Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Nellie Clark correspondence, 29 September 1916- 15 August 1918
MLMSS 9081/Item 2

[Page 1]
Trenches,
Somewhere in Belgium,
Sept. 29th 1916.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Gordon,

I was very sorry upon hearing the news yesterday of poor Alan’s death from wounds received in our second occasion of fighting in the Somme Battle.

Being one of my best mates in this Battalion we were always anxious to find out about one another.

When the Australians took the village of Pozieres, the Bombing Section of our Battalion, which Alan was Corporal of, did splendid work, the Lieut in charge, being awarded the Military Cross, and Sgt. Baxter (now seriously wounded) the D.C.M. Alan’s name appeared in orders issued by our Commanding Officer for splendid services in this engagement.

The last time I saw Alan, I remember it quite well, it was August 15th about 6 p.m., we were all ready to march up to the Pozieres section (second occasion) and the Bombers marched past us, Alan waved to me and asked the following question, "Well, Wal, how do you like your chance this time". I might say that this question was commonly asked of by the boys, especially those who were lucky and thankful to have come through on the first occasion.

Alan was wounded about the face and neck, I did not see him myself, but from enquiries which I made it appears the Bombers were in "No man’s land" bombing a German trench, the Germans saw or heard them and started throwing bombs, one of these wounded Alan, evidently it affected his sight for a minute or so, as he lost his bearings where our trench was, as he was singing our "Which is the way, Come out and help me in". Some of the boys sang out and he quickly found his bearings and managed to work his way back to our front trench, where he was attended to by the stretcher bearers, and a few hours later walked to the dressing station. I did hear that he passed through the 3rd Bn. line on his way to the dressing station, as he gave a message to a 3rd Bn. boy to let Jack Nunn know he was wounded. I have not seen Jack since then.

I made several inquiries off the Bombing section to see if they had heard from Alan, and at that time our casualties being very heavy (which no doubt you people in Australia know by this) it was almost impossible to trace anyone in the Hospitals.

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I do not know if you have heard from anyone in this Bn. and I felt it my duty to inform you of how your brave son, and my mate gave his life for his King and Country.

I fully realise the severe blow you have received in losing a good son, but I trust that the way in which he gave his life, that it will help you considerably to bear your grief and sorrow. I will not attempt to give you any news at the present time, only that I am in good health.

Kindly accept my deepest sympathy,
I remain, yours sincerely,
Wal Court

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On Active Service

Miss N. Clarke [Clark]
"Elcho"
Stanhope Rd
Killara
N.S.W.
Australia

[Page 4]
[Reverse side of envelope]
12.11.16
[Postmark] Lindfield

[Page 5]
Somewhere in France
12/11/16

Dear Nell

I have delayed in writing you this letter, which I regret deeply that there should be occasion to do. I did not write concerning your late sad bereavement, hoping to hear that the news concerning Alan’s death was a big mistake, but I have enquired from every source of information, and am most sorrowfully obliged to accept the news as correct.

Nell, Alan an [and] I were good chums, as you know, he was my best companion, of his sex; I have always found him a true sport and a straight going fellow; he has often seen things in a different light to me and advised me on many a matter. Nell, the things for which I could thank Alan and feel proud to call him a friend and pal are too numerous to mention. When I think of the loss he has been to you, to his family and your family, to his numerous friends, and to me, my eyes well up with tears and yet "Thy will be done". It is hard, but true.

I’m sure the news of his death would come as a great shock to you all, more so to you than me, and I know how shaky I was when I was told, I felt quite ill and could not believe it, it seemed like a dream, but now I must believe it to my deep sorrow and yours.

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Nell, Alan was a good soldier and did his duty. He was a bomber, as you know, and frequently came in direct contact with the Huns, where, I’m told, he displayed great coolness and bravery. I always felt proud to introduce Alan as a chum of mine to any soldier.

I do not wish to write at any length, but dear Nell try to bear it as well as you can, bear up, your boy went out to fight for you, for King and for home & country, he did his duty, he did his best.

Be thankful Nell that you are away from the horrible scenes and conditions which other women see, and come in contact with – the poor French & Belgium women.

