Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Weaber family papers, 1917-1918
MLMSS 9107

[Page 1]
[Letterhead of Australian Red Cross]
[Printed text]
Australian Red Cross
Wounded & Missing Information Bureau
Egypt.
E.E.F.

Cable Address: "ETGYX – Cairo"
10th. L.H.Regt. (D/W.7.6.18.) Weaber/W.V. 327

Informants Official Report: –

Died of wounds: – 7.6.18.
Buried: – 8.6.18.
Site of Grave: – Port Said Military Cemetery, Grave No. 51B
Chaplain: – Rev. F.H. King C.F.

Informant: – 3rd. Echelon, A.I.F. (Egypt)
Cairo. 9.6.18.

[Page 2]
[Card]
[Printed text]

The Last Call
In Loving Memory.

[Page 3]
[Inside card]

His duty nobly done.
[Photograph]

In proud and loving memory of
My dear nephew
Trooper William Victor Weaber
Died of wounds in Egypt
June 7th., 1918.
Aged 37 years

No pen can write no tongue can tell
What he went through when he lay ill;
To God alone his pains were known,
He loved him best and took him home.

There are griefs that cannot find comfort
And wounds that cannot be healed,
There are sorrows so deep in our hearts
That cannot be half revealed.

Often my thoughts do wander
To a grave so dear to me,
Where a noble hero true and brave,
Peacefully sleeps in a soldier’s grave.

Deeply Mourned.
– Inserted by his loving parents.

[Page 4]
[Reverse of card]

[Page 5]
[Censored]
At Sea
[Censored]

Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I am all right and hope you are all the same. Hell I have had two colds in the throat since leaving home. We are having a wonderfull calm trip, it is just four weeks to day since we left Freemantle and we expect to be on the water for another ten days yet.

The last port we called at we changed boats and stayed there for ten days, the boat we are on now is a good boat to travel on but the food was awfull bad the first few days none of us could look at it, but it has been very good this last two days if it does not get any worse things will not be to bad. I can tell you it seems more like four months than four weeks since leaving home.

We all had a good time the last port, we had leave evey day from four oclock till Eleven at night, so we had a good chance of seeing most of the sights, it is supposed to be the fourth largest City in the world, but it has the finest Railway Terminus in the World, there is no doubt there is some grand buildings here.

The Camp there supplied the worst food I was ever offered in my life, we nearly all used to buy all our own meals out. We are about the only Australian troops that have ever called here, this is the place to see Arab Stallions there is hundreds of them being driven about the streets here, they allways put me in mind of "Saladin"

We was shown over a Hospital train at the big terminus one evening and I can tell you they are wonderfull the way they are got up every convenience you can think of for the wounded. We also saw some wounded Turk prisoners in one of the Hospitals. There are thousands hawks here, This is the place where the Temple of Silence is, that is where

[Page 6]
they lay the dead and let the Hawks eat them. They have a lovely [indecipherable] gardens here. I wish I had known I would have brought more money, then I could have bought some lovely things here, to send home.

I have sent a Photo of the 9th A.L.H. to Nell for you to get, I am sitting on the end of the stool. That was taken in the last port we was in. My word I will be pleased to get some news from home again. I expect you will have had some of my letters by this time. I hope so at any rate. If you send any parcel to me at all put in a box of Euth throat menthols jubes also a tube of Anaglesic Balm I have found that very usefull several times lately.

We have a fine Leut in charge of us, one of the very best. We do not have to do much work only two hours a day on board. There is not much happens on board a ship to write about. There are six ships all travelling together with a Man of War for escort, so we feel fairly safe. I keep taking Enós Fruit Salts to try and keep in good health, it is three Shillings a bottle on board. It is just as well I keept two Shillings a day other wise I would be always broke, it is surprising how quick money goes.

W. Batts brother is on board with us also Dick Parnell and one of the Hams from Tambellup. Remember me to Mr. & Mrs. Delaney also Tommy Norrish’s lot. We are only allowed to write two pages now, because of the censure having to read them. I suppose I might see Jack Norrish soon now. Has Uncle Johnny come over yet. If you see H. Prisse any time Remember me to him.

I saw five Hospital Ships in the last port we called at, they look very pretty of a night they are light up from Bow to Stern with either Red or Green lights about a foot apart. Well I must close with sending you my best love and best wishes and Remember me to the Boss also all friends. I expect that you are having some fairly hot weather home now. How was the bush fires this year.

I remain
Your loving Son

[Page 7]
S.S. Morea
March 6th 1917

Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well and I hope that you are all the same. We have had a good trip so far, no rough weather at all. I was sea sick for two or three days, but am all right now but all the same I do not like the water much.

My word the food on this boat is real good, it could not be bettered much. The only thing every time I have to go below it up sets me, so I only go down for my meals, I have only sleept below one night and that was quite enough for me, we sleep on deck as much as possible.

Well Mother I can tell you I was dissappointed when I got your wire and you was not comming down. When Ieft Kojonup I did think that I would see you before I sailed. I would have taken Nell home if I had had time, if I had known one day sooner I would have gone down home. Send those land papers of mine straight to the land department I whent to a lawyer and got my will fixed up and sent it to the National Bank Kojonup, you keep that old will of mine leaving ever thing to Uncle Johnny in case anything should happen to Nell and Baby, then he will get everything.

Well Mother the hardest job of all is the parting from home I can tell you I have no wish to ever have to say Good Bye again. My word Nell was heart broken, poor little Baby was saying Tat Ta as pleased as could be. I do hope that they will

[Page 13. The image for this page was photographed out of order, transcribed in correct order]
both be all right.

What do you think of the bag I sent you they are a novelty, Lady Barron has one just like yours. Sir Harry Barron and Lady Barron are on the same boat as us.

Well we hope to get to some port tomorrow and I expect we will be there one day I sincerely hope we are allowed to go on shore for a bit of a stroll around. We crossed the equator yesterday and they dip nearly every one aboard who has not crossed it before but there was to many they could not dip us all. I missed getting dipped. We passed a boat on Sunday morning but it was about 20 miles off.

We do one hours work befor dinner and one hour in the afternoon that is all. I can tell you I do not want any more sea trips till we are coming home again. I think we will be on board about two weeks yet. It does seem funny we do not know a word about the war now. I suppose we will hear some war news tomorrow.

Well no more news for this time. So I conclude with sending my very best love to you and best wishes to the boss.

I remain
Your ever loving Son

It rain here nearly every night. Nell told me that she intends to go and stay with you some time. Give me all the news when you write.
WW

My Address
Trooper W. Weaber
No. 3272
26/9 Light Horse
A.I.F.
Egypt

See Over

[Page 14. The image for this page was photographed out of order, transcribed in correct order]
Give my love to Birt and Mrs. Bilney also the children. Remember me to all the Flanagans. I hope Dolly is better by this time. I am very off colour to day. I do not feel to good at all. We have just been payed a pound to day. Well I expect every thing on my place is all right. Have you heard the Boss say how the horses are looking, the sheep should be in good condition. Well I must say Good Bye for the present.
W.W.

[Page 8]
R.M.S. Morea
At Sea
11/3/1917

Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I am in the best of health and hope both of you are the same. Well I suppose that Uncle Johnny is over their by this time. Well I am sorry that I did not see him.

Well I can tell you the Port that we stayed at for three days was the prettiest place I ever saw in my life, the scenery was lovely, nothing but Bananas, Cocoa Nuts and Pine Apples growing wild all over the country, it is a most furtile country. The Houses are beyond discription, nothing could beat them, most of them are painted blue with red roofs the you see a lovely big house pure white and a most beautifull garden with all kinds of flowers.

