Letters written by Ernest Lionel Bailey October 1916 to April 1918 - Part 5

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I spent the finest Xmas
this year that I have had
since I became a soldier
but I should have dearly
loved to have been at
Dear Old Holmlands
I was thinking of you all
and hoping you were all
having a Merry time.
I sincerely hope that it will
be the last Xmas we shall
be at War.
Many thanks for the helmet
you enclosed in Aimie's
parcel, it is just the thing 
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letter to different Units
regarding the War
Museums.
It is a one man job,
and the Museum is going
by leaps and bounds,
and they are very pleased
with the work I am doing
so you can guess I feel
rather pleased with myself
I am expecting an officer
over shortly then I hope
to be coming over, I am
anxiously looking forward
for that time to come
 

4
these cold nights and

the shack is very draughty.

I was very glad to here

Frank was alright again.

Aimie told me he put a 

pillowcase up, at the foot

of the bed for Santa Claus, and

by the presents he received.

He must have got it full.

When I come over I will

bring some sugar in the 
way of a souvenir, for I

am told it is impossible to
get in England. Hoping
 you are in the best of health

Love to all at home, your ever
loving Son Ernest
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 

S Re Priest and going to India
its all Rot. It will be far warmer
here soon.
6.2.18
My Own Darling Wife XXXXX
Many thanks for your
tter of the 30th also for Fountain Pen
which I have just received. X Tray Tres Bon earn
Gallagher will be over in a few days 
so, in common parlance I am sweating
on my trip over. I can tell you I
have longed for it, I shall have to be
busy nor for a few days to square
things up, for I dont want to leave
him much to do, I got a very interesting
Relic on the 4th when I was up the 
line, it was a German observation post
resembling a tree, length about 35 ft
 

2
Now doubt you will see it when we
get to Australia.
I noticed you emphasized me as a full
blown Corporal in your letter to Pa Simpson
he will have a laugh to himself when he
reads it, for he was always wanting me 
to stir up for a Commission, he held a
bit of influence. I will bet he says to
himself his Wife has taught him something
Well Darling I was at Corps yesterday
and an officer told me that my promotion 
was through, and that it is dated from
September 1st, so If that is the case you
will draw the 1/5  per day from then,

however I expect Gallagher will have all
the news when he arrives and sooner
the better for I am longing to see My
Little Mate. When I come over I think
I had better bring my rations for instance
 

3
how would a tin of dog go? I have
a cobber who is in charge of a Ration Dump
so I have given him an order for some 
bacon, so I can see myself having to
get up and cook breakfast, but not
dinner, do you remember when we cooked 
the dinner? My address is Now Cpl E L
Bailey Colleting depot A.W. M. Aust Corps
A.I.F. France. Tell Frank I was very pleased 
to get the photo of Charlie Chaplin and I have
pasted it up in the shack and quite a few
have asked who sent it. I have not received this
new paper you sent Well I hope Darling to
let you know in my next letter when to expect
me oh what a time that will be ah? I only
it was all finished by then we would never
have to part. Tell Lissie if she does not write
soon her sugar will be cut out when I get home
(This is a threat) I shall not be able to sleep now
until Gallagher arrives but I have a lot to do
so I am Fairy Ann Give My Love to dear Mother XX
Lissie XXXX Jim &Eddie and come Bonzer Kisses to our Boy
Your ever loving Hubby XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
All My Love XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 

9.P.M.
26.2.18
My Own Darling Wife XXXX
I guess you

have been wondering when you were 
going to get a letter from me.
since I wrote last which was 16 inst
I have been 1000 kilos, one end of the 
line to the other, and have been twice to
Boulogne, and , have not had a chance
to post a letter. this will be the first
night I have slept in my bed since the
16th and I will be busy tomorrow, and
then another trip to Boulogne on the 
28th. SO I have been going some.
I received your letter on returning tonight
dated 14th and was very pleased to hear
that you received the £10 alright.
I have not received my Pay-Book from
London yet, you can guess I am
anxiously waiting for it, but there is
one consolation Gallagher has sent my
leave through to London and so I ought
to hear from them soon. I have to deal
through London re leave, he told me tonight 
he had written a few days ago about it
so it might come through at any time
 

2
but I cannot leave before a week
for I am up to my eyes with work.
Gallagher is getting me an assistant
so that it will be a lot lighter for me,
for you can just imagine what this

Depot is like after I have been away
for 9 days, in fact I dont now where
to start. I shall be working till very 
late tonight, but never mind Darling, I 
am coming over to my Baby very soon
now. I have looked forward to this trip
more than one thing in the world.
I took two drivers on this trip so that
I could get it finished quickly.
Explain to Lissie and Adie why I have
not answered their letters.
I will have such a lot left to tell you Darling
when I come home this trip I could write

pages. I have got together such a great
collection that the British Government
is quite jealous of them
Give my Love to Dear Mother XX Lissie XX
Jim & Edie XXXX and some Bonzer Kisses
for Our Darling Boy XXXXXXXXXXX Hoping 
to see My Baby soon, who is all in 
the world to me
All my Love
Your ever Loving Hubby
Ernest XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 

6.30 P M
3.4.18
My Darling Little Wife XXXX
Just a line
to let you know thus I am still
isolated, for all the Australians have
moved from here, and I am at my
wits end to know how you are going 
on. I expect to be moving on Sunday
but I dont not know for certain, if
any one is sick and tired of it all
I am for I have been working all day
and have not stopped for any meals
so I am now waiting for the kettle 
to boil, for I have to cook for myself
now, how I have longed to be with
my Little Mate and away from it all
I have found out since I have been
back Gallagher was to have stopped
here until I returned from leave
and he was the cause of my
being recalled to France, never mind
Darling, we have that time to look
 

forward to. I dont know which
I will be seeing the Pay Sergeant
for they are at present two hundred 
kilos from here, but you can
rest assured i will fix things
up as soon as possible.
This place seems dead without
the Aust troops even the Post Office
has cleared out for I had to give
a Tommy a franc yesterday to
post your letter. I will be very 
glad to get down with the Boys
for I expect to get a few letters
then/ Tell Our Boy I will be
home again very soon and then
I am going to have a Dinkum 
holiday. Give My Love to Mother XXXX
Lissie XXXX Jim & Edie and some Bonzer
kisses for Our Boy All my love
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
Your  ever Loving

XXXOXXXXXXXX
XXXXX Hubby Ernest XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX