Letters from James Vincent Clarke, 1917 - Part 1

Dimps

COPY. 4 P1

France,
28/1/17/
My dear Trix,
I am the limit really, and you have every cause
to Court Martial me, but things have been only middling lately.
For a couple of months we were up to our knees in mud, not only
occasionally, but all the time. It fairly knocked us out, horses
and all, and of course Yours Truly must get Chilblains burst on his
heels. I was'nt the only one though, as at different periods
every man was sore footed. However I am quite right now after
a good spell here.
Arrived out of action on Christmas Eve, and believe
me the chaps made up for lost time and the "grape juice" was flowing
freely. I was incapaciated on account of feet so had to amuse
myself as looker on. The sight of the sick parade next morning
dragging its weary legs to the doctor made me satisfied to have been
a non combattant. Christmas Day was very ordinary, and things
went on just as usual, and we all made a fervent wish that the next
one would not be spent in France.
On New Year’s Eve Chrisso and self drank the healths
of all the R.S.Ms and we tried to calculate how long it would be
before we all joined up again. It is hard to realize that xxxxx
this war will ever end, and it seems here among the French to have
become quite a part of their lives. Chaps coming back from 
“Blighty”  say that all over London the people are quite confident of
a final wind up this Spring.
If it doesn’t end then, I’m quite prepared to bet
on its lasting any number of years, for if the Huns can stand what
we are going to hand them next Spring, we ought to declare them the 
winners and all go home.
Enough of this subject though Trix, if I gave you
my opinion of the war and everybody involved in it you would’nt own
me as your brother.
His nibs "Carlo" strolled round to see me the other
night, and I had dreams of him enjoying himself in England, but he
has been over quite a while, long enough anyhow to come to the
conclusion that the game is up to putty especially in winter. Then
later on in the week we got a batch of reinforcements "Johno" amongst
them, back to the battery and looking well and fat. Am sitting
with him now in a French farm house it being too cold at our billet
to sit down and write.
Have had quite a lot of letters from home lately,
and those parcels arrived a few days before Xmas and were most
acceptable as we were in action, as before stated, and living on half
rations on account of difficulty of transport. The parcels were
received with open arms and the gun detachment, all good pals of mine,
sat round while I opened them. Pookies cake was much admired also
devoured, and like all soldiers we had our Xmas dinner right there and
then in a little "dugout" about six feet below earth level, but
nevertheless comfortable and warm. The Brigade supplied a Christmas
dinner on N

V Copy 4 P 2        2

dinner on New Year's Day, and we all forget our worries over some
turkey and plum pudding. After dinner we all experienced that
full feeling, something rare for the army.
Another letter tonight from you with news of
Daly's death. It's hard Trix when your pals go off like
that, and I was genuinely glad when I'heard he had been wounded, as
this for an Infantryman spells safety for while anyway.

I remember the night Daly was wounded, it was at
the capture of part of "Posieres" as we had been up all night, firstly
to cover the advance of the Infantry, and when news came through
that the ridge had been taken, a few gunners want forward to dig
gun pitts at daylight. I was one of the chosen members and it
was'nt a nice job at that hour of the morning after having no sleep
but we passed the hours away until daylight by reviewing the Hun
prisoners. This was our first sight of the fighting Huns, and
they all appeared amiable enough. One crowd of about eight
Prussians was guarded by an Australian, well, he was the smallest
chap I've eyer seen, and the sight of him and his prisoners caused
quite a lot of amusement.

About daylight our own men, the chaps who had done
the deed the night before, began to come along in twos and threes.
Some of them had half their clothes torn off, and others by the look
of them would have sold their share in the army very cheaply, but
all on Sundry had a cheerful remark to make as they passed us, such
remarks as “You dished the so and so’s up for [[?]] last night cobber”,
or “What would mother say is she saw me now.
Well I looked all that day, both amongst the
wounded and well, for Daly, but could’nt even get any information
about him, and it was’nt until some weeks later that I heard he had
been wounded. I was only talking of him today with McKennie
(Sydney Ferries) when your letter came. It was the thing I
ever thought of, in fact I expected he would have been back here by
this, but to think he has died makes me hate the Germans worse than
ever, and I hope this Spring they will be properly dished up.
Well Trix I'll have to close now, as we have to
get back to billets by nine o’clock, but I will write again soon when
I hope to have more news.
Much love to all, Excuse difference in size of
paper. Vin.
P.S. Johno and Carlo both send their love. I went
to the Dressing Station of which you spoke, to see the Hun prisoners,
nothing more serious. 

