Letters from Robert Mactier VC to his sister Belle Crawford and other papers, c.1912-c.1962 - Part 5

We never know. And my sister and I may not be

allways in this part. And if ever the opportunity

presents itself I will most certainly go and see

you. I would like one of Bobs Photoes if you

can possibly spare one. And will send along one of 

mine. We often see Mr Jenkins. He was the Officer that

was with Bob on that awfull morning. And

recommended him for the Victoria Cross which he

so dearly won. I am very pleased to see that you

received the Cross. It is a fine tribute of Bobs

Bravery. but we would all much rather have Bob

here amongst us than all the Victoria Crosses

I hope to hear from any of you at any time

My other ^ and Bobs mate is in. Beaconsfield Gippsland

his name is Alex May. Bob, Alex and I were the

three Scouts of the Company, and lived together

for five months. We never got a spell once. And so we 

shared many troubles in that time. But also

had a lot of fun together. I often hear from Alex.

but never thought to give him your address but

will be writing to him soon and will do so.

I must close now. hoping to hear from you soon

and that you can spare a Photo. I would love

to have one.

With Kindest Regards to All

Yours Sincerely

Jack Nicholson

[*Our add.

Jack Nicholson

Irymple Post Office*]

O.A.S.

Mrs. S. J Crawford

"Belmont"

Tatura

Victoria

Australia

[*FJJenkins*]

 

O.A.S.

Mrs. S. J Crawford

"Belmont"

Tatura

Victoria

Australia

[*J. Roxburgh?*]

[*PASSED BY CENSOR

NO 4581*]

Somewhere in France

August 2^nd 1915

Dear Belle

Many thanks for your

welcome parcel which you sent April 20^th.

I got it in a great time, just the day

we came out of the trenches & feeling

dog tired & hungry when the 2/IC

told me there were four parcels for me

he had kept them untill we came out.

He is nearly as good to me as Les Turner

was to Dave. I got one from Mrs Bohn &

two from home & yours & just now we have

some Americans attached to us for 

experience & one of their corporals & I

share the same dugout & he ^ says "Guess you

have some swell friends in Aussie Bobbie"

(calls me "Bobbie") & I say. Guess I have" too right!!

The parcel had a great trip didn't it to have

two trips across the seas Belle. I hope you are

enjoying better health these days

the weather will be getting warmer.

How are Sam & Jim. I hope quite well

Shall now have to conclude with

love to you all at "Belmont"

Your affec bro

Bob Mactier

Somewhere in France

July 10th 1918

My dear Belle

I was jolly 

pleased to get a letter ^May 10^th from

you this mail but I was sorry

to see you are not enjoying

good health. I think its a pity

you couldn't have a real good

old rest. Mrs Chestnut doesn't

seem to have a very time of it

I had a letter from Jean

She tells me her father was going

[[?]] to see. D^r [[Spere?]]

[[?]] seems to be having a lot

of trouble lately. By all 

accounts cattle are a great

price. I think its a pity horses

weren't the same. Well Belle

another start as we were

called up to "Stand to" It looks

more like rain today but we

have had bonnie weather.

up till now. My word Jim would

be excited when Keith Miles

gave him a ride on the pony.

I suppose James is a fine wee

man now, he seems to like to go to

S.S. with Mary. The Hawthorns

must have had a nice holiday

by all accounts. We have been

up against the hun again. &

pushed him back a fair bit

& Jack Crawford & I came out

alright but I haven't seen him

for a couple of days. I don't know

how Don Bohn is fairing either.

