Correspondence between Herbert Vincent Reynolds and his family, 1914-1915 - Part 1

Military Camp

Broadmeadows, Friday 2nd Oct 1914

Dear Mother
We are getting shifted here and there as if
we are a travelling circus, we struck our tents yesterday
to another part of the grounds we were put into a tent
last night 7 of us managed to get together 2 were put
out of the coy into the depot. and one got his discharge
he has been laid up with severe influenza. Then again
this morning we were shifted again this time for good
I hope, we are still E coy but in No 4 tent
Today we was paid I collected ₤4.15/- I am sending you
enclosed here ₤4 10/- I expect you will be in want of a few bob
it is a good while since I was paid last.
I dont think I mentioned in my last letter about the
sending along my coat & sending down a Courier occasionally
dont send the former but you can send along the papers
He I near settled my chance of getting in this coy yesterday
by stopping off parade. I had a severe cold in the eyes. I am a pretty sight at
present cracked lips sore eyes & heavy cold, hoping you are not the
same I am truly, 
Bert
[*PS Let me know when you get
these notes.*] 

[*[[?]]
R*] 

Mrs. [[?]] 

[[A?]] 
Sebastopol

Ballarat

[*2 Oct 1914*] 

       
27^th Sunday
Dec 1914
Dear Mother
I expect you have been wondering
how we have been putting in this Christmas, it
is hard to realise it is Christmas at all, there
is nothing to mark the occasion like there is
at home, a service was held in the morning, but
there was little to make the day any different, from
any other. It is hard to find any thing to write about
as we are not allowed to state the whereabouts of the boats or
anything else. We are having a very calm trip but all
the same I have had a sample of sea sickness otherwise

I am all right, the food is first class & there
is plenty of amusements. I did not see Peter before
we left & I do not know the boat he is on either.
You can give Jock & them my address because I can not
write to them all, the less letters we send the better
I might drop them a post card now & again.
This is about all I can find to write about this time
hoping you are all well I am
truly Bert
Wishing you a happy New Year.
 

Mrs. H. Reynolds
Albert St Sth
Sebastopol
Ballarat
Vict

[*27/12/1914*] 

Sebastopol
Sund 27/12/14

Dear Bert
I arrived home safe as it happens
Jim took me to the station & seen me
off I was glad he came with me for
there was an awful crush on platform
we got into one train & then we were
all bundled out on to another platform,
when I discovered I had lost my coat
belonging to my Black skirt which I
carried as it was to hot to wear it, I
must have left it in the Essendon train.
Jim said he would see about is when
he went back, the next thing when we
reached Ballan the first engine broke
down & delayed us for nearly 3 hours,
& we did got arrive in Ball till ten
minutes to 12 oclock. Fancy in train
from half past 5 till 12 o'clock, I
Vi put up at Mabel's for the night as there
were no Lebas Cabs. & the others would have
charged 7/6 to go down at that time.
Vi & Herb went there also, & Jock went
down in the morning first thing & told
the children, they were at the station
 

(2)

waiting from half past six till ten oclock
when the porter gave out that the train
would not be in till 12 oclock, then they
came home, they thought I would go to Mab's.
We all went out to Grannie's for Xmas
dinner she was very glad to see us, she
looks much better than when I saw her
last, & says she feels better, but can't do
much. Rev was on the same train &
he saw some-one helping me on train
otherwise he would have come up to me
he did not know Jim, we were all in
different carrages Vi & Herb were in one
Jim another & Rev in another had to get where
we could, when the engine broke down
the train gave an awful bump & sent
the luggage flying. Vi's baby had a narrow
escape 2 large dress baskets & a tin trunk
fell from the racks & just grazed his
toe had ift had fell on him it would
have broken his legs, it gave Vi an
awful shock & then she went off in
a faint, she was very much upset,
Rev has been in hospital for slight

[*operation to his nose, that accounts for him not coming out

to see you. When I got home there was a money order for 18/9 from Military head quarters so I will get it alright I must go and get it

cashed tomorrow Monday.*]
 

Monday 28/12/14
Dear Bert
Sam Davis has just called here
this morning he was inquiring about
you he would liked to have seen you
he asked for your address so I suppose
you will here from him he seemed
so dissapointed at not seeing you before
you left, he said he went out to the
camp 3 or 4 times & you were not there

Dear Bert,
In reference to money order sent to me
it states that this allotment is the amount
due up to the 15^th Dec is that correct.
I got it cashed alright had to take it to Ball
Post Office
I hope you had a Happy Xmas
We all wish you a Happy
New Year
with fondest love from
your loving Mother
sister & Brother
Have you any idea of the name of the boat
Pete is on 

M 'Mother'

Try Mrs Reynolds

Sebastopol

[*writer to 
Pte H.V. Reynolds

27.12.1914*]

[*Not at Abbassia
Not 1st Fd Amb*]
[*No 622*]

Pte H. V. Reynolds

1^st Reinforcements

1^st Field Ambulance

A.A.M.C.

Berrima No. A. 35

[*X At Mena X*]

[*27/12/1914*]
 

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