Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Edith S. Thistlethwaite postcards, 1912-1915
MLMSS 7703/Box 6/Item 4
[Verso of postcards has been transcribed]
[Page 2]
Master E. Farmer
"Ilkley"
Orrong & Alma Rds
East St Kilda
Melbourne
Australia
4 Morrab Place – Penzance
I shall be thinking of you dear on Christmas day. I hope the New Year will bring you lots of happiness – I hope you had a very happy time at Sassafrass. Fond love to Yr. dear Mother Grandma & Auntie
From Yr. dear Friend
C. Barrie
[Page 4]
Dearest Eddy
Yr lovely card & dear Mummies just come Thank dear Grandma, Aunt Isabel, Ethel & Gae for their cards & tell them I shall write next mail. It is very cold here [indecipherable] I have a cold – in bed yesterday with fire in my room so poor Mrs Barrie will have to come to see dear Gae again soon & get in the sun! Fond love to you & Grandma Mummie & Auntie -
4 Morrab Place
Penzance
From W. Loving Friend
C. Barrie
[Page 6]
Master E. Farmer
"Ilkley"
Cr Orrong & Alma Rds
East St Kilda
Melbourne. Australia
Morrab Place. Penzance
Feb 19th 1914
I am sending you some of the churches here. I have often been to this – I hope you are all well dear Eddy. Much love to Grandma, Mummie & Aunties – I am often thinking of you - With love to [indecipherable] . From Yr dear friend – C. Barrie
[Page 8]
Master Farmer
"Ilkley"
Cr Orrong & Alma Rd
Melbourne
Australia
6.11.1913 Many kisses dear Eddy for Yr very welcome letter – with the new Stamp! Tell Aunt Ethel I think her design is wonderful! I Hope you will like this pretty church – I am so pleased you like Yr P.Cards. Fond Love from Yr dear friend CB
[Page 10]
Master E. Farmer.
"Ilkley"
Cr Orrong & Alma Rds
E. St. Kilda.
Melbourne.
Australia.
Morrab Place
Febry 262th 1914
I Hope you are all well - I am feeling better – I know you will be glad dearest – Much love to Grandma, Mummie & Aunties.
Yr. loving friend – C. Barrie
[Page 12]
Master E Farmer.
"Ilkley."
Orrong Rd.
East St Kilda.
Melbourne.
Australia.
4 Morrab Place - Penzance – Sept 4th
I hope you are all well dear Eddy. I often think of you. Also Yr. dear little doggie – much love from Mrs Barrie
Writing to Aunt Ethel next week
[Page 14]
Master E. Farmer
Ilkley
Orrong Rd.
E. St Kilda
Melbourne
Australia
Penzance
May 12th 1914
I am very [indecipherable] dear Eddy. See you soon All well. Fond love to you and all Yr dear friends
C. Barrie
[Page 16]
Master E. Farmer
"Ilkley"
"Ilkley"
C/o Alma & Orrong Rds
E. St Kilda
Melbourne
Australia
Mena Camp
Cairo
17-1-15
My dear Eddie
Please thank Grandma & all at "Ilkley" for their Kind Xmas Wishes. Hope you are all keeping well & as happy as I am.
Love to all
Charley
[Page 18]
XXXXXXXXXXX
OXOXOXOX
No. 2. Aux. Hosp.
Southall.
2.2.18
My darling Eddy,
This is the only card I have but hope to get some good ones on my way home.
This one ‘Your King & Country thank you" was given to me by one of my poor one legged boys. He was asking me if I had any little brothers or nephews. So I told him about you & he wrote on it with great difficulty. Fondest love & kisses
Auntie Eadle.
[Page 20]
6.1.18
My darling Eddy XOXOXO
Your letter was lovely & you are writing very clever letters now. You will be a very big boy when I return. Hope you are having a jolly holiday & shall be able to go every day next term to school. You must tell me all about your Nature Study lessons & your Physical Culture. I can hardly imagine you a big boy at school now. Fondest love & kisses OXOXOXOX From XOX
Auntie Eadle.
[Page 22]
20.1.18
My darling Eddy.
Perhaps I shall be home before you get this. Have been told to be ready & to go off duty Tuesday-morn. Am longing to see my big nephew. Hope he is very well & will be able to take Auntie Eadle out. Sorry I have not another P.Card but this is like the French girls enjoy winter. The snow soon melts here & is not so clean as what we saw in France. Fondest love & heaps of kisses. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 24]
No 1745
Pt C East
45 Batt
Two Eddy
[Page 26]
3rd A. Gn. H.
