Letters from Christopher Kenneth Millar to Elizabeth Perdriau nee Millar, 1917-6 May 1919
MLMSS 7288 / Item 3
Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
[Page 1]
[Envelope addressed:]
Hospital France
2-1-1917
Mrs R. Perdriau
Las Palmas
Willoughby St
Milsons Pt
New South Wales
Australia
C.K. Millar
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[Page 2 back of envelope]
Hospital France
2.1.17
My dear Sister,
Surprise for you, I am again in hospital, this time with a slight hernia.
I rejoined the Bn. & went 2nd in command to my old Coy, they were on the way to the line at the time ’’rather unfortunate for me" coming right off the grass as it were. To cut a long story short the mud was too much for me & my groin puffed up & I was a stretcher case the 6th day after rejoining. It isnt serious old dear, in fact I wont get to England - all I want is a rest & then I will try again.
I am afraid I have neglected my letter writing this last month owing my dear to travelling so much coming over from England etc. Tell the Mater I will write shortly love to R B & self from your loving brother
Ken
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[Pages 4-5 envelope]
Hoping my dear sister that you are keeping well, also Ralph & Beres, love to the family from yours lovingly Ken
Hospital France 17th Jan 17
My dearest Sister,
I hope you havn't thought that I have entirely forgotten you, for I havn't written you a decent letter since leaving London. Well I am leaving this Hosp. at the end of the week to go to our Base in France & will no doubt go straight up the line, & I hope to goodness that I dont break up again, as I am well in the running for my Captaincy which I am very anxious to get, for then I will be contented.
The conditions "weather I mean" are frightful out here now, even here on the coast we have alternately snow frost ice & rain, always one of them. To-day it is raining & terribly cold, & up the line "Oh hell" it is mud always to your knees & often over ones thighs, once in a while it freezes & then it is not so bad one is at least dry, but it is marvellous what a chap can stick, if my
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groin etc. hadn't let me down I would have been O.K. & am not afraid of going back to the slush, in a couple of months the winter will be over & spring & summer here are delightful although I expect we will be very busy driving the Hun out in those seasons & one sometimes get hurt in what we call these "thinning out parades" anyway luck is a fortune & I am a "millionaire".
I received a "Military Cross" the other day & now walk a little more erect to throw a chest, to make the ribbon prominent. I feel awfully bucked about it dear as the Battalion only have five wearing that order & we have had lots of officers, there is a devil of "drink up etc" waiting for me when I rejoin the old Bn. When I get to England again I will get the Cross from the King & will send it to you to keep for me, am enclosing a piece of the ribbon. Your mail is again chasing me round the country & when it turns up wont I have a time, it is now six weeks at least since I last heard from Australia.
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MILITARY CROSS
News was received by last mail confirming the cabled announcement of Jan 2nd that Lieut C Kenneth Millar had been awarded the Military Cross. Lt Millar received three wounds at the Gallipoli landing & was back there at the evacuation. He received his first star in Egypt and the second in France. In the push at Pozieres he was wounded by a bomb. He is now in France. Lieut. Millar is an officer of the Australian Bank of Commerce and was stationed at Ulmarra, Clarence River.
Sent by R.J. Perediau
Las Palmas
Willoughy St
Milson’s Point
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[Pages 10-11 envelope]
Hospital
29.1.17
My dear Sister,
Just a short note to inform you that I am O.K. again & will be leaving here for the line tomorrow, am quite strong again & feeling very fit.
The cold here is now intense we have had over a weeks frost & everything with a touch of moisture is frozen stiff. I feel it very much I didn't think previously that it could get so cold & am now praying for spring & a little heat. Tell Mother
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I am well again as I am not writing her this mail, too cold to sit about writing.
Will write as often as possible from the line.
Hoping Ralph Beres & self are well & love to you all from your loving brother
Ken
[Page 16]
[Pages 14-15 envelope]
Again I have been neglecting you & again the same old excuse - too busy etc. Had a very decent batch of mail from home a week ago, including several from you & Beres scarf & I thank the dear little kiddie very much indeed for her kind thought of me & convey my fondest love to her.
Well my dear I am a busy man nowadays, I rejoined & was at once placed in charge of a Company - am now O.C. A Coy. have four other officers with me & am having a very good run, a Captaincy is looming up on the horizon & will come along with any luck at any old time
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now. I am looking forward to it, although you know the old saying re the cup & the lip. The trouble in most of our units is:- we have a lot of senior officers away wounded, sick etc. & they are holding up promotion. I now have a horse which is an acquisition on a route march.
I am very fit now in fact never felt fitter in my life - we are getting a decent Battalion together again, the heads wisely promoted a lot of old N.C.O's to commisioned rank, naturally being a ranker myself I think they make the best officers, in our democratic army anyway.
I will close now with fondest love to R B & Self from your loving brother Ken
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15.3.17
This letter has been delayed some & it saves me writing a new one. I am enclosing a piece of M.C. ribbon which I want you to keep for me - we had a presentation of Medals, ribbons etc. this morning by General Birdwood & he congratulated me etc. & handed out the said piece of ribbon.
