EIGHT
… ONE GOES UP TO HIS
HIPS IN MUCK AND WATER
MOLOGA, NOVEMBER
Despite his earlier attempt to enlist, Jim now sought an exemption from the compulsory home service enacted by Prime Minister Billy Hughes on 29 September. As the demand for men to take the places of the fallen had increased, the physical requirements had been relaxed and Jim is likely to have been considered fit for service. But he was fully aware that Sarah and Charles could not manage the farm on their own. He may also have decided that six sons at the front was beyond the call of duty for any family. Sarah’s eldest son appeared before the local Exemption Court seeking release from compulsory home service — he was destined not to fight on the battlefields of Europe.
Three days later, the Pyramid Hill Advertiser published the long list of applications for exemption from the district. Jim, incorrectly named John in the report, was one of many who stood before the Police Magistrate.
EXEMPTION COURT
The court at Pyramid Hill continued its work on Friday, Saturday and Monday, and had completed the business at noon on the last named day. It was presided over by Mr Bevan, Police Magistrate and Lieut. Josephs represented the Defence department. Of the 109 cases heard, 81 were allowed temporary exemption, 11 absolute, 6 refused, 5 adjourned, 3 withdrawn by applicants, 3 struck out …
Marlow, John W., 27, Mologa – Five brothers at the front, he being the only one left to manage the farm. Charles Marlow, the father, confirmed the statement. Lieut. Jacobs withdrew the objection. It was a good thing, he said, to see a family who had sent sons as in this case. The P.M. – You’ve done well, Mr Marlow. – The application was granted. 1
In 1916, public pressure to enlist was enormous. The more sons a family could send to the front, the more accolades the fathers received. Those with similar family situations to the Marlows also received exemption. Most applicants were granted a temporary stay until 28 February when crops would be harvested and there was no excuse to keep men from home military service and, perhaps, ultimately from the fields of France. Very few letters remain of those sent from home to the front. A Christmas postcard from Sarah to George, who was often referred to as ‘Ten’, is among the few. While wishing her son a bright New Year, Sarah acknowledges that such brightness would be unlikely in yet another year of war. The distress she felt at Albert’s rapid departure is clearly evident.
My dear Ten
Just a card Wishing you a Happy C and a bright New Year, but I don’t suppose there is much brightness there, hoping all are well, Albert sailed without a minutes notice
Mother
Charles, Sarah and Jim were kept busy with the harvest. Fortunately, the family’s relationship with Pearl had thawed following the wedding, as the letters between Sarah and her daughter-in-law indicate. It is unclear whether Pearl had yet shared her secret with her new family — she was carrying Charlie’s baby.
Postcard Sarah to Pearl no date
Dear Pearl
I got a letter from Charlie, and he wished one to tell you in case you did not get one but I suppose you did he is well I am in a hurry to catch the mail
From mother with love
C/o Mrs A Rackham
South Morang
Post office
December 16th 1916
Dear Mother
Just a line I am sending you a letter that I received from Percy it was addressed to me, he must have made a mistake in the letters and sent me yours. I also have received one from Allan and Percy they are getting on fine Allan said “they would be going to France about the middle of November” so it will be only a chance if they see Charlie.
You can address my letters to the above address, I may go to Aunties on Wednesday or Saturday Syd will meet me at the station after his work so I think Saturday will suit him best. Now Mother dear I will draw this note to a close the children are going down to post it. Hoping you are well as we are,
I remain your loving child
Pearl
C/o Mrs Rackham
South Morang P.O
Dec 31st 1917
My dear Mother,
Just a line in answer to your letter which I was very pleased to receive, I am sure you must be kept busy with the harvest and it has been so very hot this last few days so suppose it will be very hot up there, most of the crops at S. Morang are spoilt with so much rain. Mother dear I am at Aunties at present but think I am going back to Non’s this coming week, I have been here a week yesterday I have put the address to send any letters too. Have you had any word from Albert yet. Non has made the two Balaclava Caps for Charlie and Albert and I have been making socks I will send them one day soon. Now Mother dear I will draw this to a close as this is all the paper I have but I knew you would be anxious to get a letter, I am keeping well Thank you dear Mother give my love to all at Mologa not forgetting yourself dear Mother love from your affect child
Pearl
Myrtle Stone (right) and her sisters.
