in what Hosp. I dont Know. I have Little more news.

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of any sort, so I will have to stop, as I want to try and scribble a note to Mrs. H. to go by this mail. Love to the Relatives when you see them, and heaps of Love to all at Home from your Loving Son Chas.

[Page 173]
30th.9.17.
Dear J. Your letter dated 9/7/17 drifted in from somewhere last night I am glad that at least a few of the letters I write get through, The crack I got at Bullecourt was only slight, as I explained in previous Letters, I stayed in bed for about 4 days then, got the hump, because the Quack. who I might mention was not an Australian would do nothing, it was lucky that my blood was in good condition, if you look up old papers, and compare dates you will find that. B. was going Like hell on the 4th & 5th of May, we were right in it, also in Hermes on Easter Monday now I’ll have to get busy and tell you what I can in brief.. for we move tonight, at 5. and leave our packs. you can easily guess what that means. "The guns have been making merry hell for days where we’re going, and they’re at it now. You guess right when you say we paid a heavy price at B. we did, and I guess the scrap this time will not be light.. but that remains to be seen

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Have received various letters from Min giving some details, of the preparations. I’m sorry, that Sybs. taking the steps she is, in my mind, there is a sort of Instinct, if I may call it so, that she is just about making a hash of her life, Though I have not said as much to the girls, and I’m more sorry for Alf. than I care to say. but it cant be helped. If you could see this particular locality at this particular moment, you would have no difficulty in picturing scenes at home that one sees every summer. blended with scenes that one sees. perhaps once in a Lifetime. its just this, as far as you can see there is a heavy haze of smoke and dust, same as we see at home in the summer season. when the bush fires start The other is a moving mass of men horses motors, Catterpillar engines, motor bikes, etc. going and coming. "I forgot Railways, Light & heavy moving steadily up, all the time, men relieving men in the Line, food, ammunition, water fuel and a hundred different things being carried up. and this is going on day

[Page 175]
and night, I cannot tell you so that you would see the picture plainly .. one has to see it to understand, and appreciate the organisation of todays army, then overhead the airmen are busy day and night. There’s a fritz up now and our A.As. are busy trying to scare him one of the swine dropped bombs round here last night. Day I’m sorry to say that I dont quite agree with you regarding, Sammy as an ally. "I’m not going to condemn him yet, but before I praise him, I’m going to see him up against something, a lot of that crowd, "Skite" better than Fritz. Theres a little yarn about, but I cant vouch for the truth of it .. "I’ll give it you here," Scene a bar parlor, in a small pub in London. Some Tommys, at one end of bar. Some half [indecipherable] Ausi’s at the other … enter a couple of Sammys. "Sammy No. 1 addressing one of the Tommys. Say old Hoss how you doin, guess were going to finish this row. that you fellers started and couldn’t finish? Tommy turns away disgusted, and wont answer so Sammy turns his attentions to the Ausis

[Page 176]
Hullo boys. I guess you’re Australians "What" .. You took on some job. ‘ "Hey" well we’re going to show you how to do it, its time we got busy and taught you fellows a few tricks?" That is as near as I can give it .. now. That Sammy is buried in London, "for they say the Ausi hit hard and straight with his right, and the Sammy never regained consciousness. it may be a yarn and it may not. I know that our fellows dont cotton to them any. and over in Blighty they are constantly clashing, our best mates on this side are Scotties.. our chaps, hit it to a T. with the Jocks. Now I’ll have to let this side go. say when you write to Grace. Lord. you can Tell her I’m still O.K. and if I get back to Ausi again, "and get an Invite .. I’ll be only too pleased to accept." you can tell her that if you like …I really forget what Grace was Like, in fact, I do not remember many of those I went to school with. I have only met one of them over here.
Charlie McKnight you may remember him

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Have never bumped up against any of the old maroubra gang but that is not strange .. for we meet few outside our own Btn. unless we go looking for them. I hunted Jim Elder up one day. I like him he’s a nice quiet chap. Eric had a nice Little job at Weymouth when I heard of him Last. Harry wrote me a short note Last week he may be on this side by now.
Jack Howell was still going strong when I heard from him Last, his lot are up the line more, we relieve them. Say its warm here today, and Haigs Chickens are busy overhead. I have seen quite a number of Bulletins about Lately, they come through for some of the men, I generally go through them, when I get a chance. did you ever take notice of some of Zora Cross s sonnetts. There is a chap here, who went to school with her and one day when I drew his attention to one of them, he turned round a told me that he knew her well, and then told me a little about her. M. forrest is another writer I have followe up for quite a Long time

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and Lately I have found some very pretty Little verses of hers. N. McAuliffe. you may also have noticed is coming on. and Roderic Quin, some of his are good. but some I dont quite care for. "Dont run away with the Idea that the Shells are affecting my Thinking apparatus because I’m taking to poetry hunting M. Forrests, verses. Tell a story when all pieced together, "I saw her writing first when I was at Woy Woy." Now I guess I’ll have to shut up. and Trust to Luck and the Pay Sergt. to get this posted. heaps of Love to all at home. also to Goonigal folk when you see them from your Affec Bro Chas

[Page 179]
France 10.10.17
My Dear Mother
Your letters dated, 12./8/.17. & the letter with Harrys Poem. "The Ausssie". enclosed reached me safely. I have been keeping a Lookout for the other poem that you spoke of but have not seen it yet, I may come across it, at anytime, for I go through every Bulletin that I get a chance to grab, in search of verses by different contributors, Some of them you may have read. By. M. FORREST of Q. some of her verses are very pretty, but I have not much time, so must get to Business, "the principal Item of news is that, I am still safe and sound, did not even get a scratch out of the Last stunt, but had a pretty miserable time generally. mud. in galore, shells the same, but we are back out of it, for a brief space, Had a Letter from Mrs. Horton with your note enclosed, also Betts. for which I must write "by this mail, and thank her. Also a letter from Bea. She had just received news from you that I had been wounded, again, Last news of Harry seems to show that he is on this side, at last, I received

[Page 180]
a field card from him a few days ago, I expect that he will write later. Have not been able to see Jack Howell yet we have not been stationed close to his Bat. but have passed them several times, he was O.K. when I heard of him last. I may be able to see him, soon, if he is still allright his lot are somewhere near the line. We had a pretty rough trip this time, the mud was cruel, and the shelling heavy, but we came through, it, though we had casualties, I cannot say how many. Had a very nice letter from Mrs T.C. Barker. I think that I told you, in one of my letters She sent me another parcel. it arrived last night, so I can consider that my Luck must be in this time. The weather is growing colder here, and soon I expect, that, I will begin to feel it properly. allready my shoulders are very rheumaticky. They may get bad enough to send me away from the Trenches and they may just keep as they are very uncomfortable, and aggravating.

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There are lots of things that I would like to tell you, but I dont suppose that it would be advisable but one thing, "I think I may say without fear," I am glad that I failed to get into the Artillery, for several reasons. one of which is that I am too fond of horses, and just now they are having a rotten time up there, I pity them far more than I do the men. for they are in no way to blame for any part of this hell and they are there, doing their share, carrying food, material etc and following their masters, patiently and trustfully, with shells bursting round them everywhere. it is pitiful to see them struggling through the mud, but, Its no use thinking over these things we are away from them for awhile, and its as well to forget, as much as possible while we can. and the papers at home will give you as much, and more news than we can.

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It is growing Late and cold, and I have only a few more minutes before the mail closes. so I can say little more, will write again as soon as possible, and give you fuller details of our recent doings, but at present must be content with this. I want it to go through for the Xmas mail, so will close now with, all Good wishes for Xmas and New Year to all Friends and Relatives and heaps of Love. and Good wishes to all at Home. a special share for Yourself from Your Loving Son Chas

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24th Genl. Hosp. France. 18.10.17.
Dear J. When I wrote Last acknowledging your letter, which had just reached me, enclosed in one from Overstrand, I did not have time to reply in detail, or to give you very much information, except that I was O.K. and on my way to the front line looking for stoush. That was sometime ago, and as you will see by the above address conditions have changed a little, for my part, but it will not be for very long. "I suppose I had better, tell you what Little there is to tell, as briefly as possible, so I will start at the beginning. After writing that note, we handed, our packs over to the Q.M.S. and cleaned our rifles, and did various other little things, that were necessary, before moving up, we moved off that night, and hit the Line about, 11.30 P.M. after struggling through mud, which our Reporters would describe, as "Adhesive, and of a sticky nature" "The boys have quite a different method of naming it – We took over our part of the Line, and settled down to enjoy our stay there, which we were told might be of six or seven days duration, we felt as happy as a mud-lark would, if you put him out in the middle of the Sahara, in midsummer, I remarked before that we settled down. – That was correct we went knee deep in some parts of the Trench, and eventually had to evacuate and only hold the drier parts. Twas was great fun ..

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Twas Low country, with a high water level. We were in that piece of Trench for two days and nights, then another platoon came over and relieved us, and we moved back to the support Trench, which was drier and more comfortable, we put in a couple of days and nights there, then, the mob that were to do the Hopover arrived so far as casualties were concerned, we had been lucky up to that time, Half an hour before the time appointed for the Hop. O. the Huns, opened up a Barrage, Pineapples 5.9s. Little vicious armour piercing shells, heavies and every other sort that he could sprinkle round, while the heavier stuff went moaning overhead in search of our Batteries, which were, Raising hell, on their own. we didn’t have a chance to do anything. all we could do was wait, and hope for luck to come our way. The Shells were falling all round, and a few got our Trench, we got the wounded out as soon as possible and got them away, then from over the hill, prisoners and wounded, commence to arrive we only had a few men, when we went into the Line we had fewer going out, most of our casualties were woundeds, but there were also, a few killed, I believe that, the casualties, on Fritzs side were very heavy. how any of them lived through our artillery Barage, is

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a marvel, Our machine guns assisted the 18. pounders They were behind our line, and they kept up a fiendish rattle, especially when our S.O.S. was sent up. some of the men with S.O.S. flares, send them up at times just to have the pleasure of seeing our shells falling round Fritzs positions, – I guess. Our machine guns must have caused him some Trouble, for he searched for them for quite a long time with heavies, As soon as our batteries start work, Fritz sends out heavy clouds of smoke, I suppose to make one thi cover his movements. Makes one think of a hunted octopus sending out jets of Sepia, "Things would gradually settle down, and comparative quiet would reign for awhile in the line, Then with out any warning there would be a sudden flash of fire across the sky, a rumble of guns, and rush of shells overhead, the batteries would carry on perhaps for an hour, and all the time the hun batteries would shell feverishly, from our front line back, round the batteries, in rear of our position then the firing would gradually steady down. the machine guns, would stop, and only the heavy guns would carry on. steadily, nearly all the time.

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In between the two lines of guns, is not one of the most salubrious climates, that one can find over, here. I’d far sooner watch the french girls harvesting, so I would, but someone’s got to carry on, with the job. There were quite a number of youngsters, amongst the prisoners that, came in past our line, and they did not seem very sorry to be on their way to the cages. The papers would have the general public believe that he is just about at the end of his reserves, I guess he has any amount of men back, but he is fighting a losing fight and knows it hence, in my opinion the heavy blow that he is striking at Russia? he still hopes that, peace may be declared before, we reach his Pater Land, on this side, and though he is steadily losing the Territory that he had grabbed here, hopes to hold on to that which he has wrested from Russia, and he is welcome to the lot of it for mine Today Russia is reaping the fruit of her past sowing and I have no pity to waste on her.
But I must return to my sub, I was speaking of our artillery, its great, when our chaps start a barrage Fritz gets to cover, and stays there, a Fritz corporal who was captured the other day, told us that when the order was given to them to retreat, the men just made for the Pill boxes, and dugouts, and waited

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for our fellows to come up and take them prisoners One thing I will say for them, they allways seem ready enough to help carry back wounded men as they are escorted to the rear, sometimes a Fritzie will come struggling in with a wounded comrade, on his back, Their Red cross men too understand their job, of course there are plenty of the other type, they are the sort who snipe
Stretcher bearers, etc. The whole business now has developed into, an artillery war its just a question of guns, guns & more guns, The Inf. is merely a buffer, the Artillery, belts a position to pieces, burys it, digs it up, scatters it about, then over we go, finish the job. consolidate, and the whole thing has to be done again, such is modern warfare. The concrete. Blockhouses, or Pill Boxes that the papers have brough so much to notice, lately, have in many cases, defied our guns, but never the less, they are a failure, so far as a defense system is concerned. Some of them are well hidden and prove a bit awkward, but they dont last long, up to date we have beaten down each barrier that he has raised, but its still a long and weary road that leads to victory he is not beaten yet, but he is in a very awkward position, this winter he will have to go further back

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and, each advance brings us nearer to his Territory I hope that I am here to see our Shells Landing in some of his Towns, providing, we get there soon, What we have called hell this year, will pale into insignificance, before what will be next year, for the artillery concentration, grows steadily, greater even now, it has reached a pitch of Hellishness that, no one who has not been through it, can form anything like a true idea of what it is really like even though men could go afterwards and see the effect of the tons of shells, they could not form an idea, of what it is like to sit in a trench and hear them go over, and crash as they fall around, where you are sitting. There are parts of France and Flanders, today that have been subsoiled as no country in the world ever was before. The ground has been rooted and turned feet deep, and should be fine farming Land in a few years,
Where we were in the Line, the place used to tremble and the concussion of the bursting shells writers may talk of the quaking earth, I guess they’d know just what it was like to feel it up in Flanders. The swampy ground was the worst, a heavy Dudd even would make it shake

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like a jelly.. "Speaking of Jellies" they give us some nearly every night here, "I hate it but one must eat. When we left the line we moved back to reserve trenches, did two days fatigue work, then went back further, arrived at our destination, and found that there were no shelters of any sort for us, but someone came along, with words of comfort. Told us that there was some hot Tea & Bovril ready for us, and that some one had gone to see about Tarpaulins for us, to make ourselves comfortable, we secured the Tea & Bovril under the Supervision of the Q.M.S. Then Someone, came along collected a fatigue party, to get the covers, marched them away to where the aforementioned covers, were Supposed to be, but finding that they were not there, dissappeared leaving the fatigue Party waiting out in the cold. the party, guessing that, they had been fooled, returned to their equipment & Rifles and cursed all & Sundry, who take charge of men, and them muddle things up. in this way. eventually the Intelligent Officer, came on the scene, collected a second party, and succeeded in securing half a dozen "Tents", Bell and two covers. we set

