Extracts from letters by Captain Robert Burnside Carter to his Family, 1915-1918 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG0000221
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 11

H. C. 123 B.CFA 1 B.E.2. My Dear Felher & Cothen 26-12-15 (Chefly about leave-partly al 1pswich - with a well bo do wilow Cunt C. who amused him with her ccosonices? I. I conong in coals Usually you know I get in 6lows for the winteer – Now I have only got in 5. But of course if this rens short I shall have to get in the other lon.11 at Spswich Hospital] I saw stacks of jam, treacle. He all from Sydneg (the Chamber y commerce Frind) Mips Dean letts me they are delighted with the fafts without which they would be unable to provide the mnen with many lexwnes– (London again) I went to lunch with Captain House at Trinity House - a 1st class lunch among all the old sea dogs one couldnb meet a more merry & homely set. It was most interesting Capt. H. showed we all round the plic. – beautiful furniture dote of my time was spen in London getting things – all the shope crowded. One say very few signs of econoiy anywhere. Women smothered in expensive fure & luxurious motor all over the place nearly everybody had a ridiculous little dog at the end of a chain Return purneylong & cold I Country a guagiere - knee deep in ul in places. No wonder pulues Caesar went into winter quearters in his H.Q. 123 Bry. REA 7campargie in faul. 24/1/161 It seems rather amusing for a library to collect soldiers letters for a histong o the war – In my experience very little actual bruilt can be derived from them the art of hyperbole is well devetoped- t0 read most letters one would think there was a piteted battle A nasty man again dropped some nasteer going on daily borbs juite handy the other day & made such a beastly row. I sometimes leap about 6 bl in the air when the beastly things go off. The same. 31/1/16 one does not get to love the peasant a lass here, after living amongt them for many months. as they are so doity & out for cash If mother went into one o their kitchens she would have a blue fit. 8/2/16 In the Mail you sent, I saw the Wabroonga Red x exhibits. It mede my month water to see all the beautiful splints be perfectly made.
12 HQ. 123 Brig REA. My oean Faller & Mother 15/16 The feeling of the Army, as far as I can ree, is dead Agannsh Arkwith & Co, & they all want to see Conscripion – as the only fair means – Rut fallen and the Dublin show to cap ih. Hughes continues to speak out openly for conscription 1615/16. today has been particularly noesy; Every booy sleens to be having a biff off now the good weather has come. The air is steff with planes- all day- & as it gets light about 46 in the noise starte then. Still in Artois regior- Lucky in being supposed to be on high ground. on the watershed between the Somme & the Scarpe. from the high ground one can fet, a wonderful view & at night all the flashes from Arras begond Souchez 10/7/16 Things have been happening: – never hieve I heard such a noise. During the night the whole country along the line was likeess almost like daylight by the continuoue fleshes of funs on both side The ground shook for days & my old billet rocked about 27/2/16 Since writing we have been in & out of the line, travelling all over the place. & now we have descended to a brench in dug outs. in any feet underground– in a nasty vicinity in full view of Priby. One episode I didn't enjoy was when I was having bele with an old Acostralian friend fordon Kenwick – in an advanced station close to me. A large shell came plum through the roof & the next room - making a nexty meer of our room-completely noone was touched. We always object to spoiting the tea.
15 any annoyance during meal times. Our old Adjutent says War is war but dinner is Lenner & the two should never be mixed The Fawna round here are wonderfully ective – Rats take the cake 6/8/16. in more seeles than one from here one can hear the continuous roar from the battle we are making ourselve + it never ceases day + night. more comfortable. My dug out is looking some thing like now with a few shelves & cupboards -by bed. consests of a large timber frame with were netting stretched across.- 24/8/16 Since I returned on leave we seem to have been inhabiting a bravelling circus– at present we are comfortably unstatled We did live in a Chateau for a time or rather what was left of one – there were two large, nasty in a farm house. - looking holes in the front lawn & on the day after we rented the house it received further attention so we decided on Huns always make Chaleaus very annoying to their owners when they relute living in a humbler dwelling- 27/9/16 a target We are in quite a new district quite close to where Billy David got mentioned in despalches (Lo0s orc). Insteed & agriculture we have Coal Aines & Engineering – We live tn good houses again . For the first time since I have been out The Boschy is starting to we have electric light squeal about the mividerous artillery fire t Genden has sent about 6 P.C.S. His promotion to heat col is a I wrote o told him how rediculous it was his bens a Colonel_ 3upfore he will ful me under arrest- when we meed. big stent 16/10/16 poor Broughton was killed by a stray shell one evening as he The old Bocche was having a wash outside his dug out- bried to come over several times but wet with a very watter reception each time so retired
