It is wonderful what people are doing

98 Rowntree St

Balmain

19^th April 1918

Ans 27/8/18

Dear Norman,

Your welcome letter received yesterday about my cousin, for which I thank you most sincerely for taking such trouble find out about him. I am sorry to say he was killed in action, the ninth and youngest son of my Aunt & Uncle. They only received word last week that he had paid the supreme sacrifice. Some one sent home his bible, pocket book and letters and also an account of his death and burial. I have three cousins in the Kirkby family at present in action, one is gassed and one in hospital. I only hope and pray the other two come through this awful battle and come home again.

As it is the Easter Vestry meeting last evening I took the sweet card you sent me (for which I thank you very much for your kind thoughtfulness in sending to me) round to the school room and shewed the parson and all the girls, your Mother and Dad and Charles G . They all said how pretty it is and a beautiful wish. Thankyou again for sending it.

Bob Adcock was at the meeting and voted a churchwarden again in place of Mr Dayy who retired, so Bob made a promise straight away to take a table at the tea meeting in June. He is living in Drummoyne and I am glad he is into some of the Church work again. The picnic was held on Wednesday and it was a perfect day. I didn’t go this time. Mrs Manning said a great number of Mothers were there, but very few of the old parishioners. It was so soon after the Easter holidays, the girls could not get leave from businesses and of course there are no boys. Cecil Miller is home again. His left arm is useless.

Mrs King is taking a holiday in Tasmania. She has not been well since Stan’s death, so we all hope it will do her good. Charlie G goes off today for a fortnight’s holiday. He too has been very off colour since poor old Charlies (Cox) death. He loved the boy so and I am sure feels his loss more than his own brothers.

Mrs Manning  had plans last evening of a beautiful honour board covering the wooden partition of the choir vestry, something that will be worthy of the nave and beautify the church, but I suppose nothing can be done just yet as such a lot of money is wanted for the boys’ comforts, also to carry out the church work.

The Red Cross is to have a day in Sydney next Friday and all are working very hard. We want to get £1.000.000 and beat Australia Day. One scheme is to have a house badge (red cross on white paper) cost 5/- and paste it on the window. Shops in town have their windows decorated so and buildings display numerous +’s so given a fine day the money will be scooped in. Fancy Australia has raised a loan of over £40.000.000 to carry on the War. It is wonderful what people are doing.

Well Norm dear, once more thanking you for your kindness for sending the card, also for the trouble you have taken with regard to my cousin. I must close this careless scrawl but I’m in a great hurry and want to catch the mail.

Hoping you are well and not working too hard, with the kindest regards, from yours sincerely Edith.

Address me by my Christian name it is more friendly.

ed. Photo of the Honour board