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them up. and then retired to rest .. we had no blankets, and our clothes and overcoats were wet, and we were cold, yess, just about as cold as I want to be. I can assure you we lay down for awhile, simply because we were too tired to do anything else. Next morning we moved further back, and went into tents for the night, our packs were handed to us, and after we had shaved and washed we felt better .. for we had not enjoyed either for 8 days. after a nights rest in the tents we moved back to a fresh camp part of the journey being done in Busses, arrived at our destination, we proceeded to make ourselves comfortable hunted up a Tuck shop in which eggs and Coffee, were to be purchased at the reasonable price of 2 ¾ per egg – the coffee Bread etc only running into a few pence extra Then my ear started to Trouble me so after thinking it over, I went to the Dr. he asked questions, then told the A.M.C. to Syringe it for me, they did so, and then the fun started first dose made it ache, second, nearly drove me loony. So I barred a third, that night it broke

[Page 191]
and the ear commenced to discharge, so I went to the Dr again next day, and was promptly packed off to F. Ambulance. They kept me one night then passed me on to C.C.S.. who in turn sent me on to this joint.. Such is the Tale of my woes, at this place there is a Specialist, who examined me, informed me that the drum of the right lug was a little bust, but would soon be allright, gave me a glass of water and told me to take a Sup. I did so then he inserted a wind squirt up one nostril, held the other and said swallow, I did so, and as I did he left go with his squirt, or whatever he likes to call it, the sensation was, well, queer. felt as if he had blown the side out of my head for awhile, but was soon allright, his giving me some more, then packing me off. I leave here about Wednesday and Im not sorry, its rottenly dull here. Scenery is Tres Bon. Sand dunes and Stunted fir trees, out in front is a Rly Line away in the distance a Town we mustn’t go into, its out of Bounds. for Patients. I’m sick of Rules and Regulations & Red Tape, it has just about done everything that could be done

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to Damn our rest days in this Country. and you watch, before this war is over, the old party who made all these rotten rules and Regs, and misnamed them Discipline will get a Shock. There’ll be such a flare up. that the Heads will open their eyes. The first seeds have been sown. You saw what a mob could be like when roused at home, we have seen it again at wareham last year, and again not far from here this Year. There will certainly be more. Now I will have to ring off. When you go over to Goonigal give them all my Love, and wish them heaps of good Luck for 1918 from me. Tell them Im Still O.K. and hope to get back someday. Love and best wishes to all at Home and just tell them not to worry too much. best of Luck from your Affec Bro Chas

Have never bumped up against any of the old Maroubra mob. Spose you know that Ted Mackensen is a Loot in the first Bn. Now. I believe he is away in Blighty just at Present at one of the training Depots.

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France 22.10.17.
Dear Bet. Your Letter of 12.8.17 came along safely also Mothers letter, with Photo of yourself with wild flowers from Chatswood, also a note from you and one from Mother enclosed in a letter from Mrs. Horton, so now I will endeavour to answer all, in one, There is Little news to tell but what I can rake up, you will find here.
I was sorry to hear that things were so unsettled again, in Ausi, its nearly time that something was done to prevent, strikes altogether .. but I suppose it will go on, just the same. old way for sometime before they find a way of dealing with the question. Just at present, I am having another rest in Hosp. this time, my ear is the trouble, a shell landed near where I was standing in the Trench on the 4 Inst and Injured the drum of my right ear, but it is allright again now, and I expect to be sent back to Base this week, then in all probability I will be sent on to my Bn after I have been there a week or two so I will be back with the boys, a good while before you receive this. The weather is very wintry now, but we are still enjoying a day of fairly warm sunny weather at intervals, yesterday was clear and warm

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and though the sky was clouded over when I got up this morning, and rain had been falling it has once more cleared off and the sun is shining. I hope that it continues for a few more days at least. it is no use wishing for it to keep on all the time .. for one might just as well wish for the moon. This particular part of France has little to recomend it, from any point of view so far as I can see. a coast line of Low sanddunes covered here and there with stunted firs and ragged looking shrubs. here and there one comes across, a small artificial wood. Oaks, Beeches Poplars etc, but they are nearly all bare now and, so there is nothing pretty about the place it may be healthy enough, and so good for Hospitals and it may be convenient from the same viewpoint, But I dont suppose running the place down will do it any good, or harm either our own coast line, is prettier, with all it roughness and I must say it suits me better. Coming down in the train I saw very little of the country for we started away from the C.C.S. at night, and were well on our journey before I bothered looking

[Page 195]
out "next" morning, then I had a look at some of the country, we were passing through but did not stay at the window long, as the morning was cold, and as there were only four of us to each compartment we had plenty of room to lie down, and so I pulled the blanket over myself again, and made myself comfortable. Arrived at this place about dinner time and detrained, then the Motor Busses took us up to the Hos. we were sent off to the various wards that we were to be in, then to the bathhouse for a warm bath. our blues were handed to us and we were, invalids once more.
I cant say that I am in Love with the place or ever would be, but I wont be here long so its allright .. but very dull, cant say that I have enjoyed either of my trips to hospital here in France, the rest certainly has been good, but when I was in Blighty, I certainly felt better and time did not seem to drag so heavily of course there we had visitors twice a week. It’s just about dinnertime so I’m going to stop for awhile .. Now that dinner is finished I can

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get to work again. When I went in to see the Doc. just before dinner was ready he told me that I was fit to move on and kept my card back to fix it up, so I suppose that I will draw my uniform tomorrow morning and will leave about Wednesday. Just after we came down from the trenches Mrs. Barker’s parcel arrived it was just in nice time to catch me, before I came down here. Tell Mother that I received her letter with Harrys verses. The Ausi, the lines are very good, I have not seen a Bulletin yet with the other verses, that She Spoke of .. but may pick one up anytime, we get more of them lately than we used to, and I allways go through them for verse by various authors. Sometime when you write would you ask Mother if I may have a copy of her verses. "Children of Empire" I meant to ask once before now I must ring off with heaps of Love to all. a Special Share for yourself and Mother from your Loving Bro. Chas.

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France 22nd Oct.
My Dear Mother. Your Letter that you sent to Mrs. Horton reached me Safely, also a couple of others, that were posted in July. The home mails have been arriving a little better Lately than they were some time ago. I have given Bet most of the news that I can think of, but decided to send you a line as well. When I last heard of Jack Howell he was well, but since his unit went into the line I have not had a chance of finding out how he was. I was in camp for a couple of weeks with Jim Elder, when he last heard from Eric. E. was well, and had a job in camp in Blighty, I expect that he is still over there France will soon be in her winter garb and truly I think that it will suit her best at this particular time, for nearly every french person one sees, is in mourning now, and out on the front there could be no scene more desolate. Broken forests just the bare trunks of trees standing

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fields that, once were green, torn up and just a mass of holes, varying from any thing about 3 ft. to 20. in width and from 2 ft to 15 in depth, the Shell fire has been terrific right along this front, and the country bears ample evidence, of it Beautiful Belgium that one reads about will hardly exist, when the Huns are finally driven out, the only parts that we saw anything of at the Beginning of this month were just fields, all Shell Torn a few Straggling stumps, where forests had once been, and a few piles of broken bricks marking the site of some village that used to be.
The artillery concentration on that front is terrific, and the Huns are fast learning that it does not matter what trouble they take to make a position, secure artillery can dig them out, and though they are far from being beaten yet, they are feeling the pressure that is allways increasing how much more they can stand before the breaking point comes, remains to be seen.

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[Part of page missing.]
public opinion seems to think that it must come soon, I hope so, but I dont think this winter will see the end of the fighting, and I have a sort of presentment that next Spring will see fighting more bitter than anything that has been yet I hope I am wrong.
I dont know how long it will be before I rejoin but expect that I will be sent up about the first week in next month I may even yet get to Blighty for Xmas. and I may have my Christmas dinner in France. I had a very nice letter from Bea, about three weeks ago, "dont know just why I said "nice" because I can hear you all say "As if Bea could write any other sort of letter." In it She told me to "Hit the Kaiser one in the eye." wish I could, but I’m afraid that pleasure will not be for one of us," The All Highest, will keep well back from the line, and the only chance that we will ever have of hitting him is by killing as many of

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his good and Loyal Subjects as possible, a rather poor way of punishing him I wonder if the people will ever wake up and deal with him as he deserves. They must be a wonderfully united nation, or else they are a pack of imbeciles and I dont think they are the Latter. The Russians, are different they are far from united, and allways have been and they are paying the price, I will not be surprised any day to hear that our Little Brown neighbours the Japs. are busy on that front. I wish they were there now, the sooner this business is finished the better for the world.
Now there is nothing more to tell and I must finish heaps of Love from your Loving Son Chas

[Page 201]
France. 30.10.17
Dear Mother
Since writing you Last, I have moved from Hos. to Base. arrived here only a few days ago and found the place very much altered, Since I left it in May. last. A fine Cinema hall, has been erected, the Army Chappel completed. it is a fine roomy building and is partitioned so that one portion can be used through the week as a reading writing and recreation room. and the other portion can Still be used as a church, for daily service. Ornamental arches, I suppose to train some creeper on eventually have been erected, and round the Officers quarters gardens have been made, next spring the place should look quite nice.. It is altered also in other ways, along the road in front is a fine avenue of Tall Poplars. when I was here in May they were nice and green, now they are bare and leafless. The banks, that were so gay with wild flow’rs, are covered now with dying bracken and dead leaves, no flow’rs

[Page 202]
are Showing anywhere, but up the hillside the fine Beeches. I told you off still have most of their leaves on and look quite pretty with their grey green trunks, and coloured leaves. the trunks of these trees were quite grey in the Summer, now some of them are quite green. as though covered with a very fine moss or Lichen. It is rather pretty round here in the Summer, but in Winter, it is a dreary dismal place away in the South it may be different I can quite understand the Spaniards now, when so many years ago. they Invaded the Netherlands, I dont know the name of the lines, but over here they came suddenly into my head.
"Up and down the dreary camp.
In great boots of Spanish leather,
These Hidalgo’s dull and damp.
Cursed the Frenchmen, cursed the weather,
The Spaniard is not the only one who has felt that way. for I have come to the conclusion, that to appreciate France one must be a Frenchman ..

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Coming down from Hospital we passed through Some of the Apple growing country, The French people were busy gathering the crop, and sending it away to market, to be made up into Cider, eventually at one place I saw a long heap of apples out in a field, ready to be carted away, and at different sidings we passed through there were big open trucks loaded. They do not take the trouble to pack the fruit in cases they just load it into the trucks loose. Since I landed here I have Seen very little of the country round. today we were out for gass Instructions, and I saw a little but not much. So many places are closed to us, and we can go no distance without being stopped.. So see very little, but such is life in the Army. I Suppose its no use grumbling it wont improve matters any. whichever way things go, but it often makes one wish, that, conditions of that sort could be altered. I am

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growing very tired of all these mean and petty restrictions, and I am not the only one. A lot of the boys, are getting properly fed up with the whole business, I dont wonder, tor at times they get plenty of provocation, but its no use, talking about it. Some day perhaps. things will be different .or the war will finish, there is very much talk in the papers about the likelihood of peace being declared at an early date. from where the rumours come from it is hard to say but I dont think they come from the front line. the Huns still have a kick left in them. Their latest hit at Italy shows that very plainly, but Russia can take the blame for that. I wish the Japs would come in on that front and get busy. I really believe that, they would be worth ten times as much as the Russians, I have no faith in them at all. even though the papers may call them our gallant Allies.

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Nov. 1st Today the weather conditions have improved a little, and the sun is shining, quite different to yesterday. The placed is rather quiet, today there is very little doing, of any Interest. Sunday allways seems to be the liveliest day here, the band commences to play in the afternoon and a good many of the People that live round come down to listen to it.. forms are placed round in a half circle, for the visitors, and the troops Stand round, and listen to the music or perhaps. they simply go to admire the Mam’ Selles, and wish that they could speak. enough French to talk to them. I know nearly as much of the language, as I did when I landed here. I had one good book, but managed to lose it, and have not bothered to get any more since books are too weighty, when on the march – and we allways have plenty of other things that are necessary to take along with us. So we do not bother carrying too much stuff that is unnecessary, for there is no certainty that we will ever See our packs again

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once we hand them in to the Q.M. before going into the line – of course if a man comes through without being wounded he gets his pack allright .. unless he is very unlucky. I have heard of some packs going astray .. Now there is very little more that I can tell you this time, I had to leave your letter for awhile, and it is now about 7 P.M. and raining once more. The last home letter that I received was from Bet. dated. about the 12th of Aug. I will in all probability be with the Bn. when this reaches you for I rejoin them within the next week. unless anything happens. and it is far from likely that anything will. Love to all the Relations and all Good wishes for Xmas and New Year. Heaps of Love to all at Home. a Special Share for Yourself & Bett.
from Your Loving Son Chas.

