Lieutenant Colonel William McKenzie, MC, OBE - letters - 1914 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.3
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

The Salvation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Forces, 131 daaw the 8 houn procession to day. It was a very langer Apfair & theire were some fine displays + beautiful bannens thene a great choved of people were if the City. I wish you couly have seen it. I dood in one opot for 05 minutes to watch it there were a lot of Bands in the procession afterwandwent out to visit old hs Adgt tone, who lies in a private Hospital at Summen Hill whene she undennent (3weeksngo a senious openarion she is madually ethir bethen + was awfully fad ho see me. She is dajor Jones mother + I have known them fou, +4 yeans. Adit fore was the 15 Salvationist in Tust, who stanted holding meetings. I have been out at aoaw Unales place twice go out again on tues night, hald a weeting at Rockddle that night.
10 Dowald, the cloteet sow bou 1900 The Salvation Army Chaplain Expeditionary Forces, by yu should see me now wyo Military Uriforn meladin syie Overalls, Cape legings brown boots sam brown belt, these things cogt me £16-5-0. Youll see my phots by shy fou gething it taken tomow this) agaess you'll like it. 8 Ntow Bonald, I am bunshing you to act in a huohen monly war and te be a great help & compout to mother Henderin a reads + willing obedience & doing your set tasks in acheeuful way. I have prayed a lot for you + hopecannestly that you will deaelot into a good praying young man. shick in tyouncresson, resolve to come oaton top at the Teck I don't see why you should not do so. Try & do ceedit to the MKenzies & bring great joy to your mothens bant. Set a pod example too to your brothers in even I way, this is your responsibility. must hid you good bye. Now wte homevery regulanty + thopeto get a good report of you & the other also. dtrnot you, dont disappoint me S Blessgea, your sathen-
to llen te n The Satvaton Ary Chaplain Expeditionary Forces, 191 dwant yea to go at your leasons with willing hands head & hearts & stee hand to be a realgood scholaw + do something worth while at school + also at your masic sows the time to work at yoanself. Ihope youll not be rasy, but will come dot ontop with plying colourrs. a expect to hear some good masie when I come back, on the Pians & also on the chanten. Yfness Ill be aweay y months altoath Tho I may only be awar 3on even 4. However wouk hand & so have a good time. Above all be a good, time goldien of Yesurs & serve Him faithfully we 10 Rugs & Risses to mother poune 10 to manis + tea each your beothens & have no to Yourself. May god Blessls Fathen Your affectionate DKeanig Wistetme 00
ReO AUtetten awer
810/14 E Maon FMdSmT, Hillarn Mhay Vauling Hena Iusta line to tell you that Lam shill here cooling my hells + Killing time & the somewhat anaoyed at the waste of good precions tine that I might have spent with my doaling + children hat they wont iet me off from heve I hean today (than) that we are not the least likely to wove from here before 8 days time at last & this makes we shafe somewhat I am now practically just killing ttime tho' hus doing visiting + meeting accound the military tamks and also some of the Corfs. tho thy is nore too satisfactory am gettig my 2nd puit of unfo on sath alsomy creat out I will taken send on my tin trunk neith bag + o thea belongings in onder to save there, as thene will be was or stealin gong on among the soldieds + ddont want to losemy anny clothes.
TSnt Srats, Aitnm had youn letten to hand the othen sae +nedaglad to boun that all mead well with you the children weas time will harg a bit hedvy on Touuhands also venile Iam away. no I stated in ae east. You will remain in Bendigo, at least until the ene of theycan o ef you pauticmants desire it you sould stay at Bendings often the new Yeau too but puobably have no shift, into a, fonnicked house u nea of going to Mehonunei Do you want to speak when you have the chance, as it will no doubt came to you. It way, be betten for you to remain in Beadig & only have the one long sheft when I came back, on nenhaps soto Uelhonure & stay thene, wntil my retai. It might be betten for the children to remain in Bendigoanhil my tltans any how you can decide, as Lam anxious that you should be hanky, + conreated
MtiM FMS MITA Mia (3 Kneweman is almost sonce to be appte in fannariy. I dont know who it will be. I am informed that col guaham has gone in protem t fill the gat. Ispent the evening (Hedg) with las Hoskin + I gowith him to ameting tonight at the Wonkmen's Hotel I Isd a meeting on tuesda night at Rockdale, when the Hoepfen family were thene in force. Nath is poonly & has been unden the Du for an examination &ways get a sose of disgust each time t go out, to see the sinty + disorder I am staying at the salacestill and ame comforitably fireg. I may say I made out a freah will & have lodged to with sol MCmillan, who has to keep vrely ot & hand it to yourf he gets fannelll andens. I shall be god to hear from you I saw als Bonhog to gay she sends greeting. Heaven bless you Heape of wres shugs & tisses forat Yours as in n Bather
The Pataton Arny Chaptain Expeditionary Ferces t Oct 18 1314 My Daulintun Here stam shill, when I ot soner to the boat with my, sunnase out akd monning at I am Iot amest age to say that hhad not to go on the wniades that telequan had come tis furae Wellesome to that exfect so I have been put bact to the anifides Turipides i-ripredis- Dear Dr Iudre with the to I had to hooble +hn wres off. I was so sorry & as weer the men, who ave me as cheen when they can me, they helt had over e gavon ao leavethere, foow peggaris, while have ro one t say a pagen overs or with med, over 1000 sools. I have had a Jab with m I'll have a Gal ageage & hi to edemose having to
Te Patation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Ferce 191 a boat takais it ont to the bigches & wod it onboard inomidtacan ts a long eay to cany up sch hean weigdts and I guess ho itl wean some oweanio from they men who cany it Fane tknow cost me pobon sof for shipting my runnage about siman we embant at Morday, 19th I hope sincerel the weare no wone changes They are cootly & resatiobs spent this day at Petenohan ot nared in to enante, but wehad I good meetings, that oece freatly enfoyed in the folks present. Inot hear with has Borkenohaw, dab sw goe + mes Olsen Couchmans tew litble elsw Hlmen Donaldaan & a hoot of others. Ther lave me a five send off of has rewed weessang owel friday nightalg fur, 28n
Tho Salvation Army Chaplain Expecttionany Ferces 191 I am mondering tow you & mavis ot home. Ifees you both wene very ued and 4 asveycold in the eanl moe thin - However A few days in Bendys will firupyou boton. I was more than lad to see younavis. I hopeyou found Da & the lags in the best of form + some well Father neants them to she goos sterve to do very well at home at sool + it the coups. It they keep the promoses made to we theyll so well. Iell them to wcate me to Loadon dopent the After + everinal the Rocadale Bedlam & left at 8 P.M Irained all the while five me wove & weeting to all Keep youheant in the night place & traot tod implicitly. Adiew May, Heaven protect Hblessyou. with heaps ofhugs + Risses wysn the hildren Fathen