14 26/10/16 what a wonderful sight it is on the roads here more traffic than in Piccadilly– & the noise increases at night, what pleases me is seeing the hundreds & Bocke prisoners all working hard mending them. 114/16 The heaviet deluge I have seen – low bying country under water, duckly our little city is on a slope – our poor little mess (which lives up to its name) was like a shower bath 14/4116. The noise lately has increased in intensity. It is a treat to see these huge gune firing - They make a colossal refort but it isso satisfactory to see the pill emerge at the business End & start of on its mission - fives one a senso of security I hed a good opportunity of seeing hundreds of Boche prisoners coming in – they are a mixed lot.– The officers were the lunit – Some of hgh rank were spolless & clean carreed kid glover & canes & altogether looked too smart - An arroget lot or biges & many objiectal to going into them capes. at opter they didn't look too unhappes being caught. Things are slow but lively here. The awful weather produces the first, the Bocke the second 16/19/16 That news about Peter Graham must have come with a shock. I was flad to hear that Lady Graham was so brave & good. I shall certainly write to her. re Peter's microscope which I esteem Prisoners seep on a very nighly placed fift from her. dribbling back under escort – wonderful how smoothby thing ren in spite of the amount of detail to be thought out 29/11/16 The papers give glowing accounts of the battle but to see the actual ground & know exactly what happened is pube different I have had my faith in newspaper takkes iudely shabler, & most of what they say is eye wash written by some correspondent miles behind the shows.-- Ih appened to see an Austratian wandering about in an acilers fashion & asked bee whereabouts fordons units was He gave me the vague instructions- fish as a bushman would so I fave him a note to deliver to one of the 5th Proneer men. 2 days ago & pt a note from fordon by messenger. saying where he was
15 9/12/16 The main piece o news is that I have actually seen gordon We chose the day– & I tried to get my work done early by sising before the seen & having the best Iai fine wash possible. Langford & did nt get started tell 11 a.m. – but we managed to get along pretty fast. We crossed the river & then uphill through captered territory the last few mites over rotten corduron roads – only by sign boards one is able to tell where villages used to be. Eveateelly about 2.30 we came to fordon's HQ. in an old Bosbe dag oub. His surroundings are pretty. I had to teck him off as his Kitcher fardin wasnh fetting on too well & the approach across his front lawn, shell holes & craters) – He had received Dad's cegars- 7ou bet I sampled one & found them jotly food. We had to leave by 4.30. 19/12/16 & crawled home about 9pin. on the move again. Thank goodness out of the meed & filth y that awful place - 2 nights ago we returned to a real live The men had an excellent time – Biere anglaise was plentiful & they enjoyed it - & my word they deserved it. billet again. – The country is either a quagmire or under water. The roads are marked by bits a stick at intervals Kwas letter from Billy David - whose name I was delighted to see in the New Year honourd - M.C.- He has earned it - mentioned on several vecasions with the Cameron Highlanders, The papers you sent. re the Referendien do honestty wele you 20/1/1 wild & desperate about N.S.W. All the people in the war area are out to make money. Every commodity farm produce for slesses to are all at fabulous prices. Every second house is a esteminet or pub- where adverbzed Biore Anglaise is soll- This is Cocalty brewed beer inferior in quality. but the Toming has to pay for it per nares. The people are coming more money then they ever contemplated earning in the whole of their existenc. Also they get good billeting money, from the Government. Eggs are 4 each, butter 5 francs a bile, a chicken between 7 & 8 francs. The Australians were in these parts once & very popular - as they had such a lot of money to spend- Argas is like a city of the dead. one saw hardly any life in the place all day- only in the roening people came oul of their cellars
on Secve. 16 My Dear Falher & mother Wandsworth Commeny Just after the New year we moved to 16/2/ just opposite Newe Chapelle. There may be a new home waiting for Gordon is stell I believe- jush outside me when I return DeWille wood. I had a most interesting ride to him that day. short cut across the river al Avelyather (.) then six La Borselle, oritlere, Poneres, Contalincison, Bazenben - finally thro' Longueval The aunts all intensely funny about the new tood Restrictions & all & DeWille Wood. say they are keeping streetly within the luncte. However one does not notice any falling off in the mence & certainly Aunt C. gave we more than enough.– Soldiers were exempt? on my return form my lot. among the mines again 27/3 It is a regular I still have a good appetete & get plenty of grub. treat on a cold night to sit down to a substantial hot dinner 1214117 I am writing this on my kaees in an ole in the ground. I share palace with another- & when both are inside it is a case of sauve qi peech? as both valises occupy most of the room. Ouet wealter snowcloring, blizzards. The poor hones suffered badty & the roads presented a presome spectacle. It was pitzful to see some of them dying from exposure. After the firsh show (Castes monday the Boche did hammer the poor oll city – Every bree has been systematically cut down by some sort of saw. Those lovely avenues down the nam road everywhere in France. Dad's birth. day was celebrated by the heaviest bombardment the world has probably ever seen, the biggest Boche counter attock. We have a small acetylene Camp in the Mess, but it fets blown of every 2 12/5/17 This locality is not nearly so health– the Bocke has i ade it cesst minutes. unpleasant for wes the last few days & nights. 2/6/1 We are now in a better spot. 3out have to live underground, plossons 11/6/17 weather – out in the open. The camp is verynicely situated outside a wrecked village. We live under canvas & have a large airy best as a mess. There are no civilians so none of the fields are under cultivation, & there is wonderful grazing. The old nags are having the time of their lives & are as fat as butter
