Thursday, July 17, 2014

"The Boys Will Be Home Soon" T Anderson 9. 12.18

Enroute to Berlin

Dec 9/18

 

Dear Colina

Just a hurried line to let you know that I am still on this little ball of mud I have the shumots (?) in my left hand and it near drives me craisy (sic) we are having wet cold weather and that does not improve it I can tell you wellColina I am sorry to tell you that Charlie took pretty sick today and they took him off to hospital he had a hot barth(sic) and took a chill when he got out in the cold I hope he gets well soon, he was looking in the pink of health only yesterday well Colina we have been on the march for some time, having a day or so rest but we will soon be off at the tut (?) again how far into Germany we will go I cannot say but I may be able to tell you later on I do not know what the foreleins (frauleins?) are like if they are anything like their brother Huns they will not be anything to write home about, well Colina we have travelled many miles since we started this march and oh what sad sights sad hearts and broken homes we have seen how these poor French women, children and febel(sic) old men have suffered by the cruel dirty hun these last four years its these poor wretched people alone knows, it makes our blood boil to get into the dirty cowardly dogs again open up their wounds and rub the salt into them in plenty, they will not want to take the mad diggers to close to them as they will hop into them again as sure I now they have seen the way they have treated these poor defendles women and children and starved them for four years their low dirty deeds can only be wiped out at the bayonet point, when we have done with them the froggie will hop into him again and make him suffer as he made their peopel suffer I don’t think we will get another slap (?) at him if we do he will get wiped off the map in less than a month and don’t he know it well he does, well Colina all going well and no morestouch about the end of next year ought to see what is left of us home I Can tell you that the only thing that I want to see now is the boat that is going to take us home to A with everything else, my kiddies will be forgetting all about their old man they will be argueing the point with the old girl and telling her that they never had  an old man if they did she must have gave him away for a cow or a horse and lost the lot so the sooner I get back the sooner these argeuments will be settled, well Colina I got a lot of letters all dates  I really forget the date of your last letter as had such a bunch of them letters from everybody I had a long letter from Mrs Cameron and a nice little parcel  socks tobacco (?), the last letter I had from Bill, Don and Rube  they were all well but I have not had any from them for some little time now I suppose Bill and Don are like myself on the move and not much time for  quill driving once  we head off again twil be some time before I drive the quil as there is little time for anything as it is dark when you make camp and you’re up and away at early morn but I’ll pen a line as often as I can to you all well Colina old girl I think I have blown my (?) so I will close in conclusion may this letter carry to you the very best wishes that I can send with heaps of luck from your old friend from far across the sea

Keep the home fires burning Willie the boys will soon be home

I Remain Your Sincere Friend

Thom Anderson





"When I See Dear Old Ausie Again" C Anderson 5.12.18

France 5/12/18

Dear Colina just a note hoping this will find you in the best of health as it leaves me at present allso (sic) Tom.  He is just the same old stick.  We was on our way to Germany but I doubt as if we will go there now.  We have been some days on the track now the trains run very slow here on account of the mines you never know when you are going to go up in the Cloud we was hung (?) up last week on account of a mine going up and blowing away the railway line.  We had to about 200 miles out of our way but we have about 100 miles on the march yet thank goodness I have a couple of horses to carry my gear so has Tom now I hope you get the photos allright I sent you a card it will be late but cannot he helped can it.  Any word Colina these poor folks have had a very bad time from the Boche they have stolen everything they had.  I have not seen a pair of boots here since I came up this way never let a hun (?) look me in the face here or in Australia I can tell you they will not get any kind return no from me.

Thank God we have not had to face any more horrors of war I was dreading another Winter our poor boys have fulfill there task that was set out before them.  Australia has one thing to be proud of that is that they never lost one foot of ground in France and gained every objecift(sic)  The only troops in the whole army that can say that much time will tell what our lads have done.  You all must be glad the job is over.  I will not be sorry when I see dear old Ausie once more.  Nobody can tell how good Australia is till they are away from it then you begin to wake up how good your own Country is I for one will take a lot getting away.  Well I don’t think we have much chance to get home before 6 months wellColina I have no much news So I will have to ring off Wishing you all my best wishes. Are we downheartedNo.No.No

From Yours

Sincerely

Charles Anderson





Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Ed note: The War is almost over for these correspondents

Please excuse the break in getting letters onto the blog, I was busy preparing for and caring for my newborn daughter, Suzanne Frances, Colina and Donald's latest great, great grand daughter.