You are not alone in your sorrow, I am going to write a letter to the wife of a man in my platoon who was killed here a few days ago – he was married a month before leaving Sydney and his wife now has a child. The man was anxious about the wife and child and now they are widow & fatherless.

Oh, this war is cruel, when will it all end?

Well, Nell, I will write another letter later, the Christmas mail leaves the field to-day, but it really seems a mockery to wish anyone a happy Xmas and N.Y. but make the most of things & the best of things as they are.

Hoping you are in the best of health as I am,
I remain,
Your friend in sorrow and in sympathy,
Jack

[Page 7]
On Active Service
Y.M.C.A.

Miss N. Clark
Elchow
Standhope Rd
Killara
N.S.W.
Australia

[indecipherable]

[Page 8]
[Reverse side of envelope]
28/4/17

[Page 9]
A Ward
No. 4 A.G.H.
Randwick
28.4.17

Dear Madam

Your letter of 16th inst. only just to hand. Am very sorry I cannot give you any information as to how Cpl. Gordon was wounded as I was wounded on 24th July & he was all right then. There are two other 4th Batt. bombers here, Heavey & Hulme both of whom were wounded late on 25th July. I have spoken to both re your letter & they say Cpl. Gordon was all right when they left. If you were to write to Sergeant Miller (L/Cpl. J. Miller on card very likely) or Pte. W. Beckett they would very likely be able to give you some information. They are still I think with the battalion. Cpl. Gordon was Cpl. of my team & we all liked him very much & I was sorry to hear when in hospital in England that from Beckett that Cpl. Gordon had been wounded & had died in hospital.

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I knew him from the time he joined the battalion & if I can give you any other information I would be very glad to do so.

Yours faithfully
A.E. Waugh

P.S. With regard to Beckett & Miller if your list of bombers is on back of photo of King & Queen you will find there names & Reg. Nos.
A.E.W.

[Page 11]
[See image for photograph of graves.]

[Page 12]
[Reverse side of photograph.]
H.135
H.135 Gordon 120

[Page 13]
The Young Mens Christian Association.
With the British Expeditionary Force

Etaples Administrative District.
Headquarters,
30, Rue du Rivage, Etaples
General Secretary
Adam Scott

Y.M.C.A.
A.P.O.S. 11,
B.E.F. France

2nd May 1917

I have much pleasure in sending you snapshot Photograph of Grave as requested.

The Association makes no charge for this Copy.

(Signed) Adam Scott,
General Secretary.

[Page 14]
Sydney
Y.M.C.A.
With the Australian Imperial Forces

On Active Service

Miss N.E. [Clark]
"Elcho"
Stanhope Road
Killara

[Page 15]
[Reverse side of envelope]
2/5/17

[Page 16]
Sydney
Y.M.C.A.
Australian Expeditionary Forces

14.5.1917

L. Cpl. Maurer
No. 1 Hut
No. 4 A.G.H.
Randwick

Dear Miss Clark

Having just returned from leave have just received your letter re Cpl. Gordon. I am very sorry to say that I can tell you very little about how he received his wounds as I was wounded at the end of July & he was going along well when I left the lines & it was in Hospital in England when I heard he was badly wounded & learned later that he had died of his wounds. I can only say how sorry I was when I heard of his death because a finer lad never lived than poor Gordon & he was thought the world of by all the boys in the Bombers, especially those under his command. I have asked

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several of the boys who have returned home & who were with us those dreadful days if they knew anything re his wounds or death, but really I can assure you that there are none who can give us any information. I would like to know, how & where he died.

What a grand thing for you to have that card, with all our signatures on, very few of us were lucky enough to send or bring ours home. There is another batch of wounded arriving here tomorrow & if there by chance any of the boys who know anything about him, I will let you know for we all know what it means to hear about ones pals.

Trusting that since writing you have heard something more definite from the Military Authorities.

I remain
Yours faithfully,
A. Maurer
& F.J. Heavey

[Page 18]
Melbourne
Y.M.C.A.

With the A.I.F.

Miss N. Clark
"Elcho"
Stanhope Road
Killara
Via Sydney
N.S.W.

[Page 19]
[Reverse side of envelope.]
6/7/17

[Page 20]
Y.M.C.A.

