Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Letters to Arthur John Moore Burrowes from his family, 4 January 1918-26 March 1919
MLMSS 3413/Item 2
[Page 1]
Letters written during the 1914-1918 War by Frank (b. 1911) and Ruth (b. 1909) to their father No. 7008 Serg. Arthur John Moore Burrowes 18th Battalion, 1st A.I.F. while he was serving overseas. (Kept, even while in the trenches of France.)
SPECIAL
[Page 2]
7.1.18
Frnurra
Rooty Hill
Dear Dad.
It is one a clock and Mum has not had dinner yet and I kep on telling Mum to get dinner instead of getting dinner ready she plays the organ ads sings. And Jolly is very fat and so are the cows Rosy is much fater now good by.
very much love
from frank Burrowes.
xxx etc.
N.S.W.
[Page 3]
Dear Dad,
Mum says I can write to you. I hope you will come home on Saturday to us.
I love you very much so does Frank and so does mum.
From your daughter
Ruth Burrowes.
Love from Frank Burrowes
[Page 4]
Cronulla
12.1.1918.
Dear Dad.
Mum has bort me a little bike to ride to school on. on Saturday and I will be glad when school starts and Ruth has got a Segent Mother. to. and I hope you have a nice time. And I am getting lots of blackberrys and my legs area chacht to bits so I cannot go In to the water.
Much love from frank
xxx etc.
[Page 5]
Franurra. vote yes.
Rotty hill
31.1.18
Dear Dad.
I do not go to school now be sors it makes me to tird. and we had six figs. and wee got pashen frot. and aner is going to chirtch next sunday. Mum is not going to school untell I an seven. To day we got a fotograf of. Mr flowers and. Mrs flowers. I am not at school to day only. Ruth is at school today. And it is windie to day. and we have tirns with sleeping with. Aner and. Mum. and I think. Ruth will right to night. Mum has riten four letters all to getser gelser.
Much love from frank Burrowes. and I choped a tree down to day. good by and we gave two figs to grandma.
xxx etc.
[Page 6]
Franurra
Rotty Hill
5.2.18
Dear Dad.
I do think that. Mum is going to write. And it has been hot too day. and Mum put 5.217 untell. I told her and then she put it down. and. Ruth is writing to day the three of us are writing to day to and I can not writing write very much and. Anna is up hear now and. Miss Heffernan is up here. On Friday we went too. Mrs Tanners.
Much love
from frank. xxx etc.
[Sketch of soldiers in margin.]
[Page 7]
[Sketch of soldiers.]
[Page 8]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
24.2.18
Dear Dad.
When Ruth was at school one day and Ruth put on a slate we made a pair of sox before your went and I ane am making pair of sox for you now and have you got any letters from us yet we have only got one letter from you from. Melbourne and a telegram from Suerz and no more so I want to no wether you had one from us. and I for got to tell you wat cind of stuf it was it is a grayish brown. If you want and washers tell me then after I finchist the sox. I will stoat a washer for you. and one day there was a train and it had to stop and the men had to get out of the train to hunt the cows off the line. and the swing fell down come home by the next boat and put it up.
[Page 9]
Mum told me to put that in it and. I thing that you think that you where at home having figs and fruit. and. I wish I cold find a sily pitsher wat I did one was the march past by and one was off to war and one was the fiendly viset. I have sum of the pictures this is the only picture. I could find. good bye.
Much love from
frank Burrowes.
xxx etc.
[Note from Frank’s mother: This was written a good while ago]
[Page 10]
5.218.
Franurra.
Plumpton.
Dear Dad.
Frank is not going to school till he is seven. And I have another letter yet. But I cannot find it. and Mother is writing and Miss Heffernan. And Anna came up. Here on Monday week. And I am very early for school. Two of Mrs. Tanner little girl and boy, and we had a nice time. And the names are Molly Main and George Main. And we want Frank to draw for you and I am going to send you some too. I just feft sick and I am not going to school till dinner-time. Mother did drive Miss Heffernan to school.
Much love from your sister Ruth. To your self. xxx etc
A B.
[Comments in margin: Vote yes. Drawing at the back.]
[Page 11]
[4 sketches: Cherry branch; Sun-flower; Maiden-fern; A Rat]
[Page 12]
Franurra
Plunpton
Rooty Hill
12.2.18
Dear Dad.
how do you like ben at. Suez will you write when you can be cors. Mum is a speting a letter from you. and are yoing to stay at. Suez. I hope you will go to. England.
I am going not going to school now. and I hope you will get our letters. and Ruth is at school now. and we killed a goanna the other day. and. Mother said she will wate untell we get a letter from you to see wether you want any pasles and she said washers be sors I will make some and wat and do you want any more if you want any passles wat you tell me and if you tell we be sors when you tell me. I will start and make it strate away and as son as soon as. I have finchist I will send it strate away
Much love from frank. xxx etc.
[Page 13]
[Note from Frank’s mother.]
This is Franks drawing. He is supposed to be in bed – note clothes on back of chair, his pants & braces are on bed.; & there am I just taking his the lamp away.
please advise Bing.
Annie
I think it all lovely.
[Page 14]
[Transcriber’s note: sketches]
[Note from Annie, the children’s mother.]
This is Ruths conception of me sick in bed & you. I note hat J & Frank in room evidently Frank is shedding his usual tears.
Annie.
What do you think of my nose?
[Page 15]
[sketch of an animal.]
[Page 16]
Franurra.
Plumpton.
1.3.1918.
Dear Dad.
Miss Heffernan went away today from the school. We have some new pictures. I get nought nearly every day in Dictation and sometimes I only get one. And we will not see Miss Heffernan tell next Monday. And we have a new song called Summer Rain. Insted of God Save the King. When Mother called anna she says Ruth Frank Ather Anna. Much love from Anna and Ruth. To your self. Xxx etc. And you mate xxx etc.
Vote yes.
11: Letter
[Page 17]
From Ruth .
To Dad.
[Page 18]
[Colours of the 18th Battalion in the top left corner of the letter.]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
4.3.18.19
Dear hansom.
We are doeing some beads I have made two necklaces one wont fit mum only I think it will fit Ruth. I have got the tooth ach. Mum is makeing making a dress for Ruth. Bing and Blucher are loose. I expect you are out now it is a corter past 3.
Mum is going to write to you and send it by Mr Micklocklen like Mum did last time. gust now Bing had a calfs leg and he left it out on the vrandah and whent went in side for to the basket and got a potato and took it out and put It down beside the leg
much love
from Frank
xoxo etc.
[Page 19]
To Dad.
[Page 20]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
10.4.18
Dear Dad.
Yester day we went doun to Parramata and we saw a baby little donkey and their was a sale on and it was just standing by its self and we were patting and it never mofed and it was so small that. I could of jumped on to its back and it had little harness on and a little cart and. I going thort it might of been its mother, and then we went up to the stashen to see when a train was coming and then I brought a comick and then we went doun the stret and brought some benarners only when I was going home I lost it and mum has got a cold in her head and she wants you to come home and ners her. and lorner is going to have little gotes I think son
[Page 21]
and we all had for christmas dinner was too fouls and they are very sheep now. and mr lindy is going to give us a dog and wont that be nice and I am sending some toffee to you.
[Note from Annie.]
Spend all the money you have on extras & comforts. Don’t think even of sending me any. I am getting along tip toply
A.B.
[Page 22]
and mum has sold marmerjok becrs he got to strong that mum could not get him into the pen only you no that I dont mean the pen what I writ with I mean the pen what I wrote with becors I mean the pen what we put the carfs in to go to bed. and I do not mean cant write much becors I can write a lot cant I.
and Mum has to un do a tin of kerosene and you should of been home to do it and enty the dub instead mum has to. good bye xxx ooo etc.
oo hugs ooo etc.
much love from frank
hug
[Page 23]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear Dad,
Thankyou for the card I have just got your card now and grandma has just brought them over and did you write a letter. and why do the foreign boys want you to put in sum money in for them. I have thease drawing for you. and we have sold pollys carf for four pounds and pretty wont give the milk down to mum. and we did ride [indecipherable] now and I wish you were home now to play with us. and the choko has flowers now. and we are just going to have a cup of tea now. and we got the card on the 12 of march and I am writing on the 12 of march. and mum is going to sydney on monday and anna has gorn. and I have just come back from anty lislys now to fix the knitting for me. and we mofed the chickens last night. and we have just come back from driving Miss Heffernan and Ruth to school now. and I have some drawings to send to you now
[Page 24]
and I am not going to school yet. and I am doing the [indecipherable] as quickly as I can. and mum is writing now and I don’t think I will be able to send the drawings this time only I might send them the next time good bye.