26/8/17 17 I hape the clemate of Belguen. It is so relaving- Damp, stieky & wsggy on hot days cold & depress up on others wabe up tired & never feel really fit coming on leave I got the bees from Vierstadt to Poperinghe, thens by train to Calais & crossed to Dover. A different write every time Till the rewd 7. June. we were near the Hindenberg tene– Were entanglements every where, trench very deep + made in 3 lazers, & ugonts every few yards leading down to a contenuous sublesiancan teunal in shil hindres o ner cold be test abolunty of a te peceert if tomnberdncale. - Probebly bruist by prisoners &o pored benen o t he at o pates peteat out o wy to chael before we ware releved by one of the Aushation St a the 4th & I saw many old friends. The Colonel of the Bing? was an dla Syde frmn Salot boy. Williams— a dentist before the war. 3/10/17 The owner of this house is the local cue - miserly & a poor speciman yf a Belgian. In France the cures are rather sports & offer one a glass of their best. (They usually keep the best cellar in the Village). I have mentioned the avarice of the Freuch peasant – but I find the people in this country wene hands down 12/10/17 Here we are more or less comfortable - We have weather proof sagonity I have seen fordor again- found him out by accident. Saw 2 7 his youths wandering aeinlessby about the streets of our village bizing to susport the Campposts. So that afternoon I lorry-hopped in his direction He was out, but I had a long chal with Charlie Helsham & Gondom turned up late: looking very fit. I stayed to dinner & had to creap 1/12/17 after a great stragole I got fordon to come out to our mees. It was home in the dark. a porsonors night, but he blew in &t brought C. Helsham with tum H. is most emusing & had every body in fits of laughter. 6//18 The weather is sunclar to that yf last Ian. The frost makes the fromd easier to get over, -. I was more than delighted to see his (Gordon's name in the New Year Honours with a P.S.O. He thosoughly oiserves it, if any body did. We all look to great things from the fankees 3/2/18. on teaoe I weighed myself coming across. A though I had an overeout on I this year didnt expect to push raund to 13 stone 12
2 HR. 123r Bre. RFA We are all greatty interested in this great stient 28/3/18 of the Bocher. He is forcing things considerably: but I have the we have so far been left out of it -- greatest confidence. We have had some amusing times ratting. We got a doy which was lurking about; & by smoking up come of their lairs they came running out in dozens & the dog had a great time I find that living underground one steeps about twice as long as at other 4/4118 times The lnger the The Americans are getting roused to action old Boche waits now, the worse it will be for him In the meantimg I think everybody is very confid cnt 2816/18. I havink written recently as we have been moving constantly & things are more or less packed up all the time; & we are busy 18/7/18. Influenza prevalent. I was begining to congratelate myself on having messed it when I pot its with a vengeance. I had a week off- the firch time I have had to knock off work here. our country men seem ho have been makeep quite a name for 25/7/18 themselves in receiv enterprioss It looks as if the The general news seems to be very good. If things go on as Boche has latten a really nasty knock well as they have these last few days I shouldnt be surprised to see the Fermans rewiie onto the old Aisne live. A ltogethes 1pswick Suffolk on leave 25/8/18 things look rosy. I hope to rejoin my Brigads on Tuesday if I can find them, I her seem to have gone & had a war since I left & advanced the frond- (on the Bagnoy Hebuberne front) about 6 miles nearly at Bapann 18/8/18. I am on leave again. I was becky in getting a car to Bonlogne the whole wax-with our Colonel. – A luxury on ap 6 we were relieved - & what releef to leave Belgiaun after 9 months of ch- I never want to see the place again. The day we marched Mrs Doullene the Boche broke thro' close to where we left. In fact on Ap7 we marched via Baitlent Berguen & Merville & two days later the Boche walking thro' those places. Down South we were puished into the line on the Hebaterne Commecourt front - quite close to where we had been in 1915 & 1916 – so we knew the country backwards– In Jine our whole Din was suddenty whished off below Amiens or to 8
the 1st French army, as reserve there between Mondidier & 19 Morenil. We had a worderful time there working in with the French & my word I did get to admire them, The spirik of the ener eve wonderful- always cheerfal + all smiles. Their organisation & slaff are the acme of perfection. We did nt so into the live but only took wp reserve positions - out of range & we should only have frenctioned if the Boche attacked – instead he later attacked across to tlarne in earl July, which was his undom as you know. Sice that fraics tock has entirely taken the initeative – never before have I fell so confidant. Yor don you know, has been having a pretty hot time – on the Mostancours- Villars Brettonecx front-since thes came down from Yores-keeping triby very busy up to the time of the very successful attack E yAmieng. Thal must have been a really wonderful show. so many guns & prisoners. Since I returned on lease our particular fromb from Buguoy has fove forward H.D. 123 Brig R F4 3118/18. 