SIX
I NEVER THOUGHT YOU
WOULD LET HIM GO …
THE WESTERN FRONT, OCTOBER
As the weather deteriorated with the approach of the European winter, George remained in the Ypres salient in Belgium where the 1st Division continued to rotate through the front-line trenches.
October 1st 1916
Dear Albert
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping all are the same. I received a letter from you a few days ago saying that Charlie was married and that he was about to sail he didn’t stop long in camp, I didn’t think that he was going to be married before he left. I had a letter from Percy today they are still in England, perhaps Charlie will get there before they leave. Well we have just come out of the trenches, I was only out a day and was writing a letter here in the Y.M.C.A. and the corporal came over and said they wanted some of us to go back again to take part in a raid so I went and was there 3 days, it turned out very successful, we gave them a great doing with bombs. We have just arrived back and am going my hardest writing letters as the mail closes tonight. We are camped in huts here not far behind the firing line there are a Y.M.C.A. and a Picture Show here so it is not too bad. Well it is coming on winter here now the time is put back an hour today, I believe we are to have two blankets this month. I have just found out that Charlie Fyffe and Ewin Johnson are in the 6 Batt. here and that they joined the Batt. while we were in these last trenches. I am going to look them up as soon as possible. I don’t know how long we are out for, don’t think it is for long. The fighting on this front has been very successful lately. Well Albert I have a lot of letters to write so will have to close, hoping all are well.
I remain
Your affectionate Bro
George
The raid George mentioned was a highly risky foray launched in the darkness of 30 September. Clad in balaclavas and with blackened faces, 80 men crawled towards the enemy lines, their mission to take prisoners and collect intelligence. The raid was hailed a success and a number of members of the raiding party decorated for their bravery.
Eighteen-year-old Jack Price, who Allan had been attempting unsuccessfully to have transferred from the 46th Battalion to the 38th, had now reached France. He wrote to Albert with indignation after an earlier letter had been censored, while also hoping that Albert’s parents would follow his own in consenting to his friend’s enlistment.
France
Tuesday Oct 3rd 1916
Dear Albert
A few lines to let you know that I got two letters from you last Saturday. I was pleased to hear that you are all well. I wrote to you yesterday and put in a song about the Kaiser. I have just been up to the orderly room over the song and also parts of the letter. I did not think there was any harm in sending it to you but I believe I was lucky to get off the way I did. The Officer who censured it said he would let me know in time to catch the mail, if I wanted to go with another letter, so I thought I might as a man never knows his luck when he goes up to the firing line. I hope your father and mother will let you go if you pass when you enlist this time. I was up to see Allan and Percy the night before I left England, there wont be many of you left if you come over too. I suppose I will get to the firing line soon now or I hope so as you get sick of camp … Well laddie I don’t seem to have much to write about and it is nearly dinner time so I will close by wishing you all the best of health and luck.
From your sincere pal
Jack Price
France
Monday October 16/10
Dear Albert
Just a few lines to catch the mail for good old Australia. It is a bonzer day over here today and we have no drill. I have just come off a fatigue party all the same. We are going to get our vote today on conscription and I think will win easy enough here. I got four letters from home on Saturday night. I have not had any from England since I came here I don’t know where they go to. We get issued with plenty of cigarettes over here but they are not much good. We play banker for cigarettes sometimes and I won a lot that way. I was marked an efficient soldier this morning. My mate went into the observation tent yesterday with a bad cold but I hope we get away together. He knows that Collison that used to be at Durham Ox and Salter that used to play football with Calivil. There has been a lot of fights about here lately. We had one in our tent the other day but one fighter spent too much time on the ground. I got down to the village the other day with the chap from the Officers mess for some things. All the townships are out of bounds from our Division. The permanent men can get a pass allright. We get our meals in big mess huts here and the tucker is pretty good lately. Well Albert I must bring this to a close with kind regards to you all from your sincere pal
Jack Price
While Jack was hoping soon to reach the firing line, further north in Belgium, George had returned to the front line near Hill 60. He noted with discontent on 8 October that he had spent his 24th birthday in the trenches. Hill 60 was a small rise in the landscape that afforded significant advantage to the enemy forces who held the area, particularly the snipers who posed a constant threat to the soldiers moving about those trenches that were in range.
October 12th, 1916
Dear Jim
As I am sitting in the dugout I thought I would drop you a few lines but have no news to tell you but am well and that’s about the main thing. I wrote to Dad and Albert a few days ago we were out for a few days spell then, it was my birthday the other day so kept it up in military style by going into the trenches that day. We are not allowed to say what part of the line we are in but are in where there has been much heavy fighting but isn’t bad at present, while we were out I often used to see Amos, Charlie [Cockcroft] and Ewin they have just joined their Battalion but Tom hasn’t joined up yet they don’t seem to fancy it at all. I am well used to it now, Ewin was telling me that he is getting a lot of letters, Charlie and I went to a concert one night, Ewin wouldn’t come, he didn’t seem to shift from the camp, Charlie is just the same talk for a month without stopping young Charlie Wales is with them also I saw Harry Burrrows he is back again was only slightly wounded. I got Mother’s letter saying that she got my letter about receiving the parcel well I told you a long while ago that I got both parcels although one was travelling five months it was as good as gold when I got it. Well Jim I will now close hoping all are well,
I remain
Your affectionate Bro
Geo
You remember me telling you about that chap named Lousada that said he used to go to school with the Alfords at Warragul he was killed up on the Somme, he was a great mate of mine up till he went to the 21 Battalion.