THIS CAN BE READ BY HOLDING UP TO A MIRROR
- TELLS OF EVACUATION AND HOSPITALISATION DUE
TO 'SEPTIC FEET' AND RELIEF TO BE AWAY FROM
THE SOMME.

[[Dich?]] darlin' your daughter Paul is
a [[?]] (not a Bosch) I put the carbon
in back to front, do please forgive me, but
if you hold it up to the light you can
read in in grand style, no need to stand
on your head m'Pet. I'll write you
if possible tomorrow. This goes in with
Peter's note, we are all O.K. at home, and
feeling very [[helpless?]], the men are doing
the wall
Your [[?]]
with many
hugs and
kisses -
Paul _
COPY. 

H.M. Queen Mary's Hospital,
Southend-on-see,
28th, February, 1917
My dear Nickle,
Don't get startled at the address, I'm only
“swinging the lead” (this is a military term for malingering). In
my last letter of January I spoke about having a little trouble with
my feet, well when I wrote that letter they were behaving moderately
well, but as soon as we got back into action, conditions became
a little worse, with the result that the old trouble came back.
This time I had to parade to a doctor, and he being in a rather
good humour took my case seriously, an unusual thing for a military
doctor to do, and ordered me to hospital straight away, as he said
I had Septic heels. Little did I expect to ever get to "Blighty"
over them, but here I am having the time of my life and when I leave
here have got a fortnights sick leave.
I sent a cable home about some money, and this
morning the bank advised me that the brass was there waiting for me.
You can guess by the name that this is a good hospital, we have a
view out to sea, and every afternoon the patients are allowed out
from one till seven p.m.
Just at present the war news is pretty good, am
hoping they finish Frits off before I get back. I did'nt mind
the game so much while I was over in France but once a chap gets a
taste of real life he wants to declare himself neutral on the spot.
There is one thing I'm glad of and that is that our battery will be
out of the Somme front when I get back. We have been in there
every month since last July, and you've no idea how we hate it,
espically through the winter months. I'm not complaining as some
one had to do it, but we are mighty glad now that its over.
Poor old Johno's nerves went bung again just
before I left, can't say where he at present, but hope that he is
sent home. Crisso was stony broke like myself, but cheerful
when last I saw him. He has acquired a great liking for eggs,
and the best places in a village where these are to be bought and
cooked are soon known to Crisso, consequently when we want eggs we
leave it to him to decide where to go.
Had a letter from Ollie, strange that he should
have been in a hospital which was formerly the Palace Hotel, as this
place was also of that name.
Well Trix I have every hopes of having my birthday
in London this time, so look out for a cable. Will go and
see Stin, and everyone else whose address' I have.
Will write home an account of where I have been
all through when I rake my brains a bit.
Much love to all.
Vin.
P.S. Thanks very much for cash will cable you soon as I hit
London. Love,
Vin. 

(Dimp's Copy)

COPY.
No.3 Australian General Hospital,
Dartford,
Kent,
Sunday 25/3/17.    6.30 p.m.
My dear Paul,
Have got some six pages of a letter written to you
but as the mail closes tomorrow and I have not time to finish am

