The front gate of Elsinore, number 27 Spring Street Balmain

27 Spring Street

32 My memory is getting bad

Elsinore

27 Spring Street

February 23 1918

My darling Norman,

2 big fat letters this mail and one photo card. So nice to get the letters dear boy and to know you are well. I think I might get 3 or 4 letters every mail if you write every week for we have to wait 3 or 4 weeks for them.

Where are all my letters gone if you have not received them? Do your letters go with the soldiers’ mail or are they different? The young girl at the Post Office told Miss Holman they were but I don’t think so. I think when there is a mail going they send all the letters by it. I know your letters always come with the soldiers’ letters but they are so long delivering them. Now the last mail arrived on the Sunday and I did not get your letter till the Tuesday evening and then another Wednesday morning and the photo Wednesday evening. Pa got tired waiting and watching for them. I think the photo is very good. I asked Mr Manning to pick you out and he thought the one sitting at the table with his back turned first. So I said look near the girls and you might find him. So he saw you at once.

Don’t you write to Mr and Mrs Norris? I know he has written 2 or 3 times to you. The first letter he gave to me to address to you. Have you got that one yet? I hope you have got the draft before this, it is time you had it. I couldn’t remember what I put in your letters. My memory is getting so bad. (Maria is 67 when writing this) I don’t remember what you say in your letters after I read them. I was telling Mrs Atkins one night you had seen her son and she said you couldn’t for he had gone from England before you arrived. Then she said she had a letter from him. So when I came in and reread your letter I found she was right. What about George Noble?  Mrs Noble was asking me if you had said anything about him in your last letter. She says he is not going back to France. I think they are going to find him something to do in England. Have you seen Meg? Lonsdale? How far are you from Salisbury Plains? Mr Manning just came in to your Pa the notices for tomorrow. He says Mr Thomas is coming in the morning and Rev Cranswick is the preacher at night. Mr and Mrs M are going off to Epping tonight.

Norman it is a glorious night tonight. Moonlight and not so cold. We might have some fine weather now, for we have had nothing yet but rain and wind lately. We have had no summer yet. There were 2 or 3 hot days a month or two ago. I suppose you have had some cold weather since you wrote last, but it will be getting a little warmer after this month. Then you will be having spring in England. That is the time they say it is lovely over there.

C Gooude is fine. He was here for tea last Sunday night and felt well; he has looked bad lately, but I getting better now and Winnie Waite? Was here. I told Pa she was married. She also stopped by for tea and she looks well. Mr McLean and Gladys were up after…I don’t have many visitors and I don’t want them. I can’t be bothered with them now. I think Auntie Kate is coming down at Easter for a while.

Have you received your photos yet and what do you think of them? If you had been in the group I would have had an enlargement of it, but I don’t think I will now. Claud’s photo is good isn’t it? He was here last night. Came in to have his teeth out at Mc Manners? So I went up with him after tea and it was a beast to draw but Claude says he never felt him. I suppose I will be having Illma up next, and the George. They seem to think such a lot of Mc Manners now. How have you been getting along with your teeth and one thing you forgot dear Norman was your glasses. Have you wanted them at all?

I told you in a former letter about Bob Adcock. We never see him at all now. He never comes to Church. I suppose he goes with his girls and Archie Beard is on the same boat yet. That is the one Jack Waite is on. He wanted to get on a transport and have a trip home but couldn’t manage it.

Well my dear I am near the end of my paper now, so must finish up. I suppose you are glad you are to stay where you are which is the best place. Of course you know where you are and it is better to stop where you are known. Pa sends you his best love. Have you got his letter yet? (He has written once and this is mum’s 32^nd letter) Then goodnight my dear darling boy. May god bless you and take care of you and bring you back safely to your loving mother.

Though so far away we can ask him to guide the surgeon's hand

142 Magill Road
Norwood
South Australia
21st Feb 1918

Dear Mr Barwick,

I wish to thank you very much for your kindness in writing to us about Andrew.

We are very thankful to God for his great kindness to us in sparing his life to us, we appreciate it to the full, and sincerely hope to have him with us once more, he was ever a comfort and help in our home.

