letters from Bert

letters from Viv

December 1915
24 February 1916, Sandville
9 June 1916, France
3 July 1916, France
26 July 1916, France
11 August 1916, France
23 August 1916, France
23 September 1916, France
29 Sep & 1 Oct 1916, Flanders
8 May 1917, France
14 May 1917, France
15 May 1919, France
22 May 1919, France
3 June 1919, France
24 June 1919, Ireland
30 August 1919, At Sea
Xmas cards
Note 1918
Letters to Viv

letters from Percy

July 1915, Re-enactment video
1915, Suez Canal
May 1916, France
11 June 1916, France
Percy's drawings
19 September 1916, France
16 December 1917, Cambridge
3 March 1918, Cambridge
Christmas cards
Percy's MC
Percy's diary

letters from Vern

14 August 1914, Narrandera
28 November 1914, Red Sea
29 November 1914, Red Sea
16 December 1914, Egypt
9 May 1915, Gallipoli
15 May 1915, Gallipoli
25 February 1916, Egypt
11 April 1917, Wandsworth

Epilogue

other items

Postcards from Homefolks
Daily Telegraph 1917
Two mothers
Postcards from Ireland
Various postcards

credit

These pages were prepared for the Smythe Family.

28 November 1916

England
28/11/16

Dear Mum & Dad & Srers & Brers.
Your very welcome letter of 10/10/16 to hand yesterday. Thanks so much for the Xmas parcels. They have not arrived yet, but they will probably turn up shortly.

Mrs Morgan is keeping fair but is not too bright at all. My roommate has just heard from Australia that his brother has been killed. Only a few miles apart & the first he hears is from Australia!

Yes I heard about the trouble the ## have been creating. It’s a pity some of the beggars didn’t show fight & get shot.

It’s a pity conscription wasn’t carried, dear knows we need the men over here badly enough too.

No I don’t remember Sleeman. There’s a chap here in the 3rd now from N who is a chum of Vernie’s. I forget his name just at present.

Well of all the rotten sickening luck. Elsie going to stay with you after xmas & I’m stuck in this place all through K.B. I’ll tune him up if ever I get a shot at him.

It’s meeself that knows I’ve got a bonzer girl Mum. Don’t tell her Mum or the little minx will get conceited. She’s giving me enough worry & bother as it is. For heavens sake when you get hold of her handcuff her & transport her to the Crown or some other studio & let me have the result by cable. If you can’t do that, buy a Kodak & snap her while she’s asleep in the morning, & send it by cable also. In any case get a photo of her by fair means or foul.

I’m very glad Rita to hear of you being so much better. You must get properly right or you will never be able to stand the rough & tumble you’ll get when I get back.

Viola you just cut those moonlight picnics out when your BEST bhoi is at the waugh or I’ll rite & tel im. Ida you are the only reliable one, why don’t you look after Viola? Plain case of neglect of duty. Sentenced to 6 months in a cookshop# without the option of a currant.

Please give me a vivid & true account of Flo’s gymnastics, both vocal & physical when she gets the letter accompanying this. A friend of mine took compassion on my helplessness & answered it.

Well Mumsie news is scarce so I’ll close with tons & tons of love to you all.
Your loving son & brother Bert.

letters from Bert

pre war

1914

1915