Well my dearest sister I will close off now with fondest love to self & family Ken
Your cardigan jacket to hand yesterday & I thank you dear very much for it, the fit is O.K. & as the winter isn't over yet it will be very useful indeed, thanking you again sister mine.
Ken
[Page 21]
[Pages 19-20 envelope]
The mail closes to-morrow so am putting in the night writing home.
I haven't much to write about this time, of course the papers are keeping you well informed of the dramatic turn events have taken on this front, quite unexpected & sudden, although it is a fine thing for our chaps. Their spirits in fact
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the whole morale of our chaps is excellent now, previous to the move after spending a severe winter in the mud & slush they were a very sorry lot, the change in a month is remarkable, in my company we can see a change every day.
Needless to say our lads are adapting themselves to the new form of warfare "semi open" & are doing well as no doubt the papers tell you all about it.
In one stint early in
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the retirement our Brigade did excellently, an officer friend of mine an awfully good man got an M.C., it was the finest small affair we have been in, the 2nd were in reserve, another excellent chap a pal of mine was killed in it, we put in our sick leave in England together, I forget whether I told you or not, it made me think hard when I saw his grave on a green slope behind the Hun line, all the good old hands are going
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fast. I am still running a company & I am glad to say doing well, no sign of my Captaincy yet I think I told you we have too many senior men away. Our system is bad I am & "not only me" working hard to make a good Company for some other blighter to take.
Well sister mine good-bye with fondest love to Beres Ralph & your dear self from your loving brother
Ken
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[Pages 25-26 envelope]
Only a short note this time & I want you to let the remainder of family know that I am O.K. We have been fighting again I cannot give you particulars of the scrap till we pull out of this area sufficient to say the old 2nd covered itself in glory taking 3000 yds & a big village off Fritz. I took a company over & we had the toughest proposition but won through losing "I cannot give figures" some men 1 officer killed he was my sergeant in Pozieres & my best officer this time, poor fellow was hit in the head leading his men. Lots of prisoners my company sent back nearly a hundred unwounded ones, besides wounded & lots killed. Received pat on back for work done am enclosing message commanding officer sent me please keep as a souvenir. Quite a novel experience for me not to get wounded, it is much better to pull through unhit I think, lots of betting about me being the first officer to come back wounded, the old Doc was quite disappointed about "as he puts it" me failing him. Lots of love to self B & R. from your loving brother Ken
CK Millar
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[Postcards and envelope]
[Page 34]
I received two letters from you yesterday in answer to my letter telling you of my sickness back in December, I am so sorry I worried you unnecessary telling you I had hernia, of course as you know now I didnt have such a terrible complaint, simply had a strain, I am fit as a fiddle now & going strong.
I received my Captaincy dated from 2 April 17 & am now in command of A Coy.
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I tell you I feel awfully proud of it. Captain & M.C. in the Regiment I started a private in, I was highly commended for the work my Coy did in our last attack & it is rumoured I am in for another decoration, it will be out in a week or so, if not please forget I wrote this.
In regard to our last fight, the old 2nd covered itself in glory. We captured a fortified village called "Hermies" going about 4000 yds on a wide front. It was a very clean fight & we put it all over Fritz. My coy. on the right flank of the Bn.
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as was anticipated struck his strong posts with machine guns etc & we fought him in the dark for VA hours & then the ones that didnt run surrendered, collected 51 unwounded Huns in one batch, the Coy gathering in over 70 sound & 20 unsound prisoners. I had 1 officer & 26 men killed & over 40 wounded out of 150 who went over. I am glad to say the other Coy's didnt suffer nearly as much.
I believe we are going out for a spell shortly & by gum we need it.
During this
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last stint I had uncanny luck, in the final stages of taking the village I was working along with 6 men & a machine gun opened up on us killing 4 wounding 1, had my breeches clipped & beat it for cover narrowest squeak I have ever had. Then again had my Coy Hqrs blown in twice with heavy shells. I am hoping this run of luck keeps up.
Things are very mixed on the Western front now we are pushing him all along, he is fighting desperately
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counter attacking regardless of loss, but our chaps are winning troops & his are falling back & it affects the spirits of the men in each case. I have strong hopes of being back for Xmas. It would break your heart to see the way the retreating Hun left these villages & towns he cut down all trees fruit & otherwise, has blown up every house in every place. No wonder the French attack so viciously.
Well my dear with fondest love to self R & B from your loving brother
Ken
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[Photograph]
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[Back of photograph]
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[Pages 41-44 postcards and envelope]
Following precedent I have been neglecting the homefolk again, but we have been resting for sometime now & working very hard, indeed I hardly have a moment to myself. We drill etc. all the forenoon & in the afternoon have recreational training:- inter-company running boxing, swimming etc.