B.E.F.
France
21.10.17
OXOXOXOX
My darling Eddy.
My dearest little chap, you will be just now having a good time with Auntie Belle’s birthday by the time you get this card. Then soon will be Xmas excitement. Wish I could be with you all but shall try & get out soon. You will have some playmates now & what a happy time you must have at school. Fondest love & kisses. From OXOX XOXOXOX Auntie Eadle.
[Page 28]
XOXOXOXOX
France 21.7.17
XXXXOXOX
My darling Eddy, OXO
This French soldier is not so handsome in uniform as most of these soldiers. Their blue is very pretty but is a bad colour for Active Service – it fades so quickly. the little French girls are very quaintly dressed but all seem to grow old so quickly. They have to work so hard now. All children, old men & old women in the fields working. The raspberry, currants, gooseberry & cherries grow well here. The garden where we live is full of them but we are not allowed to pick them, but manage to have great feeds at night of stewed fruit. Fondest love & kisses from XXXXXX Auntie Eadle XX
[Page 30]
XOXOXOXO
My darling Eddy. XOXOXO
I am so sorry to hear you have not been very well but hope by now you are quite well & having a good time at Sassafras. You will be a big boy when I return. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle OXOXOXOXOX
[Page 32]
3rd. A. Gen. Hosp.
B.E.F.
France.
9.9.17.
XOXOXOXO
OXOXOXOX
My dearest Eddy.
It was my birthday a few days ago & spent a very quiet day. Hope to be with You all next year. It is becoming colder now & had a lot of rain, think may try to get out of France for this Winter. How do you like school? I shall hardly know my little nephew when I return. Fondest love & kisses From Auntie Eadle XXXXXX
[Page 36]
XXX 6.3.17 X
My darling Eddy XXX
I wrote to Trin, Mum & Aunts through the night. Your letters were lovely that I got on Sunday. You can cut out very well too. The engine I have kept so please you liked the Book of Windsor Views. Shall tell you all about it when I return. We are still having very cold weather & snow. Glad you are better & hope you will grow stronger. Fondest love & kisses OXXOX From auntie Eadle XXX
[Page 38]
3rd A.C.C.S.
A.I.F.
France
18.4.17
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
My darling Eddy,
your letters are lovely & you are becoming quite clever with your writing & printing also drawing. I suppose you will have begin schooling by the time you get this card. I do hope you will like it & be happy with your little schoolmates. We are very close to the big guns but feel very safe. Old Fritz is getting a bad time but he is very plucky & tries to get some into us. We are very busy but have a few hours just now, so shall write while I can. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle
[Page 40]
France
8.7.17
XOXOXOXXOXO
My darling Eddy, XOXOX
there was a great Cricket Match here yesterday. Engineers (British) against our Team (3rd A.A.C.S.). Our boys had a great wind. It was a very good game. We watched it for about 1 hour & quite enjoyed it. Some of the orderlies are good Tennis Players too & they are having a good time now, that we have not patients to nurse. The flowers are beautiful but we never see ant cows or sheep. It is strange to see all the waste ground. fondest love & kisses . From XOXOX Auntie Eadle OXOXOX
[Page 42]
25.6.16
France
My darling Eddy,
You must have a lovely party when Auntie Eadle come home. So glad you are growing stronger. You must get to know some nice little boys & girls at school, then you will have plenty to your party. What a beautiful party you had a Arthur Mitchell’s Ask his father if he will come to yours. Fondest love darling & heaps of kisses & Good luck.
From
Auntie Eadle.
[Page 44]
XOXOXO
France
10.6.17
XOXOX
My darling Eddy,
I wonder if you play cricket yet? the boys of our Hospital (Orderlies) are very clever at the game – lately they have had Matches with some Battalions camped about here. It is a good thing that the Australians are fond of Sport. They soon forget their troubles. Fondest love & heaps of kisses. From XXXXOXO Auntie Eadle X
[Page 46]
XOXOX
3rd A.C.C.S.
A.I.F.
France
24.4.17
OXOXOX
My darling Eddy,
We have started a garden around our Mess Tent (dining-room). We got some roots from a ruined village near by. the weather is so nice now, that we can do a little gardening. the Padre’s (ministers) like to do the digging so we all work hard.
