Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Letters to John Waterhouse from John Henry Waterhouse and non-family members, ca. 1915-1918
MLMSS 2792 (K 21692 / Item 20)
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1st L H Rgt
1 L H Bde
N Z & A Div
15 Aug 1915
Dear Mr Waterhouse
By chance I happened to see in a newspaper that you are severing your connection with the "Old School" . The paper was dated 24th June, this is the middle of August it will be well into September before this reaches Australia; but, although rather late, I would like, as an old boy, to join with the school in expressing their thanks for all that you have done for us. Personally I have to thank you and the school for my career.
All of the old boys that are here at the Dardanelles I know will learn with regret of your retirement. There must be a number here but so far I only have met two. One is Biden who has been doing great work with the Engineers; at present he is away sick but I hope will be back soon. The other is Haig from Albury also with the engineers.
Our boys have done wonderfully well here and the 1st Force have made a name which will be hard to live up to. They compare more that favourably with the men of K's army who have a great admiration for our boys. A major of the Leinster Regiment in company with the two said: -
"I class your men as racehorses ours as Clydesdales" . We have lost & lost heavily at times and it is hard to see good men go down, but they are splendid & we who are still spared can only try & live up to the standard they have set us.
With my kindest regards
I am
Yours very sincerely
R Broadbent
[Page 2]
Gallipoli
Dear Mr Waterhouse,
May I take the liberty of an old boy writing back to you and recalling as I do so in these unfamiliar Surroundings, the pleasant times we had in the old school. It really was the old Schools wasn't it, with one large room upstairs, narrow high windows, and a black asphalt playground where the labs stand now O, I forgot that the old gym was there and was responsible for a broken arm, and was also useful "cover" for many embryo combatants - the though recalls a particularly strenuous one I had with Noel Biden, who is now here as a Duntroon graduate.
W.E. Kay and Macgregor were the only 2 other doctormen, who came or should I say doctor-old boys, who were ashore first day. I know I was the only one in the landing before daylight. Everyone was as pleased as the traditional Punch when we had landed, because our knees had been quaking with a great fear the fear of funking it before the men, but we had early found that the call to action was so urgent that it left no time for the
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thought that must inevitably necessarily precede funk. The memories of that day are very confused, more like a series of isolated pictures first the boat with all the other boats blotted out by the Spray as the fire threw the water up all around, men jumping up and dying, myself standing in the front of the boat cursing as I never have before because the men were lying on the oars and couldn't row then lying under cover all except our feet & legs along which a machine gun was playing then confused pictures of bringing wounded out on the hills none knew where because we'd lost our bearings then waiting on the beach for "the end" which 8 battleships fired continuous broadsides over our heads, - then the cheers as the news came down of the rally and our triumphant stand.
There have been many scraps since, but none of them nor indeed all of them equal those 6 hours from dawn to midday. Our old boys in the ranks have fought well, and paid their toll, and they will fight again.
I wish the old school success, Such as it must have if it lives up to its traditions, and I wish the boys themselves every success in facing boldly the responsibilities that will come to them early because of loss, and in filling the places of those that are gone and to go. Personally, Sir, I wish you good health and prosperity, and tender you thanks again for the care and attention whose value I did not appreciate for years after leaving the Alma Mater.
Yours Sincerely,
A.L. Buchanan
[Page 4]
The University of Sydney
24th Jany 1916
Dear Mr Waterhouse,
I am greatly indebted to you for your letter enclosing a photograph of Walter. His work throughout his University course was unfortunately excellent and he shows great promise of doing useful research, so that I grudge his temporary absence in obedience to the 'higher call' almost as much as you do. I sincerely hope and trust that he will return safely with added laurels when victory is achieved.
With Kind regards
Yours Sincerely
Robt D Watt
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[Official paper with letterhead]
Australian Imperial Force.
Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F.
130, Horseferry Road.
London, S.W.
Official crest of Australia
Telegraphic Address: "Adminaust London"
Cable Address: "Stralis London"
Telephone: "Victoria 8860"
HIS
In Reply Please Quote Ab
R 22.2.17]
4th January, 1917
Mrs. Waterhouse,
Chatswood,
New South Wales.
Dear Mrs Waterhouse,
I saw your son, Lieut. Walter Waterhouse this morning in the Wandsworth Hospital, where he is recovering from wounds received in France. He is in good spirits and is getting on well.
His brother, who is convalescent, was visiting him at the time. I though you would be glad to know that both are doing well.
I had a letter from the Rev. R.C. Oakley from France, yesterday, and am pleased to be able to tell you that he is in good health, in spite of the severe weather they are having there. He is also doing well in his Chaplaincy work.
Your younger son, is going to 'light duties in England' for the present. Lieut. Traeloar, who is just leaving same Hospital, wishes to be remembered to you and your family.
I wish you a Happy New Year.
Yours sincerely,
James Green
S.C.F
(Methodist)
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[Writing paper embossed in top right hand corner]
Shotover,
College Avenue,
Epsom.]