The weather is now delightfully hot we are all sunburnt & browning
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up, the boys are as fit as proverbial fiddles the good old sun is knocking out all sickness. I played cricket this afternoon for the first time since leaving Australia & enjoyed myself thoroughly.
The Australians will give an excellent account of themselves when next we go in, you watch for it. This is a well eamt spell & will do our chaps the world of good.
I am enclosing two photos taken in the village where we are
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billetted you will notice by my well-fed, contented look that I am 18 carat.
Well my dearest sister the closing remarks the same as usual:- love to R B & self from your loving brother
Ken
C.K. Millar
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[Pages 48-51 postcards and envelope]
Expect you have given me up as hopeless - well we have been out of the line now for some considerable time & I have neglected all correspondence - a divorce looming up from the blue-eyed one, judging from the tone of the latest letters - no doubt I am an awful waster but I am very busy nowadays with a lot of responsibilities & what is more & best of all "I have been to PARIS" & what a city!
Beautiful cannot describe it. I read various writers on the place - but words cannot describe the beauties "not femmes" of it. Comparisons with London
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are not possible "I had to stop for a while on account of a very strenuous boxing bout by two fellow officers". Well to carry on London is a business centre & built for that, but Paris is laid out differently more for pleasure & comfort. And the dear little girls! I left my heart there safely with a fine little Mam'sell who by-the-bye knew as much about English as I do about French "how I curse myself for not studying the language at school". Every woman in Paris dresses finely & their carriage etc. is perfection. I felt like throwing in the army and stopping there for keeps.
Well my "Sweetheart" I have to go to Mess in a few minutes so with fondest love to R B & your dear self I am your loving brother
Ken
[Page 58]
[Pages 54-57 postcards and envelope]
I havnt written you since my visit to Paris - what is more I havnt heard from you lately I think there is only one mail a month from home now. A notification came round that a big mail from the troops went down on the "Mongolia" - I hope my "few-&-far-betweens" werent on board.
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We are still having a fine old spell training etc - the longest on record - I "tremble" to think what will be expected of us when next we do go in - for colonial troops to be out so long is very exceptional - although the crack English troops "Guards" etc. are very seldom in. I am at present off duty received a kick in the ribs & a half sprained
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ankle playing football. Will be OK again in a few days. I will write more regularly when we get into the danger zone again.
Look out for photos in the papers of the unveiling of the Pozieres memorial to the Austns who fell there - it was a most impressing scene - I was in charge of the 1st Brigade saluting party 4 officers & 100 other ranks.
There is a lot of
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wild speculation here re the 5000 veterans whom the Minister of Defence thinks of relieving - looking at it sanely the thing is pretty well an utter impossibility as most of the old hands are officers & senior N.CO's & are indispensable to the force - why it is the old hands who keep the Regiments & traditions going without them our "Esprit de Corps"
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would be gone - & what is more a lot would refuse to go & the scheme would be abused - the bulk, fully two-thirds of the 5000 are in base positions in England who would be sent home, which is grossly unfair to the firing line men - if the thing was done in a clearheaded manner, yes, but knowing our "Heads" as I do - no.
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Personally I would like to see it out & it cannot last much longer now - we can knock the Hun back anywhere along the line we like to strike & if he attempts to hit back his assaulting troops are beaten every time - at the present time he is attacking the French & getting well & truly beaten each time - the morale of the troops French & British
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was never better - America's entry into the scrap & the fact of being in with the French army in the field has bucked our "Allies of the fair women" up considerably.
Well my dearest sister, closing now with fondest love to R B & self.
Your loving brother
Ken
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[Pages 65-66 postcards and envelope]
It is three years today since I went into camp at Randwick. How time flies! I was a slim boy then & although not much more now in years I feel about 40 in experience & general fitness, another year of this & if not mercifully killed one will want the pension. You will think me very pessimistic but my dear I am fed
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up with this war & life, we simply go on now with a sort of an eat drink & be merry existence which isnt much good to any man.
I am giving a dinner tonight to the offiers of the Bn. who joined up originally that is as Privates or NCO's. We havn't one officer left who came away with the Bn. as an officer. Tom Westbrook was the last & was killed as a Captain at Bullecourt.
We expect to have a
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merry evening.
How is poor old Dad getting on, give him my love & tell him I am carrying on with the good work as best I can.
If you see Capt. Collingwood again tell him I am O.K. also Will Trott, Major Vemon, T.G.& G.H. Mann, both Captains the latter M.C. Bertie Youden & that Gilder has his majority at the Base & Doc Henderson M.C. died, & that we are waiting for his return with
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bottles of the best. We have been sometime out of the line now & expect to be well in shortly.
Dont think my dear that I am despondent or dropped my bundle or anything like that, but today I feel very miserable & in a fit of the blues.
Well cheery oh with fondest love to self R & B.
From
Ken
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My dearest Sister,
Since the 17th a batch of home mail came in & of course I received two from you & others. Am sorry your health doesn't improve, look after yourself dear.
A lot of Australian mail has been lost lately.
