Doug writes with news of men who have returned to Balmain

Lincoln St

Campsie

27. 1. 1918

Dear old Norm,
I suppose you will say 'its up to you' and so it is. Dode seems to get in early and sends all the news. Glad to hear you are going alright, Norm and that you are OK. We are always thinking and talking about you as up fore. Jack Beard was in on Friday and we were mutually talking about our old cobber and wandering where you were. Jack has been to New Zealand again and on return to Sydney his boat "the Victoria" was sold to a Chinese firm. The firm sent it back to Newcastle a couple of times to fit new wireless plant on steamers there. He's just the same old , quiet stick.
CG (Charles Gooud) is elated at winning the Championship in the "Unique" on Saturday last. I believe he's presenting the medal to Mrs Cox.
Terribly sad about poor old Charl wasn't it? My word St John's have suffered terribly these last 6 months - the latest dear old Stan King being called away, coming as a shock to everybody. He was such a boy and away no time.
It was very good of you Norm, to make those enquiries about Tas, and to write such a considerate and thoughtful letter to Dode and Mr and Mrs Vale.
We had a leter from that poor young chap Arthur Evans, in reply to the one we wrote him, before he went back to France the second tim. He did not actually say that Tas died alongside him- he had to leave him but he did not say he died. We had word from the Military People when Mr Vale was ill - not long after you left, but they cannot give any definite details. There does not seem much hope, but the impossible has happened in other cases and who knows but that it will happen in theirs. There's no one actually seen him dead.
We called on Mrs Evans and Mary? tried a couple of days after Arthur was killed, about last .......... He was sent back to the front with a withered hand. Mrs Evans' is a widow and Arthur was one of the best. Her daughter-in-law and son are a great comfort to her , particularly the former. She is a real trick.
Your Mother and Father are both looking well Norm. Whenever I am over, I have a chat with them - Dode? took the services the Sunday after hearing the news about Stan and your father was the same as ever. Dodie got a sneaking regard for him and I think its reciprocated. I'll have to watch her. I suppose your Mother told you all the nice things the YMCA had to say about you here. My Mother was with her and they were beaming you up a truck. Eh, what?
The Birchgrove Regatta resulted in a profit of 35 Pound, handed to the Balmain Hospital.
Our lawns and gardens are a picture at present. You remember the lawn we put in- well it came up all weeds, so whose Jonah? I had to dig it all up again and go through the same performance and they say gardening is a beautiful hobby. I don't think. Our asters are just coming out and we have about 200 plants, so there will be 'some' show.
We went over to the Sunday School Bazaar - I suppose it is stale news to you now - Harry Allen was there as ......   .......    and so were Mr Gooud and yours truly, but I missed the smiling countenance of "my old treasurer" It seemed strange to me. New faces soon crop up don't they, Norm - the little time we have been actually away from active work and when you go to one of the socials, you seem lost.
You remember young Russell? of the Young Men's Club? He has been killed in action - Reg Hancock is home again (I have not seen him yet) Colin Causdell and Percy Anderson are also home. Will Lynch, Dad's Uncle, had returned. Do you ever hear of Ted Shepherd, Norm? I have lost trace of him. I hear you have met George Noble. I am glad you seen him - remember us to him when you see him again. I believe he has developed into a fine man.
Mr Vale is not right yet - he is lowly improving, but he gets terribly excited when he argues. They are up with us now for a while, then they are to ..... "......." and Balmain has been let furnished.
Well dear old Norm, there is nothing further I can think of - if there is anything I can do for you please command. I have you in our thoughts and prayers at all times, from your sincere pal,
Doug.

Dorrie drops a line - Miss McLaughlan has sent in her resignation.

299 Darling St

Balmain

January 6th 1918

21 FEB 1918

Dear Norm,

Your Christmas cards came safely to hand some little time ago. We were very pleased to hear from you. Glad you had such a good time in Leicester. I wish I could have been there too. We had a letter by the same mail from Aunty saying you had called; in her letter she said they all thought you a very nice young man and of course told us all you aid and done. Dad especially was so pleased you were able to go to Leicester, he thought such a lot of it. It is nice to be able to send someone you know so well. He said he's glad you gave such a good account of him.

I have just came home from church. We had a beautiful service tonight - special War Litany all day today for peace. Mrs Tring resumed duty today for the first time since Stan's death and did splendidly. No doubt you will have heard full particulars by this time so will not dwell on it except to say we all felt it very keenly. I think his going under was the hardest blow of any, it cast a terribly gloom over everything for quite a long time. However everything must go on no matter what happens.