3 miles by oear Father & Mother. Tush a line this time- we are continually moving. A great treat to think we are going in the right direction. It has been a case of dossing down in any old place, sleeping when you can & meats ab any old hoars. Qcike a different life but far more interesting. lots to see & all sorts of old Bocke steeff lying about HQ. 123 Br. RF.A. It is a pity-one cannot collect a lot 6/10/18 things are very strenuous- After all there years it looks so if The American weight is being felt We have had all costs of quarters – in the open -trenches diegoret the end were really in sight. shelters in woods- old beete - in fact any old thing that comes along I have had bo sead for more wilet & shaving fear. All mine fot lost went west, got blown up. There is pleals of Bocke kach about bat I would nt touch in with a barge pole. All the prisoners seem pleased to beve fot through a live – but the advance is no pemc 7/12/18 It is extreordiary to believe that the whole show is over. No noie at all & no bombs at nighb. To fo to bed without the feeling that you may wake & fend the roof fone. We are now in Candry between Cambrai & Le Cateace. the ceatre of the lace industry; now all the factories are stripfed of their machener, hs the Bocke carted the whole away – We were brought back here
2 after the armistice – we are to be attached to the 4th Aring - going as far as the fronteer. It looke as if we shall spend the winter in the neighbourhoodg Charteror. I cannot yet understand how we gob through that thin den bleng tene in such a relatively short time. We were twupalousside the NZ division & they did splendidly right through– Finer man I would thenk M hard to get anywhere. the majority nearly 6ft. After the H indenbing line– the next obstacle was the Canal de St Quentin taken by a borning movement after hard fighting, by a villag called Vanceteer, just north of Ban teax & Bantonzelle. After that we went more or less due to. - frually into open corentry & civilization again. In the neighbourboor Solesmee that we first saw civilians again in force & I shall never forget seeing the absolute look of joy in their faces at being delivered from the Bocke. who had been brating them like staoee for the tarb i years. It is defficult to write the horrors which many of these people have had to pubup with. We saw some pitiful sights. Many have had to be sent back to Hhospitale from sickness brought on by malmetritios & overwork, W2 marches into a village called Andencourt one day. The Bocke had cleared out about 3. am- our palrole came in about day teglet. I shall never forget seeing an old man about 90 with 2 crulches cancing alongside a band- mad with joy, waowng one crule in the air. The local mayor brought out all the documents the Bocke had pub up – They requisitioned anything a value – paid in paper money -not much use now. N.E towards &c Quesuon an ancienb town with double walls round it - on hov t there was the final smash, you never heard such a row Five armes were attacking that day 3 British, 2 French Later in the day when we went for ward I never saw so many dad Boches & the prisoners came in freely too, I think the men fought better after they had seen the condition of the civiliaus our Div: did extraosdment well that day wenb half was rd that forst de-Mormal. (about 12 miles & &) & fave up the chase about evening if the 5th when another lot went through us & bet up the chese over the Sambre R. & on towards Mauberge I think that battle on the 1th Demoralesed the Bocke more than anything alse as hir losses must have been Euorwous
21 We were at a village called Louvignies on the outsborts of the forest when the Armistice was signed. men are far better off in the matter o health when out in the open, no matter whal the weather conditions are provided they are well fed & keph at work. Since being back in villets it his been different Colds universal - every body says the same - that they have never fell fit since they were back in billets. It has been pathetic to see the continuous stream of repregees pouring back to their homes. Peoble doing forced work for the fermens – Most of them have been travelling for goodness knows how long old people with mornious bundler on their back - twie the size an infantry man cerrieg. wheel barrows, home made hand cart with all hands in the shefts & a few women frshing behind. Lucky to start off with a cup of coffee in the morning & the hope of a vegelable meal in the evening. A dimmntive donkey hanting along a colooral load. The other day we saw a vehicle in tandeen. a cow in the shafts & a doubly in the lead. We took over a very fraud incusion for our home- & gradually the family started to filter back & we had a family reunior in the drawing room. We as bed them to tea as they didnt have eneything to cal. Duving the weal about 3 other families blew in apparently relations & we finished uls with 17. You never heard such a row - all tatking at one. about their experiences in Exile. To add to this a French officer blew in - & the nowe increased to a praud fortusee, the fram ophone we had playing to amuse the Children couldsl be heard. I till they all seemed be enjoy themselves & suapped up all surphes rations- cakes biscute & chocolate rateors. we amused the children by dressing them up in whatee Madeline - a minx of 10- looking at herself in the glass Result most of as had to "alter chercher new billete Things very busy in my line. a shortage of.O.S. Toch has been a Best love all round- it is a great relief to think marvet- that the whole show is over Your loving Son Robin (He spent time till March chiefly in Bellinin (Chaileror distrect HC

