unknown friend... page missing...I still think our boy is alive Norm.

Lincoln Street

Campsie

27 Jan 1918

Dear Norm,

How are you old boy? I should have answered your letter before this but circumstances have prevented me and I would like you to understand that it does not mean that you have not been in my thoughts. I often think of you and wish you were back again like the good old times and everything was as it used to be, but nevertheless Norm it is a great thing our Nation is doing - this upholding of Honour and Righteousness for the world. - how terrible and yet how beautiful - what noble souls and brave, it has brought out - we also have lost them and yet still greater - we have found them now love them ever still fonder - long for them and can ever see them before our aching eyes, may we never for one moment forget their divine sacrifice - so many of our St John's boys dear Norm, dear souls! - their bodies will never come back and you know there is always a one - a mother or somebody else who loved them, more than anybody.

I must stop going on like this and give you a bit of news, but before I do let me thanks you for the kind and thoughtful letter you wrote to my Mother and Dad, Doug and I (Dorrie) . It was a lovely letter Norm and the beautiful thoughts in it and it was good of you to find out the particulars you did about our missing lad. He was reported killed I suppose you know, but nothing has been traced of him. There has been a number of prisoners exchanged from Germany who were captured on the 20th July 1916. I was wandering if there were any unknown ones amongst them. It was a cable that came through in one of the evening papers last week. I still think our boy is alive Norm.

I have seen your mother a fair number of times since you left and she is looking well and your Dad too. I often have a little chip to him when I am having a practice on the organ. (Tring?)

It is good to know that you like your new...........