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.