We held our "Bazaar" and did splendidly, the takings amounted to fifty pound, everything went off without a hitch. Clarrie Orr was simply splendid the way he organised everything, then we had our prize giving night on 20th December of course. I will leave you to imagine that night. Had our usual teachers meeting this afternoon, nobody had anything to 'bring up', only Clarrie and that was that we have decided to have our picnic on the 17th April, so think of us all going down Cove St to catch the boat to Clifton Garden, on that date. What a day, can't you imagine what we will all be doing.

Miss McLaughlan has sent in her resignation. She left us about 3 weeks ago. The family have moved to Drummoyne. The teachers gave her a book as a parting gift on the night of the prizegiving. We can ill afford to lose teachers just now, the loses have been so great this last year, but I suppose somebody will turn up to take their places, lets hope so.

I am taking my class down to the gardens on Tuesday for a day's sport. I hope and trust that it will be fine. The weather is simply lovely just now, so perhaps it will favour us. I trust you are doing well in your new sphere of work.

Well Norm, I fear I must draw this inky chat to a close as it is getting late, of course we had to have our little chat out at the front gate and that made me late getting home. So now it is time for bed o'. Mother and Dad wish me to thank you for their card and to convey to you their best wishes for the New year, trusting this will find you in the best of health as I am thankful to say we all are just now.

heaps of good wishes

from yours sincerely,

Dorrie

25. The McLachlan family is mentioned

"23 letter"

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

Jan 5 1918

21 FEB 1918

My Dear Norman

Many, many thanks for your nice long letter this mail. I was indeed glad to get it, for I got some last mail and was disappointed. Have my two letters turned up yet? I could not remember what I had put in them dear Norman. Did yo get the one with Mr Wilton's photo in it? He sent a photo to your father, so I posted it along to you, but I forget know when it was, but they may turn up later on. I don't think any of the mails have been sunk lately, unless in the Halifax disaster. I have not been numbering them lately. I must do it again, then you know what have gone. I sent a parcel a couple of weeks ago. Illma's pudding and cake in it and I will send another with some of mine, butter and sugar. Then I won't send any till I hear from you how they get on and if they are worth sending. Do you know they only charge 3/ for the Soldier's parcels of 11 lb and 6/ for yours, the same weight. A good job they do send the soldiers' cheaper so they can get something. Don't you get any sugar or butter at all? I wish I could send you some eggs, but they wouldn't keep. I think I better send you some chooks and they will lay some for you. What you say.

Well dear Norman, Xmas and New Year are gone again for another 12 months. Pa and I went up to Illma's for New year's day. Pa came home that night and I stopped till the next night. Oh it was lovely weather. The Sunday and Monday before would roast you and New Year's day was lovely and cool and cloudy all day, so was the next day. In fact we have not had it hot since. We missed you and Claude from dinner. Claude had to work all the holidays. Never mind I hope next year will be different. We had a good New Year's Service. I don't think there were so many as there were last New Year. Of course so many of our boys are gone since Mrs Tring played at a wedding this week, the first time since Stan was killed. I don't know is she will play tomorrow or not. She may.

How do you like your work now?  Dear Norman you seem to have very long hours. You are not going all the time are you and what is your principal work? Tell me more about it when you write.

We had a good regatta here on New year's day in aid of the hospital. They had a flag ship under Mr Irwin and assistants and I believe there were only 5 or 6 on it. Mr Gooud and Miss Dally had tables at the Grove and done very well. I don't know yet how much they took but I hope they get a .......sum for the hospital.

I am glad you met so many of the boys over there, it was niece to have a yarn to your own boys. I enclosed Meg Husdale's letter to you. I suppose that was in 3 or 4 letters. Haven't seen him since you went over. I think he has enough to do. I see that your Xmas cable was sent on the 18th and I did not get it till the 27th. That was a long time wasn't it?

I will enclose for you a small piece of Winnies wedding cake. She sent me up a piece the other night. I suppose Jack will be in again next week. You know he is still on the boat. I believe the Anchises in Melbourne. I was speaking to a soldier that came back yesterday he says they were behind her for a good way, and then she slowed down and they passed her. He thinks there was an operation on board. He came on to Sydney bu boat and she went to Melbourne and her passengers came on by train, so she may not come here, but I sippose the Officer will post the parcel on to me. We, that is Pa, Illma and I had our photos taken last week and will send you one when we get them. Illma also had Claude's taken to send you one. He is growing a fine boy and so is Bert and young Norm is coming on. I will enclose you the duplicate of the draft I sent you, in case you didn't get it. Well dear Norman, I must come to an end. Mrs Ward told me to remember her to you and says she will write. Pa sends best love. Aunt Mary sent me Clarrie's address today. Goodbye my darling son, with heaps of love from your loving Mother.

