Letters from James Vincent Clarke, 1917 - Part 2

[* V Copy 2 p2*]
No doubt the Huns can't last much longer on land,
they will all gradually be turned into margarine and minitions.
[[Th?]]e time will come when they'll have both these in quantities, but no
[[?n]] to use them. The "U" boats are the jokers that are making us
[[?t]] up. Our tucker supply is weighed out to us each day, so much
[[per?]] man per day, and we have to eat it all, or the rations will be
[[cut?]] down a bit more. We ar'nt doing too badly for all that, and it
only the chaps who have'nt been to France that grumble.     
Received your latest "Kronikle" to-day, you can't
[[imagine?]] how I look forward to that Sullie, it is just great to read it
[[and?]] see how all the crowd is faring these times. That officer of
[[yours?]] "Osborne" who got the M.C. certainly deserved it, and two of the    
[[runners?]] who were with him scored the M.M. That makes three M.Ms.
[[from?]] the battery. Although these medals, likewise crosses, are
[[said]] to be issed with the rations, in these cases they were fairly
[[won?]] as there is nothing so nerve racking and hard to do as to lay
[[?]] mend telephone wires when a "strafe" is on. I've never done it
[[myself?]], but I happened to be at Infantry Headquarters the night these
[[chaps?]] were on the wire, and believe me Fritz did some shelling on
[[several?]] occasions I thought my name was written on one of the shells,
[[but?]] if it was it went to the wrong address, as I got nothing worse
[[than?]] a big fright and plenty of dirt over me.
Well to return to our heroes, when they called in
have a look at me next morning they were all soaking wet and [[covered?]]
with mud. 
It appears they got caught in a Hun "barrage" and
[[were?]] for hours crawling from one "crump" hole to another trying to
[[?y]] the wire, and at the same time dadge the shells. I can assure
[[you?]] the telephonist's game is no good at times like this, although
at times they have the best of it, while the poor old gunner is
[[are?]] part and batmen for the rest of the battery. If anything
[[out?]] of the ordinary has to be done- let a gunner do it, also if a
[[driver?]] wants a hand to clean the harness, a gunner is detailed,
[[that's?]] how I came to be down at battalion headquarters. The
signallers wanted a "runner" to carry messages if the wires got smashed
[[by?]] shell fire, so the gunners had to toss, myself and another chap.
[[Lost?]] the toss, so off we started on a twenty-four hours stunt. I
[[?d]] only say that it was in December to let you know what sort of.
[[weather?]] it was. Well, Fritz must have known that I was there, for
[[he?]] did his best to break those wires, and he succedded once, and I
[[started?]] back with a message - up over my boots in mud, and it was
[[running?]] galore. When I got to the battery I was "all in", so one
[[of?]] the chaps produced his water bottle with some rum in it. That
[[?]] it - I swallowed more than an issue before I could halt.
[[Guessing?]] what would happen I got back to the trail while the going
[[was?]] good, likewise my head, but I had'nt got half way before I was
[[hopping?]] across "crump" holes that were'nt there, and falling into
[[others?]] that I had'nt seen. Gee, though Sullie I felt a treat, and
[[?]] like the mouse that sampled the wine after dinner - you know -
[[?ng]] out your------ Germans! ! Nothing troubled me for the rest
[[of?]] of the night. The noise of the shells seemed to harmonise with
[[my?]] feelings, so that altogether I had a real good time.
Next morning my pal had a message to take and he
[[had?]] to bring back some rations on the return jouxney - he never turned
[[up?]] and no one came to relieve me, so about five o'clock that afternoon
[[an?]] observing officer decided that he would go back with me to see
[[what?]] the delay was. When we arrived at the battery we found that 

[*V Copy2p3*]
the chap had never reached there, and it was'nt till nearly a week
afterwards that the O.C. heard he'd been wounded.
This chap was always a bit of a fool - I guarantee
that if got hit, everyone for a mile round would know in less than
five minutes! !
Well, Sullie, this all happened a good while ago.
and I don't think I'll ever have that job again, as I've declared
myself strictly neutralm and am only waiting now for peace to be
declared.
Will switch off as I want to write a few more
letters.
Much love, etc.
(Sgd.) Vin.

