HEPPINGSTONE, Arthur George - 1835
| Original items held by the Army Museum of Western Australia |
| Conflict | World War 1 |
|---|---|
| Service Arm | Australian Imperial Force |
| Unit | 8th Field Artillery Battery, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade |
| Service No. | 1835 |
| Service Arm | Army |
| Date of Birth | 1885 |
| Birthplace | Brunswick, WA |
| Residence | Brunswick, WA |
| Date of Death | 14 Oct 1967 |
| Relatives | Father - Robert John Heppingstone Mother - Maria Heppingstone Brother - HEPPINGSTONE, Hubert Eldred - 1875 Brother - HEPPINGSTONE, Claude Athol - 3062 |
Brief family history and notes
Robert Heppingstone born Eyam Derbyshire was a miner, but took 'the Queen's shilling' as was said in those days. Assigned to Rifle Brigade,
served in Glasgow, Northern Ireland & Limerick, where Charlotte, his first child was born. Thus he became associated with Captain Molloy who
served in these same places. When Capt set out for the Swan River Colony in the 'Warrior' in 1830, Robert was one of his servants.
In September 1832 Molloy wrote from Augusta 'One of my servants Robert Heppingstone, a very honest good man, whose wife was discontented and
discont disobedient, I have placed on a town allotment and he has so far prospered since he left me that he has been enabled to lay in an
ample stock of provisions.'
He Robert (i) was drowned while fishing off an island off Augusta in 1835.
His son Robert (ii) became a farmer at Wonnerup & Master Whaler at Castle Rock Geographe Bay where he was accidently drowned in 1857.
His son Robert (iii) after marriage lived at Brunswick on his property 'Frogmore'.
David Eedle b. 1873 served 10th Light Horse
Robert Charles b. 1883 served 10th Light Horse and Camel Corps
Arthur George b. 1883 served in 8th Battery
Claude Arthur b.1887 served 8th Battery d. France
Hubert Eldred b. 1896 served Light Horse, Paymaster Sergeant France, about to join Air Force when war ended.
George Heppingstone obtained Commission & received Military Cross.
Charles Heppingstone was invalided out of Army after being knocked off his camel by plane. Became Recruiting Officer for State.
People Mentioned in the Letters
Sandy an aboriginal boy from Laverton adopted by Heppingstone family. Lived at 'Frogmore' till he grew up when he left W.A. with Snowy
Flyer a tent boxing owner. Fought many fights in N.S.W. & Queensland. Died in Broken Hill when on way home. Known as Sandy McVea in the
ring. Photo available of him as a boy, which is in the Battye Library also his dossier from N.S.Wales Aboriginal Department. Referred to
affectionately in letters as the Little Battler & the Little Nig.
Rhita Heppingstone married Edward Courthope Capt living in Scotland as her husband was mine-sweeping in North Sea.
The 'Model' Molly Dodwell Browne who was living with her grandparents at 'Rahins' Castlebar Ireland. Daughter of Dr D Browne & whose wife
was Lilian Heppingstone.
Bill Fitch a plowman who worked for Robert H. at Frogmore - Jack Crampton of the 11th Batt. whose parents lived across the Brunswick River
from 'Frogmore' - Marsh who lived on upper reaches of the river as did Smith family.
Bawn de Castilla, a relation who served in 8th Batt right through war as did Bob Clifton of 'Alverstoke' Brunswick.
From George Arthur Heppingstone to his parents living on their farm at Brunswick 'Frogmore'.
Little Hubert was his youngest brother. The Lyall family were friends of the family. Jack Crampton one of a family who lived on the other
side of the Brunswick River wounded in Gallipoli.
Castleton County Mayo Ireland. His niece Molly Browne was living there with her grandparents. Molly called 'the Model'.
Charlie his brother.
Claude his brother in the 8th Battery. Killed in 1916 - Bob Clifton of Brunswick in the 8th Batt. Bawn De Castilla of the 8th Batt a
relation. Rhita his sister living in Scotland. Mrs Courthope.
Dodd an old ex-convict who finished his days on Frogmore.
Quality a pet pony.
Sandy an aboriginal boy brought up at Frogmore - Holly H.H. Holly farmer at Brunswick. Gilholy Miss an old school teacher at Brunswick.
Postcard dated 1st December 1914
Cape Town. Devil's Peak, Table Mountain, and Lion's Head.
Mrs R J Heppingstone, Frogmore, Brunswick Jn, W.A.
