"About 100 Years Ago by Harvey Bryce" Typically understated letter from a soldier

 

 

ABOUT 100 years ago Australia was thrust into war against Hitler’s regime in Europe and most of our young men left farms and jobs to go to England, then to Europe and face death for the Free World.   The ANZAC legend was born and women ran the nation.

Below is a letter from a young soldier in England to my grand uncle on the eve of departure.   It shows the concern, loyalty and anguish they all faced, many never having left home before.

I believe the letter writer never returned.

“Dear Henry,

Your welcome letter to hand under date of July 1st 1917 which only reached me today [about a year later].   It was a long time on the journey.   Our postal department at the AIF is not very reliable, what think you?   Well Henry I have had a varied career since last I saw you.   I have been in a few hot corners and have managed to dodge the undertaker so far.

I am located in old England just now and the place looks beautiful and green.   In summertime it is very pleasant but in winter is an awfully cold place to reside in.

I am near a big wheat growing district and there are many women working on these farms.    They wear breeches and putties (I took particular notice of the putties) and these are some girls I can tell you . . . the way in which they work behind the plough is remarkable.    At hay making they are experts.    The WAACS are good toilers also (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) as they are called.    They have done good work over in France driving ambulance motor cars.    It was one of these angels that drove the car which conveyed me to the casualty clearing station after I was wounded.

Well, France is not too healthy a place to live in at times.    The same applies to Belgium.    These people are peculiar in their ways as is their mannerism.    I don’t like the Belgians – too much of the square head about them.   But the French are a noble race of people and very kind and it is a pity the way Fritz has knocked their towns and lands about.

However our lads are tuning him up now and with the assistance of yanks we shall out him in time and wind up the watch on the Rhine.

I have seen F. Mitchell over in France.    I also met Allan Cooke, Ben Tesche, Lloyd Wynne and many others.    All were looking well.

I am off for France on Tuesday next so will soon be tickling Fritz up with the bayonet again, providing we can run the Channel safely without getting mined.    There goes that bugle, so will close with best respects to Mrs. Butts, Don and yourself.”

Old Pal Jack
6946 Bacon Sandhill England
A Coy 15 Battalion
AIF Abroad 8/7/18.