Letters from William Leslie [Robert] Chisholm to his family, 1918 - Part 2

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fun, that can be got out of this business

owing to the facilities offered by train

and post. We have a cinema

right at the door - really only

ten paces at the door. This is

regarded more in the light of a

nuisance as the engine kicks up

a fearful noise during the show

Winter has been very mild and

although we are in the beginning

of January we cannot complain

yet about the cold. We have a

new piano and gramaphone

and have arranged for a dance

with the W.A.A.C.'s the Women's

Army when we go out to rest.

I have written to Ettie and to 

Lizzie this mail but have very

little of interest to tell. Remember

me to everybody and you really

should give Johnny a severe

push in the face as he appears to

need it. A small parcel came

from the McPhee's but it was not much

use as something had run out and

the sweets were bad. I just rushed

away from X my letter as there was

a howl of "Fire". It was "K"

workshop burning - the Column

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next to us. There was a hell of a blaze

but they've got it well under now.

The ammunition in the wagon is

still going off. The country is a

vision just now. There has been a

heavy fall of snow and a freeze-up 
after and it really makes

the usual desolate landscape

very beautiful. I was sorry to hear

the Vaughan's were out each time

Annie had been to see them. Do

be nice to them as she is really

an awfully good - natured woman

and has been exceedingly kind

to me. I had Dick Neville at

friend of Dorothy Thompsons to

afternoon tea the other day. he

also knew Mary Milwas very

well. Bill Thompson is a driver

in our Column and a very decent 

chap too. Percy Dunlop and Alaric

Howitt have gone back today for a

rest so I will not see them for about

a fortnight.  Alaric Howitt is very

fed up with the war but Percy

still takes a keen interest in

everything else but war which is

really the only thing to do these

days. Love from Will.

France

4.1.18

My dear Ettie,

I am indeed sorry 

if I appear to have neglected you

on the literary side but I can

assure you my thoughts are 

always of and about you.

And now that I've got that little

bit of kidstakes off I'll tell you

really why I didn't write. I

always meant that the letter

I wrote to Ava should be shared

XX by all the family and when

writing I have endeavoured to

make the letter as full as

possible and also as interesting

as far as my limited powers

of putting any thoughts into

concrete form will permit.

I am glad to hear that you are

progressing with Charlie Evans.

Do not be too anxious to get

a song my dear. When I return

I shall do nothing but exercises

and study voice production

for about two years. Perfection

in the interpretation of music

will come only with experience of life

and in the perfect portrayal of emotions

which it has been our good luck

to experience during a very dull

and prosaic existence. Remember

that my dear Calvè . It is only a

lengthy experience and unfortunately

middle age which make to blossom

the true and sound interpretations

of song. Do not be dismayed.

Perhaps the spark of genius is

within you and needs only to be

fanned to a flame by a little

hard work and good teaching.

Who knows that you may yet

grow a voice and bust in proportion

and so attain unto those dizzy

heights to which we, who have been

blessed only with an ordinary voice

and brain strive to unsuccessfully

after. I am going to Paris at the

end of the month for eight days so

will perhaps be able to send you 

some decent little songs. I don't

think Charlie Evans knows any

French so I will translate them

before sending them on. We have

had a ripping Christmas, much

more brilliant than one spent at

home and certainly more strenuous,

our free untrammelled souls giving

vent to their joy at being away

from the choking conventions of

civil life - in plain speech- we

had "some" Christmas. Details

would pain the family as it might

probably lead them to believe that

their little son was on to the downward

path which leads only to true

joy. As I am in a philosophical

mood. I will cease this senseless

prattle and will close my letter

as my philosophy and outlook

on life now is very much

changed and is apt to startle

and disturb peace - loving

conventional citizens. Give my

love to anyone who deserves

it and to those who do not tell

them I have forgotten them in a

glorious cloud of new friends,

philosophies and loves.

Yours aesthetically

Bill.

France

7.10.18

Dear Ma,

Have just received two parcels from

you. One with a big tin of butter etc. two

pairs of socks & the other with soap and

two pairs of socks. They will come in handy

for the winter. In spite of peace talk and

the collapse of Austria & other belligerents we

will remain here for many months yet

I think. Today the German peace delegates

will arrive so that the papers may contain

something definite this morning. All our

troops have been resting for six weeks

now but return to the line tomorrow. The

concert party still goes on just the same.

During the rest we have worked harder

than ever and have not had one nights

spell for nearly two months. This week

however we closed down for four or five

days and open in the theatre at

Amiens for a prolonged season with the

Americans. By the way I sent two

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pairs of those socks to my American pal as I knew

he needed them very badly. Their postal facilities

are not nearly so good as ^ours. They have to wait

longer for their mail than we do although only

a short distance from home. I sent him

also some tobacco that I received in a 

comforts parcel. He is a very vine chap and has

just succeeded in gaining his commission. We

had General Monash, the Corps commander at

the show on Saturday and a number of other

Generals as well. He was very complimentary,

came round after the show & shook hands, with

us all and had a chat with each. Every night

has been the same. Our own Divisional General

comes three times a week and last night the

staff of the 41st Stationary Hospital booked the

house out. They had to come 30 miles to

see the show. George Castles and I sang at a

Requiem service conducted by the Archbishop of

Amiens in memory of all Australians who

fell in defending his diocese.  It was most

impressive. George Sang the Ave Maria and

I the O! Salutaris. I think I will go to

Abbeville for my weeks rest to see Sister

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Macmillan - also spend a couple of days with

my American pal. Alaric Howitt is off to Paris

for the week - end to buy clothes for the show.

I have an excellent billet in this town. A

bedroom and sitting room with electric light

a small study for writing and lots of little

comforts. The people are very kind indeed. The 

old lady brings my coffee to bed every morning

at half past eight and at nine I go to

breakfast at the mess. We are many kilos

from the line and I have not seen an

aeroplane for two months. In spite of all

that I am keeping very thin but that is due

to the dancing & work on the stage I think.

I was not surprised to hear about Annie

buzzing off like that to be married. I expected

it at some time or other for I knew she

disliked the routine of Ball & Welch's and

the ordinary daily round of existence. Her

renewal of friendship with Agnes is not to

be wondered. They will continue like that

to the end of their days. Scrapping one

minute and making it up the next.

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Their tongues lead them astray very often but

still their sense does not seem to increase

with their years. I suppose the chap she's

married is a decent fellow. It is to be hoped

she has used discretion. We have finished

our season on this circuit. They built three

theatres for us in this area. Tomorrow night

is the last night. Did I tell you that

Rosa Absaloms fiancèe had been badly

gassed. I had his address but cannot find

it else I should have written him. Capt.

Carter . who runs the paper called the Green

Room and who is D.A.Q.M.G., on our

Division has offered me an engagement at ₤20

a week on the Tivoli circuit. Colonel

Dowse has also offered me one with Geo.

Willoughby in comic opera. I am considering

them now. I received  the photographs of the

girls at Buffalo. The Autumn is nearly

finished here now and the heavy winter

rains have set in. It is most dismal

Love to all at home.

Will.