Elsinore
Sunday night 20.11.17
Dear Norman,
You will wonder why I haven't written to you before this, but you know I allow Ma to do all the writing.
Well my boy we are glad to know you arrived safe and sound - both by Cable and then by letter. I can tell you we've had an anxious time from the time you left till we rec'd the news of your arrival. Well, by diary and letter you seem to have had a good time going across the water seeing all the sights on different places on your way. I can assure you the Diary was very interesting reading and all that have read it say the same thing and there is no doubt it will be a lifelong remembrance to you.
Well Norman, we have had sad times. Since you left, poor Arthur Harvison was buried the very day we received your cable and then the sad news of young Charlie Cox, Davie Borthwick and young Whitehead being killed and since then we hear that another of the Whiteheads has been wounded - and I am afraid there will be many more before this dreadful war is over - and then we have had Mrs Yeo and that old lady opposite the church, Mrs Reynolds died lately. So there is nothing else but sadness since you left. I was nearly forgetting Mrs Allen, Harry Allen's wife. She died lately and he has come back to live in Balmain and is going to teach in the Sunday School. Again things are about the same in the Church, just going along hardly able to pay expenses. I don't think there is to be any Picnic this year. Poor Charles Gooud was very much cut up about poor Charlie. He seemed to feel it very much. He comes to dinner now and again, he was in today. They are setting up a Sale of Work to be held on the 30th and 1st December. I will enclose a couple of pages with this letter. Ilma [Pa spells their daughter's name with one L] has had sickness in her home too. Burt has been very bad but I believe is alright now. Then Eileen is laid up, they had to get the Doctor to them. - So you see everyone seems to have their own troubles one way or another.
We have the trams running again to Birchgrove now. Its very handy just to walk down to the corner of Grove and Cameron St and then in I go to the Markets twice a week I don't go to Millars now, He sold them to some pig and poultry man.
We are having another Election on the 20th Dec, for conscription. I don't know how it will go but I hope it will be carried so as to send a lot of the lazy scoundrels away that are loafing about the streets here. [ unedited: so as to send a lot the lazzie Scoundrels away that is loaffing about the streets here] Mr Preston sent a paper to you to be presiding Officer, so I took it back the next day - so as to give him time to get someone else.
Mr Gooud's Picnic would have been on that day at St John's and that's where you would have been if you have been here.
Well Norman, I don't know what else I can say. Of course you know all about the strike and how it ended in favour of the Government - I am sure you will see some wonderful sights in London and suburbs that will open your eyes - I suppose before you get this note you will know where you are going to be sent ti or perhaps you will be travelling abroad..from wherever , we will know from the next letter we receive.
I think it was one of the best send offs that ever took place at St John's to you that night. over 100 Communicants and then the Social in the School Hall afterwards. I am sure it was a great compliment to you and I can assure you both your Ma and myself felt it very much and ever since members of the congregation have been asking me have we heard from you, hoping you would have a pleasant voyage and safe arrival in the Old World.
I suppose Ma told you about poor Miss Hodgkiss' death. They brought her to the Church for the service before going to the Balmain cemetery - and now I must close - I don't know of anything else I can say only hoping you are keeping in good health and mind and look after yourself well and don't be out too late at nights as you know there are always a lot of Roughs about at night.- so good night - Its just 10.30 and Ma has gone to bed.
Hoping this will find you in the best of Health and Happiness.
from your loving Dad - E.B.
Well my boy we are glad to know you arrived safe and sound - both by Cable and then by letter. I can tell you we've had an anxious time from the time you left till we rec'd the news of your arrival. Well, by diary and letter you seem to have had a good time going across the water seeing all the sights on different places on your way. I can assure you the Diary was very interesting reading and all that have read it say the same thing and there is no doubt it will be a lifelong remembrance to you.
Well Norman, we have had sad times. Since you left, poor Arthur Harvison was buried the very day we received your cable and then the sad news of young Charlie Cox, Davie Borthwick and young Whitehead being killed and since then we hear that another of the Whiteheads has been wounded - and I am afraid there will be many more before this dreadful war is over - and then we have had Mrs Yeo and that old lady opposite the church, Mrs Reynolds died lately. So there is nothing else but sadness since you left. I was nearly forgetting Mrs Allen, Harry Allen's wife. She died lately and he has come back to live in Balmain and is going to teach in the Sunday School. Again things are about the same in the Church, just going along hardly able to pay expenses. I don't think there is to be any Picnic this year. Poor Charles Gooud was very much cut up about poor Charlie. He seemed to feel it very much. He comes to dinner now and again, he was in today. They are setting up a Sale of Work to be held on the 30th and 1st December. I will enclose a couple of pages with this letter. Ilma [Pa spells their daughter's name with one L] has had sickness in her home too. Burt has been very bad but I believe is alright now. Then Eileen is laid up, they had to get the Doctor to them. - So you see everyone seems to have their own troubles one way or another.
We have the trams running again to Birchgrove now. Its very handy just to walk down to the corner of Grove and Cameron St and then in I go to the Markets twice a week I don't go to Millars now, He sold them to some pig and poultry man.
We are having another Election on the 20th Dec, for conscription. I don't know how it will go but I hope it will be carried so as to send a lot of the lazy scoundrels away that are loafing about the streets here. [ unedited: so as to send a lot the lazzie Scoundrels away that is loaffing about the streets here] Mr Preston sent a paper to you to be presiding Officer, so I took it back the next day - so as to give him time to get someone else.
Mr Gooud's Picnic would have been on that day at St John's and that's where you would have been if you have been here.
Well Norman, I don't know what else I can say. Of course you know all about the strike and how it ended in favour of the Government - I am sure you will see some wonderful sights in London and suburbs that will open your eyes - I suppose before you get this note you will know where you are going to be sent ti or perhaps you will be travelling abroad..from wherever , we will know from the next letter we receive.
I think it was one of the best send offs that ever took place at St John's to you that night. over 100 Communicants and then the Social in the School Hall afterwards. I am sure it was a great compliment to you and I can assure you both your Ma and myself felt it very much and ever since members of the congregation have been asking me have we heard from you, hoping you would have a pleasant voyage and safe arrival in the Old World.
I suppose Ma told you about poor Miss Hodgkiss' death. They brought her to the Church for the service before going to the Balmain cemetery - and now I must close - I don't know of anything else I can say only hoping you are keeping in good health and mind and look after yourself well and don't be out too late at nights as you know there are always a lot of Roughs about at night.- so good night - Its just 10.30 and Ma has gone to bed.
Hoping this will find you in the best of Health and Happiness.
from your loving Dad - E.B.
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