Letters relating to William George Blaskett, 1916-1919 - Part 2

Labor Leader's interpretation of "people" is something
like the Irish priest's interpretation of "poor".
One thing, the Leaders dont last long. Hughes
will be a back number next week & some one
else will be 'King Dick" for the time being
The idea of Hughes telling men like Arthur
Balfour, Sir Edward Grey, Bonar Law, Asquith,
or Sir William Robertson what to do, is absolutely
ludicrous.
Talk about, "Oh, that some power the gift"
xxxx etc. There are some other lines I have
just thought of that seem to fit
"Man, vain man, dressed in a little brief authority
"Plays such fantastic tricks before High Heaven
"As make the angels weep."
Now I must finish up, as its nearly
time for parade. Please give my kindest
regards to Mr Butler & the girls & all my friends
Wishing you the very best of health &c
I am,
Your loving son
Will G Blaskett 

17-7-16
Dear Mater/
The mail goes

in about 3 minutes so
this, the first letter we
have been allowed to
write for a fortnight or so
Will be short. I hear
received watch all
correct also several
letters. Have been in
trenches for 10 days and
am now resting.
Everything quite all
right. Have been very
lucky. Had 2 close 

escapes but a miss
is as good as a mile.
Received parcel
yesterday from Mr & Mrs
Fotheringham. Please
thank them. Things
are going splendidly.
"Fritz" is getting a
little return for what
he gave us in 1914-15,
and he doesnt like it.
at all. Bill & I are
quite well & full of
fight. Cant tell you 

3/
where we are, of course,
but we are hoping to
be in it again in a
few days. Thex Battn
was very lucky; very
few casualties. Keep
smiling, old lady. God's
in his Heaven & all's
right with the world.
Goodbye, no
not goodbye. Au revoir
Lots of love, from
Your everloving son
Will.
P.TO 

Excuse writing, awful
hurry.
Kick Modge for
me. 

[*I
suppose
while I'm
writing this  you're
all in church. Would
be about 7 pm. in Sa
now*]
A Coy
France
10 a.m 30-7-16
My dearest Mother/
Today is
Sunday so am taking advantage
of a short spell to write you
my weekly epistle. I hope
you are keeping them all
because they will make
entertaining reading for
me when I get back.
I shall then be able to
tell you a good many things
I can't tell you know.
Sundays are very
much like other days on
active service, especially when
in a similar position to 

2
ours at the present time.
In Egypt, unless a man
was on some special duty,
we had Sundays free, but
here, we are hardly allowed
out of the billets, when we
are billeted, owing to the chance
of a sudden move. (Of course,
in the trenches, nobody strayed. It
isnt. safe, always). How would
you like to be told ^about 11 pm or 3. am that within
half an hour you were to
have all your gear packed,
your billet tidied, & be
ready to move off. It's not
at all an uncommon
occurrence in France. In fact,
if we stay anywhere more than
2 days or so, rumours about 

3
peace get about. Am glad
to tell you that with the
exception of a slight cold,
I'm still in the pink of
condition, though tucker is
by no means as plentiful
as it might be, owing I
suppose to transport
difficulties.
The Saturday before last
I put in a very enjoyable
day. Was first introduced to
a beautiful piano, very
much after the style of our
own. You can bet I was
pleased. My hand is'nt affected
at all; of course my fingers 

4
are stiff, & I'm horribly
out of practice generally.
but once I'm back those
little things will soon
be remedied. It was
like meeting an old friend.
Now, with best love to
your dear self, dad & the
lad I must finish off this
awful scribble.
Your loving son
Will
PS
Dont be worried if you
dont hear for a mail or two.
as sometimes we are not
allowed to write. Will send
a letter or card as often as
possible
W 

France
3/8/16
Mother o'mine/
Have received your
letter dated June 14^th giving
news of the move. I think
you have acted quite wisely,
in the present state of affairs.
From your extremely
eloquent description, I
should say it was a
charming place. Anyway.
I'll be quite content to be
there, at the earliest possible
moment too. A soldier's life
is very nice no doubt, but
home isn't a bad place at all.