I had a couple of rides in Richsas, but do not care for it to much, as it seems to much like slavery. We had a fine ride in a motor car five of us all together, we must of driven about seventy miles around the place, it was the finest sight I am ever likely to see. The little children all look so nice, naked as the day they were born, the men only wear mostly loin cloths. We was only on shore one day and a half.

We all had to wear life belts when leaving this port and was not allowed below for three hours as all the air tight chambers and all the Port holes were screwed down. We have a cruiser escorting us now

[Page 9]
Have you seen Nell yet. I hope you will have seen her before you recieve this letter.

Well we whent out to one of the very old Native Temples called Keleani Temple seven miles out, the place is simply wonderfull, we saw their Budha God a bronze figure about thirty feet long. The Temple must be about Fifteen Hundred years old. I am sending you a leaf off the Sacred Tree of God also a certificate to show that I have crossed the Equator of course it is only just a novelty.

The leaf is of a tree that is supposed to be hundreds of years old and a sacred one at that. You must take off your boots to go in most of these Temples. There is no Draught Horses here at all, all the work is done with one or two little Bollocks with the hump on there neck and it is surprising the loads they can pull, then you see a family driving along at a trot with a little bullock in the shafts.

We saw a Funeral a Native one they use mostly grey horses at their Funeral then the next morning we saw a Native Wedding and I can tell you the Girl was done up in a lovely white dress and enought jewellery to start an ordinary jewellers shop with.

My pal Debnam had a birthday last Wednesday he was 55 years old, We stick together every where, he is a fine Pal.

Well I am satisfied that the closer you get to the war the less we know about it, as we could get no news at the last place at all we all miss our papers. Well I can tell you I will be pleased to get some news from home. Well Mother do what you can for Nell and Baby for my sake, as she is good to me.

[Page 10]
Well we are likely to be on the sea for a good while yet. Well with all the sights I am likely to see I would sooner be home with Nell and my Baby if the war was over. We are having a wonderfull good trip no rought weather as yet. We will be at some port on Tuesday but do not expect to get on shore there.

We are all very sore over being transferred to the 26th/9th L. Horse a South Australian reinforcement but we are living in hopes of getting back into the 10th. Who where the eight vollenteers from Kojonup Race day.

Well I think I am about stumped for news for this time. Remember me to all my friends. Just fancy Mrs. Spencer getting pally with me. Remember me to Mrs. Simms also Mr. Simms and Chub [Krahouer?]. I am going to drop Butlers a post card by this mail. I whent and said Good Bye to them on the Saturday before embarking.

Well I must conclude with sending you my very best love and kind regards to the Boss also to Mr. & Mrs. Birt Bilney and family tell her that I am more than sorry for dissappointing her that Sunday. I did expect to go over there when I got long leave. Good Bye for the present

I remain
Your loving Son

Well Mother do not worry as what is to be will be. We are all getting fat on the Voyage. We have a very nice officer in charge of us. He is a returned man.

[Page 11]
My Address

No. 3272
Spr. W. V. Weaber
26th/9th A. Light Horse
A.I.F.
Egypt

[Page 12]
Bombay
March 14th 1917

Dear Mother
Just a line to let you know that we are off the boat and we are Camped in Bombay. But of course we have no Idea how long we will be here or where in the world we are off to.

We are all growling about the food here. They offered us dry bread and tea for tea and breakfast and the bread is sour at that. Goodness only knows what they will give us for dinner. We all whent out and bought our tea and breakfast. My word money goes quick in these places. There is some wonderfull buildings here in this place. We only got here about six oclock last night, so of course we have not seen to much yet.

I am sending you the leaf and the certificate I was telling you about in the other letter. I forgot to put it in the last one, I only found out I had not sent it this morning. The buildings here are a great hight and well made. We have a good place to sleep in here.

No more news for the present. With my very best love to you and Remember me to the Boss. Has Uncle Johnny arrived yet

I remain
Your ever loving Son

[Page 15]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A.]
[Printed text]
For God, For King & For Country.
Y.M.C.A.
With the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Patron Y.M.C.A. Council.
H.M. the King

Patron Military Camp Dept.
H.R.H. Duke of Connaught.

May 14th 1917

My Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well and I hope you are all the same. I am sending you a little Card from here, look inside it as soon as you get it, as it has a little Card in it. I am also sending you a parcel with a Cusion Cover for you and one for Nell, I do hope you get them safe, if any one had the money to spare, their is some lovely things to buy here.

I have only been into the town Ismailia three times since landing here, there is nothing much to see there, we whent and saw the Gardens and the fresh water Canel. The Native quarters are a dirty place if ever you saw any thing dirty. We are starting to get some hot weather now, and the flys are starting to get fairly bad to.

We get plenty of War news here, there is a paper comes here every day. I have not had the luck to meet any of the Kojonup Boys yet but expect to any day now. I will write to both you and Nell every chance I get. The Norrish boys have not arrived here yet.

My word men must be hard to get hold of in Kojonup there now, how are people going to get there crops in. I suppose no one has been working on my place yet, I expect you will soon know what the wool brought, you did not say how my horses where looking, they should be doing well

[Page 16]
Remember me to all the Tunneys when you see them, also Birt and his wife,

I am writing this letter in the Y.M.C.A. Hut. If it was not for the Y.M.C.A. the soldiers lives would not be so cheerfull, they are deserving of every ones help, as they are in every place you go. They supply all writing paper and envelopes free.

I heard the finest sermon preached yesterday morning by Captain OHalloran I ever heard and I can tell you there was not to many dries eyes in the crowd when he had finished. He will touch a man if there is any good in him at all. When they pray for the Absent ones at home, I can tell you it makes one think of all we have left.

I will be pleased to get a letter saying that you have got some of mine. I think we must of got our first letters about the same time as you get ours as we landed here on the 5th April and got our letters on 10th of April. I have taking a dose of Enós Fruit Salts nearly every day since leaving the West. I have used fife five bottles.

No more news for this time. Remember me to all old friends. Kind Regards and best wishes to the Boss. I conclude with sending you heaps of love and my best wishes for yourself, I always pray for God to Bless and keep You and Nell and Baby safe. Good Bye for the present

I remain your ever loving
W. Weaber

[Text at top of page]
Take care of Nell and Baby for me till I return also take every care of yourself and do not worry about me. As What is to be Will Be.
W. Weaber

Tons of Kisses for you
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X
X X X X X X X

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27-5. 1917
Out in the Desert

My Dear Aunt
Just a few lines in answer to your very welcome letters. I got three of them yesterday. Well I am in the best of health and trust you are all the same. Thanks very much for the parcel I recieved it all right. Do not send any more clothing but you can send Ginger Nuts or Lollies if you send anything.

Well I am out with the Regiment now. I will write once a week if I can or as often as possible. We can hear the big Guns firing from where we are Camped. The Turks fly over us nearly every night and morning. Nell can tell you what I am doing as I am in a hurry for we have to get our letters in at once. I have seen E. Flanagan., L. Treasure, Mr. Finlay, Clem Gee, J. Ladyman and several other chaps from around Kojonup.

Well I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Ross and I am sure Mrs. Ross must be in a terrible state about him. Just fancy Ted Crimmon joining up. We have a decent lot of Officers here over us. Well I have not had the luck to get back into the 10th yet, it is rotten to be so close to your mates and yet not with them, we are all split up now the chaps that [indecipherable]

[Page 18]
ammunition in is a terrible weight to carry when you are not used to carrying it. We are camped right close to the sea shore and we have a swim every day.

