A hand written copy of a letter by Leslie Garling by his father, Clarence Garling

PR 82/8

[*War page*]
France 10/8 - 1916
My dear Old people
You must excuse pencil
this time for conditions do not allow
of ink, and I have to borrow paper and
envelope to write to you on, not that I
am actually short of same but here
in the front line we carry only actual
necessaries. At present I am just back
from the actual front, but for days
and nights were in the thick of it, and
on paper I cannot tell you of the terribleness
of it all, but when I return, which
please God I will, I will be able to
[*xknow*] let you ^xknow something of the awfulness of
it all. So far I am amongst the very
lucky ones, and I can truthfully say
that in my worst imaginations of war
situations I never realised anything
near the actual thing. The men are
acting splendidly, and we are all proud
of them. Could you people at home only
realise what they go through you would be
prouder than ever of them. There are
two
 

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two parts in a front line - the actual
firing line and the supports, and
so far the supports have had the worst
time for there the men just sit, and
wait, and duck to the huge shells
bursting all around, and at times being
completely buried under ground, or blown
into the air, or perhaps blown to bits.
Many get Shell Shock, but the majority
stick to it carefully cheerfully, and only
wish for the word to make the advance.
I regret that some of our good men
have gone, but so far all of them that
came across with me, and of whom I
have spoken about before, are well.
Up to the present we have been fortunate
in having good weather, but to day it
is raining slightly - however I hope it
may clear up again shortly for I do not 
look forward to entering the trenches
again in the rain - they are bad
enough in fine weather - but in mud 
and slush - Ugh! Mater yesterday was
the

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the anniversary of my leaving Australia
I had a good old talk to a chap all
about my cycling trip, and how some
day I hope to do the same again. I got
a letter from you yesterday enclosing
the fly veils, thanks, and though for that
purpose they may not be of much use ^here
still they may be good for something.
I had all my things blown away
when in the trench - razor, tooth brush,
towel &c, but since I have been able to
make up my losses. The men do look
like cutthroats after a day or two in the
firing line - dirty, no shave, clothes torn,
but they are all cheerful, and joke
one another about appearances, and
how closely we are brought together
socially. We learn to appreciate the
fine characters, and every man thinks
of the other, and all are equal, though at
the same time the private looks to his
officers for instructions, and carries out his
duties willingly and well. I heard that
Phil had been slightly wounded, but was
going on well, but I do not know for
certain

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certain. Well Mater good by for the present,
and please tell all my friends that for
a little time I will be unable to write
to them all, but when we are returned
from the firing line I will write to
them all again, and now with fondest
love to you all, and wishing that your
good health may stay with you
Your affecte Son
Les
I hope that Arthur likes the new firm
and that all are happy and well

Oct 6/16. My son, Leslie Garling, enlisted in
June 1915 as a private, left Sydney
on 9^th August 1915 per SS Runic and
arrived in Egypt on 13^th Septr
1915. Was at Gallipoli prior to the
evacuation, and after arduous
^work again in Egypt arrived in
France on 8^th June 1916. He is
now Lieut Leslie Garling. His
brother, Philip Garling, also, as a
private, went to Egypt and France,
and about three months ago was
wounded in his right leg, and
had it amputated in hospital in England

Three of my son's haveng been fighting
in France for some time, and a fourth
son, Sergeant Gerald Garling, of the
Howitzer Artillery force left Sydney to
go to the Front via England per
SS Aeneas on 30^th Inst
Clarence WH. Garling
107 Spencer Road
Mosman