Letters from Keith Rourke to his mother, and related correspondence to Mrs Rourke, 1914-1915 - Part 6

2
Freshwater, the scenery
is beautiful, and the
atmosphere most refreshing.
Lady Tennyson was
down yesterday as she
is every day, and we
are to go along to Harringford 

for dinner as soon
as we are able, arrangements
are being made for
several of us to stay with
a cousin handy to
London so we will have
a chance of seeing the
city of the world.
Lady Gore has also given
an invitation to the
Australians to dinner
when able to get out,
there are only nine of us
here at present the rest
are troops from France
and their tales are very
interesting, several of
them who came in only
a few days ago, were 
wounded in the leg.
PRO4311

[*Address
Lance Corpl

now*]

{Afton Cottage Hospital
{Freshwater
{Isle of Wight
My dear Mother
Tis almost a
week now I think since I
last wrote you, and am
able to say that I am
much, much better since
writing. We are awfully
well looked after we are
studied in every way
it is really not hospital
you know, we have absolutely
the best to eat, and
priviledges one never gets
in ordinary hospital.
There is every game mentionable
at our disposal, and
I think billiards are the
most fancied. Yesterday
Lady Tennyson sent
along a vehicle and the
coachman and three of
us were taken for a drive
with sister Jelf through
the picturesque parts of

4
Am not yet feeling well
enough to write all hands
so that you will let all
know I am A.1. Tommy
I believe is to be married
this month, if you would
kindly wish them the
best of luck and long
life for me I must
send a present as soon as
I get out of hospital
and get up to London
where I can get some
money at present I am
quite without. Well
Mother trusting you
are all well and enjoying
good health will close
with much love to all
your loving son
Keith.
Write soon. 
2
advance on foot on
25^th of last month in which
of course they were successful. 
They look more
hopeful from all accounts
and the boys tell me they
have plenty of Artillery
and munitions, which
I believe was the trouble
from the onset. We get the
most beautiful things to
eat, venizen, fish, and
today I had my first
meal of English mutton
beautiful. Not being
sufficient room quite at
the Hospital 8 of us are
in the cottage about 200
yds from the hospital
and every morning we go
to Hospital to have our
wounds dressed and our
rheumatic limbs rubbed,
and the Dr of course chats
with us every morning.
Lady Tennysons niece
Sister Boyle cooks for we
8 and tis lovely.

Afton Cottage Hospital

Freshwater

Isle of Wight

Dear Mother

Today 'Im spending in bed it being

rather a bleak kind of day, and the atmosphere

very keen. The Dr in charge of the Hospital is

splendid most conscensuous he is from

New Zealand he is an Englishman really

but went out to New Zealand about 9

years ago. There are only 6 in the ward I am

in 5 Australians and one English fellow.

Three of the Austns are Victorian decent enough

fellows attached to head quarters, I would

rather be where I am though I had the

glory of going through the charge on the

6^th of August which of course you have

read about. Out of 142 of our company

who hopped out of our trench only 32

answered roll call on the following

Monday morning. We really do not get

much news of the war though were are in

England, reports are so contradictory

that really you dont know where you are.

Great things are expected in France from

accounts we get bu from fellows who went

through the Battle at Loos a month

or so ago speak favourably of our ammunition
and Artillery. They consider we
now surpass German Artillery and
ammunition as far as supplies are concerned.

Of course the trouble in the beginning

was insufficient artillery and munitions.

Through having to go to bed I missed

tea at Lady Gores I was very disappointed

however tis satisfying to know those who

are bed patients are going to tea when  

able. Poor old Colnel Scobie was killed

on the 6^th in our glorious charge on Lone

Pine. I wonder did you get a photo I

sent from Egypt I had taken on his 

pony. I posted you some cards Lady

Tennyson gave me the day we went

to Farringford for tea. I hope they

reach you. When we are well enough we

are to have a motor trip round the

Island 3 cars at our disposal, Mrs

Dr Hopkins Miss Jankard the third

I forget. I hope in the course of a few

days to be able to send you along some

views I hope to have some of Gallipoli

and the Hospital and grounds. 