My word I have only been her six days but I have had my eyes opened to what the Officers and men must of suffered in there wanderings around the Desert. No body out there has any Idea what the Light Horse has gone through out here. Well the food out here is quite as good as anyone could expect it to be. We are off again tomorrow somewhere.

Well I hope everything is going alright at home. Let me know how my horses are looking when you write next. I got the two wires you sent for me to see, they made an awfull mess of it alright. Thank Olive for sending me those chocolates they where very welcome. Remember me to Tommy & Mrs Norrish and family. The pencil you send just came in right as I had lost mine somewhere. Have you heard what I got for my wool yet. Jack Norrish is away in Cairo at present.

Well what ever you do do not worry about me, as I will be alright. Well I must close with sending my best wishes to you all. Remember me to Birt & Mrs. Bilney also all old friends. Kind Regards to the Boss also George. Well I hope Nell is over staying with you before your recieve this letter. I must conclude with sending you my best love.

I remain
Yours every loving
W. Weaber

Do not worry as I am alright
Kisses for you Good Bye for the present
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X

Turn Over

[Page 19]
My Address
No. 3272
Trooper W. V. Weaber
B Squadron
9th Light Horse Brigade
Abroad

[Page 20]
Out in the Desert
9-6-1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letters. I am in the best of health and trust you are all the same. I recieved two parcels the other day, that makes the fourth one I have got from you thanks for sending the Eumenthols also the buiscuits I think they were the best I ever tasted, they was made with plenty of butter in them I should think, they did not last long as there was five of us to divide them amoungst, the handkerchiefs where in them alright.

A pair of sox is all you need send me now & again in the clothing line. Everything is very dear at the canteens out here, we spend all the money we get in buying tinned fruit & milk. Do not bother to send many parcels, as the cost of sending them must be heavy.

Well I am very pleased to hear that Nell was happy when she was over there, Nell wrote and said she was sorry to go away and that Alie liked being there, poor little kid would enjoy being there I will bet. Do you know you should get letters from me every time an Egyptain mail comes as I write every week.

Well we have shifted back from the front line for a months spell, we are in reserve for ten days, then we go back to the Beach for two or three weeks if we are lucky, after that I expect we will be moving about a good lot. It is terribly dusty where we are at the present time, I will be very pleased when we get back to the beach for a spell. We do some long hours & rides at times, twenty four hour stunts are common things here.

There is no doubt the Light Horse must have the turks thinking, his taubs see in camp alright at sundown, then he wakes up in the morning and perhaps twenty miles away at that, and there we are, all in position right in front of him and then

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we will go back to camp again in the night, perhaps we will turn up in two or three nights later ten or fifteen miles in some other direction.

The last stunt we was on the horses never had there saddles off for twenty five hours, there is no doubt that the poor devils have some rought times of it, and I believe it is good now to what they have gone through in some places. I have a very nice poney and he is an original poney, he came over with the regiment.

You would never credit the loads we have to carry when shifting camp, you carry every thing you possess, then you have 24 hours rations for yourself & horse. Of course when you go out on these twenty four hour stunts you only carry twenty 4 hours feed for yourself & horse, no blankets or overcoat. I would give a great deal for the people home to see the regiment moving off for a stunt, it would open there eyes. I am sending you a few photos I will tell you all about them when I get home.

They talk of the long hours they work on a farm but the hours are nothing to what we do here at times, in ordonary times we get up at five oclock and then we have to do horse piquett about four times a week, that is night piquett. Jack Ladyman & Jim is in the same squadron as I am. Jack Norrish is on his way out to us now, so I will see him any day now. The Turks Taubs fly over us just about every day to see what we are doing.

You know that absess I used to have on my gum, that was caused through the prong of my eye tooth being broke off and left there, I had it taken out the other day, so it is alright now. I wrote and told you that I payed Ted Flanagan three pounds for the wire, there is no doubt he must be rotten to say I did not pay him. I was very surprised to hear that Jim Jones had not payed up, he said he would pay about the 15th Feb but I told him it would not matter for a few weeks later if he was short just then.

[Page 22]
All the Kojonup chaps swaps any news that we hear from around that way. Mr. Finlay has just been telling me about Harry Cook. He has his mail I have not got mine yet. I generally have to wait about three to four days after the rest owing to mine going to the 9th. I was troubled with my throat all the way over on the boat & for about three weeks after landing in Egypt but since then it has been splendid.

There is some real good land where we are now, there is miles & miles of couch grass, they grow nearly all barly barley crops in this country, it will be a great place for farming after the War, there is absolutely no clearing to be done at all, as far as I have seen you could go straight a head for weeks with the plow.

I have not heard from Dora yet. I will write if she writes to me, but not other wise. We get our mail fairly regular & one does look forward to getting it. I had a letter from Mrs. Debnam last week, I am in the same section with a chap who carried her son back to the Field Ambulance when he got hit, but he died before he got ashore to the Hospital.

I will be very pleased when the War is over & I can get back to the farm again, to be able to do as I like, everyone here will be pleased to get back home again. Remember me to Birt & Mrs B. also F. Dennis & Tommy Norrish & Family.

Well I think I have told you about all the news for this time, so I will close with sending my best wishes to you & the Boss & remember me to George. Jimmy Fitsmaurice is one of my Sargents he used to work for Ted Holly. Water is not to plentyfull here, you are lucky to get one wash a day. Mr. Finlay wished to be remembered to both of you.

Well I must close with sending you my love. Good Bye for the present.

I remain
Yours loving
W. Weaber

I hope Nell will go and stay with you again before to long.

No. 3272
Trooper
C Troop
A Squadron
10th Light Horse
Abroad

[Page 23]
Out in the Desert
20-6-1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and I trust you are both the same. Well I can tell you that it is getting very hot here now and the flys are very bad and the dust at times is awful. Well I expect to get some mail any day now. It is the only thing to look forward to here.

We have been getting up at three oclock every morning for this last fortnight except when we get up earlier, we left camp yesterday morning at three and got home again half past nine in the night, we never had our saddles off our horses or they never had a drink and it is very hot to and we was galloping about some of the time, I can tell you I was very tired when we got back to Camp, you have no idea off the load of gear we have to carry with us, and we have only a small water bottle to take with us, I often wish I had brought a good water bag with me, as it is impossible to buy one here. I wrote and asked Nell to send me a big one.

The dust is dredfull to day. I see Mr. Finlay every day, he is well liked by the men. Do you know I only recieved one of Nells letters last week that was written on March 14th it was just three months to the day getting here. But I have recieved all the rest very good.

My word we do some long hours at times when out on some of the Stunts they go on, the poor horses have a fairly rough time of it on those jobs, as it is not safe to ever take your saddles off, but you would be surprised how well the most of them look. I have a very nice horse just at the present time. The horse Levi Treasure brought over with him is in the same troop as I am in, he broke her in when working at Stevensons.

There are a lot of chaps here from around Kojonup & Katanning

[Page 24]
[Reverse of previous page]
P.S. Our mail is late this time it is not here yet. I have only recieved one parcel from home yet. I advised Nell when she is thinking of sending a parcel to wait and both of you make up one between you.

With love
from W.W.

[Text across page]
[Fitzsimons?]

[Page 25]
that I know. Bob Tree came and had a yarn with me yesterday, he is in the Camel Corps, he is a First Leiutenant now.