sending you this as a sort of a "go before."
Left Queen Mary's last Friday, all the soldiers
have been cleared out of their as it is now going to be purely a
naval hospital. This place is not bad, but still not a patch on
the other. Still I can't growl as I've had over five weeks in
hospital now, and although it finishes tomorrow I never felt better
in my life, and weigh twelve stone thirteen, not too bad, eh?
This time tomorrow night will see me in London,
so expect a cable next week. That reminds me, I was some worried
over that last reply paid chap that you sent me, as my cable for money
sent on the 24th February was only a few weeks in advance of yours.
You got mine alright because the money arrived, and is waiting at the
bank for me, so now what is the game? I know I've been a rotten
correspondent, but I've explained it all, or most of it, to Trix in
a former letter, further than that I'm going to turn over a new leaf,
and write so much that there will have to be a special bag got for me.
Florrie is on the verge of divorcing me, Sully is about to amputate me,
and the family. Gee, have taken to sending cables, so I guess I must
be over the fence, and it is high, and it is high time I got a wriggle on. Well
Paul dear, we’ll see what London does for me, and “keep it under your
hat" I believe, in fact am sure the Australians are having a sixth
division formed over here. Methinks I'll be pooled into it, but
yours truly does’nt go under without a struggle, but am very much
afraid that it might be done finished with the fourteenth for me, still
while there is life there's hope, and also while I've a kick left I'll
use it. Charlie Gill's pal in London may help me through, so I'm
not feeling too bad about it yet.
Have made enquiries for Gerald Glis, but hav’nt
found his haven of rest so far. Stin is on my visiting list. With
a lot more, and I only hope I’m able to find them all, as my diary
“went west” when my uniform was taken from me in France hospitals
I could’nt recover it again, and although I know Stin’s address there
are others which I can’t remember.
Well, Paul fourteen days furlough with Easter
included is not too bad, and I ought to be able to chew a few Fritz’
afterwards, but I hope it will all be over before I get back. There's
my sentiments.
Much love to all,
Vin. 

2 (Dimp's copy)
COPY. 

Shaftesbury Hotel.
London
April 5th. 1917.
My dear Trix,
Arrived in "London" last Monday week from hospital
and since then have been having the time of my life. It is rotten
so have to admit it, but I'm afraid that Sydney is most wowseristic
after this, Gee, Nickie, how I wish you were all here with me, it is
some place. Stin has been out a couple of times with me, and
yesterday afternoon, we picked up Nance O'Neill, am seeing them both again
before I go back to camp, somewhere at Lark Hill, I suppose.
Have been to a theatre every night so far. About
the most comical of the lot was a farce comedy, entitled "A little
bit of fluff." I've never laughed more in all my life at the
antics of one of the chaps, who is a long, streak (worse than I) and
awfully afraid of women. If any come near him he nearly dies.
Of course the Little bit of fluff, makes love to him, and tells every
one she is his wife. Whenever she walks over to him he darts
behind the furniture, and runs all round the stage shouting for help.
After getting out of that alright he turns round to the audience a
gasps, that he is sure that some day a girl will get him in a corner
and make him do something thoughtless, but you want to see him to
appreciate it. There is really nothing but nonsense in the whole
thing, but it is a few bobs worth of laughter.
This sixth division stunt is coming off alright
and as sure as anything I'll be put in it. They want to form the
base of it from men who have been to France. Jim Stinson (Stin's
nephew) came over from France yesterday to be one of the instructors
so things are begining already.
Will write you again next week. There is really
nothing to tell except that I'm having the time of my life and after
war there is going to be some travelling for the "Revile" people
even if I've got to loot to get the cash. Well Trix will switch
off and do write to Stin, she is "awful aggravated" that you hav'nt
written.
Much love to all,
Vin.
P.S. Please excuse blots etc. but I can't for the life
of me write with a pen and ink now.
Love Vin.
P.S. Tried to send a cable for Twenty fifth of March,
but could'nt get one through.
Vin. 

COPY.

Dimples darlin' you send
Vin's proofs on to Des, I've

sent him a copy of the

letter - There was no Egyptian

mail on this last boat - My love [[Pops?]]

Paul.