6.7.17

Sgt. G.E. Fitzpatrick
9th Light Trench Mortar Battery
Military Camp at Seymour, Victoria

Dear Miss Clark

Miss Warner has written to me telling me of your kindness to her during the week end which she spent at your home, and she said that you would like a letter from me about what I am doing. Well here goes for a few lines. At present I am in charge till Tuesday next of the catarrhal Camp here. I have only 10 men in at present and the job is fairly easy, but all the same I will be glad when I get back to my section. I have to take these 10 men for Medicine at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. or 4.5 p.m. & 7.30 p.m. They all have sore throats, but are a decent lot. Last Monday & Tuesday week we were at the Range doing Musketry. On the Monday I did not do well at all, but on the Tuesday I did very well and when I shoot for the qualifying Exam I hope to get my Marksmen’s Badge. I can always do better at 3 & 400 yds that at 200 yds. Tomorrow 3 Pals & I are going to Melbourne for the week end and we are invited to an evening and promised a good time. Melbourne is not too bad

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but not what I expected it to be. The streets are wide but they do not have as many big Buildings as Dear old Sydney. The Gardens are very nice, but I was surprised at the Famous St. Kilda beach. Why Balmoral beats it hollow. Of course being winter it may make a big difference, but I would sooner have Manly or Freshwater any day. The camp at Seymour here is ringed round with mountains, and it is a cold hole. Yesterday was bright and sunny but to day it is as cold as charity. I have cold feet and am thinking of enlisting. What do you think of my joke. Miss Warner was saying that you would like a Photo of myself. When I have them taken again I will send you one for yourself. Our Stokes Gun Drill & bombing is very interesting but when it comes to the real thing it is dangerous as the least knock on one of the bombs would mean instant death to all around, so we have to be very careful when handling these Bombs. But nevertheless all of us are keen to get quite fit so that we can

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have a go at the cursed Huns. According to the Argus, the Russians have started again. This time I hope they finish the job and carry all before them, as it means the war will the sooner be finished and Peace reign again. The sooner the better so that all of us can get home to be with those we love and have left behind. My two brothers are well thank God, and have both had 14 Days in London. They say they had a tip top time. They deserve it after 2 years hard fighting in Gallipoli & France. One of my pals has had his leg taken off below the knee. He says it is hard luck, but he is not worrying. Miss Warner’s Mother has not been well lately and of course she is worrying about her mother. Her last letter to me said that her mother was progressing well. Now I will close as I have to be about seeing that the men have cleaned up. Hoping that your Mother and Sister & yourself are well.

I am
Yours sincerely
Geo Fitzpatrick

[Page 23]
On His Majesty’s Service

War Office

Miss N.E. Clark
"Elcho"
Stanhope Rd.
Killara,
New South Wales,
Australia

14 Jan. 1918

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[Reverse side of envelope.]
12.1.18

[Page 25]
War Office

The Director of
Graves Registration and Enquiries,
Winchester House,
St. James’s Square,
London, S.W.,

8/15148

12 Jan. 1918

Dear Madam,

In reply to your letter of 16th October 1917, I beg to inform you that a photograph of the grave of Corporal A.K. Gordon has been taken and a copy will be sent to you free of cost as soon when as possible. I cannot trace any previous application having been received in this office.

Yours faithfully,
[indecipherable]
Captain, Staff Capt.,
D.A.A.G. for
Brigadier-General,
Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries.

Miss N.E. Clark,
"Elcho",
Stanhope Road,
Killara,
New South Wales,
Australia.

[Page 26]
Miss N.E. Clark
"Elcho"
Stanhope Road
Killara
N.S.W.
Australia

[Page 27]
[Reverse side of envelope.]
3/2/18

[Various numbers not transcribed.]