The first of the Field Service postcards George sent from the trenches.
George now sent the first of many government-generated Field Service postcards that the Marlow brothers posted home to their family from the front line. While designed to bypass the censor and thus speed mail delivery, Field Service postcards represented their own form of censorship, with soldiers crossing out pre-printed lines which did not apply, leaving only the words officially supplied. While far more impersonal, they were popular with weary soldiers or those with little time to write before the mail closed as a means of briefly reassuring their families that they were alive and well and that letters from home had been received.
Figure 29: Field Service cards were both a means of censorship and rapid communication.
The soldiers of I Anzac Corps were astonished when they were suddenly ordered to leave the Ypres sector and return to the devastated Somme front. They were to prepare for an attack that would finally secure the higher ground of Bapaume. Now reinforced after the disaster of Fromelles, the 5th Division went into the line at Gueudecourt. The 1st, 2nd and 4th divisions were soon to follow. At the same time, as the Australians were en route from Ypres to the Somme, the weary soldiers were required to cast their vote in the impending conscription referendum.
As November approached, autumn rain turned the shattered battlefields into a sea of mud. Trenches were filled with muddy water, roads and routes to the front line became impassable, exhausted troops sank into thick mud with every step, cursing as they pulled their feet from the morass. Standing up to their knees in mud in the trenches, the troops were to endure a bitter winter on the Somme. The conditions were compounded by the cold weather that was now descending. The incidence of trench foot quickly soared and the front-line troops were instructed to massage whale oil into their feet to protect them from the debilitating condition.
George was camped at Montauban, some nine kilometres from the Gueudecourt front. He had grown increasingly concerned as he waited to hear from his mate Ray Leed. When the opportunity arose he set off to find Ray’s battalion, but could not locate his mate. The bad news was to come to George from Mologa. He was distressed to discover that Ray had not been the only Mologa boy killed. On 15 July as the 5th Division had moved forward in preparation for the disastrous Fromelles attack of 19 July, Ray and his mate Pat Ryan had both lost their lives. They were buried close to each other at Rue du Boix Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, five kilometres from Fromelles. Pat was 23, a farm labourer who had enlisted in July 1915 and transferred from the 22nd Battalion to the 57th in February 1916. While training in Egypt, his parents had been notified that their son was listed as dangerously ill with pneumonia; just six months later, they were to receive the worst news of all.1
October 25th
My Dear Mother,
Just a few lines to say I am well hoping all at home are the same. I haven’t time to write a letter. Well today I was over to Ray Leeds Battalion inquiring for him but no one knew anything of him, it is the first time I have been anywhere near his division since I have been in France, well I got a shock when I got back to my unit there was a letter from you dated September 3rd saying that he and Pat Ryan had been killed, I told Amos, he is about 100 yds from me, there are only us two that have escaped so far. Charlie Fyffe, Hughie Johnson and Charlie Wales are well. I got a letter from Jim today and got 6 others a few days ago dated August 27th. I suppose the parcel will be along any day. It is wet and muddy, we have had some frosts. I will write some letters when I get the chance.
Goodbye
George
Jack Price was now with the 46th Battalion and had experienced the perils of the front-line trenches. He now understood that luck played a considerable part in the survival of the soldier on the Western Front. He wrote to Albert, describing some of the hazards of service that came not from the enemy lines …
France
Monday, October 30/1916
Dear Albert
Just a line or two to let you know that I am still well. I hope you are all the same. I had a card from Allan yesterday morning. It is the only mail I have got since I joined up the Batt. I joined the Batt about 2 weeks ago up in Belgium and am in the C Company so that will be my new address. The Reinforcements all got their letters allright when they join the Batt. There is another Jack Price in my Company but a different Platoon. We shifted down here to France the other day and are billeted in a village. We get a lot better treatment since we joined up plenty of cigarettes and some gift stuff. Things were fairly quiet up at the last place but I think they will be a bit different next time we go in. I was on guard the other day and our orderly got a punch in the nose. They are a rough mob some that you strike over here in the clinks. We have been out on a route march this morning and doing some Battalion drill. How is Mologa getting on. I suppose Ralph Alford will be just about leaving by now. What Battalion is Geordie attached to now. He must be very lucky to get this far allright. By what they say he is among those that went through a bit. Allan and them are lucky to be so long over the other side. I hear that they have had 6 days kings leave lately. Well Albert I think I will close by wishing you all a merry Xmas and a happy new year from your old pal.
