Letters from Alexander Sutherland Mackay to his Family, 1918 - Part 3

We passed a crowd with three horses
down & two waggons that took a side
glide into ditches.
12/1/18  Received a letter from Claude
Watson today, he says he just missed
me when we pulled out from the
last position. They will probably
be on the move so I may strike him
anyday.  Evidently he is attached
to Head Quarters, so must have struck
a good strap, anyway I sincerely hope so.
14/1/19.  Today I received your two letters
dated 23^rd & 24^th Nov, both practically the
same.  The first was addressed H Brigade,
that made no difference Lil, as 30^th Battery
is really sufficient.  Im glad you got the 

new address, as letters will now come
direct.  I hope Bert gets an Ausie, but
they may keep him for some stunt in
Blighty.  I also today got Roy's letter of 24^th
Nov & a nice pair of socks & 2 packets of
cigarettes from Vera Duncan.  The second
parcel from home has yet to arrive, but
I must say Ive been lucky as far as
parcels are concerned.  By this the Blackets
have no doubt been to Brisbane, I can
imagine the good times you would have.
Just keep Roy up to scratch & make him
operate on my a/c, for expenses if any of
you have a trip in view.  Its no use the
Bank keeping it shut up for their benefit.
I wrote on my return from Paris asking him

to send £25 to London.  After that
goes through, if he leaves ^the a/c about £20 in
credit, it will be any amount for Gundy.
Snowing every day, but the Winter so
far is nothing like it was this time
last year.  Well Lil I must write to
Vera, I've never met the dear girl and
that reminds me beyond "Gin Gin", I do
not know her address, as Ill send it
home & you can readdress it.
Love to all
Your affect brother
Alex

28 .1. 18
FIELD SERVICE
POST CARD.
Mrs D. Mackay.
Galloway's Hill
Norman Park
E. Brisbane
Queensland.

I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
{sick}  and am going on well.
{wounded}  and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your {letter dated
{telegram  "
{parcel  "
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
{lately
{for a long time.
Signature}
only}  A.S. Mackay.
Date  28/1/18.

30/1/1918
Dear Roy,
Will you get Barlow
to repeat the dose by sending say
£25 to London Br.  Im not likely
to require it for some considerable
time now, but I like to know its
within easy reach.  Paris trip was
fairly expensive but I thoroughly
enjoyed it & don't regret a penny
spent.
I am enclosing this with my
letter to Mother.
Alex.

France
3/2/18.
Dear Mother,
We are now back in action in our former
position & so far things are quiet.  We are also fortunate in
getting such a mild Winter, of course we have two months
or so yet to go, but this time last year it was absolutely
freezing.  Observation is very poor owing to the foggy weather, so
little aeroplane work is in progress.  Did not meet Ronnie again
whilst we were out.  I got a letter from him, he is evidently still
engaged on the farm work.  Claude Watson also wrote, but I
haven't dropped across him yet.  I fancy I told you in my
last letter that both portions of the Christmas parcel had arrived,
they were tiptop.  A large number of parcels are coming to hand
lately, practically all Christmas parcels.  I've received about four
letters from Elsie & Lil but evidently there are a number wandering
round.  One letter I got this week was dated April 28^th 1917, from
a girl in Richmond, goodness knows where it has been to.
I struck a young fellow named Crawford in the AMC up here the
day before yesterday.  He recognized me, but I can't say I remember
him, he tells me he lives out East Brisbane & knows Ronnie & poor
old Arthur.  I suppose the Coolangatta trip is a thing of the
past now, no doubt the girls thoroughly enjoyed it, especially
if the Blackets went up.
Well Mother. Ill write again in a few days.
Love to all 
Your affect son Alex.

Belgium,

16/2/18

Dear Roy,

Today I received the

following letters.  Lils of 4^th Dec, Elsies

8^th Decr, Lils 10^th Dec, Elsies 12^th Decr,

& 16^th Dec, Mothers of 16^th Decr & Dods

of 16^th Dec.  I also received a nice 

Balaclava & a tin of chocolates from 

the Blacket girls.  Letters have 

been very scarce of late, so I can

assure I was delighted to get the

above.  The Blackets are evidently

looking forward to their trip,

I can imagine the jap when

they strike. Else & Lil.  I suppose

Brisbane got nothing for itself

I gave them a few instructions

how to carry on in my last 

letter to them, but I suppose the

advice was wasted.  Fancy Audrey

coming top in her class, she

evidently follows after me, give

the old kid a kiss for me.

Still quiet here, Ive just washed

a towel & a pair of socks. & salvaged

an old half cask from a shell hole

to have a bath in.  Its only three

weeks since I had the last, but

I don't stink much, cool weather.

Today is the first bright day
we've had for some considerable
time.  the aircraft are making
the most of it.  Our Anti guns
have been booming at Fritz's planes

& his at ours off & on all day long.
no bulleyes either side so far.
They are expecting Fritz to make
this long talked of, supreme effort
anyday.  I'm tipping he will liven
things up but get more than
he anticipated.  Fancy Erskine Dawson
getting knocked.  I mett him up
North, when he was jackeroo on
Hamilton Downs, I think it was.
Still keeping marvellously mild for
this time of the year, ice on the
shell holes but no snow for some
considerable time.  Haven't heard
from Ron lately, I suppose he is
still at that farm.  Well Roy, Ill
close.  Love to all
Your affect brother
Alex