Letters from James Boe to his Family, 1915-1916

COPY. AS.
4
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F. 
Heliopolis.
6/6/15.
Dear Father,
I have not received any letters from home since I
left Australia, but I hope Jessie and you are in the best of
health. I suppose they will be sent on to me, but they will have
to follow us up as we are to be ready to go to the front on Tuesday.
I have not had too much time to write since coming here as we have
been kept constantly on guard or drill. I am in the best of
health and ready for anything, and I am sure our company won't
disgrace itself. This is all I have time to write just now, but
will write whenever I have an opportunity. Remember me to all
friends.
I am,
Your son,
JAMIE. 

COPY. AS.
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F.
S.S. Seangchoon,
Lemnos
12/6/15.
Dear Father,
We have arrived at the island of Lemnos. All
around us are warships, colliers, and oil boats. The mouth of
the harbour is all mined, and the enemy don’t stand much chance
of getting in here. This island is the base for Dardanelles,
and we can see a large number of tents ashore. I don't know
whether we will be put ashore here or go straight to the front,
we are hoping to get sent to the latter.
We have no badges or numerals on our uniforms now,
instead of those, each battalion has colours. Our colours are
green and white (old Celtic colours). We get issued with a piece
of ribbon of those colours, which we sew on our tunics.
We are only three hours sail from the front so if
we go there it won't be long until we are in the thick of it. I
hope this finds all friends well, and Jessie and you in the best of
health.
I am,
Your Son,
JAMIE. 

12/11/371
COPY. AS.
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F.
Gallipoli,
30 July, 1915.
Dear Sister,
I just received your letter this morning. I was
glad to hear you were all well at home. The paper and envelopes
was the best gift you could have sent. It will enable my chums
and I, let our friends know how we are faring. We just came back
into the firing line last night, after being outside for a fortnight. 
When outside we were on battalion fatigue. It was a bit
stiff as all the carrying has to be done up the face of a hill, but
it will be much lighter on us now as we have got some large water
tanks placed pretty convenient to the cookhouse and trenches. We
are expecting to get a move on at any time now, when we do so, the
Turks may expect some hurry up. We have some (Scotch artillery
with us, but no infantry. The infantry are coming down on our
right?)^x. I have not seen any of them yet, but I may meet some
of them later. I would like fine to have a yarn with Claude
Forsyth, or any of the old mates frae hame. You will have a bit
extra to do just now, seeing you have wee Jean to look after. I
hope Willie and Tillie enjoyed their holiday, and that you are
making good progress with your Red Cross work. I am in the best
of health, and trust this finds Father, yourself and all friends in
the same way.
I am,
Your Brother,
JAMIE.
x Above censored 

COPY. AS.
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F.
No. 3. Aux. Hospital,
Heliopolis,
11/8/14.
[*21935*]
Dear Father,
You will see by the address above, that I have
shifted my quarters. We made a charge on the 6th and captured
a number of Turkish trenches. In the charge, I got across safely
to the enemies' trenches, but received a bullet through the left
hand. It is scarcely worth mentioning, and I expect to be back
at Gallipoli in a short time.
There was a general advance made along the whole
front, and I believe it was a great success.
I have been receiving your letters regular every
week. I suppose Wee Jean would keep Jessie and you going during
her stay. I hope all the Stranraer boys who are at the front are
doing well. Remember me to all friends, and I trust this finds
Jessie and you in the best of health.
I am,
Your Son,
JAMIE. 

COPY. AS.
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F.
5th April (1916),
France.
Dear Father and Sis,
You will be wondering what has gone wrong with me.
I have not had an opportunity to write for the last three weeks.
We landed at Marseilles on the 29th and came right
through to close on the firing line. It was a pleasant sight to
us all, seeing the different scenery, and so many green fields, it
is a bit of a change from the barren desert.
We are billeted in a farm on the outskirts of a
village. Our billet is not too bad and we are getting plenty of
tucker. We expect to go into the firing line in a fortnight. We
won't be long there ere you hear of it.
Remember me to all friends and I hope this finds you
both in the best of health.
I am,
Your Son and Brother,
JAMIE. 

COPY. AS.
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F.
France
21/5/16.
Dear Sis,
The Batt. has been relieved and we are out of the
trenches for a spell. We will probably be out for two or three
weeks, and I may get the chance of a run across. But they are not
sending so many per week, as was first given out, so don’t build on
me coming too soon. I will try and let you know the date in good
time.
The part of the line we were occupying was considered
very quiet when we took it over. But we started to stir things up
and Fritz replied, now it is quite lively. We have a bosker
billet, and things are not too bad with us. The Divisional Baths
are close by, and I am looking forward to a hot shower, and a
general clean up.
I don't borrow much, but at present I am stiff,
otherwise broke, so if you can lend me £2's I will be thankful. I
will repay you as soon as I get home. If you can give me the loan,
send it in 20/- or 10/- Treasury notes as I can exchange them at the
canteen.
I hope this finds Father and you in good health,
remember me to all friends.
I am,
Your Brother,
JAMIE. 

-2-
P.S.
I am now transferred to the Light Trench Mortar
Battery, and that's reason of the change in my address. J.B. 

COPY. AS.
Copy of letter written by 1916 Lance-Corporal J. Boe, 1st Light
Trench Mortar Battery, A.I.F.
France,
19/6/16.
Dear Sister,
I was glad to see by your last letter, that all 

was well in D'fs.
We came out of the firing line last night, but
we stirred up Fritz occasionally. Some of the boys made a raid
one night and they brought back six Germans. We had a good view
of a scrap with the aeroplanes. Our airmen forced the enemy to
descend in his own lines. It was the first time I had seen a
scrap in the air, and it is real exciting to watch.
I always thought the climate in France was warmer
than at home, this year must be an exception as it feels more like
March than June.
Remember me to the Baker and all friends in D'fs.
Hope Aunts are well, and yourself in the pink.
I am,
Your Brother,
JAMIE.