Jack
ENGLAND, OCTOBER
In England, the men of the 3rd Division continued their training in the techniques of trench warfare: night training attacks, sleeping in the trenches and bomb-throwing were just some of the activities listed on the schedule. Allan and Percy, unaware that their youngest brother had enlisted, were anxious for Charlie to arrive prior to their departure to France and keen to pass on news of their comrades and Australian successes. As the month drew to a close the prospect of their first Christmas away from their family prompted early messages of Christmas and New Year wishes to ensure the long mail journey did not cheat their loved ones of their thoughts.
Percy penned a number of letters in which he, like Allan and George, voiced his surprise that Charlie had chosen to marry:
Lark Hill
Sunday 1 Oct
Dear Albert
… Well Albert we had the King out to see us; he reviewed the troops, and then we had a march past, it took an hour and half for all the troops to go past, his arm must have been tired, we were not marching in fours but twenty wide. It was a terrible wet day, it made it miserable. I suppose you would see it in the paper it was all the third division, and all the reinforcements. Well Albert I got quite a surprise when you mentioned about Charlie being married, I never thought it was coming off so soon, good luck to him … Lets know who Jim’s tart is, he is always talking about the new one. I hope you are having a good time with Myrtle lets know if its coming off soon …
Dear Mum and Dad
… We had the King out to see us last week, I was not talking to him, he had a very wet day. There was a big crowd of men, when they were all lined up. The King reviewed the troops and then there was a march past, it looked all right. We have had some nice weather lately, just like spring time, they are still carting in hay over here, they have enough men with one wagon, to do two or three in Australia. We are going out to the trenches next week, for five days they have trenches here like those in France, about three miles from the camp, it will be very good. We got a letter from George yesterday, he was well, when he wrote he was having a rest. You have a daughter now. I got quite a surprise when I heard I never thought it was coming off so soon …
5 Oct
Dear Mum and Dad
Just a few words, I have no news, we are getting plenty of rain, I do not think it will ever stop. We had a letter from George, he says it is terrible wet, he was saying he met Gordon McKay. Well Mum I will not be sorry when we go to France the camp life gets sickening…
Lark Hill
8th Oct
Dear Jim
Just a few lines Jim, but I don’t know what I can tell you. Well Jim Charlie has broke the ice, you will not be long after by your advance; don’t you think he was silly to break his independence so soon. We had a lovely trip out to the trenches this week, they were out at the back of the camp, about four miles, it rained all the time we were going out, and while we were there. The first night we had tents to sleep in, but the next night was a night attack, and it did not rain a little bit; we were out till five in the morning, I can tell you it was good. The trenches were all chalk, and we were white when we came out of them. It is all chalk after you dig down about eight inches, it is funny how things grow. We have been on bomb throwing this last few days, its very interesting we had the mills [hand grenade] …
Allan sent Albert a studio photo recently taken in London. Inside this envelope was also a newspaper clipping from The Argus describing the Australian role in the taking of Pozieres. The reader could be forgiven for thinking that Pozieres had been a pleasant afternoon sports meeting.
Allan in London.
New York, Aug 7
American correspondents, writing from the Western battle-front, praise the gallantry and mettle of the Australians at Pozieres. They point out that the Allies bombardment was so complete that it destroyed all the German defences, shelters and entanglements. The Australians with the Sussex Regiment, then advanced, and captured six lines of trenches north-west of Pozieres without striking a blow. They carried a large work at the intersection of Thiepval road, continuing their vigorous advance towards Thiepval. The operation was the most brilliant in the Somme offensive, and resulted in the position being carried rapidly and with certainty. At one point the bombardment had buried some German machine-gunners. In one counter-attack the Germans found their retreat cut off by the British fire, and the Germans threw up their hands. They were taken prisoner, and the Australians unconcernedly dug themselves in in their new positions under a sweltering sun.2
8th October 1916
Dear Old Albert
… Well Albert we are still enjoying ourselves. In my last letter I told you we were going into the trenches on the Monday. Well on Monday it was raining like mad, but at 9 oclock we all started off. We had to march out about 4 ½ miles to the trenches still raining like blazes, we went into them for about an hour then came out for dinner. Then we went back again still raining Albert, till tea. We had tea then they told us we had to sleep in tents, anyway that was not to bad. They put 15 of us in a round tent but still that was better [than] out in the pouring rain. We got up at 6 had breakfast then went in the trenches again, it was still raining. We came out for dinner then we went back again. We had a big night attack and got to bed at 5.30 in the morning. It was still raining like mad. All the time we were in the trenches the MG Section never dug any trenches but the other lads did. We had breakfast about nine and we never went back till 1 oclock. It was dreadful in the trenches but the rain had ceased. The doctors got together and took us out at 2.30 and we came home. We were supposed to stop for five days but we have to go out again. Albert it just reminded me of when we were kids when we used to play in the water. By hell we had a pack to carry out there too. We had a spare pair of boots shirt singlet cardigan jacket socks underpants waterproof and over coat. Well Albert we have just finished a course of bomb throwing. It is not a bad game but you cant beat the machine gun. I got a letter from Jack Price the other day he is in France but not in the firing line. He says it is good over there where he is. Well Albert you are going to have a good year alright and I am glad of that. I have got my photo but it is rotten all the same I am sending you all one. Percy and I are going to be taken together one of these days. Our officer just came into the hut and wants our section all taken together so I will send one home. Well Albert they tell us they are going to give us another 4 days leave, so that will be good. I am looking out for Charlie now he will soon be here. I was sorry to hear about the boys getting wounded but I suppose it cant be helped. Well Albert I think I have told you all the news so I will close hoping all are well as it leaves me at present. Hoping all you are the same.