The last 2 letters posted up here, "French Photograpghy" and Lord Kitchener Goes Down" were the last that I needed to transcribe. The remaining material was transcribed earlier, so I will photograph it in my usual badly amateurish manner and complete this blog.

From there, the plan is still to do something more fitting to memorialise the letters, the men who wrote them, and "Nan" to me, otherwise referred to fondly as the subject of all of these letters, who must have written a hundred more letters herself.

Any ideas would be welcome, but for the moment we would like to self publish a book that let's the material shine for itself. With or without transcriptions? I don't know. I have felt personally enriched by transcribing the letters.

For anyone interested, I found a link today about some current projects looking at preserving family WWI histories http://www.dontforgetthediggers.com.au/our-mission.asp
I stumbled across the site by accident while trying to ascertain if the place name at the top of "Lord Kitchener   Goes Down" was spelled correctly. I have only given it a glance myself so far, but it looks very interesting, and I will be getting on board. If you have any old photos or records, you should too.

I will do my best to get the remaing material up over the next few days. Thanks for your patience, if there is anyone out there..


"Lord Kitchener Goes Down" Jack G(uthrie?) undated



Tel el Kebir
Egypt

Dear Colina
Just a few lines hoping to find you well as it leaves me at present. I have not had a letter from you in such a long time. I have not had any mail since I left the 8 Btn March and it is now June. I had to go to hospital the day the 8 Btn left for France. I thought I would be going to England last week so I wrote to your cousin Cathie Spence in Scotland. I told her that Lucy had asked me to go and see her if I ever got to England. I don't know whether I will be going there or not but I am living in hope. We have just heard the sad news about the HMS Hampshire going down with Lord Kitchener and all his staff in board. Well Colina there is nothing to write home about so I will draw this note to a close.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Fond love
From Jack G

Ps Tell Lucy that I have written to your cousin over. I have not seen your cousin Chris lately. I think he has gone to some other Btn. I am full up to the sick of Egypt. I would sooner be in action again which I think I will soon  but I don't know if I can get back to the eight again but I hope so.
Jack


"French Photograpghy" C Anderson 27.10.18




France
27/10/18

Dear Colina
Just a line to let you that the beastly Boche has not got me yet. I do not think I ever felt better in my life. I hope you are the same. All the boys are well. Tom is on leave. I am sending you a photo of me and some pals of mine. It is not a very good one. I hope you got the one from Scotland. I am getting a doz more from Scotland, I will send you one more. These pals if mine are 2 ausies (sic), a Yank, a Scotch Canadian and a New Zealander. It was late when we got taken. The French are not very good on photos. Well Colina, news is scarse (sic), so Cheerio, best of luck and all sorts wishes.
Are we downhearted 
No.No.No.
From
Yours Sincerely
Charles Anderson
2nd 16 Gun
Battalion
22nd Coy


Friday, April 4, 2014

"Are We Downhearted? No No No" C Anderson

France 19/10/18

 

Dear Colina, just a short note trusting this to find you in the best of health has it leaves me at present I had a letter from Don today Tom is on leave he has guist (sic) recovered from his wound and he looks real well.  I had a letter from Rueb yesterday he is in England on home service.  The news in the papers is good today. Our boys are having a rest just at present.  Well Colina I believe that I will get home now before I am old enough to draw the old age pension.  The lads are playing fort (sic) ball today.  We are having a pretty good time I was going to pull in the tug of war today only my shoulder is not to strong yet it pains me a little at times.  I have so little to say I must close my best wishes to you all.  Are we down hearted No.No.No.

