ANZAC Sons

by Allison Marlow Paterson

  Lark Hill

  Jan 14th

  My Dear Mother,

  Just a few lines to let you know I received your parcel yesterday and was very pleased to get it. Many thanks for sending it. It is lovely to have some home made cake again, and the cheese is very nice, besides the other things. It is grand to get a parcel from home. We got our four days leave on Tuesday. I had to go to London first. I stopped there for about an hour and caught the train for Leicester. I stopped at Paynes all the time I was there. They were very nice to me and I had a real good time. I was going to go to Drayton, but there was a hell of a snowstorm so I did not go. I had to wait at London on the way back as we had to “fall in” there. The officer had a job to line the men up as a lot of them were drunk. The N.C.O.’s were nearly all drunk, and it was about 2 hours before we were ready to start. We got back to camp at 2.30 am on Sat. We got up at 6.30 and went for a route march of 10 miles, and then a holiday for the afternoon. I had just come back from the march when I got your box. I have not received any letters from home for over a week, but I think there will be some more handed out soon. Well Mum we were given a Christmas box today. It came from the Australian War Contingent in London, and in it there was 2 packets of cigarettes, 2 boxes matches, 1 match box cover, 2 boxes lollies, post cards, notepaper, envelopes and a handkerchief. We have straw mattresses to sleep on now. They are very strict on keeping your beds tidy here. Well dear Mum I got on the scales the other day and weighed 11 stone 12 lbs. I think I lost a bit of weight on the boat, so ought to be putting more on now. We get a great dinner here on Sundays. I met Dave Mullins here yesterday. He has been here a long time now. Charlie is in isolation for 28 days in France. Ida Payne got a letter from him last week. Percy is in isolation with mumps. I think Geordie will get his leave soon, as a lot are getting off now. I don’t suppose I will have the luck to see him. I don’t think we will be here a great time as they drill the men in France now. I saw a Bendigonian today, and I notice K Haw has enlisted. It wont be long before he’s here, as they don’t drill them much in Australia now. The drill here is much different to that in Australia. One of our Non-Coms and 3 men have not come back from their leave yet. They will catch it pretty hot. Well, my dear Mum, there is no news so will close, so once again thanking you for the box.

  I am

  Your Loving Son

  Albert

  We just got word that there is a mail from Australia coming here tomorrow.

  Albert provided more detail to Jim:

  … It is only a 2 ½ hours trip from London, and a lovely train to travel in, but it was dark going up and coming back, so I could not see any of the country going through. I was at Paynes all the time. They were very nice to me. Ida is a nice girl. Ethel is a bit quiet, and Little May is such a nice girl. She is only ten, but has more manners than a lot of girls have at 20 … I had a good time in Leicester. It is a very large town and seems very old. The museum has a lot of Roman figures in it, also a lot of badges and ammunition & rifles captured from the Germans in the present war. I left Leicester on Friday and got up to Waterloo station at 8. We had to wait till 10 oclock for the train to leave. A lot of our fellows were drunk and they had a hell of a job to line the men up. Some of our men are not back yet, and will get a rough time when they turn up. I was up to Amesbury this afternoon. It is a village about the size of Pyramid. The cockies about Amesbury are ploughing. There are some big fields about. The biggest crop paddock is about 40 acres. You see as many as 6, 2 horse teams ploughing in one field. I was over to Stonehenge last Sunday. It is only 2 miles from here, and you can see the blocks of rock from here quite easily. It is a mystery how they got there, as they are a hell of a size and there are no stones like them within 100 miles of here. Another place we used to read about when we were going to school is near here, the chestnut tree where the “village blacksmith” used to swing his sledge hammer. The village is only a mile from here and the chestnut tree is still there. I am going over to see it next Sunday. Well Jim, I got the box that Mum sent. It came in very handy. The cake is lovely. We got a Xmas box given to us today. This note paper was in it. You asked me how I liked the snow. We had it here one day, and it is a buggar drilling while it is snowing, with the blasted stuff running down your neck. I have not heard from the boys since I have been here, but Ida got a letter from them all. There is a mail coming here tomorrow from Australia. Well Jim how is Eva getting on. Next time you go to see her, remember me to her. I suppose you are nearly finished the harvest now. Well Jim, this is about all so I will close hoping you & yours are quite well.

