Brisbane
The Young Men’s Christian
Association
(14th) October 19th 1915
Dear Noon [Muriel]
I have at last received that, which has kept me
wondering for such a long time at its absence. No mail
had brought me word from home for such a long time
(excepting Art’s from Warwick) that I was beginning to
wonder whether you had forgotten that one of the
family was residing in Gallipoli; but today has dispelled
those thoughts, & I am again pleased to know that you
all think of me, & am anxious to see me once again, safe
& sound in dear old “Cremona”
(2)
I am receiving the papers alright & never realized the
value of the Q T [Queensland Times] till now; the paper
& envelopes also are handy, & will use same when the
YMCA which I brought with me runs out, which will be
very soon. Letters now have to be censored (by our
own officers, before we post them, & of course one is
not allowed to put anything that might be of value to
the enemy, so therefore I must not tell you that it is 11
days since I either washed my face, hands, or had a
shave. It is fairly cold & windy at present, & the other
day we had a taste of what it will be like when the rainy
season sets in, & I can tell you it wasn’t too pleasant
(3)
It is a very akward [awkward] job writing letters, & if it
hadn’t have been for the wallet Doris gave me, I don’t
know what I would have done for a writing desk. That
reminds me she mentioned that you were going to
Sydney for a holiday, but seeing you said nothing about
it in your letter, I was wondering whether it was all off
or not. Although Dad’s, & your letters were posted a
week apart, I received them both to-day, so will answer
them now, starting on Dad’s first, seeing yours is the
latest. Am sorry to hear the Colonel is so bad, & it is
very funny to relate that just last night for the first time,
I was dreaming about him, & just on entering the house
to see how he was, Mrs Deacon came up to me, & said
he was dead.
(4)
Am pleased to see dear old Ipswich shining up on
Australia Day, & she will not be far from top when the
numbers go up. The way things are looking in Australia
at present, must make it very hard for any young
unmarried able bodied man to live, especially if he has
any sort of conscience, & it is a good thing we
volunteered in time, rather than being shoved into it.
Was very shocked, & sorry, at hearing the sad news of
Sid’s death, & my deepest sympathy goes out to his
sisters & father & the loss of their only brother & son. It
is good to hear that all hands, are still at the shop, & I
hope business will still keep bright enough, for that to
continue.
(5)
Things must be bad when Bottomley & Francis have to
close down, & I hope the rain will have the desired
effect of bringing down the price of meat & bread,
which we are getting a fair amount of here on the
Peninsula. You will have heard all about Harry Jackson
in my previous letters, so there is no need to repeat, but
I am just wondering how he will like the idea of Maud
getting spliced. Mr Walker is a fine sport, & really one of
the best men in the world, & I was very pleased to hear
Lieut Nichols (Jaffy) say the same thing, in our
conversation, the second day we arrived here.
(6)
I will try & write him someday if possible, but Dad might
tell him what I heard of him on the other side of the
world, & also remember me kindly to him & his family.
It is very fine to have him Patron of the Rifle Club, & I
will be glad to get back & take up my old position as
Secretary, under his charge. Now a look at your letter;
see what there is to say, & then I must close. Those
socks you posted have not arrived yet, but seeing there
are chocolates inside, I wish they wouldn’t be long.
Doris also posted me a sheep-skin vest by last mail, &
that also has not arrived, the trouble being I think, that
the authorities are
(7)
a bit slack about parcels, however I hope they both
arrive safely, & at an early date. There is one regret I
have, & that is at not telling you to send parcels of
chocolates & dainties by every mail. Don’t worry about
Harry Jackson being sent to England, because he is now
only a few yards away from me (that is his Battl.
[Battalion]) although I’ve only seen him once since
arriving here, & how in the deuce these silly, unfounded
yarns get abut I’m damned if I know. Pleased to hear
Grand Ma is much better, & surprised to hear Aunty
Maud is married, because I wrote her from Abassia
[Abbassia], telling her how proud I’d be to act as best
man when I returned.
(8)
I received Aggies letter alright & have sent her a couple
of P.Cs [postcards]. Fancy Ern & Maria without bread,
that’s nearly as bad as being at the front, & suppose as
usual they forgot it. I received to-day also, a letter from
Doris, a photo of Ruby Hill & Elsie Pilkington, sent from
both selves & a P C [postcard] from Norman Hancock.
Yesterday 5 papers in all came to me so you will see that
this week brought me some news. You seem to have
forgotten to number your letters, but I suppose they will
all get here someday & in good order. Well Noonie you
will understand that this is for the family, so
(9)
I hope there will not be too many criticisms. Have had a
good week spell, & tomorrow we again go into the
trenches to fire at some dirt & barb wire. Do remember
me kindly to all friends & with best of love to all at
home & trusting & praying to see you all again
I remain
Your loving brother
Will
XXXXXXXXX
(Barb wire entanglements for the family)