Letters from Robert Mactier VC to his sister Belle Crawford and other papers, c.1912-c.1962 - Part 3










Sunday Aug 26th 17.
Dear Bell.
Rollestone Camp.
I received your
letter of the fourth of June. Pleased
to see by it you were all well.
Guess young Jim can whistle some
by this, he also like to have his
[["phto" ]] taken have not got any yet
hope they don't get to the bottom of the
sea. [[?]] Cole came over from
Lark Hill to see me yesterday. I
did get a surprise to see him.
he is a Cpl now & attending a
school of instruction over here,
he has been lucky not a scratch so
far. We were reviewed by His Royal
Highness the Duke of Connaught
on last Monday. About 7 or 8 thous.
of us all Australians. Dont go
much on these reviews to much
standing at attention. We have
stiff luck about our leave, we
are not to get any until we have
done two months training we are all disappointed as all the lads before us had theirs after they had been here a week. Dave had an easier time of it since we came here as for duties. no guards so far. Did I tell you I have put on over a stone since I left [[?]]
Must close so I've a [[?]] or more
to scribble [[down?]] of love to you all at
Belmont Your affec bro Bob.
Salisbury Pls Fovant No 4 Camp
October 21st 1917
Now is the air gas Bell.
My word you will be just the thing with that & the fences around the house. You only want
water laid on & you would be set up.
A Merry Xmas & Happy New Year
to you all
Dear Bell.
Just a few lines to let you know
that we are still well & kicking. We have seen a lot
of Andy Bohn since we have come been at this camp. Andy is camped at Hurdcott about a mile & half from here. He is about his old self again.
When we first came to England we didn't
think much of the fruit, the apples only were as big
as marbles but when we got to this camp they were
a jolly sight better nearly as good as our own
There are heaps of them grown around here
Andy Bohn told us today when he came down
that he had been helping to make apple jam
in the morning barrels of it. We never see butter
here its all margarine dont think much of it
myself. Jim's piebald pony was lucky that time
it jumped thru the fence not to be hurt. Sorry to
hear Mr Chestnut was not so well. How are the
round and showed
[[?]] the Lord Mayor's
[[?]] thru all the rooms, in [[one?]]
[[?]] is a carpet an inch thick
which was hand made by the women of
Donegal it took two years to make costing
over £600, its made in three pieces and
each weights a ton so you can guess the
size of it. As far I reckon its the finest
modern building I've ever seen. Also had a
look at their art gallery, not so good as
the one at Glasgow. From Belfast (was only
there a day) we crossed to Scotland landing
at Stranraer had to stay there a night as
the train did not connect with the boat.
off to Glasgow at half-past six got there at
eight saw the sights there - staying two
days, then we made for Whithorn got
there at half-past nine in the morn. Lieut
Alexander meet us. We got a great reception
William was home also for the harvest
They are a fine family, we stayed there
two nights. Uncle Henry had us all around
showing us off to the various relatives, he's
much like the Dad & Uncle Dave in his way.
We left there at 6 oclock and got to London
on the express travelling all night.) At 8 the next
morn saw some of the sights of London &
back to camp at half-past eight the same
Night. Altogether a very pleasant time.
Must close as there are a [[?]] more to answer
Your affec bro Bob.
are still well & kicking. We have seen a lot
of Andy Bohn since we have come been at this camp
Andy is camped at Hurdcott about a mile & half
from here. He is about his old self again.
When we first came to England we didn't
think much of the fruit, the apples only were as big
as marbles but when we got to this camp they were
a jolly sight better nearly as good as our own
There are heaps of them grown around here
Andy Bohn told us today when he came down
that he had been helping to make apple jam
in the morning barrels of it. We never see butter
here its all margarine dont think much of it
myself. Jim's piebald [[pony?]] was lucky that time
it jumped thru the fence not to be hurt. Sorry to
hear Mr Chestnut was not so well. How are the
crops this year by all account there has been plenty
of rain, the folk will be busy with the harvest
by the time this reaches you. Well Bell will close
trusting all are well at "Belmont" as it leaves us lads
here. Your affec bro Bob.
No6939 23rd Battn.
Somewhere in France
November 29th 1917
YMCA
WITH
THE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
Dear Belle
I received yours & Jim's
letter a few days ago. As you will
see I've got over this side, can hear
the guns from here getting gradually
used to the bit noise I'spose. Andy Bohn
is here writing with me I've seen
quite a lot of him lately & he will
never be very far away. There is plenty
of nice soft mud here too over yer boot
tops the cowyards at home are nothing to
it. The country around here is good
& more level than what we saw in
England. Don't think there will
be so much time for letter writing
either as we are on by the day here
not like the ordinary drill hours.