[*(Des) Y*]

COPY. "Lark Hill."
June 2nd. 1917.
My dear Paul,
Am addressing this to you just by way of a change.
Afraid its not going to be very newsy, as camp life, of course, is
the same rigmarole day after day.
Got letters from Godmother, Trix, and Peter this
afternoon, dated nineteenth of March. I was in hospital for that
day, but am not grumbling, as it was the nearest approach to home I've
had so far. However I've great hopes that next year shall see me
back in Sydney, and Gee, we will "go some" wont we?
The news from the front seems good at present, but
of course our chaps are suffering a little, still that's only to be
expected, is'nt it? Had a line from Bill Dow, and he mentions a
few of the chaps who have been killed, or wounded since I left.
This seems to be the worst time they've had so far, and our Colonel
Lloyd, and a couple of other officers were killed by a bomb dropped
on head quarters. I've written quite a number of chaps over there,
but this is the first reply I've got so far.
After a lot of arguing etc. and several times nearly
put in "clink" I have received the lost paybook, and drew my first
pay last week. The paying officer stared at the contents for
about five minutes and although he said nothing I could see he was
wondering how the------ I managed to hang out so long without drawing
any money. You see, the book shows nearly a page of credits, and
the only payment is the nine quid got from Horseferry Rd, at the end
of March.
A paybook is one of the three things that make a
The first is the thought of getting back
chaps life worth living. The first is the thought of getting back
home again, second is the mail day, and thirdly paybook, when it has’nt
got any red ink in it, viz, crimes.
The weather is acting in a very "dopey" way at
present, and you never know when the heavens are going to send it
down in buckets full. This side of the globe gets a goodly share
of wet weather at any time, but stunts like the present beat
everything.
Thanks very much for sending along copy of Oll's
letter, its rather a coincidence that we both should be "swinging the
lead" about the same time. Would like to take the trip to "Cairo"
with him very much.
A big draft for France was read out here t'other
day, but I'm evidently not wanted,yet, so I still remain a member of
the “leasure league", but don’t worry Paul dear I’m safe anywhere if 
I stand sideways.
Thank Pookie very much for her letter will most
likely answer it tomorrow if I get a chance. Wrote Trix last mail
in fact have written home every week since I’ve been here, am mentioning
this in case a "tin fish" intercepts the boat.
Will close Paul dear, and give my love to everyone
Much love
Vin.
P.S. Thanks muchly for snaps enclosed with your last letter they
are rather good, ar'nt they? Peter's letter was from Hobart, she's
having a good time by the sound of things, and don’t you girls forget
what I told you if yon want a trip or anything.
Much love,
Vin.

COPY. [*1p1*]
36th Heavy Artillery Group,
R.A.A.
Catterick,
Yorkshire,
Tuesday 3rd. July 1917.
My dear Nickle,
As you see by my new address I've given up the
"Eighteen Pounders" for a more substantial weapon.
Incidentally my new unit is named the "Twelve mile Snipers", but I guess that the
further back the better for this chicken.
At present we are camped near "Bury St, Edmunds"
in Suffolk, but we shift on Thursday to the above address. None of
us are very keen on the move as we are more than comfortable here
and we, seventy of us, are the only Australians round the place, so
the people are very good to us, and like the surrounding country, very
pretty, which makes things tres bon. The thing that has impressed
us most though, is the difference between the treatment here, and at
"Lark Hill" We are in a totally different army now, and we are
treated like men and given a fair spin, with the result that we all
"play the game" to the officers, and things run quite smoothly.
Just got some letters from home dated sixteenth x
and thirtieth of April. Two from you and same from Paul.
Nickle darlin' these are my first letters for ages. The last ones
were dated nineteenth March, so that there still must be some on the
loose. Thanks awfully for the pound note, like the last one
it came at a very opportune monent and just when I had "naught" in
my pocket.
This England stunt is alright Trix, but our pockets
suffer some. The most a Gunner can draw is 35/- per fortnight and
that gets a terrible belting the first couple of days after pay day.
Something will have to be done when we hit "Yorkshire" as the "Tabbies
there are ---- well the're "dinkum," and its part of our duty to look
after the damsels. We can't"carry on" without money, and although
I've a fiver to my credit in Pay-book all applications to get some of
it have been turned down, on account of the above order, which
unfortunately came out just a few days before my book turned up. I
could get the cash by going on leave, but that would be no good as
I owe most of it, and only want it to pay these debts off. However
I'll give it another fly next pay day and see what can be done.
Was awfully sorry to hear that Gus Dyer had been
killed, and I must write to some of the family. As my letter will
be so late I think I'll drop a line to Bill, that would be easier for
me also. It only shows you, Nickle, what a gamble this life is.
The chaps whom you least expect to be killed, are the ones that usually
go. I wish Paul had given me Gus' number, as it would be much
easier for me to trace his unit, however I'll have a try myself and if
I fail then we shall get the Y.M.C.A. to try their hand.
Am glad that Oll has dropped the "Stoke's Gun"
business and taken up "Machine Gunnery", as I don't like the former
stunt a bit. A chap is either a hero or a dead'un within a week
of going into action. I wish the lad were over here with me. I'm
sure he would enjoy it. This part of England is very pretty and
the villages dotted here and there amongst the trees lend a certain
charm to the place. It was quite a treat coming here after Lark
Hill, a place no doubt described to you before.   Gee Nickle, I guess
I'm one of the luckiest beggars alive seeing all these places, and on
Thursday I'll do xxx some more touring, believe me, it will take a lot
of this kind of thing to kill me. I wish you girls could be over
here, but never mind aprés la guerre the "Revilo" push will tour the
world.
Will ring off now Trix, will write you from "Yorkshire"
and let you know how we get on.
Much love to all,
Vin.

