27. Mr Gillanders says good things about ANS's work in London

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

Jan 19th 1918

My dearest Norman,

Another letter though I have received non from you for nearly 3 weeks. Some of the Back? girls were saying last night there would be no mail for 7 weeks and others said there would be one next week. I don't see any advertised to leave here on Monday but I write my letter all the same and post it. I know it will catch the first mail.

Well, my dear son, how are you getting on. I must tell you a little incident. I was in town and called in to Mr Gillanders. I wanted to know if he knew anything of the Anchises. He said she was in Melbourne a couple a weeks ago and thought she was there still. I told him tou were sending a parcel by one of the officers on her and he said they would surely post it if they were not coming on. I don't know if he mistook me for someone else but he said I love your son. He is a splendid man. He said he is one of the best Secretaries we have had over there and that they had started a new branch of something over there and you were put at the head of it. So many men under you and that you were a conscientious Christian and a lot more. He said if I had any parcels to send, I ought to send them by their Secretaries. The last two he said, one from Adelaide and one from Melbourne, but there might be one going from here soon. I was very pleased to hear him say all that Norm. if it is true, but you never say anything about that to me when you wrote last, but said you would tell me more next letter. He called me Mrs Barwick when leaving so it must be you he meant.

I saw the Backs and a lot of the girls at a wedding at the church last night. Gin? Woodward was married. She told Mr manning she wanted it very quiet, that he was a very shy man and only wanted their own there but there was a good many of the girls and others in the church. I guess she was surprised when she came in.

I believe Mr Gooud won the sailing race today. I think it was the Championship race. I suppose he will tell you all about when he writes and no doubt feels very proud. Archie Beard is still here. The boat he was on is sold. I asked him would he take a parcel for you. He said he would but he didn't know when that would be. He had heard nothing definite yet he is a funny fellow. That is the same boat Jack Waite was on so I don't know if he is out of a billet. It won't do and then just getting married, will it. I think it was the Victoria. She is sold to the Japanese but they are not to take her out of Australian waters or put a Chinese crew on her.

I sent you another parcel on Wednesday dear Norman. Did you get the one I sent before? I don't think I will send anymore till I hear from you what you want. Don't you get any sugar and butter? and have you none? I did not send any of my pudding for the little mites got into it, but I sent you a cake, butter, sugar and lollies. Tell me what you want most of and I can send it. It is no use sending eggs. They would be bad or broken but I think I will chance a few, if I send a parcel by Charlie Beard.

Well Norm, tomorrow week will be our Harvest festival. It is early this year on account of Easter being early. April Fool's day will be Easter Monday. Pa is going up with George on Wednesday. Mr Manning wants him to go and get some corn and stuff, but they have nothing ripe up there. I don't know what he can get. I believe the school Picnic is to be in April, that is late isn't it, but I suppose they have to wait till after Lent.

I hope you get the papers I send. I sent 4 last week, and a Melbourne Argus. George Goodsir sent. I don't suppose you see many Melbourne papers. Mr Hughes is still Premier, but he may be going to England soon. I am sending you the photos this time, dear Norm. I hope you get them safe. I don't think much of them. Pa's is very good but Illma and I are not so good. Illma had Claud's taken to send to you I think, they are splendid. He is growing a fine boy.

Well now dear Norm, I must say goodnight. Best love from Pa and same from your ever loving Mother.

PS I don't think I told you Mr Gooud gave me a little teapot, milk jug and sugar basin for Xmas. Kind of him wasn't it. He won the Championships yesterday.