Lark Hill,
18th. April 1917.
My dear Trix
I'm like the King was a year or two ago when
he fell off his horse, you know., I've landed----
After a good five weeks in hospital, and then
fifteen days "dinkum" furlough, it was a "knock back" to have to wend
my way here, but I'm settled down now, and as my old battery, the
fourteenth, were the first through "Bapaume" I don't mind if I can
join up with them again, but that's the trouble, however we shall
wait and see.
I had my photo taken and, left instructions that
eight of them should be sent to you direct, so let me know when they
arrive, they should be along this mail, but I'm not certain.
Nickle, I love Sydney, and I always want to live
there but for a holiday I'm always making for "London" and the
family will go with me. It would do your eyes good to see it,
and guaranteed to cure all complaints. Tell Pookie it would knock
all the Rhumatism out of her in two jiffs.
Stin escorted me round to many places of eat and
drink, and theatres, Gee, I was at one nearly every night then
had to miss a lot of things I wanted to see.
It is no use me trying to describe the place, or
how I enjoyed myself, you must all come over 
elf, you all must come over and see for yourselves,
I have written Ollie and told him all about it, and I'm sure he'll
be breaking, his neck now to get over here.
I hav'nt had a letter from home Trix for over a month,
but I'm hunting them up and hope to score plentifully in a few days.
The last letters I had were in Queen Mary's hospital, the best hospital
in England, Gee. Nickle the nurses were "swinging the lead" for
me, but my downfall came, when the naval people cleared the soldiers
out, it being a naval hospital. I did'nt last four days in our
own military place and was on furlough in no time.
Reading this over reminds me. We were reviewed
by the King today, and I did a march past and some cheering, but
George looked worried, I don't think Mary can be treating him too
well, and his beard certainly wanted trimming. I might tell you
we were cheering in the hopes of getting four days "London" leave, it
may come along yet, I'm still hoping, I only left there last Tuesday
but I'm ready for more leave now.
Well Nickle until next week, much love to all,
Vin.
P.S. Am enclosing a couple of proofs with this to let you know
what the real things are going to be like. Please write to Stin.
Nance O'N sent her love, Much love, Vin. 

2
V COPY. 3 P1
No. 5 Battery,
R. B. A. A.
26 Camp,
Lark Hill, May 3rd. 17.
My dear Nickle,
If anyone had told me six months ago that I'd
be camped at "Lark Hill' I, _____ well you can guess what I'd have said.
Here I am for all that, and what's more the Sergeant Major has given
me a good job.  He must like my face. I've done a few things
since I joined the army, some of them not bad jobs, but this one is
the best ever.
Food Controller is what I term it, and the duties
consist of strolling round to the various "cook houses" to see that
nothing, of which there is a shortage at present, is wasted. My
word is law, and I do give a power of cheek sometimes, especially
when the Orderly Officer is coming near.
Have met quite a few chaps that I know in my
travels round the camp, Elsie Gordon's brother lately come across,
and also fellows from Gibbs Bright. Heard to-day that the February
crowd are coming in, so will keep a look out for Leo O'Sulliivan.
Received letters to-day, mostly February and some
earlier, but as they are my first for over two months I fairly
pounced on them
Thanks very much for the quid Nickle, you could'nt
have sent it at a better time. Of course it was meant for my
birthday, but being so late was, in this case, all the better, as
funds were low, and to make matters worse I've no pay book, consequently
no hope of any pay. Its a long story about the pay book, but
to cut it short it amounts to this. I handed the ______ thing to
the pay office in France to have a new one made out. Well. I left
before the matter was fixed up, and ever since then I've been writing
here there and everywhere, but the book has'nt turned up yet, although
I think everyone in the United Kingdom has the matter in hand.
I aint chattin' yer for more cash lady, no, for if I aint got the
book by the time this gets you, well, someone's going to get a kick in
the______ . I don't want you to think that I did'nt have enough
money during my leave, because I did, With the ten quid you cabled
plus five that Stin gave me, and later on headquarters advanced me
nine pounds which was coming to me although I had no book. This
saw me over the fourteen days, and I put a note down south, which
kept me going for a few weeks here, and it was'nt till the other day
that I needed help when I wrote Stin, and of course got it by return.
A chap can do a lot of things when a soldier, that
he would'nt dream of doing in civil life, but I knew Stin did'nt mind,
and I pictured myself watching other chaps smoke when I could'nt, so
I borrowed a stamp, and did the deed. Now that you've sent reinforcements

V Copy 3 P2

I guess my luck is right in and would'nt be surprised

to hear of peace being declared.