  I am

  Your Loving Brother

  Albert W. Marlow

  The following week Albert wrote again to Jim. His words reveal the level of confidence with which Albert was approaching the task ahead. While at age 19 he was likely to be younger than his officers, yet he labels them ‘kids’. His self-assured comments on his own strength and ability reveal something of the pluck that had seen him attempt to enlist on several occasions.

  Sat Jan 20th 17

  Dear Jim

  … We had a little snow over here today. I looked at the thermometer today, it was 49 and it is not near as cold today as it is some days. One of my mates is in the hospital. I think his lungs are weak. His name is Stewart Dabb. He comes from Maldon and knows Mr & Mrs Stevenson of Mologa. He also knows Mrs Lister. He used to be in a bank at Bendigo, and he says he knows Geo Gibson well. I got a letter from Myrtle today, also a couple of photos. She is sending me a tin so my luck is in. The tin that Mum sent is finished, I’m sorry to say. Nearly every one that writes to me sends me some notepaper so I have plenty of paper in my pockets. I am writing letters nearly every night. We are drilling strong now. It is a cow of a parade ground. The frost sets it as hard as hell, and it is as rough as a wood-heap. We drill with our scarves on and also gloves. The C.O. that was over us before is not over us now, and no bluddy loss. He is only a damn kid. I could stand the buggar on his head in two ticks. The other officer is only a kid too, but is a decent chap. Well Jim, I suppose you spend Sundays on the hill now. I always thought there was somethin doin there.

  Jim’s love life continued to be the cause of much speculation by his younger brothers. Albert mentions Jim spending ‘Sundays on the hill’ which, in this case, is a reference to the home of Cr Richard Jones and his family of four girls and two boys. He appears to be hinting at a possible friendship between Jim and Eva Jones. The Jones family were very supportive of the Marlows during the war years — Eva made a habit of traipsing across the paddocks on washing day to lend Sarah a hand. Jim was never to marry, although while cleaning out the old house we found a receipt for a diamond ring. But, to the best of our knowledge, it was not intended for Eva as this relationship never blossomed and the intended recipient remains a mystery. A century on, Jim’s love life is still the subject of speculation.

  Sun Jan 21st 17

  … Well Mum, the cake’s finished. It was lovely I often used to put a piece in my pocket to eat on the parade ground. I never enjoyed cake so much before. I got a letter from Myrtle yesterday, and she said she is sending me a tin, so I will be right. I got a letter from Charlie, he is coming out of isolation tomorrow. Percy got about 50 days isolation altogether. Well Mum I am glad you got the ducks again. Fancy them getting so far away. That buggar on the hill had a neck to tell them he had to support his aged mother. I bet she would not like to be told she was aged. I’d like to see the crawler over here with a b on his coat. His feet would be cold here. There is talk of sending us all away to France as this camp is condemned. But I think we will be here a while yet. We have done nothing but squad drill yet. We had a half holiday yesterday. There was a church parade this morning. Every one is supposed to go, but I stopped behind to write letters … Well, dear Mum, I suppose Mologa is pretty quiet now, but the wheat carting will liven things up. All the men in the hut are making toast, so I think I will make some too …

  Salisbury Plains

  Jan 28th
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  My Dear Mother & Father,

  … I have been here a month now, and have had 35 letters from Australia. I had a letter from Geordie yesterday. He expects to get leave next month, so I hope to see him. I am going to see the C.O. about leave when Geo. comes over. Charlie also wrote to me, but he hasn’t got any of my letters yet. I haven’t heard from Al or Percy yet, but Charlie said that he and Percy were in the same isolation camp. They both are out now, I believe. It has been very cold this week and to make things worse, we didn’t have much marching to do. They gave us lectures about things, that we knew as much about as they do. There was a route march yesterday, but I was a hut orderly, and my mate and I did the hut extra clean, and took a long while over it, and so missed the march. I don’t mind route marches, but don’t see any sense in going on one if you can get out of it. A fellow doesn’t want to be too slow at this game. The ones that have the most cheek get on the best … We get good tucker so don’t need to buy anything much to eat. Every morning & afternoon, we have a drink of tea out on the parade ground. This just started on Friday and is a good move. It comes out steaming hot so warms you up a bit. There is a draft going to France on Sat, but none of our coy. are going. We haven’t had any shooting yet. I think they pick out the men from the drafts that do the best at the range. I met a chap here yesterday named Alf Wilson. He told me he knew you well, also all the Mahoneys. He is a fairly old chap, looks to old for this game. Well Mum, I haven’t been on guard yet, but I suppose its my turn next. Tell Streets that Harry is well. He is not in my hut. News is scarce here so I will close hoping all are well, so with love,