We want a little boy like you to help in the garden. Fondest love & kisses & a big hug. XOXXOXOXOX From OOOX Auntie Eadle
[Page 48]
XOXO
3rd A.C.C.S.
A.I.F.
France
17.3.17.
XOXOXOX
My Darling Eddy, XXX
XX We have some Jocks in our Wards and they are very good patients also excellent soldiers. I like them best in their Kilts, I should love to take you to Scotland when you are a bog boy & show you the interesting sites we saw. Hope you are well & strong now. Fondest love & kisses. XXXXXX From XXXX Auntie Eadle XX.
[Page 50]
XXOXOX
3rd A.C.C.S.
11.3.17
My darling Eddy XOX
Received your lovely letter to day & I think you are a very clever little boy. Hope you are growing strong & able to have a good time & run about. You will be a very big boy by the time I return – soon be as big as auntie Eadle . Fondest love & kisses & hugs. From OXOX Your auntie Eadle XXXXXX
[Page 52]
France 3.6.17
My darling Eddy,
I have a Candian Officer – A Flying Corp one in my ward. He was shot by the wicked Huns but is doing well & was able to bring his machine to the land safely, also in our own part. We see lots of Planes & Torbs [Taubes] flying about, but don’t like them when they get busy. Heaps of love & kisses. Hope you enjoyed Auntie Etta’s birthday. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 54]
XXXX
France
19.5.17
My darling Eddy,
So pleased to hear you are getting such a strong boy. Hope you will be able to go to school & like it. How are the little chicks? Suppose you will have names for the, all. Hope they all grow up healthy. Tell Mummie to have your photo taken & send me one in a frame. Fondest love & a bog hug with kisses From XOXOXOXO auntie Eadle.
[Page 56]
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
France 14.7.17
My darling little Eddy,
It will Gun’s birthday in the morning. How I wish I was with you. Anyhow I shall think of you & picture the morning greeting to dear Grandma. Hope to be with you next time.
We have travelled some this week & seen most beautiful country. The crops are really excellent about here & cannot imagine it is a war country. Of course it is very quiet here after our last place.
the only thing that reminds me of war here is the Troops marching through, & the guns being out onto trains. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 58]
2nd A. Aux. Hosp.
Southall.
Middlesex.
2.12.17
My darling Eddy,
It will be your birthday on Wednesday. Hope you will have a Happy Day. Plenty of fun & presents. It will then be Xmas & next Mums birthday. What a lot of gay days before you. You must decorate for your birthday also on the other festive days. You will be such a big boy when I return that I won’t know you. Heaps of love, hugs & kisses. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 60]
XOXOXOXOX
OXOXOXOXO
3rd A. Gen. H.
B.E.F.
France
24.9.17
My darling Eddy,
Your letters were really wonderful this week & I’m so pleased to hear that you like school so much. Suppose you will be playing football & cricket by the time I Come home. Suppose the boys are all good mates.
You must write & tell me all about your School. Must write to Auntie Bell next for her birthday. Fondest love & kisses.
From Auntie Eadle
[Page 62]
Southall
England
30.12.17
XXXXXXXXX
My darling Eddy,
Your birthday, Xmas & New Year’s have passed. I hope you had a very happy time & lots of presents. You will be enjoying warm weather & we are having a very cold time now. It was very pretty at Xmas, the white frozen snow & a little sunshine, now it is dull & raining. Hope to sail in a few weeks. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle. OXOXOXOXO
[Page 64]
2nd A.A. Hosp.
Southall
25.11.17
XXXXXXX
My darling Eddy,
Received two lovely letters from you this week. The cuttings a beautiful. You must take me to a Picture Show when I return. Hope you will be able to go all this term to school & get stronger. We will have some fun when I come home. Fondest love & kisses From OXOXOX Auntie Eadle.
[Page 66]
26.12.17
My darling Eddy,
I wonder what Santa gave you this year. Suppose you are having a very Happy Holiday now. We had a great day with our poor wounded soldiers. They all had plenty of good things to eat & drink.
We were very busy with preparing the decorations all last week & then started to put them up on Sunday.
Heaps of love & kisses
From
XOXOXOXOXO Auntie Eadle
[Page 68]
3rd A. Gen H.
B.E.H.
France.
