Amy

The last letter

18th Bn. France, 26/9/17

Dear Amy,

Still going strong back with my own section, getting along well. The old boys in it will do anything for me and there are enough of them to make everything pleasant and easy. The new ones I am getting to know. We had a stiff row to hoe very soon after I got back and everyone was tested good and hard and not found wanting. My old luck has not changed with my new job and I am as confident as ever. My star is on an even keel. Was very confident when we were tried out and the section has as much confidence in me as I have in myself. I am kept very busy because I’m a bit strange I have been on theoretical work for six months – different stuff from my olden present job (which was kept for me.) So – I’m a bit rusty to be in concert pitch. We have to get tuned up and I’m going through the process. I’ve an orderly to look after me – can carry more luxuries than before and everything is O.K.   I’ve commenced schooling again – Pelmanising. Now am having my work cut out to make time for it but feel if I can stick at it, it will do me good. I won’t be so short of time when I’ve been at it a bit longer.

Heaps of love to all,

from brother Stid

France, 26/9/17

Dear Amy,

These cards will be posted in England in a day or so. I’ve seen the originals but haven’t time to send other postcards just now.

I am O.C. 18th sig. now days and getting along O.K.

Signaller Hull 18th will always find me all right.

Heaps of love,

Stid

The last postcard to Amy

France, 5/9/17

Dear Amy,

I am still having a good time. Have not caught up with my battalion yet. – expect to in a few days.

I spent Sunday last in Harve. It’s a fairly big place, much like Manly. it has been built into a tourist place. There are many bathing places and cafes and there were thousands of people out.

The people are showy and gay and fond of rainbow hued dresses. I guess it would be very gay in peace time. I got a few pictures to send with this mail. I haven’t had any home letters since I left Oxford. I guess I’ll get them when I get back the the battalion. The weather is lovely except it rains too much. I’m still sleeping in a civilised bed whether it rains or not. Bad weather is largely a matter of quarters. We have a good mess here- piano, billiards and a good time generally.

Love to all, Stid.

Dear Amy:

I haven’t been back in France very long after being in England it looks a dirty old place. It’s villages are not nearly so French and clean as English places. English kiddies get dirty and black with any but French kiddies get filthy. They are pretty babies but seem to grow out of most of it and grow much coarser on this side of the Channel. This place is only as big as Lockhart and has a couple of churches. The battle of Crecy was fought very close by.

Love from Stid.

No.4 Officers’ Mess,

Perham Downs, England. 24/6/17

Post Card, Tidworth

Dear Amy,

I am in a camp about a mile from this place. It’s splendid picnicking country.

We finish our day at 4 and it’s light until 11pm, so we ramble and enjoy it. I carry field glasses and a revolver and there are a few rabbits to shoot. I can get them sometimes.

Love from Stid.

My Dear Amy: Just taking leave here, this square where I… Is a very fine monument.

London, 4/6/17

Dear Amy,

I got through my family alright and have the commission. I got 10 days leave the day after the exam, 31st May to June 11 – the same date I was on leave from France last year and Jim Harrison, a lad who has been with me since I became a soldier is in London from the 18th Bttn.

I am to meet him this afternoon and will probably spend the time with him. Aunt sent me Arthur Wigram’s address and I went to see him at Skippall’s (?) Bush. He is interested in aircraft building and I thought he maybe able to help me to get into it. He couldn’t, but he was very nice to me as was his wife who is a very pretty girl. They have a nice home and no children. We had a nice dinner in the city and theatre after. I stayed with them until today. They wanted me to spend all my leave with them but I felt it would be mean. If I knew them well I would rather spend more time with them because I have plenty of money to go to the theatre etc. and like a home better than pubs.

It’s a wee bit strange to be walking about as an officer, being saluted and carrying leather gear. I will send some photos along in a day or so. I may as well let you have one of me as a second Lieutenant. Feeling a bit bushed now and not in much of a writing humour so it’s just claptrap.

Love to all, Stid.

Post Card, (Warwick Castle)                                                      Warwick, 27/4/17

Dear Amy,

We us and Co. have been at Warwick for a week target shooting. On Wednesday we celebrated Anzac Day with a dinner and generally gay evening. We Australians visited the castle in force in the afternoon. It is quite the finest in existence with very fine views from the top of its walls. The interior is very luxurious. Its owners live in it about three months of the year. I got your February letter this morning.

Love, from Stid

Anzac Day at Warwick menu

The Courtyard Warwick Castle – postcard to Amy

New College, Oxford

22/4/17

Dear Amy,

I spent some of Easter Monday at the park. There were some good bands playing and thousands of people and it hasn’t been filled up with gardens as most parks are. Flowers are pretty, but in a big city a piece of tree covered ground that is all open is a godsend. When the Duke of Wellington gave it to the public he was wise.

There are thousands of seats which pair off in the evening.

Love from Stid

Post Card