H.Q. 123rd Bd. RFA 11
B.E.F.
26-12-15
My dear Father & Mother
(Chiefly about leave - partly at Ipswich - with a well to do widow
Aunt C. who amused him with her economies?). Economy in coal.
"Usually you know I get in 6 tons for the winter - Now I have only got in

5.   But of course if this runs short I shall have to get in the other ton"!!!
(at Ipswich Hospital) I saw stacks of jam, treacle. etc all from Sydney
(the Chamber of Commerce Fund). Miss Dean tells me they are delighted
with the gifts without which they would be unable to provide the men
with many luxuries. (London again) I went to lunch with Captain
House at Trinity House - a 1st class lunch among all the old sea dogs
one could'nt meet a more merry & homely set. It was most interesting

Capt. H. showed me all round the place., - beautiful furniture --
Lots of my time was in London getting things - all the shops
crowded.   One say very few signs of economy anywhere - Women
smothered in expensive furs & luxurious motors all over the place -
nearly everybody had a ridiculous little dog at the end of a chain.
(Return journey - long & cold.) - Country a quagmire - knee deep in mud
in places.   No wonder Julius Caesar went into winter quarters in his

7 campaigns in Gaul.
H.Q. 123rd Brig. RFA
24/1/16,
"It seems rather amusing for a library to collect soldiers' letters for
a "history of the war" - In my experience very little actual truth
can be derived from them - the art of 'hyperbole' is well developed.
To read most letters one would think there was a pitched battle
going on daily - A nasty man again dropped some nastier
bombs quite handy the other day & made such a beastly row.    I 
sometimes leap about 6 ft in the air when the beastly things go off.

The same.
31/1/16
One does not get to love the peasant class here, after living amongst

them for many months, as they are so dirty & out for cash - 
If Mother went into one of their kitchens she would have a blue fit.
8/2/16

In the Mail you sent I saw the Wahroonga Red X Exhibits.   It made

my mouth water to see all the beautiful splints &c perfectly made.
 

 

12
H.Q. 123rd Brigd RFA.
1/5/16
My dear Father & Mother,
The  feeling of the Army, as far as I can see, is dead
against Askwith. & Co, & they all want to see Conscription - as the only
fair means ....... Kut fallen and the Dublin show to cap it.

Hughes continues to speak out openly for conscription - 

16/5/16.

Today has been particularly noisy:  Everybody seems to be having a
biff off now the good weather has come - The air is stiff with planes - all
day & as it gets light about 4 a m the noise starts then.
Still in Artois region - Lucky in being supposed to be on high
ground. on the watershed between the Somme & the Scarpe.
From the high ground one can get a wonderful view & at night
all the flashes from Arras beyond Souchez.
10/7/16
Things have been happening - never have I heard such a noise.
During the night the whole country along the line was lit up
almost like daylight by the continuous flashes of guns on both sides
The ground shook for days & my old billet rocked about -
27/7/16
Since writing we have been in & out of the line, travelling all over
the place. & now we have descended to a trench in dug outs.
many feet underground - in a nasty vicinity in full view of Fritz.
One episode I didn't enjoy was when I was having tea with an
old Australian friend Gordon Kenwick - in an advanced station
close to me - a large shell came plum through the roof of
the next room - making a nasty mess of our room - completely
spoiling the tea - No-one was touched.   We always object to
 

 

13
any annoyance during meal times x - our old Adjutant says
"War is war but dinner is dinner & the two should never be mixed".

The Fauna round here are wonderfully active - rats take the cake.

(in more senses than one)
6/8/16.
From here one can hear the continuous roar from the battle
& it never ceases day & night. — we are making ourselves
more comfortable.   My dug out is looking something like now with
a few shelves & cupboards - my bed. consisting of a large timber
frame with wire netting stretched across. - 
24/8/16
Since I returned on leave we seem to have been inhabiting

a travelling circus - At present we are comfortably installed
in a farm house. - We did live in a Chateau for a time, 
or rather what was left of one - there were two large, nasty
looking holes in the front lawn & on the day after we rented
the house it received further attention so we decided on
living in a humbler dwelling - Huns always make Chateaus
a target - very annoying to their owners when they return.
27/9/16
We are in quite a new district quite close to where Billy

David got mentioned in despatches (Loos MC). Instead of
agriculture we have Coal Mines & Engineering - We live
in good houses again - For the first time since I have been out
we have electric light - The Bosche is starting to
squeal about the murderous artillery fire etc.
Gordon has sent about 6 P.C.s.   His promotion to Lieut-Col is a
big stunt - I wrote & told him how ridiculous it was his being
a Colonel - Suppose he will put me under arrest when we meet.
16/10/16
poor Broughton was killed by a stray shell one morning as he
was having a wash outside his dug out.  The old Bosche
tried to come over several times but met with a very warm
reception each time so retired - 
 

 

14
26/10/16
What a wonderful sight it is on the roads here.
More traffic than in Piccadilly & the noise increases at
night.   What pleases me is seeing the hundreds of Boche prisoners

all working hard mending them.
1/11/16.
The heaviest deluge I have seen - low lying country under water.
Luckily our little city is on a slope - Our poor little mess (which
lives up to its name) was like a shower bath.
14/11/16.
The noise lately has increased in intensity - It is a treat to see
these huge guns firing - They make a colossal report but it is so
satisfactory to see the pill emerge at the business end & start off
on its mission - gives one a sense of security.
I had a good opportunity of seeing hundreds of Boche prisoners
coming in - They are a mixed lot.  The officers were the 
limit - Some of high rank were spotless & clean, carried kid
gloves & canes & altogether looked too smart. - An arrogant lot
of prigs & many objected to going into their cages - altogether
they didn't look too unhappy being caught. - Things are slow but
lively here - The awful weather produces the first, the Boche the second.
16/11/16.