Don't know when I'm going to France but sha'nt 

worry, as long as I'm there when the whips are cracking. I'm

sorry to se that the Russians hav'nt got a move on yet, but suppose

the winter is hardly gone yet, although these last few weeks we have

had beautiful weather here.  The end is bound to come when both

fronts move together, but I wish America would get on to these "U"

boats, they are making things pretty rotten here.

My photos were duly sent last mail I only hope 

they wer'nt on the, I forget its name, as salt water wont improve

my appearance. Am sending one to the lad  in Egypt, it aught to

stop a bullet, and I'll send some more home.

This might reach you in time for your birthday

Nickle, so I wish you many happy returns, and I hope that next year

I wont be writing it.  Give uncle my best wishes for the sixth,

tell Peter that I did'nt forget her birthday, but I had'nt a chance

to write, and when she goes to Tasmania to take as much money of mine

as she likes. I had a great time in London and I want you girls

to do the same, worse luck you can't be over here.

Will close Nickle as I'd like to write to Sullie

and Flo. Now don't hesitate to use that money whenever you like.

Much love to all, 

(Signed) Vin.

This arrived last evening, I only hope

the other photos, he speaks of _^∧ were'nt (ar'nt) sa on

the "Mongolia.", it's jolly hard luck about

his pay book. I hope it turns up alright!

No other exciting news happened since

mail closed yesterday, hope my  

parcel arrived safely _____

By. by my darlin', will write again

next week. Tell them love and kisses

Paul.

6:17

V COPY.  2 P1   

(Dimples) 

Camp,
Lark Hill,
May 6th. 1917.
My dear Sullie,
I'm becoming more of a fatalist every day, and
certainly think now that this "Third time proves it" business has some
truth in it.
Your letter of February the first about poor old
Daly reminded me that it was his third time wounded. The first two
were slight, but he was mighty lucky in both cases. Don't know
whether I've related the incidents before, but here goes.
At "Bois Grenier" (Armentieres) about this time
last year four chaps, including Daly, went out over the top to lay
some barbed wire; when they were well out in "No-man's Land" Fritz
sent up a flare - now these things usually go from twenty to thirty
feet in the air before bursting into flame, and then descend slowly,
lighting the whole place up for at least half a mile round. The
interval between the firing and the lighting up usually gives any of
our chaps, who are out, time to fall flat, but if they are taken
unawares their best plan is to stand still (rather a hard job, but
they often have to do it.) Well, on this occasion they all had time
to flop down, but on starting out again somehow Daly got into a
different position on the wire they were carrying and a Hun bomber in
his "out post" had evidently spotted them, and sent a bomb in amongst
them. The chap who took Daly's place was killed instantly and as
you know the lad himself only got a slight wound. That is the
first time, and the second escape was something the same, except that
they were marching into the trenches at "Sausage Valley", the place
that accounted for a good many of our pals, Sullie. What with the
artillery that was packed there, and the poor beggars of infantrymen
billetted in the hollow on their way to or from the trenches, Fritz
had a great chance and would have done a lot more damage if we had'nt
kept him so busy. This was about the hardest fighting I ever
struck, but lately our chaps have been "going some" and although the
fourteenth were the first battery through Bapaume, I guess they were'nt
keen on the honour thus conferred. I did one or two of these
"hurry up" moves, and they're decidedly "pas bon". For all the
trouble though, it is going forward, and that's what we want, is'nt
it?
I was having a good time while all this push was
going on, and, Gee! it was a good time, Sullie. I did'nt go
outrside  London, as I wanted to see it all. Things would have been
much better if I'd had a pal, but I managed well, and bet that no one
could enjoy it more than I did. Am keeping a sharp lookout for
Leo, but have'nt spotted him yet.
There are all sorts of rumours going round here
as to what's going to be done with the Australians now that peace
(how nice it sounds) is supposed to be drawing near. About the
best place to put us, from a military point of view, is way out in
the Egyptian desert so that when the news comes out we can only tear
the sand up. "Licker" wont be needed to make us go off our heads
but if it is anywhere near it would help a lot, and the Australians
have got the authorities properly frightened as to what they're going
to do when the war is over.