From Yours Sincerely Charles G.A



"Comrade Me Bon Comrade" C Anderson

France 18/8/18

Dear Colina just a line I received your letter today dated 27/may and was pleased to hear from you Well Colina we are giving Fritzy a hurry up now he got a lot more than he thought he was going to get I was to go on leave just be for this stunt started but I would not not have it said that I missed this I knew that it was going to be one of the biggest battles we have ever carried out in France a long way I am a driver in the M.G transport and I was close behind Fritzy I was 48 hours in the saddle I tell you I was some stiff But I never enjoyed myself so much in my life (dickon?) it was it was just like some big show to see all the horse galloping into action I never thought that they was so many ausies in France  till we seen them fly the flags cause we was behind them after they got a move on it was great to see the Huns running with their hands up for mercy Comrade me bon Comrade we give them bon well dead I saw very little or few on our side perhaps you could number them on your fingers a few walking wounded and not a great many stretcher cases so we were very lucky well we captured train transports motor cars motor lorrys hospital with staff and sisters I saw one of the lads leading 7 cows back from the lines today we got all sorts of things we got one great big railway gun oh she was a beaut I wish you could have seen it.  It would have done your eye site good not saying we have not got a lot better of our own.  But what a knock to the Beastly Boche to loose (sic) his weapon that he uses to break up churches and hospitals with we all got some of his planes S boolans (balloons?) I tell you she is some stunt excuse my slang but it a saying we boys have in France

 

(Ed note:  there is a small diamond shaped hole in the paperwhich obscures the next word and also a word in the middle of the next line)

 

word Colina it was pretty (missing word) see the tanks go over the top it was worth seeing when it was for our country and freedom safety of our dear people at home.  I tell you when you go through these big towns as we have done this past few days and see the homes of these wonderful French folks all broke up it must be very hard to bear but they do not show the slightest sign of weakness well one thing you area all safe home and well out of the range of these Beastly Boche.  I have never seen our Boys in better spirets this is just what the lads like to get him on the run and keep him moveing it is great sport speacely when you are on horse back galloping after him this is the first time that we have had transport so close behind our troops the machine guns had some great targets and they made the best of them the Brutes took most of the  crops that was far behind our old front line but close to our old line they was not hurt much.  We will (sic) cutting them by now I had a letter from Tom today he is doing well he will be sorry he missed this truely I would not have missed this for a fortune and I am proud that I am an AUSSIE > after the way they knocked the hun about I have been too busy to wright a great deal lately this is the first for 8 or 9 days  I am just finishing on page 5

(ed note:  Charlie only uses part of this page, being the back of page 4 and then continues on page 5 and 6 afterthe following brief sentence:

excuse my bad wrighting as it is getting dark and we cannot have lights for fear of planes droping Bombs.)

a few minutes to wright you these few lines wile I am on pickate (?)  watching our horses he drops a shell or two very close at times he droped one very close just as I strated to wright this I tell you I duck off and got my steal hat I don’t know if it makes a great deal of difference but I feel safer I will just give you a little idea of what this was like at the start well you could see all the different coloured lights in the world all the noises in the world and once the air rang with machine gun bulletes and as the sun rose and the fritzes singing Comrade it was like some wild lion and tiger turn out well we are the winners so that is the main thing

 

Well Colina I must enclose my best wishes remember me to all at home I am going to Scotland in a few days (missing part of paper, word indecipherable) he has started droping bombs so I will ring off look sweet and get into my little dug out.

From Yours Sincerely Charles Anderson















 

 

"Would Not Have Missed This Stunt For A Fortune" C Anderson

France 8/8/18

Dear Coll 

Just a line to let you know that we are all going strong, I have not seen Will yet I will see him in a few days.Rueben is in Blighty doing well, Tom will be back in a week or two. I have not seen many Rushworth boys lately.

Well Coll we are giving Fritzy some hurry up.  I do not think he will last great deal longer now.  I think I will be back in time to draw the old age pension. well it is not a bad war after all,we have plenty of fun if it is only hunting these beastly Boche.  I don’t know what we will do when we get back to Ausie I think we will have to go up to queensland and hunt up some blacks I don’t think.  We have had a good deal wet weather lately it makes things very murky.  I am going on leave shortly I entend to go to Scotland it will be a treat to miss this life just for a little time the guns make some row you hear all the noise in the world at once and you would think all the iron foundries were getting emptied out at once and when old fritz sends his flares you would think that he had all the lights in the world red blue green white and all sorts of colours it all look well but it would look better on pictures or reading about it Well Coll I will enclose my best wishes to you all From Yours Faithfully Charles 267

(Ed Note:  The following is written sideways on the back of the first page)

I have had this letter wrote before this advance and have been to bussy to Post it we are going strong the best fun I ever had in my life she is some fun galloping into action I would not have missed this stunt for a fortune 11/8/18







