CONGDON, Bertie - 4703
| Original items held by the Army Museum of Western Australia |
| Conflict | World War 1 |
|---|---|
| Service Arm | Australian Imperial Force |
| Unit | 28th Infantry Battalion Motor Transport |
| Service No. | 4703 |
| Service Arm | Army |
| Date of Birth | 1891 |
| Birthplace | Ballarat, VIC |
| Residence | Subiaco, Perth, WA |
| Date of Death | 2 May 1961 |
| Relatives | Father - Edwin Congdon |
Postcards
Postcards
Dear Mum
Just received your letter dated 23 April. Sorry to hear you have a cold. Tell Annie I got her letter also. Dad must be disappointed not being able to enlist. It's a good life. Remember me to all.
Your loving son Bert
Dear Mum
The cushion cover is a small momento of Egypt. You can put a photo in the centre. There is a silk handkerchief for Call and one for Annie. I will send something later.
Bert
Dear Katie
Shall see you again before you go after all. I received Fathers letter alright this morning. Will you thank him for it. Yesterday we all went to the Botanical Gardens enjoyed ourselves fine. Going to visit the Royal *** tomorrow.
With love to all Florrie
Salisbury Plain, Rollestone Camp, Sept 20, 1916
Dear Mum
Just a few lines to let you know I am still well. In my last letter I told you we would be leaving here on Saturday but now I am doubtful if we are going yet. I will call when we leave. I got a letter from Ern yesterday. He is still going strong. His letter was dated Sept 14th so you can see it does not take long to get a reply from him. Alf Machin and Arthur Griffin as both down in our camp now. I see them every day they are both looking well. It is getting rather cool here now but still it is better than being in the trenches. News is very scarce as I have told you all about the camp before. I meet a lot of Claremont Boys here the other day. The 13/28 are with us now but I do not know many of the Boys. These views are of Salisbury 10 miles from the Camp. I have seen all these places. The Cathedral is the 3rd highest in the world it is 400 feet high. We can see the steeple from the camp on a clear day. Well goodby for the time
Your loving son Bert
There are very few shops where we are camped. The village is only small but it is a better place than Egypt. I hope we have a long time here. It is a bit cold but all the huts are lined with 3 ply and a little stove with an allowance of coal also tables and stools. It is very comfortable. I suppose you will have 3 letters by this mail but the more the merrier. Well goodbye for the time.
I remain your loving son Bert
1 Tidworth 13/6/16
Dear Mum
Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well up to date I have had a walk along this street, the streets are all like this and they look lovely. We went to the post office to send a cable today it is about a mile from the camp it is all grass where we are camped I saw a aeroplane when we landed and they make a terrible hum when they are all flying.
1 On the train from Rock Ferry to London
Dear Mum
These cards will give you an idea of the place where Ern is. I was with him all day yesterday and till 9am this morning. We had a jolly afternoon in Liverpool and we had our photos taken together.
2. Ern is dressed in his hospital blue and I am in khaki. I hope they turn out alright. Ern has made friends with some people at Rock Ferry and they made me very welcome.
3 I had dinner tea bed and breakfast and they did not charge me anything. They made me so comfortable I did not like coming away this morning. Don't look at the writing the train is going 60 miles an hour
your loving son Bert
My address now is
5304 Driver E Congdon
A.M.T.S. Garage
Bhurtpore Barracks
Tidworth
England
Dec 19/16
Dear Mum
Just a line or so to let you know that I am OK. I hope that you are all the same. I am driving a car here now and it is just the thing after foot slogging so long. Of course I do not know how long it will last but it is nearly a certainty to be permanent You can see ....Pictures are of Stonehenge which is close to here and I was out there today and got these cards. It is very cold here at present but I keep pretty dry in the car. You can send me a neck scarf and some sox to here as I am pretty short at present. How did you like the photo of Bert and myself? Not too bad is it. Well I am settled for news so will close with love to all
from your loving son Ern
1 Dear Mum
With regret I have to mention the death of our Minister of War Lord Kitchener. I first heard of it on board the Minnetonka between Egypt and England. I have a nice piece of poetry about his death which I will send later (continued on next card)
12 Real Photo Post Cards of London
Dear old Bert
How are you? Feeling better I hope. Have just had a letter from Ern he will be home on Sat next. Are you going to be able to be with us. I shall arrange a picnic if the weather is only good to us. Glad to say Doris is improving nicely and getting straight in her new home. I do hope you can manage leave. It would do you good. Do try
fondest love from all, mother XX
Attestation and casualty documents
Soldier's Pay Book
Dance programme at Queen's Hall on Saturday, April 12th, 1919.