Myrtle Stone, Albert’s romantic interest, also sent a message to Jim that her family would visit the Marlows just prior to Christmas. Her brothers, Joe and Jim, were soon to depart for the training camps of England. Joe was a mate of Jim Marlow and it seems important to Myrtle, with Albert so far away, to retain contact with the Marlow family.
14/12/16
Dear Jim
Just a line to let you know if it is not raining we will be over on Sunday Jim and Joe are home until the 3rd of next month so Joe is coming with us. I had letters from Albert he was well when he wrote. Will close hoping you are all well.
Your affect friend
Myrtle Stone
FRANCE, DECEMBER
Percy and Allan arrived with the 38th Battalion in the old French port of Le Havre in the early hours of the morning of 23 November. Percy was promptly isolated as a companion had been diagnosed with mumps. He would not see active duty for six weeks. The rest of the battalion began a long uphill march to camp during which the Australians were greeted by women and children selling chocolate and fruit, and were entertained by their attempts to communicate. The following day the men boarded trains for the slow and tedious northward journey to Bailleul, a busy staging post behind British lines close to the Belgian border. They then travelled by bus to the village of Strazeele arriving on 26 November. Billets were soon found in the homes and barns of the farming community while General Monash established Divisional Headquarters in a chateau at Steenwerck. For the first time, the soldiers of the 3rd Division could hear the roar of the guns at the front and see the flares light the night sky. The central Victorian troops of the 38th Battalion, after months of training and delay, were anxious to do their bit; they were soon to experience war on the battlefields of Europe.2
Within days, the 38th was marching towards the industrial town of Armentieres, captured by the invading Germans in 1914 and later recaptured by the Allies. The battle-scarred town now served as a British base and place of recreation for resting troops. Close enough to be within range of enemy artillery fire, the people of the community continued their daily routine amid the chaos of war, welcoming the Australian soldiers into their cafes, their homes and their hearts. Armentieres was referred to as the 3rd Division’s ‘nursery’. In the German advance of April 1918, the town once again fell into enemy hands and was razed by the retreating Germans in October 1918.3
Under threat of enemy aircraft and artillery fire, the 38th moved into Armentieres where they spent three days preparing for the move to the front. On 1 December the troops were issued with gumboots and Allan began the arduous trek through the communication trenches en route to the line. Deep, sticky, black mud greeted the newcomers. Wading through a morass of mud to their thighs and in places to their waists where duckboards had given way, the men reached the front filthy and exhausted. Their homes for the next ten days afforded no protection from the freezing conditions. Dugouts were cut into the sides of trenches with rusty iron ceilings and walls of oozing mud. Rats, occasional artillery fire, enemy raids and the threat of sniper fire from the ravaged township of Frelinghien nearby combined to ensure that conditions during this relative period of quiet on the Western Front were truly appalling. Horse-drawn wagons carried supplies to the line, including food and hot tea for the troops. It was here that Allan was to celebrate his 21st birthday.4
Percy was the first to write to his family, although he made no mention of being quarantined and separated from Allan.
December 3
France
Dear Mum & Dad
Well Mum, we are in France, but where we are I cannot tell you, as it will be struck out. We had a quick trip over, there were a few sick on board I was not sick. It is fairly cold here at times but it will be nothing like it will be. How is the harvest going on, you will be short handed without Albert. Charlie ought to be over here soon. News is terrible scarce, so do not expect a long letter. The country looks very dreary now, we have not had much snow since we have been here. Well I will have to close as I have no more news, so I remain your loving son.