28.10.17
My darling Eddy,
Received Mother’s letter with yours of Sept 1st-3rd & was very sorry to hear you had been ill again. Hope you are quite well again, now the warm weather will be there is may be better for you.
It is horribly cold & the frost to-day is fearful. My poor feet & hands are awful. Hope you are quite well now. Fondest love & kisses . From Auntie Eadle
[Page 70]
3rd A. Gen. H.
B.E.F.
France
15.10.17
Your letters are beautiful XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
My darling Eddy,
Suppose you will be commencing your Xmas holiday now. What are you doing? Grandma should take a small house near the sea, then you could have bathing, fishing & build houses in the sand. All of you could have a holiday together.
Fondest love & kisses
XX From Auntie Eadle X
[Page 72]
2.12.17
My darling Eddy.,
On Thursday I received a letter from Auntie Ethel with some cuttings from you. They are very pretty & think you are getting a very clever boy. Hope you are quite well & strong this term & shall be able to go every day to school.
When I come home you must have a few days holiday & will will have a picnic. Hope Miss Tolhurst is still at the school & that she is well.
Fondest love & kisses
XOXOX From XOXOXOX Auntie Eadle
[Page 74]
17.6.17
Dearest Eddy,
Have heard that you & Mummie had a holiday & stayed with Auntie Annie at Talbot. How did you enjoy it! Had some fun, I guess. Hope you are well & strong now also going to school. We are having warm weather now but it is lovely after the cold weather. Fondest love & kisses From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 76]
3rd A. Gen. H.
B.E.F.
France
7.10.17
My darling Eddy,
Got your lovely letters this week & think you are getting on wonderfully. Ella wrote to me also & told me you were very happy at School. Hope you will continue to like it & be strong enough o to on. What a lovely time you had at Grandma’s birthday. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 78]
Belgium 11.8.17
XOXOXOXOXOXOXXO
My dearest Eddy,
How do you like school?. Hope you will be happy & do well at your lessons. It is a great help in life to be well educated. I do hope my little nephew will be a clever boy & have strength to continue on with his schooling.
I’m very sorry I did not work harder at school when I was a little girl. Heaps of playmates & fun. Kisses & fondest love from Auntie Eadle.
[Page 80]
Belgium
4.7.17
XOXOXOX
My dearest Eddy,
Received your letter with Red X (British) Stamps & quite enjoyed the drawing. So glad you liked the P.Cards. I send you one every week. Hope you get it. Sorry I have such a bad pencil & no ink but it is raining so I am not able to leave my
[Page 82]
3rd A.G.H.
B.E.F.
France
2.9.17
XOXOXO
OXOXOXOXOXO
My darling Eddy,
Wrote a letter to Grin, Mammie & Aunts this morning since that a mail has come in, with a letter from Auntie Ethel dated June 25th & I’m so delighted at getting it – also one from Annie Thomas & Counsin Alice.
So glad to hear you have gone to school & like it so much, hope you will get on well & have good health to help you at your work. It will be my birthday in two days time but not much like it away from home. Hope I get the cake all right. Fondest love & kisses From auntie Eadle.
[Page 84]
3rd A.C.C.S.
A.I.H.
France
5.4.17
XXXXOXX
XOXOXXOX
OXOXXOXX
My darling Eddy,
Yesterday received two lovely letters from you. I was so delighted to get the, & know you are so well. Mother was very good to take you sailing. Hope you keep strong now & grow fat. I think I may be home with you this year. The war seems much brighter. Fondest love. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 86]
3rd A.C.C.S.
A.I.H.
France
25.3.17
XOXOXOXOX
XOXOXOXOX
My darling Eddy, XOX
I shall expect a letter from you next week. Suppose you will be going to school soon. Hope you are well & strong now and shall be able to join in all the games at school with the other boys. Are you going to Ella’s school?