I don't know if I told you the McLaughlans (sp) had left Balmain. They are gone out to Drummoyne to live. I don't know who they had got to play now. I think the girl Harper. They told me what was in the parcel. I suppose you have opened it before this.

Must you be out late at night dear Norm. I think that is a bad place you are living in. You say you went into a Church after 11 o'clock, too late for a young Sydney man to be out.

letter from a mate

65 College St

Balmain

4.1.1918

21 FEB 1918

Dear Norman,

Once again I write to you although I haven't heard from you yet. Still I live in hope that it will come along one day. Christmas is over and it was the quietest I ever remember, and to make matters worse it teamed all the afternoon. Went to early Communion on Christmas morning and there was a great crowd. The New year was just as quiet as Christmas. Our one wish as the New Year came in was that it would bring Peace with it. I think we have had quite enough of war don't you? I am enclosing a snap taken at our last weekend at Turrumurra, suppose you can pick me out, also one I took of Ettie's party. You recognise a few familiar faces there don't you. They are still the same noisy crowd as of old, and play up just the same. Hilda Back is the limit.

On Boxing day and New year's day myself and some of the girls went to Neilson Park and had a good time. We usually manage to have a bit of fun.

Reg Hancock and Colion Cansdell? both came home this week. I believe they both look OK. Lucky boys aren't they?

The Christmas Party we gave to the Soldier's children was a great success and the children enjoyed themselves immensely. Of course it was real hard work bay as long as the children had a good time we don't mind in the least.

All here are quite well. Eve and the son and heir were in lst week. They are both OK and Eve is fatter than ever. Em Woodward is going to be married next week I believe. There will be quite a number of changes here by the time you come home again. I still hear from Jack regularly and he is alright except for a boil behind his year. Hard luck isn't it?

We are having decent weather at last and after last week it is quite a treat. I suppose you wouldn't mind a little of our heat.

Haven't time to write anymore as I have quite a lot of letters to write so will have to close.

All here wish to be remembered to you and wish you heaps of luck,

Keep smiling from your old friend

Jack 

(guy or girl??? still trying to work out! ED)

24. I suppose some of our letters were lost in the mails at Halifax.

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

Dec 31 1917

Received 21 FEB 1918

My dearest Norman

I see there is a mail leaving on Wednesday and as this is the last day of the old year I must write you a line. I wish you a happy new year, though it will be late when you get it. Did you get the Birthday and Xmas cards we sent you? I suppose you have before this. You ought to have a lot of my letters by now. I have written 21 letters, this is the 22nd. let me know if you get them all and the papers so you get them? I see it says in the papers to put via America on them. I did on a few.

Many thanks for the Xmas cable dear Norm. did you send it on the 18th? I never got it till the 27th, a long time coming wasn't it? That is why I felt not getting a letter so much, if I had got the cable Xmas day it would have been alright.

Mr Gooud just came in and brought ma a nice little teapot, cream jug, sugar basin so I will be able to give you a nice cup of tea, when you come home and gave your Father a nice tie. Very kind of him wasn't it? May Gooud is engaged to a returned soldier, no doubt you know him. I forget his name. She used to know him before he went away and Amy is going with Johnny Donovan now. You know Dave Palmer left off writing to her. He has another girl up there I believe. He is down here for his holidays, looks just the same.

I hope you get the draft I sent alright. I will send the duplicate along next letter. I sent you a parcel a week ago. I hope you got it. Let me know how the things were in it. Did they keep alright? I will end another in a few weeks time. I want you to have a taste of my Xmas puddings. I guess you did not get butter over there.

Well Norm, I will miss you tonight at Watch Night Service, I suppose you will be at one on England somewhere. Well my dear son, I hope next year may bring us all peace and prosperity and that I may have you home again before the end of the year and that all the wars are over and Peach on Earth again.

Now my dear son I can't write much more. Pa and I are going up to Illma's tomorrow, so we will be up late tonight and early in the morning. It has been very hot all this week, but a nice cool change today and raining away, tonight. Oh it is lovely and cool. I would like to be in bed now. I know I could sleep. I suppose some of our letters were lost in the mails at Halifax. That was a terrible disaster wasn't it? Good night and God bless you my darling son, with best love from your loving Mother and Father.