Much love from frank. xxx etc.
[drawings labelled Mum; this is you dad; Miss Heffernan and grandma]
[Page 25]
Franurra
Rooty Hill.
15.4.1918.
Dear Dad.
I am starting school again. And I am in Mr Collier Class that is in 3rd. and we went on to Mrs Tanners on Saturday and got a watch each and they can go but we had to shake them a lot and mine will onoy go when it is laying down. And some shells and three balls and a racquet that 4dh things. Frank said that he would not write because he could not find a pen to write with. I do not know becvause while I am a way he might write.
Much love from Ruth and to your mate. And yourself. Xxx etc.
kisses xxx etc
hugs ooo etc
To Mate. To Dad.
and when you get home.
Vote Yes
[Page 26]
To Dear old Dad
[page covered with various hugs and kisses]
[Page 27]
[Drawing of woman carrying flowers.]
[Page 28]
[Drawings: labelled, To Dad, Violets, Rose.]
[Page 29]
Fryday
Franurra
Rooty Hill
19 of April 18
Dear Dad.
we just got your letter yesterday and I will send you a washer when I get it made. and mum never wips me once since you have been away and thankyou for all the post cards. and I think Francis will think that it is a goanna and last night uncle charly came up fore the adress of yours. and I would of liked to of had a ride on one of the donkeys like at liver pool. and did you by any thing from the men that you told me of coming in little boats. and did I tell you that we loved you the donky and isent it sily that the red cross cars over their don’t have a red cross like they do here. and all the cats are fat But narcy is skiny and nancy has got another lot of cats and we have only have only got one left one out of the them and she is rating fat so that is all right isent it. and we still have Miss heffernan staying at our one home. and mum wishers she got letters from you
[Page 30]
every day the same as you and this is the 2 lot of letters. and do not by me any more things keep all the mony to by your food fore your one self and do not by any thing for Ruth. and I will write every day lik you and I can not get the lines strate. and I have not got the cain this many times 0. and the pee wee and it keeps on flying a against the window what you put over the stove. I think lerner is going to have little goats.
much
love
from
frank
xxx etc.
hugs ooo etc.
[Page 31]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
20th of April 18
Dear Old Dad,
I’am glad you saw all the things. And I love you so very much for send-ing those cards and that parcel you are going to send and we have not got them yet. And fancy Miss Heffernan? is getting a horse and Salky with a rubber-tired wheels; and lamps on it but they are getting taken off and new ones put on. Yes we! got the postcards all right. That photo of you on the lighthove and it is a nice Donkey you are on. Yes we are going to keep them till you come back you know what I mean the parcel from Egypt. And Miss Heffernan is coming up on the 21.4.1918. In the Salky and I mean a horse too. And I like that card best that has
I Wish I’ad brought my galoshes with me
xoxo Sorry! xox etc.
[Page 32]
and the prettiest card, is the one with the pretty little girl, with fowers at the gate.
Much love from Ruth your Sister. xxx etc. ooo etc
And to your mate. And to your-self. xxx etc.
ooo etc.
A kiss when you get home.
To Dad
from Ruth
[Page 33]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear Dad.
I have just got your letter and thankyou for the cards and I do not think you are not as very hevy as on the card and thark you for the photo griphs and I loved the one with you the donky and Iight the primus and the fire. and I think you will be finished torking to mum in thee months don’t you and we got your letter parse and I will send you a washer as soon as I can and Francis will think the aligator is a goanna be cors you put an aligator. and I will take Francis down to day and I hop you will get this. this is not much of a letter but never mind and mum loved that card with you down at the bottom and her up at the top and I am not going to school. and I think you Ruth will like the card with I wish I brough me gloshers with me and I hope to send some drawings with this and if I do they will be on the back and mum has just taken round some weet and is very glad she has got your letter and she wishers you
[Page 34]
were home. mum wishers she got letters every week the same as you and I think you want sugar we are sending you some sugar and some toffee and wont you like it and I am going to send you some and I think you. I have just com back from Anty lis
[Note: the following paragraph written by the children’s Mother.]
You will notice that Frank has not finished this one – also he nearly always loses each letter for a couple of days – so starts all over again. Of course he has lots of time when Ruth is at school to write. I just put them all together as I find them – knowing you will put 2 & 2 together
Goodbye
xxx
[Page 35]
[Note: hand drawn map of Australia. Places labelled, Indian Ocean; Leeuwin; Western Australia; Great Australia Bight; Northern Territory; South Australia; Gulf of Carpentaria; Cape York; Queensland; N.S. Wales; Victoria; Bass Strait; C. Byron; Sydney; Wilsons Prom; Tasmania]
Please admire Franks first map of Australia
30.4.18
[Page 36]
Monday 29.4.18
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Dad.
This morn-ing Mr Lindy is bring my little pupy and I will haf to make his bed yet I schould of made it yesterday. and I do not no wat to put. and the sun is lolvy. and I do not no wat we are going to have for brexfast but I think it will be something wat you would like I think we are going to have tost and butter wat you would like but I think you would rather be were you are. and horice has just come with the food for the falls and Ruth is not home from school yet. and we have little puppy and kitty and him play to gether and sleep to gether and I have fixt up his bed and he is roling fat fater then Francis evean and he is only a bout
[Page 37]
six weeks old and I get tird of carraing him he is so hevy I only got him to day and we took his photo. and I might send you a photo of him I think you would like one. good bye.
much love
from Frank
Burrowes.
[Page 38]
30.4.18
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Dad.
Miss Heffernan has come home at last it is a wonder isent it. and I should of fiven pupy a bath yet I chould of thiths him. and salky was broken and to day we went to get polly shord and then went up to get the salky. and I hafta go over to grandma to get the mail and take the milk over to Grandmas with the milk and I hate going and Grandmas with the milk.
much love from
Frank Burrowes
xxx etc.
[Page 39]
Franurra,
Rooty Hill,
2. of May 18
My, Dear, old, Dad.
How do you like this. This is how Mr. Collier teachers us. If you do’nt know what I will tell you at the end. It is about the letters Mr. Collier: gives us to do and we have to show them. I am doing you some Sums. In stead to some drawing. Now I think I will tell you about those , You can easy see those Commur’s in My, Dear, old, Dad? We are still saving up the money. I might put a little of drawing after-wards. I do not know when I’ll send another post-card to you again. But I have got such a pretty card what I got from Mrs. Mack down at Cronulla. The owner of the house it was in a writing pad. The sums are on the back of the page. Good-Morn-ing
Much love from you sister Ruth Burrowes. and to your-self. xxx etc. ooo etc.
[Page 40]
[Transcriber’s note; page covered in various additions and subtractions, multiplication and long division sums.]
[Note: comment from Annie.]
Anna is showing
over
Mr Collier makes us put these silly aughts.
[Page 41]
Franu
Upperby
Dear old Dad.
I am staying at Upperby for the day and mum has gorn to Sydney and Grandma told me that I could write to you and I love to get your letters and so dus mum and sorn I will run home and get a post card and get Grangma to post it to moro. and Francis is going to write to you. and Grandma is going to put on some nice hyms to day. and I have a lot of letters at home for you. and the card has on it a marn in and a moto and I call it you in the thainc. and Grandma has a lovy little white kitten and it jumped at a chichen to pay with and the hen gave the kitten such a beating and was cring and Grandma had to run over and save it or it would have been killed.
and Mr Lindy is going to give us our little pup next week and jack is sick. Mr. Lindy has just come. and I am writing with Grandmas founten pen now.
And I am going to get the cat and the dog to get to play with one a nother and blacky steals chickens. and I have been wishing for the pupy for a long time and I will hafto make a bed
[Page 42]
and we had cake for brexfist and that was all and mum never had any brexfist this morning isent she bad. and Grandma is going to write a little bit. good bye.
much love
from Frank
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 43]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old dad
Last fryday I went to parramater and their was a lolvy little donkey and I could easly jump on its back and we went up to the stachen and when we cane back we said that some body had stolen it and them we went along the street and we came to a big ship mad of mony boxes and bily cans for chinneys and all rag ror the sea. do Good bye
much love
from frank
Burrowes.
xxx etc.
hugs ooo etc.
[Page 44]
No 5.
Franurra
Rooty Hill
1.5.18
Dear Dad.
Puppy is very Bad he was playing with my coat and pance and as son as I got down he was chacing me and I could not get them an tell he went out side. and I can not write strate because this paper has no lines on it and I hope you do not mind do you I ick skeked expect you will notoice wont you.
muck love from
Frank Burrowes.
xxx etc.