J.B.H. Pearce was down a few days ago

he is a Liet. in the Cornwalls; you remember 

he was in Hospital the time I was

with my fingers, he was very good in sending

me along some Australian papers. I have

never written to Tommy, but you must

wish them both long life and happiness

for me and I shall see what I can do

when I get up to London in the line of

sending them something out. Lady Tennyson

is making arrangements for several of us to stay

with a cousin handy to London, so that we shall

have the pleasure of seeing the city of the

world. We had a splendid day at Farringford

the most lovely things to eat. Lady

Tennyson took us through the house

and all lovely things really so many one forgets,

Lord Tennyson took us through the 

grounds and farm, my word Mother their

fine as homely and natural their really

appetising

PR0431

who has very large estates both

in Hants and Dorset.

Last Thursday I came down

from London to stay with

them and have lived in

the car practically the 

whole time.

How lucky I have been to

get in with such fine

people, it has been really

an education seeing the

amount of England I 

have.

Mr Clough is awfully interested

in hearing of Australia, and

our different ideas of farming.

I stayed in London for

about a week with Mrs

Ritchie, I had a trip to

Windsor Castle and Eton

with Mrs Hichens of 

Guildford Surrey, we had

dinner with Mrs Hichens

and tea with Mrs Watts

wife of the famous 

artist.

PRO4311
Blackmoor

Burley

Ringwood

Hants

Dear Mother and Nell

Many thanks for

cable and letter of good

wishes.

I have indeed spent a Happy

Xmas and sincerely trust

you have done likewise.

Am sorry to hear of the

trying seasons you are

having, especially now

when we really need the best

of seasons.

I left hospital just over

two weeks ago and have

spent indeed an enjoyable 

time.

I am a present with Mrs

and Mrs Clough Hants

I spent two days in Oxford

with the Rev. Mr and Ms

Scott and saw everything

worth while.

Mr Ritchie took me over

Westminster Abbey what

a gorgeous and wonderfully

interesting building.

I saw poor old Lord Roberts'

home in Surrey a magnificent

home and grounds

and Lady Roberts took

us over his study, my

word the English people

are fine, and I might tell

you I have been absolutely

sought after.

I have never yet had a

meal in twice in the same

home.

I am leaving heare tomorrow

for the Island returning

Monday fo to our depot

You had better address

any mail just us you have

been doing to the Hospital.

No the Billy has not turned

up how sorry I am.

How was the news of the withdrawl

from Anzac received

in Australia, the boys who 

took part in the concern

have not taken it too well,

however I can quite understand

it was the only thing to do,

When I go up to London I

am having some photoes

packed and sent off to

you, Mr Tankard had

them taken he wanted a

group of Australians and

he considers the group a

splendid type of Australian,

With best love and

best wishes
Your loving son and
brother

Keith.

Am glad Tommie has been so

fortunate I do wish I had

her address and I hope

you get the lace I sent out

for her. 

Post card - see original document

Postcard of Alexandria - Mosque of Prophet Daniel.

K. Rourke (889)

on active service

Australia

Mrs H Rourke

Angatonga

Musgrave St

Mosman

Sydney

Australia

Am on my way

back again with

the intention of getting

even with the mob

for what I received in

the first bout. I should 

like to have been able

to cable you but things

like that are out of the 

question. Am feeling

grand in the best of health

trusting this finds you are

week.

Keith
[*PRO4311*]

Photograph - see original document

Malta - Saluting Battery

Pte. K Rourke (889)

Australia

on active service

Mrs. H. Rourke

Angatonga

Musgrave St

Mosman

Sydney

Was in the Dardanelles

engagement, wounded in

neck and shoulder, but

am getting along. A.1.

with every attention one

must do. At present

we are in Malta as you

will guess by the card

Trusting this finds you all

in the best of health

Your loving son

Keith.

On Active Service   

Mrs H Rourke

Angatonga

Musgrave St

Mosman

Sydney

New South Wales

Australia

 

Trenches Anach

Cove Gallipoli

landed 25^th April

was slightly wounded

neck and shoulder

got back to firing line

just 3 weeks yesterday

Monday 7^th June

Am well fixed now

all the boys as happy

as the birds of May

plenty to smoke and 

eat. Trusting this 

finds you all enjoying

the same good

health as I am

love from Keith

Will drop a line when

the material is available