R 22.2.17
Ack 17.3.17
9 January 1917
Dear John
I had a chat with Walter yesterday in Wandsworth Hospital, and although you will probably have work from Leo, (who had seen him the previous day) you will perhaps like to have a few lines from me as a 'progress report'
Walter tells me he is making capital progress, though yesterday was not a particularly good day for him, the reason being that his old splint was taken
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off and a new one fixed. The new one has not settles to its place quite comfortably, but as Walter said, it was probably the slightest change which made it feel strange & not altogether comfortable. He was also rather sorry that the Surgeon who had attended him throughout the whole period had been transferred to a new hospital, and he was in the hands of a fresh man. He regarded all this as merely a temporary inconvenience. What was more important was that he said that he was feeling quite difference with
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regard to the shell shock and that the effects of it were passing off quite satisfactorily. He seems very cheerful, & looks well. I am very doubtful whether he will be able to leave for Australia with the next few days, as he was hoping he might. His name is down for the hospital ship due to leave within a week, but he says he heard the Sister-in-charge telling the doctor that she thought he ought not to go out of hospital just yet, and he thinks "she will have her way". Unfortunately they do not give the patients more than 24 hours notice when it has been settled that they are to sail, so that there is no time to do anything except pack up one's few belongings &
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get transferred to the ship.
I am sorry I missed seeing Les who has undergone an operation for appendicitis, & was on furlough in the country for a week. Walter says however that he will give Leo my address and ask him to write to me if he gets any further extension.
If Walter remains in England for a bit after leaving hospital I hope he may be persuaded to come down to us here for a few days' rest, preliminary to a little sightseeing or museum work in London. He will of course cable you if her gets instructions to embark. Meanwhile you may rest assured that he is coming on quite satisfactorily.
With kind regards
Very Sincerely Yours
Leslie Waterhouse
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[University of Sydney Letterhead with official crest in left hand corner]
Date, 30/1/1917
Memorandum from the Professor of Agriculture To
A 1.2.17 JW
Dear Mr Waterhouse.
I am greatly indebted to you for your letter of even date enclosing 2 type-written accounts of Walter's experiences at Pozieres. I have read the latter again with the very greatest of interest and admiration for the splendid qualities of your son of whom you must all be so proud. I noticed from the Press that Walter has been wounded but understood from his brothers that the wounds were not serious. It now appears that he was more seriously injured than I had imagined; but one good result is that he will be out again so soon, when I hope he'll find time to come and see me at the University.
I herewith return your son-in-law's letter which is another wonderful record of cheeriness under very trying circumstances.
Walter's document is exactly the kind of thing that is wanted for the Union Archives and I propose to hand over one copy to the Editor of these within the next few days unless I hear to the contrary. May I be permitted to share with you a tiny part of the honour of being connected with an officer who has shown such admirable spirit and such magnificent qualities as Walter? On reading his modestly worded letter I again swelled with pride that I had any connection (however slight) with him at all.
Yours sincerely
Robt D Watt
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[The following is an undated and incomplete letter]
Envelope addressed to:
No 17317
Sapper R. Hazlewood
1st Div. Signal Coy. Engineers
C/O Mrs Sheppard
Chicksands
Bedfordshire
England
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3
getting on well. I suppose you will be looking forward to his coming home soon, how he will appreciate that too. Are you still thinking of a trip to Fiji.
We had a news paper cutting sent to us today from Adelaide, about Wilfred Snow (the writer of those letters you saw some months ago) (airman) I think I told you he won the M.C. & had been promoted to Captaincy; since then he has been wounded; the cutting was to the effect that he has received further promotion, & is now the major, in charge of a Squadron in France, he is young to have such responsibility.
As Flight Commander before he had charge of six airships, 15 officers, & 50 men, I don't know what a 'Squadron' represents.
*Alf Youdale one of our Ashfield church boys who only took up flying about a year ago, (previously Light Horse) had the honour of being selected from a number of airmen to fly before the King, & who had a few words with him, a little while ago. Wouldn't he fancy himself! I think the idea was to give an Exhibition of Australian flying, his machine has also been in action & hit twice with
*We have just heard that he has been awarded a Military Cross too.
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5
a French Conversation class at the High School. They have there what they call little "Talking Groups", & you are invited to join different groups for that evening. Doris says she is getting to understand such a lot of the conversation, but so far hasn't herself shone in that way. Isnt it a good idea? The Belgian Consul told her of it & introduced her & since then he has met the French Consul, & numbers of French people including an old school friend. Sometimes up here I sigh for lots of opportunities I am missing, & then Ol writes and tells me of all the beautiful concerts & lectures she has been attending too, but still I am not very badly used.
In your last letter you ask when I am thinking of taking a run down to Sydney, I am afraid not before Christmas as I can only get away in holiday times now that I have started with my pupils.
I often badly wish I could just run in & see you all, as I used; last week I had quite a fit of the blues for Sydney, Doris had been spending a weekend at Ashfield, & had written top us all about it, & whom she sat etc & it did make me long just to feel that Ashfield was my home again in the same old way. Not that I don't like W Maitland, for I do, especially the people of the town, but Ashfield being our home
[Letter finishes here]
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"Eccleburne" [Ecclesbourne]
Blackheath
27 March 1917
A 29.3.17
My dear John,
I met your brother Gus in the train last night- and he was telling me about your boy. I feel I must write firstly to congratulate you on your sons gallant conduct and on his success in winning the decoration he so richly deserves, secondly on his return to Australia.