That news about Peter Graham must have come with a shock - 
I was glad to hear that Lady Graham was so brave & good - I 
shall certainly write to her.   re Peter's microscope which I esteem
a very highly placed gift from her. - Prisoners keep on
dribbling back under escort - Wonderful how smoothly things
run in spite of the amount of detail. to be thought out -
29/11/16.
The papers give glowing accounts of the battle but to see the

actual ground & know exactly what happened is quite different.
I have had my faith in newspaper talks rudely shaken & most
of what they say is eye wash written by some correspondent miles
behind the shows. -- I happened to see an Australian wandering about
in an aimless fashion & asked him whereabouts Gordon's unit was.
He gave me the vague instructions - just as a bushman would - so I gave
him a note to deliver to one of the 5th Pioneer men. - 2 days ago I got
a note from Gordon by messenger. saying where he was ---
 

 

15
9/12/16
The main piece of news is that I have actually seen Gordon - 
We chose the day & I tried to get my work done early by rising before

the sun & having the best 'J'ai fine' wash possible.   Langford & I
didn't get started till 11 a.m. - but we managed to get along pretty fast.
We crossed the river & then uphill through captured territory.
the last few miles over rotten corduroy roads - only by sign boards
one is able to tell where villages used to be. Eventually about 2.30
we came to Gordon's H.Q. in an old Bosche dug out - His

surroundings are pretty - I had to tick him off as his kitchen garden

wasn't getting on too well & the approach across his front lawn (
shell holes & craters) - He had received Dad's cigars - you bet I 
sampled one & found them jolly good.   We had to leave by 4.30.
& crawled home about 9 pm.
19/12/16
On the move again.  Thank goodness out of the mud & filth of
that awful place - 2 nights ago we returned to a real live
billet again.   The men had an excellent time - Bière Anglaise

was plentiful & they enjoyed it & my word they deserved it.
- The country is either a quagmire or under water - The roads
are marked by bits of stick at intervals -
Xmas letter from Billy David - whose name I was delighted to see

in the New Year honours - M.C.   He has earned it - mentioned
on several occasions with the Cameron Highlanders.

The papers you sent. re the Referendum do honestly make you
wild & desperate about N.S.W. -
20/1/17
All the people in the war area are out to make money.
Every commodity - farm produce for Messes &c are all at
fabulous prices - Every second house is a 'estaminet' or pub.

where advertized Bière Anglaise' is sold - This is locally
brewed beer inferior in quality, but the Tommy has to pay
for it per [[nares?]].   The people are coining more money than
they ever contemplated earning in the whole of their existence.
Also they get good billeting money from the Government.   Eggs are
4d each, butter 5 francs a kilo, a chicken between 7 & 8 francs.
The Australians were in these parts once. & very popular as they

had such a lot of money to spend.
Arras is like a city of the dead.   One saw hardly any life in the place
all day - only in the evening people came out of their cellars.
 

 

16
On Leave,
Wandsworth Common 
16/2/17
My dear Father & Mother 
Just after the New Year we moved to
just opposite Neuve Chapelle - There may be a new home waiting for
me when I return. -- Gordon is still I believe - just outside 
Delville Wood.   I had a most interesting ride to him that day -

Short cut across the river at 'Avelyathea (?) then via La Boiselle,
Orillers, Posieres, Coutalmaison, Bazenlieu - finally thro' Longueval
& Delville Wood.

The Aunts all intensely funny about the new Food Restrictions - & all
say they are keeping strictly within the limits - however one does not

notice any falling off in the menu & certainly Aunt C. gave me more
than enough. - "soldiers were exempt".

On my return found my lot among the mines again —
27/3/17
I still have a good appetite & get plenty of grub. - It is a regular
treat on a cold night to sit down to a substantial hot dinner.
11/4/17
I am writing this on my knees in an 'ole in the ground.   I share this
palace with another - & when both are inside it is a case of "sauve
qui peut" as both valises occupy most of the room. - Cruel weather
snowstorms, blizzards.   The poor horses suffered badly & the 
roads presented a gruesome spectacle, It was pityful to see

some of them dying from exposure.   After the first show (Easter
Monday the Boche did hammer the poor old city -  Every tree
has been systematically cut down by some sort of saw.   Those lovely
avenues down the main roads everywhere in France - Dad's birthday
was celebrated by the heaviest bombardment the world has
probably ever seen, the biggest Boche counter attack.   We have a
small acetylene lamp in the Mess. but it gets blown out every 2
minutes.
12/5/17
This locality is not nearly so healthy - the Boche has made it most
unpleasant for us the last few days & nights.
2/6/17

We are now in a better spot - dont have to live underground.   Glorious 
weather - out in the open.
11/6/17
The camp is very nicely situated outside a wrecked village.   We live under
canvas & have a large airy hut as a mess.  There are no civilians, so 
none of the fields are under cultivation & there is wonderful grazing.   The 
old nags are having the time of their lives - are as fat as butter.