[Page 207]
France 6-12.17
Dear Mother
I have Several of your letters to answer all at once, during the last couple of weeks, I have received several, after a spell of about 5 weeks without any. I daresay the letters that I missed when at Hospital will follow me up. in time Your letters seem to reach me better than anyone else’s .. they seem to get here allright and are nearly allways a little ahead of the other letters .. The parcel that you sent for Xmas, got here a couple of days ago, I have been thinking since that as I have not received a letter from Mrs. H. with any reference to the parcel that it has very likely never been to "Overstrand" it had not been opened and "I’m" afraid that Elsie & Edgar will not get those particular sweets now, but I am writing to Mrs Horton and will Tell her. The little Milk Jug cover I will send along .. The parcel was in very

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good order, and I got quite a surprise when I saw it, Mrs. H. had written to tell me that she was sending me some of Harrys Things .. and for a moment I thought the parcel was from her but soon found out when I had time to examine it .. The last few days have been very cold, and for three days now there has been frost on the ground all day long. and all the little pools, have been covered with Ice, the roads a week ago were muddy but now they are hard and dry, that is one good thing the cold does. This is a very quiet little place Like nearly all the other villages in this locality it is hidden away down in a valley, and in Summer I think it would be a rather pretty little place, but now the trees and hedges’ are quite leafless. The farmers are busy harvesting the Beet Crop and send it off to the Refineries

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All through this district they grow a lot of Beet. etc. The country here is not rich, the chalk seems to be very near to the surface, quite different to Flanders Up there the Farm Houses, are scattered about, and look very picturescue with their Red tiled roofs, and Thatched outbuildings, if they can be call such for there is generally only one building The Stables are generally a continuation of the dwelling, often the latter is between stables for cows & horses, and the Pig pens here all the farm houses are together In fact each little village is just a farming Community .. all the houses stables etc are just the same as those in Flanders, but they are not scattered about. 8th I have your letter of Oct 8th We were at the last place you mention in it the one beginning with B. it was fearfully muddy up there, that was the worst part of it, for us, the shelling was heavy enough but the mud makes it so hard to get about.

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however we battled through it. Last I heard of Harry he was leaving for Aussie he will be home before this reaches you, I had letters from Min telling of Alf Phillips return, also a letter that was sent to Nell with full account of the wedding, Nell was asked to send it on to me, and did so, I also had a letter from Nell, the first for about a year, it seems strange that, I could not get in touch with her, before, I suppose that it was because she was on the move. during the last couple of days the weather has been warmer, and a little rain has fallen, perhaps it will keep on for awhile, and then the snow will commence. but once this month ends, there will not be so very much of the winter left, the end of March will see the worst of it over, so far it has not been nearly so severe as last winter, though the weather at times has been fairly Miserable, Here in this district there

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are great numbers of Moles. They are a regular pest, the little fellows burrow along just under the surface, leaving a trail, just like a Mole-cricket; then they throw up their little mounds of earth when they start burrowing downwards. The fields everywhere, are covered, thick with these tiny mounds, I have only seen a couple of the little animals myself. they are queer strong little fellows, and very hard to catch unless you can get them, away from their tunnels. I also have Betty’s letter of the 5th Oct. will you please thank her for me I will write to her as soon as possible, I have not felt like writing for some days, and my letters have accumulated some, now I am trying to catch up again writing is hard here, it is so hard to find a quiet corner, at present I have a box, for a Table and a quiet spot to write in .. as there is no parade this afternoon, a football match is in

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progress, and most of the men have gone down to watch it .. so I am quiet for awhile .. I have not heard of Jack Howell for sometime, now, we have not been near his Div for a good while, I saw Jim Elder when on the March but have not seen him since we settled down here .. I still have the addresses of People that Uncle H. sent me. I fancy there is only one cousin, Rex Rigby I also have the address of the R.F.C cousin but I dont think that it is very likely that we will meet .. though one never knows. Now I must finish with much Love to all and a Special Share for Yourself from your Loving son Chas.

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France 8.12.17

I have been very Long in writing to thank you for your letter which I received sometime ago Bea, but now I will try to make some amends, Perhaps I had better start and tell you as much, as I can remember that happened since that letter reached me, of course there is a good deal that Censorship regulations bar, but that is inevitable. When you letter reached me we had just left the line, for a short rest, we were not out long when one of my ears commenced to trouble me, It was shell concussion a shell burst close to me, and the shock broke the drum of my Right ear, when the ear commenced to trouble me I went to our M.O. and he sent me away, to Hospital, I was lucky enough to be sent away to a Specialist, in ear Troubles, and as I am in very good health he soon had me fixed up, I had a rest while in Hos. missed a trip to the line, and so can consider myself Lucky, I rejoined the Bn about a month ago, when they were coming to this place, It’s a quiet little place not far from

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the coast, Just a farming Community, the little village is hidden away down in a valley and would in Summer be a picturescue little place. the Church is in the centre, and each morning about 7 A.M, we hear the bells ringing on Sundays the villagers come from a little village about two Kilometres away, all dressed in their best Sunday Clothes. The farm land lies all round the village, and I believe it nearly all belongs to one man, who lives in a big Chateau just near the village. The principal crops, seem to be wheat, Mangolds, for winter feed for stock, Turnips, and Sugar Beet, The latter crop is just being harvested and sent away to the Refineries .. farmers are also busy plowing and sowing wheat, which the Rooks promptly search for, there are thousands of Rooks here, They are everywhere one looks, across the fields and nature looks after them well, in the part of the world, there are no berries, but there are enough earth worms to feed all the Rooks in France round here, The earth just seems to be Teeming with them.

[Page 215]

This part is quite different to Flanders, the soil is not so good, and for agricultural purposes the land does not compare, but here the country is hilly and so one is not troubled by the mud. up in [indecipherable] the mud, especially on the Battlefront, is indescribable. And one does not feel like Saying "What a Bally Country." but that applies very favourably to the Climate .. I cant like it at all, if only the climate could be altered, a little, and we could send some of the surplus rain across to Aussie, and bring a little of our Surplus Sunshine over here what a difference it would make for all. Once I get back to Aussie Bea I hope that I shall be fully able to appreciate all the little advantages that we enjoy in comparison to these countries over here, One thing that has struck me more than any other, here in France, is the fact that modern farming machinery is allmost unknown here and there one sees a Binder at work, and sometimes a Steam Thresher, but nearly all the harvesting is done by hand in the good old style that their great Grandfathers used

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and really I have seen implements that I believe they also used, for they looked quite ancient enough. The Threshing Machines that one sees most, are worked on the old Treadmill system I dont like them! one horse has to do the work and the poor beasts, have to just climb and climb without ever getting away from the one spot … How long we are staying here is unknown to us but I hope it will be for Xmas. I have spent Christmas day in some funny out of the way places. Bea but I am not longing to spend one in the Trenches, by any means. I dont feel that eager to get a Fritz that I would forego My Xmas dinner even though it be stew … Now I must tell you what little I can about Harry he is on his way home to A. had a very short run on this side, got blown up by one of the Heavies and was sent over to Blighty, I did not know for some time, and only heard from him just before he left for A. he was not wounded it was severe concussion, or "Shell Shock." and some pretty bad bruises, I expect caused by

[Page 217]
the Rly sleepers that were blown up with him he was on a light railway line walking on the Sleepers when the Shell caught him and they knocked him about .. a bit .. however he seemed very cheerful, when he wrote.
Latest letters from home told that the Strike which had been doing so much damage was over. I am glad of that, for it makes one feel so wild Bea to think that just a few wasters can make so much trouble .. especially at the present time. I think the Germany Paid Unionist or so called "unionist" .. is nearly at the end of his little game out there, voluntary workers came from all parts to carry on the work that the Strikers had left, and I fancy the Govt will soon begin to deal with Strike Promoters, in a way that will take a little of the Bluff out of some of them .. I hope so. here in France the country is so organised that one seldom sees any strong able bodied men except when they are home on Leave. They are all away on war work of some sort or other .. Roads etc. when not in the Trenches. The women are doing a great

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deal of the harvesting and other farm work Looking over your letter Bea which I have here now. You speak of a little place near Toulon I spent a night on the Troopship in Toulon harbour and I can tell you that I would have very much liked to get ashore there for a while, the hills and Trees, and the green slopes running down to the water, looked so pretty after the desert along the old Suez Canal .. and the little town nestling at the foot of the hill looked so quiet and peaceful but we were not allowed off the boat, we went on next day and landed about 4. PM got into the train about 6 AM. and did not get out again for 64 hours. I was just about tired of that trip The Bugle is just sounding first post so I will have to get away to bed Bea So will Close with love and All Good Wishes for Xmas & New Year from Chas

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France. 24.12.17.
Dear Bett.
I have been promising that I would write to you next, so here goes. though there is very little news of any great interest. Still I daresay that I can rake up a little. About the 18th or 19th a change set in and the weather commenced to freeze in real ernest, a heavy mist helped to make things just a little more uncomfortable than they might have been, but when the mist froze on the Trees, it made the place look rather pretty, and for awhile, I thought that we were in for a white Xmas, but a couple of days, ago, a thaw started, and in the night the mist lifted, and for the first time since we landed here we were able to see the country round, now the weather is very unsettled and there may be rain snow, or perhaps it may be fine for Xmas. Tomorrow we will know for certain. now I am going to curl up in my blankets and go to sleep, for it is growing too cold

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for writing. Xmas Day. And it is a day too cold and windy, and fine driving snow like sago, falling. The roads that were hard and dry a couple of days ago, are now covered with a nice coat of mud, so we are having a real Xmas after all. and for dinner we did not have Turkey etc. but we had roast beef, spuds, and we had Tinned plum pudding. "How that pudding was manufactured, I cannot say, but it was just about the stickiest plum pudding that I ever bumped up against .. still we enjoyed it if it had not been for that pudding the day would not have been any different from any other day. But the guns have been a little quieter. I have no doubt that it will be different tomorrow It is now about 8.30 P.M. and snow the real article is falling, and it is properly white Landscape that meets the eye everywhere as there is a moon, the place is almost as bright as day. Tonight after tea I went to see the movies. There is a show very close run by the Army. I believe that the

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Y.M.C.A. or canteen: I forget which, the show does not last very long, but helps to pass an hour, I had a letter from Overstrand, last week. = 27th = All were well when it was written. Mrs. H. sent me a parcel for Xmas. some fruit nuts etc. The weather has not altered very much since Xmas day, except that on Xmas night snow fell. and has been falling since at intervals, and is falling just at present, the place is all white and the roads are frozen hard, and whereever there is any traffic they are very slippery, horses have a hard time .. when trying to pull a load along, but it is good for the motor lorries, except when they have any steep hills to climb, then the wheels are very apt to skid, Now that the snow has started, the place seems warmer, when the frost started it was very cold. and miserable but we are fairly comfortable. so there is no need to worry. The guns have been very much quieter for the last couple of days. Last night they did a little Straffing for awhile

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but it did not last long. Yesterday the sky was clear for awhile, and the planes were busy. Reconoitreing. Today as it is snowing they are not out. When we were coming up here, we passed the Bn. that Jack Howell is in and I saw him for a couple of minutes he looks well, and seemed to be cheerful enough. I have not seen Jim Elder lately but he is up this way, and is still allright I have not heard anything of Eric for quite a long time, but he is most likely still in Blighty .. Now I must stop. Love to all the relatives and special share for Yourself and Mother from Your Loving Bro. Chas

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There is little more news to tell, and the rain is coming again which means that I must close the mouth of the dugout or get wet. Then it is too dark to write .. Last Tuesday I was away on a courtmartial as witness and after the business was over we went to see the Divvy entertainers "The Sentimental Blokes. they are very good for amateurs .. there are only a couple of pro’s in the troupe one a lady impersonator, who is very good he figured in Adelaide sometime ago. made a bet with a friend that he would pose as girl for 3 months without being found out, and the story goes, that he chose one of the leading Barristers in that city for a victim, and made quite a big mistake, for when the gentleman found out, he made things hot for the joker, who got six months jail for his little game. Over here he is the leading lady with the troupe, and makes quite a Chic and dainty miss. One day when going to see them, a Tommy from the R.G.A.

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asked me about The Lady, and I answered "Oh Yess. She’s rather a nice Girl." Where did she come from? queried R.G.A. I told Aussie, and when we got inside pointed her out, Tommy was quite taken by Surprise, he thought I had been pulling his leg. but when he saw the Leading Lady, all his doubts vanished Now I must go. Heaps of love to all. and a Special Share for Yourself and Bett from your Loving Son. Chas. G.

[Note at the bottom of the page - ]
For Mother
will you please post on for me, my envelopes have run out, and nobody here seems to have any. Chas

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France. 11.1.18
My Dear Mother
I have been wondering whether Harry has arrived home yet, if he has not he must be somewhere not very far from the home shores. I have not heard from Overstrand just lately, but a few days ago a bundle of Australian papers came along a Bulletin and Sunday Times We have been having quite a time lately all last week the ground was white with snow and the air was keen and cold, but not as cold as last winter so far the weather has been wonderfully mild, there have been bitterly cold days but none to compare with last year Still the winter is not over yet, and there is no saying what lies ahead Still once this month goes, it will not be long before the days commence to grow longer, and that will be something While the snow was on the ground here it was possible for one to walk about, and keep ones boots clean but

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Alas two days ago a thaw set in and now the roads, are in a nice mess, and its hard to keep dry footed, what sort of state the trenches must be in, I can only imagine from past experiences and I’m not sorry to be out of them for that reason, though for other reasons I would just as soon be up there with the boys, as back here where I am at present. Though I cannot grumble at the daily routine, 12.1.18. This evening five letters came along, 2 from Bett. two from you, and one from John. for which I will thank him as soon as possible one of your letters is Oct 19th the other Nov 5th they are the first I had for a couple of weeks. I fancy letters have been held up a little lately, for very few have come along to the Bn. There is no need for me to tell you anything about H for long ere this reaches you he will no doubt have told you all his experiences Today I was out for a walk and found his old Coy, for the first time since they landed on this side, I saw three of his

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mates, they are still going strong, and have not forgotten them him yet, just tell him please that, I found them and had quite a long Talk with them "Skeeter, Foley and another whose name I did not get, The weather still keeps fairly warm, and the mud in consequence grows thicker each day, Still that is only to be expected at this time of year, especially in this particular area. I dont know whether I told you in previous letters that I am at present back very close to the hill that I spoke of once before "where the canadian remounts hauled the guns up. for a few days I was in the little village itself, it is more or less war worn and in a state of dilapidation, but there is a fine Chateaux there with a moat round it, and strange to say, it does not show a mark of wars ravages so far as I could see. I did not have time to go and look at any of the inside portion, but that does not matter, I told you in a previous letter that I had seen Jack H. he was passing along with his Coy. and I was able to speak to him for a few moments as they marched along. he looked well, A few days ago we were taken to hear a lecture given by one of Scotlands professors of History, ‘twas very interesting, and the good man handled his subject well, and shewed us how History was simply repeating itself over again, in the present war. He told us how the Italians had fought for their Independence, before and had in a measure failed, and then how they had fought again and gained a certain amount of what they aimed at, and how they were fighting for the same thing today. I wonder now it will end for them this time, he also told us many other things too numerous and complicated for me to write about here.