Percy
Somewhere in France
Dec 3
Dear Jim
Received your ever welcome letter, of the 21 Oct, you seem to be worried, why life is to short to worry; no doubt it is a terror to see such a lot of cold footed sods. My word Albert did go quick, you would miss him in the harvest, he ought to be in England now. You seem to have good crops this year Jim that compulsory training caused a stir. You seem to be talking a lot about girls, you have always got a fresh one, my word Jim you are lucky; do not forget to tell us the new one’s name. Well Jim it is very cold over here, and it is raining nearly every day. Sunny France “I don’t think” there has been a few casualties in the Battalion. You will be having Christmas now, I suppose at the spread in the hall. You will be cutting a dash Well Jim news is terrible scarce so I will have to close from your loving brother
Percy
While Percy remained at Le Havre, Allan had already experienced the tenuous nature of life on the Western Front. He described to his parents the terrible state of the trenches without revealing the terror of those first moments under artillery fire, the fear of snipers, and the death and destruction he had now witnessed. Typical of Allan he chose to lighten his situation with tales of the other enemy — the rats that were a curse to every soldier.
12.10.16 [10.12.16]
France
My Dear Mother & Father
Well mum we are in France at last and have just come out of the trenches. We had 12 days in there and now we are in our billets having a spell. The trenches are in a bad state. In places one goes up to his hips in muck and water. It is pretty cold, but not as cold as Lark Hill. We get splendid tucker and plenty of it. The only trouble is the rats, they are in 1 000’s. The other night I went to bed for a couple of hours and as soon as I got to sleep they hauled me out and had taken full charge of the dug out. So you see that we have more than Fritz to fight. When we were coming over from England the mumps broke out and a terrible lot of our boys got isolated and were left at -- Percy and W Street were amongst them but I believe they will be joining us up in a week or two. I saw Charlie before we left England. I have got a lot of mail since we have been here. I never got the letters telling me about the floods and the parcel. But I was pleased to hear that you got it. When we were in the trenches I got a lovely parcel of cigarettes and tobacco from Mick Grant. I hadn’t had a smoke for 5 days I never knew they were coming. Thank Mick for me. I also got a parcel from Mrs J McKay. I will get yours this week.
We got a big mail tonight. It wont be long before Charlie will be over here. Albert had rotten luck to sail so soon. Was pleased to hear that the crops are good. Well dear mother I cannot tell you much news so I will close hoping all are well as it leaves us all at present.
I remain
Your Loving Son
Allan
Goodbye Mum
I celebrated my 21st birthday last Sunday.
Waiting anxiously for a letter from dad.
The 38th had been relieved but not without casualties. Allan would have enjoyed a return to the comfort of Armentieres and its estaminets where refreshments such as beer, wine, eggs, chips and coffee could be found amid the warm welcome of the local residents. Although the men were resting, fatigue parties were still required to carry supplies, ammunition, barbed wire, pickets and corrugated iron to the front line. Allan returned to the front on 16 December for five days and was then withdrawn to billets at Houplines where the Australians decorated their dwellings with greenery and celebrated Christmas with roast beef and plum pudding.5
Throughout December, George remained in the Gueudecourt sector, some ten kilometres north-east of Pozieres. Enemy shelling and low-flying enemy aircraft combined with fog, rain, snow and the bitter cold — which froze hot tea in less than one minute — were to dampen his spirits. A day of leave in Amiens was a pleasant interlude and perhaps the catalyst which triggered a longing for home. On Christmas Day he enjoyed an issue of rum and a Christmas billy. The yearning for the warmth of an Australian Christmas and the trimmings of a family celebration must have added a melancholy touch to the joy of Christmas, the coldest recorded for 40 years.
George sent his mother Christmas wishes from the trenches of France.
France
Dec 1st
Dear Jim
I received your letter and Mother’s card today dated 21 Oct. and was surprised to hear that Albert has sailed they didn’t keep him in camp long. I told you in my other letters that Charlie Fyffe was wounded well Hughie Johnson got a letter from him saying that he was in a hospital here in France and was hit in the arm and leg I think he will be in England by now. I was with Hughie tonight let his people know that he is well as he asked me to mention it. It is fairly cold now we don’t see much sun it is foggy all day. It is rumoured here that Allan and Percy are over here now they saw Charlie in England. Fancy Eddie getting through his father will miss him for the harvest.6 Well Jim I have no news as I wrote to you a few days ago, so will close hoping all are well.