In language I cannot express how grateful I feel for all the kindness showered upon him. We just feel God is understanding for us and all must be well. 

Though so far away we can ask him to guide the surgeon's hand and give wisdom to all that tn him. - Go's ear is ever open to the cry of his people. When I opened the letter telling me he was wounded it was one of the hardest hours of my life, to have to tell them all, but I found his Grace sufficient for my hour of need, and now we see the silver lining as the cloud passes over.

Please do thank the members of the YMCA for all they have done for our son, wishing your work every success,

           I am

                 yours sincerely

                               A.M.S. Waugh

A very long and interesting letter written by his mate.

MLC Office

Sydney

NSW

13/2/1918

Dear friend Norm,

Thankyou exceedingly for your most beautiful Epistles and for the programmes giving in detail the form of the different services (for such a long time in advance) of St Martin in the Fields. No doubt friend that things are conducted over there very differently as carried out at St John's, but methinks pal that you felt very much nearer the thrones of Grace when at the old kirk eh!

When reading your two letters I thought what a great experience must be yours and if Our Father wills that we should meet again on this earth, what a great number of wonderful things you will be able to talk about! I was so glad to note that you had met some of our boys from the Church. No doubt they were glad to meet you to hear the latest news by word of mouth of all the doings in dear old Balmain.

Thankyou Norm old chap for all the trouble you have gone to finding out full particulars of the passing away of my dearest Cobber and pal. Both Mr and Mrs Cox and myself would give anything to know if dear old Charl was conscious before he went home and whether he left any messages for us. I know Norm you will do your best to find out for me, won't you. I am writing to the Chaplain of the Canadian Casualty Field Station to try and find out if he left any message, and also to the Commanding Officer of Charlie's Battalion. I know  dear friend you are doing everything in the this connection, and our words here cannot express our thanks.

It's no use Norm, I shall never be the same again, now that he has gone, he was dearer to me than all else, and all interest in things seem to have turned into a blank. I do pray only for a while. I know all is for the best, but you understand Norm, don't you, how we were never apart, and his sweet nature and friendship was the God given gift to me, and made life sweet and wholesome. I also know that His grace is sufficient for me and in due course the wound will heal, and the beauty of the Christian Faith in the Communion of Saints and of the abiding presence with us  of those who really love us is the great comfort when the blues seem to overwhelm us. 

I have just received another nice letter from you dated the 10th Dec and also enclosed  a private letter giving me a slight inkling of how the dear soldier lads are tempted in the great London. God only knows the trial of temptations those boys have to go through and one fully realises that it is only by the Grace of God that our boys are saved when the feelers of the Octopus are gathering around them. When one reads of these things the reasons of the horrible War is apparent, Sydney is bad enough  goodness nows, but when such news came through as I heard from dear old Charl and Stan King also your self about the doings on the other side, our place is a Paradise compared to it. It is only Christ in the head of Man that can keep him straight, and I thank God when I read such nice letters as  yours and of your great Faith in God, and of his power to save, also the splendid courage  that my dear old Charl had and how he even looked to his Heavenly Father in his hour of need.

I was also reading a letter of a Cobber of Stan King's, in which he states that (everyone)  with whom he came in contact loves him. He proved a great Christian out there in Egypt as Charlie did in France, and we feel justly proud of the dear boys at St John's who have proved such worthy Soldiers of Christ and our King. As Mr Manning said to me last Friday night, "the loss of these Pillars of St John's is a calamity, so it is Norm, But our Father knows best and in his own good time the seed sown, we pray will bear fruit a hundred fold.

I suppose your dear mother has given you all the news about St Johns, things at the Kirk are not too flourishing as regards finances, the Choir is not what it used to be either, we have not had one offer of service from any of the young men yet, to fill the places of the boys who have paid the supreme sacrifice. I trust the next time I write I shall have better news in this respect to impart.

The Sunday School is getting along very well. Of course Harry Allen is a tower of strength and his presence helps me wonderfully. Clarry Orr is proving a splendid secretary. Works as only St John's Secretary of the past have always worked, full of zeal in the Master's Service.