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I am glad that you bought B something for her Birthday, I wish that I could send something from this side, but so far I have not been able to get anything really worth having, there are plenty of ready made souvenirs, in most of the shops, but they are so shoddy and the prices, are in my opinion, prohibitive, so I have not purchased any. This is a quiet little place, very dark at night for all doors windows etc, are screened at night, and street lamps are not used, for very obvious reasons. The people just carry on their various business’s and I must say that the Estaminets are having the time of their lives, a lot of the people speak English rather well. so it is not so hard to ask for anything that we may wish to buy. in some parts where they cannot speak any English, it is very awkward at times, and I have not learned to speak french sufficiently well, so far to make myself understood, Was sorry to hear that J. had been trying to alter his dial, and hope that he has regained his normal appearance, ere this .. Primus lamps are queer things when they go on strike, There was one in the Hospital ward that I was in Last May and the Sisters were allways having trouble with it, so I had to go to the rescue, and show them how to light it .. but I think I told you all about it. I have no Idea how much longer we will be here, but it may be for sometime yet. and so I shall be allright for that period unless something unexpected happens, so there is no need for you to be worrying too much. You see we are not fighting all of the time, and just this particular time happens to be my turn to miss a little of the discomfort attached to the front line. We can put in a little of our spare time at night here at the Y.M.C.A. or at the Picture Show, just down the street. There is nearly

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allways something on at night, either the movies, or a concert. Sometimes both and last week we had the "Kookooburra’s" down here. The team is purely Australian and as entertainers etc are rather good. a couple of them sing rather well nicely and there is with them the usual Lady star .. In this case, as in all similar ones over here!! a man dressed up. = I saw one fellow a Canadian, who made up well, and caused quite an argument amongst the mob. one night as he made quite a pretty girl, with the aid of a little powder rouge etc. but his voice failed him, and when he sang, the crowd had to admit that, all things are not what they seem, - now I must ring down the curtain, and prepare to move homewards, for when I arrive there I have some culinary work to

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perform, "making some porridge to wit." I made some one night not long ago and the men who helped to eat it were so impressed that one of them went out a few nights ago and purchased some more, and I have to cook it, and of course help to eat it. That is understood. now good night heaps of love to all at home a Special Share for Yourself and Bett. from your Loving Son Chas

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16.1.18.
Dear J. Your Birthday, today, if my memory does not play me false, and though it is rather late to send wishes .. still I send them and had I the means, would certainly send something more substantial So far as news is concerned I have very little of interest to tell you, for here, one week is very much the same as it’s predecessor, Save perhaps, that we may have a little more rain, or snow, one week, and a little extra frost or mud the next, this week we are having three of them at once, a little rain, a little snow, and a dickens of a lot of mud. "and we cant shuffle the blame, onto the War, the National party, or the strikers, so have to curse the climate. Over here, one wishes that the human species, were of the Hybernating variety of animal. Then the climate would not matter, so much .. over here many a man who cursed the heat out in Aussie, would gladly go anywhere west of Bourke if he were given his discharge, on condition that he did so .. I’m not so sure that I would not do so myself. for with the war, and weather, to say nothing at all of a few other trifles, I’m just about fed up, "any I’ve not seen such a lot of fighting, there are plenty who have seen more. But, that’s not what I sat down here to tell you, first I must thank you for your letter of 13th. Aug. which drifted in a couple of days ago .. strange how long some letters take, the last I had from Mother was Nov. 5th. it arrived same time as yours. Letters have not been coming along too freely of late, there seems to be a hitch somewhere, in the postal dept. it may be Transport difficulties across the channel, or the Postal Staff may be .. well not up to the job

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or it may be caused by something else, we can’t say, for no one has ever told us, but still the fact remains .. Letters etc arrive just any old how. and we just have to put up with it, and shuffle the blame onto "Bills" shoulders.. Now Re the recent strikes in Aussie, I hope myself, that, someone gets it, as you say, In the neck, over the business, They deserve it, and if only the Govt would wake up a little and line a few of the [indecipherable] War agitators up against a wall somewhere, and shoot them off hand, the rest would take a pull, "I’ve seen better Huns on this side than those swine who helped to cause the trouble, over there, (They were dead) but still they died like men, for their country and no matter what the papers may say, or what the average, win the war with Skite, Politician may say, in condemnation of the Hun, and may try to make the general public believe about his methods. The fact well ever remain that though there may be men of the rottenest class, who are capable of anything at all, except, fair, clean, fighting, or straight honest work, still they are fighting for their country and, there are men fighting beside them, who are not only good soldiers, and Patriots, but they are men any way you like to take them .. and the German nation taken on the whole, has undoubtedly proved to the world that organisation, cohesion, and, a little of the Iron hand thrown in, will go a very great way, towards success. She has shown the world, what a united nation is "Russia has done the reverse"

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It was in the early stages of the war the Germany made here great mistakes, and now she is paying for them .. if you could just take a stroll along behind the lines here, and see the playthings of all calibres that old John Bull has sent over for the troops to carry on with you would first find yourself amongst the heavies, and if you did not know where they were, you would suddenly wake up to the fact that all things are not what you think they are at first sight, camouflage takes very many strange forms, after the heavies you would bump a mixture of all sorts from 10 Inches down to the new 60 pounders. They are bonny guns, and easy to work, up ahead of them you would find a fresh lot from the 60s down to the little 18 pounders & 4.5 Howesit, they are wicked little devils! when you stand out in front, of them the shell is visible for a couple of seconds, as it leaves the the gun, afterwards. you only hear it, as it goes on its way to fritz .. and if you could hear the lot firing, when the "S.O.S." is sent up from the front Line, you would not wonder, that friend Fritz does not try to make a similar push, to that which he has just made in the Land of the Organ grinder and monk. he knows that, to push on this front means that, several hundred munition factories will be hurled over amongst his men, and the men dont like it, I dont blame them either!

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I sat in the trenches at Broodesinde Ridge and listened to our S.O.S. Barrage, our Trial Barrage, and The Barrage before the Hopover. as well as several minor stunts I began to understand a little about Artillery fire that day, and I dont like it, I can assure you, its right enough, when you know the shells are not for you, but you also know, when it starts that you have not long to wait for your share, and friend fritz can be very spiteful when he likes .. At Hermies I saw a plane brought down, one of ours, just after it landed, "a broken heap of material," fritz opened up on it with a 5.9. but try as he would, he could not hit it, so he raked the ground around it, with H.E. Shrapnell, what his idea was I do not know. The old tanks too, that he has managed to put out of action, get quite a lot of attention from him, but though his artillerymen do some very fine grouping practices, when shooting at these stationary targets. I have never seen a direct hit, it is when they select a certain area, and commence to sow it broadcast that they do the damage One day in Octr Last I watched their heavy shells tearing the place to pieces in amongst some of our batteries and all the time the gunners were busy moving the guns twice I saw heaps of ammunition set on fire beside the guns, but the guns were not hit, just behind them as a small truck loaded with timber, and after awhile a lucky shell caught it, fair centre, There was a sudden and swift, depreciation in the value of that truck & Timber doubtless, had the gunners, been able to observe the effect of that particular shot, they would have boasted about their fine shooting, but still they do shoot well, though our guns give them no peace, and generally make things so hot for them that they shut up. I believe that for awhile there was a very strong Idea amongst the Army leaders on our side that the Hun would make a push somewhere on this particular sector, and fritzie, I believe dropped pamphlets telling the civilians that he intended dining in one of the big town not far from here, on Xmas day, but no push came off, so the rumour may have been true and it may not, one thing, there was a very nice reception waiting had he come .. You spoke in your letter of the fight which I presume Alf Phillips got his ticket, Gaza, well the papers at first over here, claimed all sorts of things for our side, then later came the report of the commission which followed. The business was rotten enough, but still someone must make mistakes, if the whole truth were just laid out before the public, each time the public would learn some strange things, still sooner or later, the truth must come out, the Messopotamia commission showed everyone that much. If I could tell you the exact location of our present quarters, I would, but as you know, it is not safe to do so, such is the care with which the military guard against any news that might be of use to Fritzie, escaping .. Yet, the civilians in nearly any district that we have yet been in can tell us days before, if we are moving, and where we are going, "funny isn’t it? we must not say it in a letter home.

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Now I dont know what else to tell you so I am going out for a walk, as there is nothing else doing this evening and perhaps when I come in I will have found a little more news, so for the present so long.
I did not find any news the other day, when out, and since have not done any writing, so here goes I must try and finish this as soon as possible A couple of days ago. a few more Letters arrived one from home, one from Dora. C. and other from Aunt Nellie, Letters have not been coming to hand quite so well, of late, but that may be altered ere long for I believe that certain alterations have been in progress in the Postal arrangements over on the Blighty side and they may improve matters. Lately the weather has not been nearly so cold, and the mud has not grown any less in consequence, Showery weather has been the rule for some days past, and the result is far from pleasant, what is must be like up in the outposts, I can easily imagine from past experience. I am glad that I have missed them .. though it means that I will be right in the middle of next stunt, whatever it may be, There are many strange rumours afloat at the present time, one of them has been very much discussed and I would not be surprised myself if it had been set afloat as a blind for the civilian population, of course it may be true

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but I am very doubtful, no doubt we will know for certain, sometime soon, if it does come true. I for one shall be sorry, for many reasons, I have little love for this part of Europe, the conditions under which we have lived, moved, and had our being in the past, combined with various other little things, are to blame But Taking all things into consideration, I would sooner carry on here, than chase Jacko through the promised Land, Though the experience would not be bad, and the trip would no doubt have some consolation .. I do not wish to see the Land of the Pharoah’s again. I had quite enough of that place, with its swarthy stinking Arabs and dirty cringing fellahien, I saw too much of the rotten part of Egypt, and little of the best, I admit and the experience, was just the right sort to make anyone wish he had never seen the place.
Just at the present time things are not as bad as they might have been so far as I myself am concerned. I have not been near the line since Oct 5th and now have a very good chance of not seeing it till March for we have much longer rests now, but no doubt you will learn something of that per medium of the Press. Sometimes down here we stand and listen to the guns they have been exceptionally quiet round here, but now and then they break out and strafe one another for awhile, one of the chief amusements is to set out and send a few stink pots over, on the off chance of catching a few of the unwary ones, our fellows send them over in bulk. fritzie started it, and our side has only improved on his rotten methods. I think that we can

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show him a few points in the game that he forgot or perhaps never thought of. Just now we are hearing great tales Re the Emperor Karl’s unruly subjects, I hope that what we hear is true, and I see no reason why we should doubt it. I only wish that they would all take a tumble to the way they have been fooled no doubt they will sooner or later, and then there will be fun for someone. – I expect that Harry is home by this and though he was not up about the front line very long will be able to give you a very fair Idea of a few of the scenes behind the line for the part the his lot went to, was at the time one of the particularly busy centres, and I have stood and watched the never ending stream of horse and motor transport’s passing and repassing, columns of mules with packs of material of all sorts, going up the line and then coming back for more. Line after line of men moving up, and others moving to the rear the organisation is a marvel, and keeps one thinking .. now I must switch off. with Love to all at Home, and Best o Luck
from Your Affec Bro CGP
When you see the Goonigal folk again give them all my Love, and tell them I’m still going strong

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Wallington 13.2.18.
Dear Old Bett.
It’s high time that I sent you a line, to tell you just what Ive been doing, in these stirring times, but this will only be a short note. I landed here on the 4th and have been here ever since, I really intended trying to hunt up some of the relatives, but the time has simply vanished so after the first couple of days I decided to stay here alltogether for no matter where I went I could never receive a warmer welcome. One day last week I met Lilian Church, whom you may remember, "the Girl that you forbade to Kiss me, - at Ross more. we went to Westminster Abbey together but could not see all of it as there was a service in progress, we then went and had a cup of Tay, at the Corner House "Strand" – then I took her back to the Hos. – Yesterday I went to Edmonton, to see one of my mates who is or was in Hos there, only to find that he had left that morning .. I came back to London, walked from L’pool street Stn. down to Threadneedle st. then on along Cannon St. to St. Pauls. and on entering found a sermon in Progress so did not see all of that Edifice, it is a fine place, and would take quite a long time to see properly. Tomorrow I may run up and see the Tower, and if possible the Museum. I may be able to do it in the time

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I dont know yet. Coming over we had various experiences, first a Route march at night to get to the Rly Stn. then we waited there at the Church Army Hut all night, for a Train. The train left next day about 11 am. and did not arrive at destination till after 6 p.m. then we waited for a boat till, 3 P.M. next day and landed in Blighty about 6.30 pm. Trained for London and eventually reached there about 10 P.M. straight to Horseferry. handed in our Kits, then drew clean clothes had a hot bath, and then went hunting for a bed, which we eventually secured at the Church Army Hostel, not far from Horseferry next day we had to straighten up things a little, and then I proceeded to Surrey. and here I am. I shall write more anon. but just at present it is close to Dinner time and if I started a long letter I would not be able to finish it. Mothers letter telling me that she was sending money came the night I left the Bn. I had all my things ready to go when the letters were brought along. strange wasn’t it?. now I will Ring off with Love to all and especially Yourself and Mother
from Your Loving Bro. Chas G.P.

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Overstand. 16.2.18.
Dear Mother
Tomorrow I am off back to France. but ere I go I am posing you a few seeds that I managed to gather when in France. Last year, they are Poppy and cornflower, and I have been waiting for an opportunity to send them off, for awhile I had them in my pack and quite forgot that though I had packed them ready to send I had not sent them. This time I went to see Westminster Abbey, and guess who was my guide, but I believe I told Bett, "Lily Church." afterwards I went up to Lunnon town for a second days outing, ran through to Edmonton but did not see the Inn that John Gilpin was to have dined at. In fact I forgot all about that man, in my search for a Tea Room wherein to eat. failing to find one, I went to the Hospital there to see one of our boys who got badly smashed at Broodsinde Ridge he is going home to Aussie

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sometime soon, "he lost both legs. however I did not see him as he had left that morning for another hospital so I simply came back to town and went down Fleet street, saw St. Pauls but could not explore it, as there was a service in Progress. The voices sounded very sweet, when the Choir commenced to sing, but when standing at the back of the Cathedral you cannot distinguish a word, it sounds just as though they were just singing the one sylable Ah all the time and the voices echo much the same as they would in a big cave. The Tower Bridge also, was worth seeing and I was lucky enough to get there just in time to see it open to let a vessel through I did not have time to see the Tower, and hoped to visit it later, but did not do so. – I went up on Thursday to see the musuem but was not lucky.