I remain
Your affectionate Bro
George
France
Dec 14/ 1916
Dear Mother & Father
Just a few lines to let you know I am well hoping all are the same, we are in the firing line and is fairly cold and have had some more snow, it is cloudy here every day very seldom see the sun, the artillery is fairly active in this part of the line. Before we shifted up here we had a day’s leave into a certain big city, and I can assure you I enjoyed myself very well, it put me in the mind of being back in Melbourne again to see the trams and all the nice shops. I received word a few days ago from the bank that there was some money there for me, it will come in very handy as I will just about get my leave to England in the beginning of February that is if they keep it going. I had a letter from Charlie saying that he was on leave and at the time of writing was at Payne’s and was sending me a parcel which I suppose is waiting for me now but we cant get them till we go back from the line as they cant get them all up here at present. I suppose Albert will have arrived in England by now. I think Al and Percy are over here now but there isn’t much chance of me meeting them. Ewan had a letter from Charlie Fyffe, he is badly wounded and is in a hospital in England, we haven’t heard anything of Charlie Wales but I suppose he is over there too he got wounded just a few days before C.Fyffe. Ewan gave me a couple of Pyramid papers and noticed that there was one of my letters in it. I wish you wouldn’t put them in the paper. You appear to have had great floods. I suppose you are very busy at present. Fancy Eddie Cheyne passing, his father will miss him. Well the guns are still nagging but nothing is dropping close here. I will now close as news is scarce.
I remain
Your Loving Son
George
Allan wrote to his family on Christmas Day:
France
Xmas Day
Dear Jim
Well Jim old boy I hope you had a merry Xmas. What a good time you must have had at the tea meeting & concert. We are having a merry xmas here. We are out in the billets now but we go back to the trenches to morrow. I think it is better in the trenches than out here, because here it is nothing but fatigue work. We are always situated up in the front line. It gets a bit exciting at times but one wants that to keep him warm. Well Jim I hope you have a good harvest. I suppose you are up to your dam neck in work now. It is a bit of a terror young Albert sailing so soon. He will just about land in England in the middle of winter and it is colder there than here. I have had letters from Charlie and Geordie also the relations. All are well. Percy has not joined us up yet and will not do so until another 3 weeks. Well Jim I have told you all the news so I will close hoping all are well.
I remain your loving bro
Allan
To his parents, Allan wrote:
… We have just finished our Christmas dinner of bread and butter but I believe we are going to get a good tea. I suppose you all had a quiet Christmas over there. I have not got our parcel yet, but may get it by New Year. There is a parcel here for Percy from L Sharp. He is not turned up yet. W. Street has got the mumps now and they are isolated for another 21 days. Where they are they are doing well. Charlie will soon be over here with us. I would like to run across Geordie but he is miles away from us …
After Christmas, Percy wrote to his parents:
… Well xmas is over, we had a fairly tame one, no ham and turkey for dinner, roast meat and so on. I was a little lucky, there were a few parcels sent from the comforts fund, and I won one of them in a kind of a raffle. There were 2 boxes matches, matchbox cover, pipe, 2 cigarette, 2 handkerchiefs, 2 packets of lollies, toothbrush & paste, it was a very handy win. The French people are very hard to understand, some words you can understand …
ENGLAND, DECEMBER 1916
Across the English Channel, Charlie had returned from leave and was preparing for his move to France. However, like his brother, he was soon isolated as a result of an outbreak of mumps. Nonetheless, he would leave for the front prior to Christmas. Four of the Marlow boys were to enjoy 25 December in the billets and camps of the Western Front.
