Letters from Keith Rourke to his mother, and related correspondence to Mrs Rourke, 1916 - Part 1

Australian Military Camp
Weymouth
Dorset.

Address
20 ^.. 1 ^.. 16
Dear Mother
Just a line to say
I am getting along alright,
and am at present in camp
at the above address, but
have volunteered to go out
again, and hope to leave
either this week or next.
We are I believe to go to
Egypt but we shall not
know until we actually
land, and the above address
will be quite alright,
I could have had a billet
here until duration but
as I have been marked (A)
Class am anxious to go out
again.
I am at present on a staff

job, but handed my name
into the Adjutant yesterday
asking to be marked away
with the first draft, but
have heard nothing since.
A week or so ago I struck
Pidcock at Woolwich in
Kent he was looking splendid
and he remarked the same
of me, he asked me to
when writing, to enclose
his best respects.
Had my graph taken in
Weymouth a few days ago
and should they turn out
alright will send a couple
on.
Do you know I really do not
think this business is going
to last much longer, say
another 4 or 5 months.
Trust you are having good
_PR04311

seasons in Australia.
Was awfully disappointed
a few days ago farewelling
some of the old 2nd Batt
boys who are returning home
to Australia as permanently
unfit. Sgt Abbot amongst
them who is of Scone who
is engaged to Curnows
Sister. 
Was speaking to Les Hill
who is in camp here at
present, he is expecting a
Commission.
They want me to write
Major Morshead our late
Company Commander who
is returning to Australia for
a reference, no thank you
if I am lucky enough I receive
it on the field and on merit.
Trusting your dear old self
and all the family are
in the best of health
your loving son 
Keith
Did you get any Xmas
mail I sent bags all
over Australia.
And so far have received
your cable and letter.

Australian Base Depot
Weymouth
Dorset 1 ^.. 2 ^.. 16
My dear Mother
At last I have
a letter from you, and pleased
to know you were well at time
of writing and trust this note
finds you enjoying the same
good health.
How disappointed I am at not
getting the billy and hamper
you so thoughtfully sent along
however I trust one of the old
boys of the section gets them.
And so Tommie is married, I
wrote months and months
ago letters of good wishes, and
also sent out a piece of lace
I wonder have they ever
reached you, I addressed

2
them C^of of you.
You appear to be worrying over
me by the tone of your letter
well I do wish you wouldn't
because it only makes me
miserable, Im absolutely
all right, infact so much so
that I volunteered to go out
with the draft, and, was
marked for it as being fully
equipped. Leut. Wade also
and he is still here awfully
disappointed at being struck
off, we hope for better luck
next time.
Your letter is dated Nov 2^nd, just
think what a time it has
taken to reach me.
We are very comfortable in camp
here good warm huts, and
good fare much better than
any of the camps I've been
_PR04311 

3
in yet.
What grand times I've had with
the car photo of which Ive
enclosed.
Well Mother there is really no
news, camp life you know is
very monotonous we dont get
out very much, so must close
with much love to all
your loving son
Keith 

2nd Batt
Australian Base Depot
Weymouth. 1
Dorset. 
6 ^.. 2 ^.. 16
My dear Mother and Sister
Just a few lines
on a sheet of paper which should have
reached me 5 months ago, but reached me
only yesterday (Saturday ⁵).
By the same mail arrived 14 other letters
all written about the one month, _∧6 5 from
Dorrie, 2 Ethel while with Dorrie, 1 Stan, 1 Grace
White, 1 Gladys Hern, 3 from yourself, 1 Stella.
and every letter mentioned the sending of a
parcel, so far no parcels have reached me
except one from Mollie, while in Hospital
for which I wrote and thanked her, tis
pretty rotten you know,
And I never knew Dorrie had a daughter
until the letters reached me yesterday.
Fancy poor Jimmy Moore being killed,
and Wilfred Addison also, tis a wonder
really that any of us got out of the
show, it has me puzzled to think how
I got through the Lone Pine Charges
when 142 of our company hopped over the
parapet to charge the Turkish trenches 

only 32 answered roll call the following Monday
morning, and that afternoon one of the 32
got wounded leaving 31.
I was to have gone out with a draft of 500
who left here last Tuesday but as I was
on the Island for week end leave I was
scratched off, am disappointed as I am full
of camp life, however I live in hope to get
away with the next.
Well there is really no news from one caged up in
camp trusting this short uninteresting, note finds
you both enjoying the very best of health
Your loving son and brother
Keith.
_PR04311

Postcard - see original

19 ^.. 2 ^.. 16
My dear Mother
I have no news, except that I
am leaving with a draft on Monday 21 ^.. 2 ^.. 16
for Egypt. I wonder did you get my cable
I hope not as I have not yet had an answer
I wanted the money to visit Mrs Ritchie, in
London, and Mrs Clough in the New
Forest, now that I am leaving I hope it does
not come. Trusting to see you all before many
more months trusting this finds enjoying the
best of health Your loving son Keith
_PR04311
Daresay I will be at it before
this reaches you.
Address all mail according to my last
letters 

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
Melbourne,
28th February, 1916.
Dear Madam,
I have recently had a letter from Lady
Carmichael, whose husband was Governor of Victoria.
She tells me that she met your son in England, where
he was invalided from the Dardanelles. She mentioned
that he seemed to be in very good health, and that he
was very well taken care of in his hospital in the
Isle of Wight, and has since been shown the sights
in various parts of England. He told her that he
had had no letters from home for four months; in case
you have also not heard from him I send you these
particulars. He had been spending Christmas with a
lady in Christchurch.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Munro Ferguson
Mrs. A. Rourke,
Angatonga Flats,
Musgrave Street,
Mosman, SYDNEY. 

SED W 2623
AUSTRALIA IMPERIAL FORCE.
Base Records Office, A.I.E.F.
Victoria Barracks.
MELBOURNE. 6th March 1916
Dear Madam,
I now beg to advise you that No. 889 Lance Corporal K.
Rourke 2nd Battalion has returned to duty Egypt.. 23/2/16
In the event of any further reports being
received concerning the above soldier you will be immediately
notified.
Yours faithfully
J. M. Lean,
Captain
Officer i/c Base Records.
Mrs. H. Rourke
Cheshunt
Singleton (N.S.W.)