P.T.O
YMCA
WITH
THE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
The first camp we came to here was
the best we have been in since we
left Aussie. My word the floods must
have been bad again this year. have
first seen a paper & in October some
time the Murray was two inches inches
at Albury. How would Caniambo
fare I wonder. Well Jim how is that
piebald pony of yours fit for
breaking in Eh "Joey Jim"
Well Belle I've nothing much
to scribble about so will close
trusting you are all well & in
the best of health. As it leave
Andy & I Your affec bro Bob.
Andy wishes to be remembered
to you all RM.
P.T.O
France
February 19th 18
YMCA
WITH
THE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
Dear Belle.
Just a few lines in answer
to your welcome letter of Dec 12th. Glad to
know you were all well. We are having a
a fair time of it at present, but Jingo
there are some heavy frosts in the
mornings but the afternoons are
A1. I was pleased to know that
Dave had his discharge, he would
have a time seeing his friends.
I got a snapshot from Jack at
the gathering at the first
Sunday he was home it was
good to see the smiling faces
Young Jim must be growing a big
boy now & wee. Olive too is a lot
bigger than when I last saw her.
P.T.O.
YMCA
WITH
THE
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
I have not yet
received your late
parcels but hope
to get them soon.
You ask what
to send, well Belle I think the most
usefull things too me are socks & tobacco
& bootlaces. A towel comes in very handy
at times too. Everytime we go in the trenches
we get issued with Tommy Cookers &
fuel so it's useless sending that as the
less we have to carry the better we like it
and have seen heaps of good stuff
dumped when we move out of billets
because we can't leave anything
anywhere as we may not come back to
the same place when we come out
Dave will be able to tell you what
we like better than in a letter. Well
Belle I must close as Don & Andy Bohn
have just come in. The three lads all
wish to be remembered to you all. Ta Ta
Tons of love to you all. Your bro Bob
P.T.O
Somewhere in France
Dear Belle
I have received
several letters from you
lately which I have not
answered that was because
I have had very little
time to myself for this last
few weeks & have had a
turn in the trenches. One of
my pates Murchison got a
wee piece in the leg that was
the only casualty in our Coy.
The mud was the worst
thing to put up with
I saw George Robbins
for a few minutes just
before we came to this
camp he is in the mobile
aretillery & is looking
well He got a shock
to see me I was standing
on the side of the road
when he rode past.
There have been few
parcels coming to light
untill lately I have
had only one so far
the Xmas one from home
but I hope to get some
of the others now they are
coming in. Its good to
get em. There would be
some excitement at
home when Dave arrived
at home Eh what.
Excuse this note Belle
as I've a few more to
scribble. Kind regards
to you all your affec bro
Bob.
March 7th 18.
Dear Belle
Many thanks for your parcel (Oct 22nd)
it took a longtime to come bit it was bonza; the cake
was a bit hard but it went A6. for all that [[?]] but
the cigs were rushed don't get anything like [[?]] over
here, they came in the right time as my pips was [[?]]
that same day/through larking in the (billet) I got
four parcels that day. it was funny the lads met me
at the door & asked me if they could carry them for me
I said I thought I was quite capable but they took 'em off
me & opened 'em up while I looked on & then we all
had a feed. they liked the cake best & all send "their
compliments" to the maker. My word there are some
real hardcases aren't there Belle. We were in billets then
but now we are near the Hun expect to be right there in
a few days. I saw Billie Gibb the other day he's in the
[[2 27th?]] & doing well. Jove Bob Chestnut is having hard
luck with his shoulder it will be bad luck if he
has a bad arm for life as they seem to think he
will wont it. Dave evidenty got a great reception
what with medals etc he [[?]] the well "lit up"
The lads had hard luck over at [[Ca?]]. [[?]]
[[?]] being kicked in the face but he was
lucky. I think to get off so light. Billie [[?]]
not with meat [[?]] as he's on a guard job over
some stuff (the property of the [[?]] Department)
but I think I never saw them looking so wee
Andy & Don are on Paris leave I think I saw
them about a fortnight ago. Well Belle I must
conclude agin thanking you for your parcel.
& kind regards to Sam & little Jim
I remain your affec bro
Bob Mac.

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