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for that Building has been closed for two years, so I walked down Oxford St and looked at all the pretty things in the windows then through Hyde Park to Hyde Park Corner. from there I turned my nose towards Picadilly, took a Right wheel and had a look at Queen Victoria memorial then up through I think St James’s Square to Picadilly again, had some tea, and then spent an hour at the Paladium – then back here. Tonight there is a Raid on, and everyone is fairly nervous. Poor Mrs Horton tries not to be but I dont wonder that she feels. Them on account of the Youngsters. – now I had allmost forgotten to tell you that Yesterday – Lily C. came down here. arrived just before dinner and stayed till after Tea. – Mrs. H. asked me to ask her down. while I was here, kind wasn’t it? Lilian quite enjoyed her day in the country. She is still very jolly, but is beginning to feel the city life and long for a change. She may come down here again during the Summer. Mrs. H. likes her, and before she arrived Elsie was hoping that she would be

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nice, but eventually decided that she must be as if she had been otherwise, you would have taken care that we did not make friends, as she feels sure that you would not let us make friends of anyone who was not nice.
That is nearly the sum total of my news this time. I will soon have to catch a London bound train, as I have to draw my equipment out of store ‘tween five & 6 a.m. tomorrow, so I will have to switch off. it’s 11 P.M. now and I catch a train before 12 p.
so heaps of Love to all especially yourself and Bet. from your Loving Son Chas.
I hope that the flowerseeds grow. The Poppies should.

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France 24.2.18
My Dear Mother. On return to Bn. I found two of your letters and also Letter card waiting for me as well as a couple of other letters, one from Min and one from Overstrand, which I should have received before I left the Bn. for my leave. When I left Overstrand, all the family were well. Elsie of course was still away from school but looked well, I had really good weather for my holiday, and so can consider myself amongst the lucky ones, I should have gone up to the Midlands to hunt up the Relations but lost a couple of days at the commencement of my leave, and I did not feel very much inclined to run about, I fancy I told you in one of my Last letters that I went to the
Abbey and St. Pauls, but was unable to see some parts on account of services that were in progress at each place. When I arrived back on this side, I had to wait for a train at the port where we disembarked so got a pass out of camp and went for a run round, there was little to see in the town itself except dingy shop windows etc, I saw some very pretty Brussels lace in one window and went in to inquire the price. The good Lady in Charge informed me that I could have it for 200 francs, so I went on my way, but without the Lace. Then we went down to the wharves to see the fishing boats unloading their catch of herrings. There were boxes of herrings, baskets of same

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and loose herrings in the boats wherever one looked, the place just seemed to be one vast fish mart. how many loads had been carted away before we arrived I dont know but while we were there the carters were busy all the time taking the boxes away as fast as they could. I had fresh herrings for supper that night before we went back to camp. the journey up in the train next day was like all journeys per rail over here at this time of year, slow and tiresome we arrived at Bn. about 6 p.m. and hunted up the Coy. reported then looked for a place to sleep. next day the old routine commenced so there is no need to say more re my doings since rejoining the coy. No need for me to say anything Re Harry for I have no doubt that he will by now have told you first hand about his six days trip to France, and what he saw and heard during that time. There is no need to worry any about my ear troubles for I hope that they will be none the worse for gunfire when we get back up the line again, of course if shells start dropping round too close they may be affected again. the one that did the damage before was only a few feet away from my head in the edge of the trench and how the pieces managed to miss us, is one of the things hard to understand, still its wonderful how close a shell can drop to a bunch of men without doing any damage especially when the ground is soft. The Rheurimatisn also has not troubled me lately, I’m glad to say. Perhaps it is because I’ve not had time to think

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about it, anyway each time that I had it and began to think that it was going to give me a rough time, it suddenly seemed to get better of it’s own accord. The winter over here so far has been very mild and the trees and hedges are just beginning to show the first signs of life in consequence. I hope the fruit trees do not bloom too early for there will no doubt be late frosts and if the trees are in bloom, it will spoil all prospect of a crop of fruit, which will be disastrous.. was glad to hear that Joe Littler was still going strong, though its pretty rough if he still has to carry his souvenirs inside his head, and cannot show them to anyone. I know one man over here who has a bullet inside his skull, and he is still doing his work, though how long he will

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be able to carry on I dont know. I’m sure I dont want any souvenirs of that sort. Hope that J. has once more been able to resume duty, it seems that primus stoves, when in a bad humour can do allmost as much damage as some of friend fritzies bombs.. it’s a good job that the kerosene did not fire for then the cottage would have been fini in a very short space of time. When you see the Relations give em all my Love. heaps of Love for Yourself & Bet. from Your Loving son Chas.
Tell Bett I will write her as soon as possible and please Thank her for her last letters.

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France 13.3.18.
Many thanks for your letter of 6th Jan, Bett. I think that I told Mother all about Xmas. New Year. etc in previous letters so will not go into any description of it here, there is little news, except that yours truly is still the same as last time, comfortably quartered, not overworked, and enjoying the warm sunshiny weather that has been the order of the day for some days past, it seems almost too good to be true, Went for a walk to the top of a fairly high hill, near here on Sunday but did not get a very extensive view of the surrounding country owing to the heavy haze that was everywhere one looked. Just like the smoke haze, one sees so much of in Aussie, during the bush fire season

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however we had a good walk round, and returned to camp just in nice time for tea. Have not seen Jim Elder lately he was away from the Bn. Last time, that I inquired for him and since then I have not been able to look him up, however will give your message when I see him again have not heard from the Wallington folk since I returned from leave, but may hear at any time now. Latest letters that have come along so far are the January lot, except more will come along in a few days, hope so anyway.
There is little news just at present, war is the only subject that is worth writing about here, and you will get quite enough of it in the papers without me trying to tell you about it, and if Harry is not able to tell you all you want to hear about it well its no use me trying, for Ive been, neutral for some time.

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But I know that it is still going on for we can hear the heavy guns they grow silent for awhile as though resting, then suddenly open out afresh and raise a fine din, this place trembles at times from the concussion just at present they are only firing an occasional shot, and the place is very quiet, Sparrows & Starlings outside in the trees, are beginning to make themselves heard, and away overhead there is the drone of an engine, the airmen are fairly busy now that the weather is good again I saw some of them after a fritzie today, but I dont think they got him It is fine to watch some of the machines coming home, they just seem to skim over the tops of the trees, missing

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by inches only, and then at times the airmen do all sorts of tricks corkscrew diving, side slipping and various other tricks, all very handy when it comes to dodging, another machine. Will have to shut up now Bett for news is scarce. and it will soon be tea time, hope you are looking after Mother, and helping all you can Bett.. heaps of love to all, and a special share for Yourself and Mother from your Loving Bro C.G.P

When you see the Relations, you can give ‘em all my Love and Tell em I’m still OK. especially my Girl Molly.

Censored RO Boese

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[Copy of Envelope]
O.A.I

[Stamp Passed by Censor No. 1474 and signature beneath "R.O. Boese"]
Miss. B.I.M. Pryce
11 Ben Eden St
Waverley
Sydney
N.S. Wales
Australia

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[Copy of a completed change of address card.]
My address has been altered and is now, No. 3598. Rank Private
B. Coy. 2nd Battalion 1st Brigade. A.I.F.
Pleas advise anyone you know who may be writing to me.

Chas. G. Pryce
Signature
Date 19th – 3rd- 16

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[Post Card – postmarked A.I.F.INTER.BASE P.O. 22.-MR.-16 CAIRO

A.I.F. Post Card

To Mrs. H.G. Pryce
11 Ben Eden St.
Waverley
Sydney
N.S. Wales
Australia

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5th.4th.18.
Dear Bett. Life here is just about the same as when I wrote last nothing very exciting on, so far as we are concerned, Since I wrote I have lived in one or two places, that were more uncomfortable than dangerous, the first was an old German Pill box, standing in the edge of what was once a wood, it was of reinforced concrete, and in places the Iron rods, that had been used for reinforcing, where showing, twisted, and one or two broken where heavy shells, had hit, while we were in it, Fritz gave us a little attention, and did no damage. The Pill box itself bade fair to do us more damage for

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the air inside, was far from fresh, and we had to stay inside all day at night, of course we were out all the time, after the Pill box I lived for a couple of days in a cupola, in the side of a trench, then in some Tunnels, back behind the line they were safe so far a shells, bombs etc were concerned, but they were wet and in them were gathered together all the smells that one can imagine, I was glad when we left those tunnels, and moved back to one of the camps, had only been there a couple of days when I developed Trench fever, and now I am in bed in hospital, but will not be here much longer, have only been here a few days, but will soon be all right and will then go to one of the rest

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camps, then back via the Base, so even if I do not get anything else out of it, I get a trip. The weather has been very good so far, just the last few days have been dull and cloudy, and there has been a little rain, but not very much Right through, the winter has been wonderfully mild, and the hedges were out in bud, in February the Young leaves had burst their buds in places, so I expect that this year Spring will come early. I hope that it will settle this business for I think that everyone is just about the same now "fed up." I know that I am, but its not much use feeling that way. The game still goes on.

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was glad to hear that Madeline is engaged. I allways liked Maidie because she is so sensible, and never had any of that silly "flapper" nonsense about her, that so many of the girls seem to think suits them If there is one thing I cant stand it’s that. "I received a P..C. sometime ago forget what the Illustrations were, but there was a ? didn’t I think they were Dinkie [indecipherable] things etc etc. I never answered it or any others from the same writer and never will. now I will have to ring off. heaps of Love to all the Relatives and a Special Share for Yourself & Mother from Chas.

[Page 259]
France 29.4.18
Dear J.
No doubt you will be somewhat surprised to hear from me, its so long since I wrote you last, but that’s not what I sat down here to tell you, nor was it to tell you the things that I have done, or the things that I have left undone for of late the time has been passing very uneventfully so far as yours truly has been concerned. But still I’ll give you a few details Re the time I had after leaving hospital, First we were sent to one convalescent camp to be drafted as the Doc there considered best, from there some were sent to their Bases’ others to various "Con. Depots, I was one of the others, and my troubles started from that date, our lot went down to No. 10 it’s a camp beside the sea, and there’s plenty sand there, you get your eyes full of it when the wind sweeps across the hill from the Norrard. within easy walking distance there is a fine beach, one of the finest I have been on for a very long time, ("fact I assure you.") needless to say there’s an M.P. twixt camp and beach to warn those who wander in that direction that the beach is out of bounds – as soon as I saw it and knew that I

[Page 260]
was not supposed to go out on it, I decided that it was about the only place worth visiting in fact when I asked for a pass, and they gave me one to go into the town near, I went for a stroll along the beach instead, next day I headed towards the beach again, but without a pass this time, however it was too late to go right down so we decided that we would return to camp and start earlier next day .. we did so" and had a jolly good walk along the sands. returned to camp about 9. P.M. with half a dozen nice flounder that a frenchy gave us. but our luck was out, we were leaving next morning so could not get the fish cooked, we gave them to the Coy Sgt Mjr. and let him do as he liked, with them.. now Ill give you a brief description of the beach, ere I leave it. it has a slight curve in it, is just about the same length as Manly, and is very wide and shallow, there are low places, here and there along it with streams of running water, the fishermen utilise these channells for trapping fish. They drive stakes into the sand between low water and the channel and fasten their nets to them, leaving the channel

[Page 261]
clear so that as the tide rises the fish naturally come in where the water is deepest and so come in behind the nets without seeing them. it should be a good Idea for catching fish, and if I get back in a fit condition to try it I’m going to Now for the camp itself, it is not yet complete and wants a good deal of organising, also a few cooks, for the men who were on that job when I was there would not live two days, if cooking for shearers, the food was allright when issued to them to be cooked, but when they had finished with it, it was as one man said, unfit for a decent respectable pig to eat, but we had to eat it or go without, I only had one really passable meal there in 12 days, and was jolly glad to get out of the place. I wont attempt to tell you anything about the staff who run the show for there is one man there a W.O. that I took quite a fancy to, I’d like to have him well out in the back blocks of Aussi, for awhile for in all my wanderings I dont know of any man that I have come across who can beat him for dirty snobbish tricks, and dirty mean Sarcasm. he speaks to the men from behind the protection

[Page 262]
of his W.O.s Regimentals that and says things that he would not dare to say near the line, he talks to men who have two and three years service to their credit, as though they were so much dirt, tell them to remember they are not in the line, and that while in No. 10 they will have to pull themselves together and be soldiers, some of the men who profess to know him, told me that he has never been near the line and our Coy Sgt Mjr. told us that he has only been in france six months and nearly all of that time he has been in No. 10. Yet the dirty swine thinks that because he wears a W.Os. Rank he is entitled to talk to men as he likes, while I was there I hoped every day that the colonials in the lot under him would rise and give him a rough handling. Your truly would most certainly have lent a willing hand, and chanced the consequences, but that is enough re "the whitechapel cockney." In the camp there are three large dining halls, and one large cook house There are two new cookhouses in course of construction, not before they were needed. There are two large recreation rooms run by the British Red Cross, one of them fitted up with stage for concert partys