We are still spelling behind the line & having plenty
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sports etc. We played the 3rd Bn. officers football last Sunday & won 13-6.
Well sweetheart fondest love - best wishes for better health
From Ken.
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[Pages 73-74 envelope]
Hospital France 27 Aug. 17
My dearest Sister,
Again in Hospital - this time not wounded, not sick but injured - to cut out the trimmings I had my upper jaw fractured whilst playing football. My face is a picture a lovely black, bloodshoot eye, swollen face & sore jaw.
To-morrow I go to England & when the face resumes its normal aspect will get leave again. It is worth while suffering a little to get the said leave.
Well my dear excuse brevity this time - will write you when I get settled in "Blighty".
Love to all
From
Ken
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This is a group or pierrot troupe organised by our O.C. Major Rowlands who is sitting in centre of bottom row. While we were in our last rest billetts, they gave a show every night for 11 nights, it was a grand thing for the men & it was surprising the talent we raked up.
The chap on the left flank is a Scotty and sings Lauders songs to perfection, his kilt, improvised from our O.C.'s rug.
The chap in dark costume in front row Sgt Major Callaway has a rattling good voice & managed the affair. They were called the "Don Troupe" being out of D Coy.
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[Pages 78-79 envelope]
3rd Lon. Gen. Hospital London
4.9.17
My dearest Sister,
Dont use the above address when writing to me - address as before to the Bn. as I will be back with them shortly. I have to see an ear, nose & throat specialist this afternoon. I believe the left antrum is affected - I am just dreading it as my experience of E.N. & T. doctors is still vivid & I hate those horrid things they shove up ones nose etc. Anyway I wont close this until after I see him so will know the worst.
I am awfully fed up getting knocked out like this. Fancy missing injury in all our last stunts & when we come to rest to get hurt at football. I didnt really want to get away from the Bn. just yet. Just back
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from seeing the Doc - just as rough as Marks. I have to see him again in a week - he is doubtful about the antrum - I would like to see Marks about it. Well my dearest sister, with love to yourself R & B from
Ken
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[Pages 82-83 envelope]
Just a short note to let you know that I have rejoined the Bn. again after being away for eight weeks & am pleased to be amongst the old pals again - we are having a very rough passage the weather being putrid.
I hope my usual good luck sticks to me - quite a number of good old stickers who have seen the show out up till now - got it in the last stunt.
I had an excellent leave in England & Scotland this time met some very
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nice people - I stayed six days in a very fine house in Scotland where they treated me splendidly.
Well my dear with fondest love to self & family
lam
Your loving brother
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Just a covering note to some photos I had taken in Hospital London. The nurses arm in arm with me are the two finest girls I have met, treated me O.K. singularly enough one of them nursed me last year & again this time. Am cabling Xmas greetings to you.
We are just starting the cold snap now am looking forward to 3 or 4 rotten months.
Well my dearest sister
Fondest love to all
From
ken
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[Pages 87-90 postcards and envelope]
I haven't had a letter from home for over a month - which makes it doubly hard to write. I am at present doing a 5 weeks course at what is called the 2nd Army School of Instruction
- it is an Infantry school for Company Commanders where one learns the latest methods of drill warfare etc. & incidentally have a very good time - meet some very fine fellows from all regiments, there are about 150 officers all told & the instructors are fellow "officers" who have had a lot of experience & in several cases lost limbs in the war - at the present
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moment I am layed up in bed with a touch of influenza which isnt serious I resume studies tommorow.
We are now right in the thick of winter having alternate days of snow rain & frost mostly the latter which is at least preferable to mud - by gum when it freezes here it makes a cert of it - you can see the frost on top of the highest trees steeples etc. & it lasts all day & the roads become like a sheet of ice making it extremely dangerous to ride or drive about. Up till today everything has been snow white for over 3 weeks - snowing & then a freeze - to-day it is raining which is darned miserable.
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You asked me in one of your letters some time back what were my plans in regard to a profession after the war - well my dear I am seriously thinking of joining the Indian army
- which of course means living in India after this strife is over. I would go in as a Lieut & get my Captaincy in about 2 years - the pay until you attain captains rank is not too good somewhere about £25-30 a month - I have written Dave to find out how much ready cash
1 have in hand & what income per year I can depend on from Bexhill. The life in India as an officer is ideal with fine chances of promotion - several of our fellows have already transferred - I havnt
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many strong inducements to return to Australia & this is a rattling opportunity for a military career & after all I have been at it now for over 3 years & nearly
2 as an officer & believe me dear it gets into your blood.
There is a little matter I would like you & Ralph to do for me. That is get a solicitor to enquire into the affairs of the Bexhill estate on my behalf & send me a detailed report. I am not satisfied at all it is now some time since I became of age & so far nothing has been sent me officially by Lobban, if I take on the Indian Service stunt I want to know exactly how I stand. I will give
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you a written authority for the lawyer.