Hope Mummie, Grin, Auntie, Bill & Ealter are w ell. Give them a big kiss for me and heaps for you dear little self. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 88]
We see a great number of donkeys here & they are very clever little chaps, no a bit silly
My darling Eddy,
How I should love to give you a big hug & kiss. Darling your letters are lovely and I’m always very delighted to get them. You are quite a clever boy writing your own name so well. Thank you very much for the two birthday post cards you sent me. I received the one with the Flags on my birthday & the one with the Pussies the day after. They are beautiful cards & it was very clever of you to send it just at the right time. I am much better was up yesterday for a while & feel splendid to-day. Hope Gran, Auntie & Mummie are quite recovered from the Influenza. Hope you are well. Fondest love & kisses From Auntie Eadle XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
[Page 90]
XXXOXXXOXXO
OXXXXXXXO
My darling Eddy,
At least we have got a few p.cards but they are not as pretty as I would like. Your letters are lovely but I’m just longing to see you daily. I’ve ordered an "Anzac" paper to be sent to Ilkley so dear pet you keep it & I’ll tell you all about it. Love & kisses. Auntie Eadle
[Page 92]
OOXXOO
XXOXXXXXXXOOOOOO
My darling Eddy,
I am expecting a nice long letter from you – it is a lot time to wait for the Aust. mail this time. Sorry I have not a pretty card but hope to get some for next week. Love & kisses From Auntie Eadle
[Page 94]
XOXOXOXOXOX
29th C.C.S.
Oct 28th 1916
My darling Eddy,
A Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year. Hope you will like the book. Will you take this little dress to Auntie Berries baby, Margaret and give her a big hug & kiss from Auntie Eadle. Hope you get lots of presents from Santy & some money out of the Pudding. Heaps of kisses & love From Auntie Eadle XXXXXXX
[Page 96]
1st A.G.H.
Heliopolis
Egypt
Jan 18th 1916
XOXXOXXOXXO
My darling Eddy,
So pleased to get your lovely letters and drawings. I have just received the Photo of you, Mummie & Grandma. You seems to be growing a very big boy. I shall hardly know you when I return. Mummie & Grand,a look very well. I shall get frames for them.
You must have had a beautiful birthday and what a lot of presents you got. You are quite a soldier now with your sword & gun. Fondest love & kisses From Auntie Eadle XXXXXXXXXXXX
[Page 98]
3rd A.C.C.S.
C/o 29th C.C.S.
B.E.F.
France
17.12.16
My Darling Eddy,
No doubt you have had a Happy Xmas & New Year by the time this reaches you. This is a picture of the place when I sleep. It is a very old & rather the worse for wear but we have comfy beds & that is a good thing these times.
We had another fall of snow the other morning but it did not last long. Looked very pretty but fearfully cold. Heaps of love & kisses OOO XXXXXXX From Auntie Eadle
[Page 100]
OXXXOOOOO
1st A.S.H.
April 3rd 1916
Darling Eddy, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This time last year we were having a good time, all my friends having tea with us and saying Good-bye What! a time we shall have when Auntie Eadle returns. Heaps of love & kisses From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 102]
XOX
XOX
1st A.S.H.
17.4.16
My darling Eddy, OXOXOXOXOXO
We do not see so many donkeys here, none to rise, they, poor little things are worked very hard. Must try & send you a picture of some loaded up with grass etc. We see lots of camels, you will see by it how they travel along. Hope to get a letter from you this week. Fondest love & kisses to you darling. From Auntie Eadle XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.
[Page 104]
15.3.16
My darling little Eddy. XOXOXOXO
I was so delighted to get your lovely letter & kisses yesterday also your photo. I’m very proud of my little soldier Nephew. All the photos are splendid, & Grandma looks very happy with her little pet. the family group is great & I think Alice Peel is very clever. XXXX
I do hope you & Auntie Ethel are quite well once more & that you will all be able to go away & have a good holiday. Love & kisses From Auntie Eadle XXXXXXXXXXX
[Page 106]
Same Spot
1st A.S.H.
29.3.16
Lots of love & kisses for your dear little self. XOXOXOXOXOXOXXXXXXOXO
My darling Eddy,
We have had a sample of hot weather to-day & now it is blowing hard – Hope we will soon get out of here, do not wish to spend another summer here. I am on night-duty & sleeping very well in the day-time. Tell Grandma I’m getting quite fat again & give her a big kiss & hug for me. From Auntie Eadle
[Page 108]
XXXXXXXXXX
30.1.16
My Darling Eddy,
Sorry I have not been able to get any P.C. of this place but by next week I hope to get a few. I am wondering how Santa treated you this Xmas. XXXXXX I have just received a p.c. from Phyllis & John Balfour with their photos on it. They are very good indeed. Taken at Cainsborough-Prahran. Ask Mummie to take you there. Heaps of love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 110]
1st A.G.H.
