Lieutenant Colonel William McKenzie, MC, OBE - letters - 1914 - Part 3

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

Page 1 / 10

INTERNATIONAL HEADOUARTERS IOI OUEEN VICTORIA ST. LONDONEC THE SALVATION ARUIY. Duraian Hendaugton. H Boute o Nalal Ava MTARYEEACUE ArRAY MPERAL HRCE anndron A Troopship Sumpide Liancenar convecing Oct $32 194 My Dauling Hb J. Lan ell a Dom well enjuyne my wour ime ensell it is a mighty Sppoitunits and worth of wach sacrifice. His a novel shif with 2,00 odd contad woand. Me officer ane fine + treat we wiith errueme kindness, so me of them ane just wppins! o wt I pcotemen. The chief wanss a scot + the balk of the 4 Battalion office to which Lam now attacked any scots, so Im in clodent Thave a rang cabin to myself with nbeds + a coach, get a lob of attention from my Stewant a live in the best of stle on 10 class farie. I all night being a swell. Hany you weere with mes to enjo it. I would be in closen I am themon so much of you & psqungthan got may steengthen you + keet you cheeng all othe wailes & the childnen swelt Borking at them obedint & datiful lsoons, with all them might.
THE SAIVATION ARNY. Adtalian Headqvarter: 69 Bourte St. Mathoure. NAVAL AND MILITARY LEACUE AUSTRALLAN MMPERIAL FORCE. cam JAMESHAY concnn heweane mostrespectful tome ane taking to me O.R. they give me a creat sheen at the Conceun when I preside. We have had so me great concents + possess a lot of five talent among the men + some weal hand case to the pipe band chans me, & we also have some fine weitens We had a anay day yosten sa (Tunday) a senaice at 7.45 Aw commanion the official paudde at 11 am read & peay in this oe forme& a Bible Classin the Apten at 3BM 25 Joiel forastat se had a five time I gave the reading + the Dean of Pyrneg conducted the song & the pudgens. He & I want hand + glove & weane becoming great cobbens hers a fine fellow. Tho an invetenate emoken. & condacted the night evaagelasty & senvice & he piaged. It was a prce, fines the parson think for the ideal man o job & I seveng all Sh Plight I will see so before o ovea
We have hobshanted hold in puageas (officil) with the teooks eachmonning at 8.45 Ams & each night we have somethingoine the Dean + I ame wsto noidcefor the amagenes alao. Madday night Pipe + BinaBande flay it going antends Tueday conceat Hedy Thunaday. Bar ds plyat Surdayin James Lanter (uneend tconcent We hold a bane ofragen meeting on wor tuenday ten & finday nighto also, so they et a woodl of rengiors: I must aaclads we canenon in sight of albont 42 noon man thope you with the children are well happy. hore hug Lisses hat May God pless yon abandantly pane aede Bath i He have had a remanoably fine pasoage thers tha Bich
The Satvation Army The HighScar Chaptain Expeditionary Forces, 131 M Mens Dendigordic Vy Dauling Wife Custaline meet d with gladness at this me d guess you ane wonder i how nghell best wat amdo just D.R. th somethin tr owhals sull te &hat fie spportanty for oe il caution an essential cenconsdid should be able to make the pto onr yourne 52 2 Dor day fle interstiing Fas it but I can helt you to the at y some other & a waybe when I see you o tueaked with gheat kinoness & consideratio b the officens + profourd respect io the men &
The Salvation Army Chaplain Expeditionary Forces have many a helpful alot with stations un its kersorall His woodderfor now they open out & tell us their doubt eans o follies she o than od fouthe opfortunity neach thero t is well outh while my dear I am vey app yt ny to I am woddening how you the chalnes Ltt a ou, + my thought are ather with you all & yur baid paycert fodis your safe Keeprrs & sreenput aegovsence in this will se the Boys an don w every way & hedd t the mant in then wark & duing their less thedience owith credibty whd sett then I am whie hat think Do then and heant boten if th will Keep them promices to me dont
The Salvation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Forces Shakeyou will spend a vessss rahee smas & new yoa ene tho hether is not at home I had be thinking of you all whenever I am hen Ill be wondering what is likely whappen to you aften the neas year as to whether you will be shipting dower danve. If they want to Weth ft you down, to ideaton ohe I lor Ihaah etten to uenan in Bendigon I am, aronder too about Dons school X00 Wethouane you might place him at a college soe ohat the saotch Collesnes t Ministens sons. At either Wewillan or Henrry o see nto this boy you I would like to gnl him and therchanee for one mone year at East even tho it may be a binch Sanive the Scotch them are others that would gualify him for the Inxion Bablio ite Cinil schore exanfor
The Salvation Army Chaplain Expeditionary Ferces, pt Anhow being on the st will know in that is best ten ou emain in sendigs let thi begin somethinng Dckwate to ain either acun frwen electuic enginelu An dcconstan Banten o Doctor or 8 sonething. tewist now beg to choose so wewhat for him sell & show sowe predspint andsoncouse what it going to be ws he gin wont & wi it I shall bangions to kno what he As you all afternoy year Tll be writing Dou himself now sonaladewith wns pordestione higs & tissgs all I hope dostak gine to thecy up mother. tat have I to wer howe ths time for bii I think tr to get a teal stron 0 Bank fo her kenniss soshe saw gt there to sa themo mickly
The Salvation Army Chaplain Expeditionary Forces, Dea M Benson 1230 1914 Dendi My Durn Barlin Nma Don't I just wish I could fot in vse you all now miss you sasoich & think a pria fougon very ofter in a day wandenhow you all ane athan on + what you aue I am and such like things on that so my ow lunging for a hagk in two &o fewnesses froom you all santions to hav a sony from hass of a pew of he wait I Rope everthing is for well with younself o the shald re tho I can readily meas that you thinkofegl the maid days a long time in comin hound however wten we tike the old connting thro a long sight mone yaan I sould bay you ll hear each the waikss are mnning c suant. You will be glad leans thhat we are pr essue o
The Salvation Army Chaptain Expeditionary Forces, andthings one gon ven wll withus, tho we feel a hufl tired of the one slow voyage whill theneave mand in trehing espinces that beak the mon who my fromday today and ddd spie to the Ianly wutr of life. I will by a chronics & feae of these fou your ad ficatisa & engogwent and you wight hand then to the oenespapen as I think the would nake very good sead able staff & the Bendag puthis would de interested in the langal of these. You could me is to noth fakens the same day at the same time that is the dspendent reput Icould take the steaff down whont hand & the adm tisan couldat the oan of the copy enwell could fis there up if you dont so yourself
The Salvation Army Chaplain Expeditionary Forces, Yousee swant to keep tha my to the front & this will helf uhafes one of the papens would like it exchising + ane ready to pay for it. fs take the saih & let then have the gado. The money can he a livre latena and awide of couase if the dont fay the it is all wisht read the staff to the hogs finst s t sas theill bewtnted avor dowg It is rother tupng to be shat of from all the wenispapers nd fn penodicals I dont kavi how things are going outa Sittlewould oun ono n goneven we exfecet to be home is Linds & then well get can moncenens of the words som go douess it will be at least io weeks before we truck theand in orage Here is a hupned sumiad we touched Allean on Monda

INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
101 QUEEN VICTORIA ST. LONDON E.C.
THE SALVATION ARMY
Australian Headquarters: 69 Bourke St. Melbourne
NAVAL AND MILITARY LEAGUE,
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
A14 Troopship Euripides
Oct 26th 1914
My darling wife /
I am well, and doing well and
doing well & enjoying my work immensely
it is a mighty opportunity and
worthy of much sacrifice. It is a 
lovely ship with 2, 500 odd soldiers on
board. The Officers are fine & treat
me with extreme kindness, some of 
them are fast 'ripping'. A lot of
Scotsman. The chief man is a Scot.
& the bulk of the 4th Battalion officers
to which I am now attached are
Scots, so I'm in clover. I have a large 
cabin to myself with 2 beds & a
couch, get a lot of attention from
my steward & live in the best of style
on 1st class fare. It's all right being a
swell. If you were only with me to enjoy
it. I would be inclover. I am thinking
so much of you & praying that God
may strengthen you & keep you cheery
all the while & the children swift
obedient & dutiful, working at their 
lessons, with all their might.

 

THE SALVATION ARMY
Australian Headquarters: 69 Bourke St. Melbourne
NAVAL AND MILITARY LEAGUE,
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
2
The men are most respectful to me & 
are taking to me O.K. they give me a 
great cheer at the concerts when I
preside. We have had some great
concerts & possess a lot of fine
talent among the men & some real
hard cases too. The pipe band charms
me & we also have some fine reciters.
We had a busy day yesterday (Sunday) a
service at 7.45 a.m. (communion)
the official parade at 11 a.m. I
read & pray in this.
We formed a Bible class in the
aft'n at 3p.m. 25 joined for a start.
We had a fine time I gave the reading
& the Dean of Sydney conducted the 
songs & prayers. He & I work
hand & glove & we are becoming 
great cobbers, he is a fine fellow!
tho' an inveterate smoker. I conducted 
the night evangelistic service &
he prayed. It was a free, fine
The parson think for the ideal man
for this job & I'm serving all
right & will do so before it is over. 

 

3
We have just started holding
prayers (official) with the troops
each morning at 8 - 45 a.m. & 
each night we have something going
The Dean & I are responsible for
the announcements also.
Monday night Pip & Brass Bands play
Tuesday " I give lanterns & Bands!
Wedy      " Concert
Thursday " Bands play
Friday    "  games, Lanterns (one end)
Saty        " concert
We hold a praise & prayer meeting
on Mon, tuesday thur & friday 
night also, so they get a good lot 
of religion.
I must conclude we are now
in sight of Albany 12 noon Mon.
I hope you with the children are 
well & happy. Love hugs & Kisses to all
May God Bless you abundantly.
Yours as ever
Father
We have had a remarkably fine 
passage thro the Bight.