3rd Dec 1916
Dear Mother,
… I have just got back from my four days leave, we took the train to London and then I got the train to Leicester I got there at about 6.15 p.m. I wrote to Ida and told her I was coming so she came and met me, we recognised each other on the spot, she said I was very much like Allan, she would have not had any trouble in finding me as there were only three Australian soldiers on the station, they do not see many Australians up there and when I was coming away all the children were coming out of school and the boys stood and looked at me and would say to themselves he is a Canadian he’s an Australian he’s from New Zealand. Auntie Payne is very nice and also the girls auntie and I had a waltz one night, she is very lively, whilst Ida played they are all good dancers the youngest one May, is such a nice little girl she is 10 years old auntie gave me a silver tiepin, and a glass tumbler it is very old and I never saw one before it was Grandfather Marlows. I left them there along with some other things I did not want, I sent Geordie a parcel I bought a cake and sent a pair of socks that Pearl knitted for him also some cigarettes and matches and a handkerchief. Geordie was out of the trenches with Amos when he wrote he is getting on alright I was surprised to hear that Albert sailed on the 21st Oct neither Jim nor you sent his No. but the 4/38 will find him. I will write to the base in London and find out what camp he will be in, I will give him money I have about ₤7 on me. I wrote to Dad last week about sending money to Paynes for Geordie and Al and Percy, they can send it over to Geordie anytime he wants it should he get leave auntie said they would be only too pleased to do anything for us as she knew we would do the same if Clem was in Australia, if you sent money in a registered letter, say notes they could change them here, I told Dad to cable it if it did not cost too much, but if it did a ₤5 note registered would be quite safe, I sent a sovereign to Geordie and gave Al and Percy ₤3 between them, they all say they have plenty but in case any of us should be short it is just as well to send over some and it can be left at Paynes, I will see that Albert has got enough. There are dozens of Australians here with hardly a shilling to their name, but it is their own fault, they drink all they have at the canteens …
While writing on the same day, Charlie does not mention to his mother that he has been ill with mumps, although he tells Jim that he had been admitted to hospital. The golden rule when writing to their mother was not to cause her worry. An astute mother, Sarah soon realised that her sons were protecting her from the truth, a situation which only added to her apprehension.
3rd Dec 1916
Dear Jim
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well although I am in a hospital, I came in here yesterday with the mumps along with 8 other mates from the 3/38 it is more of an isolation than anything else, it is said that the cold weather brings them on although mine is nearly alright now but some of the chaps are terrible they do not give us any medicine for them, there is no pain. I believe we will be here for a week but I don’t mind as we get four meals a day and we don’t get up till 8 or 9 oclock and do nothing all day, it is very catching that is why we are here … I have no idea when we are going to France Geordie was alright when he wrote he said C Fyffe was wounded, I was up to Leicester I saw all the relations there. Flo Wilson got a letter from you the day I was there she is a lot better looking than the photo she is a lively girl. I saw Grand Uncle Ted Marlow he was very pleased to see me, he did not see Al and Percy I also saw his daughter and all the other relations I saw the Old family Bible and Grandfathers grave and the church he used to go to. I heard about the conscription being knocked and it was hard luck, but I hope it will come on again, I also heard of the great coal strike. Well the hospital Sergeant Major has just been round and told us when can go back to our own huts again so we have not been long here, as we came in yesterday, we will be leaving a good home here …
12th December 1916
Lark Hill Salisbury Plains
Dear Mother,
… I have not heard from Al or Percy but got a letter from Geordie he asked me to send him a ₤1 which I did next day, he has been on a few days leave and was in the town of Amiens, he said he was a Lance Corporal now so he will stand a good chance of being promoted when once he gets a start. I got a letter from Ida yesterday and was sorry to learn that the youngest little girl May fell in the school yard and broke two bones in her left for arm, they took her to their lodge doctor but he would not set it so they had to take her to the hospital to have it set and I believe she is getting on splendid she is I think 9 or 10 years old and such a nice little girl. I also got a letter from Flo Wilson last week. I have not got that parcel you sent but I will get it alright as they have not given out any parcels yet. Lark Hill is not as good a camp as Hurdcott it is nothing but mud here although it does not rain very much yesterday it was snowing, we have a