"Nerves Get Shattered" T Anderson

Somewhere in France

Aug 5/18

 

Dear Colina Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter 15/5/18 and very pleased to hear that you are all doing well and plenty rain, we are at present getting more than our share. I had a letter from Charlie today and he said they have plenty mud in the trenches up there.I will be back shortly and I do not like the idea of getting into the mud and shells again.  I do not care how soon this comes to a bubble I am in a con camp for a few days before going back I get awful shaky at times I cannot write at all your nerves get shattered at this game and wet muddy trenches without sleep it all helps to rake you down but its all in the game we will soon have him bottled and corked I got a letter from Doll but none from Nellie this mail but I’ll get them all in time I have not seen Son Spence since last writing to you, Don, Bill, Rube & Charlie are well well Colina my old kid I am toShakey to write much today I’ll try again in a day or so, so will now ring off wishing you all the very best of luck from your old friend Tom

Keep the old flag a flying And God Bless you All xx



Saturday, March 22, 2014

"From One who is Never Down Hearted" C.Anderson

Right address 22nd Coy 2 nd M. Gunn Batt


France 17.7.18


Dear Colina just a line wishing this to find you the same as it leaves me at present.

I received a big bundle of letters today, they were all dated feb and march. I have had April mail a good few days ago but this lot was sent to the 10th M.G.Coy on account of me going to the 22cd M.G. Coy. You see, I am in a divisional Coy now, that is how my mail has been so long in turning up. You have no idea how our boys enjoy there (sic) mail. I look forward for nothing better than mail. I wright (sic) as often as I can, some times I forget who I do wright to. I am glad you received the handkerchiefs and cards, I cannot think of anything else to send and you can always get handkerchiefs  and nice little cards, you can just put them in an envelope and they are no more trouble. it is a risk sending anything of any value. I all ways think these little trifles will make you think that I still think of you friends I left behind. I often wonder what you all are doing. I bet things are on the quiet side in the old town. 


well judging (from) these confounded guns roaring old hun is not having a quiet time. He give us a rallie up last night with gas shells and H.E. shells but I am glad to say they were fruitless because he never got any of us. The old gas mask is not a bad friend. I do not take the least bit of notice of gas but according to the Hun prisoners  they lose a terrible (lot) of men from ours, as at present the French and our good old Pals the Yanks are giving him the bigest caneing up ever he got and our lads are bringing a bag of them in every night. My word the Ausies do put the wind up the beastly Boche. For weeks now the Australians name have appeared in the daily papers so you will have an Idea that we do not let the grass grow under our feet and I am very glad to say that since he stated his offence if he has not knocked us back one inch but we have pushed him back ever since March.  I have done my little share in this outfit.

  I have not seen Jack Collie for a long while, now when I get near the 37th I will try and find him. I lost one of my best Pals on the fourth of this month.  The night Tom got wounded, I was with Tom at the time, I did know any thing about it till I woke up all covered with blood and my body was all black and blue.  I asked what became of Tom and they told me they had sent him to hospital.I was on a strecher in the field Ambulance where they took us.  They wanted to send me to hospital but I would not go ! I wanted to see how my mates got on and see what damage we done to the beastly boche.  I got a shock when I found out my little friend was killed. He was on the same gun as me and all so our section officer, one of the whitest men that ever wore a sambrown (?) We took a Cross to their grave yesterday.

I sent Doll the slip of paper with the account of the battle. We took 1400 hun that night. The last I remember was putting a burst from our Machine gun into about dozen beastly Boche. Well needless to say, they are at present were all good niggers go. 

it is tray Bon sport on the old M.Gun when you get  such a good target so close we must get rid of the brutal huns and the old diggers are the boys to put them in their place. Well  Colina I don’t know that I should tell you about fixing these huns but you must have an idea what we do and what we are here to do. There is nothing like the plain facts. We are not hard hearted. These things must be done. I must say this war has not made the lease bit of difference to me.  I do my duty honestly and I am proud to say that I have not got one mark or crime against me. I have played this game so far and I intend to, right to the end. I am here at my own risk and I am not in the least sorry. 