They are having a Sunday School Picnic on the 17th April and are raising funds for same in a similar way as for our last viz Voting cards and a concert is being arranged by Mrs Llewellyn with the help of the kiddies on the 6th April (Saturday) and of course the Teacher Sub Cards?

We are going to "Chowders" otherwise Clifton Gardens and are to be taken there by the Lady Rawson..food also covered eh! How we shall miss Norman Stanley and also many of those who have passed to greater service.

The school is just about the same as regards members and the teachers attend well, Miss Lily Harper is organist, since Miss McLachlan left. They have gone to live in Drummoyne. Very sorry to lose her. Did you open her little parcel on Xmas Day? What was in it? love message (Hush) quite enough said eh!                                                                 ****(ah hah!! watch this space!!)*****

You will see from the attached cutting that our Regatta was a real success. We cleared L35 (pound) which the Hospital Authorities greatly appreciated. I won the 14 foot Championship of the Club, no doubt you will be glad to hear this. The good old 'Unique' won hands down. It was a beautiful afternoon and Harry Allen and I hired a motor boat, and invited many of our friends out. The Picture friend was on board and took a photo of the race which was shown in the different theatres together with other items in the Australasian Gazette. It was a bonny picture, and I felt quite proud when the 'Unique" was shown finishing by herself , an easy winner.

( can't find the film mentioned, but there are some interesting ones here!!  

Australasian Gazette from the Australian Film and Sound archive  http://aso.gov.au/titles/tags/Sydney/)

I received a beautiful gold medal with the boat cut out on same. Its a bonzer. Would not my dear old pal have been please to hear this news. Oh Norman how I wish that he might have been spared to come back to us.
Am glad to say your Mother and Father are splendid and eagerly look forward to your missives from home. I often go up and sup with them.
Love from all at Longnose  and friends at church and heaps from your
sincere old friend
CG  (Chas Gooud)
God be with and bless you ever.

[Still searching for the news clipping attached to the letter post regatta, but found these if you are interested.Will scan and attached to item mentioned in the letter]

31 Rosey is working away at fancywork on the verandah

Elsinore

27 Spring St

Balmain

Feb 9th 1918

28th letter (I will keep indicating Maria's count, though this is actually the 31st letter she wrote)

My dear darling Norman,

 I am writing earlier this week for I am going away tomorrow for a few days so might not have time again before the mail goes.

I am going up to Orimbah, you know where you and I were to go to my old friend's place. She let her daughter Rose come down yesterday to take me up tomorrow so will go for a few days. Although I  would sooner be here on Sunday for they are going to unveil Stan King's photo and I have asked Mr Gooud to come to tea Sunday but I will see him tonight and tell him. 

I must go now, she has come for me. Well Norm dear, your parcel has come for me. The boat was 3 to 4 weeks in Melbourne then she came to Sydney last Friday or Saturday and up to Cockatoo dock. She came out last yesterday, so I suppose the Officer had not time to call and posted it last night. I was longing to see him and have a yarn about your voyage, but missed that pleasure.

Thanks dear Norm very much for the brooch and the ring is very pretty, but don't think it will fit Illma. I don't know whether it will fit Eileen or not, it is very small but very pretty. I think the necklet is very uncommon. Eileen will be quite pleased with it and thanks for all the books and things. I must show some of them to Mr Manning. We got 3 or 4 papers from you, but had none for some time. Have you sent any lately?

Well Norm, how do you like your new billet? It must be an honour conferred on you, but suppose you are among strangers again and won't have a chance of seeing any of the old boys. I suppose you can take a run up and see them, now and again.

I didn't think there is anything strange from last week to report. We have had nearly a week of rain but the weather is nice now, but too warm. I suppose you have it as cold, they say it is very cold in France. What are your duties now? I do wish that that officer, had called, to have a talk to. I will send sister's ? address I got in a letter from Aunt Maggie today. I also had one from Aunt Mary. She says she had 3 letters from Clarry last mail. He is splendid now, and daughter Gertie has another bonny son. more power to the person?? Young Freddie is  ?? away  

Well my dear son, I don't think I can find any more news this time. Rosey is working away at fancy work on the verandah and I am here writing. The chooks are well and we all are and hoping you are the same. Pa sends best love and with heaps of love and kisses to my own smiley faced Norman,
from his loving Mother.

