Letters from Alexander Sutherland Mackay to his Family, 1918 - Part 4

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2018.19.57
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Belgarm 2/2/168 Dear Mother This wek le Fitys received You letter of 21st Decr Roys llittle Andreys of 2 rd Dicr Tetys of 29th Der Elaus of 29 Wear & 5th Jany. Yours evidently having it fairly hot ae think of such weathen as a monny all present, allhough we can't complaint. Today is the first know were hav for three weeks past Cold Wands have been or about saret days, but othing companed to this time last the Blackets would arrive ant
just after thes wrote her last tetter, what a glonous time you ould all have at Coolangatte From all arrounts they will an Bouband at its but I hope so anyway, I auphose Phil will thank our kandocks, af young wort after the paky yards in Lydney. Whit a splundid hand litthe Andrey writes for a youngster, ahe will be at amast hat. Now wrote the other day from what I can gather, Connce Kays is not anht a great distande four oar Wayort lines. Smarl try shunk har up when we pull out. Things farly smit still rertes to and the Harty 20 the night before last, but all t7
his app my 1 ther sests or the g have mat at puastade of I before our S.P.S worke macke the Raiding on both aides sums to bee the chief serating I got a parrel through i present. Brigade Comfor Fands this the9 wrdetly sent fo Ea Wateon at Tobereo gontes t a lon kother but, awrts aa paar of aks probably will port. 4 the sors Roy a letter an awork ao not wants to make the mather too Love to all at home Your affect son Hix
A.F.A. 2042. 214(Gen No. 15248. The address only to be writ ten on this side. If anything else. is added the post card will be destroyed. (rown Covvright Reserved.] 4/ FIEL PO CAR 10ar 1s Galloways Hill Corman Park E. Brisband
NOTHINE 13 to be MrittoH on this side except the date and signature of the sender. Sentences not required may be erased. If anything else is added the post card will be destroyed. (Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card addressed to the sender of this card.) I am quitd well I have been admitted into nospital 810k and am going on well, wounded) and hope to be dischargedseen Lam being sent down to the base. letter dated Cool sugatty I have received your telegram, parcat Letter follows at first opportunity. I have received notetter from you (totety for along time. Wackar Signature A only Date Wt WISSS RISIS18539 8000m. 617. C. & Co. Grange Mills. S.W.
FA. 2042. 14/ Gen. No. 15248. The address rnly 10 be writ. ten on this side 17 anything else asadded: the post card will e aesirvyed. ICrown Copertohi Reserved. 1 FTELD ABC POST CARD I Parkan Yurs Galloways Hill Corman I al G. Brisban wides and
BOYHIRS is to be wten on tis side the date and signature of the sender. Sentences not required may be erased. If anything elso Ie added the post card will be dostroyed. (Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card addressed to the sender of this card.) I am quite well. Ihave been admitted into hospital Stot and am going on well. wounded)and hope to be discharged soon. I am being sent down to the base (better dated. I have received your tetegram. parcel Letter follows at first opportunity Ihave received no letter from you tatety for a tong time. Stenstiae Barka t only Date. 8000m. 617. C. & Co. Grange Mills SW. WEWISESRISIS 1S5S
Frame 4/4/18 Went Clr Thes wets I reuned the contincens litter from tokangatte & a parcet containing cocks Butterceolih from Litt. What a glorious tim you widedtly all had sownt there, the Blackets would throughly enjoy it. In jolly pleasur they struck Bruband at such a time. Kence last letter we have had a five days journey on the road snow in action again. This is totally diffrind country from Balgmmt, as for we have only had one carually int the Battery at this posit Acropts and fairly actur on both uides, ats a case of lights out, at night Ruining off out consistently consequently mad is sdid. Ronme woold this veck but his letter is dated the 19th March as evidently it has bent following ae wounds. A is anxious fore a Pans hript he thinks he can git it anytimt. Hnwer for the time all heave has been camlled. I wouldnt mind ascompnging hind to gay Pars myself, but Im apaid there is little hope of that Gordon mott is hereabouts, I got a note the other day aaying hes would dop onr fu opportunly whe and over thi Wanier now thanks gordmen, the madt is not pleasant, but I prefer itt inyay to the cle. Will the have not no time at hetreet things lwvening up your atet to Mex
A.F.A. 2042. 114/Gen No. 15248. The address only t0 be writ ven on this side. 17 anything else added: the rast: card will destroyed. Hrown Covrighp. 2 FIELE POS F CAN Mackae X Home Secretarys Greb n Feens 14
RSYHING is te be wrien on this side exce the date and signature of the sender. Sentences not required may be erased. If anything elso 15 added the post card will be destroyed. (Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card addressed to the sender of this card. I am quite well. I have been admitted into hospital t and am going on welt. wounded) and hope to be discharged 300n. ham beingsent down to the base. (letterdated tetogram I have received your Wore Letter follows at first opportunity I have received no tetter from you tarety for a tone time. Signature only Date WEWISSSRISISISSSS Som. &1l. C. & Co. Grange Mills SW.

