Letters from Norman Griffiths Ellsworth to his Mother, 1914-1915, Part 19 of 27

August 28th 1915.
Dearest Mother & all at Home,
Just another short note to let
you know that I am still alright, altho' feeling rather
"crummy" at times, & diarehoea has been rather chummie
with me lately, but I am taking Epsom Salts in my tea
& am trying to fix it up that way.
In your last letter you asked
me if I got the parcel of Socks & 2 Handkerchiefs; I think
I acknowledged them in a previous letter, but if I didn't,
then I want to tell you that they came to me quite
safely & I thank you very much for them.
I could do with a singlet or
two, or a sweater for the coming season, but otherwise
we are very well for books & other things like that.
I am anxiously waiting for
that little medicine chest that I wrote asking for, it
will be very handy, as one feels quite off colour every
now & then & a little Homoepathic Medecine will make
all the difference in the world.
We are still able to go for
our daily swim & providing Beachy Bill (a Turks
Gun who fires on the beach occasionally) does'nt wish
us "Good-day", we quite enjoy ourselves.

Page 2
We received some stores from the Canteen Ship
yesterday, & it was divided up between the Subsections
& I was able to get 5/- worth of various articles such
as, Tinned Sausages, Salmon, Vinegar, Lemonade Powders,
Packet Herbs, Candles, Matches, Vaseline, Fancy biscuits, Etc.
& we also got an issue of Gift Cigarettes from the Victoria
Racing Club (with love) in addition to our weekly rations,
so you see we are alright for a while. But, oh for some
fresh green vegetables, we have forgotten the taste of them.
I have heard nothing more about my transfer,
as I am waiting for the O.C. D.A.Cs reply, but think
it will not be long now, anyhow I hope not.
Mother, will you ask George if he would mind
buying me a pocket flash lamp & a spare battery for it,
as it is handy for night firing, & I will settle up with
him when it comes,
Well, Mother dear, I think I've finished for
this week so will close: I'll try & write each week, but
there may be difficulties for the conveyance of mails from here.
I hope you are all well. Give my kindest
regards to all enquirers, my best love to all Relations &
all at Home & an extra ration for yourself.
Believe me
Your loving son.
Norman 

Am glad Miss Taylor has left you, it
will be far better without her
_________________________  
Hope Miss Cutler doesn't come home
often, don't encourage her.
__________________________
Am glad Charl has got work, it
is a great relief
__________________________
The success of recruiting campaign has
bucked all the troops up wonderful
__________________________
Tell Mab I've got the copper
driving band off a Turks shell to make
into a bangle for her
__________________________
Love to Floss Robbie
___________________________
Tell Jack, that Jack Heywood is back
again with us & is livelier than ever
___________________________
Don Mc Conville is attached to Heavy Battery
___________________________
Thank May Tilton for her great
letters to me. Hope to see her soon.
___________________________
Have not received any Newspapers by
last 2 Mails yet
___________________________  
Love, to all at Winchelsea
___________________________
Also to Aunt Hannah, & hope she
is quite well
___________________________
How is the Lawn looking,?
___________________________
Tell Rupert that the old, Turks
don't like Australian bayonets
____________________________
Hope George is well & his business
a success. I do not think it
would be worth while to give it up
to come out here. There are plenty
of others available for this work
_____________________________
Received the letter which Ruby Davidson
sent to you. Very decent of her, isn't it.
Her people were magnificent towards me,
& I'll never forget their kindnesses.
_____________________________
Little Les Ilsley, my mate Trumpeter in the
New Zealanders (he went over from Victoria to do
Insurance Work, you remember) is missing.
_____________________________
Often run across South Yarra chaps
out here, some of whom I've
not seen for years
______________________________ 

7^th September. 1915.
Dearest Mother & all at Home.
Just a line to let
you know that I am well & am pleased to
say that I have just received another
"bumper" mail & have just read them all
for the second time or more.
I am glad to know
That Charl has a good job at last & hope
it will be permanent. Tell him that I
am grateful to him for his bonzer letters &
to Etus & family for their kindness in going
to such trouble for me. In his letter he 
asks "did Ben Cantor have charge of my
gun when he got killed", Tell him "No
Ben never had charge of my gun on
any occassion. My gun was the only Gun
in the whole Division to land on the
Sunday 25th April & I had charge on that, all
occassions.  Ben Cantors Gun & Ben came
ashore on the Monday following.
You will be pleased to know
that I have been transferred to the B.A.C.
& am doing the duties of Sgt Major, altho'
I still hold the rank of Sergeant

2
Things are very quiet here just at present
& everybody is making his quarters "comfy"
for the winter months. I am well off for
Boots, Clothes, Etc. so, don't mind.
I haven't received your latest parcel
containing socks, Scarf, Bootlaces, Chewing gum
Etc, but it will be here in a day or two.
Am glad Jack has permission to come
away, & also May Tilton. Good luck to them.
I am camped in an Office on the
Beach & am becoming quite a Pen pusher,
& I like the job immensely.
Am glad to know that the
recruiting got such an impetus, it is the
best news we could wish for.
Thank Mab for her bonzer letters
also her kindness in sending me all sorts
of things, I'll not forget her Kindness.
How is Floss Robbie, give her my
love, also to Aunt Hannah & all Relations
I hope all are well at Home
Give my love to Rupert, & to George
& Mab & all others & an extra ration
of love for your dear self
from your affectionate son
Norman.