COPY. IP2 36th Heavy Artillery Group.
R. A. A.
Scotton Camp
Catterick,
Yorkshire.
Saturday 7th July 1917.
My dear Paul,
Landed here on Thursday evening after quite a good
trip of about eight hours. The camp is on the large side, holding
about ninety thousand troops, and has a radius of something like
fifteen miles. "Lark Hill" was big enough God knows, but this
beats the band, and we of the "heavies" don't like it much. The
trouble is that down in the Suffolk camp there were only one thousand
of us all told counting R.G.A. and South Africans with the result that
we all understood one another, and the people round about gave us a
hearing. You can quite imagine what we're up against now with
ninety thousand "Pommies" holding the floor. However we are still
the only Australians about, so that's something, is'nt it? If we
don't receive a hearing here then no one else will. I was strolling
down the village of "Catterick" last night with one of my pals,
when an old dame spotted us, and after screwing us off for about a
minute she remarked to her neighbour "Oh look at the Americans”. I
was"awful disgusted" just fancy me a Yank, the nation that thought
themselves shrewd enough to join the war when it looked like finishing
but now the've come an awful cropper, and find they have to lend a
hand to settle it. You might give Park A. Ross my kindest regards
and tell him that I gu^ess and calculate he had better go to America and
join up.
The nearest town of many importance from here is
"Darlington", about twelve miles away. I'm building on a trip there
one of these days but the rumour has it that we're going to pack up
and tour some more, this time I believe to "Ripon," still in
"Yorkshire" and from all accounts rather a good spot, lead me to it I'm
sick of this place already.
Well Paul dear as this note will reach you about
the end of August I'll take the apportunity to wish you Many happy
returns, and sincerely hope that this time next year we shall all be
together in dear old "Revilo".
Thanks very much for sending along Oll's letter.
I've written him four times now, but hav'nt yet received any reply.
From now on Paul you girls can address my letters to the 36th H.A.G.
Royal Australian Artillery, Scotton Camp, Catterick. Finish
Fourteenth Battery now, all my pals have either been killed or wounded
so I have no interest there at all now. Will have to cut this
short as the mail is just about closing.
Much love to all,
Vin.
P.S. I hope by now that you have my photos, I mentioned in one
of my letters that I was getting some more, but up to the
present I hav'nt been able to spare the cash. I have
written home every mail so far, expect the"Mongolia" had
some letter of mine. Excuse pencil,
Love,
Vin.

