Letters from Keith Rourke to his mother, and related correspondence to Mrs Rourke, 1916 - Part 3

France  8 - 5 - 16 
My dear Mother
Have had no word
from you for ages, there are many
letters and parcels still astray,
once you get away from the
Battalion, it appears to be good
bye to all mail. I had a
line from Nell a week or
so ago 3 months old; and was
pleased to learn from it you
were all well, and trust this
note finds you all enjoying
the same good health as I am
at present. While in England
I posted you some snapshots
or amongst them one of myself 

trust you got them alright.
Before leaving England
I cabled you for money, and
few days ago I had a note 

from the Commonwealth bank
to the effect that no money
had arrived for Lce Cpl Bourke
No 889, so probably a mistake
has been made in the address
of the cable. We are enjoying
splendid weather just now,
Spring, and all the fields and
woods are beautifully green,
the fields in many parts
are yellow with buttercups.
At present we are in the pretty
district of Flanders, north of
France, am not certain that I
am within bounds mentioning
the fact, but am not supposed
to mention just where we
are. I often saw pictures of homes
wrecked from shell fire but
never believed it, one must 

3
though now, as every home
round here is a heap of ruins.
I saw Harold while in Egypt
looking well; and I hear now
he is somewhere in France, he
could be within a few miles
and yet we would not know
his exact position. Have had
several very nice parcels from
England, socks, cigarettes,
et cigars, and chocolate, and
there are more on the way.
Duty calls so au revoir with
love and best wishes to
all
your loving son
Keith.

France 11 - 6 - 16
Dear Mother
Comfortably seated in my dug
out will endeavour to give you what news
there is but am afraid it will be limited as
we can mention nothing concerning military
matters. The last few days have been miserably
wet and cold; which of course does not help
matters otherwise everything is O.K, plenty to eat
and as much rest as can be expected. I suppose
you have read the account of the Jutland
naval battle glorious yet awful,
I had a line from Nell a few days ago, and
was glad to get Ethels address. Have heard
nothing of Harold since leaving Egypt. Am enclosing
letter from Lady Tennyson which I received a week
or so ago and was very disappointed at hearing my
letter of condolence was never received. However I
expect to get leave some day and intend paying
them a visit. A few days ago a letter turned
up from Grace White poor old Grace. I have all
the Singleton Gossip 

2
Young Buchanan of Uralla is a captain with
the Black Watch I never heard it through Grace
Jack Simpson of Mandeville Station wh Quirindi whom
I dropped across here a few days ago was telling me.
Jim Hook of Dungog is also over here, with the artillery
Andy Gollan is still with us and still going strong
he is just the same old fish, and looks just as
well as ever he did. Trusting this note finds you
all enjoying the best of health will conclude
with love to all
Your loving son
Keith. 

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
W.B.
Base Records Office, A.I.E.F.,
Victoria Barracks.
MELBOURNE. 26th June, 1916..
Dear Madam,
I now beg to advise you that No.889 L/Corporal K. Rourke
has been reported wounded.
2nd Battalion,
slightly 16/6/16.
It is not stated as being serious, and in the event of further
information coming to hand, you will be promptly notified.
In the absence of further reports it is to be assumed
that all wounded are progressing satisfactorily.
It should be clearly understood that if no further advice
if received this Department has no later information to give.
Yours faithfully,
J.M. LEAN.
Major,
Officer i/c Base Records
Mrs. H. Rourke,
Chestnut
SINGLETON. NSW. 

Postcard- see original.

Brooklands Motor Track.   A.S. No. 136. 

My dear Mother
Last time I wrote to
you I was from
3rd London Gen,
this time it is from
Weybridge Convalescent
home
(Surrey) where we
are very happy and
splendidly treated.
We are not far from
Brooklands Aerodrome
which I intend going
through, it being
open to soldiers
4.7.16  PRO4311
We are only about
an hrs run from
London. What
splendid work our
boys are doing in
France, do not think
it will last much
longer, I hope not
Ive had enough
with love and best
wishes to all
Love from
Keith 

30 - 7 - 1916
The usual address will do
I hope to be in France long before this
reaches you.
Dear Mother
It seems ages since I last wrote you
and yet tis only a week. At present I am in
camp at Perham Downs (Salisbury) have returned
from 2 weeks furlough, and what a glorious
time I had. Spent most of my time in the Isle
of Wight, Again I have been marked  A Class
and have done my utmost to get away with
a draft leaving for France on Monday, but
had no luck I was lucky in striking my old
Platoon commander who was seriously
wounded on 4 of August "Lone Pine". He was
surprised to see I had only one stripe having
heard I had three; considering it most unfair
the way I have been treated, he is giving
me a letter to take back to the Battalion 

Poor beggar has lost the use of his left arm and
limps slightly in one leg, he is going shortly to
France on the Head 2. Staff, Lieutenant Phillips
is the name, and I am very proud of the Praise he
gives me at the time of the charge, and he
said it ^ is not what I saw Rourke it is what
I heard from good authority. One day while
surfing and canoeing on Freshwater Bay 2. of Mr.
I ran against Mrs Foy of Foy and Gibsons, and
after a lengthy conversation I was asked when
I got my commission, of course I told the
truth I had none, and both her boys enlisted
as privates with the First Contingent and are
still Privates. What a name Hughes made
for himself over here, I admired his speech
when he reviewed us in France. Well
Mother dear I have no news except that
I have quite recovered from the wound still
with the pellet in my back I am anxious
to get back to the boys
With much love to self and all
yrs loving son
Keith.
Have had no news of Harold, have had no more
since leaving France.
PRO4311