 

17
26/8/17
I hate the climate of Belgium - It is so relaxing - Damp sticky
& muggy on the hot days, cold & depressing on others.

Wake up tired & never feel really fit.

Coming on leave I got the bus from Vierstadt to Poperinghe, thence

by train to Calais & crossed to Dover.   A different route every time.
Till the end of June . we were near the Hindenberg line - Wire
entanglements everywhere, trench very deep & made in 3 layers,
Dugouts every few yards leading down to a continuous subterranean
tunnel in which hundreds of men could be kept absolutely safe in the
heaviest of bombardments . - Probably built by prisoners & forced

labour.   On the 10th of this month we pushed further north - just N of
Wytschaete before we were relieved by one of the Australian Divns.
the 4th - & I saw many old friends.   The Colonel of the Brige was an
old Syd. Gram. School boy - Williams - a dentist before the war. 
3/10/17

The owner of this house is the local curé - miserly & a poor
specimen of a Belgian.   In France the Curés are rather sports &

offer one a glass of their best.   (They usually keep the best cellar in the
village).   I have mentioned the avarice of the French peasant - but I 
find the people in this country win hands down.

12/10/17
Here we are more or less comfortable - We have weather proof dugouts
I have seen Gordon again - found him out by accident.   Saw 2 of his
youths wandering aimlessly about the streets of our village. trying to 
support the lamp posts.   So that afternoon I lorry-hopped in his direction.
He was out, but I had a long chat with Charlie Helsham & Gordon
turned up late. looking very fit.   I stayed to dinner - had to creep
home in the dark.
1/12/17
After a great struggle I got Gordon to come out to our mess.   It was
a poisonous night - but he blew in & brought C. Helsham with him.
H. is most amusing & had everybody in fits of laughter.

6/1/18
The weather is similar to that of last Jan - The frost makes the ground
easier to get over. - I was more than delighted to see his (Gordon's)
name in the New Year Honours with a D.S.O.   He thoroughly deserves
it, if anybody did.   We all look to great things from the Yankees

this year.
3/2/18.
On leave
I weighed myself coming across - although I had an overcoat on I 
didn't expect to push round to 13 stone 12.
 

 

18)
H.Q. 123rd Brig RFA

28/3/18
We are all greatly interested in this great stunt 
of the Boches.   He is forcing things considerably : but I have the 
greatest confidence. -- we have so far been left out of it - 
We have had some amusing times ratting.   We got a dog which was
lurking about : & by smoking up some of their lairs they came
running out in dozens & the dog had a great time.
I find that living underground one sleeps about twice as long as at other
times.
4/4/18

The Americans are getting roused to action - The longer the
old Boche waits now, the worse it will be for him.
In the meantime I think everybody is very confident.
28/6/18
I haven't written recently as we have been moving constantly &
things are more or less packed up all the time & we are busy.
18/7/18
Influenza prevalent - I was beginning to congratulate myself 
on having missed it when I got it with a vengeance.   I had a
week off - the first time I have had to knock off work here.

Our country men seem to have been making quite a name for
themselves in recent enterprises.
25/7/18
The general news seems to be very good.   It looks as if the
Boche has taken a really nasty knock - If things go on as
well as they have these last few days I shouldn't be surprised 
to see the Germans retire onto the old Aisne line - altogether

things look rosy.
Ipswich. Suffolk
On leave 25/8/18
A  I hope to rejoin my Brigade on Tuesday if I can find them.   They
seem to have gone & had a war since I left & advanced the front -
(on the Buguoy - Hebulerue front) about 6 miles nearly at Bapaume
18/8/18
↑  A  I am on leave again.   I was lucky in getting a car to Boulogne

the whole way - with our Colonel. - a luxury.

on Ap 6 we were relieved - & what relief to leave Belgium after
9 months of it - I never want to see the place again.   The day we marched
thro' Doullene the Boche broke thro' close to where we left.   In fact

on April 7. we marched via Bailleul, Berguier & Merville & two days later the
Boche walking thro' those places.   Down South we were pushed into
the line on the Hébuterue Gommecourt front - quite close to where we

had been in 1915 & 1916 - so we knew the country backwards - In 

June our whole Divn was suddenly whisked off below Amiens on to
 

 

19

the 1st French army as reserve there between Mondidier &
Moreuil.   We had a wonderful time there working in with the
French & my word I did get to admire them. The spirit of the men was

wonderful - always cheerful & all smiles.  Their organisation & staff are
the acme of perfection.   We didn't go into the line but only took up

'reserve' positions - out of range & we should only have functioned if the
Boche attacked - instead he later attacked across the Marne in early 
July which was his undoing as you know.   Since that fiasco Foch
has entirely taken the initiative - Never before have I felt so 

confident.   Gordon, xx you know, has been having a pretty hot

time on the Morlancourt - Villars Brettoneux front. since they
came down from Ypres - Keeping Fritz very busy up to the time of the

very successful attack E of Amiens.   That must have been a really
wonderful show - so many guns & prisoners. Since I returned
on leave our particular front from Buguoy has gone forward
3 miles
H.Q. 123rd Brig RFA
31/8/18
My dear Father & Mother,
Just a line this time - we are continually moving.   A great

treat to think we are going in the right direction - It has been a 
case of dossing down in any old place., sleeping when you can
& meals at any old hours.   Quite a different life but far more
interesting.   Lots to see & all sorts of old Boche stuff lying about.
It is a pity one cannot collect a lot
H.Q. 123rd Br. RFA
6/10/18.