[Sketches of soldiers at the top and bottom of the letter.]
[Page 45]
[Sketch of soldiers.]
[Page 46]
No 2
[Note from Annie.]
This is an old letter just come to light.
A.B.
27.5.18
Franurra.
Rooty Hill.
2.5.1918
Dear Old Dad.
I have got Frank’s cat because he has got the dog his name is Bing. Mother made up the name. And I have been home about 1 hour and a half an hour. And mum is just cook-ing 4. fowl’s for Miss Heffernan. Miss Heffernan is not teacking to-day or to-morrow Because her father is dying. And Mr. Collier is litting one of his girls. That is Jessie Martin; And Ivy Blackreed. And Frank is just thinking about what to put. And there is the Black-town show for large Hand Writing for the school’s and I was going in but one of them girls told me that I could not write as good as they could. It is a pretty little pup. It is the first time I have wroting
No 2 page But Frank is writing the No. 6. page I am going To do some drawing if I can but I don’t know.
[Page 47]
I am putting on what Mr. Collier want’s us to do on the end of the letter.
Muck I remain.
your loving Daughter
Ruth Burrowes.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Note: sketches labelled ‘Dahlia’ and ‘Rose’ and the outline of a map of Australia.]
[Page 48]
[Various sums – additions, long division, subtraction and multiplication.]
[Page 49]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
12.5.18
Dear old. Dad.
I got your pacle today and a post card from you and Grandma said she had got a letter from you and he was going to write strait back a gain. and we are going to play cards. Ruth is writing to you But she can not write because she can not find it. and I can not tell you much to day. and we went to chirsh to day and we left puppy at home and to day we harnest jolly and when we came cack we unharnest jolly and it is real cold to day and I icketed you are glad you are not on the water now because it would be ruff. and it is no youse arncine my letter because I will forget wat I told you and I will will not ancere any of your letters But If I ask you how to do things then you can write back and tell me how to do it. and do you know that fig tree out at the back the bigest one mine I have got seven figs off it and they are lolvy figs I love them because you planted it and Mum is
[Page 50]
caught hen is she should not she should to bed early only a corse she should write to you first. and Ruth is going to school to day moro and I was nily going to put today. and mum is going to write to you to night.
ooo etc.
ooo goodbye.
xxx etc. much love from
xxx etc
ooo etc. Frank Burrowes.
hugs ooo
[Note from Frank’s mother.]
P.S. Now I know where the figs go! A.B.
[Page 51]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
13.5.18.
Dear old Dad.
Silybill never came up to Day and we feed her to so she orto come up to moro. and puppy is tickling my feet and this mon-ing he was tickline my feet and when I was getting drest and he was tickling mums feet to. and we have just had breakfast. and we have lots of chockoes on the vine and lots of ornigers on the tree. and Ruth is going to school to day.
and mr moon is going to paint our sulky for mum (Rats!) and mum and I have been after silybill a gain and wee took pupp with us and when we got home he was real tird he was puffing like any thing because he has never been such a long work. be four.
much love
from Frank
xxx etc.
[Page 52]
and mum is writing with her founten pen. and thank you for the pig and cat Ruth picked the cat and I picked the pig. and I will hafto hury up and fines this letter. Ruth has finished her letter now and I will try and have a nother washer finished to send in the a nother pasle. and bing is fussing a boat.
much love
from Frank
Burrowes
xxx etc.
o’hugs ooo etc.
[Page 53]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
16.5.18.
Dear young Dad.
So you see you are not the only one that is old in the famly because you are young and the othe day Grandma got a letter from anty marys and George had got a letter from you and he was going to write to you strate a way it is just like I do isent it. and pupy caught hold of a dead her and this was the way he went -------- ther up on his back legs like this [Transcriber’s note: wriggly line.], and one day he nily got poisond, when we went over to Grandmas he was licking somthing in a sorcer and said wats in that sorcer and grandma said O there is poisen and as soon as Anna sang out he droped it. only he was not poisend and wasent that good that he had no poisen. and mums little sixes are broken.
much
love
from
Frank.
[Page 54]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
21.5.1918
Dear Dad.
I am getting on all right but I am not at school. and Anna bahet Ruth and I in front of the fire and Ruth said well if I have a bath Frank has to have one to and I said my word I am going to have a bath. and I have choped down two trees this morning. and mum and anna are bathing pupy and they have caught lots of flees off him and he is a sleep all the time and he is real funny you would like to see him you would think he was real funny and I wish you could see him.
and I have started a washer for you and I hope it will
[Page 55]
be all right and will be nice and soft for you face wat I yousto kiss at night time. and I must try and put some drawing in this letter. and I am writing on some of your pape out of the egg rome. and I hope you are will not be very craby when you get home. and yesterday wee put on my little pance on puppy and you should of seen him he looked real funny he yousto rum a long and his leg would get caught and we youto fix it and he would run off a gain and it had pashers. and pupy had a chucky head and he has just brough it in side now and he has had it a boat a week much love from frank
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 56]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
26.5.18
Dear young Dad.
Mum has just cut my hair and this after noon I am going to mrs harlocks and Ruth is going too and mum and Anna might come and Ruth and I might play with jonny harloch and I like playing with him. I have played with him once before only Ruth has not onlt I think Ruth will like playing with him and I have not played with bill the baby. and mum is out getting the wood and Ruth is light the fire. and I have got two ducks drorn for you but do not no when I will send them. and Ruth is having a game. and after we are going to have a bath. and Ruth is drawing now she only plays a game for a long time.
and do you know Mr alick bradly he has come back from the war and he made a streach
[Page 57]
over at the school because it is empar day to day and Ruth had haarf a hollerday and I am glad that Ruth has got harf a holler day. and we drove down to rotty Hill and thort we would get some letters from you because their was two boat lodes of wonded solgers only their was no letters from you so we went down to rooty Hill for nothing so wee had bad luck.
and Ruth is getting some hot water for Anna. and puppy is still very funny the way he plays a bot and the way he jumps into the box.
and mum has had her bath. and puppy has just come in and his real silly.
[Page 58]
and the fox killed 5 hens of mums and that was all we found But godess knows how meny more he had killed and the chickenn hork is about because last night mum got up because she heart the falls making a noise and she jumped out of bed and she thort it was the fox but the tree behind the dub the chickenn hork and mum put a hen out with poisen to caught it. and Anna drempthat wee were behind a bush and the fox went to get in a hole and mum and Anna put a roap round the foxs neck and tird him up and so their was a hole. and we did mend the hole. and Anna is iening to day but I do not call it iening because it is only seven hakerfishs.
[Page 59]
And puppy is real bad he would not sit up
goodbye much love
from Frank
xxx etc.
For Dad
from Frank
[Page 60]
[Drawing of 2 soldiers on galloping horses. Frank’s name and the date have been added by his mother.]
Frank
26.5.18
[Page 61]
[Frank’s drawings.]
[Page 62]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
13.6.18
Dear old Dad.
this morning bing was very funny first he took a boot then he would take a sook he was all the time getting sox and Anna said it was because his feet were cold. and wee have just finished breakfast. and mum has to go after sily bill. and mum is going to parranater and she has to hurry up. and Anna is real silly to day. and I wish we had a nice big fire in the house. and when I lie down bing jumps on to my back and I jump up and bing clings on to my neck and I run a long.
and I help mum make the bed. and bing is still real funny and mum has to feet Blucher now. and anna said she can find every think and I have just tied bing up. and I do not no wether I can write on
[Page 63]
I got a post card from george and I have just been writing to him to and the card has every flag on it. and Anna and Ruth are playing cards and Instead of Ruth playing cards she orto bewriting to you. and I feel hungree now but I icheped I am as hungree as you and I like writing to you. only the tea is nily coked and to day we had dinner at Mrs Onnens to day. I cable is going to give a childrens consard and she want us to be in it. and mum has just let Blucher go for a run. and I have just brought a load of
[Page 64]
20.6.18
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Bill.
Ruth is writing and mum will soon bee writing to you. and this ink writes very thickly. and you asked who shot the goanna Uncle Charly shot the gun off. mum never shot the gun of. and mum hato pack up for Mrs Moon to day and the boys leamings were going to come for Mrs Moons things only they never came. and mum and I am trying to have a race in writing now and I have just shasted out the goats. and I have just got 101 words. and it is lolvy and moon light out side and I am writing with mrs moons ink and I has some nice chuchy for tea and I ickeped you would of liked some of the chuky. and I can not write on the back of the paper this paper is to thin to write on the back.