You will think me horribly selfish not wanting to go back to Australia to see you all - but the distance isnt far from India to Australia & leave is granted every year - so dont think you wont see me again anyway it is all supposition I havnt been accepted by the Authorities yet.
Well my dearest sister I will close this "book" fairly long for me isnt it.
With fondest love to self R & B from Ken
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This is to authorise my sister Mrs R Perdriau to obtain the services of a solicitor to enquire into the affairs of the Bexhill estate on my behalf.
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CK Millar Capt
2nd Bn. Aust. Imp. Force
Quite a budget from you a few days ago - I have been away to a 5 weeks course at an army school, had quite an interesting time, met some very fine chaps from all regiments, English Scotch Irish & N. Zealanders. Incidentally learnt a lot about being an officer etc. well all this mail was waiting for me when I arrived back had a real treat reading all your good old letters. I hope Ralph pulls his exam through this trip - what a big girl Beres must be now. Why she will be married before I get back. I am awfully sorry about Pat he certainly will be having a very thick time he will come under the very strict German discipline
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although the talk about him illtreating prisoners is all bunkum - he is too much afraid of reprisals as we hold more Huns than he has British - so I wouldnt worry too much about Pats treatment - he will certainly be made to work hard on a living ration which is supplemented a lot by the Red Cross. I am enjoying perfect health - in fact I think this campaign has been the making of me only for accidents - wounds I have been O.K. At present I have a half sprained ankle the second inside a year, as we are out of the line & I have a horse to ride I am O.K. I have had more bumps wounds & knocks than any officer or man in the Bn. I am now in D Co., I have now been in every Company in the Bn. & have commanded three out of the four. My ambition now is to get another decoration had a miss last year got very close to one but missed Well my dearest sister I remain your loving brother Ken
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[Pages 99-107 postcards and envelope]
I am thoroughly disgusted with myself for the way I have been neglecting the home folk lately - still you can always count on no news as good news.
This war business has been occupying my attention very fully lately - the big enemy offensive of course was anticipated & in the sector we held prior to it we worked like the dickens on defensive works etc. & when it started
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our divisions were sent one by one down south to the scene of our past glorious successes to help stem the hun tide - the old 1st Division were the last to leave the line to go down & no sooner there than what-oh! back again at the double detrained at a siding & told to defend a certain big town - it wasnt certain where our line was at the time - by a strange co-incidence the sector given my company lay near a village "in fact I had to march through it" where we spent a happy month resting last
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year & where I had my jaw broken - of course we knew the country every road & hedge & the Division hadnt any trouble at all in stopping Fritz - the other 3 Bns. of the Brigade had some excellent shooting we unluckily were in reserve during the best part of the stunt, but managed to get a few in at the finish. We are still boxing on & look like having a busy time during the next few months.
At present I am out of the line with what is called the Nucleus - so many officers NCOs & men left out each time
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you get called up if casualties are heavy or rejoin when unit comes out.
The British army is now going through the most trying time of the war in fact this is the crisis & no doubt before you receive this the war will be won & lost - at present the final result is on the lap of the Gods - the British Army have had to face massed attacks from an enemy fighting desperately for a final issue & so far have had to give ground - whatever you might hear of the conduct of the
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army remember that our "Army Corps" has covered itself in glory & has eamt a name for Australia that will live in History - the 4th Division's fight at (blank) "get the name out of the papers" was one of the grandest things in the war
- it is nothing to the individual of course but it is fine to see the welcome our chaps get from British regiments & more so the French. I am not given to boasting but I say we are the finest soldiers in France - the morale of the boys was never better - the only fly in the
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ointment is that we cant see reinforcements on the skyline & our use as an effective corps will I am afraid soon be over - what a shame to cut up any of our fine regiments with years of glorious traditions behind them - you should see our Bn. flag with the list of victories on it.
I applied some time back for a transfer to the Indian army - I wish to know what income I can count on from the farm - that is why I asked you to get your solicitor busy on my behalf.
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Well my dearest sister if anything happens to me "not that the nerve has failed me or that I anticipate trouble", but one cant go on for ever, always remember that I tried to do my work to the best of my ability & for any past misdeeds & riotous living I hope the Lord will pardon me.
A soldiers life is hard & one lives a strenuous life when the opportunity presents itself.
I am so sorry about Owen but dont worry prisoners of war dont get such a rough time as the "shrieking press" states. He will no doubt come well under Prussian
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discipline which is a little stricter than the A.I.F. so dont be alarmed about him.
Fondest love to R B & self from your loving brother Ken
CK Millar
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[Pages 116-121 postcards and photograph]
I am still jogging along happily - manage to keep out of the road of heavy shells & other novelties which are continually flying round.
Havnt heard from home for some time now, no doubt the mail service is very irregular these piping times & for my own part I havnt written except field cards "& no doubt they are an abomination to you" for some considerable time - I have had a bunged up hand which interfered with pen work a bit - still my dear always remember that no
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news is good news at this game - you know how quickly bad news is sent home - so when you dont hear from me always remember & think that I am sailing nicely thank you.