[Page 28]
7481 Pte. G.E. Fitzpatrick
3rd Battalion
Aust. Imperial Forces Abroad

Sutton Veny 3/2/1918

Dear Miss Clark

I received your letter of the 25/11/17 and up to now have had no time to answer it. I also got three letters from Miss Warner, all were well when she wrote except her Mother. I hope she is better by now. I have just finished a letter to Mary giving her all the latest news. I have seen my brother. He was gassed at Bullecourt, and is still in Hospital at Dartford, but he is looking fit and well, but he is tired of it all and wants to get back to the land of the sun. All the letters I have had, you all say that you have had plenty of rain. I wish we had some sun here. I miss it very much. If I get the chance I will look up Jack Nunn. If he is a 3rd man I have a better chance of finding him than if he was with another unit. You say you are sick of the sight of a Macintosh, so are we here, we have to carry either our Big Macintosh cape or our greatcoat. We have had plenty of rain, up till last week, but the weather has got a little warmer. I think that this war is near its finish. I hope it ends very soon, so that we can get back to the land of sunshine. Thank all at home for their good wishes, I appreciate them very much. I am going to a School of Instruction tomorrow, for 6 weeks. I have passed the Bayonet fighting course, and I like the work very much also the Physical Drill, and the Gas & Bombing work. I will be able to tell you all about it when I get back. I suppose that you will get warm weather after Xmas, which I hope you do. I wish

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I was there for some of it. We have only had 2 falls of snow since coming here, and we had snow fights, like the baby with a new toy, we were not satisfied till we did. I have seen part of London, and had a look at St. Pauls Cathedral. We had a heavy fog every night, and 2 air raids. They are good things to be away from. They make the women & children very frightened. I have to get all my things packed and my equipment cleaned so I can only write a few lines to you so I hope you will excuse only the 2 pages, but duty calls and must be done. Things over here such as meat, bacon, cheese, sugar & Margarine & Butter are very scarce. Eggs 4d. ea., Bananas 6d. ea., Grapes 3/6 to 7/6 lb, Apples 4d. ea., and sweets are almost unprocurable, Chocolates 4/- lb. This will give you an Idea of the shortage. The country is better off than the city, so England is a good place to be out of just at present. We soldiers are better off than the public as we are certain of getting our rations of meat & sugar and the Public are not. Ask Mary to let you have a look at the Post Cards I have sent her. They are views of Sutton Veny & Warminster. These are pretty villages and I have been through & in both. Give my kind regards to all at Elcho. I hope you are all well. No more time or news now so I will close with best wishes for a prosperous New Year, and hopes of seeing you before 1918 has passed.

From yours sincerely
Geo Fitzpatrick

[Page 30]
Y.M.C.A.
On Active Service

7481
Pte. G.E. Fitzpatrick
A Coy, 3rd Battalion
Australian Imperial Force

France 15/5/18

Dear Miss Clark

Just a note while I have the chance. We are out of the line resting and staying at a farm. We have had grand weather lately, sunny days & cool nights. Green is everywhere, and the scenery is pleasant, but further up towards the line, there is ruin all round. Farms & Houses smashed to pieces. I wrote to you from England. I hope that you receive the letters. Write when you can and I will do my best to answer your letters. They are things we look forward to very much. I got 2 letters from Mary when I was in the line facing the Hun, and I was very glad to get them. I hope that you & your Sister & Mother are well. Give them my best wishes and I hope to be able to see you all when we get

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back. I got a very good pass at the school, 85 %, so I did not do too bad. When we are in the line we get plenty of good food but there is very little variety. We also get plenty of cigarettes & matches, but we miss a great deal the home comforts. We had a bath on Monday. It was the first I had for about 6 weeks. When we got out of the line you should have seen us, mud & dirt everywhere, and I can tell you I was very glad of the opportunity to have a good wash and a shave. We have had a lot of sports this week, Football, cricket, races & games of all kinds. But I would very much like to be home, and live like a decent human being. I am writing this at 7.30 and it is quite light. Tell Mary I have written her by the same mail. Will close now with best wishes.

Yours sincerely
Geo Fitzpatrick

[Page 32]
Field Service Post Card

Miss N.E. Clark
"Elcho"
Stanhope Road
Killara
N.S.W.
Australia

[Page 33]
I am quite well.
Letter follows at first opportunity
I have received no letter from you for a long time

G.E. Fitzpatrick
4/5/1918

[Page 34]
O.A.S.

Y.M.C.A.

Miss N.E. Clark
"Elcho"
Stanhope Road
Killara
N.S.W.
Australia

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½ doz. Khaki hdchfs.
Need., wool
Corsets
Goloshes

[Page 36]
On Active Service

Y.M.C.A.