Goodbye Albert
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Allan
No word of making a move yet. It is raining here today.
A week later Percy wrote to his parents:
Lark Hill
15 Oct
Dear Mum & Dad
Well Mum we are still alive and still in England. We are going to the trenches for a few days next week. I hope it does not rain, like it did last time we was out there. The voting is tomorrow there will be a lot voting against conscription, if it comes in, it will cause a stir. We had a brigade stunt this week, we were advancing as in battle and then it ended up in a sham fight, we camped for dinner near a wood, there was a bee hive near where we stopped, of course we had some of the honey it was very good. We saw plenty of hares and pheasants, I would have liked to had a gun. Sunday is a very quiet day, nothing to do but to write letters. We had a letter from Geordie he was out of the trenches for a spell, he met Charlie Fyffe and Uhen Johnson they are joining his brigade. Tom Alford was not with them. We have not heard from Jack Price lately. Well Mum news is terrible scarce. I think I will close wish love to all from
Your Loving Son
Percy
Allan also wrote to Albert and his parents:
Sunday 15-10-16
Dear Old Albert,
Well Albert this is the second letter to you that I am writing for this mail and I hope you get them both. We expect a mail tomorrow, Well Albert this is the coldest day that ever I witnessed in my life, oh it is a brute. The other day they issued us with straw bunks and pillows and it makes a big difference too. Last week we were out on field operations and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We were out in some lovely fields and there was a few steep hills to climb. Talk about hares, I never saw so many hares in my life before I tell you it brought back old memories when we used to shoot the b_. They tell me if a man shot a hare over here they would dam near get hung for it. Well Albert we are off to the camp trenches again on Tuesday morning until Friday. I hope it don’t rain again, but it looks very much like it. If ever it looks like rain here you can depend on getting it. Well Albert we are going to move at last thank God. Our Colonel told us last night that we are going to move to France and we would be going sooner than we expected. Well Albert it is time we made a move. I have been in the army 8 months and I reckon I am fit for the fray. The boys over in France reckon we are cold footed. They reckon we are holding the front line of trenches at Lark Hill. Albert I will tell you why we have been so long. Now none of the other boys have trained for open warfare and we are doing a lot of it. Now they reckon by the time we get there we will have a lot of open work. I got another letter from Geordie yesterday. He is well and has met Hughie [and] Charlie over there. Well Albert I thought I had finished studying but have not yet. On Saturday O’Donnel our MG Officer picked 4 of us to go through a course of scouting. In the day time we are on the gun, and at night time we have to go out scouting for the enemy. You see we have listening posts out and we have to go out to them at night to listen what the enemy is doing and we have to send word back to our officer what is going on. We have to learn the dot dash business and we carry these machines with us. When we got over here they cut all this out, but now the 4 of us have to learn it. There is none of the other boys from our way in it. Every company has its own scouts as well. Well Albert I done my washing yesterday. I washed 1 shirt underpants singlet and 5 pair of socks and handkerchiefs. I have got it up drying. I rather like washing now when I go back I think I will do my own. I don’t know for certain Albert anyway we will see…
I never felt better in my life.
We have no word of the 3/38 landing yet but they ought to be here soon
All the boys are well
I got Lily Sharps socks they were very nice …
While, after eight months of training, Allan was convinced that he was ready for the Western Front, Monash was keen to ensure that the men of his division were well prepared for what was to come. The teasing by men of the older divisions concerning the length of time the 3rd Division had spent in camp was common in inter-division rivalry. But talk of being ‘cold footed’ would not rest easy with Allan and his mates who were anxious to reach the front.