I am going to get some photos of the floor of that old Church and send you as soon as I can, the floor is 1300 years old. I do not know just when I will be able to get them to send.

We are not getting up now till five oclock for a while, it is alright to I can tell you after getting up at three and some times earlier. We all wish here that the War was finished. My word you should see the dug outs where the Turks used to be, they had them so deep that they could take horse and all into them and you could not see anything of them and they had trenches every where. Jack Norrish is still in Cairo.

My word I would like to be able to see you all and I wonder if Baby would know me, just fancy her knowing my Photo like she does, she must have a good memory. Remember me to Mrs. Logie & Swains. Alie and the Boss is great pals Nell tells me. I expect Baby has improved a good deal since I left. I am buying some photos off a chap here and I will send them to you as soon as I get them, they are real Photos of Egypt.

Well I think I have told you all the news for this time. So I will close with sending best wishes to all. Remember me to Birt & Mrs. Bilney also George [indecipherable]. Good Bye for the present

I remain
Yours loving
W. Weaber

My Address
No 3272
Trooper W. V. Weaber
C Troop
A Squadron
10th Light Horse
Egypt

I hope Nell is still with you. I was lucky getting back to the 10th as none of the others have yet

Kisses for you
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X

[Page 26]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A.]
[Printed text]
For God, For King & For Country
Y.M.C.A.
With the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force

Patron
Y.M.C.A. National Council
H. M. The King

Patron
Military Camp Dep’t.
H.R.H. Duke of Connaught.

Committee for Egypt and the Near East.
Chairman
H.E. Sir Henry McMahon

In Camp By the Sea
25-7-1916

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letters. I am pleased to hear that you are both in the best of health, the same as it leaves me at present.

I received two letters from Nell and one from Birts Wife, she wrote me a very nice letter. You must have had a very wet winter home there, no I would not like to see any rain here as there would be a lot of sickness if it did, as we are living out in the open with no tents, only blankets hung up in the day time to keep the sun off a bit.

Well the life here is not too bad at all do you know that I am getting fat if anything, of course we buy a good deal of stuff from the Y.M.C.A. Well I think I got a good price for my wool, if we only have the luck to get a good lambing things will be alright, I will have a decent start for when I get home again. I am afraid this War will not end for a good while yet, the way things are going.

Things seem to be going all wrong in Kojonup lately, poor old Dick Spencer’s luck seems fairly out, what with loosing his chaff and now his wife getting ill, things are not to good with him.

Nell wrote telling me what George [indecipherable] asked you about, and that you asked her if she had said anything to anyone. Well I am sure she has told no one, it is just as likely to have come from Edie as anyone and I happen to know one or two things she has been kind enough to say about Nell and I. She is more likely to say anything than Nell. Any how do not let it worry you as we all have troubles enought without worrying about what they say.

I had a letter from Dora the other day, saying they are all well. I wrote her a few lines in return. I meet Arthur Chipper today for the first time out here, he has just returned to the Regiment after getting hit in the First Gazza stunt, he is in the same troop as I am

[Page 27]
Well I am pleased to say I have recieved all the parcels that both you and Nell have sent me and most of the papers, for which I thank you all. My word Alie must be getting on fine now. She will never know me when I return, but one could hardly expect her to, she was so young when I left. Nell tells me Alie is great on Motor Cars now, I wonder if she still likes horses like she used to. Its funny how she has taken such a liking to the boss. So Olive is out there with you now, well she will be company for you and a great help also. How is Dolly and Mabel getting on, I expect you see them fairly often.

Jack Norrish was only out with the Regiment about three weeks and he has gone back to the Detail Camp again. Mr. Finlay is in the best of health. Tell Mrs. Simms that I wished to be remembered to her and Doris. I hope Mr. Ross continues to do well, I feel very sorry for him.

The Regiment has came in to the beach for a months rest, if the Turk only keeps quite we will get it I expect. I have not seen Elworthy or Levi for about three weeks now, but I will see them within the next few days again. That insectabane you sent me was very handy, as it keeps the stock down, althoug I have been very lucky I have had none yet, only fleas.

I am sending you some photos of the floor of the Church I was telling you about in one of my letters, I hope you get them safe. The real thing looked better than the Photo shows it, as the different colours does not show in a Photo, but it will give you an idea of what it was like. Uncle Johnny is a long time in getting over, he would be very handy if he was there now I suppose, it must be very awkward to be with out a man at all about the place.

Well I think I have told you all the news for the present time. Remember me to Mr. & Mrs. Watson, [Dolby?] & his Wife, Mr. & Mrs. Flanagan also Mrs. Peacock. Well what ever you do, try not to worry, as what is to be will be and I hope to get back home to you all again some day. Tell the Boss to do just just as he thinks best with the place, remember me to Gobbetti and his wife. I wrote a few lines to Mrs. Birt Bilney the other day. Good Bye for the present

I remain
Your ever loving
W. Weaber

I am sending six Cards altogether for you

Kisses for you
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X

[Page 28]
Out in the Desert
15th Oct 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & hope you are all the same. I have just recieved two letters from you dated July 31st & Aug 6th & one from Birts Wife dated 9th Aug so this is the mail that was missing. I am sorry to say that I have not recieved the last parcels that you mention in your letters yet, but they may come later. I am pleased to hear that you have Lassie over there with you now, as she will have a good home I know & I hope that she turns out well, the only things against her is that she is a very timid dog.

Do you know that I am always pleased to hear from Birts Wife, as she writes a very nice letter always. I am pleased to hear both of Jims & Charlie’s promotion & fancy Charlie getting the D.S.O. he is getting on alright. I am very sorry to hear that George [indecipherable] is so bad, he must of broke up all of a sudden as he seemed all right when I left.

I am afraid that you are not getting near all the letters that I write to you. Mr. Ross must be a very healthy & strong man to recover has quickly as he has done after such an operation, remember me to both of them. You can tell if you are getting all my letters by the date, as you should get about one a week, as I write as regular as I can.

I do wish Nell would go & stay with you for a while. I am sure Alie would be better off there. My word Denny has had a run of bad luck. What bad luck Treasures had loosing there little Girl. I feel very sorry for them.

[Page 29]
There is no doubt that the Boss is a Champion for loosing dogs. Do you know if my grey mare had a foal or not. I saw by the papers that there was a lot of wash a ways along the G.S.R. line. There is no doubt that May only writes when she is in trouble. You forgot to send the portion of my letter, as it is not here remember me to old Mr. & Mrs. Flanagan. I do not write to them, as they would only answer it, then I would have more writing still, the only ones I care to write to is Nell, Birts Wife & you & Jim Jeffery every now & then. I do hope that Jim keeps alright, has Jim has been a real good friend to me.

There is no doubt that E.R.F. is a bright beauty, what with muddling up the A.N.A. funds & to top the lot to say that I did not pay him, he was to busy telling me about his betting to remember me paying him evedintly. What did Jimmy Jones do with his horses. No it is no use worrying as what is to be will be & I am just as safe here, as I would be home, look at all the things that have happened home there, I do hope that you have the luck to get all the Cards & Photos that I have sent you.

Well the food has been a lot better here lately. It is a job washing here, as your clothes get full of dust before they can get dry. Did the Boss send Richless any where this year. I hope that you will see Levi long before you recieve this letter & he will give you all the news.

Well I think the War will last another twelve months easy enought, but I think that we are getting the best of them now every where except in Russia, but we will knock them in the finish alright. Good Bye for the present. I will close with wishing both of you the best of health. Give my best wishes to Olive. Thank Olive for the Kaisers Dream.

