Correspondence between Herbert Vincent Reynolds and his family, 1918-1919 - Part 9

"Rewena"                                                                      
56 Nicholson St
Essendon
18/8/18

Dear Bert
I received your welcome
letter of the 31^st May, you say
you have to wait an awfully
long time for a mail to arrive,
so do we, wouldn't it make it
all much easier if we could
get more letters and get them
quicker, but I suppose it is no
use grumbling is it, we just
have to grin and bear it, you
don't feel much like grinning
sometimes though do you. The
War news seems pretty good at
present, I suppose the Americans
coming into it will make a
difference and if only the Russians
had stuck to it I think
it would have been about
finished don't you, do you
think you have any chance
a furlough to Australia, it is

(3)

and is to have another operation
on her head this time which
will be pretty serious, isn't
she having a horrid time of it.
Eva and her mate are going
up to Ballarat for the competitions
in October, their Gymnasium
teacher has entered them,
they are going to stay at your
place, they are quite excited

about it. Ellis has had his
leg operated on again, I think
I told you, it was done about
a month ago, he is still in
the Base Hospital, but is
able to get up now and have
leave occasionally, he was
home yesterday for a while
his leg is slung up with his
knee bent all the time, they
say it will be a success this
time but whether it will or not
remains to be seen, I hope to
goodness it is, as he has had
 

(2)
 about time you did. You were
saying what a lively time you
had with the gass-shells, it
must be awful, Harry doesn't
seem to get well since he was
gassed, his people heard from
him last mail and he was
still in England but esp
expecting to go to France any
day, he says his breath is
still bad, it seems awful to
send men back when they are

not fit. OIive is still on the
sick list she has been operated
on for a growth in her nose,
she was in Mrs Garlicks Private
Hospital for a couple of days,
it was an awfully painful.
operation as they couldn't give
her chloriform so she saw and
felt every thing they did, she
is to go back there again as
soon as she is feeling better
 

4
his share of pain with it.
went to see the picture. "Gerards
Four Years in Germany" last
night it was splendid but
awful because it is practically

all true, it gives us
an idea of what our boys
who are prisoners have to
put up with from the Germans.
We are having rather fine
weather here at present, I
suppose it will soon be so
hot that we don't won't know
what to do with ourselves.
Two of the boys who used to
come here before the war are
on their way home, Berrill
Corkill arrives tomorrow and
Jock Allan on the beginning
of next month, you met Jock
didn't you, he has been dangerously
ill this time so they
are sending him home.
Well Bert we hoped you would be

home by this Xmas but it doesn't
look like it now so we will hope for
the next to bring you. tat-ar with love

from Lena.

Front of envelope- see original document

No 622

Pte H. V. Reynolds

1st Field Ambulance

Australia Imperial

Force Abroad

C/- Mrs Reynolds

Albert St

Sebastopol

Melbourne.

Rear of envelope- see original document

In the Field
France
Aug 20^th 1918
AUSTRALAN IMPERIAL FORCE

Dear Mother
I was very pleased to
receive your letter dated June 23^rd today.
the three previous ones have not come to hand
yet, I suppose that is because you have
added the word staff to the address
perhaps you don't know it, but that
should only be used in the address when
any one happens to be in hospital or in England.
Your parcel reached me alright &
the contents were greatly apprieciated, I was
extremely fortunate with both Nene's & Vi's
parcels, they both came to hand when we
were in the thick of things during the
push, & I cannot say how much we
apprieciated the articals, coming to hand as
they did just when we needed them most.
The last mail brought me a letter from
PTO

(2)
Lena Stones also one from Vi & a real
bonza photo of herself & young Vin.
Last time I heard from Herb he was
much more satisfied, as he had got into
a much better job with the concert party
at the hospital.
I went & looked up Jack Allen a
couple of days ago & also met Stan Busch
they are both in the 8th Transport, & are
looking pretty well on it. Jack Harris met
with an accident, came off his horse or
something of the kind a couple of weeks
ago & broke a leg. I was extremely
sorry to hear from them that young Bill
Stevens is reported missing.
I was very pleased to have the opportunity
of meeting some of the Sebas lads it's ages
since I met any of them both wished
to be remembered to you.
No doubt you have been wondering
what has been up, because I have not
written for quite a while, well for one

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE

(3)

thing we have been exceptionally

busy one way & another, there has

been so much to do at times, &

being on the move so much has

give us very few opportunities of

writing.

I very much regret having to

tell you that X another of my mates

Ted Ridgway was killed during the

last push we took part in, he

came from Queensland.

There is a liklihood of me

getting a start on very shortly, for

this trip back to Ausie for a spell

nothing definite has come to hand

about it as yet.

I've been wondering wether you

have received the photos yet, hope so.

PTO

(4)
I'm looking forward to receiving Flo's
photo it will be very unfortunate if
that mail has gone down, as certain
rumors say it has.
There are some views of
Llandudno enclosed which Ada K
sent me when they were there on
holidays, also some views of Buxton
a favourite health resort not very
far from thier home. If I ever
get the opportunity of spending
a few days with them again I intend
to make a trip & see Buxton.
Well, there is very little
news to send so trusting these
few lines find you all quite well
at Home.
Au-revoir for the present
yours ever very sincerely
Bert

Envelope - See original document

 

Mrs Reynolds

Albert St

Sebastopol

Victoria

Australia
 

H V Reynolds

Aug 20^th 1918