Dorrie's postcard took 3 months to get to Sydney

299 Darling St

Balmain

Sunday Feb 17 '18

Dear Norm,

Your postcard dated 27/11/17 came safely to hand; pleased to see by it you are keeping well in spite of altered conditions, also that you had met Edmund. Dad was able to tell me different little incidents about Fleet Street, it brings back old memories to him i suppose, of the good times he used to have. 

I suppose you have plenty to do in your work. I am sure it must be very interesting. Have you met any of the St John's boys yet? I don't think there are any more to go now as the church is almost wholly devoid of them now.

The congregation tonight wasn't what it ought to be and in the morning it is terrible, there are so few come. They seem to be getting worse instead of better.  Mr Manning held a dedication service last Sunday afternoon to Stan King (Maria's writing of the name looks like Thring, so apologies to anyone from the King family!). When Mrs King unveiled a most perfect photo of Stan it is really a splendid likeness, even now one can hardly realise he is no more in this life. Both have taken it very hard, Mr King has aged very much since the news. 

I am afraid I can't give you very much news this time Norm. Everything seems to go on much in the same old way that there isn't much to write about. Next Sunday night we are having Canon Cranswick from Glebe over to preach, hope he is short and sweet, as I went to sleep in the sermon tonight because it was too long.  Sorry I can't tell you what it was about ( I surprise you not)

Well Norm, news is awfully scarce so will have to ring off, hoping you will excuse this short letter this time. Dad and Mother join me in sending you all sorts of god luck and best wishes for your welfare and hoping you are in the pink of condition, pleased to say I am,
yours sincerely Dorrie

Jackie writes Norm a letter, along with 13 letters - sounds like low technology Facebook!

65 College St

Balmain

31.1.18

Dear Norm,

Received your letter this mail likewise the latest fashions in hats, but I am sorry that none of them suit my peculiar style of beauty. So glad to know that things are going so well over your way and that you are doing plenty of work to help the war along. I wrote to Meryn Thornton this mail as you asked me to. I hope he won't think I am pushing myself. Had quite a record mail this time; 14 letters and cards. Guess I am popular for once but what a treat I have had answering them all. I seem to have one nothing else this week but write letters.

We are having beastly weather here blowing and raining like the very dickens. We haven't seen the sun for nearly a week and this is supposed to be summer.

Last Saturday was Anniversary Day and myself and 4 girlfriends spent the weekend at Turramurra. That we had a good time is quite unnecessary to ad. We stole some lovely peaches and apples from an orchard there. By jove they were fine, but you know stolen things are always the sweetest!  Don't you think I am going on the downward path Norm, but we must have some excitement nowadays.

Things up at the church are still the same as ever. The GFS (had to look this one up = Girls friendly Society) still has the large membership of about 8 members. I think we better come you way and give you a helping hand. We might be able to keep you out of mischief. You know Norm, none of you getting married to an English girl, there are quite enough girls in Balmain without bringing any more.

Forgot to tell you Ettie had a card from you too in this mail, and will be answering it. Had quite a number from Jack. He is OK and a Sergeant now. Coming on isn't he.

Eve and Judy and Eric Sydney Woodward were in here on Tuesday. They are both well and the baby is a fine kiddie. Of course he is the only baby in the world.

Sunday was Harvest festival at the Church. I believe it looked very nice, too, but I was aay at my country residence so didn't see it. I am a real sinner lately.

I am going to pay a visit to the zoo on Sunday. Do you think they will keep me there? I hope to get some decent photos of the animals, but if the weather doesn't improve I am afraid I will have to content myself at home.

Last week 9 of us had a night out at Her majesties to see the "Bing Boys" It was a very lively thing and quite cheered us all up. You can imagine how we were all laughing can't you?

Well Norman, stuck for time as usual so will have to close,

All here are well and wish to be remembered to you.

So long. Keep smiling. We hope you will all be home very soon,

Good luck and good wishes, 

from Jackie Castle

       not Gladdie.

read about Bing Boys revues here, with a link to one of the songs too.