On his return from trench training, Allan penned a lengthy letter to his mother:
Saturday 21-10-16
My Dear Mum
Well Mother dear I received your most welcome letter. I got eleven letters altogether. I got 2 mails at once the end of August letters and September letters. I also got your photo mum. You don’t know how delighted I was to get it. I was often wondering how long it would be before I got one. I was glad to hear that you are well. Now Mum in my last letter I told you that we were going to the camp trenches on the Tuesday till Friday. Yes we went and I will tell you about it. We left the camp on the Tuesday morning. It was raining but not near so bad as usual. Well we marched out about 5 miles to a terrible big cockies place where they billeted us. We had dinner then fixed up our bunks for the night. All the boys slept in the sheds but our officer got us up in a loft. By jove we were comfortable. He slept with us too. Well Mum by the time we done this it was tea. We had a real good tea had a smoke and went to bed. We got up at six in the morning had breakfast and done practically nothing for the day. Well on this night Wednesday we were supposed to get up at 2 oclock and go on a stunt to the trenches. Well everyone of us even the officer slept in and never heard the others going off. We woke up about 6 and then he said we better make a good job of it and sleep on till 7.30. There was not one of us that was sorry we missed it. Well after breakfast we done gun drill for the whole day. Well at 8 oclock on the night (Thursday) we had to move off to the trenches and put the night in there. By jove talk about cold it was a brute. At 11 oclock we had to make a charge, oh it was lovely I don’t think. We got back at 12.30 and laid down in our dugout but we could not sleep as it [was] a freezer. About 600 yds from the trenches was a wood where the cooks were camped and I could see some beautiful fires there. I watched for a long time to see if I could see any officer about and could not see any and so at 2.30 I sneaked out of the trenches with one of the boys down to [the] fire. I stopped at the first fire there was only about 6 at it. The cooks gave us some hot coffee and it was a treat. We saw a chap sitting on a box and who should it be but the officer. He seemed to feel the cold worse than anyone. He reckoned it was a b-. He had been sitting there for 2 hours and then wasn’t warm. He didn’t abuse the Kaiser a bit. We were not long there before Percy and the rest of the boys came. He seen them coming and said here comes the whole b- section. He said if there coming I had better go back and hold the trenches while they were getting warm and off he went but was not there long before he was back again. Some of the boys went back again but a lot of us stopped till day break. We came out of the trenches at 12 oclock on Friday and marched back to camp. We had a real picnic to what we had last time. Today (Saturday) I have been doing my washing. We had to return our old stuff and get new stuff in its place. I have got 4 of those shirts new underpants and socks and singlets. I have a lot of socks now. I am using the new flannel shirts as flannels, they are better than the one you bought as they have sleeves in them. Well dear Mum I am busy writing letters again this afternoon but Percy and Will Street have gone down to Amesbury. Peter Owens is in the hospital. He is going under an operation. He has got tonsilitis. All the other boys are well. Mum I have never been the slightest bit crook since being here. In fact I never felt better. But mum it is terrible cold and it is only autumn here yet. Well Mum Charlie is not here yet but ought not be long now. I was glad you got my cable. You ought to be getting my letters wholesale now. Mum we have been here 10 weeks now and I have never missed in writing to you one week. So Mum I hope you get the letters alright and also the parcel. Mum I hope you like the brooch alright. Mum I was terrible sorry to hear about Ray Leed and Will Hare.3 It is bad luck …
The following day Allan wrote to Albert. He had received word that his youngest brother had enlisted and was quick to berate him for not heeding his advice not to sign up:
Sunday 22-10-16
Dear Old Albert
Well I received 2 of your most welcome letters. I was pleased to hear that all are well and we are the same. I was out in the trenches when I got all the letters, quite a lot of them. Well Albert you are having a great year over there, and we are having a beautiful cold one here. Oh it is a brute and it is only autumn yet. What it will be like in the middle of winter I don’t know. I never felt anything like it in my life. Well I don’t think we will be here for the winter, as we have heard a lot of rumours to France, I hope it is so, as I think it is time we went. I had a letter from Jack Price yesterday. He is in France but not in the firing line. He said he had a couple of letters from you. I have been getting all yours and papers. By jove they were welcome. I was reading about the first hare shoot in the Bendigo paper. Where G.J. got top score. I would like a hare shoot now. You must have had a fine time the second time you were out. Well Albert I heard that you went and enlisted again. What did I tell you before I left. Albert you were foolish you know. There is enough of us in here now. Charlie ought to be [here] soon that [is] if he sailed when you said the 7th. I got [a letter] from him and one from your sister. Charlie told me about the hearty reception he got when he got home what a beaut he must have got. We got issued with new underclothing gloves etc on Saturday … When you write tell me what sort of a time you had [at] the picnic and the Pyramid show. I voted for conscription here the other day not many here voted for it but I think it is the best thing I know of. By hell it would hit G.J. up wont it. He wont like leaving the girls. I believe he is going strong. Well he is welcome to them. It is a wonder they are not out hare shooting for themselves this year… The war is going well now but our boys are still getting knocked about. I was sorry to hear about Ray Leed getting killed … You know Gus Ryan well he has [been] sick ever since being over here and was sick all the way over. He went under an operation here but is still crook, I think they will send him back again. Well Albert they tell [us] they are going to give us another 4 days leave. I hope they do it will be very welcome I have [not] started my course of dot dash yet as we were out at the trenches, you will see what sort of a time we had at the trenches by mum’s letter. Well Albert I think I have told you all the news so I will close hoping you are all still well.
Goodbye Albert
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Allan
It was alright Jack McKay getting stuck you done alright out of it. I supposed he enjoyed it. Albert thanks for sending me the wallet it will be very acceptable. I have not received it yet, but I got the rag. I was sorry to hear that you have a bad cold. Well Albert I never felt better in my life. I have put on some weight since being here. I am glad you got my cable. Well Albert old boy I think I have told you all the news.