nice fire in our hut and can get plenty of coal, we get good food here for breakfast we get stew about every second morning and bacon the rest, on Sundays we get bacon and sausages for tea we get bread jam and margarine which is just like butter in fact I cannot tell the difference, I have not heard anything of Albert yet I wrote again yesterday to the base in London to try and find out where he is, I also sent a letter there for him. I am getting on splendid and feel real well a lot of our chaps have got terrible colds so far I escaped. Wilsie Townsend was at Hurdcott camp also Bill Crossman and Jack Sinclair they were to go to France very soon I saw Alf Ferris at Hurdcott Wilsie Townsend and Jack Sinclair will be with him did you get the cable which I sent, the A.I.F. have a place in London where we can find out anything regarding the soldiers and their whereabouts. I wrote to Arthur yesterday and to Bernie Day. Tom Roberts is still with me. Also Les Cant, there is one of the Tailors from near Jim Cheynes place also in my company. There was one of the Humberts from Calivil with Wilsie Townsend he is such a nice fellow and has a brother killed at war. I suppose you will know that Charlie Fyffe was wounded, he was not far from Geordie when he was hit, it was in a bombing attack. Amos Haw was only about 100 yds from Geordie the first time he wrote to me, he has seen such a lot of the local boys over there. I suppose you will be finished harvest by the time this reaches you, wheat ought to be a good price as it is a good price here now I saw in the papers this morning that wheat was 80/- a quarter, I saw in the Bendigo paper which Pearl sent me, the fuss about conscription and the lads having to go and get examined …
17th Dec, 1916
Lark Hill
Salisbury Plains
Dear Mother, Father & Jim,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well and got 7 letters from Australia and also your xmas box, I thank you very much for it the cake is real good also all the other things… They seem to be having some fun with the conscription, I was sorry it did not pass, it would shake a lot of them pro Germans up. I suppose you have heard of the germans offering peace to the Allies, I was surprised when I heard it, they must be about knocked out or they would never have offered it, at any rate I don’t think it will last much longer, we get some lovely frosts here it lasts all day and part of the next day, it has not rained much since I have been here but it snows fairly often, I heard from Lorrie Taylor that Eddie Cheyne had been discharged, was he called up or did he volunteer and how about those who were in the camps will they have to go now conscription has failed, George and Arthur had a debate in Mitiamo with Spencer and Wells the Methodist parson they gave him a bad time so I believe.7 Ida gave me a balaclava helmet and Flo Wilson knitted me a nice pair of mittens they will be alright this cold weather. Well I will ring off for this time. I write to you every week and hope you get my letters …
19th Dec, 1916
Lark Hill
Dear Jim
Just a few hurried lines to let you know that we are off to France any moment now, we have to train there, for how long I don’t know. I have not seen Albert but sent ₤1 up to Paynes for him I have not heard from Al or Percy but no word has come across from any of the 38 I have got 3 letters from Geordie since I have been here he is alright. I am with Tom Roberts from the Ox we sleep together there is a lot of chaps that I knew before are off with us, Lorrie Taylor told me Eddie Cheyne got discharged and Auntie Florrie said Bert Gibson was called up again. I bet he did not like it. Auntie Payne sent me a box of cake yesterday. I have got No. 10 boots 3 pairs of socks on Flo Wilson knitted me a Balaclava helmet, I never felt better in my life before and weigh over 13 stone, I do not think the conscripts will be wanted after all what do you think of the Kaiser wanting peace and in todays paper it says the French took 11, 700 prisoners we get the war news straight out here, no bluff, the Allies have them on the go now, there will be peace very soon Lloyd George gives his speech today on the peace proposed they will suggest their terms to the Germans and I think they will make up some terms for a peace. I reckon all those fellows you spoke of in conscription wants hanging head downwards, I will write as often as I can when in France, so hope all are well as I am at present as I said before Al and Percy are in France now well goodbye for this time
I am your affect brother
C.E.
Charlie’s optimism that the war would soon end was fuelled by newspaper reports of Allied successes and an offer of peace made in the German Reichstag. Moves to end the conflict would, however, come to naught. Belgium would not give up land currently occupied as Germany had proposed and what was an ambiguous and arrogant offer of peace was overwhelmingly rejected by Allied governments. In December David Lloyd George was elected British Prime Minister. He told the British people that he would not accept or negotiate the terms proposed by the Germans. The war would continue on its destructive path and Charlie’s hope for peace would be crushed.