 Well Colina you said perhaps I lost my wallet,  no I still hang to that.  I get a good many letters from Cathie Spence I had one last week saying she expects Son over anytime now they are getting married very soon now.  I will very likely be over at the time I am going on leave in a few days I will tell you what bonny Scotland is like.  I intend to have a Tray Bon time. I have not started to smoke yet you said I would in trench life but I have since the 17/march 1917 and have came out of it yet.

well I must ring off from one who is never down hearted

 

(Ed note:  end of letter is in drawn margins at the top of the page)

Tom is doing well Rueb is in England Don and Will well.

From yours Sincerely Charles Anderson











"The Longest Job I had, not the Best" C.Anderson

France. 12/7/18

Dear Colina 

just a line hoping this to find you as well as it leaves me at present.

I received your letter and was very glad to here from you. Tom got a little crack on the head. He got his skull fractured. I had a letter fro him to say that he is doing well. He said it was tray Bon Between sheets on the Spring Bed and nice kind Sisters to look after you.

  I all so had letters from Donal and Will. Rueben is in England on home service he has a good Chance to get home.  I had a letter from Cathie Spence.  She tells me that she expects Son over shortly to get married I will very likely get over there about the same time. Rom met Son a few weeks ago I think he looks a bit old a few years of this life makes a vast difference to anyone.  Well Colina,  our Boys have been stinging these beastly Boche up again we bag somewhere on 14:00 on the 4/4/18 and  a lot more since I see by yesterdays paper that Don's Batt have been giving him some hurry up. They are the Boys to put the wind up Fritz We now have new friends the Yanks to help us. they are good fellows the Ausies get on very well with them. I met Tom Dolly the other day he was going on the line he is in the 6 M. Gunn he looks well. I met a lot of my old Batt boys the other night I had a night sport with them before they moved forward to hunt the Confounded huns.  They are the boys to give them hurry up.

  I sopose Colina every thing is on the quiet side over on the old Stanhope Road.they are not so quiet here the Big Guns were going some this morning you could hear all the noises in the world at once but she is not such a bad game, after all there is one thing a man need not be afraid of getting the sack. this is the longest job I ever had, not the best, I have had better.

well I sopose it will come right in time, I will be right back in good old rushworth some of these days.  This war ort to be over in 10 or 12 years a man will have a good deferred pay enough with the old age pension. Ha.  But we will be the Winners good winners too.


Well Colina, I have very little news to say so I will have to close. Wishing you my best wishes, so goodbye, all is well with the Australians, they are all in good heart.

From Yours Sincerely,

Charles Anderson







"All on my Pat Malone" D.Anderson

25.6.18 France

Dear Coina

I received your welcome letter this week and I was pleased to hear from you.

 I thought that you had forgot all about me.I have received I think about three letters from you since Dec 22nd.  So I can see that you have got  tired of writing.

I had a long letter from Mary Cameron last mail & one from Doll also.

I suppose Rube is home by now.  You told me what you had received word about him.Well I walked nine miles to see him that day has I only had a letter a few days befor from him so you can see I lead (?) a walk to hear good news of him.

I only wrote to you a few days befor.  So that is why I could not let you know about him then.  How is Fred I believe you have beat Lucy for him but I don’t think you do anything like that but you hear some funny news at times  don’t you?

 Charlie Tome & Will are all well the last time I heard from them but it’s a good while since I saw any of them so I am all on my Pat Malone 

So now I must say goodnight as its to dark to write 

Kind Regards From  

Yours Sincerely

 Don Anderson



"If I am Spared" L.Spence

France

June 24th 18

Dear Colina

Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letter I received yesterday.

I was glad to hear that you are all in the best of health as it leave me the same at present.  You want to know if it true about Cathie & Alex. Well I had a letter from Cathie the beging (sic) of the month & she said that Alex was going to put in for special leave at the end of the month & they are to be married, that the first she let on to me about it.  I had a letter from Alex also last week & he was telling me about trying for leave but he did not say what for.  He can have them all on his own for me their plenty out their for me when I get back that if I am spared.

Cathie was saying that she expect Charlie Anderon over on leave any time now as they have started it again They stopped it for Two months while the push was on. I bet the girls will be going mad when they hear that Son married.  The last letters I had from Violet she said she did not believe son was engaged so I don’t know what she will say when she hears they are married.  I see Elsie & Mc have done the truck he told me when I left that he'd wait for me to come home before he would get married I suppose I have been too long on my tour that he could not wait any longer.  no one had the slightest idea that it would last this long when I left.  It looks like it will go on for a couple more years yet the way things are going at present they don’t look too bright on it.