So Goodbye
Have a look at the letters that I sent Mum
Please excuse scribble and blot I dropped my pen Albert
The next day, Percy wrote to his parents:
Lark Hill
23 Oct
Dear Mum & Dad
Well Mum, I received your photo, I think it is very good, you look a bit worried. We were out at the trenches when it came, we had a good trip out there this time, we were billeted for two days at a barn, they had a big sale there, while we were there, it was very amusing to see them selling. We slept in a hay loft, it was nice and warm, we were supposed to have a night attack but we never heard the alarm, so we missed the joke, I was not sorry. We put a day and a night in the trenches, it was very cold. Well mum conscription seems like as if it is going to come in, it will make a stir among the cold feet. It is very amusing here the people think we are conscripts, because we wear the badge in the front of our hats, all the brigade have to wear there hats that way.4 We are getting revolvers instead of rifles, all the machine gun section will get them. We are going through a twelve days course, we go through everything, that we have learnt; drill we had just after we came in camp we are doing. We are expecting our few days leave after the twelve days course. It was very sad about Ray Leeds, they will feel it very much. Bob Leeds came over with us, but he is not here now, he must have gone to France, he was not in our battalion. Well Mum, that was a great letter of Charlie Fyffe’s, it must have took him some time to write it, I think I have told you all the news so I will close.
From your loving son
Percy
As Percy describes, even in the photos that Sarah sent to her sons, he could recognise the signs of her growing concern. Five of her children had now left the security of their home and the safety of Australia. Her anxiety was evident to those who knew her well. Allan wrote to Albert to ensure he would seek to be allocated to the same battalion as his brothers. Having all the brothers together in the one battalion was one means to ease Sarah’s apprehension.
… I have just come back from Amesbury. Les and I went down, oh it is a brute of a town. It is only 1 ½ miles away and since being here I have only been down twice. Well Albert I wish you hadnt passed for the war I think there is enough of us here now. You seem to have a good time in Bendigo. Good luck to you too. Well Albert we are having a 12 day stunt now. They are giving us a general touch up of all the work we have done and then we are going away I believe. And I wont be sorry either. They tell us they are going to give us another 4 days leave too. I hope it is true too. Well Albert if you get through allright you are bound to be sent to England. If you do and Charlie is here, you get with him. Now Albert don’t forget. You will be able to do it too and then in the end we will be all together with the exception of Geordie. Well Charlie isn’t here yet but I hope he gets here before we go away. Albert when you come here you will find London etc the dearest b-place God ever made. You want to beat them down a treat. I never saw a place like it in my life. Beat the b- down. Now Albert don’t forget to get with Charlie. If Charlie is here you apply for a transfer at once. You write to Charlie or see him and get him to work for it too. Well Albert news is b- scarce. All the boys are well. Well Albert by the time you get this letter it will be Christmas. Well Albert I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and if you get through allright I hope you have a good trip over. As soon as [you] lob write to me at once … Well Albert old boy I will say goodbye hoping if you get through to see you over here.
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Allan
Writing to his mother, Allan reassured Sarah that he would soon be home to once again enjoy the delightful lunches she routinely brought to the paddocks during harvest time:
… The other night we all went up to a play it was not too bad. It was first one that ever I have been too since our arrival here. Well mum you will be very busy by the time you get this letter. You will be cutting up lunches. That what I used to look forward to when I used to be up to my neck in work out in the fields. As long as the lunch came I was right. We don’t get any lunches here mum but I will have plenty when I go back. In my other letter I was telling you that I used to toast myself some bread in the cook house. Well Mum there was too many on the game at last and we all got stopped. We are getting good tucker here and you get a good appetite too. Mum I am sending you Albert Brooks photo he gave it too [me] yesterday. I suppose Percy sent you his photo. I sent some of mine up to Leceister. Mum I was delighted to get yours. I wrote to you asking you to send me one, so you will see what a pleasant surprise I got. I never got a letter from Geordie this week. I suppose he never had time to write. I have wrote to him to day and I have been posting a few of my letters to him in case he didn’t get any. I also sent him my photo. He gets my letters regular. Mum many thanks for the Christmas tin it will be very nice. We will get it alright mum. Mum there is no need to worry over us. We are alright and having a good time. Really mum I never felt better in my life. This climate agrees with me but all the same mum I would not live here for anything. Mum tell Jim I am sending him over my diary of my trip over. He can read it too. The notes are very brief and they are wrote in lead pencil. I want him to read them to you so you see what sort of trip we had, and what the sea was like each day. I have a little note book in my wallet that will do me, there are a lot of addresses in the diary, but I have got them all copied out … I got a letter from Jack Price this week. He is well and is still training in France. I think it is a good way from the firing line. Well Mum I think our brigade ought to do good work at the front if we only have good leaders, as we are well trained and we have a big artillery and more machine guns than any other brigade that has gone to the front. Well dear mother I think I have told you all the news so I will say goodbye for the present. Hoping all are well. Dear Mum I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan S…
A Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you mum
Percy also wrote to his parents and to Jim. He openly expressed his surprise that his parents had signed Albert’s enlistment papers but falls short of rebuking his family. His opinion is clear, however: there were already enough Marlow sons doing their duty and Albert should have stayed at home.