Charlie wrote his next letter after arriving in France:
Boxing Day, 1916
France
Dear Mother, Father & Brother
As you will already know I suppose, that I am [in] France, we are in a training camp I have not seen the boys they have gone up to the lines some of the old battalion boys are here Jack McDonald from Pyramid is one of them I was talking to him, he is with us, Tom Roberts and all the boys from up about Pyramid are here. Les Cant did not come over from the old country he was isolated for mumps. I have written to the 3 boys since I have been here and wrote to Albert and sent the letter to Paynes for them to send on to him I also sent a ₤1 note there for him I have sent 2 letters to the base for him I also left a note with Les Cant for him he will join up with what was left out of our company. Well yesterday was Christmas day we had a very good dinner ham and beef, cheese, pickles and plum pudding, the pudding was a bonzer they also gave us dates, so you will see we have had nothing to complain of, we get plenty to eat over here and don’t work over hard. I said before I received your very nice parcel the pudding was about the best I have ever tasted, I also got a parcel of cakes from Auntie Payne a few days before I left for France. I got a mail from Vic 2 days before I came away, I have answered all of them, but now I will not be able to write to all of them as I did before, but I will endeavour to send you a line as often as I can. It is not near as cold over here as England, but rains often, there has been no snow since we have been here. Well I will ring off for this time, I hope you are all well at home and getting on alright, I am quite well. And I believe the boys are alright. I will say goodbye with best wishes to all.
I am your affect
Charlie
Charlie made the crossing to France but was soon isolated again as a result of the mumps epidemic that continued to plague the soldiers. He mentions seeing Jack McDonald of Pyramid Hill. Jack, who was married with eight children, signed up at the age of 39, leaving his job as an engine driver to sail on the Runic with Allan and Percy. Jack was awarded the Military Medal in February 1918 for his action in a raid in the Warneton sector in Belgium.8 Inexplicably, he wrote to authorities in May 1919 requesting his medal, which he believed had been awarded for action at ‘Buere’ (Buire-sur-l’Ancre) in France on 4 April 1918.9 Perhaps Jack had been recommended for a medal on two occasions. On 29 September 1918 he was shot in the neck and shoulder which left him with limited movement. He returned to Australia but died soon after, another casualty of the war. The Pyramid Hill Advertiser reported:
… After long strenuous, and brave service in the great war, Signaller Corpl. J R McDonald, of the 38th Battalion, returned with his comrades who had survived the great ordeal and rejoined his family here and through suffering in health through being gassed he showed indomitable courage that marked his work in the war by setting up productive work, taking up part of the “Mangatt Hill” estate and growing wheat … Unfortunately his health continued to decline, and after a rather long illness, endured patiently with a courageous heart, he passed away on Monday night last at the comparatively early age of 46 years … He enlisted early in the war, and served for five years, three of which was spent in the field and marked by bravery and resourcefulness, a fact attested by his having been awarded the military medal for gallantry in the field…10
30 Dec 1916
France
Dear Mother Father & Jim
… I did not see Albert before I left but left a letter with Ida and a ₤1 for him I do not think they will take him into the firing line till the spring as he is too young … One of my mates got the mumps and was sent to the hospital and the rest of us were sent into an isolation camp and will be here for 25 days. I like France better than England for the cold it is not too bad over here at all, of course it is the middle of winter and out in Vic you will be dodging the sun. There is great talk of peace over here now and the Fritzs seemed to have turned Uncle Sam down I think that was a good thing, we get the English paper over here every day I saw by it there was to be a conference of premiers and Hughes was coming over. I think they will come to terms. I met one of the Piepers from near Clees he is in the same division as I am, I said before I got your parcel, I expect some more mail any day now. I have not got any letters since I have been here. I wrote to all the boys and told them I was over here, I will see them when I go up the line. I suppose you will be finished harvest by the time this reaches you I hope the crop turns out well, you can use that horse of mine any time. I was glad to hear that he looked so well it is very good of Mr Alford to leave him in his paddock. I have not heard anything of Tom Alford or Charlie Fyffe but I hope to see them, Tom Roberts from the ox is still with me also George Collison and Albert Sinclair I have not seen anything of Jack Sinclair since I have been here. I met young Gardner yesterday from Pyramid. How are they getting on with the conscription now. I suppose they will just have to rely on volunteers now to back up the Australians. Well I will draw to a close for this time hoping you are all well at home as I am at present so goodbye.