I had a letter from Lucy & she was saying that they had grand sports up their on Easter Monday.  She said Lilly Pearson & her sister got first prize in the procession.  I bet Lilly look hard case dressed as an Indian you would have to look twice to see if she was their she's that small.

I have not seen any of the Rus(hworth) boys for over 8 months they were all well just before the push started. Well that all the news at present remember me to all With the best of love 

From Your loving Cousin Les xxx



"A Rough & Fast Little Affair" C.Anderson

RDear Colina 
Just a line to let you know that I am still in the land of living. Fritz has not snared me yet,  the Boys have been caneing him up lately. I have not give them a hand in any of these stunts since the 17/4/18, I am still in Convalescent,  I had a fairly lively time just before I left. 
it is not near so bad on the Machine gun as in the infantry I had my share of the Inf.  Tom is still going strong he has not been away from the M.G.Coy since they came to France, this is my third time away. I was buried by a shell explosion on the 7th of june 1917 and only had 5 weeks spell and I got a little crack on the 14 Oct 1917 and only had 3 (could be 9) weeks in hospital and I came back in time to give fritz a few bombs in a raid. That was the best bit of sport I had since I came to France a raid is a very rough and fast little affair,  in and do him as much harm as you can and fetch back a fritzy or two, not to many for the undertaker as we can. 
Well Colina they are very little to say I am going out for stroll through the forest with the Padre we have many a joyfull afternoon in these dear old woods,  it really reminds you of the old bush at home. Ha. To be back amongst the golden Wattle Blossom!  them times will soon come again I hope. 
Well Colina I will Close wishing you my best wishes From 
Yours Sincerely Charles




"Dodging the Old Iron Foundries" C. Anderson


France 10/5/18
Pte CG Anderson
22nd MG Coy
A.I.F.

 Dear Colina,
Just a line  wishing this to find you all as well as it leaves me at present. The weather is Tray Bon over hear now. This is a lovely place where I am at present. All the Beech trees are beautiful, they are all pretty green, they (sic) are some lovely forests about and they are better still in Belgium where those beastly Boche have rein and the lovely little farms all smashed to atoms. They will answer for all there (sic) terrible crimes. People in Australia have not the slightest idea what those poor Belgium and french people have to go through. I can tell you, it is heart breaking to see their pretty little homes shelled to peaces (sic). Where old couples have reared their families and lived a peaceful life. Well it will all come right in time. Us Machine Gunners have payed them Boche back for some of their cruel doings but not as much as they are going to get. All the old Ausy Boys are still in good form and cheerful no matter where they are, you never see them down hearted. If you sing out to a battalion or a crowd of Ausy lads 'Are you downhearted?', you will hear a great roar of No! That is the right way to be. I never lose any sleep over this show, it must come right in time and then for the good old times.
I suppose you have a fatted calf for us, for the five of us will eat you all out of house and home. I only way (sic) 12 stone, 8 lb now so I have gained weight on the army rations pork and beans. Ha, for the good old roast again. Colina don't you think some of them fellows ort to have their feet warm by now, you know you can do with a few jockeys to have a ride in our next handicap . I am a little overweight but I will have to keep the ball bouncing anyway. T is good sport dodging the old iron foundries and taking cover from those big birds that fly around and drop eggs on you, but our birds have the upper hand. You often see a (sic) air fight and you see the Hun drop down in flames. Well Colina I have no more to say tonight, I am going to the pictures in a few seconds so I must ring off.
I will send you some views of this place as soon as I get down to the town. Well so long, keep the home fires burning.
My best wishes from
Yours Sincerely
Charles
2641






"News from Home" L.Spence


France
May 8th, 1918

Dear Colina,
Just a few lines to let you know that I received your welcome letter this week & was pleased to hear that you are all in the best of health as it leaves me the same at present. You were saying hat George and your father having been doing a lot of contract work lately though it (h)as been that much rain it put them back a bit. It is a good thing to have so much rain early in the year, it look(s) like the signs of a good season. That's one thing we don't see over hear (sic), a good dry season. The grass is green all the year round. The country over hear is looking beautiful at present. It is the beginning of Spring, so it will give you an idea of what it's like.