[Page 65]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Dinky dumps,
Mum wiped her nose on my shirt tail and she said it was nice and soft to wipe her nose. and if you were here I would get you to read me a nice story orld I don’t echiped you would it seams a boat 12 years since I have seen you I ich speked it seams aboat 50 years since I have seen us. I only put in a feew lines to you and you love writing to Mum don’t you.
I am going to write to end it now. good bye.
I am not writing the a dress.
much love
from Frank
Burrowes.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 66]
Franurra
Dear old Dad.
If you want any sox tell me and I will send it and if you want any washer tell me and I will send it with the sox. The goanna one we killed and unce charly killed it and the goanna and wee went over. Mr S for the shot gun. George told that he wold write every fortnight to you and I will wright every week to you. and I think that I put in the other letter that I cold not write very much and mum is wating for a litter from you to see that you want any thing and she all wais for gets to by the rag for it when she goes to Sydney and we went to aunty marys last saturday and Ruth dus not like writing to you only every day I wold like to write to you
much love from frank Burrowes
xxx etc.
[Page 67]
[Comment added by Frank’s mother.]
This is a very old one of Franks he has been away so much this week did not write any fresh ones.
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Bill Burrowes.
George and Bill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. George fell down and broke his crown and bill came tumbling After and Anna told me that. and Mum has gorn to Sydney To day and I am home with Anna and Anna said she found a pair of your garters. and do you know who is George George is Mr flowers and dont you think I am cheeky to call him georg in sted of Mr flowers and calling you Bill Burrowes.
So good bye
[Page 68]
much love
from Frank
Burrowes.
xxx etc.
[Page 69]
[Note added by Frank’s mother.]
Is his spelling not dreadful – he thinks you like it like that as you know he has written it without help. A
Dear Dad.
I am writing with ink now becors mum and I went to town and bort this ink. and Mr. Lindy brings us some tormotos or som buttey beans and he brought us some butter beans this time. and mum got up at 7 a clock. and I think I will be able to write more and our little kitten jumps right in to the basin when there is milk in it to drink. And Ruth is going to be put into third Book and I will be left be hind. and Ruth is very craby now. and Mum is going to write now and Ruth cannot write becors she will has to learn her leson. and we put Kitten in a tea cosey to go to bed. and Mum is going to caught some chiskens now. and Miss Heffernan has to be at school very early to moro-morning. and Ruth is going to write after all. and I hope I will be able to write some more next time. and Ruth is going to draw on the back of it.
and so am I going to draw on the back too.
xxx goodbye. xxx etc.
[Sketches of figure, a person driving a car and others driving a cart.]
[Page 70]
[Sketch of a horse.]
[Page 71]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
1.7.18
Dear old Dad.
On Saturday Mr Anger gave a nickenent for the Sunday school and I came sekend in egg and the spoon and I got nors ark and I won in a nother race and I got a top. and I loved being there. and I youse that cap a lot and now I have a real bad cold and I were it when I have a head ake. and I bing just ate a shucks egg and this after noon Mum is going to give him a egg with mustard and pepper and all sorts of hot thing because he ate an egg yesterday. and we are going to give it to the mailman to post. And Ruth for got to write last night so their will not get any letters from Ruth in this letter. and Blucher was court in a tree by his chane and mum has gorn down to get him. and we got some ducks
[Page 72]
and two motorcars and some nuts and an orange for Christmas. and I do not know wat to tell you. and I am going to school next week and Miss Atkinson is teaching now. and we are writing out in the sun and Anna is kniting Ruth is at school working so we are all doeing something
much
love
from
Frank Burrowes
xxx etc.
ooo
hugs
ooo etc.
[Page 73]
[Note added by Frank’s mother.]
This has been mislaid for months.
Franurra
Rooty Hill
7.7.18
Dear old Dad.
I still have a bad cold. and I can not go to school to moro and I am glad and Ruth wants me to go. and Ruth is writing as well as me. and mum and Anner and Ruth and I harnest up for them and we love harnising jolly up. and we have a house bilt of Biscuit tins. and all that watel at the back of the hose have flowrs on it. and I don’t no wat to put. and lorner has 4 little goats and 1 goat is black and 2 goats are white and 1 brown. lorner only had them to day while mum was a way at chuch and mum got such a shok and she brought them all up and put them in the hen and she is going to give them a straw to lie on. and we have just had tea. and Ruth is playing in the bed room and she has just
[Page 74]
gone out to the kitchen.
[Page 75]
No (3
Franurra
Rooty
Hill
Wensday
Dear Dad.
I am going to give puppy a bath to day and muct not for get and he is such a funny little puppy he is a real silly little puppy and we call him bing after the bing boys. and he is licking my legs and arms wasent he bad to do that to me. and he is only six weeks old and he is very big I must go and lift him up on the vrander he is crying and growling and when I am writing he is a necunce to me and every time I dip my pen in the ink I hafto put the cork on a gain isent he a noucence I will hafto go and write on the table now. All of us are going over to grand mas at mail time and we have sent a a pacle to you we sent it yesterday and on the other letters I could not write much.
xxx etc.
[Transcriber’s note: “The Bing Boys" was the name of a series of revues playing in London during the last two years of WW1.]
[Page 76]
[Frank’s painting of war.]
F.B
[Page 77]
[Printed Advertisement for “Zondo Disenfectant Fluid"]
[Page 78]
2)
[Note in margin, added by Frank’s mother.]
A letter written long ago by Frank – but it is too funny to be wasted.
gorn out to the kitchen.
Tuesday
Ruth has to go to school this morning and I never went to school yesterday and I am not going to day. and I have dun some painting. and Anna says that I orto go over and use soft paper on both sides. and I am siting in front to of the room heater and mum is over the other side and Ruth has felling fallen over the back of the bed.
much love
from Frank
hugs ooo etc.
[Page 79]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear Mr Jampot.
I went to school to-day and we never had Dictation and I am glad because I do not like Dictation. and Grandma is here. How do you like you name called Jampot. Ruth is reading. and we have just had tea and we had fairy cakes and tost and butter. and now Ruth is clearing the table and mum is getting the wood for the fire. and the mame of this book is dew drop don’t you think it is a funny name. and mum is reading the paper. and we are siting in front of the fire. Mum went to meat us to day and Keith white was trying to ride the tryckill. and mum is going to read a story to us.
much love
from Frank
ooo etc.
xxx etc.
[Page 80]
[Sketch of soldiers.]
[Page 81]
19.7.18
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Dad.
We are sitting in the dinning room in front of our big fire. and I have been at school for a week and I got all my sums right and nought in Dictation. and it is lolvy and worm. We have only got harf an hour to write to you. and the clock time is 9 a clock. and one of our little goats died it was a bilie goat. Ruth has riten more then me. and mum has riten 2 pages to you only she had harf of it dun when we started to write to you. and to moro is saturday and it is my turn to sleep with mum. and mum red us a story. and we worm the bricks and put them in our bed. Thir is not much to tell you aboat school. and we all ways cook brexfust and tea on the fire in the dining rom. We will hafto get lots of for this fire. and now mum is writing her 4 page. and Ruth is just ending her letter. and I like going to school
[Page 82]
I am going to try and write and write on the back a gain. and thank you for the Birthday card.
much love
ooo from Frank ooo etc.
xxx etc.
[Page 83]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
19.7.1918
Dear Old Jam-Tin.
We are sitting in front of the fire we have had it for two nights and mum kept two bricks for she wanted to keep the bed worm. So don’t you want wish you where wore at home so’s to keep the bed warm for Mother. We had dinner at school and tea in front of the fire we never had over tea on the table but down on the flour. One of our little goats die’d the other night. Mum is just getting in a temper because Bing and the other dog is making her angry bing is moving and the other dog barking. It is nice to have a brick in bed with you to keep your feet warm don’t you wish you even had a warm brick to keep your cold feet I spose you are very cold over their. Mr Green-Tree made the stove which I mean a fire. I think that I soon will have to end this off because it is half past 9. It is my turn to sleep in my own bed and Frank is sleeping with Mother I sometimes say Mum or Mother which comes to my mind first. Frank is going to on Monday again he went this week.
Much love
from
Ruth.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 84]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
21.4.18
Dear old Dad.
Mum is writing to Mr. Bowres. bing is lieing on this sofa. and it was raining this After noon and mum had her washing was out. This ink writes very thickly
.22.7.18.
I went to school at dinner time because it was to wet to go in the morning and mum is playing the organ. Mum drove us over at dinner time. I an sorry I could not write more last night. and ginger is a baby soft pusie and so is Blacky a lolvy soft pusie.