Belgium
3/3/18.
Dear Mother,
This week, lve
received Elsies Lily's letter of 21st Decr,
Roys & little Audrey's of 23rd Decr,
Lily's of 29th Decr.  Elsie's of 29th
Decr & 5th Janry.  You're
evidently having it fairly hot,
we think of such weather as
a luxury at present, although
we can't complain.  Today is the
first snow we've had for three
weeks past.  Cold Winds have been
blowing for about three days, but
nothing compared to this time last
year.  The Blackets would arrive

 

just after Elsie wrote her last
letter, what a glorious time you
would all have at Coolangatta.
From all accounts they will see
Brisbane at its best, I hope so
anyway, I suppose Phyl will think
our paddock, a young run, after the
poky yards in Sydney.  What
a splendid hand little Audrey
writes for a youngster, she will be
a smart kid.  Ron wrote the other
day, from what I can gather, Connie
Keys is not such a great distance
from our Wagon Lines.  I must
try & hunt her up when we
pull out..  Things fairly quiet still
Fritz was expected to raid this 
sector the night before last, but all

 

his app operations were further 
along.  Our men were waiting in
their seats on the guns, he would
have met a fusilade of shells
before our SOS rocket reached the 
ground.  Raiding on both sides seems
to be the chief scrapping going on
at present.  I got a parcel through
the 9th Brigade Comfort Funds this
week, evidently sent by Ida Watson,
it contained Tobacco cigarettes toothbrush &
powder, potted beef, sweets & a pair of socks
from a Mrs Fairley.  I probably will post
Roy a letter in a week or so, he does
not want to make the matter too
public.  Love to all at home.
Your affect. son
Alex.

 

1/4/18
FIELD SERVICE
POST CARD.
Mrs D. Mackay.
Galloways Hill
Norman Park
E. Brisbane 

 

I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
{sick } and am going well.
{wounded} and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your {letter dated Coolangatta
{telegram "
{parcel "
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
{lately
{for along time.
Signature}
only}   AS Mackay.
Date   1/4/18.

 

3/4/18.
FIELD SERVICE
POST CARD.
Miss Lily Mackay
Galloways Hill
Norman Park
E. Brisbane
Queensland 

 

I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
{sick } and am going 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 along time.
Signature}
only}   A.S. Mackay.
Date   3/4/18. 

 

France
4/4/18
Dear Elsie,
This week I received the continuous letter from Coolangatta
& a parcel containing socks & Butterscotch from Lil.  What a glorious
time you evidently all had down there, the Blackets would
thoroughly enjoy it.  I'm jolly pleased they struck Brisbane at such
a time.  Since last letter, we have had a five days journey on
the road & now in action again.  This is totally different
country from Belgium, so far we have only had one casualty
in the Battery at this posie.  Aeroplanes are fairly active on
both sides, its a case of lights out, at night.  Raining off &
on consistently, consequently mud is solid.  Ronnie wrote this
week but his letter is dated the 19th March, as evidently it has
been following me round.  He is anxious for a Paris trip,
he thinks he can get it anytime.  However for the time all
leave has been cancelled.  I wouldn't mind accompanying
him to gay Paris myself, but I'm afraid there is little hope
of that.  Gordon Mott is hereabouts, I got a note the other day
saying he would drop over first opportunity.  We are over the
Winter now thank goodness, the mud is not pleasant, but I prefer
it anyday to the cold.  Well Elsie have not much time at
present, things livening up
Love to all
Your affect brother
Alex 

 

15/4/18
FIELD SERVICE
POST CARD.
R.S. Mackay Esq.
Home Secretary's Office
Brisbane
Australia Queensland 

 

I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
{sick }  and am going 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 along time.
Signature}
only}
Date  A.S. Mackay. 

 
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