Letters from James Joseph Makin to his family 1918 - Part 2 of 6

TELEPHONE: VICTORIA {8391. 
{8390.
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
A.I.F. & WAR CHEST CLUB. 97, HORSEFERRY ROAD,
Citizens "War Chest" Fund, Sydney, N.S.W. LONDON S.W.1.
BEHIND ARMY AND NAVY STORES 
AND OPPOSITE A.I.F. HEADQUARTERS 
...................................191.....
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE 
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3/

The war is now in the most 
critical stage since 1914.  We appear 
to be holding the Germans during the 
last few days, and the situation is 
more hopeful that in the first 
stages of the offensive.  Germany is 
making a final bid for victory 
before America can get her full strength 
into the field.  If we can hold them 
until then, victory is assured and 
an early victory too I think.  But 
for America coming to our aid, the 
Russian collapse would have been fatal
to us and our cause.
There has been terrific fighting during 
the last two days for the village of 
Neuve Èglise.  The Germans took it, but we
have recaptured it by a counter attack 
and are holding it at present.  I sent 
you about a dozen Post Cards of Neuve 
Èglise in 1916.  Did you remember you had

4/ 
views of the place when you 
read the reports during the last few days? 
When we left Amentieres (Rue Marle and 
Bois Grenier) we marched through 
Steenwerck to La Crêche, only 1¼ miles
from Neuve Èglise.  We were there for about
4 days before starting our march to 
entrain for the Somme.  During those four 
days Les was with the Entrenching Battn. 
at Neuve Èglise, but of course I did 
not know at the time.  It was then 
nearly 2 years since I had seen him, 
so you can imagine how I felt about 
it when I heard he was there near 
me.  He sent a letter by hand into 
my little bit of trench at Pozières by 
a lieut who was joining my battalion. 
I was brought away a few days later
and I did not see him then until 
he came to England just 8 months later.
These places, all now in German hands 
once more, have therefore a very live interest 
to me.

5/

I was only reading my pocket 
diary of those days the other night.  I 
have sent it home, together with a few 
little souvenirs with Jack Draper, who 
is due to sail for Australia any day 
now.  Keep the little diary for me 
please and don't shew it to anyone
except our family as it is by no means 
meant for anything but a reminder of 
my adventures in France.  Whilst I 
was at La Crèche I got to know a 
French family of the name Saëlen very 
well.  They used to tell me of the days 
when the Germans first overran that 
district, until they were driven back a 
few miles into positions they then 
occupied.  Little did they think the 
same thing was to happen after another 
two years!  Can you imagine the 
feelings of these poor French people 
in their little ravished homesteads?  How 
thankful you should all be that you are

6/
so far removed from all the horrors of war!
I am wondering if they had time 
to flee, or if they stayed behind as 
in 1914.
The snap taken at the Post Office 
picnic is very good.  Ruby and Perce 
are quite distinct.  I have never seen 
such a likeness as between Les and 
Perce.  It is very evident in a photo. 
When Les met me, almost the first 
thing he said was, "How like Harry you 
are, especially when you talk."
I am enclosing a PIC taken at 
Brightingsea of our football team.  We 
played a match down there against the 
Australian Engineers.  I come out fairly 
clearly and I think you will pick me 
out.  I have sent home my old Rugby 
Guernsey with a red kangaroo on it as a 
souvenir. Jack Draper is taking it.

7/
It should now be getting a bit 
like Spring but it is still cold and 
wintry.  I shall not be sorry when 
the fine weather sets in.
I hope father's leg got O.K. again 
and Gertie quite well.  You say 
Gertie was starting her second year at 
the Mid. Park High School.  I did not
even know she was there last year. 
I am glad Perce is getting along 
alright at work.  You say Perce is
always swimming and could beat me 
by now.  Perhaps so, but he would be 
busy I think.  I hope we shall swim 
together in the old baths again one day 
anyhow.  I shall be content to be 
beaten, believe me.  Well, I must close now 
with fondest love to all, including Harry, 
Essie and dear little Lenore.  Your affectionate son,
 Jim.

C.W.L. EMPIRE CLUB
ASHLEY PLACE,
LONDON S.W.1
24.4.18

My dearest Mother,
Your letter of 24/2 just 
to hand today.  I am 
glad to hear you are all 
keeping well.  News is 
scarce except for the 
war, about which one 
can always write pages.
I had a letter from 
Les during the week. 
He is still down at 
Warminster and has no 
marching orders up to now.
Another Anzac Day 
tomorrow!  How the time
flies round.  We are 
having a Church Parade 
in the morning, and a

2/
bit of a concert in the 
evening, - otherwise work 
as usual.  I daresay 
Les will take part 
in a few celebrations 
in camp.
There is a football 
match at Oxford next 
Saturday against the cadets 
in the officers' School.  It
should be a good wind up 
to the season.  We have 
had a very successful 
season, - about a dozen 
wins and two loses 
on very bad days when 
it was anybody's game.
I like my new job 
in the Allotments Section. 
There is more work, but 
interesting, and the time 
passes quickly.  

3/
Tonight's paper contains 
just enough news to make 
one impatient to see the 
morrow's paper.  The Germans 
have renewed their attacks 
in the hope of capturing 
Amiens.  I hope they 
get knocked back hard 
and often.
The Naval forces made 
a very successful attack 
on Zeebrugge yesterday. 
This is the best news we 
have had on sea for 
many months past.  The 
Australians did very well 
during the recent heavy 
attacks in France, but 
did not get much

4/
mention in the papers;
until Haig's despatch 
came out yesterday 
people did not know 
they were even in the 
vicinity.  They are now 
mentioned amongst "the 
divisions who save the day."
There have been no 
more men sent from 
Hdqrs. since the first
week of the scare, and
things appear to be going
much as usual now.
You need have no fear 
of me going back to
France.  I am here as 
long as the war rolls on 
and a few months thereafter
I am afraid.
Well, I must close now 
with love to all at home 
from your affectionate son,
Jim

Finance Section
A.I.F. Headquarters,
130 Horseferry Road,
London,
12.5.18

My dear Mother & father,
Since my letter of a week ago I 
have not received any further letters 
from home, and consequently I have 
not got as much news to write about. 
I am now comfortably settled down
in my new residence, and I like 
it very well.  It is only about 
20 minutes walk from Putney Heath, 
a beautiful strip of country in 
spring and summer.
During the last week or so 
all the trees, which have been bare 
and cheerless throughout the dreary 
winter months, have burst into 
leaf.
Yesterday afternoon was beautifully 
fine, and being Sat. we had the
afternoon off.  My pal and room 
companion (a Sydney boy named 
Fred Juergens) accompanied me in 
a long walk across the common.
We made up with a number of