  I remain your aff son

  Albert Wilfred

  To Jim, Albert joked about military discipline:

  … Well Jim, we are still buzzing away at the drill, it has been very cold here this week. They are very strict here on discipline. I don’t suppose you know the meaning of discipline. It is a military word and means shaving every day, standing still while on parade, folding blankets in 3 folds, having the beds in line and various other things. It’s going to make a big difference in the war how we keep our huts clean. This shaving once a day gets on my nerves, but I generally leave it until every 2nd day. I think I told you about one of our corporals staying A.W.L. He went on leave with us to London and on Sat. he was in a suit of civi clothes, and was in a consuls office getting a pass to some place, when the detectives grabbed him. Another hour and he would have been away to blazes. He is a bit of a Dutchman, and I think he was going to Holland. His trial is on now, and no doubt he will get a few years. If he had been caught in Khaki he would have got off, but the civies put the pot on. You seem to be having bad weather for the harvest, but I suppose its nearly finished now. I am glad to hear the garden is getting on alright. I don’t fancy watermelon much here. Fruit is very dear here, grapes 1/-lb apples 2d each. Mum said that Jones’ have had the influenza so I suppose Eva had it that Sunday. Hardly ever see a girl here, and wouldn’t give a damn if I didn’t. I have got plenty of girl correspondents and some of them write very affectionate letters too. I suppose I will have to knock off writing to them when I get to France. Les Cant is in the draft that is going to France on Sat … hoping all are well as it leaves me at present, I am

  Your Loving Brother

  Albert Wilfred

  Remember me to Eva

  Don’t forget to write, I will write again next Sunday

  FRANCE, FEBRUARY

  After the loss of Pozieres and Thiepval, the German High Command revised its strategy. On 9 February German troops began a systematic withdrawal to what was known as the Hindenburg Line. This heavily fortified defensive line comprised a carefully positioned trench system of solid concrete fortifications and pillboxes fronted by rolls of barbed wire that, in places, towered above the heads of the tallest soldiers. The line was positioned between six and 18 kilometres behind the former German front, stretched 160 kilometres and, in some sections, was up to seven kilometres deep. While intelligence from prisoners had warned of the building of defensive positions, the snow and rain of the long winter had hidden the extent of the line’s construction. The withdrawal effectively straightened the enemy front line which had bulged into Allied territory both north and south of Bapaume, the same bulge that Nivelle had planned to attack in the Spring Offensive. The withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, though initially dismissed by Allied soldiers as a sign of weakening German resolve, had significantly strengthened the enemy position, reducing the number of divisions required to protect the front and dodging the expected Allied attacks on the bulging salients from the north and south. The retreating German forces left a trail of utter devastation in their wake, destroying homes, burning barns, bombing wells and railways, contaminating water supplies, decimating orchards, and leaving delayed-action mines in wait for their pursuers. It was a strategy referred to as a ‘scorched earth policy’ and only added to the view of the barbaric ‘Hun’ so effectively represented in the propaganda of the time.22

  George returned to the trenches of Gueudecourt to the south of Bapaume where the frozen earth had begun to thaw, the trenches gradually filling once again with the dreaded mud of early winter. The task of the Australian divisions in the Somme region was to maintain pressure on the German forces and, on 4 February, despite the icy conditions, Stormy Trench was seized by the 13th Battalion following an assault by the 15th Battalion three days prior. It was in this sector of the line that George was promoted to corporal early that month. Soon after, he was granted ten days’ leave in England where Albert anxiously anticipated his arrival.