Lark Hill
Oct 29
Dear Mum & Dad
Well Mum, we are just the thing, I have no news, I wrote to you to catch a mail that went a few days ago. We do not know when we are going away. I am ready to go anytime. Jim says in his letter that Albert has enlisted, I never thought you would let him go. It has been raining a lot here this last week, we had lectures while it was raining on gas helmets, and bombs; of course we were inside. Well Mum I have no more news so I will close
From Your Loving Son
Percy
Lark Hill
England
29/10/16
Dear Jim
Well Jim, news is scarce but I will try and tell you some, we are having some wet weather lately, I suppose you are having hot weather over there now, you will be into harvest now, you will miss Albert, he says he has enlisted, I never thought they would let him go, I think there is enough of us gone. You were asking did I get letters from Flo and Paynes I get letters from all of them, it keeps them writing. You talk a lot about that girl in Bendigo but you never say anything about her name. I would just like to watch you. Conscription seems like it is going to come in, it will cause a stir among the cold feet “eh Jim”, I see by the papers they tried to shoot Hughes, it will give him a bit of a fright. We had a lot of lectures this last few days, mostly on bombing and gas helmets, bombing is very interesting Jim, they make a scatter when they burst. The gas helmets are funny when you get them on the first time, they are something like a bag over your head when you see anyone with them on. I am a real church goer since I came over here, we have to go every Sunday, there is no way out of it. We have got new clothes for all our worn out ones, we have a list of what we got to take to France, we have to carry it in our pack, our kit bag does not go to France, I do not think it will be long before we go. Well Jim I had a letter from Flo Wilson she said it was splendid that five of us has enlisted.
Well Jim I think I have told you all the news so I will close
From Your Loving Brother Percy
MOLOGA, OCTOBER
With Albert in camp, Charles, Sarah and Jim were now managing the farm alone with the harvest looming. Albert planned to take some leave to assist in those vital weeks when the wheat was ready and their year’s work had come to fruition.
Bendigo
Monday 1916
Dear Mum
Just a line to say I came into camp this afternoon There were five came in. Billy Taylor and a lad from Pyramid and I and two others. The lad from Pyramid used to work at Bob Newton’s. We got issued with our sleeping rig out, four blankets and a water proof sheet, and a piece of hessian. We had bread and jam and black coffee. It didn’t go too bad. I was up at Rowe’s for dinner yesterday and was up to the hospital yesterday to see the Stone boys. Jack Gibson and I went up to Mahoneys after tea. We had a good time up there. Aunty and Hannah were at Church. We got plenty of music up there. I was asked up there next Sunday afternoon. I got a pass to go home last Sat. I left Gibson’s at 20 to 12 and hurried all the way and got up to the station at 3 minutes to 12 just in time to see the train going off the station. We have got to get examined in the morning before we get our bluies.5There is talk of sending all the men from here to Royal Park on Wednesday so I may have to go there. I don’t know yet what my address is, so address it care of Gibson’s. Well Mum this is all so I will close hoping all are well.
I remain Your Loving Son
Albert
Melb
Wed evening
Dear Mum,
Just a few lines to let you know I shifted down here this morning. We left Bendigo at 9 oclock, had to get up at 5.30. All the men left the camp this morning for Royal Park. Two of my mates got left behind, but I got picked out among 8 others to load all the equipment. So I had to come down here. I got examined again yesterday morning. Bill Taylor got kicked out he couldn’t pass the eyesight test. I got inoculated yesterday morning and my arm is still stiff. I haven’t done any drill yet. We were all yesterday morning getting our kit, and in the afternoon they told the four of us to do what we liked, so I went into Bendigo at four oclock, and was up to Gibsons for tea, and we went to the pictures. We got down here at 1 oclock and loaded up the equipment and we were ages waiting for the lorry to load the next. It is five oclock now so we haven’t done much today.
I remain
Albert
Pte A Marlow
B/Co
4/38 Batt
Royal Park
Royal Park
Thursday
Dear Mum,
Just a few lines to say I am going on well. We got out to this camp last night at about 6 oclock, and it was as wet as blazes, but it is dry again now. It dries up very quick. We unloaded the equipment last night and our corporal shouted us to town to the theatre. We had a great time. I never laughed so much in all my life, as I did yesterday. We get up at 6.30 here, and have stew for breakfast, then at dinner, we have roast mutton and for tea tonight we had bread, jam and cheese. The bread is lovely here, quite fresh, in Bendigo it was as stale as blazes. The tucker is better here than in Bendigo, and there is plenty of it. It is a very big camp, and there is a hell of a crowd here. About 100 new recruits came here today. I done my first real drill today. The sergeant had a dozen of us to drill, and when he finished told us, we were the smartest men he ever drilled. There is a big canteen here, and seems to be plenty of amusement at night. There is a concert tonight. I think I will go if I finish writing letters in time. This is much better than in Bendigo, but I would sooner be there all the same. Eight of us sleep in one tent here. They are all decent fellows. I sleep fairly well on the boards. All of our company who have not had final leave had to step out at roll call, so I think I will get final leave soon. Nearly all the volunteers in Victoria are in this camp. A lot came here today from the Domain camp. I think I will be vaccinated soon as a lot out of our company were done today. Harry Street is in the same company as me. We got dismissed at half past four this afternoon, and get half an hour a day smoke-o besides about two hours standing easy. Well Mum, I will ring off, as I have more letters to write. Don’t forget to write. Excuse scribble.