Miss H. Clark
Stanhope Rd
Killara
Sydney
Australia

[Page 37]
[Reverse side of envelope.]
10/8/18

[Page 38]
10-8-18
14-8-18
England
R.B.A.A. [Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery] Mil. Camp
Heytesbury

No. 63832
Gnr. H.T. Isles
35th Field Artillery Reinfs.
A.I.F.

Dear Nell

I opened your letter while lying at one of the Brooklyn wharves & am only just answering it. I put it in one of my uniform pockets & only found it again today. In any case it would have got to you no sooner, as when in N.Y. [New York] I was out at 10.30 a.m. & back at 12.30 m.n. a.m. I did not get a great quantity of writing done.

We have had a great trip right through fine all the way. We called at Wellington first putting in 2½ days there but only got a few – 10 – hours leave. The rest of the time I put in in route marches.

Tahiti was our next call, there we put in 5 days with 50% leave each day. We had a great time there feasting on all sorts of fruit from coconuts to bananas & oranges. The people gave us an all round good time. I managed to get off every day & on the Sunday afternoon three other chaps & I went for a spin in a Tin Lizzie. It was a great run

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& we had a great trip, the country abut [about] was very pretty & heavily vegetated, the road was shaded all the way by trees – mostly coco-nut palms. Another night a mate & I took a run in a catamaran or canoe. We were getting along fine, I in pyjamas & he in dungarees when the outrigger broke & the bally tub upset. We got ashore with our old buss after about ¾ hours swim & got back in time for roll call.

Our next port was Colon where we stayed fourteen hours. We did not stop at Panama but ran straight through to Colon. The Canal was a great sight & is a wonderful work. It seemed hard to realise - looking up the sides of the cuttings in places towering high above our masts – that we were 85 ft. above sea level. The locks rose us as much as 29’ & in 3 minutes. At Cristobel (Colon) we coaled in 14 hours the huge plant is run almost throughout by electricity, electric cars are fitted by a huge claw like crane which fills a truck at two goes – about 15-20 tons.

Our next port was N.Y. where we put in 8 days. For 2 days we lay out in Brooklyn harbour, the third day we put into one of the Brooklyn wharves & were granted 25% leave. I was one of the unlucky ones & had to wait to get off till the

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next day & also got out the three days following. As soon as we got off a mate & I made straight for N.Y. via the Subway. We first of all changed our money & had just got out when a returned American soldier came up to us & took us off to dinner at his home. Leaving there we made for Coney Island. Coney Is. is similar to the White City only on a very much larger scale. There we had a swim & after tea took a ticket for Steeple Chase Park where we went on all the wild & tame things that seemed worthwhile. When we came out we had our photos taken in the electric light in 20 minutes & came out like so many Dagoes. After that we went home.

The next day we went up the Woolworth building 793½ ft. high. It was some view from up there too. We there met 2 Yankee solders who were expecting to leave that night. We went with them to the acquarium which is very fine. After that we visited the Public library & saw papers from 5 June to 26 June, Sydney Morning Herald. Then had lunch at a soldiers rest of some sort or other. The next

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place honoured by our presence was the zoo. We did not go much on that, all the exhibits were separated by about a half mile walk, the fun was in getting there. Underground, surface & overhead. On our return we had tea at the same place where we were presented with theatre tickets for "A Taylor-Made Man". It was very good with plenty of fun.

The next day we met a Sydney man at lunch – from Artarmon – once Manager of the N.Y. Theatre, George St. After that we went to the movies where we saw G.P.O. - Martin Place & George St. – that woke it up I can tell you. After tea we went to a Review but it was not much chop. The next day we made straight for Coney Is. & put in the rest of the time there.

The next day & night I slept & the following day no leave was granted & the day following that we set sail with our convoy, 14 ships, a cruiser & destroyer.

At present we are going dead slow through a Scotch mist or some such abominable curse with 15 more destroyers, seven mine sweepers & two derrigibles. We expect to get in to-night – Liverpool – at 10-11 p.m. Thanking you for your good wishes.

Yrs. sincerely
Harry

[Transcribed by Judy Gimbert for the State Library of New South Wales]