Letters from Francis (Ken) Evans to his family, 1915-1917 - Part 2

France 

Dec 29 ^th 1916

My dear Father,

I was very glad to receive 

your letter dated Oct 29^th which

came to hand yesterday, also one 

from Minnie, and am very pleased 

to hear that all are well at home

and that the season is good.

No doubt you have received some letters

& a cable from me since writing, I

have now been over here about three

weeks and am well, I have not seen

any Victorians I know so far no

doubt I will see some any day

now.

I received a letter from Gerald last

night he is well, am posting a 

letter to him tonight.

He saw Archie Patterson & Billy 

Forge recently, also Cliff Anderson

& A Mahoney & several others, he 

also received a letter from Cecil Lewis

from Salisbury

II

Naturally it is wet and 

muddy here at present, but 

it isn't too bad we have got

a dry place to sleep, and 

enough to eat

Give Minnie my love

and tell her I received the 

wild flowers alright

With fondest love to Mother

and yourself

Your affectionate son

F Evans

51^st Battalion

B Company 

13^thBrigade

A.I.F

France 

Mar 22^nd 17

My dearest Mother,

I saw Gerald for 

a few minutes yesterday, I was 

marching through a village where

his Battalion had been billeted

for four days and he happened

to be standing on the side of the 

road, I couldn't stop but we 

saw one another at about the same 

time, & he walked alongside of me 

for a good way & we had a bit 

of a talk, I was more than glad 

to see him as I have been wishing

to for some time & he looks really

well, He was leaving there that

afternoon and we are moving in

opposite directions at present

I received a lot of letters this 

month & I can't tell you how glad 

I was to get them I like and to hear

that all are well at home, & the 

season good, I like the local 

papers next to letters

II

All we want now is for 

this infernal war to end

so as we can go to our dear 

homes in the only country 

in the world for me Australia

however all will be well yet 

mother dear & try not to worry 

too much, as 1917 ought to see 

the end of it

I am well and have 

everything I want

With much love to Father

Minnie, & yourself & all at 

home 

Your loving son 

F Evans

France

April 16^th 17

My dearest Minnie, 

I received two letters

from you yesterday & was very

glad to get them it is very good 

of you to write so often

I received a note from Gerald

yesterday he is well no doubt you 

have received a letter from me 

saying that I had seen him about

three weeks ago & he was looking very 

well I was very pleased to see him

as I was always wishing to

[[?]]Looked me up yesterday

[[?]] ned that we were

[[?]] a day he has 

[[?]] well & in good

[[?]] me a letter

[[?]] just received 

[[?]] wished to 

be remembered to all

at Red camp

Gerald saw Frank Corker

& Harvey Wallace a few days 

ago.

That is a very good photo

of Ginger & he looks very happy

I can't recognize many

in the picnic party

I received a nice handkerchief 

from Dorothy & a booklet from

Marjory am going to write 

to them

With much love to Mother

Father & yourself & all at home

Your loving Bro

Ken

F. Evans

Please excuse writing

hands cold

[*With much 

love to yourself

Father & Minnie

your loving son

Ken

F Evans*]

 

France 

April 21^st 1917

My dearest Mother,

I received your 

photo safely & was so glad 

to get it as I have often wished 

for one. I suppose Dorothy 

took it.

Minnie said you were going 

away for a change you will 

probably be away when this 

arrives, I am always thinking 

of you & looking forward to the 

time when I will be home again

The soldiers are all tired 

of this & that is putting it very 

mildly, I am very glad Evan 

was turned down

Tell many I did not meet 

any girls in England was only 

there three weeks

[*With much 

love to Mother

Father, Minnie

your loving 

bro

F Evans*]

 

France 

April 22^nd 17

My dear Evan,

I received a letter

from you yesterday & was very glad 

to get it & Mothers photo I have often

wished I had one, it is very good of 

you to write I know I am a rotten

correspondent

It is very comforting to get letters

from home & to hear that all are well

& things in general satisfactory

no doubt my letter will have reached 

home saying I had seen Gerald.

It was hard luck the filly

getting hurt when she was going

well, I suppose you will try

her again later on

The weather is still bad & there

has been a bit of snow this month

we are resting now have been 

out of the line about a week

Front of envelope

On active service

E M Evans Esq

Red camp

Moyhu

Victoria 

Australia

Back of envelope

Letter from Ken

Dated 22 AP 17