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces
The High Seas
Mrs McKenzie
Bendigo Vic
My Darling Wife
Just a line
to greet you with gladness
at this time I guess you
are wondering how I
am doing. Well rest content
I am first O.K.
& trying to do something
worth while. It is a 
fine opportunity & but
for needful caution and
essential censorship
I should be able to make
the story of our journeyings
& doings for a day
to day but I can tell you
the story some other day
maybe when I see you
I are treated with great

Kindness & consideration
by ones Officers & profound
respect by the men & 

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces
2
have many a helpful about
with various units personally
It's wonderful how they 
open out & tell us their doubts
fears & follies etc. I thank
God for the opportunity
to reach them. It is well
worth while my dear.
I am very happy in my job!
I am wondering how you
& the children are getting
on & my thought are often
with you all & my daily 
prayers to God is for your
safe Keeping & cheerful
acquiescence in His Will.
I hope the boys are doing
well in every way & Keeping
up in the marks in their
obedience & doing their lessons
with credit to everybody.
Tell them I am hoping 
things from them and I
will be heart broken if they
dont keep their promise to me 

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces
3
I hope you will spend a very
enjoyable Xmas & New Year, even
tho' father is not at home
I shall be thinking of you
all wherever I am. Then I'll
be wondering what is likely
to happen to you after the
New Year as to whether you
will be shifting down to 
Melbourne. If they want to 
shift you down to Mentone
it would be better to remain 
in Bendigo. I am wondering 
too about Don's school if you
go to Melbourne  you might
place him at a College see
what The Scotch College gives
to Ministers sons. Get either
McMillan or Henry to see
into this for you. I would 
like to give him another chance
for one more year at least
even tho' it may be a pinch.
Failing the Scotch their are
others that would qualify
him for the Junior public
exam for the Civil Service 

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
4
Anyhow being on the spot
you will know in what is best.
If you remain in Bendigo , let
him begin something definate
to aim either a civil Engineer
electric engineer, An accountant
or Banker or Doctor or 
something. He must now begin
to choose somewhat for himself
& show some predisposition
toward some course what
is it going to be & is he going
to work & win it? I shall
be anxious to know what he
falls you all after my heart
I'll be writing Don himself
I must now conclude  with 
fondest love, hugs & kisses
to all. I hope Mavis keeps
singing to cheer up mother.
What have I to bring home
this time for Lou I think
I must try & get a real strong
Bank for her pennies so she
cant get them to spend them so
quickly
[*Thank God Bless you all father* ]

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
Nov 23rd 1914
Mrs McKenzie
Bendigo
My Own Darling Muma
Don't I just wish
I could pop in & see you all now.
I miss you so much & think & pray
for you very often in a day &
wonder how you all are getting
on & what you are doing and
such like things on that score
my, Im hungry for a hugs or 
two & a few kisses from you all.
& anxious to hear a song from
Mavis & a few of her recitals
I hope everything is going well
with yourself & the children
tho' I can readily guess that
you think & feel the mail 
days a long time in coming
round however when we
strike the old country it will
be a long sight more regular
I should say you 'll hear each
week if the mails are coming
regularly. You will be glad
to learn that we are progressing 
all right. 

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
2
and things one going  very well
with us, tho' we feel a trifle
tired of the long slow voyage
Still there are many interesting 
experiences that break the monotony
from day today and
add spices to the daily routine
of life. I will try to chronicle 
a few of these for your anticipation
and enjoyment, and
you might hand them to the
newspaper as I think they
would make very good readable
stuff & the Bendigo public
would be interested in the
perusal of these. You could
give it to both papers the 
same day at the same time
 that so the independent reports
could take the stuff down 
in short hand  & the advertiser
could get the loan of 
the Copy. Fennell could
fix these up if you don't
care xxx to do so yourself

[* I hope Devah's are doing right again & 
the weather satisfactory* ]

 

The Salvation Army
Chaplain Expeditionary Forces,
3
You see I want to keep the
army to the front & this will
help. Perhaps one of the papers
would like it exclusive & 
are ready to pay for it. If so 
take the cash & let them have
the goods. The money can be
laid aside for a little later and
of course if they dont pay, then
it is all right.
Read the stuff to the boys first
as I guess they'll be interested 
in our doings.
It is rather trying to be shut off
from all the news papers and
Army periodicals I don't know
how things are going outside
of our own little world.
However we expect to be home 
by Xmas & then we'll get some
more news of the world's 
doings. I guess it will be
at least 4 weeks before we
touch the landing stage.
Here is a hurried summary
we touched Albany on Monday 
[*Greetings to everybody*]

 
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