No further news of my application for a transfer to the Indian army - I am going to follow it up when I hear from Dave or Lobbon re Bexhill estate - it is a darned shame to think of the way they have kept me in ignorance of the way things stand - there should be some hundreds of the best accumulated in my name - re giving you or Ralph power of attorney for me, Dave has already got one & if I change powers it might
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complicate things a bit - the first opportunity I get I am going to consult a solicitor re the best procedure to take - personally the only law I know anything about is Military law which is quite a different thing altogether. Dave I believe is strictly honest - I wouldnt think otherwise & the hitch is caused by Nicholsons sickness & Lobbans natural laziness - anyway my chief desire is a very strong wish to keep my health & live, both of which are in a precarious state - so as long as I can think they are giving me a fair deal I dont worry.
My reason for asking your solicitors help is that I
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thought he could watch my interest without any powers of attorney etc - if he can, tell him, as the Americans say, "to get a hustle on".
Well off business. I hope your health you dear old pal of mine is a lot better you are too unselfish in your letters to mention your own ills, all you write about is Owen or myself & both of us are hulking strong fellows well endowed by nature & perfectly fitted to look after ourselves, yet you worry like the deuce about us & never mention yourself - keep me posted about Ralph I will drink success to him when he passes his final - your latest accounts of Miss Perdriau
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she must be some size now & a lot of help to her mother. You tell her that her uncle will be very displeased with her if she isnt.
What do you think of the old Hun putting up this great effort to win - he will give us a couple more sledge hammer blows before he "in the language of the poet" takes a tumble to himself - all he has done is to consolidate the Entente & bind us more together - we on the Western front are now under the supreme command of General Foch who is just as wily as any of Germany's best & what is more beneficial to our arms, it hastens our new ally in & with their
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characteristic bustle & energy they are here in thousands in fact nearly millions. We are closer to winning the war now than ever we were - the morale of the French both army & civilians alike is astounding when you consider the gruelling time they have had - I was talking to-day to one of our Brigade staff who came back from Paris & although the Hun is only 40 miles from them the people carry on gaily in spite of daily cannonades & nightly bombing's - I wish Australia was as much in the war as these poor people - a few air raids & a bit of shelling in the vicinity of say Martins Place
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then perhaps some of our lovely countrymen would wake up.
I have been liason officer with a Highland Brigade this last few days & fine fellows they are too - reputed to be one of the finest crowds in France - I get relieved to-day & rejoin the old Bn. previous to coming to this I was at a machine gun school away back out of shell fire near civilisation & had a glorious time - which made a big difference to the paybook & lifted my morale considerably - I will be pleased to see my old friends again after about 4 weeks away - no doubt the Bn. is a home - while I was away they
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carried out a very successful attack, capturing a few & killing a lot of the enemy - quite a brilliant little shew well carried out - the Bn. is still very full of fighting spirit - these affairs tend to undermine the Hun & upset his plans & shews him he has a superior fighting man to deal with.
I dont think I told you about the following, if so I am sorry to repeat.
The last time I was in about 3 or 4 weeks ago the old hun tried to raid one of my posts — he first put down a 25 minute barrage & then came over about 60 strong - I happened to be going round at the time on the usual nightly inspection & reached the post next to the one he was after - when he started his shooting. You should have seen the way the boys tuned up that raiding party I was as pleased as a dog with a dozen or so tails. The officer in charge of the post was called Purdon he was in my section at Kensington you may have met him - talking about the section we are only 3 now, 2 captains & 1 Lieut.
I am giving your address to a Captain G H Mann M.C. of ours he is going back sick. I hope he calls on you he is a very fine chap & an old tried friend of mine.
We are sending a few old hands back to Aussy for furlough so far this doesnt
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affect officers when it does so I am 2nd on the list to go from this Bn. so agitate like anything for officers to be sent back - I dont really think we will go back.
Well my dearest sister I think I have written quite well this time so ta-ta with fondest love to R B & self.
from Ken
[Page 134]
Yours dated 12.5.18 to hand with Dave's letter to you enclosed. I havnt done anything about the power of attorney yet cant get a chance to see a lawyer about it - I am going to London on leave shortly & will fix things up then through the High Commissioner. So you knew young McCulloch, he was a particularly bright officer, he was a private in my company then got his commission after Bullecourt - he was killed by a long-range gun on a railway station - very hard luck.
Well my dear I am out of the war at present - have what is called a soft job - am now an Instructor at a Military school in France. Will last about 6 months bar accidents - if the old Bn. strike trouble I will bolt from here & get in again - they sent quite a few of us away for a spell - old Tom
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Mann went away as a staff trainee - this is quite a change, fancy, have a nice room big double bed & sheets to sleep in - the spell will do me good - I have had a good run now & wouldnt have liked to break up, which has happened to a lot of fellows. I havnt heard any more about my application for the Indian army. Of course it will take a lot of time - will send in another in a month or so.