My darling Eddy,
I received two letters yesterday from you also kisses & rose petals in Auntie Annie’s letter. You are very clever writing such nice long letters & I do enjoy them.
the camels here are very tall & are not very comfortable to rise but the little donkey’s are lovely & I should just love to bring one home to you. We go for long donkey rides & do enjoy it. I like the nice white ones & usually get a good goer. Fondest love & kisses from Auntie Eadle XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXO.
[Page 112]
Sept 7th 1916
London
My darling Eddy,
I have sent you a book about the Tower of London. Mother & Auntie will be able to read some of it to you. When you are a man & travel it will be of greater interest to you to know the History of England. I’m very sorry that I remember so little. the Castles are wonderful old place & most of them in beautiful positions. I have bought a book on Windsor Castle shall send it to you when I’ve read it. Heaps of love & kisses
From your loving Auntie Edith
[Page 114]
8.12.15
Egypt
XXOXOXOXOX
My darling Eddy,
I have just a few minutes before the mail closes. Have just received a lovely lot of letters, one from Mummie, telling me about my shares & about the painting of the house. Also a present from Mollie & Jess. from Geelong. A handkerchief from Charity. Two from Mrs & Misses Swindells of Marrumbeena. I think the slippers & soap must have been from Mrs Balfour & children.
Dorothy & I are both well. About five sisters are leaving on Transport in a few days for Australia, one Sister Hart, who has been my boas (Im in charge of Ward 6). Hope you will see her & give her a good time if you get the chance. Lots of love. From Auntie Eadle
[Page 116]
1st A.G.H.
23.11.15
My dearest Mother,
I have just heard that a mail closes this afternoon, so have a few minutes to scribble a note to you all. I was so delighted at receiving your letter yesterday but it made me very homesick. Anyhow I think it best to wait a while before volunteering for Australia.
I’m very well now & feeling very fit – have been on duty a month now. Am very happy in the ward & things in general a peaceful. Should just love to have a peep at you all and the garden. Hope you all have A happy Xmas & A Prosperous & peaceful New Year. From Your loving baby Edith.
[Page 118]
O.A.S.
A.I.F. Passed Censor 55.
Master Edward Farmer
Ilkley
C/r. Orrong & Alma Rds
East St Kilda
Victoria
Australia
Dearest Eddy,
We had a fine time in Colombo [crossed out by Censor]. So sorry I could not send you a card from there but I had been sea-sick, felt too tired to write. Hope you are all well & happy. I shall send you some more cards later on. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Ede.
[Page 120]
XXXXX
Darling Eddy,
I hope you will like the hat I’m sending you by Sister Craig - & that it will fit you alright. I’m going to Alexandria to-day for a week or so, for a holiday. Hope you are all well. Tell Auntie Belle I have just received Parcel also from Mrs Balfour. Fondest love & kisses. From Auntie Eadle.
[Page 122]
XXXXXXX
OXOXOOO
XXXXXX
1st A.G.H.
Heliopolis
Egypt
Dec 1st 1915
My deal old Al.
thought I should have had time to write you a letter but have send all the news to Ethel, so shall write to you next. Have just realizied that this mail will reach you about your birthday. Hope you all had a Happy Xmas & New Year & got over all the feasts Eddy’s birthday etc.
Many Happy Returns & hope you will have a very happy future & that next Birthday the war will be over & we shall all be together once more. Fondest love to all & all kinds of good wishes. From. Edith.
[Page 124]
XOOOXOX
XXX
28.12.15.
Egypt.
My Darling Eddy, OO
XX Your lovely Xmas Card arrive here Xmas morning, so I got your kisses and love for a Merry Xmas. I suppose Santa was very good to you again because you have been a good little boy all the year. Hope he brought you what you wished for. You are writing very well and I was very very pleased with your card. When I come back to Australia you will be able to show me all your flags etc. Fondest love and kisses from Auntie Eadle XX
XXXXXX
[Page 126]
OOO
8.11.15
My Darling Eddy XXX
I have just received your lovely letter with Mummie’s & you are a very clever boy writing such a nice one to you auntie Eadle. Hope you will have a very happy Xmas and that Santa will bring you lots of presents.
You must give Grandma, Aunties & Mummie a big hug and kiss for me. Especially on Xmas morning. I shall be thinking to you and hope you will all have as happy a time as you possibly can. Heaps of hugs & kisses for your dear little self. This picture shows the road that leads to the Pyramids. O From OOOXXX Auntie Eadle
XXXXXXXX
[Page 128]
XXXX
Darling Eddy,
This is a picture of a Mummie carrying her baby and the poor Mummie has such a funny veil & mask over her face. We see these women about the streets every day. Hope you are all well & that you are having a happy time.
