Letters from Keith Rourke to his mother, and related correspondence to Mrs Rourke, 1916 - Part 5

No doubt you will be
pleased to learn that
I am another step nearer
the top of the ladder
having been gazetted full
corporal today. One of
the greatest sights I have
seen for a long time was
a forty miles trip by
motor ambulance fancy
a whole Brigade moving
by motor transport. And
where we are at present
is the busiest portion of
the western front. You
must not worry about me
Mother I'm alright and
as happy as can be and
so you must not worry
Thanking you and Nell
from the bottom of my 

heart for the most acceptable
Xmas parcels & will close
with much love to self
and all
Your loving son
Keith
When addressing 
letters do not
include France
in the address 

France 9. 11. 16
My dear Mother
comfortably
seated in a dugout will
do my best to write you
a few lines. Last
mail you got only

a field service card
which is anything but
cheerful to receive, but
really I had no opportunity
of writing.
Lately the weather
has been very trying
wet and cold, however
with plenty of warm
clothing and plenty of
food one is able to
stand it alright. I
will not be able to
write all hands so
that you will be able

to let the rest of the
family ^know just how I
am.  Andrew Gollan
is still in Hospital his
last letter was very
cheerful, He thinks he
will not be able to
return to the front
again. We had a 
vote on conscription
you can guess how I voted
tis a pity we ever had
to mention the word
conscription, we are
all anxious to know
just how things are
going. I had a letter
from Sister Wallace
who is over here nursing
you might remember
her daughter of the 

Rev Wallace who was
in Singleton for some
years.  In one of Nells
letters she mentioned Jess
you might ask Nell
to remember me very
kindly when she writes.
I have volunteered for
the Aerial Corps my
name has been submitted
so far have heard 
nothing definite. I
had a letter from Tom
a few days ago she
was complaining of the
cold otherwise other -
not complaints.
Well Mother I have
no more news so will
say goodnight with
much love to all 

trusting these few
lines find you all
enjoying the best
of health.
Your loving son
Keith
I never wrote to
poor little Mollie
really I got the news
so late that I
thought it would
only be refreshing
the bad news.
Remember me kindly
to Lawson
PRO4311 

Billets
Somewhere in France
24-11-16
My dear Mother
while I have the opportunity
will pen you a few lines, letting you know I am
O.K. At present we are having a fairly easy time
The weather is rather monotonous very wet and
cold and have experienced one heavy fall of
snow to date; am pleased to say I am weathering
it well. Our last visit to the line I shall
never forget, twas a frequent occurrence to
see men bogged, and on two occasions
was bogged myself this you may not
believe, on each occasion I was fortunate
enough to have some one with me to pull
me out. I have now experienced the two
extremes of weather in the trenches, on Gallipoli
we wore simply a pair of slacks and
boots, and here one cannot get too many
clothes. We have been issued with our
gold A s the army decoration for the
landing, I am almost clothed in gold 

braid, two wounded stripes, two gold
As, Tomorrow I am going to try and locate
Nell Wallace who is nursing in a French
hospital quite handy. A few days ago
I had a letter from Tommie she writes
in splendid form but complains of the
cold. Am afraid Alan will think I am
getting careless in writing regularly but
really it is not always possible to
write. My friends in England are very
good to me nearly every English mail
brings me a parcel of some kind. Well
Mother trusting this note finds you all
enjoying the best of health, with best
wishes for the coming season
Your loving son
Keith 

Well Mother am afraid I
must close with much love
to all trusting this note finds
you all enjoying the best of

health 
Your loving son
Keith.
Have made up my mind
to be confirmed he the
rector comes in every afternoon
and is coaching 4 of
us, The Archbishop of
London was written to
and all going well the
deed is to be done on the
29^th of this month.
Lady Tennyson is awfully
pleased. I explained
to Lady Tennyson it is your
wish some 4 or 5 years ago that

I should be confirmed but
I would have my wilful
way. Am enclosing photo
of No 3 wards (our ward) as
much as was possible to focuss

well Mother