23.7.18.
Ruth is writing to you. and I have just put a new nib in the pen and it is not as thick as befor when I started to write. and it is still raing. and we are sting in front of the fire
[Page 85]
and I got two mistakes in Dictation and Ruth got three mistakes. and mum is sewing a coat for Ruth. and I for got to tell you that I got nought in Dictation last week.
24.7.18.
We have just lit the fire and it is nice and worm and we have put the cettel on the fire. The little goats are lolvy and Roses calf has just died. and I went to school to day and we are going to have chops and potatoes for tea.
Much love
from Frank.
ooo etc.
xxx etc.
[Page 86]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
3.8.18
Dear Old Bill.
We had a lovly time on Wattle-day we where going to write to you on the first of this month because it was Wattle-day Frank and I din’t go to school on Wattle-day because Mum wanted to take us to the welcome to Mr. Parit he is going preach tomorrow at Church he is going to be a Catechist. We all thought that it was a holiday and it was not so we had to go to school which I don’t like neither does Frank.
4.8.18.
Now it is Sunday and Mother says that we had to go to Sunday school but if it rains we can’t go to Sunday school. I might go to Sunday Church to day but I don’t know. My Wattle is lovly on the trees and on Frank’s to. And Oh we have such nice times and the shelf on the fire it looks nice and so does the fire. Both of us slept with Mum last night it was my turn to sleep with mum. I am soon count up how many words and then end off because I can’t (end off) think of anythink. I have 198 words.
xxx Much love
from Ruth xxx etc.
xxx etc. And for when you come Home
[Page 87]
To Dear Old
xx Bill oo
xxx ooo etc.
[Page 88]
[Note: sketch of 2 people at the top of the page.]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
4.8.18
Dear old Mr Bill Burrowes
Mum was schasked last night because she was in the middle of us in the big bed and Ruth was one side of mum and I was the othe side of mum. and Ruth is writing a nother letter to you. and to day is Sunday so I hope I can write more. and the little goats are real funny and we call the little blackgoat golly wog and he is real heffery and when I try to caught him he dogers me round the trees. this morning I brought mum a cup of tea because she was schasked in the night and she could not breath. Mum is going to school church and we are not going to church.
much love from Frank
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 89]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
12.8.19.18
Dear old Dad.
Mum is giving Ruth sums. The fire is going. Mum is writing to you. I am glad we did not have Dictation because I do not like it. and this after noon mum went to meat us because she had to go down to the black smith. Mum has ritten 1 page full and I have only written a little bit. I do not like going to school atall now but it is still nice and worm. To day at school I dug up the gardens. and we coock the tea on the big fire to night.
It is not very cold. When I told you that I dug up the gardens I did not mean only my self it was all the chrilden and Miss Atkison. and I will hafto soon finish this letter. and Ruth can not write because she hasto do her sums and she has just come over from Mrs gonzes. The fire is out. and we are not going to have the brisks.
[Page 90]
Fanurra
Rooty Hill
18,8,18
Dear old Dad.
Mum just went to church and we are staying at home. And last night I dremter that I killed a magpie by hitting it dont yo think I was curel to think that. We went to Sunday school this morning. I have riten 45 words and Ruth has riten 81 words Ruth has ritter more then me and we got a little coury house
After we finnish we are going down to play. We have rulled the side lines and we have rulled the top lines. Only some of them are blotty only I could not. and on thirsday at school I had to write out I saw a ship a-sailing on the sea and Ruth is writing now. and bing is chasing flies. and bing I a good watch dog but blucher is lazy. and Mr Casles killed a fox in our bush the other day it was on fryday I think he killed it and yesterday wile we were going past they had it up on the wall drying and mum said I would like to see six of thos
[Page 91]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
18..8..19..18
Dear Old Bill.
Mum has just gone to Church with Grandma I was going but I said I was not going and then Mum said that this was the only time so I said I was going but I ment to say go? Bing is looking for fies flies he runs at them wen when he see them. Frank and I have a little hut down in the bush we have not finished it yet. I have 81 words in this without counting the date. I am going to count up again. We might think draw for you after if we have not anything to do. I have X words now. I am going to count up from the end. Frank has got a lot of words done. The Mother goat has her leg broken as Mum thinks I have not seen her this morning. All the pretty little goats are getting on all right. Frank is starting another page.
20.8.1918.
I have best Writing today at School because Mr Collier gave us all new books to-day fore our best Writing. I only had one mistake in Writing and Mr Collier said it was very good. Frank was at home to-day and I had to go to school. I was glad to get your letters when I came home from School. Thank you for those little things from you out of one of the little French children’s books. I am very sorry that I have bad Writing and all the Blots is
[Page 92]
because it is thin paper. Mum said I was realy very silly because I am putting how many words I have Writen but I know I am silly. And Lorna just has four little goats but the only Father one died so we have got only Three goats now we have all She’s.
Much love from Ruth xoxo etc.
I hope your wound is getting better.
That’s all.
To Darling
Old Dad
[Page 93]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
22.8.18
Dear old Jam tin.
Mum lost 18 of her best laying hens. and I got a nother letter from you yester day and I can read the letters by my self. and we are not going to school this morning because mum is going to Mrs Nevels. and we will hafto soon start off to go because we are going for Dinner. The graffal men are coming and some times they have 3 carts and some times they have 6 or 7 carts and I can not write much because I am only writing a little not. So good bye.
much love
from Frank
xxx etc.
hugs and kisses
ooo etc.
[Page 94]
[Note from Ruth’s mother.]
It is quite true about the fox – he came into that yard on left going towards Lovegroves & must have got over the fence – I am too upset to do any thing 50 odd he has got in 2 or 3 months
Franurra
Rooty Hill
22.8.1918
Dear Old Mr Jam-Tin.
Poor mum had the fox last - night and it has got 18 of mums fowls and she is in a state? she sent two of them down to Francis place I don’t know if she is going to give some to Grandma or not. We are staying at home because mum is going to have dinner at a place and has a little boy who allways likes Frank one Sunday George that is the little Boys name he said to his mother can I take some biscuits for Frankie and I and sit on the door-step and eat em.
Much love from
Ruth.
oxox etc.
[Page 95]
To Dear Old
Mr. Jam-
Tin.
[Page 96]
Franurra Rooty Hill
26.8.1918
Dear old Dad.
To day I got six sums right and four sums wrong. The lesson we are up to is mable and her dolls. Ruth got two mescatkes in Dictation and we never had Dictation. Ruth is writing to you and mum is getting breafus tea read. It is 20 to seven. 20 to seven is the time. I can not write nisty a tall with ink. Tea will soon be ready. and I have just fallin down and I have two sore towes and I had to wash them in condys fluid I cut one towe was cut by glavernized ion it was cut under neath it is on the little towe. and I have a sore nose a card bord box fell on it so I have got a sore nose.
27.8.1918
Dear old Bill.
I have just liten the primus and Ruth is just lighting the primus fire. I could not make these lines strait like the ones up at the top I have made those straighter then those oughers. Ruth is going to finish her letter before she goes to school I have
[Page 97]
got my school clothes on so I have only got to get washed and mum has to get my lunches and I can go to school Ruth has to get on her school clothers and get drested and mum has to cut her lunchers and Ruth can go off to school and then mum has her bex fast.
We are going to have scrambled eggs for brex fast dont you think it will be nice to have scrambled eggs for brex fast.
Much love
from Frank
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 98]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
30.8.1.918
Dear Old Bill.
It was awful just at Dinner Time just as soon as we got into School it came down like anything and the Hale Stones came down like blocks of ice Mr. Collier let us all go out and get some to eat and we had a great time coming home we got a lot. I get a lot of my sums right. And I hope that you had a happy Day yesterday and I hope you got that what we sent you.
7.9.1918.
One day I was looking for you> this letter and I could not find it so I started another. there is a letter ready to go to and I think this will go with it if it does you may have two letters from us all. I am think I mus must end soom soon
Much love from Ruth
hugs ooo etc.
[Page 99]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
1.9.19.18
Dear old Dad,
Mum is playing the organ and she said we would hafto have to write to you. And we have a book of Lord Clive and it is a lovely book. and Mum has been church and yesterday Mum was down at cuire prataes. and in one of the food tronks there are two nests and they are snow birds that live in it and one nest the father bird sleep in it and the other nest the Mother bird sleeps in it and it has three little eggs and the nest is made out of bark.
[Page 100]
much love from Frank.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Note: drawings from Frank follow.]
[Page 101]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
1.9.1918
Dear Old Mr. Jam-Tin.