How is Dad getting on give him my very best love & tell him the news, no doubt you keep him posted about me - I would have sent my cross over only it may be lost it is in safe keeping in the Bank in London. I suppose you have read how we have been tuning the Hun up here lately, the australians have never in their career done better - everyone in France is talking about them - the old 1st Divisions daylight raids paralysed them - by gum the felt hat is popular here
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especially with the French people. I only left the Bn. this month so had a bit of it. I had 9 days at a seaside resort Paris-Plage on a court-martial & had quite a good time - visited the Hospital I was in after Pozieres. It is nearly 4 years since we left now by gad I have changed since then I feel about 30 & I believe look it. Am glad poor old Owen is having better treatment - it must be awful to be a prisoner. Am very sorry indeed my dear sister that you have such rotten luck in the health line - we boys Dad & Mother are all so infernally healthy.
Fondest love to self R & B.
From Ken
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[Pages 137-140 postcard and envelope]
A good old letter from you & Beres yesterday - my word young Beres is coming on her writing is getting quite good. I am looking forward to receiving the birthday cake you are sending over, Beres informs me she likes cutting up the peel best.
Well my dear sister I was darned near broken hearted yesterday & still am feeling awfully fed up - the reason being
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the first big batch of 1914 men returned from here then - as I told you before I was second officer on the Bn. list to go, well the chap ahead of me being a married man got away a month ago & that left me first & it looked a good thing - well we were in the line doing a slight advance of 2000 yards when the names came out & to my surprise & disgust I missed - our C.O. Lt. Col. Stevens C.M.G., D.S.O. went & 1 Lieut, married who certainly left in 1914 but has been in
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England for 2 years & then my best pal Capt Tom Mann who was a Staff trainee on Division luckily got away - at the death there was a vacancy for a captain & off he went - you can guess the amount of paper I have tom up since coming out of the line - some reward for long & continuous service - our C O. who I looked upon as a friend of mine "Stevens I mean" I was always Ken to him showed awful weakness in sending this Lieut, home - I am sending
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your address to both Tom Mann & Colonel Stevens & you will get an eye full "excuse the slang" of the finest Battalion commander the A.I.F. turned out & Tom Mann the best chap we ever had, looked upon as an ideal Company commander, he was an original member of my Section at Kensington - there is only 2 of us here now Lieut Purdon being at present with my company. No doubt if they send any more back I will go but I have given up hope & will chase
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the Indian Army transfer for all it is worth.
Well my dearest sister hoping you are well, also R & B
With fondest love
Ken.
[Page 148]
To my dearest sister,
"Rouen is a large city on the 'Seine' full of hospitals being handy to the coast. I spent 9 days there in 1917 - it is famous, for Jeanne 'de Arc' came from there - there is a large statue of her there - she was burnt there.
Ken
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Xmas card of Arras - 1915 - 14.10.1918 To my dear niece 'Beres'
Arras is a big French town ruined by Hun shell fire & bombs. The beautiful Cathedral being specially selected for the enemy fire.
This city was gallantly defended by the Canadians in March 1918.
Ken "Uncle"
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love to Beres & Ralph
My dearest Sister,
Your cake to hand two days ago & believe me it was lovely - I have five officers with me in the company & we scoffed it at afternoon tea - we all bow to you as a cook my dear, it was done beautifully & so rich - you know one cannot buy cake nowadays, that isnt a request for more I dont want you working for a hulking loafer like me - Purdon is still with me he remembers you & the 'fat girl1 quite well & wishes to be remembered to you both.
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He is still a Lieut & will be returning to Australia shortly.
Reference Australia, I have decided not to go back on leave for various reasons, one is I want to follow up the Indian army application & as I didnt get away in my proper turn in the first place with Tom Mann, I will see it out - there is a Captain going to-day, his name is McKay, he will also get your address to call on you.
I hope you wont think me selfish in not going back - if anything happens at home
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I will never forgive myself.
We are having a very fine rest at present & getting a fair share of the pleasures of life - had a great dinner on the 18th Oct. am sending you a menu - it was a grand dinner had about 50 guests including lots of staff men & senior officers who had at one time been associated with the Bn. - the other menu is from a dinner we, my company officers gave some Australian nurses some nights back - had a sing-song & dance afterwards & thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - it was a treat to get in
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touch with Aussie girls again. I met the nurses whilst trying to find Sister Herbert at our 3rd A.G.H. near here, she wasnt there & a very nice sister asked me into their mess gave me tea, introduced me to other sisters - now we blow along & see them any old time. The Australian officer is inclined to cut loose when out of the line & these girls know it & for our own good they get as many as possible to go & see them & I suppose trust to the restraining influence have some affect on us.