30 The blessed rats are taking all our chickens

Elsinore

27 Spring St

February 2 1918

labelled as letter # 27 (but she has lost count!)

My dearest Norman,

Another letter, although I don't see any mails advertised, but i will post and it will catch the first mail going. That is what you want to do, be sure  and write every week; if it is only a couple of lines, then I will get 3 or 4 every mail. If there is a ling time between them, as the last, just a month a long time to wait for letters isn't it? I don't know how it is but Mr Gooud and Mrs Mackay always seem to get their letters a day before i get mine. I suppose they just just get into the bag that is opened. One day I got one of your letters 3 days after the mail came in. 

I think dear Norman that I have got all that you sent to me. I got the souvenir book from Halifax, also another small book with birds eye view of the canal (Panama) and the little ships going through and a pack of cards, handkerchiefs and other little things. I think the hankies are very pretty.

I had a letter from the Secretary from Melbourne this week saying the 'Anchise' would be in Sydney in a couple of days. I don't think they can want transports very badly for I am sure she arrived in Melbourne nearly a month ago. She may have been in dock there I suppose. I will be hearing something from that office now. 

Well my dear son, I suppose you have had lots of my letters by now..all the gossip of the town. Do you see the women out at their gates gossiping like they do here? Well not here, but down at Mort Street they used to. 

I have had Bert and Eileen here last night. They came yesterday. Bert went up to Macleans and had two teeth out, he thinks. They were the two front teeth, so he looks funny without them. I suppose later he ill have to get some more in. He is growing a fine boy. 

Norm, I was thinking if you gave the Church 1.10.0 the boys club 10p it would b better. Mr Gooude says th Church is badly in need of help. Mr Manning was telling Pa the other day they would have to cut down on things, but he said they couldn't do without the verger. That was one thing, I think they will have to reduce his on salary. We got over the harvest festival all right and Mr Walker's cows got the corn stalks after and our fowls the corn, so they ought to lay now. Eggs are going up a bit here now. I never knew them so cheap at Xmas time as they were this Xmas. They were only 1p but they are now up to 2 shillings now.They will be getting near your London prices. I do wish I could send you some. They would be lovely. I think I will try a few in a tin some day when I am sending something.

The Beck girls and Castles were telling Ines today they had letters from you. I sent you Clarry's address in a letter and will get ......from Aunt Maggie. I have not got Margie Bucknell's yet. You know her married name is Mrs Padley. You might find out I believe that she sings yet at some of the music halls. He brothers go to see her when they are in England. I believe that one of them came home last week with only one eye.

Just been talking to Mr Gooude. He is going to Mrs Cox for tea. He is coming here next Sunday. Poor old George. Yes I see the mails coming here are lost in that boat between 15th and 25th of last month. I suppose some of yours are gone in her. Mr Gooud was saying they all had letters from Stan King last mail; it is very sad isn't it? I believe Daphne is engaged to some Doctor who had ben attending her mother when she was ill. She will be somebody won't she?

Well now my darling Son, I must conclude; I have no more news.

Illma and all her family are well. She got two letters from you last mail. Did you write to her? I sent my to with Eileen for her to read and Pa ends best love and accept heaps of love and kisses from your ever loving Mother.

Oh, I must tell you the blessed rats are taking all our chickens and they are nearly all grown. Pa must poison them.

29 You will soon have a table full of photos from the girls - warning...this is a long letter

Elsinore

27 Spring St

Balmain

Jan 30th 1918

My darling Norman,

I see there is a mail leaving tomorrow so must write you a few lines by it. I have received your two letters, one yesterday and one today.

The one yesterday was dated 24 November and the one today 19th November so you see I got the last one first and the first one last. 

I don't know if Bob .....took on the YMCA work or not. I never see him now. He never comes to church. He was there one night and I suppose it was his girl with him. He sat in the audience, didn't go in the choir and as for Archie Beard, I think he is here yet. The boat he was on was sold and he wants to go on a transport and have a trip home if he can. He was here on Sunday, but he wasn't here on Monday night. We had a social in the school, giving prizes to the sailing men and it was very good. Such a lot there. They had a nice concert first, then the presentations and then coffee to finish up with. Mr Gooud got his medal, but I suppose he will tell you all about it.