[Page 263]
Pictures etc.. During the day it is used as a dining hall, and each evening, either for concert or Pictures.. the second hall for dancing and various competitions.. Chess, Draughts, Whist drives etc. .. then attached is a nice comfortable writing room, and also a billiard room. both the latter are rushed, and one has to get in early to secure a seat, the Powers that rule there have set to work to try and make the place look a little bit decent, and have started gardens where there is any space available, at present, Daffodils, Forgetmenots, Primroses, Cowslips, and Wall flowers are the principal things grown. All are in full bloom, and the Wall flowers, make a very fine show. The Primroses are very fine too, and there are plenty, for they grow everywhere. They were very much in evidence along the Rly banks, and in the fields for over 100 miles. so you can guess they are fairly common here. That’s about all in that line so I will move on to Con. Camp No. 5. That’s the place for me. You should see it. Talk about organisation, its great men march in, there, and men march out and when they have gone I’m doubtful if the

[Page 264]
Staff know where they are, You see its this way, the place seems to be run by two or three Sgts, and a couple of Sgt Mjrs. assisted by a couple of W.Os. or Vice Versa and it seems to have got into a devil of a mess. and they cant sort it out. We arrived there about dinnertime, the W.O. in charge (of our party) handed over his papers to the staff and they proceeded to sort us out: first they called the roll, then called for the parties for various bases. after that moved us to our own parade grounds, took our names, and allotted us to tents. then we went to dinner. What? Bully & biscuits, served on dirty tables during the afternoon we did nothing & next parade was the following day. tea time came round, and we fed again bread & cheese "biscuits and jam" = this was second night and Tea. Breakfast at 6 next morning bread and very fat boiled bacon. then parade. Roll call, then finish. fatigue men were wanted but that was the Sgt. Mjrs job. and he had to catch them for himself. we did’nt wait to see how he got on. After dinner nothing to do. just as well too for dinner was very scarce. and the mob

[Page 265]
were beginning to talk about pulling the place down. They were all about fed up with the state of things and were in a fit mood for anything but work. next day we were warned for early parade, with all our possessions to proceed to our Bases. had Breakfast, fell in for Roll call, it was just over by dinnertime, 11 A.M. so we went for dinner but again it had run short and all we got was a plate of boiled rice one good thing about it was the fact that there was very little of it.. that was our last meal in No.5. I hope the last I ever eat there .. at 2 P.M. we fell in ready to march off. the W.O. came out with all his papers and proceeded to call the Roll. that was where he made the blunder. They counted him out, and said many rude things about him and his Roll. when he tried to speak they cheered and then said more rude things, so he sent for the Adjnt., now as a rule, the Adj. is a person to be feared. but this man, was one against many, and he knew it, he also had enough common sense to realise, that to try and argue with

[Page 266]
a mob of hungry men, was to pour oil on a fire in hope of extinguishing it .. so he talked the situation over with the W.O. after a somewhat lengthy discussion they arrived at a decision and we were started off. "but before I go any further.. When the Adj. hove in sight from H.Q. someone called out .. "here he comes, watch him, and another joker yelled "look out for Your Kits," but that’s an old joke. When the Adj. was about 40 yds. distant the whole mob gave him a cheer. then waited to watch him - When we got the order to form fours, they carried it out allright, and all would have gone well. The Pipe band was out in front, and everything seemed to to be working smoothly but, the band had orders to halt just down the road a short distance a lot of the men closed up on the band spread themselves accross the road, and proceeded to amuse themselves by holding up the traffic. The first victim was the driver of a foden Steam Waggon – he took the joke good humouredly at first, but they kept him too long and his patience gave out. so he blew his whistle, and started ahead. A steam lorry is not to be trifled with so he got

[Page 267]
safely through. after him came various victims, some of the boys grew tired of waiting and scrambled through the fence, and went back to the tents others took the road that led to town and went in on their own. then an officer appeared, called to the men to form up in fours. but he might as well have asked a mob of Gulf country cattle to form fours. we marched to town, and through the town spread from one side of the street to tother, onto the Rly Stn. and straight into the trucks that were waiting, we had just settled down when along came the officer a nice enough chap and asked the men to get out of the trucks and form up in fours on the Platform, they got out but the fours business, was finished so far as they were concerned. and after awhile the officers gave up and told them to get back into the train, they got back in about two seconds and settled down again. all the trouble could easily have been avoided had things been worked with just a little system .. but in No. 5 the first thing that one notices, is the absolute lack of system of any sort.

[Page 268]
even at meal times, the men just have to go and march into the hut when the meals are ready, as soon as the huts are full the rest wait in a long que, untill others have finished and there is room. some of the less scrupulous have a meal in one hut then go to the next, why not. There is nothing to stop them, the fact that they are robbing their mates does not worry them, No. 5 is the Rottenst Camp I have been in for food. or anything else. if it is a sample of British work well I’m not surprised at the way fritz is going ahead, But I must fini – just at present I’m at the best organised camp. and about the best provisioned camp I’ve been in on this side The A.I.B.D we do get a feed here. and we’re not messed about so much but we dont stop long here I will soon be off to join the boys and help keep the Hun back. They say it’s hot up there but the shooting is good and plentiful, I’ll tell you about that later if I have the same amount of luck as usual. Now I will Ring off With Love to all at Home. also the Goonigal folk when you see them Best Luck from Your Affec Bro Chas. G.

[Page 269]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A]
Y.M.C.A. with the Australian Imperial Force.
France 6th 5th.1918

Dear Mother
Little of any interest has come my way, since I wrote last except that I am once more out on the war-path, we had a good journey by rail, and passed through some fairly nice country. Just a present the meadows, are rich with various kinds of wild-flowers, one of the most showy being the "Water-Mallow, it has a flower very like a buttercup, is a very rich yellow, and grows in the low swampy country, the leaves are very dark green, in places they made a fine show of dark green and gold, across some of the meadows. On every bank, and through the little

[Page 270]
Patches of woodland, along the line there were plenty of fine Primroses in evidence, also Cowslips, and a few small violets, The Blue bells, too are plentiful they are very pretty but not like our blue bells the flowers are a different shape, and are purplish blue, the stalks are think, and the leaves long and narrow, not unlike some of our orchis at home. there are plenty of other flowers, but most of them are new to me, the trees are nearly in full leaf now only a few have no leaves on, for some reason or other .. The weather has been very good lately for all growing things in the vegetable line but not so good for us, There have been some nice days, but the average have been rather warm & misty, and a certain amount of rain. Yesterday there was a thunderstorm during the evening, we were on the march and got wet, but that does not count. we had waterproofs but they

[Page 271]
[Continuing on Y.M.C.A. letterhead]
were fastened onto the back of our equipments, and I for one was not feeling in the humour to stop and, take it off, as we were not far from camp. today I carried it Bandolier fashion, and no rain came, the day proved close and muggy instead, and I was sorry then that I had not jammed it into my pack and let the Transport bring it along for me, however I got here allright in spite of the heavy atmosphere. Somewhere up the line I can hear the guns sounding away, they sound in the direction of the hill I once told you about, where the Remounts were. but they may be nearer, tis hard to say this weather, have seen a few of the old boys since I came back they are out for a rest, and the rest

[Page 272]
are at work .. I have a little packet that I am sending home to Bett as soon as possible, it only has in it a few shells from the beach near the Con camp. and a stone from the same place. There were only a few shells. on the beach and they all seemed to be of the one variety, the beach itself is one of the finist I have been on. There is just a slight curve in it and it is broad and long, the water recedes about 200 to 250 Yds. the sand is very firm about 80 Yds below high water and will carry a motor easily .. The fishermen set nets when the tide is out to trap fish .. but I fancy I told J. about that part of the business when I wrote to him, so will let it alone now. When at the base I did not have an opportunity to look round there were men leaving, a couple of days after I landed there, and I was

[Page 273]
sent on with them .. Have not seen Jim E. for a long time now, he was away, ill and I fancy has not come back yet. I do not know yet whether Eric ever came back, he may have come across when I was away in Hos. Now I must stop
Heaps of Love to all, and a Special Share for Yourself and Bett
from Yr. Loving Son Chas G. P

[Page 274]
31/5/18.
Dear Bett ..
Many thanks for Letters enclosed with Mothers, I received four some days ago, they had been waiting for me at B.P.O. for some days, while I was away from the Bn. = now I am away again left them nine days ago, and so far have managed to have a fairly good time, though there was nothing exciting about it. I had a very slight touch of "flue". and the Doc decided to pack me off for a few days, now I am allright again and will soon be back with the mob. While in dock I managed to secure a couple of books, one of Londons, "The Call of the Wild Two by Dumas. all three were good and I did nothing but lie about and read all day while they lasted. Tis rather a treat to secure a decent book on this side, and have enough spare time to read it.
I started to write to you some days ago but did not finish for I could

[Page 275]
not secure sufficient paper or envelopes. Why there is such a shortage in some places, is hard to understand .. I could not leave the, CCS, and go into the town near myself, to get what I wanted, and the joker who was running the canteen did not seem to care whether he tried to get any or not .. So I just went without and read all day.
The weather has been good, warm sunny days, and nice clear nights, the nights would have been better had they been cloudy and windy for then friend fritz would have been forced to stay at home, So H .. thinks the wasps over on this side of the Globe are allmost as civilised as the people, well, I dont know they are certainly very friendly, far more so than the people, if you have an open tin of jam, they love sweets. and think nothing of helping themselves .. but I dont like them, any too well. I never did have much time for anything in that line one thing about them they only come at a certain time and they do not

[Page 276]
remain very long. - Had a nice letter from Bea a couple of weeks back, dated 14 Apr. also letters from Overstrand all were well there, but Elsie had been ill again Harold was still carrying on somewhere on this side have not heard of the cousins for a long time. Jim went away to Hos. and when I inquired for him some days ago had not returned. J. H. I have not seen or heard of since Nov. and the others are, I know not where.
Thank Mother for all her letters for me, and say that soon as possible I will write again, though there is little to write about. Must Ring off now Bett. Heaps of Love to all, a Special Share for Yourself and Mother
from Your Loving Bro. C.G.P.

[Page 277]
France 12.7.18.
My Dear Mother, Time still flies on, and still there seems to be no change though there may be one at any time, we are still keeping our side up, and doing our share, and often I fancy someone else’s but that does not matter, why worry, Outside there is a potato patch, that supplies the hungry soldiers with new Potatoes, they are very nice and we cook them in our trench .. perhaps the censor would consider that last bit of information as useful to the enemy, I dont,! a little further away there is a patch of peas and the pods thereon are in many cases well filled with young green peas, a luxury not to be missed by soldiers, who have for so long been told "Thou shall not Salvage the Frenchmans Spuds, when he is not looking, or his peas at any time,"
You see now we are in the evacuated area, and some of these crops must be saved, we are saving the spuds. some of the wheat oats etc may be saved later on. I hope so anyway dont be surprised at some later date

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if I write and tell you that I have given up soldiering to take on farming .. "Harvesting" There has been some talk in that direction amongst the Heads.
The weather during the last week has been far from pleasant, Thunderstorms passing and just enough rain during the last few days to make a mess of our happy home, on the Western Front. a few days ago I salvaged a clean white sheet in a ruined house near. we put it in the dugout, and now it is no longer clean and white, for pieces fall off the walls, and sometimes the rain blows in, the sheet suffers but its all for a good cause, I suppose .. I have seen a few Sammy’s about they seem to be fairly keen smart fellows, and they guess, our boys, "The Aussies" – are just grand under fire, some of them have been round our part of the business to gain knowledge. This is not such a rough place, and just at Present, it’s very hard to say what

[Page 279]
the Hun is doing, but for my own part I suspect, a withdrawal of his troops to a stronger line for he is certainly not trying to advance and during the last few days a fair number of Huns have been captured. One of our boys says, "Oh if you want any Huns just go out over No Mans land, and you can get them, quite easily, Jim Elders crowd were at it yesterday, and Souvenired about 120. but failed to find his main line ..
So you see after all we are winning Received a letter from Perth a couple days ago, from Madge. Thought she had forgotten all about me, but, it seems not, also received two letters from you dated May 5th with your verses "Consider" am copying the verses for Mrs Horton. She is allways very glad to have them to read. I also had a letter from her same time as Yours came along. They were all well and Harold was, still hard at it over here. Seems strange to think of the possibility of a Hostile Plane over Sydney for over here, they keep

[Page 280]
well back when our fighting squadrons are about. I saw one brought down a couple of weeks ago. he came down like a meteor, but unlike one he left a Trail of black smoke across the sky. an air fight is rather exciting but it not exactly pleasant to watch a plane, coming down in flames, or to see the wings shot off it even. it falls like a wounded bird – but its all in this game I suppose. I heard the other day that Jim Elder was back on this side, but so far have not had time to look him up. Eric I also heard had gone to a Machine Gun Coy.
Sorry to hear that W. Selkirk has taken up arms again, and hope that he will not be able to come across. I guess he wont like the place when he does get here.
When J. is over again will you please thank him for his letters and tell him I will write as soon as possible, but cannot do so just at present, also thank Harry for his, will write him also when opportunity occurs.

[Page 281]
I think that they will only require my No Name, Coy & Bn they will notify me, and I can instruct them to hold cash untill I arrive personally. I may get my furlough in March but can postpone it till cash arrives.
Chas.

[Page 282]
France 20/7/18.
Dear Bett.
I have yet to thank you for your last letters. So forthwith .. receive my thanks for same at once, of news, that is new, or interesting I have but little, still what I can find I will send. I left my little dug-out in the trench three days ago, and after sundry delays, arrived at this place .. "It’s a quiet little place, hidden away in a hollow, tween the hills, and allmost hidden by trees .. You dont see it untill allmost in the centre so you can guess, the population does not exceed 1,000,000 in fact it’s a little less. "I’ve seen several french men since arriving here .. but thats not what I was going to write about. The first part of the journey was accomplished per "boot, the second stage per motor lorry, and the third by Rail, and the fourth by boot so you see we had quite a high old time, for lately, we have done all our travelling in the manner last mentioned..
The country here is rather pretty, and after the flat country its rather nice to get into a part where they can boast of a few hills, even if they are not so good for farming purposes. the crops here do not compare, with those I have been amongst for the last few weeks. Yet these are worth more, for they will be harvested and the others will not, that is the difference.