COPY. [*1 P31*] "Scotton Camp,"
"Catterick,"
"Yorkshire,"
Monday, 16/7/17.
My dear Nickle
Was muchly surprised to get that cable. It was
a bit late in reaching me, but that was on account of it first going
to the old spot "Lark Hill." Unluckily I'm a goodly distance from
"London" now, and I may not get a chance to visit Flo's Aunt, but I'll
do that next best thing, and write. Forty eight hours leave is
all we're allowed, and as you can see the majority of that would be
taken up in travelling.
I would have liked to send an answer to the cable,
but that meant about ten bob, which would have made me "Ma feesh
Faloose". We usually manage one trip into "Darlington" after pay
day, and then have to sit tight for the rest of the xxxx fortnight.
A crowd of us went there last Saturday, my first time in, and, believe
me, it is some place. About sixty thousand is the population, and,
as I predicted in a previous letter, the Australians get a very good
hearing. The English Pommy is most annoyed over this, and he reckons
that there was enough competition before with the Scotchmen, but
now that Australia steps in there is "nothing doing" at all for the
Pommies. Our chaps and the "Jocks" get on very well together,
sometimes too well, and then they roll home arm in arm each wearing the
wrong hat. I always thought that Australians were about the wildest
ever, but since we've been here the "Jocks" have knocked us into
a cocked hot, when it comes to being rowdy. The population round
here seems to agree with this method of enjoyment, and they, the Jocks
like our own chaps, always receive great attention, especially from the
damsels. Talking about damsels, Nickle, -- well, they're very s'nice
and although they're only the size of a cigarette, the complexion makes
up for this---- Peaches and Cream everyone of them, but still none to
compare with the Australian lass.
Hello,--- a letter just arrived from you Trix, dated
April 1st, rather late don't you think, but it contains quite a lot
of good news, and some dinkum photos taken by Tissie, I'm jolly glad
you sent them along, as I never can have too many of them. My pals
gathered round to watch me open it, in anticipation of some quids
coming to light. They must know your writing, Nickle. Talking
about money, I'm afraid I'll have to implore you to send me a few
quid, so that I can pay my debts, which accumilated during the time
I was without a pay-book. I have a few pounds coming to me in the
book, but unluckily now regulations wont allow me draw it. The O.C.
here very kindly is paying me five bob, over every pay day. Very
nice too, but no bon for my creditors. I'm almost too ashamed to
write to Stin you know she lent me a couple of quid, just when I needed
it most, and I hav'nt a hope now of paying it back, except by the
above method, but I know you’ll come to my rescue and then everything
will be tres bon. Paddy G. according to photo looks much the same
as ever, and I wish I had half his luck, but still the war can't last
must longer now, and we all maybe sailing up "Sydney Harbour" before
many months have passed. In the meantime xxxx I'm sticking to
England like a leech, as I've now seem "France" outside and inside and
also parts of it up in the air. I don't mind an argument, but
when your opponent starts to hurl things at you, it is time to quit.
I'm enclosing a couple of snaps with this, and
also my colors, the latter are not allowed to be worn in this joint,
so I'm sending them along as souvenirs. The reason for this order
is that the R.A.A. belongs to no special division, and during the
whole of their time in France the only occasion on which they supported
the Anzacs was at "Posieres", about this time last year, usually
they go with the English R.G.A.
The guns, or at least Howitzers, that we're training
on at present are six and eight inch, and when you compare them
with an "Eighteen Pounder" it makes the latter look like a toy pistol. 

[*Vcopy1p4 2*]
The sights and method of laying these big guns are very much the same
as we've been used to, but the difference of course is in the loading
etc. Will tell you more about these beggars, well, when I know
more. Would like to write you a longer letter, but might mentien
that it was at I8m afraid there's nothing of much interest to relate
except that I might mention that it was at Darlington" that "Stevenson
was born, you know the chap who manoeuvred the first passenger x
train. His engine now has a place of honour on the "Darlington"
station,platform, but the day I went there he himself was out of town.
I like the idea of "Revilo" having an overhaul,
as it sure must have beeded it, and the more easy chairs about, the
better, as I'm getting quite fussy now, its the high life I'm leading,
ans as I intend to stick it here till "apres la guerre," I guess Ill
cammandeer quite a few chairs when I hit "Revilo,
I hav'nt had a line from Oll, yet, so I guess that
he must be so occupied "Swinging the lead" in or around "Cairo” that
he has'nt much time to write. I'm glad to think he's having a
royal time, but I wish he were over here, but "apres las guerre"
Nickle the "Revilo" push will join forces and tour the world. I
feel horribly selfish having all this fun, and travelling all over the
place, while you girls and all at home, are stuck way back there.
Another thing I hav'ntgot over yet is my leaving the Field Artillery,
and incidentally the Fourteenth Battery, but I had a pal at "Lark Hill
who wanted to go for this game, so I had a shot along with him when
they called for volunteers, he got turned down and I got through, but
I could'nt help it,— could I? No not I.
Well Nickle darlin', I'll have to switch off, and
give my love to Florrie and Sullie, I hav'nt had a letter from them
for ages methinks I'm not at all popular with the mail carrier.
However I expect they'll all turn up one of these days, and then one of
the troops will feel tres bon for awhile.
Until next week,
Much love to all,
Vin.
P.S. If you send any cables just R.A.A. "Catterick" Yorkshire,
will find me. Will get some more of my photos next payday
if I have to pawn my breeches to do it.
Love,
Vin.

Not ½ sec. to read this over excuse
everything — just arrived this morn
Paul.
1/9/17.