I had a letter from Ethel the other day & she was saying that Ivor is getting a terror to (ed: can't decipher word) well she cannot expect much else from a boy at this age & I suppose he picks it up when he goes in home off the other boys.
She was saying that she (h)as her hands full now, she cannot go into the town just when she likes, she (h)as to get someone to drive her, so she won't like that. I see by her letter that they have taken to milk a few cows. I don't think that will last too long, she will soon get tired. What do you think? I no (sic) Ethel, it is alright while the weathers good & when the winter comes she will let them go and look after themselves.
I had a letter from Mum this week & she was saying that the Dr told her that she would have to take things easy for a few more months before she would be alright. She seemed to (ed note: portion of paper torn away, words missing from this line) ....... the one time it is to be hoped it's all over for some time to let her get strong.

I had  a letter from Violet the other day & she was telling me all about the trip to Tasmania & what a good time they spent. It is a wonder Any (?) went for a holiday so soon after her husband's death.

I bet Lucy is having a good time of it while George is over hear, she will make things hum for a while.

I had a letter from Cathie the other day & she wished to be remembered to you all when I wrote. They are all in the best of health.

You was saying that Dug wrote me a letter, I&wonted (sic) to no when I am going to answer it. Well tell him I have not received it yet to answer but it might come along at any time.
You were saying that the old town is looking up a bit when it can run (a) motor garage. The new form will be doing Mc a little harm now they have taken on these sorts of things. You was saying that Cris is home, well I only wish I had half his luck. I suppose it won't effect him from going back to the school teaching.

We are living on the fat of the land over hear just at present, plenty of poultry and pork, they are what the French people left behind when the push was on.
Well that's all the news at present .
Remember to all.
With the best of love
From your loving cousin Leslie




Friday, March 14, 2014

"Those Big Birds Do Not Lay Any Eggs" C.Anderson

Pte C.G.Anderson

22cd M.C. Coy

A.I.F.

France

5/5/18

Dear Colina

Just a short note wishing this to find you in the very of health as it leaves me at present.  I have note been at all well for the past few weeks cos (?) & you must know that our task  has not been altogether to easy.  But I must say I am enjoying myself very much and I never felt better in my life than  I am now at present I was a church this morning.  And I am going tonight every thing is lovely at this place where I am.  I am still in convalescent yet I will be back with Tom any day now.  This is tray Bon.  Here fritzy cannot throw his ironfoundrys at us.  Or them big birds do not lay any eggs on us at nights and there is no wearing gas masks and walking in mud.  This will do me.  Only where Tom my brother is I must be.  I will always do my Duty well Colina I have no news so I will close wishing you my best wishes.

From. Yours

Sincerely Charlie





"Poor Charlie" T.Anderson

Somewhere in France May 4/18

Dear Colina

Just a hurried line in answer to your most welcome letter Feb 21 and very pleased to hear you were all well I also had a letter from Emma I was sorry to hear of her poor Fathers Death also poor old Andy well Colina I have not heard from poor Charlie since they took him to hospital he promised to write as soon as he landed in hospital so I think they have sent him to blighty as he was very bad I have a bundle of letters to send to him as soon as he lets me know where he is.  I had a letter from Brother Bill just before we left Belg he had just come out of hospital Rube is still in hospital he will be sent to aussie as soon as they patch his arm up a bit I have not heard from Don lately he is getting plenty stouch and no time for letter writing for a time I hope his good luck sticks to him through the piece, I and Charlie had a good evening withAlic Spence before we came down here he looks farelyold on it his hair being gray makes him look older he is driving a motor lorry and they get a pretty rough spin there is not to many easy cops for a private in this caper, I had a bundle of letters from Qld (?) this mail and my Dear kiddies Photos Vera is a fine big girl now and the two little soldiers looks in the pink of health I think they will all be married before I get back well Colina we have plenty of wet cold weather today is the first time we have seen the sun for some time, I cannot tell you any more news but I wish I was (Lout?) of it as we are all well dearColina I cannot write a deacent letter here but ths is just to let you know that I am still on this little Boll of mud but I wish I was on the aussie mud it would do for my (cut?) well Dear Colina this will conclude in conclusion may this letter carry to you the very best wishes that I can send from far away across the sea fare the well but not good bye

God be With you I Remain Your Sincere Friend

Tom Anderson