We got a letter for Francis yesterday and we went down to-day and gave him the letter with a post-card in-side and we Wished him many re- happy turns of the Day. Mum has too read us Three parts of a book of Lord Clive we get them from the School we get our names put down and we have to see if we bring it back on Monday we only get them on a Friday I will put down the names of them for you. Water Babies. The two prisoners. The Coral Islands. Don Quisite. And Lord Clive in India. we get them all from School; and I forgot to put in Uncle Toms Cabin. and Picture Land. Frank is painting for you on the back of his letter and I am going to do some sums for you.
Much love from Ruth. To Dad.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 102]
[Refer to image for Ruth’s sum.]
To Dad
[Page 103]
Frauura
Franurra
Rooty Hill
3.9.1918
Dear old Fat Bill.
We went down to Mrs Woolnaughs and we had tea there. Mum is writing to you only Ruth has gone to bed because she said she was tird. and down at Mrs Woolnoughs Ruth and I played the peanno and Mum played the peanno as well as both of us. and I got nort in Dictation and Magey Day got nort to and I got two sums right out of three. I am just going to put a little bit in about you. Dear old Bill fell down the hill and all the Sgts after him. and Blacky is lovely and soft and she has gone a jinger coler and she is real cuite and she sings abot and jinger is real nicer as ever she is lovely and soft and we call the little kitten tiny tim.
[Page 104]
much love
from Frank.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
To Dear
old Fat
Bill
To Dear
old Dad
[Page 105]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
7.9.1918
Dear old Dad.
Mrs Anger is giving a cricket macth every Saturday and I am going to it and today is Saturday and I am going this Afternoon at three oclock.
10.9.19.18.
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Fat Bill
I never wrote very much last Sadurday because I had to hurry up and get ready to go over to plumpton sose I could play cricket with the other boys. Ruth and I never went to school yesterday because we have colds and we are not going to day. Yesterday Mrs Shore, and Mrs mickvea and Mrs Mickdonnel, came up to our place for dinner and went over to Grandmas for afternoon tea.
Have you seen the king and queen yet. I hope you have not made love to on of the nurces yet because it is not time yet
[Page 106]
for that. have you seen the the big clock on the tower of london yet and a little boy mickdonnel came up yesterday.
much love
from Frank
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Note from mother.]
I dare not send the letters over weight – now I send them to Cornwell or Auntie would have to pay on them. Annie. I [indecipherable] my short letters always but I write 2 & sometimes 3 a week to make up.
[Page 107]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
8.9.1918
Dear Old Dad.
Mum went to Church and we stayed at home Grandma did not go to Church only Anna and Mum. Frank is painting for you and I spose I will be doing some drawings for you.
11.7.18
I did draw a few things for you that night and I tried to draw a Voielet. Frank has about 4 or 5 letters writen and not sent them yet. Anna went home to-day and she is going to a Wedding to night and they are having a dance and Anna said that she was not going to dance but I can see her dance. There is a Soldier getting married that Anna knows. Mother seems that she is writing a lot. Frank has is starting his letter again. I got a whole lot of post-cards and I love those that you have put on the back this is what I feel like the day before I get the letters. And the other has on it. This is what I feel like the day the letters come. I stayed home from school 2 days they were Monday and Thursday That is to-day it is knitting to-morrow and I do not know what to take Frank said he would start me a scaf.
[Note from mother.]
You will notice how Ruth has gone back in writing & spelling. Pa is too careless it would make you hair curl if you could hear the way he carries on.
A.B.
[Page 108]
I can’t write much because I can’t think of anythink. I am going to start a letter for you on Sunday that’s all I know.
Much love from Ruth
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Note from mother]
A P.S of my letter. I am have written my letter in front of room heater – we do as you used to always like doing – bring room heater into our bedroom & sit round it & warm our nighties on it – the dining room keeps nice & tidy – but oh! The poor bedroom in the morning would cause grandma heart failure. It is 11 here now – so will be in the afternoon where you are – as I suppose it is much the same in France. I dare not let myself think of where you might be & what you might be doing. Dear Arthur I do not worry about you really. I only think & think, & hope & hope – I don’t often ever feel miserable – & what do you think I am 9 stone 4 – 10lbs heavier than when you went – I was 9/2 when we were married. But 10/2 when at Young – so expect to see a great fat floppity old thing when you come back to me next Christmas. Perhaps you could manage to get off this winter – because it would be more cosy now than in the summer. Lots & lots of very best love. From Annie
[Page 109]
Franurra
Rooty Hill.
10.9.1918
My Dear old Daddy Dumpling.
We stayed at home for two days because we had a bad cold so we stayed home from school. We went to Parra-Matta to-day all three of us. Frank is wait writing to you and mum said that she was going to wright write too. We had a nice time at Parra-Matta. Frank has got a whole whole page done and I have only. I fed the horse and mum said I did not give him anough. I was going to tell you how much I had. But Mum said that I was silly to do it so I left off. Mum brough me a new pair of Patent Leather shoes, they were not Botton-up’s they are a bit big and as I was walking along the street one of the shoes fell off. Mum brough herself some shoes but they were not Patent Leather but black Kid. Mum is writing so quickly and I started before her and she has got on before me. I think I weill have to go over tho the Dub sone.
12.9.1918.
I have finished one of the letters but if I have finished this too I cannot send It because the letter is nearly full so I can only send one. Mum has done a lot, Frank has done alot. We are going to Rooty Hill to see if we can get any letter’s from you. But yesterday we went down to get some letter’s and got some on our way. Back we called in to Mrs. Shaws and stayed for the whole day and then came home.
[Page 110]
To Dear
Daddy Dumpling
[Page 111]
I got your Post-card with Bonne Annee. I That little girl is pretty I’d like to look like her. I show’d Mrs. Mcvey and said she’d like too be like it and Mum said that a track would be worn. because all the men would come around to see her. We have had our tea and Mum has gone to Grandma’ma’s to take the letter’s we got to-day mum read all them, but not Grandma’s. We have to go to bed at 9.o’clock.
15.9.1918.
It is mum’s Birth-day today I had nothing for her but Kiss’es. We went out on Saturday night to the School of Arts. I went to Church to-day. I am going to be dressed as a Pretty Maid-en and a boy has to say
Where are you going my Pretty Maid
I’m going a milking Sir
Mrs. Mcvey came home just for tea on Saturday night and when we went back Mrs Mcvey came down with us to the School of Arts with us. I went to Sunday School this morning but Frank never went. I And I stayed at home from School all this week.
[Page 112]
3
I think I will soon end off because I can’t think of anything. Frank is in bed now he had written a before. We went out to Macks place this evening
Much love
from Ruth
Burrowes.
xxx etc. ooo etc.
[Page 113]
No 1
Franurra
Rooty Hill
,12,9,19,18,
Thursday
Dear old Dad.
We got a letter yesterday and Mum is going down this after noon to Rooty Hill to see weather we can get and more letters from mum you. We are going to have chops for Dinner and I ickepked you would like some of them.
I had to leave off before to have Dinner.
The little back goat is lovely if you call her while she is in the padickd she will run up to us and we betent to milk her and she puateds stands their while you betend to milk her.
I got a letter from you this after noon. You said Sgt flowers had not not got that washer I said I would send him I put in with a pasel of yours and I put a note in one of thease are for Sgt flowers and would you please give it to him so you might get it later. I had to stoop writing to you for a little wile because I had to stop and wash up I tckiped you think I am always leaving off to do something.
We are not going to school this week a tale
[Page 114]
4ON)
and have just got an egg from the bantems. and I think I will be able to write a lot. and Francis said his mother said he can not write and I dont no why she wont let him write But I think Uncle charly would write dont you be cause he came up to our place for the address.
and we have wased puppy this After noon at last.
and I am sending some drawings in this letter. and I will send you a washer in the next pasle and I might send two washers because I have started a nother washer and I do hope to send two. and mum is out caughting hens. and every night we put puppy near the bed and every time he crys mum smacks him and last night he was real good he only cryed once and wee have only had him two days and and the night we got him he cryed all night and mum could mot go to sleep but I sleped all the time it was only mum that heard him mum told me and I was glad because I could not sleep a tall if I herd him.
much love
fom Frank
xxx etc.
[Page 115]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
18.9.18
Dear old Fat Bill Jam tin Burrowes.
The gravle men are still working their some drays from Blacktown and some from Rooty Hill they all work at the same time and they get to know one nother. their are two Jack assers up in a tree and they are laffing I like the way I spel laughing dont you.
their are lots of hornets aboat now. And their are lots of flowers aboat. I am only writing a little not so I am going to end this.
much love from
frank. xoxox etc.
