A little perspective here. At the time of writing these
letters, Maria was 67. Illma, Norm’s big sister was 11 when he was born. Maria lost two other daughters in infancy,
Elsie May and Maude before he was born when she was 39. Her writing is getting
more difficult to read, but she is 67!
Ans 30/10/18
Elsinore
27 Spring Street
May 11th 1918
My dear funny fancy face Norm,
I have received 3 lovely letters from you this mail and so
glad to have them. One is dated 10th March, 17th March
and 26 March, but I have not received the photos yet. I expect they will be in
the next mail. I am glad you met Harry Waites. It must be nice to meet old
friends so far away from home. You’ve done very well over there for War bonds
week. I told you I took out another War bond. I wanted to take it in your name
but found I couldn’t. So took it in my own but never got anything on my ticket.
The prize tickets were advertised today. Not one fell to my lot. A young girl
at Habberfield won the 1000 pound. Oh if I had won it. I don’t know what I
could have done with it. Do you.
You must have been up late meeting the boys. If you were
there till one o’clock. Nice hours to be keeping. What did
you think of the Requiem Mass. I suppose it was all in Latin. Why
don’t you make Fritty [Germans?] keep away from you.
Your young lady at the
Inquiry office must have got a shock I think it would be the death of me. I
hope you have received your parcel before this. I was waiting till you got one
before I sent another one. They charged 6/- for sending that one and 5/6 for
the next one. But I have written to Mr Gillander to let me know when the next
Secretary is going and I will send one by him. You will be sure to get it then.
Unless the boat goes down.
I am glad you like the work and feel happy in
doing it, but I know you will be happy when you have all the girls
around you.
I am glad you got …… .address from Harry. She will be glad
to see you. I am also glad you met Jonny Sharpe and Clark. I must tell Mrs
Sharpe when I see her. And Meg Atkins. The Mothers are all glad of you seeing
their sons. Have you seen George Noble since? Mrs Noble was asking me and what
about Charley Palmer? Do you ever see him? You have fine times of it, going out
with the young ladies to tea and sitting on the lawns. What sort
of people are the English. Homely or stuck up, or like the Australians. I
am sure the Australians are the best what say you.
Dear Norm I am sending you a letter written by Acton Emery
to ? great grandmother? And they had it
printed. All about Egypt. Poor boy, his is not such a rosey life. Tramping
about in mud and slush, it is not very comfortable.
Aunt Kate has been ill but is getting better. Ethel’s
husband is taking a farm. He is out of the soldiers now. His heart is bad so
Aunt Kate is going to live with him and Ethel wants her to come down and stop a
while with me, till she gets settled up for her. I would like her to come for a
while.
We had a nice social meeting in the hall on Monday night.
They gave young Clarry Hoare a nice steel watch. He ran the picnic and had a few
pounds over, without touching a penny of the school money. I think it is the
first time that has been done, isn’t it. But it was the beautiful day they had
, people help going out on such a day.
I have our photos enlarged dear Norm. and you put in too and
it is lovely. I didn’t think they could do it like that. [looks like they
combined photos] I wouldn’t have it done unless you were in it, would
sooner wait till you came back and had one taken all together but they done it
very well. I had it done at David the framer in Darling Street.
We are to have another meeting in the schoolroom about the
Honour roll and enlisting. I got notice from Mr Manning to attend. I wonder
what it will be like. They are enlisting here alright again most days a 100,
one day 129. If they keep up that it will do. Caz ? was not long in getting his
thousand. He is a fine man. If I had been a boy I would have liked to have gone
with him.
Well dear Norm, Mr Gooude has just been in for dinner. I
gave him that piece to read you sent. I showed it to Mr Manning and he wanted
me to have it printed so he said if I gave it to him after My Gooude had seen
it, he would get it in the Telegraph so I suppose I will do so. I gave him the piece
to read that Acton Emery wrote. I will enclose it to you in this letter. Now
dear Norman I must come to a close. All friends are well so is Illma, George
and family. They were going to the Richmond Show and we were to meet them
there, but didn’t. Oh you should see the fog. The worst fog they have had for
years here. You could hardly see your hand before you.
Goodbye my darling Son,
with best love from Dad and heaps from your loving Mother, with kisses.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