Heaps of hugs & kisses X Auntie Eadle. XXXXXX
[Page 130]
OOOO
XXXXXXXXXXX
OOOOO
1st A.G.H.
Heliopolis.
Egypt.
Nov 29th 1915
My darling Eddy,
Your birthday will be in a few days & I shall be thinking of you. I do hope you had a happy day and like all your presents. Hope you got what you wanted and that the Birthday Cake had icing on it and that you were all well and had a jolly day. I al very well now and enjoying this nice cool weather. Give Mummie, Grandma, Auntie Bill & Ettela a big kiss & hug for me & a big one for your dear little self. From. Auntie Eadle
[Page 132]
OXOOO
XOOOX
1st A.G.H.
Heliopolis.
Egypt.
16.11.15
My Darling Eddy, XXX
This is a funny old fashioned machine drawn by bullocks. The machinery here is not like ours it is made mostly of wood, drawn by bullocks, mules, donkeys or Camels, sometimes a bullock & a camel. This is a very funny country with fields of corn etc. Hope you like the cards I send you. Your letters are lovely. Heaps of kisses & hugs. From XXXXXXXX Auntie Eadle.
[Page 134]
Master E. H. Farmer
Ilkley.
C/r. Orrong & Alma Roads.
East St Kilds.
Victoria
Australia.
My Darling Eddy,
The picture is the back view of the hospital where I’m nursing, the poor wounded soldiers. Charlie is here & has been wounded but is very much better. I saw Keith Saturday night for a short time & Sunday I had tea with him in Cairo. He is looking very well. It is fearfully hot. Heaps of love & kisses from Auntie Ede.
[Page 136]
O.A.S.
Master E.H. Farmer,
Ilkley.
C/r. Orrong & Alma Roads,
East St. Kilda,
Victoria,
Australia.
Dearest Eddy,
This is a picture of the front view of the hospital but not a very good one. I shall explain it when I return. The cross is where I sleep. The tram is son its way to Cairo. Your letters are lovely & hope I shall receive some more this week. Give Grandma, Mummie & Aunts a big hug & kiss for me & take heaps for your dear little self. From Auntie Ede.
[Page 138]
Nov 1st 1915.
My darling Eddy,
A Merry Merry Xmas and I hope Santa will bring you lots of presents and that your pillow slip will be filled. Heaps of hugs, love & kisses from
XXXXOOOOXOXO Auntie Eadle
[Page 140]
XXXXXXX
28.9.15
My darling Eddy,
I have just received two letters No 20 & No 21, with your lovely little letters enclosed. The pictures are beautiful & you are quite clever at drawing. I wrote to Aunty Etta yesterday & find the mail does not close until today. I have not time to write one to them, so you tell them I am better & had a very nice outing yesterday. Sister Martin, Craig, Hart & I had afternoon tea in Cairo, then drove along the Avenue beside the River Nile . We had a glorious afternoon. The Nile River is at its highest tide now – looks like a rough dirty sea – The Bull-rushes are beautiful just now. Fondest love & kisses From Auntie Eadle
[Page 142]
XX
My darling Eddy, XXXXXX
Auntie Edie is a long time away but when I return we shall have a good time. Mrs. Osbourse & Mrs McCallum send kisses & love. Heaps for your dear little self from Your Auntie Edith XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
[Page 144]
Master Edward Farmer
C/o Mrs Thistlewaite
"Ikley"
c/r Alma & Corrong Rds
East St Kilda
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
Darling Eddy,
Tell mother that I received her welcome letter yesterday. Will write in a few days. Have you been to the beach lately? This little boy likes the water too. Fondest love & kisses from Auntie Edie
[Page 146]
Master Eddie Farmer
C/o Mrs Thistlethwaite
"Ilkley"
C/r Alma & Corrong Rd
East St Kilda
Darling Eddie,
I suppose you will be playing on the beach like this little boy. How I would love to see you – must sing & say a – those pretty little [indecipherable] to me when I come home. I was delighted with your drawing. Fondest love & kisses from Auntie Edie XXXXXXXXs
[Transcribed by Lynne Frizell for the State Library of New South Wales]