From
Your every loving
W. Weaber

X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
 

[Page 30]
Out in the Dust
Oct 23rd 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & trust that you are both the same. Well I received the parcel you sent yourself & was very pleased with every thing that I found in it, especially those thick cakes of chocolate & the dryed fruit, thank very much for sending it. I have not received Nell’s parcel or the one that Rodgers sent for you yet but expect that they will come along later.

The nights are getting cold now, & we have had no rain yet I am pleased to say. There is really nothing in the line of news that I can tell you this time, but I am sure that I will be able to write you some very interesting letters, when I am next writing, which I suppose will not be for a little while yet, as we will have no chance of writing, owing to being very buissy. I do not know when I will get my leave now, as all leave is stoped for the present time.

Well I am pleased to hear you say that your eyes are getting better. I recieved one letter from Mrs. Birt Bilney but it was a fairly old one. I had just written a few lines to her. My word hasn’t Charlie got on well, its to be hoped that he has the luck to get through safely & Jim also. I expect you must have recieved a good many Photos that I have sent you by this time. I do not know when we will have the luck to get any mail from home again.

Ray Norrish has gone into the Hospital with Tonsilitus, but there is nothing seriously wrong with him.

[Page 31]
Well I am writing this letter in a hurry, as we are packing up to move. All the chaps from around Kojonup & Katanning are in the best of health & spirits, but would like to get back again. Of course you will have seen Levi long before you recieve this letter & will hear a lot of news from him.

Remember me to all my friends, tell them it is impossible to write to them, I am only writing to you & Nell & Mrs. Birt Bilney an odd card to others. Tell Olive I will write to her when I can get more time. Well I must close with wishing you both the very best of Good Health & Luck. I am pleased that you have Lassie. Kind regards to the Boss. I must close with sending you my Love & best wishes. God Bless & take care of you. Good Bye for the present.

I remain
Your ever loving
W. Weaber

Kisses for you
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X

[Page 32]
Out in the Dust
25th Oct 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & trust that you are both the same & I am just writing these few lines as we are told that this is the last chance we will have of writing for at least three weeks.

Well take every care of your self & do not worry about me as I am alright as what is to be will be & worring will do no good at all. Tell Birts Wife I had no time to write her a note or else I would have, but I will write to you all as soon as ever I get the chance. I am afraid we have no chance of getting our mail before we move out, I would have liked to have heard from you & Nell.

I have not recieved the parcel Nell sent or the one that Rodgers sent for you, we will not recieve them now till we get settled again. I will write again on the very first chance I get. Well I must close with wishing you all A Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year God Bless & Take care of You. Good Bye for the Present

I remain your
ever loving
W. Weaber

Kisses for you
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X

[Page 33]
Still on the Move
Nov 16th 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well & hope you are all the same. Well I have only a few minutes in which to write this note.

Well of course you have seen by the papers what is doing here & we are still on the move. I will be able to write a rather interesting letter or two when we do stop for a while some where. I suppose you will have seen Levi before you recieve this note.

The last letters I recieved from you was dated 31st Aug, we have recieved no mail since the 7th of Oct. And that parcel that Rodgers sent has not turned up yet or the one that Nell sent either, but I hope to get them when we do get to some camp again, we are hardly ever camped in the same place two nights together, we have done some long rides lately.

Well I must close with wishing you all A Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year. Remember me to Birt & his Wife

I remain
Yours ever Loving
W. Weaber

[Page 34]
Still on the Move
23rd Nov 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still well & trust that you are all the same. Well I received a tin of Cocoa & one tin of Health Salts from you yesterday but no socks or the parcel from Rodgers yet.

Well I have only time to scribble a few words as, we are likely to move at any moment, we have been on the move no for just on a month now, I will be able to write you a very interesting letter when we get in a settled Camp again, I have seen a great deal since writing you last.

Just fancy Alie looking on your neck for my Photo she must have a great memory alright. My word the boss payed a good price for those sheep he bought at the sale, they must be good ones. I hope that Nell has been over with you before now.

Well I must close now with wishing you all A Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year, Take every Care of yourself

I remain
Your Ever Loving
W. Weaber

Kind Regards to Birt & His Wife

[Page 35]
[Dried Maiden Hair Fern]

[Page 36]
In Hospital
6th December 1917

My Dear Aunt
Just a few lines hoping that it finds you all in the best of health. Well you will be rather surprised to learn that I am in the Hospital suffering from Diarrahia & knocked up generally, as we have had a very hard stunt. I left the Regiment on the 3rd of Dec but I am feeling fairly good again & I expect to get back to the Regiment any day again.

Well I expect you have seen in the papers where that town fell on the 31st October, well we done a thirty five mile ride from six oclock in the night to five oclock in the morning & when Jacko woke up, he found us in behind him, that is the morning the attack started. Jim Ladyman & Sol Green was wounded on that day & a chap that whent into camp with me named Jim Bodkin was killed on that day, our troop was very lucky on that day.

Do you know that our horses had their saddles off for only twelve Hours at one streach of seven days and at another time they had their saddles on for four days without being taken off, and all we had to feed them on was split peas nine pound for twenty four hours with out anything else, and at one time they had no water for fifty four hours at one time and on two other occasions they had no water for forty Eight Hours, so you can see that our horses had a fairly rough spin of it, there is no doubt of it that our horses are marvels after what they have gone through on this stunt.

[Page 37]
Well I can tell you that we have been keep fairly on the move and by the same rule so has Jacko, he is being chased from one place to another. Well I have passed through some of the best land that I ever expect to see, land that would grow anything. On this stunt we have been as many as five days without a wash, my word water has been very scarce both for horses & men on this stunt, do you know that at times we live worse than the natives do at home no chance of washing or anything else. I think I was telling you about our section capturing thirteen Turks.

Well I can not write much today as there is a lot of chaps talking all around me & I seen as if I can not keep my mind on writing, so you must excuse me not writing much. I am sending you a Turkish Card & a Little Turkish Map also some Ferns I got out of a well in the mountains near The Most Holy City in the World.

Well you must of had a dredful wet winter over there, and what a price sheep are. Did the Grey mare have a foal this year. Do you know that for about three weeks on this stunt we never had our clothes off & we had our boots on five day & nights at a stretch.

It is very cold here of a night & morning now. I wonder when this awful war is going to end, there is no doubt that it is a most cruel thing, I have seen enough war to do me the rest of my life. I would willing give all I possess if this war would only finish & let us all get back to our home & loved ones, there’s nothing that can compensate some of these chaps for what they have gone through

[Page 38]
My word we have given Jacko an awful slaping up on this stunt. This country where we are now is full of Olive Trees, they are planted all over the mountain side. Mr. Finlay has not been with the Regiment for three months & a half now, so he missed all this stunt & I think a good job for him too. Jack Norrish has a good job well back from the firing line altogether.

The day mail came in the day before I left the Regiment but I could not get my letters so goodness only knows when I will get them now, in fact I expect I will loose them chasing me around, but I hope not anyhow. I do not seem as if I can settle down to writing some how or other as the ward is full of patients, some talking & others walking about.

I have not seen anything of Ted Crimmon yet, but I believe that he is down at the detail camp, Mr. Debnam is still down there & I hope that they still keep him there, as this would be no place for him moving about like we was. I do not know how long it will be before I get my spell now, but I hope not too long. I will get my Photo taken if it is possible & send you one.

