Correspondence from Keith McKeddie Doig to Lewis Maffra Grant, 1917, Part 13

15.4.17

Miss Louie Grant

413 Park Street

North Carlton

Melbourne.

Australia

18.4 1917.

My dear Louie

Am just waiting

in this hotel for the boat to

take me over. Had a real

good time on leave for did 

I not see Billy & George. And

then my Aunties were awfully

good to me and could not do

enough to spoil me.

Billy & George are very well &

it was a great meeting.

George has grown and looked

so big and strong and

healthy I looked a little puny

beside him.

I'm  sending you a small

parcel by registered post

I do hope you get it safely

and like it.

Cheeroh dear and lots of

love from your 

Keith

18.4. 1917

Miss Louie Grant

C/- Vict Fert. Assocn

59 William Street

Melbourne.

Australia

France.

21.4.17.

My dear dear Louie,

See! I'm back in

France again and as luck woulds have

it I joined my unit just as they were

going back still further into huts

That was rather fortunate don't you

think? And when I got back there were

all sorts of nice letters from Mother and

you, so. I tied myself to some quiet

corner and there lived for a while in

Australia until my. letters were read.

They were dated from 30^th Jan on to 5 & 16^th

Febr. and you are a dear to write as

you do. But I don't think you'd

better attempt to convert yourself into

a blackberry bush for it will avail

nothing. And please dear don't end up

those letters of yours in that  horrible business

like manner. Why even that type-written

2

contact address on that envelope frightened

me. There was quite a lot of fighting

up here while I was away but the

Australians gave the Bosche an

awful licking. I'm afraid however

that the Eastern front is rather a 

poor show.

It was just lovely in England seeing

Billy and George and I was lucky

to be able to get to see them. By

the way I'm bought some photos of a

French Cathedral which I saw again

on the way back from leave. This

cathedral is not the same one as those 

other photos I sent you but it is a

finer building and infact one of the

finest in France. I think I told you

about it before as it had a portion

of the one of the bones of John the Baptist

on exhibition in it. I've had the photos

posted on to you and I hope you

3

get there safely. That airman whose

ribbon I sent you died. At a dressing

station a bit further back from us

that night he dropped bombs and

got 40 casualties amongst the inmates!

I think the Bosche is getting it very.

badly here both by the British and

French and I'd just long to hope

it was the beginning of the end. But

one cannot be too sanguine about it.

I've been out this afternoon revolver

shooting with the other officers and I'm

quite an excellent shot now. Also

had a good game of football last

night and in a couple of days our

officers are going to play the officers

of the 57^th who have challenged us.

On Anzac Day (25th April) we are

going to have Brigade Sports and I

hope the weather, which has been good

for the last couple of days, hangs out

4

till then.

Our C.O. now is Major Norm Marshall

- son of Dr Marshall of Scots Church. He

is a fine soldier and quite fearless

and has a good hold over officers &

men. I knew him before he left

Australia.

Well my dear sweetheart there is very

little else to write about and dinner

is waiting so will close. George told

me what you gave him for me but as 

we both agreed.substitutes & proxies are

no good and will not be accepted.

Remember me kindly to Mr & Mrs

Dreverman and Floss, Micksey I hope

has recovered and is all the better for his

Tasmanian trip. Give him one for me

I'm as right as a bank and of

course to you I give all my love and

every good wish: Lots Mother tells me always

what a dear good girl you are to her

5

and I'm so glad to hear that she is 

keeping well. Don't you worry dear

about me and if you find me

growling just take no notice of it

and I'll blow along alright.

Cheeroh dear. and lots of love from your

own loving Keith

P.S. You know I was thinking of getting

a photo taken in London but I could  

not bring myself  to do it next

time however I'll think of you and

have it done  Cheeroh

Keith