  ENGLAND, FEBRUARY

  Lark Hill Camp

  Feb 5th 1917

  My Dear Mother, Father & Jim,

  … Well Mum, I got the tin tonight that Myrtle sent me, and it is a bonza one at that. I suppose its just as well to tell you whats in it. There was a cake, a tin of biscuits, tin of cheese, 4 tins lollies, 4 cakes chocolate, cigarettes, tobacco, nuts, chewing gum, tin of rexona, pack cards, dates, buttons, needles and cotton also a lot of bootlaces, so it was very acceptable. The cake is very nice, it has icing on it and kept lovely. There is enough eatables to last me a week. Ida Payne sent me a Balaclava helmet last week and it came in handy, as I was on guard Sat and Friday. When I was on leave Ethel gave me a scarf, so I have two now. We had a very busy week end. Went on a ten mile march Sat morning. Went on guard at 2 in the afternoon, and finished Sunday at 5 pm. Monday morning went on a 7 mile march, and at night we had a night march. It snowed here all day Sunday. It was about 5 inches deep. It isn’t so very cold this week. One of our chaps died in the hospital last week. He was fairly old, too old for this game. I havent heard from the boys lately, in fact I haven’t heard from Al or Percy yet. I haven’t heard when we’re likely to go to France, but I don’t think it will be for a long while yet as we haven’t been to the range yet. 20 of us were at the miniature range last Monday and I surprised the C.O. by getting top score with 10 bullseyes out of 10 shots. We do a lot of drill here [in] gas helmets they are very particular about it. We have a fairly easy time now. Revielle is at 7.30 now it used to be ½ hour earlier. Well Mum, this is all this time, so I will close hoping all are well as it leaves me at present so goodbye from

  Your Loving Son

  Albert

  Sun Feb 11th 17

  My Dear Mother & Father,

  … I got a telegram from Geordie yesterday from Walham Green, to say he was coming to see me today, but I waited here all day and he hasn’t arrived yet. I was picked for guard today but got out of it. They seem to fancy me for guard, as I was on last Sunday, and on picket in at Durrington on Thursday night. We are known as B Coy. now and the C.O. is Lt. Collins. He used to be over Al and Percy at Bendigo. They used to say he was a fair buggar, well, that’s praising him up, He comes round every morning, to see if we are clean-shaven and dressed properly. My mate was on guard today, and with a lot of others got crimed for having dirty rifles. When they told him that they had nothing to clean them with he sa
id, “hold your tongue”. He’s one of these “stay-at-home” crawlers. No fear of him going to France. They say he’s too frightened to go out at night, for fear someone will heave a lump of rock at him. If Geordie comes tomorrow, I am going to apply for leave, and if he wont give it, I’m going to get paraded to the Major. Just to show you what sort of a buggar Collins is, I went up to him this morning told him that I was on guard and that Geordie was coming to see me, and asked him to relieve me from guard. He didn’t wait till I had finished but said No. I stood there, and he pointed to the door, so I saluted the waster and went to the Sergeant and got him to relieve me. I knew before I went to him that he wouldn’t let me off. He’ll get a good count out when we go to France …

  After 16 months without seeing his brother, Albert was not about to allow the detested Collins to spoil his opportunity to see George, even to the point of risking punishment. George made the long journey from London to Larkhill and finally arrived at the AIF’s training grounds to stay overnight with his younger brother. Their efforts to spend more time together prior to George’s return to France would come to no avail, although this time Collins was not responsible. Illness was still ravaging the camps and, within days, Albert was hospitalised with mumps and any hope of leave was banished.

  Lark Hill

  Tuesday 13th Feb

  Well Mum, Geordie got out here last night, and is looking real well on it. He stopped here with me last night. I have got half a day off, I took it, so might get a day or so in the clink. I was so pleased to see him. I am applying for weekend leave to London on Saturday, but don’t know how I will get on. The soldiering life seems to agree with Geordie, as I never seen him looking so well before. He says it is not too bad over there, and seems to like it all right. Well Mum I gave Geordie ₤4. I had ₤5 and as he hasnt got too much, I did not like to see him short, he wants to have a good time while he has the chance. I don’t need much here, and we will be paid again next week. Well Mum this is all so I will say goodbye