But last I must sympathise with both him and you on his having been so severely wounded.I sincerely hope the operation
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he has gone through will be successful in restoring him to health.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting your son but I take the greatest interest in his career in consequence of your and my life long friendship. So please give him my kind regards and best wishes for his recovery as well as congratulations on his gallantry and patriotism.
[signature indecipherable]
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"Eccleburne" [Ecclesbourne]
Blackheath
9 April 1917
My dear John,
My dear John
Your letter of the 29 well at hand- I am sorry the pressure of business last week prevented my reply before.
I am sorry to hear of the pain & annoyance your son has suffered but trust that by this time things have been straightforward and that he is now improving favourably & that his arm is comfortable. Of course [indecipherable] there are always unavoidable
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delays or so it generally deems to be the case. But if you have reasonable grounds of complaint you should see the [indecipherable] Colonel Stokes and see what can be done to [indecipherable] the conditions under which your son is suffering. It [indecipherable] to hear that he is [indecipherable] so far away.
[indecipherable] sincerely [indecipherable]
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Boy's High School
Darilevu, Fiji
12th Feb 1917
My very dear Father.
Herewith please find my cheque for £ 3:4:0 made up as follows
Premium Mercantile M. Co
Accident Policy 2:3:0
Payment of Loan (Instalt) 1:0:0
Exchange 1:0
3:4:0
Re Total Abstainers Abatement I can hardly sign declaration as upon one occasion recently I was induced to try a glass of light Danish Lager which was being taken by one of our men as a Tonic. I notice too in the Declaration that no provision is made for Stimulants ordered by Medical Adviser to.
I want to get this business letter safely out of the way in case there is a rush later for mail.
With much lolma
Your loving son,
J H L Waterhouse
P.S.
Under separate cover am forwarding per Registered Post 1 Pkt Photos was much interested in them my own from Lau are being developed in Suva some may be in time to forward this mail.
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[Note paper with Union Line in Red lettering and a coloured photo of a passenger liner on the sea]
T.S.S. Moeraki
Wellington 19/2/18
My dear John,
My love to dear Anna & to your children "large & small". This is a line to let you know that after a [indecipherable] joyable voyage, I am safely arrived in Port Nicholson. The "Moeraki" had a tempestuous passage of 10 ½ hours from Newcastle on Monday Wednes. night 13th inst. She, therefore, was late in leaving Sydney. We cleared South Head at 1 a.m. on the 15th & ran into a Southerly Gale. We had 24 hours of really bad weather 12 hours rough & the remainder was
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most pleasant. We were due on Monday morning. Arriving here at 10 a.m. today, we are about 24 hours late. We left 12 hours behind time, & were delayed about 12 hours by the gale, & the handicap of a full cargo of 1000 tons of coal. On Saturday, some of the passengers appeared. On Sunday Morning, the weather was quiet enough for us to have a good service in the Social Hall; and yesterday everybody was on deck. We had good fun yesterday. The Ship's company was excellent, but we knew each other for a very short time.
Mr Sinclair & I were not ill. But the first day was so rough that we had our meals in the deck Cabin preferring that to risking our placidity in a heaving Saloon. Only 8 mustered at the first breakfast. Over
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100 gathered Today!
The "Moeraki" does not go forward to Lyttelton Tonight. I must therefore tranship. Whether I go on Tonight, or wait longer in Wellington depends upon messages that I am expecting from Christchurch Today.
I had a very happy time at "Cairnleith". Every hour I spent with you dear people was restful & full of delight. Many heartfelt thanks for giving me such a lovely time. My only wish is that I had sooner escaped from the Board Meetings.
With Best Love & Grateful Rememberances.
Your affectionate Brother
[indecipherable]
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Methodist Mission
Rabaul, New Britain,
3rd January 1918
My very dear Father,
It was a very pleasant & welcome surprise to-day to receive your long and interesting letter of 21st ult. I was glad to hear that Mother & yourself were able to enjoy the visit to Bundanoon. It is very good of you both to send me the extra fountain-pen, but really Father you should not have worried about it and the glasses. I have my other pair (which I always kept in reserve) so was not really stuck I should have been more thoughtful in writing and mentioned that .
However I appreciate very much your love in sending the glasses. If I return them you will not misunderstand my doing so, I'm sure. While I think of it I forgot in my last to say how acceptable your present of those sovereigns proved.
The voyage was much longer than I expected and there were several unlooked unforeseen expenses to meet so your gift was more than acceptable.
I should be glad if you will let Uncle Gus have my *diary p.p. to look through and ask him to please pass them on to C.O.L. for his perusal the latter can let you have them at his leisure. I shall not have nearly the time for correspondence that was available at DL. so must concentrate
*except perhaps p.8 after all comparisons are odious.
[Transcribed by Lynne Frizell, Betty Smith for the State Library of New South Wales]