Hoping you are keeping well my dearest sister Your loving brother
Ken
Niddrie Marischal Craigmillar Midlothian
[Page 162]
22.11.18
My dearest Sister,
As you notice by the above address I am again in the old country - this time I am on 1914 leave similar to what the fellows going to Australia get - 75 days. A line or two in explanation, dont think me too selfish in not going home when I had the opportunity, my two very good reasons
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are firstly, I have a well supported application in for the Indian Army which I expect to hear about in a few days - I am very keen on this & will do my utmost to get in, I want if possible to follow up this military life as I am not much fitted for anything else really. Secondly, whilst I am waiting for the above, an excellent opportunity is offered me of seeing the United Kingdom, a chance that will never come again, as people all over the country are anxious to be our hosts & do something for us, a thing
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or rather privilege our uniform earns for us.
The only thing of course is the fact that my not going back isnt fair to you dear people at home after being away so long - dont think too bad of me my dear sister I will be over to see you as soon as possible & if I go to India it will be close to home anyway & leave will come round.
Now for my present doings. A Colonel D.V. Stacy of Sydney is my companion on this trip, at present we are in Scotland 4 miles from Edinburgh being guests of a Mrs Wauchope who by-the-bye traces herself back to William the C. - living in one of the oldest homes in Scotland - from here we go on to Aberdeen & then down the West coast to Glasgow the whole tour taking a month, then Xmas in London & another tour this time in England.
I had what is called here Armistice week in London
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& I shall never forget the sights in the streets it baffles decsription, the excitement started at 11am on the 11th, people automatically ceased work & thronged the streets cheering, shouting waving flags etc, one couldn't move in the throng - the scenes at lunch & dinner that day are printed on my mind - at lunch a party of 6 of us went into a famous restaurant & of course couldn't get a seat - people there would keep shoving drinks into your hand & when the
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orchestra played the various National airs the whole room went mad - at dinner we had a large party including a woman & her three daughters from Newcastle - Lang by name, we were about 16 strong & hoisted a large sized Aussie flag amidst cheering, at the finish of dinner the room was hopelessly mixed up, you were going round to every table singing Auld Lang Syne, etc, imagine that in a large room seating over 200 people.
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For two nights I didnt go to bed at all - I wouldn't have missed seeing London go mad for a Kings ransom - the streets were of course lighted up again & people were marching round in processions flying flags playing weird instruments singing & cheering - at about lam that night another Captain & myself were caught up by a big procession in the forefront of which were Australians, we were hoisted shoulder high given Aussie flags & to the tune of "Australia will be there" we paraded around Trafalgar Suare.
The Colonel & I went away for a week end for a spell on the 15th the pace being too hot, we returned to London on the 18th & came straight on to here. More about this when I see you. You might shew Mother & the Dad this letter please, with fondest love from your loving brother
best love to B & Ralph
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[Previous pages are postcards]
Weymouth
2.1.19
With any luck at all I should be home about the end of March or early in April.
I couldn't get into the Indian army as they are not at present accepting any more transfers, it is a pity I didnt push it about 18 months ago & then I would have got in flying - but then I didn't like leaving the war to go to a soft job & no war, it wouldn't have looked at all well.
I will have to buck in when I get back & do something for myself - you know these last five years have been wasted as far as civilian life is concerned.
I got on to Owen's trail he is clear of Germany
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& is doing his best to get back home, I wrote to the address the Red Cross gave me & the chap he was staying with wrote back to say he had gone away leaving no address & said he was O.K. I hope you have further news of him yourself.
I am at present waiting for a boat to go home - expect to get away early this month - this big strike is holding up the boats a lot - I will wire you from W.A. when I reach there.
With heaps of love to all at 'Las Palmas' & hoping to see you soon.
Your loving brother
[Page 170]
England
4.3.19
Two very nice letters from you yesterday of December date, so pleased you & Beres liked the cards etc I sent you. I am still patiently waiting for my boat to sail, it is now booked for the 16th so should go this month at least, I have been in camp now for over a month waiting & can't get on a boat. I am now definitely on one & should go on her barring accidents.
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A boat left yesterday & one goes to-morrow from this depot - I was on both boat rolls & for some unknown reason was taken off them - one gets used to these small things in the Army.
With fondest love to self R & B from your loving brother
H.MA.S. Dunluce Castle
6.5.19
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Getting very close to the time now when I will see your dear face again - seems ages & ages since that wet day in October /14 when I last saw you. We will be in Fremantle tomorrow morning & won't we be up early to get a glimpse of the best country in the world again - you cannot imagine how homesick I am - didnt realise myself till now the time is so close.
This ship is a Hospital carrier, full of badly crippled men, the only fit men on board being a few officers like myself & orderlies for duty
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I am as fit as a fiddle so dont be alarmed at me being on this boat. Had bad luck two days ago - have been going in for a lot of exercise during the trip & on the said day I unfortunately sprained my ankle, am nursing it carefully & expect to be able to walk off O.K. at Sydney - dont be alarmed if I limp off. Rotten bad luck isn't it.
We have had a very long voyage left England on the 17th March, on a boat called the "Tzaritza" & changed ships at Alexandria after waiting in the latter port 2 weeks. Everybody very annoyed.
Fondest love to Ralph & Beres & self, & will see you about the 20th.
Lovingly yours.