Letter from Sydney Woollams to his parents, 18 July 1916

#60

France  PR82/8

July 18/1916

Dear Mother & Father

We have been very busy

since last writing, and it is only a few

words I can send now, although it

will not be posted for some days to 

come. not perhaps till our "Push" is over. for

we have had no opportunity for posting for

some time past now.  We have had several 

shifts since last writing, & have been on the 

road humping our bluey for the past 7

days & are now far from where we were.

We go into action within the next 2 or 3

days.  We are all prepared for the event.

It is going to be the real thing.  not trench

work but attack.  Our turn has come, and 

somehow I fear our boys may be chopped 

up.  It would take me too long explain my

ideas & reasons, & also the Censor would look

crossways at me.  but lets hope I may be 

wrong.  at the first opportunity after our scrap

I will write you & give you what news I can

but dont look for very much, & I will send

you Service Post Cards each week.

Your letter 57. (15/5/16) is the latest to hand,

II

and I have posted you a couple of Post Cards

lately, also one to Charl.  See him concerning 

his P.C.

Dont think that we are going to do marvels.

This is a war of Common Sense & brains, and

Fritz has more of it than we have.  Each

yard of ground gained is bought & the price

is so many men or regiments, & we are just

going to do our share of the work that we

commenced 18 days ago.  But I know that

our boys are going to do it in a glorious

way.  We may last for 1 day perhaps 1 week.

& then others will carry on where we stopped.

Many optomistic fools talk as if we are about

on the verge of the final victory.  But its

all rubbish, dont build up any such hopes

Fritz is still going strong, but the whole thing

is that we are stronger.

Erv is in my squad.  I transferred from

the nursing duties to the Stretcher bearing, as I

was somehow discontented with myself of late

& am going to do a bit more of first aid to

those needing it than I would do back in

a collecting station, and I am keen on 

the excitement of the advanced work

III

Should I get a knock, I suppose I would get a

trip to England. & have a good time.

Try not and worry too much about the

war.  Units & Individuals do not count.

As I said before. we are making history,

& upholding the Old Flag, as others did it

for us to inherit. - of old.  Shame on us if

the Empire were to decline, and future

generations attribute the fall to us.

We live our little lives and die.  To

us, is given chance of proving ourselves

men.  To others, the chance does not come.

Still others, have scorned the opportunity.

Whatever our individual faults, virtues or

qualities may be - it matters not.  When 

we are up against big things, let us 

think big, forget individuals whether they 

be Husbands, sons. brothers or sweethearts.

& act as one for the Common Cause, fearless

Some will live, many will die, but

count the loss as nought.  We will go out

with honour, rather than survive with

shame.

I have a silver wristlet watch that I 

bought in Egypt.  If anything happens, it is

IV

to go to Ethel Castledine, that is all.  You

can dispose of the remainder as you wish.

This is the only letter I have written for

this mail, so please give the others the

news, that is what there is to give.

And now Dear Mother. Dear Father

& Dear sister Zoe.  Au revoir

With my best & fondest love to 

all

Syd

19/7/16

Am posting today

Erv sends his best love to all

[Crown Copyright Received.]

A.E.W. 8078.

FIELD POST OFFICE

19 07 16
ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

NOTE.-

Correspondence in this envelope

need not be censored 

Regimentally. The Contents

are liable for examination at

the Base.

The following Certificate

must be signed by the writer :

I certify on my honour that

the contents of this envelope

refer to nothing but private

and family matters

Signature}

(Name Only)}

S Woollams.
[*Send this Back
as I
not had
time to
refer
to it*]

Address-

Mrs C. Woollams

8 Stapleton Avenue

North Sydney

N S W 

Australia

Mrs. C. Woollams

8 Stapleton. Ave

North. Sydney.