Letters from John Joseph Bourke to his Parents, 1914-1917 - Part 2

I have just come out of the trenches after
doing a streach of 52. days and billeted
behind the firing line in reserve, at a farm
The Germans launched a very heavy gas attack
the other night, but we were quite safe
with respirators. All civilians and children
going to school must carry respirators.
Conditions here are ever so much better than
Galipolli, the food is splendid and plenty of
clothes. I would like to see a big stunt
come off now and finish the war  I am
just about tired of soldiering, but I want
to see the war right through if I can
Tell the twins to send me their photo if they
have one. I would like to see you all
again, and hope you are not worrying about
me but I shall get home again some day.
I have seen Jack Wyllie here and I believe
Clarrie Hedlam was in England;
Dear Mother give my love to all at home
and do not worry about me.
I remain
Your affectionate son
Jack 
 

Belgium
July 6^th 16.
Dear Mother
I have just received
your welcome letter of April 17^th.
I am quite well and hope you are
all well at home. I am surprised
to hear you have had only one
letter from me for about six months
as I write at least every month.
There is no truth in the yarn of
my hand being shot off, I got a
bullet through the centre of the
palm of my left hand on Galipolli
more than a year ago, but it has
long since got right as it broke
no bones. Your letter that I have
just received was enclosed in a
letter from Clarrie Headlam.
I was within two days of getting
furlough to England when the
leave of my Division was stopped
but I think I shall get leave
sometime within the next two months
I am sorry you did not get the
money I sent you but I think it
has only been delayed in transfer
I have written to Head Quarters
about it, and if you get it
alright I want you to use what
you require of it.
My Unit has been travelling round
to different parts of the firing
line lately at present we are
in Belgium. I have been in
some heavy bombardments and am
beginning to think I am shell-proof.
I believe the Germans are
beginning to weaken now; we
are pressing them hard on all
sides, especially the Russians who
are doing some imnensely grand
work against the Austrians.
If you could only see this beautiful
country laid waste and whole
towns battered to the ground you
[* No Further pages Received *] 
 

1
France
Aug 5^th 16
Dear Mother
I was glad to
receive your welcome letter
yesterday which makes the third
I have got from you lately
glad to find you are
all well at home, I have not had
any letters from the twins yet
I suppose you have read of the
Australian's big victory of taking
Pozieres  I was in that stunt
Our causualties were very great
but we pushed Fritz back two
miles. It seemed hardly possible
that a man could come out
of it alive, such was the rain
of shells

2
The ground was fairly packed
with dead and wounded. Poor
old George Goodland was killed
All my old Cobbers of the 5^th Batt
are gone. Alf Fleming is alright
being R.M.S. he has not to go
in the firing line.
I got two hard cracks from flying
bricks but it did not put me
out of action. I have not been
promoted to 2^nd Lt as you heard
I prefer to remain a private.
I am glad you got the money
alright which I sent you.
I am going into another big
stunt in a few days and if
I am bowled ^boled outf please spend
It on Eileen and Maggie's
education 
 

Dear Eileen and Maggie,
I am glad you are
back at the Convent again.
Make the most of your time
there, as there is nothing
like being able to earn
your own living and being
independant, a good education
means everything through life.
If you require any money
for books or anything else
tell mother to draw on my
money in the bank what
you want, and dont forget.
I remain
Your affectionate brother
Jack 

3
I am sorry you are not getting
my letters more regular as I
write every month, I am getting
yours more regular lately  I
got the parcel which you sent
to Clarrie Headlam for me
I have been in France about
four months now and have
travelled round a good deal
it is a beautiful country and
the weather is perfect
Send me a photo of the twins
if you have one what age
are they now.
This is all this time mother
so I will conclude
Your affectionate son
Jack 
 

23/2/1917
Dear Mother,
just a few lines to
say that I am well and
hoping all are well at home.
I have just received my
commission 2^nd Lieu^t and
have transferred to a new M.G.
C^oy which has just been formed
I have been in England about
a month now and expect to be
going back to France in two
or three weeks

(2)
I wired to you last week for
£20 pound. I hope you have
sent it along. I am not in
any urgent need of it, but
I have had to buy a great
amount of clothing and kit,
and an officer in England
has to keep up appearances
which means L.S.D.
My pay amounts to 21 shillings
per day with four allotment
and 3/6 deferred, leaving a substantial
balance of 13/6 per day
I have about £50 deferred pay
in my book which I cannot touch
until after the war.
I have not had any letters
from you since Xmas, I suppose
they have not been sent on from
my old unit 
 

(3)
How is little Ned and all the
rest at home, I received Cassie's
and the Twins photo's alright
It is now two and a half
years sine I left Australia
and I suppose there are a great
many change’s.
Every-body seem’s to think the
war will finish this year, but 
I believe it will carry on for
at least another three years
I was very sorry to leave my
old Company but I am used
to changes, men dont last very
long in the Machine Gun Co^y.
as a rule.
I shall have ha a much better
time now as an officer, and
I think its up to me, for I
have had my chare.
My new address will be
J J Bourke 2^nd Lieu^t
1^st Aus. Divisional.
Machine Gun C^oy
France
dont put any more or less or
my letters will get mixed with
1^st B^de or some other C^oy
I will be writing again shortly
so I will close twith love to
all at home.
I remain
Your Affectionate son
Jack