[Page 283]
I said before that this is a quiet little place, there seem to be very few civilians here, and also few troops, we can only hear the guns at times, and then very faintly, I am not sorry, for I was just about tired of them, up where we were, they were all round us, and they were seldom silent for long. and about two hundred yds from my last camping place a heavy battery used to make night hideous at times, they seemed to take a delight in opening up suddenly, I guess fritz used to say things that would not stand printing about that Battery, but that would not worry them, any. I have not told you yet what I’m doing, down here, so had better do so now ere I forget I’m being educated, some more, and at the same time having a spell, I wish that they would send to a school where I could learn to Parley Francais, ‘twould be exceedingly useful, and much easier than trying to study the Lingo alone, "I tried that method but it’s a failure, you just get a start, someone comes along and wants to know what you’re doing, then gives a little advice, about paying the M.O. a visit, then leaves you, someone else arrives, makes the usual inquiries passes various remarks, about your mental apparatus etc and so the game goes on. when you have had enough you rise, stuff your book into your pack and then go for a walk, or go outside and tell them how you would have enlisted very much earlier had you known the war was going to last such a long time, and the life was going to prove so very interesting

[Page 284]
and, the general conditions so good, The weather in particular .. Still lately it has been quite decent there have been several real thunderstorms that have passed over, quickly, and allowed the sun to shine out for a brief space afterwards, One came this way today and for a while the rain, and very fine hail came down in grand style, now the sun is out .. About a week ago one blew along our way in the small hours of the morn. I happened to wake early and lay in bed watching the Lightning in the West, Some of our planes were also watching it, they had been out somewhere over Fritz’s side, and were making for home when I saw them. I got out of my shelter to watch them fighting their way through the storm, and I was rather glad that I was not a bird man, "they get a rather rough time if caught in a storm, but that is one of the chances they have to take, and if it is bad for our fellows, it must be worse for fritz, for judging from the way our planes keep his back in good weather, our machines are well in the lead, or else our Pilots are, we see them passing over in little squadrons of from 7 to 14, and I have counted over 30 coming back from his side, I fancy they were bombers. They are fine machines and often give us some very fine exhibitions, of manouvering, etc.

[Page 285]
There is little more to write about, so I guess I’d best ring off for awhile and see what I can collect for next letter. had a message from Jim E. a couple of weeks ago. he had just rejoined his Bn. I have not been able to see him so far, and will have no opportunity now for at least three weeks, Eric also is over here I believe .. I heard that he had transferred to a machine gun Coy. now I must go.
Heaps of Love to all especially Yourself and Mother
from Your Loving Bro. C.G.P.
Tell Harry that sometime soon I hope to answer his letters. Shall also write J. soon as possible. C

[Page 286]
[This page contains a reproduction of a printed form – a Certificate - headed "Active Service" which has been completed and signed by Chas. G. Pryce.

The Address inserted by Chas. G. Pryce is

J.S. Pryce Esq.re
136 Castlereagh St.
Sydney
N.S.W.
Australia.]

[Page 287]
France 8/8/18
Dear Friend
I have just enough time before letters are collected for post to send you a line, and thank you for your letter of the 30th and also for your note with two home letters enclosed. I am still going Strong, and taking all taking all things into consideration am having a fairly decent time .. I fancy I told you in my last letter that there was no prospect of leave for me, for some time to come, probably not before November, When across on leave I really thought that it would be about August, however that has proved a dream, that will never materialise, News from Home was just about the same everything very quiet, but Mother had been feeling a great deal better and had been able to get about a little more, Harry still carrying on

[Page 288]
and still able to do his share of Talking! You know he can Talk me out of Time easily!
The weather today has been rather stormy, and there have been two or three rather smart showers I do hope it does not break alltogether, It has been such good Sunny weather for chasing fritz, The Corporal has just come for the Letters So I will have to ring off with all good wishes to all at Overstrand from Chas G. Pryce.
Please thank Elsie for Card. C.

R. Pofe [presumably censor.]

[Page 289]
17/8/18.
Dear Mother
Since last letter, Business has been somewhat brisker than usual and, we have altered the shape of the front line again, and we also met our old friends again, the Prussians, They are not in the same street as the first lot though some of these jokers were game to the last, but a very big majority were all ready to start on long distance sprints, or to surrender I wish they were all like that, we would soon clear this country. The Sammys we hear have done good work and I fancy that before very long fritz will want to discuss peace terms again. If he insists on fighting to a finish I think that we can easily meet him half way, and give him all the fight that he wants, Jim Elder is camped quite close and is fairly well. I have seen him a couple of times lately, I suppose you have heard that Eric is back on this side, he is with one of the M.G. Coys. and is full Corporal – has a good safe job into the bargain

[Page 290]
Saw Jack Howell about 10 days ago. he came down to look me up he looks well, but is like myself and all the rest just about - fed up – but I fancy everyone is feeling that way. At present we are amongst the Poplars again and can go swimming every day when not on parade, we wanted a wash when we arrived here I had not had one for quite a week so you can guess it did not take us long to get into the River when we arrived. we had to fix up shelters for ourselves so three of us set to work and cut a good pile of reeds to roof our Bivouac then I set to work and thatched it with grass I think it will keep the rain out, but still I dont want any rain to come along, to show whether I’m right or wrong. Had a couple of letters from Mrs. Horton a couple of weeks back Mr H. had a touch of the new flu Edgar was not very well, and Elsie had a bad cold, so I guess the Poor little woman just about had her hands full. She tries hard not to worry about Harold, but finds it very hard. The parcel with tin of Tabac, Sugr etc arrived O.K. and was very much enjoyed by self and a couple of mates, we still have a little of the Sugar and some of the Tabac which was in first class condition and very welcome, as the canteen was out of decent smoking Tabac and I was trying everywhere to get something worth smoking = it is very hard sometimes to get a good Tabacco here for a great many of the chaps mixtures are not even decent imitations. I hope the flower seeds are allright, The Cornflowers, Poppies etc are out in full bloom here but there are not so many as when we were in this area last, There are a few white marguerite seeds in the packet I sent, but I do not know whether they were much good.

[Page 291]
I hope they come up for they are a fine large variety. Cookhouse has just blown, so I guess I will soon have to stop, Today there has been a swimming carnival on just down the river. I got tired of watching and came back here to write letters. This paper is German I salvaged it from the H. Qrs of one of the Hun Battery Commanders. "The Schwer Grupp" or I suppose the "Right Group" or right flank of the artillery division. we got his Telephones, some of his maps & a few other odds and ends not worth having next time I hope we catch the joker himself. Now I must stop heaps of love to all, and a Special Share for Yourself and Bett from Your Loving Son Chas G. P.

N.B.
Some time ago a parcel arrived packed by McIllwraith, who sent it I dont know, so dont know who to thank for it. it arrived just as we were moving to the front line, up north it has not been mentioned in any letters that I have received so far.
Chas.
Please Thank Bett for her letters

[Page 292]
1-9-18.
Dear Mother
Quite a packet of your letters have come along lately, also some from the girls, and you can imagine how surprised I was to receive a letter from Grace Lord a couple of weeks ago.
I have not answered it yet, for I haven’t had time, we have been busy part of the time, and when we were not at work I felt too tired for letter writing, It is not because the work is so hard but it is the conditions, and constant going The conditions could be very much worse I’m glad they’re not, The weather has been with us right along. Lately it was really been a sunny France. I began to have my doubts about it, but the Sun does shine over here, sometimes, The last two stunts have been rather good, but the papers will tell you all about them, I would very much like to know what fritz thinks about them. just at present he is in a bad way

[Page 293]
and his army will want a lot of Reorganising, if this push is kept up for awhile and then the Yanks are let at him, it may be the beginning of the end, I hope so! but still we cannot say that he is beaten Yet for he still has a lot of fight left in him, and he may be troublesome Yet, but I do not think that he will ever be able to attempt another big offensive, let us hope not anyway! One of our fellows speaking to a prisoner a few days ago asked him what he thought of the situation, the man laughed and shrugged his shoulders, and answered O first the grand offensive then the great Retreat! that was all he would say perhaps he referred to themselves, perhaps to us, I fancy he meant themselves though. Jim Elder is away from his unit again I could not find out what was the cause this time, but I believe it is nothing serious. Saw J. H. sometime ago but have not been near his lot since Eric is over here, and has a good job well back, so Jim told me

[Page 294]
There is little more news to tell you but before I close I had better tell you that the allotment has been increased from 3/- to 5/- from the 30th 8th. 18. You see I now have the two bars, and so draw extra, however I did not want it all so increased the allot.mt and should I want extra for furlough etc will send across. I am drawing 3/6 per day so I think will be pretty right as so far the 2/- has kept me going now I must ring off with Love to all Relations and a Special Share for Yourself and Bett from your Loving Son Chas. G.

"One other small Item of news, that I was not going to Send for fear that you might be anxious Sometime ago I was the Lucky one, who was selected for Reccomendation , and was awarded the M.M. I got just as much of a Shock as some of the others. C.

[Page 295]
When the parcel comes along I will send on the packet to Elsie, I had a Card from her today She has been staying with one of her Aunts for a holiday, and says She had a ripping time, Harold has been home on leave and Mrs H. Says the war has not altered him a bit yet. They were dissappointed because my leave was so far off but it cant be helped, it will come round someday but I would have liked to visit Blighty while the weather was good, I had quite enough of it during the dull days in 16 and dont want to go on leave in that sort of weather, Had a letter from Tom Kennett a couple of days ago. he left "Blue Nobbys" sometime ago and has not been on the Station for a good while so could not tell me how Bonny was. he mentioned some of the boys from that way. Three of them had returned from this side all wounded, and two or three others have been killed in action, I have met very few fellows from the North & N. West over here, I fancy most of them are in another Div –

[Page 298]
Dear Mother
The Photos are to be distributed to whom you think best But one is for Min and perhaps Dora would like one of them. will write more in letter.
Love Chas.
The Post cards for Betty’s collection The london cards were presented to me by E.H. Overstrand

[Page 299]
[This page is a copy of a standard form letter sent to the letter writer’s mother informing her that Private C.G. Pryce has been reported wounded second occasion. Not transcribed.]

[Page 300]
[Copy of the outside/envelope side of the letter at page 299.]

[Pages 301]
France 17.6.17
Dear Mother
Everything still goes on the same here, we are still resting and having a fairly decent time. Taking into consideration the fact that there is still a war on. We do the usual old parades in the forenoon, and after dinner we defile the waters of the Ancre, by bathing therein, it is a narrow winding little stream fairly deep in places, and has a good swift current which is a good thing. we get a continual supply of fresh water to swim in. This afternoon one of your letters arrived. Mrs H. had posted it last month to the Hospital but I had left and it has just managed to catch up to me The weather still keeps fine and quite hot we have an occasional Thunderstorm, and when one commences it is time to seek shelter for the rain comes down some. we were bathing one afternoon and one started. needless to say we got wet.

[Pages 302]
On the 11th & 12th Insts. Divisional sports were held, here, about 4 miles from here, foot running Hurdle races High jumping contest, Tug-o war Obstacle race, and various other events on first day. second day display of teams Artillery, Transport. A.S.C. Army cookers etc. prizes were awarded for best turnouts. The horses were in splendid condition and some of them were groomed up as if they were competing in Sydney show and the wagons, cookers, guns etc were all freshly painted and cleaned up generally the judging took some time and we had to before they had quite finished, there was also a hunting contest for officers hacks. then one for N.C.Os. Tugs o war on horseback. some of the horses were well up to their work and stood perfectly still. others were restive and pulled away from the rope causing the downfall of their riders. wrestling on horseback was another feature. that proved fairly interesting to not a few. Then of course there were a few side shows that caused a fair amount of Laughter one man featuring Charlie Chaplin was rather clever, and caused some amusement others were not up to much

[Page 303]
[Pages missing]
It does not matter much either, I stopped it, took shelter in a dug out, with some more who were ticketed for England and waited for Fritz to steady down. He shelled that place for 14 hours, then attacked I cannot tell you anything of that part of the proceedings except that our boys met him with a plentiful supply of lead and the attack failed. I was en Route for the Hospital when it came off. The piece I got was just about the size & shape of one of those flat eucalyptus lollies that Betty sometimes buys. The Doctor saved it for me but it went astray, no very great loss and I did not worry about

[Page 304]
it, it went straight through the colours on my sleeve, into the arm just missing the bone nicely, the wound is deep and has to have a piece of stuff packed into it to keep it from closing up on the outside it does not worry me much but when it comes to writing I cannot keep going for long as it makes the arm ache. I hope you have received my letters written in France, I fancy they must have been stopped at Hd. Qrs. as some of the others told me that their letters had not been received at Home. Much Love to all at Home from your loving son Chas.

[Page 305]
France 23rd.6.17
Dear Betty. There is very little fresh news of any interest to tell since I wrote last, we are still doing the same old job. Parades etc. and so far have not been told when or where we will be going when we leave here, but that does not matter for even if I knew I could not say anything about it. Just lately the weather has been inclined to be rainy and we have done less swimming in consequence and we have also do a little less drill, we go out from about 5 am till 8 am now and then come home to Breakfast the rest of the day we do pretty well as we like. So you can guess we are having a fairly decent rest. The Frenchies are busy cutting grass for hay, all round this place drying it is a very slow process, owing to the rain.
Yesterday I received a letter from Harry he was still on the other side of the channel and had no Idea when he would be leaving I also received letters of Mother that Mrs H. forwarded on to me. The packet with Sox reached me safely on the 19th also the letter with Handkerchiefs enclosed for

[Page 306]
which I thank both yourself and Mother. There are not a great many flowers blooming now except poppies, marguerites and cornflowers there are plenty of those, still blooming in the fields. some of the gardens here have a few different flowers growing I do not know the names of them, there are some rather nice roses but none so fine as those we saw last year. some of the Small Woods here are very pretty most of the trees have been planted, and then others have grown naturally. there is one place about 4 miles away, that is very pretty. as you enter the wood from one side you find yourself in a long green aisle the branches of the trees meeting overhead. I suppose it has been left for a road then there are other similar leafy aisles Through the trees on the outskirts of the wood there a patches of strawberrys growing wild, it did not take our boys long to find them and sample the berries.