Remember me to Dolly & Mabel when you see them, I must drop Doll a line some of these days when I get time. I never got those letters from Birts Wife yet. I think I have only recieved two from her up to date. Well I have no idea where we will be for Xmas but I know where I would like to be. Well I hope that your eyes are alright again. Birts Wife must be suffering a good deal from ill health & worry too

[Page 39]
What ever you do send me a paper with the results of the Kojonup sports it in. I had a Post Card from Ted Tunney the other mail, saying that they where all well down that way. Ask Levi & he will tell you the name of the place we are making for, the most Holy City in the World. Have you ever heard the boss say how my favourite Arab mare is looking.

Well I think I have about told you all the news for this letter so I must close with wishing both of you the very best of health & Good Luck. Remember me to all old Friends. Kind regards to the Boss. God Bless & Take every Care of you. "Good Bye for the Present"

I remain
Your Loving
W. Weaber

Thanks for the parcels I hope to recieve the rest later
W.W.

Kisses for you
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X

[Page 40]
In Details
Dec 14th 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am alright again, only feeling weak and I left the Hospital on the 10th after being there seven days, which was seven days too long. Well I hope that you are both in the best of health.

We have had some wet weather here and it is very cold here now, I will be very pleased when the warm weather sets in again, as it is better than the rain, it is rotten when it is raining, every thing wet & muddy. Now that we are away from the Regiment I do not know, where my mail has gone to, I am afraid that I will loose both letters & parcels, but I hope not, there was some of our mail short before I came away.

My word I do wish the war was finished, so as we could all get home to our homes & loved ones again. I have not seen Mr. Finlay for about three months & a half now. I saw Jack Norrish about two months ago. Ray N. has been very ill and I believe he is being sent back to Australia again.

Well this will be a poor kind of letter, as I feel to discontented & miserable to write much, I would be satisfied if we could get straight back with the regiment again. You will have the warm wheather with you long before you get this letter & I expect that you will be glad to see it. I see the programe of the Kojonup sports, it must be going to be a great day I only wish that I had been there for them, I can tell you that I will be pleased to see Kojonup again.

[Page 41]
I had a letter from Helen Catt the other day, but have not had time to answer it yet, but I will some of these days. Ted Flanagan & Jim Jones has not arrived in Egypt yet. Arther Chipper when to Hospital about a month ago, but he is doing well. My word there are thousands of Camels working in this Country carrying provisions & different things. I believe that we have not started on our winter yet, worse luck.

Well I think I will have to close for the present time, as I cannot seem to find anything new to write about. I will try and write a better letter next time. Remember me to all my friends. "Good Bye for the present" God Bless & Take every care of You

I remain
Yours ever Loving
W. Weaber

Kisses for you
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X

[Page 42]
[Letterhead of Y.M.C.A]
[Printed text]
For God, For King & For Country.
Y.M.C.A.
With the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Patron
Y.M.C.A. National Council.
H.M. The King.

Patron
Military Camp Dept.
H.R.H. Duke of Connaught.

Dec 29th 1917

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well again & hope you are all in the best of health. We are expecting to go back to the regiment today, we was warned two days ago to go, but have not heard nothing since.

Well we had the most misserable Xmas imaginable, in fact the worst Xmas put in in all my life. When we whent to bed on Xmas Eve it was nice & fine, but at half past two in the morning we had to get up, as our tent was under water & our blankets & just about every thing we possessed was under water, we had to stand up till daylight, & when you could see it was just like looking out on a lake water every where. There is a waddie right close to us & when we whent to bed it was dry & in the morning it was running a banker & it is fully twenty feet deep, there was dead horses being washed down it.

The funny thing about it here, is that it dries up nearly as quick as it gets wet. My word there is no doubt that it fairly pours when it rains here, I believe it can rain more here in ten minutes than it could in two hours home there, I never saw rain like it before.

[Page 43]
There is no doubt that we have had a rotten spin of it since we left the regiment, we have been in this camp about a fortnight now & we have been stone broke all the time, & what hurts most their are plenty of canteens, with nearly every thing you can think of for sale.

Do you know that we never recieved any gift stuff or Xmas Billies for Xmas & yet you hear the tale over home their, that every Australian in Egypt gets a Xmas Billie at Xmas, but I can assure you we recieved nothing at all, but never mind I sincerely hope that the war is finished long before next Xmas & that we are all home again, but it doesen’t look much like finishing just at present, the way things have been going on other fronts. We have given Jacko a great tickling here.

I bought a pound of Australian butter just before I whent broke, & do you know that I never enjoyed anything so much in all my life before, it was simply lovely. I had not tasted any since I left Australia. This is the best camp I have been in since I joined the army, plenty of good tucker, go to bed when you like & get up when you like & nothing to do, only you are glad to get up as the ground gets very hard & cold with only an oil sheet under you. The natives say that January is the wettest & coldest month here I fairly dread it comming after what we have had already.

I have had no mail or parcels yet. Well I think that I have told you all the news for this time. Remember me to all my friends, give my love to Olive & tell her I will drop her a card when I get one. I hope that Nell has been over with you long before this. Kind regards to the Boss. Good Bye for the Present. Remember me to Dolly & Mabel also Mrs. Logie & Swains.

I remain
Your ever Loving
W. Weaber

Kisses for You
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X

[Page 44]
In Palestine
March 16th 1918

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope that you are all the same.

Well I am pleased to say that our mail has arrived at last, and we was very pleased to get it. I recieved four from you four from Nell and one each from Mrs. Bilney & J Jeffery. I also recieved one parcel from you and Nell, my word the biscuits are very nice, yes I recieved the sox with the 10th Light H – colours worked in them, I think I must of recieved all the parcels that you have sent me. I have not recieved all Nells though.

Mr. Finlay wishes to be remembered to both of you. I whent over to the Camel Corps with Mr. Finlay on Sunday and saw Jim Jones and Sid Treasure, they are both looking well, and was pleased to see us. Well I have just come home for the races at Gaza, their was nine races all together, but the days sport was spoilt by it raining like anything just before the finish and we all got home just about wet through.

You could not get Paddy Norrish to come and work for you then, but I hope that you get possoms man alright, he should be alright. Well we are on the move any day now and you can be prepared to hear of Jacko loosing another of his big cities, within the next two months if every thing goes well. We will all be pleased to be on the move again, as things are not near as regimental then, we get a better spin, no polishing then, thats what knocks us.

[Page 45]
When you see Harold Prisse again, remember me to him.

Goodness only knows when I will get my leave now, and besides if this next push is successful we will be too far away from Port Said I am afraid, but never mind I was unlucky thats all. Well if I do not write at any time you will know it is because we are on the move and cannot write.

I am always pleased to hear from Birts Wife, she writes a very nice letter, You never said if you recieved any of the Fern I sent you or that little map, if Nell gets her map get her to show it to you. I do wish Nell would go and stay with you more than she does, if only for poor little Alie’s sake.

I can assure you it is not because of the fighting that I am sorry that I joined up, but because of the way in which we are treated when in these camps, I am not used to being fooled about the way you are in the army, they seem to forget that most of us have been our own boss for years before we joined the army.

I am afraid that you do not get all the letters that I write, in fact we all think the same, that all our letters do not leave this country. Well I hope that we have the luck to get another mail before we move out. We have been having some very wet and cold weather here lately, with heavy winds.

I hope that you get the parcel safe that I sent you. You never said how you got on with the spool I sent you or what you thought of it. I sent Nell twenty small ones just lately, I would have sent a set to you only I could not get any more just at the time, but get Nell to show them to you, also the Turkish belt I got off the prisoners we captured that time.