23. Fifteen kisses from Mother

Elsinore 

27 Spring Street

Dec 27th 1917

Received 20 FEB 1918

My dear Norman,

Just a line tonight to say I sent a parcel to you today. There was a cake and pudding from Illma, a pound of butter from me and tin of preserved peaches. Some lollies and sugar from Illma and I. I thought I would send that lot this time and next will send my pudding and cake. You ought to get them surely.

What do you think Norm, they only charge 3/- for the Soldier's parcels and they charged 6/- for yours. The soldiers' go for half price, but it is a good thing that they do for the poor fellows want them. You can let me know if you want or is short of anything. I will send the other parcel perhaps the next mail.

How is it Norman you did not send me a line this mail. Oh I am disappointed Mr Mackay and Mrs Higgins and the bonny girl opposite all got letters and I never got a line? Then you would catch the mail. Now my dear boy do so, if it is only a line. May ? Gooud got one from you but I think it must have missed the last mail. I hope you got the draft all right. Let me know as soon as you get it.

There was a wedding in the Church this evening, one of Mr Whitton's daughters and Mrs Tring played for the first time since Stan's death.

Mr Manning was in to see me Xmas eve and had a glass of wine and cake and Mrs Manning came to see me Xmas day. She sent me a nice bottle of scent and a Xmas card, She had a piece of my pudding, thought  it very nice. 

I see there is a mail going Saturday morning so want to catch it. Tell me if the address is right on the letters I send. You ought to have a lot of my letters by this time. I will enclose the parish paper. Now my dear boy, I must finish and post this or I will miss the mail. Look out for your parcel. 

Dad sends love and heaps of love and kisses from your loving Mother XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

22. getting too much Englishfied

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

Dec 24.17

My dearest Norman,

 I can't say another Sunday and another letter for this is Monday ( Xmas Eve). I could not sit inside to write yesterday for it was an awful day. Coming so soon after the cool weather we have had made us feel it more. We have had some lovely weather lately. Nice sunny days and lovely cool nights. You can imagine what it is like for we have not slept out yet until last night. I slept out myself for your father wouldn't but I think he will tonight for it is nearly as bad, but there is a Southerly coming so it may be cooler.

Another thing is that there is no mail coming till Thursday so I have plenty of time. Well my boy I have had no letters from you this mail as yet. Some of them got their letters today, morning and evening, but not poor me and there is no delivery tomorrow so I will have to wait till Wednesday. I was just speaking to Mr Gooud. He says May and Amy had one from you today and he had a card and that you were well. so that is something. I had a card from the YMCA Melbourne today and a nice little brooch - silver with the YMCA on it. I will enclose the card. I also got another lot of letters from them - all typed. I see one from Meg Insdale ?. Suppose I will see one from you in the next lot I get. They are interesting.

I had Illma down for a few days and Claude from Friday night till Sunday. We went down to Manly for a ..... on Saturday. It was lovely. The sea was calm and we enjoyed it. Saw Aunt Maggie and Violet in the hospital there has been there two weeks now but is getting better. I had letters from Aunt Bates ? and Ethel. Ethel's husband is coming home. I guess she is glad. I don't know whether Acton? is in Egypt or France.

I like your photo dear Norm. I was showing them to Mrs Birmby? and she said you were too much Englishfied, she would sooner have you an Australian. I suppose having the walking stick she thought you were a bit uppish. She would sooner have the one you had taken here. The children got their prizes on Friday night and oh Norman there was such a difference when you were here. The place has not been full and they seemed to have such a few little books and bibles for the teacher were small. Mr Manning could not get any of them to sing. One little boy played a piece and that was all the entertainment we had. I was .......too for Illma and Claude were there. Oh one girl recited a piece.

Mr Gooud had dinner with us yesterday (our Xmas dinner) and no Norman here. Illma and Claude were here. I will just tell you what we had. Roast Rabbit and ham, green peas and potatoes, the Xmas pudding and sauce. It was very nice and went down alright. I am sending you a parcel, Illma and I between us. She has made a pudding and so have I so you will have the same as we had. I will make the two parcels, send one the first boat and the other on the next boat.

Well dear boy, where are you stationed? and what sort of quarters have you got and do you get plenty to eat?

Mrs Cox wants you to find out all you can about Charlie, if he was conscious at the last and if he said anything or not. Now dear boy I must close. Did you receive the draft in the last letter? Dad sends his love and same to my darling son from hi loving Mother.

Letter stamped 20 FEB 1918 (received)