Correspondence between Herbert Vincent Reynolds and his family, 1914-1915 - Part 11

we stayed till I left. I have got
reason to remember the spot I met Jack
Kernick a xxxxxxx our section were sent
up to the 4^th Battln dressing station on
Frid 6^th Aug and I met him on the roadway
there, just below the dugout xxx at the time
neither of us knew that where we stood an
hour after would be a hole 2 ft 6 ins deep and
about 4 ft round well that might seem
nothing in itself but our units luck was
in again for there were four of our chaps
sitting against the bank at the side of the
road and two 2^nd Fld Amb chaps & two
infty chaps who were carrying water up to
the trenches were standing talking to them
when with out warning a great 8.5 shell
dropped in the centre of the track in among
these 8 chaps and exploded the explosion
knocked them over like skittles, we thought
they must have been killed but when the
smoke cleared they were to be seen getting
to their feet dazed three of the water tins

out of 4 were about half a doz yards away
the 4th one was smashed to atoms in
the hole, one of our chaps had to be
sent away suffering from shock.
Hope you are all keeping well
yours truly
Bert

Mrs H Reynolds
Albert St
Sebastopol
Ballarat
Victoria
Australia
[*Sept 11^th 1915*]

TELEGRAM see original
Melbourne 28 6 Pm
Mrs Reynolds
Albert St Sebastopol
Regret reported private H V
Reynolds sick slight disembarked
Malta hospital ship georgian
27th August will advise upon
receipt further particulars
Secy Defence 6. 22

telegram envelope - see original 

Mrs Reynolds
Albert St
Sebastopol

16, REGENT STREET

WATERLOO PLACE,

London
Sept 19^th 1915
Dear Mother
I expect you have been wondering how I have been getting
on in the world's metropolis, well I am not having a bad time at all
although I would feel more at home if I had some friends or a mate
to knock about with, I have not met any body that I know, although there
are one or two chaps here in England somewhere from my unit. Last Wed
a lady named Mrs Osborne, she is an Australian or rather lived out there
a few years ago, came to the hospital with two taxis and took 8 of us
out for a ride through the centre of London, then to the Zoological gardens
where we spent the best part of the afternoon. The Zoo here is a fine
place and what is more you are in a sort of a maze when in it, as they
takex a bit of finding when you want to find the gates to get out.
We were invited to tea after going through the Zoo, or rather taken to tea
at her house at 33 Wilton Place, and we got back to the hospital at about
7 pm after spending a very enjoyable day. I was discharged from hospital
yesterday as convallescent and was sent to the Australian offices at 72
Victoria St, there I was given instructions to go to the Pay office and
draw what money I needed and given furlough from Sept 18^th to Oct 3^rd,
I had to find lodgings untill Monday when they are going to fix me up
with a place to spend my furlough. I had no trouble in getting my money
I had £6-15/- due to me so I drew £5, that ought to see me through this
little bit of a holiday. I was told to apply to the Overseas Club (Victoria
League) for a list of lodgings and they found me a decent place at 68
Guilford St SW it is a private hotel and the people are very nice. I am
paying 2/3 for a bed & one meal so that is not to bad. I intend to

get my other meals at this place the Victoria club they supply us
chaps with first class meals for a shilling. they have rooms here for
writing and reading besides billiard tables for overseas troops
No dot doubt you have heard about the Zepellin raid on London
on Satur night last well the place where I am staying suffered
as 33 out 36 windows large ones 3 x 3 were smashed and the
windows of every place in the vicinity was broken the bomb
fell in a grass plot in some gardens but no one was hurt by it
just fancy if a bomb fell near the tram shelter in Ballt
the concussion would smash all the windows of C T & Es buildings
and those on either side of Sturt St that is what occurred
in this case.
Do not alter the address of my letters as they will do that when
the letters reach my unit. Well I think I have written all
worth wile and will close with love 

from 
Yours truly 

Bert.

Mrs H Reynolds
Albert St
Sebastopol
Ballarat
Victoria
Australia
[*Sept 19^th 1915*]

VICTORIA LEAGUE CLUB.
back of envelope - see original document

E.C.  20144
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
BASE RECORDS OFFICE,
Victoria Barracks,
Melbourne, 28th September 1915.
Dear Madam,
With reference to my wire of the 17th instant,
I now have to advise you that information has been received to the effect
that Private H.V. Reynolds,
is now in the Hospital at London.
His postal address will therefore be -
No. 622 Private H.V. Reynolds,
1st Australian Field Ambulance,
c/o Australian High commissioner,
LONDON, S.W.
[*Mrs. Reynolds,
Albert Street,
SEBASTOPOL (V).*]