I remain
Your Loving Son
Albert
I got two letters and two packets of books and postcards from Allan, and a letter from Percy. Did you get any from Geordie
Royal Park
Sat 1916
Dear Jim,
Just a line to let you know I am still here and like it tip-top. I got leave till tomorrow night but I got tired of walking about the town, so I came back to camp. I am going to the zoo tomorrow. 30 out of our company had to stay in camp to look after the lines. There are some damn thieves here, I haven’t lost anything yet but a lot have. This is a great camp. Miles ahead of Bendigo. The tucker here is good. We have a mess in each tent, and two go mess orderlies each day. There is about 3 000 men here and you have a job to get a wash in the morning. I have a cold bath every night before tea. We had church parade this morning. All the Protestants have theirs together. The Catholics fall out but don’t make much difference. I am applying for weekend leave to Bendigo next Sat. I couldn’t get right home so I am trying to get that far. Well Jim, this is all this time
I remain Your Loving brother
Albert
Albert’s final leave came suddenly. He made the journey home from Melbourne, little suspecting that, on his return to his company, embarkation would be scheduled for the following day, 20 October, when the men would board the Port Lincoln. The desperate need for reinforcements demanded their immediate move to England for training.
Albert returned to Mologa for his farewell which was reported in the Pyramid Hill Advertiser. The article also describes the family’s attempt to delay Albert’s departure. The harvest was about to begin and Albert was needed on the farm.
Private A. W. Marlow farewell
On Tuesday, 11th October, the friends of Pte. A. W. Marlow met together in the Mologa Hall to bid him farewell prior to his departure for the front. Private Marlow, the youngest member of the family, 18 years of age, had been in the camp only 10 days, and in that short time military life improved him so much that he appeared to have grown … Mr. W. Fyffe occupied the chair, and on the conclusion of the programme made the presentation of a gold medal to the departing soldier. In doing so he spoke at some length and referred to the fine qualities Private Marlow possessed, and instanced his readiness to assist in preparing for, or promoting any worthy social function happening to be on the tapis, altogether, a youthful, useful member of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Marlow in giving their fifth son had done much for their country. In conclusion the chairman expressed the hope that Mr. Marlow, along with his brothers, would return safely … Pte. Marlow in responding thanked his many friends for coming to see him that night, and for the nice medal presented to him, which, if he safely returned, he would proudly wear … Three cheers were then given for the Marlow family.
Pte. Marlow left by the afternoon train on Wednesday, when a number of friends assembled to see him off. On behalf of Pte. Marlow, Cr Jones endeavoured to get leave granted to him for part of the harvest only. It was thought that four sons having gone they would stand a good chance. Cr Jones forwarded a letter to Mr. Angus, M.L.A., who sent it on to Mr. Sampson, M.H.R, who in turn interviewed the Defence Department. The result was that word was received that it would be favourably considered. A few days passed and Pte. Marlow came up on final leave. Cr Jones wired to the Defence Department, who then granted the leave asked for. By this time Pte. Marlow was back in camp getting his sea kit ready for sailing. His parents received a post card announcing the fact that in an hour’s time he would be marching to the boat. He need not have gone into camp till the 28th October. However, as he wished his leave to be during November he decided to go to camp a month earlier, thinking that by doing so he would have a better chance of leave, as his purpose was honest and his mission to fight for his country well meant …6
Thursday morning [19 October]
Dear Mum,
Just a few lines to let you know that we are going to embark this morning and are sailing tomorrow. We had to get up at 4.30 this morning. I got here about 12 last night. They roared me up a bit about staying away, but I don’t think I will be fined. I got the surprise of my life, when I heard we were going today. We are just getting issued with our sea kit, no time to write any more, so goodbye.
Your loving son
Albert
There is a photo of mine at Kalma’s, a full length one, you had better get it and get some off it, I have no time to get it taken again.
The postcard Albert sent before he embarked.
With only an hour to spare, Albert quickly wrote to his mother before leaving Australian soil, writing on the back of a photo postcard taken in Melbourne. The youngest and last of Sarah’s sons to leave for war was now on his way. The photo is haunting. Despite the uniform, his staunchness and resolve, Albert looks every inch the young boy farewelling his devoted mother as he sets off on a great adventure.
Friday
Dear Mum
Just a line or two before I sail We are going to march to the boat in about an hours time, and are sailing about 1 oclock. I never had time to get my photo taken, You had better write to Kalma and ask him to send that one (in full length) up, and get some taken off it, You had better get 1 dozen and 1/2 and pay for them out of my allotments.
I will write a list of those to send them to, Well Goodbye mum,
From your loving son
Albert
One more loving son was about to depart. Like those before him, Albert was keen to ensure that his family had a handsome photo of himself in uniform. For families farewelling their men a photo was akin to an insurance policy, reassurance that their brave soldier would never be forgotten in the event he did not return. While the Marlow family assembled a large collection of photos, it proved little insurance against wounding or death, nor against the concern that Sarah and Charles Marlow must surely have felt with five sons now on active service.