I am yours affectionately
Charlie
As Charlie awaited the end of his time in isolation, Albert was soon to arrive in England after a long and eventful ten-week journey.
AT SEA AND IN ENGLAND, DECEMBER
At Sea
Dec 20th
Dear Mother, Father & Jim,
Just a few lines to let you know I am well, and still on the water. Since I last wrote our boat ran aground on a sand bank, so we were taken off and put on another boat. This is a lovely boat. Plenty of room, better tucker and bunks to sleep in. We expect to land a day or two after Xmas, we have been a terrible long time on the water, and have called at more places than I thought we would. We are not allowed to say where we have been, or anything about the trip. It gets a bit monotonous at times. We don’t do much drill, but we get plenty of fatigue work to do. The sea has been very calm since I last wrote. I am still as fat as a fool, and feeling tip top …
Albert also continued his lengthy, uncensored letter to his mother, originally dated 16 November, as his perilous journey to England rolled on. On reaching Larkhill he was looking forward to being reunited with Charlie. He was bitterly disappointed to discover that he had missed his big brother by a matter of days.
… Well mum since I wrote that we have been shifting a lot. We had left Dakar two days, when the boat turned back and went back to Freetown, we got there on Saturday the 10th Dec. When we turned we were within 10 miles of a German armed merchantmen. We travelled back at full speed (20 knots) Two British and one French cruisers left Freetown that day and sunk the German boat. We left Freetown on the 14th with 4 other transports and a cruiser. We left some transports at Freetown. Two of them were taking nigger soldiers to France to do fatigue work. There were 32 boats in port when we left there. We have war news on this boat every day. The most important seems to be about peace. The Kaiser wants peace by Christmas. It was 8 weeks last Friday since we left, and I don’t think we will get to England for Christmas now. We are having an exciting trip. The C.O. told us to be thankful we are not at the bottom of the sea_______
Dec 26 Well Mum it was Xmas Day yesterday. We had Church parade in the morning and a concert in the afternoon. We do not get meat on this boat for dinner so we only had plum pudding for dinner, and it was plum pudding. For tea we had raw meat and bread and jam, so we had a tame xmas. We expect to land tomorrow or next day. It is nearly 10 weeks since we left and the trip is getting tame, especially as the tucker is getting short. It is very cold now.
Dec 31st – Well Mother, we arrived at Plymouth on Thursday the 28th and disembarked at 6 am on Friday morning, and went on the train. We had no dinner and got a bun and a cup of tea at 2 oclock, which was given by the Mayoress of Exeter. We arrived at Amesbury at 7 oclock and marched 5 miles to the camp. We have done no drill yet. When I got there I expected to see Charlie, 50 of the 3/38 were left behind, and they told me that Charlie had gone to France. I was never so disappointed in all my life. He left a note behind with Cant, a chap from Milloo, to write to Mrs Payne, so I wrote yesterday. I sent a cable home last night. I hope you get it. I got 6 letters the night we got here, one from you, 1 from Jim, 1 from Ralph, 1 from Myrtle Saville and 1 from Myrtle, and I was glad to get them. I have not received the tin yet. You say you are cabling me money. You need not have sent me any as we draw ₤5 tomorrow for the trip over. Besides I don’t spend much money. We expect to get leave soon I am going to Leicester. Well Mum I have no time to write any more so will ring off hoping all are well, as it leaves me at present.
I am Your Loving Son
Albert