I am glad you got all my letters, but what about the papers? I send the papers every week and some since week four.

Yes, Norman dear, your farewell was the best we have had here yet. Wait till the welcome back comes, that will be better still. I didn't hear any talk of Mr King's concert coming on again, but I suppose they have had such sorrow lately about poor Stan that they may have forgotten it. She is playing again at the Church now. She didn't play for about a month after hearing about Stan's death. She played Monday night and Mr King had the boys all singing.

I believe Cecil Miller has been wounded, so we heard last week. Mr Gillanders sent me word about your arrival Norman, about two weeks after I got your cable. I had word from Melbourne before I got his, of course i wrote and thanked him for sending me word and told them I had a cable from you, more than a week before. 

I hope you have got the parcels and draft before this. Don't go short of anything. Let me know what you want and i can send it. I have heard no more of the parcel you sent yet. He might have forgotten all about it. Did you put the address on it yourself or leave it to him to do right?

this part was written sideways

........ ....... got what had you in it? I suppose you won't remember. Pa has his beauty sleep yet and takes his papers with him. I am sleeping out for some time now, Pa won't come out. I couldn't sleep in these nights. Although we have had no summer yet, its more like winter than summer. I expect you feel it cold over there now. 

The fowls and Freddy are well. Gave him your love and he watches me every morning now with his whistling. It is lovely (Is Freddy a budgie?) 

We lost the referendum here again which I suppose you know. What a lot of shirkers. Poor old Hughes, I pity him.

I heard all about your promotion dear Norman from Mr Gillander. Oh the girls were all on to me Monday night about you getting a girl over their and said if you brought one back they would tear her to pieces. I suppose you knew Mr Mackay was married. It appears he went home to be married. Mr Gooud says he must send you a photo. He was here last night and read your letters. He says you are a good boy to think of the Church and Sunday school as you do and thanks for the money, which he has not received. Now mt dear boy, this is the letter for this week- so must say goodnight and best love from Pa and your ever loving Mother - have you not received Pa's letter yet?

something lost here, or the page may be from another letter...will continue on and try to follow the story!

.......is at the front and at home and one daughter.the rest are married - 3 sons and 3 daughters. I enjoyed myself very much there. Only stopped from Saturday till Tuesday. I don't know how it is. I can't stop away from home for long. Pa told me to stop a week at least, but I couldn't. I think there is no place like home. 

Mr Gooud thinks my brooch is very pretty, a nice little boat. He says i ought to get ....que on it, instead of Halifax. I think the ring is very pretty. I hope it fits Illma. Illma and all her family are well. I had a letter from her yesterday. 

Well Norman, how are you getting on? You are away 6 months now on the 8th of this month. Doesn't the time fly? 12 months wont be long going by will it?  You might be home then. The war is to be over this year and I hope so. Have you seen any more of the boys since and what sort of work have you to do there? Anything like you had to do before? Have you seen anything of Arthur  Harvison yet? In a letter from Aunt Maggie she says she had a letter from you and was coming up some day to see me, and I suppose to show me the letter. She has not had her affairs settled yet. There won't be much left when the lawyers get their share. That is the worst of leasing property that way. There is such a lot of expenses over it.

Do you ever hear from any of the boys at the office? Bert or Ern or any of them? I never hear a word from any of them now. Dear Norman, I never put your address on your photos, which I should have done, although they have all nearly got in now. Have you heard anything from that young fellow an the YMCA. I sent it to the address you left., also to Bella Walker. I suppose they got them all safe, received one letter, i think from Mr Gillanders, about your class- will enclose it for you. He mightn'e know you were away.

Well dear boy I think all your friends are well. Miss back was in one day. We were at service on Ash Wednesday, it was raining so she came in for a while and had a good look at your photos and one thing and another. She thinks your photos are really good. She was quite surprised at our yard and said she didn't think we had near so much room.

I gave Miss Holman your diary to read. I think she is going to have her photo taken and send you one, won't that be nice. You will soon have a table full. 

love from your Mother