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
2
I saw the 8 hour procession to
day. It was a very large affair
& there were some fine displays
& beautiful banners there
A great crowd of people were
in the City. I wish you could
have seen it. I stood in one
spot for 65 minutes to watch it
There were a lot of Bands in the
procession. I afterwards went
out to visit old Mrs Adjt
Gore, who lies in a private
Hospital at Summer Hill where
she underwent (3 weeks ago)
a serious operation, she is
gradually getting better & was
awfully glad to see me. She is
Major Gore's mother & I have 
known them for 24 years. Adjt
Gore was the 1st Salvationist in
Aust, who started holding meetings.
I have been out at your Uncle's
place twice & go out again on
tues night, I hold a meeting at
Rockdale's that night

 

[*To Donald, the eldest son born 1900.*]
The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
3
You should see me now in my
military uniform including tunics
overalls, Cape, leggings, brown boots
Sam brown belt, These things cost
me £16-5-0. You'll see my photo
by & by. Im getting it taken tomorrow
(tues) I guess you'll like it.
Now Donald, I am trusting you
to act in a proper manly way and to
be a great help & comfort to Mother
Rendering a ready & willing obedience
& doing your set tasks in a cheerful
way. I have prayed a lot for you
& hope earnestly that you will develop
into a good praying young man. Stick
in to your lesson, resolve to come
out on top at the 'Teck' I don't see
why you should not do so. Try to do
credit to the McKenzie's & bring great
joy to your mother's heart. Set a good
example too to your brothers in every
way, this is your responsibility.
I must bid you goodbye. Now write
to me very regularly & I hope to get
a good report of you & the others also.
I trust you, don't disappoint me.
God Bless you. Your Father - WMCK
[*I'll write to Colin soon, also Gordon.*] 

 

[*To Colin, the 2nd son.*]
The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
3
I want you to go at your lessons
with willing hands head & heart
& strive hard to be a real good
scholar & do something worth
while at school & also at your
music. Now's the time to work
at yourself. I hope you'll not
be lazy, but will come out
on top with flying colours.
I expect to hear some good music
when I come back, on the Piano
& also on the chanter. I guess
I'll be away 7 months altogether
Tho' I may only be away 5 or
even 4. However work hard
& so have a good time. Above
all be a good, true soldier of
Jesus & serve Him faithfully.
Give 10 hugs & kisses to Mother
for me 10 to Mavis & ten each
to your brothers & have 20 to 
yourself. May God Bless You
Your affectionate Father
Wily McKenzie
Write to me soon 

 

Read this to Gordon
& tell him that I

mean this letter for
him also. WM
My address
Captn McKenzie
Chaplain
Troop ship"Miltiades" A 24
Albany W.A. 