Things are very strenuous- After all these years it look as if
the end were really in sight.  The American weight is being felt.

We have all sorts of quarters - in the open - trenches - dugouts

shelters in woods - old huts - in fact any old thing that comes along.
I have had to send for more toilet & shaving gear.   All mine got lost
went west. got blown up - There is plenty of Boche kit about but

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.   All the prisoners seem
pleased to have got through alive - but the advance is no picnic yet.
7/12/18
It is extraordinary to believe that the whole show is over.   No noise
at all & no bombs at night.  To to to bed without the feeling
that you may wake & find the roof gone.   We are now in 
Caudry between Cambrai & Le Cateau. the centre of the lace
industry, now all the factories are stripped of their machinery, as
the Boche carted the whole away - We were brought back here
 

 


 20)

after the Armistice - we are to be attached to the

4th Army - going as far as the frontier.   It looks as if we shall
spend the winter in the neighbourhood of Charleroi - I cannot yet
understand how we got through that Hindenburg line in such a
relatively short time.   We were living alongside the N.Z. division

& they did splendidly right through - Finer men I would think it
hard to get anywhere - the majority nearly 6 ft - After the
Hindenburg line - the next obstacle was the Canal de St Quentin -
taken by a turning movement after hard fighting - by a village 
called Vaucelles just north of Bauleux & Ban louzelle - After
that we went more or less due E. - finally into open country
& civilization again.   In the neighbourhood Solesmes that
we first saw civilians again in force & I shall never forget
seeing the absolute look of joy in their faces at being
delivered from the Boche. who had been treating them like slaves
for the last 4 years.   It is difficult to write the horrors which
many of these people have had to put up with. We saw some
pitiful sights - many have had to be sent back to Hospital from
sickness brought on by malnutrition & overwork.   We marched
into a village called Audencourt one day - The Boche had cleared
out about 3.am. - our patrols came in about daylight.

I shall never forget seeing an old man about 90 with 2 crutches

dancing alongside a band - mad with joy, waving one crutch
in the air - The local mayor brought out all the documents
the Boche had put up - They requisitioned anything of value - paid
in paper money - not much use now.   N.E. towards Le Quesnoy
an ancient town with double walls round it  - On Nov 4
there was the final smash:  you never heard such a row.
Five armies were attacking that day 3 British. 2 French -
Later in the day when we went forward I never saw so many dead
Boches. & the prisoners came in freely too.   I think the men
fought better after they had seen the condition of the civilians.
Our Div. did extraordinarily well that day - went half way
thro' that Foret-de-Mormal. (about 12 miles x8 ) & gave up the chase
about evening of the 5th when another lot went through us & kept

up the chase over the Sambre R. & on towards Mauberge -

I think that battle on the 4th demoralised the Boche more than
anything else as his losses must have been enormous -
 

 

21
We were at a village called Louviguies on the outskirts
of the forest when the Armistice was signed. Men are far better
off in the matter of health when out in the open, no matter what
the weather conditions are, provided they are well fed & kept at
work.   Since being back in billets it has been different.   Colds
universal - everybody says the same - that they have never felt fit
since they were back in billets.   It has been pathetic to see the
continuous stream of refugees pouring back to their homes.
People doing forced work for the Germans - most of them have been
travelling for goodness know how long - old people with enormous 
bundles on their back - twice the size an infantry man carries -
wheel barrows, home made hand carts with all hands in the
shafts & a few women pushing behind.   Lucky to start off with
a cup of coffee in the morning & the hope of a vegetable meal in the
evening.   A diminutive donkey hauling along a colossal load.
The other day we saw a vehicle in tandem - a cow in the shafts

& a donkey in the lead.   We took over a very grand mansion for
our home - & gradually the family started to filter back & we
had a family reunion in the drawingroom.   We asked them to tea
as they didn't have anything to eat.   During the meal about 3
other families blew in - apparently relatives & we finished up
with 17.   You never heard such a row - all talking at once.
about their experiences in exile.   To add to this a French officer

blew in - & the noise increased to a grand fortissimo & the 
gramophone we had playing to amuse the children couldn't
be heard.   Still they all seemed to enjoy themselves & snapped up
all surplus rations - cakes, biscuits & chocolate rations.

We amused the children by dressing them up in khaki -
Madeline - a minx of 10 - looking at herself in the glass.
Result - most of us had to 'aller chercher' new billets - Things
very busy in my line - a shortage of Meuds. O.S. Foch has been a
marvel.   Best love all round - it is a great relief to think
that the whole show is over
your loving son
Robin.
[He spent time till March chiefly in Belgium (Charleroi district )]
[[H.I.C?]]
 

 


 

 

 





 



 

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