Well Belle I will now

conclude trusting you are

enjoying better Health these

times. Kindest regards to

Sam & Jim & yourself

Your affec bro

Bob Mactier

answer to your letter of
May 26^th. I got it a
couple of weeks ago but
was unable to answer 
it before as you will

Belgium
December 10^th 1917
Monday
Dear Belle
I had just written last night
told them I wouldn't be writing you this time as I didn't
[[feel?]] in the humour, when the mail came in and I got
a parcel and letter from you. As it was the first Id

O.A.S.
Mrs. S.J. Crawford
"Belmont"
Tatura
Victoria
Australia

[[?]] England or rather
that's what [[cpl?]] Jim McKenna
told me yesterday
The weather is very
warm here these last
[[few?]] days, in fact it
been good ever since
started this big push
side only keep
I think the war
to be over by next
ng. the Yanks are
ing good work.
imagine Jim
hardcase when
[[?]] for the paper.
[[akes?]] himself at
with Chestnuts
 

Mrs J. R 
Belm
Tat

Vic
Aus

Just a line in
answer to your letter of
May 26^th I got it a
couple of weeks ago but
was unable to answer
it before as you will

Belgium
December 10^th 1917
Monday
Dear Belle
I had just written last night
told them I wouldn't be writing you this time as I didn't
[[feel?]] in the humour, when the mail came in and I got
a parcel and letter from you. As it was the first I'd
got in a dugout I guess its entitled to special
mention. it was A1 I think its the one. I have [[app.?]]
[[crated?]] most of all, the biscuits where a bit
broken up ^ but that th was nothing so I shared them
with some mates & every crumb was eaten. I also
received a cable from Dave to say all were well
I always do really well for mail but I guess someone
else gets some of my parcels. We are well in the mud

[[re?]] now been shifting it in buckets for eight hours
a stretch but that's nothing as we get up hours at
after, we think we are having a good time. Did Jim
piebald pony go to the show? Well Belle so you
know there isn't much to scribble about so will conclude
trusting Sam Self & Jim are in the best of health
as it leaves your affec bro Bob Mactier
Aberfeldie brought a good price didnt it.
good for young Chriss. RM.

 

France
August 22^nd 18
Dear Belle.
Just a line in
answer to your letter of
May 26^th. I got it a
couple of weeks ago but
was unable to answer
it before as you will
well know by the papers
that we have been busy
& will continue to be
I think for some time yet.
I saw Billie Bohn a
couple of nights ago, he
came down to see me.
As we are out of the line
for a few days. he is
quite well. Don has
been gassed I don't
know where he is Andy

isnt back yet. Jack
Crawford was also
gassed, I hear he is
in England or rather
that's what Cpl Jim McRom[[?]]
told me yesterday.
The weather is very
warm here these last
few days in act it
has been good ever since
we started this big push
if our side only keep
going I think the war
[[ought?]] to be over by next
spring The Yanks are
doing good work.
I can imagine Jim
is a hard case when
he goes for the paper
he makes himself at
home with Chestnuts &
Uncle Bill doesn't [[?]]
nothing like it either
And how is Sam [[does?]]
he still do some [[de?]]
in stock [[?]] should be
good thing with [[?]]
grass but I notice the
government [[to?]] fix [[now?]]
price of meat they are
always meddling with
the producer I [[heard?]]
[[?]] Well Belle I shall
have to conclude
trusting your [[?]]
in the best of [[her?]]
as it leaves me at
present. Your affec bro
Bob M[[actier?]]

O.A.S.
Mrs J. R Crawford
"Belmont"
Tatura
Victoria
Australia

"Nardoo"
[[Orrony?]] Rd
Caulfield
17.9.18
My dear Friends
please accept my
deepest sympathy. how many are
giving as you are. so many sad
homes. oh this dreadful ^war, when will
it end, are all our finest & best
to be taken. I saw the notice in
Sat "Argus" & wondered, I saw for sure
in yesterday's "Argus" We had a letter
from our [[Bro?]] this morning & he said
there were 5 homes in [[Curoa?]]. word
had come that their loved ones
had payed the supreme sacrifice
let us pray that victory may be ours
that their lives may not be given in
vain. I trust you are all well
& wish my [[?]] & sympathy
I remain you
Sincere friend
[[Lissie Shorelton?]]