[Page 116]
[Drawing by Frank.]
[Page 117]
Franurra
Rooty Hill.
26.Sept. 19.18
Dear old, old Man.
Ruth is writing to you. and to morrow we brake up for hollerdays you know I do not mean brake up to peaces tomorrow is Fryday. I sleep with mum tonigh and Ruth sleep tomorrow night I like sleeping with mum Monday, Wednesdy, Fryday, and Sunday because I like having Sunday.
Mum is writing to you now my branes are not working tonight I will have to shake the dirt out of them nock it with a stick, sose to shake the dirt out of my head.
There are lots of moths aboat now. We are going Mrs tanners tomorrow week. I can not write much.
Mum is writing to lots of people Mrs tanner, and Grandma in Queens land, and Anna.
Much love from
Frank.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 118]
[A series of drawings by Frank.]
[Page 119]
Dear Old Thin Bill Jam-Tin.
I was at the hall of Mrs. Veal I spose I told you that I was going to be My Pretty Maid. They all gave me a clap but they never gave any of the others one. I have to be dressed up. We have to be dressed up in Nurseay rhyme’s. Frank and the other little boy have a song to learn. I have a whole page to learn.
Frank is just starting his letter to you Mum is nearly finished two pages. We have to go to-morrow to learn again and I think I will have to say it to-morrow without looking on the paper.
22.9.1918.
May Mum
[Note from mother.]
Ruths writing is getting worse fast.
[Page 120]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old Daddy Dumplings
We got a letter from you Yesterday saying about your wound.
Dear old 11.10.19.18
Dear old Daddy,
At Christmas I want Santa Claws to push you down the Chimney. We went to Mrs Woolnow for tea and we had kidnese and fish for tea dont you wish you could have some and Mrs Woolnow gave us an Apple and an Orange each and she said we orta go down every one night a week for tea. I dont think we could do you. Ruth dus not want to write to you she has gone to bed. I hope your wound will get better. the last letter you wrote was when you where wounded you said you hoped that Mr flowr was all right all right beause I got a post card from him thanking me for the washer I had knitted for him I must write
[Page 121]
back to him. and when Mr flower did not know that you wer wounded and that was the 12 of August when he wrote any way he was all right then. this will do to night and I might write to morro to you because I know you love letters. good night.
much love
From Frank
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
For Mr
Burrowes
[Page 122]
Franurra
Rooty
11.10.19.18 Hill
Dear Mr Flower.
Thankyou for the post cart you sent me If I can get some more cotton I might make you a nother washer for you only it is hard to get cotton because we only go to Sydney a few times.
Good bye.
much love.
from Frank.
Burrowes.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
If you tried and have not won never, stop for crying; all thats great and good is done just by patient trying
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
Fretting mends no broken dishers. Brings us none of all our wishers
[Page 123]
For Mr Flower
[Page 124]
Dear Dad.
I am getting on all right and.
and george gave me a ride over to riverstone and going down a hill a bull started charging us and the bull tripped and fellover and we sang out hora and all the people loked out to see wat had hapend and all they could see was the bull just getting up.
and I can not write strate becors I have no lines, so I cant write strate. and I will put the a dress in the bottem of the letter. and I wont say I cant write very much untell I have finish the letter. and mum has just got a letter from Mrs flours to day.
[Page 125]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
19.10.1918
Dear Old Bloke.
Mr. Wavolnough said the war would soon be over and it is in the papers too and that will be lovely to have you home again? we are going down to were the ship comes in. But you cannot come till you turn is up. It would be nise if you were first would‘ent it. Mum has a lot of your letters tierd up in a shoe lace, a Blue Ribbin and anothere Ribbin. Good-night for to-night.
25.10.19.18 night
Mum is packing the eggs now while she told us to write to-you. Mum went to Church to-day but we stayed at home and played all the time and mum was playing with all her might down there. There are a lot of trees fallen down around the house there are two trees fallen down on the fence. Much love from Ruth ox
xxoo etc.
[Page 126]
from Ruth
To Dad
[Page 127]
150 letter
Monday 21.10.19.18
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear old old Dad,
I ment to write to you last night only I forgot. To day we fixed the yokes of nanny and the three little goats and the little goats and nanny will get a shok when they try to get in to eat the letter vine, dont you think so, and I want to know where the rabbit trap is because there is a rabbit is under lovegroves house and Mr Owen said he would set it for us so could you tell me where it is sose he can set it for us. Ruth is at school today I am not going, because of my sore and I have a big sore the iron iron top of pisk fell on my head and it is all matreen mum will have to cut all the head hair of my head or all the hairs will get into the sore and the sore will not get better. Mum has to go out cleaeackting for Mr bouse.
good bye much love from Mr Frank Burrows untell to night
[Page 128]
[Sketch of flowers.]
This is taken fom Mums crum tray
[Page 129]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
2.11.1918
Dear Old Dad,
Mum is just washing up the tea things for we have just had tea. We rode Jolly a lot to-day so I think he ought to have a rest now, don’t you. I think I told you that Nancy had 4 kittens and Ginger had two that makes 6 well one day Gingers Black and White one got lost in two or Three days we found it under all the dirty clothes it is still alive. we drowned Nancy’s 4 kittens and kept Ginger’s Grey one and 1 Black and White. There are some little Grape’s but not ripe yet, and If you hurry up and come home to have some? They will not be ripe till abut next March in 1919. I think I will be drawing for you Frank is. If I have to draw on another paper I think we will have two letters.
[Page 130]
[Coloured sketch.]
Grapes.
Dates.
[Page 131]
Thirsday night.
Franurra
Rooty Hill
7.NOV.19.18.
Dear old Dad.
Mum is writing to you now and mum has just given us Dictation Ruth is having Dictation now. I have a little sparrow it sings nilly all day we feed it on bread and milk only at dinner time we feed it on milk just milk by its self it opens its mouth for the milk.
Ruth is writing out her mistakes now she had eight. mistakes and I got five mistakes. The teacher is real crabby
Fryday morning
8. NOV. 19.18
Dear old Dad.
We will soon have to beleaveing for
[Page 132]
6.10.19.18.
Franurra
Rooty hill.
Dear old, old, old, I forget your name.
on wednesday when I was over at Grandmas I nocked one of my toe nails off and I nocked a bit off a nother toe and the othe I mocked bit I nocked off it was like this [Frank’s sketch of a piece of his toe.]
[Page 133]
Ruth is going to bring a nother girl up here her name is Lilly Norrie Ruth and her are graight frends Ruth has not come out of school yet So they will not be coming yet Lilly Norrie goes to school with Ruth we play Black fellowes at school Ruth rode the triceakile to school to day
[Page 134]
Sunday. Morning.
Franurra
Rooty Hill
NOV.10.19.18.
Dear old Man.
Ruth is going to write to you only she had to go to Mrs Jones Mum is writing to you now it is only seven o,clock I am still in my pejarmes and Ruth is in her night shirt. This can only write a little bit now good bye I will write to you to night.
Sum Sunday night.
NOV.10.19.18
Ruth is in bed and Mum and I are writing to you you this morning when I said Ruth was writin writeing to you she never wrote a bit to you she is all the time reading she bring books home from the libiry at school with 190 pages in it and she can only have them for two weeks I dont know how she can get though the book she has in two weeks.
good bye much love from Frank.
hugs ooo etc. hugs ooo etc.
hisser xxx etc.
[Page 135]
Fanurra
Rooty Hill
Thirsday
Dear dad.
we have jist got up out of bed. and Ruth has just feed the cow and old jolly. and mum is feeding the falls to. and Ruth just ran into a chicken and got a fright. we are going to have nice bake and egg for brixfust. and Ruth dus not likike like writing to you I do not think but I love writing to you to you and I think you like writing to us. and I have just come back from diging in ruts and I sore a bunny siting near a hole and the bunny must of herd me and it hoped over the bushers as cefly as it could and it thought I could not see it and it never made a noise a tall and after it had got out of sight I thougth to my self well dun bunny. well it is a corter pas a 11 now nily in time for diner isent it But I ckspeked it is a corter past 11 in the night over where you are and I can not look after mum because mum is old-er then me isent she and mum has the song of
[Page 136]
doun the vale and wouldent you like to have it. But Mum wishers she had when you come hom it only has a vers of it isent it a pity. good bye a big kiss and a hug when you come home
from frank. big X and a oO
[Page 137]
[Sketch of soldiers.]
[Page 138]
[Blank page.]