[Page 46]
I have just opened the parcel from Nell and I can tell you that I was pleased to get a tin of Hudsons Eumenthols in it, it was just the very thing that I wanted most.

Well our papers have just arrived, and every one is buissy reading. I am not surprised to hear that Jack Cornwell is drinking himself to death, he was well on the way before I left home. What lot did Ted Crimmon go away with. I see in the paper where Levi has his discharge, well I can tell you that he has earned it.

Well I think that I have just about told you all the news for this time. Remember me to any of my friends that you happen to see. Kinds regards to the boss. Remember me to Gobetti and his Wife.

Well I must close with wishing you both the very best of Luck and Good Health. Good Bye for the present. Take care of yourself and do not worry about me

I remain
Yours with Love
W. Weaber

Kisses for you
X X X X X X
X X X X X X

[Page 47]
March 28th 1918

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well and I hope that you are both the same.

Well I am down in Port Said at the present for ten days on leave, well it is a break and that is all you can say about it, but of course it is a change of tucker and one thing they do not bother you much, well it is a very dirty place, like nearly all these forein places are, there is nothing to see here at all.

I am not writing you a letter this time only a short note, I will write a longer letter later on. I had my Photo taken yesterday so I will be sending you a couple as soon as I get them, I hope that they will be good for your sakes at home. I have just heard that we are likely to be recalled at any moment, so that means that we must be moveing out at once.

I am afraid that you will be disappointed with this short note. I have sent you a scarf and a table Centre I hope that you have the luck to get them safe, they are in a parcel that I sent Nell, so that you ought to go over and get them as soon as you hear that they have arrived.

We have been down and saw the Armenian refuggie camp, my word they are a fat and Happy lot they all look well satisfied with them selves

[Page 48]
My word the fighting in France must be something awful at the present time, I think this must be the beginning of the end if we can only hold them, which we all think that thy can.

Well I think I will close for the present by sending you my very best love and Good Wishes. Take every Care of yourself.

I remain
Yours loving
W. Weaber

Kisses for you
X X X X X X
X X X X X

[Page 49]
In Palestine
April 14th 1918

Dear Aunt
Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letters and was pleased to hear that you are both well as it leaves me at present. There should never be an Egyptean mail come in without some letters in it for you from me as I write regular. Well I was pleased to hear that Nell was over staying with you at last, I am afraid that Nell must be sick of wandering about. I can tell you you that I will be pleased to get home again.

Well I have had my leave at last and I have felt a good deal better for it, but I have a bad head to-day. Port Said is a very dirty place and the most of it is out of bounds to the troops.

I sent you a present from there I hope you will like it it is in with Nell’s parcel, so you will have to go over and get it from her when you hear that the parcel arrives, get Nell to show you the vasses I sent her for her Birthday. I would have sent you one like it if I had, had the money as I think they are very nice. I have just bought three little broches I am sending them to you, one is for you, you can have your pick and I want you to give the other two to Nell when you see her. I am sending you a little card that I have just bought.

Well I was pleased to hear that you have got a good man at last, it is to be hoped that he stays there. I am pleased to hear that my horses are looking well

[Page 50]
also the sheep. I was pleased to get the Photos of Baby and Nell, my word Baby seems to have grown a lot and it seems a good photo of her, but it is not too good of Nell, but it is better than none at all. I hope that they pop it into Fred Bean pretty hot.

I have only just got back to the regiment we was bringing horses up, it took us five days, riding one and leading two, Mr. Finlay was with us, we had a very good time, that is of course for the army, it was very interesting riding up we got a good look at the country, well it is a wonderfull country, the best land I have ever seen, it is all orange Groves and you can smell the orange blossum for miles, it is lovely, where we are camped now is the biggest orange growing district in the world, you will see by the name on the Card where we are camped, only two miles from the city.

I whent into the City yesterday with Mr. Finlay, but it is like the rest of the places dirty. Mr. Finlay is very good, he can get me away with him, to anything I want to see, but most of the city is out of bounds to troops. We are very close to the firing line now and we are expecting to get into it any time now, you can hear the guns going off all day long, I was woke up three times last night by a terrible bombardment going on and we could here our machine guns and rifles going like anything.

I just received a note from Jim Jones to let me know that him and Sid Treasure got through their scrap safe, they was very lucky, as a lot got knocked, I was pleased to know that they got through all right. I was sorry to hear of Jack Cornwall’s death and I believe that there is likely to be trouble over it. My word

[Page 51]
I am very sorry to hear about Mrs. Treasure being in such a bad state, I hope that she has the luck to get alright again. There seems to be a lot of bad luck around Kojonup since the war one way and another. I have had another letter from Helen Catt this last mail.

Yes I think that I have recieved all my parcels safely, any time you are sending a parcel, you can send me a tin of Eumenthols, do not send me any more clothing only a pair of sox occaisonally, do not bother to send any tin stuff, as it costs more than it is worth to send it. I do not get the papers to regular, but that does not matter two too much, the letters is what I want more than anything. Well we all hope that this year will end the war, I think that the air reprisals are the thing that will finish it, as America should be able to put a lot of aroplanes in, and I am sure that every body must he heartly sick of it, yes there must be a shortage of food in a lot of country’s.

So you had a good crop of fruit this year. Have you heard how Guy Spencer is getting along. Nell tells me that Steve Blackmore is a Lance Coporel now, Steve is getting along alright good Luck to him. Yes I hope that I get a good price for my wool, I will want it all when I get back. I have only had the one letter from Dora and none from May but tell you the truth I am rather pleased, because one has none too much time for writing a lot of letters

[Page 52]
I write to Birts wife fairly regular, she writes a very nice letter. I am sorry to hear that she is not very well, no doubt she has a lot to worry her, especially with both her brothers in the firing line now, has it must he terrible in France just now.

I still have the little pillow that I brought from home, I would like to be able to bring it home with me again, but I am afraid that I will loose it next time we shift out, as I believe that we are only carring our overcoats and our rations, they have taken our bayonets and ground them up, so it looks as if we are going to have some bayonet charges and on horseback too I believe, so there will be some thing doing any time now.

Poor old George must be having a rought time of it. And Denny’s arm is not alright, he has had a run of bad luck alright. Is Captain and his wife still away. Just fancy Frank Butler wanting to come down their and work, I wonder what Mrs. B thinks of the war now. I can tell you that the ones that should have came here and dident are going to get a very rough time of it when the war is over and the men all return, that is when they are going to feel their position.

Remember me to all my friends. Kind regards to the boss, is Alie still has pally with him as she used to be. Well I must close with sending you my very best Love. Take every care of yourself. Good Bye for the present

I remain
Your loving
W. Weaber.

Kisses for you
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X

[Note – first page of following letter is missing]

[Page 53]
all I can say is that I would pitty him and every one else if it was worse, he is in good health and wishes to be remembered to both of you. I see by the Katanning rag that some of the people around are getting good prices for their wool, I hope that I get a decent price for mine. Mr. Finlay wishes to be remembered to both of you. How did Alie like being over their this time, does she still know my photo.

Jim Jones had a rough time of it for a start also Sid Treasure but they had the good luck to get through safe. I have recieved a good few chronicles with the Katanning papers in them. How is Eric Ashe getting along. I have not heard from Birts Wife for quite a while now. So Captain did not buy Incheys after all. I was pleased to hear that you had a good man at last, they must be very scarce home their now. We are hoping to get another mail any time now.