[Page 307]
I have not had much time to go and see these places, for though we have not so much to do. There are various things that keep us from getting far afield, and then we are not supposed to leave this village, if we are here next week I am going to try and find Jack his unit is camped about 6 miles from here I believe I have not heard from him for a long time but he was doing well in April. I told Mother in one of my letters that I had met one of willies mates who spoke very highly of him. I came down here under Some Tall Poplar trees to write soon after dinner, but, went to sleep instead They are very pretty trees not the Tall Slender poplars that grow in Aus. but fine large trees with spreading branches. They have been planted in long rows along the Ancre and look like big avenues. There are other trees here and there amongst them elms, a beech tree here and there and willows, the latter are not allowed to grow

[Page 308]
any size, when they reach a certain height they are trimmed, and then the limbs are cut down for various uses mending hedges firewood, training beans peas etc. this has a rather queer affect on the stump. it gradually grows larger and larger at the Top. you will be able to pick them out in any photos that you see, The poplars are also trimmed to a certain height, and the branches used for firewood I was glad to hear that the photos had arrived safely. I was beginning to think that they had been lost, the first that I sent I did not consider good at all. Though some said that it was a good photo. I was sitting talking to the photographer and he thought that the position I was in could not be improved. the second lot taken at Croydon were I think better. Was glad to hear that they met with your approval Mrs Horton thought them better than the ones taken before I left Aus.

[Page 309]
Harry told me in his letter that he had left G. and was now a first class Sig. I hope he will get a decent job out of it, I fancy he will, and will I think, and hope be fairly safe. he also sent along one of Mothers letters that he had just received for me to read. I think I told Mother in my last letter that I had a letter from Bea some time ago. and a couple of weeks ago received a pair of Sox from her. Now there is very little else that I can tell you. hope that you have quite recovered from your illness and that you are able to help mother again. Must close now with love to all heaps for yourself and Mother from Chas.
My Love to all the Goonigal folk when you see them again. C.

[Page 310]
Stoke War Hospital
Stoke On Trent
17/8/16
[Note appearing on the top of this letter –
Will send Parcel under registered Post. C. ]
Dear J. I hope that you received my cable safely, it should have left on the 5th of Inst I have done very little writing since I came here as it makes my arm ache after I have been at it for awhile, I can only write very slowly but in a couple of weeks things will be very different, as the wound is healing up nicely of course it will be some time before I will be back with the boys as the muscle will be stiff for awhile, The rotten part of the business is that I had a return of a sort of fever which I had an attack of when in the trenches in June my temperature was normal and when the fever came on jumped to 103.6. the nurses thought that I was up to some joke so took my temp. again and found that I was not. next morning I was still feverish so had to stay in bed. I had a good rest certainly but yesterday was the first day that I was allowed up for a fortnight I have been trussed up like an Invalid

[Page 311]
Such is like, in a war Hospital. On Thursdays & Sundays visitors come round some of them are very nice, others I fancy merely curious – One lady came in Soon after we arrived, she was in hopes that she would be able to find some of the Old 17th from Gallipoli, her son was reported wounded, killed and missing. I heard her telling one of the men near, and heard her say: That a Mr Price had written to her from Sydney telling her that inquiries had been made at Head Qs but that no definite news could be obtained. You bet when I heard the name mentioned I immediately thought that it must be Mrs. Horton but when she came and asked me if I was one of the 17th I knew that I was mistaken. Her son was out in Aus. and enlisted. I fancy they are fairly well off. one of her sons comes in sometimes to bring a couple of us books etc. I had a letter from Mr. Horton a few days ago asking me to go down and stay with them when I am fit to leave the Hospital instead of going to a convalescent camp. I hope I can manage it I also met a youngster belonging to the B.E.F. Salvage Dept. in Albert, he gave me his home address and said that His Parents would be very glad to receive me at any time. Some of these people will do anything at all that lies in their power to help and give a wounded soldier a good time. I guess a great many of our monied men could come here and leave quite a lot, but I will not start on Comparisons On the 23rd at 7 a.m. we walked across from our trenches to Pozieres, our company should have gone in allmost unscathed, but no we did as we were told and found ourselves under our own guns, for awhile they kept us thinking. I can tell you, if anyone had offered to bet me a tenner against my Pocket knife, that we would see daylight on Sunday I would not have accepted for fear that I might lose the knife. it was hot, one Shell burst somewhere

[Page 312]
behind me, and a round stone about the size of my fist, came my way, it hit the rim of my Shrapnell hat, sent it spinning, and gave me a whack on the back of the head, my head was sore for some days. Then as I was digging in I stooped down to lift some loose earth out, when Smack a piece of Shell nearly spent "but still travelling some", caught me from the rear. I jumped felt the place carefully, but could not find any injury so I thankfully concluded that I still had a chance of enjoying my biscuits & Bully in a Sitting Position, not long after that two Huns came out and had a look round I was not certain what they were, at first but their movements seemed suspicious just as they got back up went a flare light and I got a good look at them. I warned the rest and then kept a watch. presently out came two, Huns, and ran right outside. When they saw the bayonets, didn’t they jump I’ve seen a dog lie on his back and whimper with fear but I never saw a man lie down and groan howl call himself [indecipherable] good English etc. untill then, it was a pretty picture I will send you his Automatic Pistol as soon as I get an opportunity its not a bad one, and both the O.C. & the Second in command considered that it was a Souvenir worth keeping. on Sunday we were fairly comfortable. At night we dug in, in a new position, and all went well untill about 7 a.m. Monday then Fritz let us know that all his guns were not out of action but he could not hunt us out. about 11.30 A.M. I got a nice little piece of shell in my arm. Then finish was for me. for awhile = I left my equipment, Rifle and left for the dressing Stn. my overcoat was away back in our old trenches, my pack and belongings at Warlog-Ba so I landed

[Page 313]
with nothing. I met our Regmtl Q.M. just after I left the dressing Stn. and asked him about my things he promised to send me any articles that I required that were in the pack, so I wrote to him, whether he will keep his promise I dont know. he may & he may think no more about it. This is one of the things we have got to put up with, you get a scratch have to go away for a few weeks, when you get back you find that all your stuff has been given away or stolen, nice, I can tell you. Say I met Ted Mackinson just before we went down to Albert, he said that Charlie Edwards was still going strong asked to be remembered to you then went on. I may see him again and I may not, we might be camped close to one another and yet might not meet, it is just chance. I have not heard how our Battn got on yet but I fancy they got a pretty heavy knocking about. after I got hit I did not wait to make Inquiries, I wrote to the base Re my letters etc but so far I have not received any. I daresay some will come along someday, 19th was outside the ward, yesterday, first time since I came A theatrical Coy from Manchester I think they were, came down, and gave us an entertainment "Hindel Wakes." I cannot give you an account of the play but it was well worth seeing, I will be up again this afternoon and I suppose that next week if I am here I will be able to see a little of the surrounding

[Page 314]
country, I may be sent off to Harefield Park up near London. I hope I see some of the country here first, some of our chaps should have gone to H.P. this week but there were no beds vacant so they are still here, I also heard that some of our men are being sent home. I fancy some are going to take on Home Service Should not be a bit surprised to hear that men in Home Service Battns. who are fit for service, are being sent out, and men who have been wounded, put in their places. Weather conditions here at present not over pleasant, plenty of rain, and cloudy oppressive weather. One thing Since I cam here I have been able to do a little reading. One of the nurses got me some good books and Mrs. Hall sent some. Nurse is going home on Tuesday and is bringing me a couple of books, She’s a jolly girl from the country. She was making one of the beds on Thursday. The occupant had some Preserved Ginger that a visitor had brought in, so I purloined the bag and gave Nurse some. She told me that she was so fond of preserved Ginger that at home her people called her Ginger = I had her Auto book so thinking that Ginger and Gee went well together "that is her name".

[Page 315]
I wrote the following. These lines I dedicate to Sister Gee That when Im gone she may remember me

G stands for Ginger
Ginger for pluck
But when Gee eats the Ginger
I wish her good luck

G stands for ginger
Ginger for pluck
I love both Gee and Ginger
Goodbye and goodluck

This is about the first time I have been guilty of writing doggerel in any one’s Auto book. I may not get another chance to practise so while here must make the most of my opportunities Gee put two forks in my bed while I was out yesterday Im going to try and Square one of the Sisters to put some Sprigs of Holly in hers tonight before she gets to bed. must Ring down the curtain my love to all at Goonigal, when next you see them
Love to all at Home
from your Affec Bro
Chas G.P.

[Page 316]
[This is a copy of a pro forma envelope for use by persons on Active Service.]

[Page 317]
France 5th.9.18.
Dear J. For sometime past I have been promising to answer your letters, but up to the present have not done so, though I have little news to tell you I will make an attempt now.
Just at present I’m having a sort of forced holiday, Thanks to fritz and his mustard gas, it nothing serious, but very inconvenient, and a bit painful, when I get into action again I’ll make the first Hun I get a shot at think that there’s a war on, just to get even, you take my word for it mustard gas is no Bon, and just the sort of stuff that fritz would think of using, It’s a rotten thing to use for it does not act on your Breathing apparatus alone its very apt to raise blisters in other parts if you get into a sufficiently strong concentration, Ive got the blisters in other parts myself but they are not bad enough to take me away from the Bn. and someone over Fritzs side will have to pay the Piper, that is if any of them wait Lately they have shown themselves to be fairly good footrunners though a few of them fought well, they had to for the boys were out to get as many of them as possible, and they didn’t care whether they dead or alive. I guess it hurt him a bit to lose some of the guns and munitions for everything points to one fact, "That he is getting very short of material, his cartridge cases, are mostly made of steel – copper washed to prevent rust, his sand bags are made of very tough paper. The same material is used for various other purposes, and there are many other indications, that he is short of material, but one cannot help admiring the way in which he overcomes some of these difficulties There is no getting away from the fact that he is clever, from a scientific point of view, but when it comes to fighting, our fellows have him beaten badly. The Huns do not care to tackle positions held by our men and when our fellows attack, you can bet your life that fritz leaves in a hurry once they get close, or else puts up his hands in the good old Kamerad style, I only wish that we could put half a million men in the field, at once, I guess they would not stop far short of the German Border, and then the others could carry on. When the Yanks start moving properly I guess that Wilhelm & Co will wish they hadn’t started out on this campaign. I for one will not be surprised if the German people wake up soon and demand peace – also the head of Ludendorf. for he promised them Paris and a few other trifles and he has failed. for my own part I fancy that he might as well promise them Aussie, he has nearly as much hope of realizing a dream of that sort.

[Page 318]
In one of your letters you spoke of the state of things at home .. I refer to the Referendum and other matters of which you spoke. Well I dont think Aussie was the only place where Politicians wanted combing out, and their methods of Government Inquired into, at the time you wrote Blighty Politicians were in a pretty mess I was talking to Mr H. one might about our own Politicians, and comparing their old Platform with the Blighty Politicians Idea of Law making and Govnt generally. Mr. H. seemed to consider our Politicians methods, a bit cleaner and far more sensible than the methods and Ideas of British Politicians he has absolutely no time for the present day Politician, and considers them to be parasites of the worst class. He does not believe in Democracy in many ways, first he says that unless the people are educated up to certain standards that they will not be able to understand, or to thoroughly appreciate all the advantages, that it brings, and that in the finish they will abuse it and in fact it will be their downfall. You would understand his arguments better, if you could meet him, Judging from the Home news that we read now and then in the papers, and from what your letters brough along I guess he is nearly right, our Democratic Govt’s have not been such a howling success. One big mistake that has been made for years past is this, Politicians have been sent to England, they return home with a certain amount of fresh Knowledge Re the Govt of a Country acquired at Banquets, Shooting parties etc, and they proceed to unload it, for our benefit, England is the last place on earth that Politicians should go to if they want to learn. America, France, Germany any of them Bar Blighty, for though we have read for Years Past of British Justice = and what Britain has done for other nations, we have not read of British Injustice, and of what she has done for other nations and why she did it, - Take India. Britain saved India its true, taught a Race of heathen what their country was worth, how to use it, to the best advantage, and then set to work to educate them, to Train their soldiers, to Keep Law and order. It was a good Idea, "Britain the Saviour of India = India the Rich hunting ground, for British Sharks, The dumping ground for cheap and shoddy goods, it was a truly great idea for Britain, In this war, it is England fighting to right the wrongs of Belgian, if Belgian was the only consideration things might be different, for my part they could, for so far I have not met a Belgian that I liked any better than a Hun, in fact I would just as soon trust a Hun any day, and the class of Belgian Refugee that one bumps against over in Blighty, does not help to Improve ones opinion, any country where money is to be made is good enough for them, and they dont make

[Page 319]
any secret of the fact, some of them are better off in Blighty than they ever were at home, but I wont say any more about them for I guess you’ll find it dry reading. Lately the weather has been with us, and I begin to believe that this place is at times "A Sunny France" but the end of the Summer is nearing and we may get bad weather at anytime. I can tell you its not a very cheerful prospect, Last October was enough for me, I was properly in the mud that time and will not forget it for quite a long time.
The news today seems to be good the Hun is fighting hard at parts of his line but in many places Hindenburg’s line has been broken and now the High Command is thinking hard, and wondering what will happen next, well let them wait and see.
Have not heard of Nell Crom. for ages She was further south and was right in the fighting zone. I expect that Her Hos. had to pull out, and make for safety. Had word from Overstrand all were well Mrs H. was overjoyed to have all the Boys back Harold & some of his mates were all on leave together Last mail brought along a letter from T. Kennett of Blue Nobbys. he has left the place and is now at Wallangra. had not seen the nag for quite a long time but thought that he was allright. Also had a letter from Grace Lord, haven’t answered it yet, will do so later on. She said you had told her that I would be glad of news of the Old Place, so she wrote. Thats about all for the present You will see by the way this is finished up that Im in a hurry so will say no more except to Send Love to all at home from your Affec Bro Chas G.P
This paper was captured near here from the H. Qrs of the "Schwer Grupp" which I take it means the "Right Group." or right wing of an artillery division – I wish the Huns would use a better class of Stationery and would leave more envelopes The swine who owned this left none.

[Transcribed by Rosemary Cox for the State Library of New South Wales]