[Page 139]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
Dear a young Dad.
I will put a peace of patoony in this letter if I do not forget I hope I will not for get to send it I must write this letter before I draw so you must not mind If I do not forget to put in. Mum is Ining we have just come home from Grandmas from getting Grandmas Primus because mums Primus has gore bung. I must finish this letter now I must try to write a nother letter so good bye.
xxx etc. much love
from Frank.
[Page 140]
Dear Dad,
I have got your letter. and wat did you send us becor you are very Bad. and mum made some fryed cakes last night I think you would like come and sted of been right away from us. and it makes me feel so sad when I think of you right away from me. right away in the batle and you have left us behind hundreds of mie away from you and I hope I will beable to write more next time I write. and come time we take kitty to bed with her us and after when mum soes to make the bed she finds some flees in the bed and do you no what we are going to do we are going to get canta to put you in our sock at christmas. and do not write such a sad letter a gain and going into third class after the easter and I will be left behind isent Ruth Bad to leave me behind. and I will will send some of my drawing
[Page 141]
and I think you were at home dont you. and I gess you nily did bust after you finicked your Christmas dinner did you I wold of and I would of liked som nuts I thint you must of eaten nily all of them up.
Mum rote a letter to and black got real wild when we were down at cronulla and now he is very cuite. and I can do croshing now. and lots of your letter was crosted out and we could not see what it was only on one place you put the shape of it. [Frank’s triangle shape.]
and I think you wish you were down at liverpool then away over the see on the tossing waves right away in the sily ship going to and throw thow the waves. and the chickens are all. right becors I offen see the fighting, and Ruth has gorn down to Cronulla for her holerdas
[Page 142]
and Ruth is going to sunday school and she is real slow and I do not think she will get their in time because She has to be their at harf past 10 and it is a coter to 10 and she has only harf a nower hasent she. and mum is always puting my letters some were wher I can not finde them isent sily. and mum is going to write. and I am going to write to Mr Flowers to day. or to moro I dont know only I think I will write to day. and I am going to schirch to day. and anna has come up at last. and it is just ten to eleven now and I can not say that I can not write much can you. and I can not help making smugars.
[Page 143]
goodbye.
much love
from Frank
Burrowes.
xxx etc.
ooo etc.
not going to write any more mum said I put the same thing every time I might write more.
[Page 144]
and Ruth is finising her letter now and I am not going to end mine yet. and why did you send us all those post cards you could of sent them to us later on. and to day we went up to Windsor. and Ruth is still jumping a bout. and I think I will be able to write more then I could and mum said she thinks Ruth orto get into bed because she had finished her letter. and we were your sox to bed. I do not think I can think any more for a wile I will hafto soon end this letter because I can not think of any more.
so good bye
much love from
Frank.
ooo hugs ooo etc.
xxx etc.
hugs
kiss
[Page 145]
[18th Battalion emblem, purple over green, in left hand corner of letter.]
Franurra
Rooty Hill.
13.2.19.19
Dear old Daddy Rabite.
It is a long time since I wrote to you But I could not because you were coming on the boat. Blucher is real lazy he lies in his cennel all day and bing is on his cennel all day Barking and Blucher wines half the night you will be wanting Blucher to stop wineing and bing to stop Barking so you will have to give both of them a smack tail wont you. You will have to put give mum a smack tail for kissing you all night and you will have to give us a smack tail for knocking your gammy leg all the time wont you. Mum is going to write to you this after non and I think Ruth is going to write to you to she is reading now over at mrs Joans or ant Jane I for get witch it is I expect you know
[Page 146]
what I mean.
Much love
from Dads
boy
xxoxo
[Page 147]
[Ruth’s original letter contains a small cut out of the colours of her father’s 18th Battalion. It covers her drawing of the colours.]
Franurra.
Rooty Hill.
14. Feb. 1919
Dear Old Daddy.
I am so glad you are coming home so sone. We were so sorry you mnever came home before. Mum was real mad when she saw that the Takada had to call as at Melbourne she said she would like to Kill them for keeping you; and said they might of sent you home. One of the goats died just a little while ago? It was Nanny Mr. Davis said it was because she ate some dry leaves now I feed Nanny’s little one out-side because Billy always Buts it away.
Much love from Ruth Hope you be home Sunday
xxx etc. ooo etc.
and when you came Home
[H.M.A.T. Takada returned to Australia 16th February 1919.
Search various newspapers around that date in Trove, to read accounts of the arrival of the Takada, its delay in Melbourne, the soldiers being granted 24 hours leave and the arrangements for the troops disembarking in Sydney. There are also a number of photos which appeared in the South Australian papers.]
[Page 148]
[Purple and green emblem of the 18th Battalion in the top left hand corner of Frank’s letter.]
26.2.19.19
Franurra
Rooty Hill.
Dear old Dad.
I hope you got to Ranvick last night all right. and I hope you are soon coming home again I hope you will be able to mum is going to write to you to and she is going trying to send it by the mail man. Ruth might write to you to. Yesterday we got some letters from you but none from for us. The letter were from england after you had been from corn wall and you were going to way mouth and now here you are home, but, you are not, home you are down at Ranvick. I hope you wont have to get up to early I hope you can stay In as long as you like and can go some where for your dim dinner and engoy yourself instead of staying at the silly old Ranvik hospitle all the day. good bye much love from Frank
xoxoxo etc.
[Page 149]
[Australian Red Cross label pasted on the page.]
Sgt Burrowes AJ
[Page 150]
[Purple label in top left hand corner, “ENCLOSURE".]
Franurra.
Rooty Hill
26.2.1919
Dear Old Daddy.
I hope you like being there. I sospose it is not like any of the Australian Hospital’s in England. Now I am over at Aunt Jane. Mum said to be sure to put care of Aunt Jane. I hope you will be able to come home soon. I found that naclace in one of your socks; Frank found that what you did, and it is the Rising Sun you did do it so nicely, I think mum said she was going to that one with the Blue. Much love fo from
Ruth Burrowes.
xxx etc. ooo etc.
[Page 151]
To Dad.
[Note from mother.]
Will meet the 2.30 at Rooty on Sat. 1.20 from Sydney
[Page 152]
Franurra
Rooty Hill
26.3.1919
Dear old Dad
I am soon going to bed, I have one of your night-shirts on. Frank has just written to you and is getting ready for bed. Mum is nearly finest her letter? Mum is a bit cross to-night. I hope you can come home for week-ends this week. I did not go to Shoc School today. And we have a little Kitten Nancy had four but mum had to drown the other three, Now Nancy has put the Kitten somewhere and we can’t find it. The Docter came yesterday and Frank was not there he put something on our tongues I don’t no know what it was. Mum has written quite a lot and Frank is in bed Frank sleeps with Mum to night. I think I will end off now.
Good-Bye
Much love from
Ruth Burrowes. xxx etc.
ooo etc.
[Page 153]
To Dad from
Ruth. B.
[Transcriber’s Notes
Neighbours, family member, teachers, pets and locations mentioned in the children’s letters:
Mrs Woolnaugh – possibly Mrs Woolner, or Woolnar (p. 103)
The Lovegroves p. 94
Mrs nevels (p. 93) – possibly Nevils
Mrs Gonze
Mr Casles(?)
Mr Lindy p. 36
Mrs mack at Cronulla p. 39
Mr Collier, Jessie Martin, Ivy Blackreed p. 46
Mrs Shaw
Mrs Mcvey p. 111
Mrs Tanner p. 25, p. 117
Mrs Veal p. 119
Mr bouse p. 127
Mr Owen p. 127
Lilly Norrie [Ruth’s school friend] p. 133
Mrs Jones p. 134, also spelt Mrs Joans on p. 145 and Mrs Gonze p. 89
Mr Davis p. 147
Teachers:
Mr Collier p. 98
Miss Atkins p. 89
Miss Heffernan p. 16
Mr Alick Bradley p. 56 (speech at school)
Mr Anger a teacher (Sunday School) p. 71, p. 105
Pets:
Blucher - dog
Bing – puppy
Lorna – also spelt Lorner – goat
Gollywog – goat
Ginger; Blacky – cats
Jolly – the horse
Nancy – the cat
Reference to their father’s fellow soldiers:
Sgt & Mrs Flowers p. 5
Locations:
Farunna – also spelt Franurra, Fanurra
Upperby p. 41
Plumpton – spelt Plunpton p. 12
Family:
Uncle Charly p. 64, p. 66
Francis
Grandma
Aunt Jane
Aunty Mary p. 66
Anna]
[Transcribed by Alison O'Sullivan for the State Library of New South Wales]