My word we have came through some very mountanious country coming up here and it is worse a head of us I believe, in fact you can see them in front of us and they look high and very rugged. The Taubes come over us every day but he has not dropped any bombs since we have been here yet.

Jim Ladyman has not came back yet since he got knocked at Beersheba on 31st Oct but he is quite well I believe. Get Nell to show you the vasses that I sent her. I saw in one of the Katanning papers where Jack Hain was seriously ill. Bob Tree was wounded just lately but not serious. I have not seen Elworthy just lately, he has gone away on leave to Cairo.

My spell in Port Said done

[Page 54]
me a lot of good, I have been feeling alright since I returned. I whent to a private doctor down there and the medicene he gave me done me a lot of good. My word the crops must of been very bad their this year.

Yes of course we could not understand why the soldiers voted No but we know here why, but we cannot tell you here why, or our letters would never reach home, but the war will not last forever, then that will be the day and we all wish that it end to-day. There is one thing to be said and that is that the closer we get to the firing line the better time we have, it is only when we are well back that they torture us. Mind you our officers are thorough Gentlemen, it is not their fault.

Well I think that I have told you all the news for this time. No mail should come in from Egypt with out you getting some letters from me. Take every care of yourself. Kind regard to all my friends. Kind regards to the Boss. I will close by sending you my love and best wishes to the both of you. Good Bye for the present

I remain
Yours loving
W. Weaber

Kisses for you
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X

[Page 55]
[Letterhead of Church of England Australian Fund for Soldiers Overseas]
[Printed text]
Church of England Australian Fund for Soldiers Overseas.
With the Australian Imperial Forces.

Canon Garland V.D.
c/o Anglo-Egyptian Bank,
Cairo.
Representative Abroad

14th Australian Hospital
Port Said
May 29. 1918

My Dear Aunt,
I wonder will you have heard that I was wounded in the thigh about three weeks ago, and after much travelling and stay-overs in several hospitals on the way down, eventually arrived here at Port Said.

I had thought I was only lightly injured but owing to the bullet having damaged an artery a haemorrhage came on one night and I had to be hurriedly operated on; I was then hoping to get better when a few days after, it was discovered that the track of the bullet was dirty, thanks to the dirty Turk’s ammunition. However after the second operation which I had this week perhaps things will go well now. Lets hope so at any rate.

All your letters have come along regularly and I thank you for them. I hope you are keeping well. Summer is here now and we are having very hot weather, but every evening up to the present is cool. I expect that I shall be on my way home as soon as I am able to be moved, so you may look for me soon.

The English Church Padre is writing this for me as I am not able at present to write letters.

Every good wish
Your loving Nephew
Will.

[Page 56]
40 Tuckfield Dr

Jun 11

Mrs Dear Mrs Bilney

I feel so sorry to har about your Dear son I know how you will feel but we must look on the bright side & pray that God & his holy angles will be with him to mak him well to be sent home to his dear wife & little one as now the time he will feel Dear for them then evr poor sole I will pray for him but I pray for you all & all thoes dear men & boys at the front & that this Grat war will soon be ovr

A friand of mine her husband has been Gased & I praid for him thay wear looking for word evry day to say he had past away but thay got word that he was in proven & I am glad I put a pray up for him I dont feel that he is very badly wounded but will get better let us hope & pray that this will come true

Some day I may tell you how I have so much fath in my prays now I think this will be all hoping that this letter will find you all well & do not frat for yur now thoughts travels so try & be happy &he will try & be the same allmos say he will get better & I think you will find it will help bouth you & him I no if my son is unhappy

[Text at top of page]
have you hard how he is wounded let me know as soon as you get [indecipherable]

[Text in margin]
I think it is his right leg but I dont know I feel shure it was him with his Right leg wounded.

[Page 57]
I feel it to & he the same with us

Edith will have told you he going to be marred it came a shock to me I never praid for him to get a good wife as I nevr thought thire was eny one good anuf for him but when I got to know I started to pray that she will be a good true wife to him as he has been one of the best sons to me & all of mine

Now Dear Mrs Bilney I thought I would just write a few lines to help you
in my prays & your dear son as soon as I got [indecipherable] letter I started with this letter I did not get one from Edith this moring but it may come after dinner I do hope she is keeping well & strong & that [indecipherable] keeping all Right & that he will have good luck with all his crop & other things

Now I must close we all send our kaind love to Mr Bilney & your self & hope [indecipherable] getin on all right & that she a good girl good moring & may God bless yur & keep you all well & strong & from all harm

This is all from your true & [indecipherable] Fraind C Johnstone

I will put a good pray up your you boy God be with him till you all meet agane

[Page 58]
c/- National Bank
Claremont
June 26th 1918.

My dear Mrs. Bilney
Please accept our sympathy with you in your loss. I know how sore your heart will be but its a grand & glorious death for a brave man to die in the way in which your nephew did, of course I know that it must have been an awful shock to you & his poor little wife, but I hope you will soon be able to look calmly on it.

I had a letter from Mrs. Simms today – She tells me you ae having very good turnouts still. I am real glad to hear it & only hope they will continue, for I am very sure it will all be wanted. The war news is a little better this last few days what a pity its not all over, its been such a long weary heart breaking business.

We are getting very rough cold & wet weather, will be very glad when it

[Page 59]
fines up a bit. We are still living at Leederville but hope to get out of it inside the next month, it will be a relief to get into our own place again. We had Mr. Logie staying with us last week we quite enjoy his company I like to have him. It’s nice to see a Kojonup face & hear all the news. How is Mrs. Fred? I do hope she will be quite alright & that Ronnie is well. My 2 are real well & quite happy. I hope the season will be a good one for you. Did you get the patterns I sent to you?

I hear Mrs. Cornwall is married & that Magraths have bought a motor so Kojonup is coming on. I saw Mr. & Mrs. Lowden on Monday they do splendid work in the old metals dept. of the Trench Comforts. They work like a couple of navies & its very dirty work too. You see they just live in rooms so have practically nothing to do, so devote all their time to the work, its a great scheme, it would surprise you to see what is in there.

I have been busy today making orange marmalade & yesterday I made pickles one must eat you know.

[Page 60]
I hear the recruiting crowd are very strong in Kojonup lately. I reckon they ought to be hounded out of the place. Kojonup has sent a lot more than could be spared as it is. Its a pity the recruiting people dont look into the camps & send the men away who are slacking in khaki. There is one man here in camp still whom I know; was a seargent at Blackbay when my 2 brothers were in camp 2 years ago he is a lieutenant now & is here still, he has cost the government some hundreds why dont they see that he, & the likes of him, get before they drag men off their farms to face the music while these rotten wretches slack it in uniform.

I call it a howling disgrace one man went away last month who had been in camp over 3 years I would just like to get the chance to tell the recruiting mob of these things, let them come to the city; there are hundreds here who could go but have no intention of enlisting men who have no responsibility; men who work for wages & spend it at picture shows trots etc. Its makes me so mad I could just swear about it –

[Page 61]
Well dear old friend I only intended to write a few lines but here I am on the 4th page –

Give our kind regards to Mr. & Mrs. Fred also to Your husband Is Mrs. Weaber with you? if so please convey our deep sympathy to her. Goodbye & I hope soon to hear from you & be of good cheer Mrs. Bilney its such a hard blow but you can console yourself with the thought that he gave his life in a great cause.

I remain
Your loving friend
Rhoda V. Blood.

[Transcribed by Sandra Mutton for the State Library of New South Wales]