 

8/10/14
National Headquarters, Melbourne
My Darling Muma
Just a 
line to tell you that I am still
here cooling my heels & Killing
time & Im somewhat annoyed at
the waste of good precious time
that I might have spent with
my darling & children, but
they wont let me off from here.
I hear today (thur) that we are
not the least likely to move from
here before 8 days time at least
& this makes me chafe somewhat
I am now practically just killing
time, tho' Im doing visiting & meetings
around the Military Camps and
also some of the Corps. tho' this
is none too satisfactory. I
am getting my 2nd suit of uniform
on Satdy, also my great coat.
I will later send on my tin
trunk with bag & other
belongings in order to save
them, as there will be lots of
stealing going on among the
soldiers & I dont want to

lose my army clothes. 

 

2
National Headquarters, Melbourne
I had your letter to hand the other
day & was glad to learn that all
was well with you & the children.
I guess time will hang a bit
heavy on your hands also,
while I am away.
As I stated in my last, you will
remain in Bendigo, at least until
the end of the year & if you
particularly desire it, you could
stay at Bendigo after the new
year too, but probably have to
shift into a furnished house
in lieu of going to Melbourne.
So you want to speak when you
have the chance, as it will no
doubt come to you. It may be
better for you to remain in
Melbourne Bendigo & only have
the one long shift when I
come back, or perhaps go to
Melbourne & stay there until
my return. It might be better
for the children to remain in
Bendigo until my return, any
how you can decide, as I am
anxious that you shall be
happy & contented.

 

(3)
National Headquarters, Melbourne
A new man is almost sure to be
apptd in January. I dont know
who it will be. I am informed
that Col Graham has gone in
pro tem to fill the gap.
I spent the evening (Wedy) with Col
Hoskins & I go with him to a meeting
tonight at the Monkmen's Hotel
I had a meeting on tuesday night
at Rockdale, when the Hoeppen
family were there in force. Nally
so poorly & has been under the
Dr for an examination (X rays)
I get a dose of disgust each time
I go out, to see the dirt & disorder.
I am staying at the Palace still
and am comfortably fixed.
I may say I made out a fresh 
will & have lodged it with
Col McMillan, who has to keep
it & hand it to you ∨only if he gets
farwell orders.
I shall be glad to hear from you.
I saw Mrs  Banhof today she sends
greetings. Heaven bless you
Heaps of love & hugs & Kisses for all
Yours as ever
Father 

 

Oct 18th 1914
My Darling Muma
Here I am
still, when I got down to the
boat with my 'dunnage' out Satdy
morning at 8 am. I got a message
to say that I had not to go
on the 'Miltiades' that a
telegram had come thro from
Melbourne to that effect
So I have been put back to
the Miltiades "Lampides"
"Euripides" U-rip-ie dis-
with the Dean of Sydney
so I had to hustle & get my
boxes off. I was so sorry &
so were the men, who gave
me a cheer when they saw
me, they felt bad over me
having to leave there, poor
beggars while have no one
to say a prayer over or with
them, over 1000 souls.
I have had a job with my
luggage & I'll have a greater
tomorrow having to hire

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
2
a boat taking it out to the
big ship to load it onboard
in midstream its a long
way to carry up such heavy
weights & I guess it will
mean some swearing from
the men who carry it.  Fancy
it has cost me fuobon 30/-
for shifting my dunnage about.
We embark at 9 a.m. on
Monday 19th I hope sincerely
there are no more changes
They are costly & vexatious.
I spent this day at Petersham
It rained in [[therantes ?]], but
we had 3 good meetings, that
were greatly enjoyed by the
folks present.  I had tea
with Mrs Birkenshaw.  Later
saw Joe & Miss Olsen Conchman's
Mrs Little Mrs Palmer (Donaldeen)
& a hoot of others. They gave
me a fine send off it has 
unnecessarily since
friday night 9 pm, 48 hours
 

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
3
I am wondering how you
& Mavis got home. I guess
you both were very tired and
left very cold in the early morning
- However A few days in
Bendigo will fix up you
both.  I was more than glad to
see you & Mavis. I hope you
found Eva & the boys in the
best of form + doing well
Father meants them to be good
strive to do very well at home
At school & at the Corps. If
they keep the promises made
to me they'll so well. Tell
them to write me to London
I spent the Aftn + evening at
the Rockdale Bedlam & left
at 8 P.M It rained all the while
Give me love & greetings to all
Keep your heart in the night places
& trnot for implicitly. Adieu
May Heaven protect & bless you.
with heaps of hugs & kisses to you
& the children
Father
 

 
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