This is the last night of the mail. We have had sports all day today & I have won one against all &, & leading but others. Fondest
love to all from George.
Letter from France dated 3rd February 1915
My own Darling Mother & father,
I am writing just a short note as I have so much to do & every moment is engaged. We had the exam yesterday & still did well. I go for the
final now in ten days then if successful go for my school at Salisbury Plain. I will be a Lieutenant long before you get this letter I
suppose. I am glad because I will be able to look after our baby, but he has a very good billett now & I don't want to take him from it
except to give him a commission. They haven't many his type so he should be able to get one very easily if he can get away here. I will do
my best when I get back. I don't think the German rotters can last much longer. the day will yet come when we will cross the Rhine & then
get some of our own back.
I have had two such nice letters from Bob Davies. I am going to see them before I leave London. Their only son has been killed so I know how
lonely they must feel as I miss our darling every day. I think you will have dear old Charlie home with you soon as they say he will not be
able to go to the firing line for four months. I would love to see you my darlings & I don't think it will be long now as the German pigs
are commencing to squeal. although it may take a lot of time but the issue is certain. I had a note from Arthur Smith I wrote to him I hope
he gets it alright. We have had such a lot of snow & ice lately the ground is all white but it is not very cold. Not much colder then
Collie. Had a letter from Rhita & Ted a couple of days ago; they are both very well. Well Mother & father I cannote write more now but as
soon as I finish I will write you a long letter about everything. Goodbye. with fondest love to all,
from your ever loving George.
Postcard dated 1st April 1915
My own darling Mother,
We are here now but will be going North in a few days. We are both well Mother & this climate is very nice & the people are very kind,
Fondest love from your loving George
Postcard dated 2nd April 1915
We have arrived here. we missed all the tin fish coming through the Mediterranean. I saw a lot of German prisoners today, they are a strong
rough looking lot & I suppose we will be going strong against them now within a couple of weeks. Fondest love to all, George.
Letter dated 25th April 1915
My Own Darling Mother,
I cannot tell you where I am but you will soon know by the papers. I ma feeling very fit & so is Claude but we haven't heard from Charlie or
Hubert for such a long time but they were both well when we heard last. the trees are out in bloom now mother & the crops are looking fine
so you can imagine how pretty the country is. It has been very wet but even though it is wet it is far ahead of Egypt in every way.
Marseilles is a very pretty place, it is on a hill & all the houses have red tile roofs & they look very pretty indeed. I should like to
go there again & it is possible when we leave France to go by there. I sent you some cards from there which I hope you received alright. I
hope Sandy gets into one of the contingents but perhaps he is better where he is. I hear little Mr Holly is in the camp at Bunbury, I am
afraid this life will be a bit too rough for him. Did Claude Clifton join? Bob has had no letters for while & he does not know. I wrote to
Rhina but we have not heard from her for a long time but I think our mail is held up somewhere. How I would love to be with you & father
mother as I know how lonely you must be with us so far away. We are always thinking of you darling & I hope we will be home by Christmas
next to be with you. Do be careful in the winter darling & you want to get very strong English boots & keep ypur feet dry. If Sandy is not
at home with you ask Arthur Smith to keep his eye on my timber if he is up that way because Lewis and Reid will go for any land but I think
it is too far away for them for a long time yet. Did you see Miss Gilholy when you were up in Perth last? I had such a nice letter from her
when I was in Egypt & I answered it. I am just waiting to hear from you all & I have heard that we get a mail in a couple of days. Well
darling I will say Goodnight & I am sorry that I cannot tell you some more news but all letters are censored & will be destroyed if we give
any particulars. Goodbye with fondest love to father & heaps of love & kisses to my little Mara mine, yours ever George
P.S. Give my love to Mr & Mrs Marriott & tell Mrs Marriott that I would like some of her cake the Pudding cake we had at Waterloo Races when
we all backed horses.
Letter dated 14th May 1915
My own Darling Mother,
I suppose you have be this time received the letters I wrote you when we first arrived here. We have had glorious weather lately & it is
indeed a treat to see the whole country one beautiful dark green. The grass grows faster here than I have ever seen it before. It is now
about a foot high & mixed with buttercups that we have always heard so much about. It is principally rye grass, the same as grows near the
old tree near the gate at home. All the fruit trees are out in bloom & the hawthorn is also blooming, the bloom is very like the English May
we grow in Australia. If we are in the same position when the fruit ripens we will have a treat but of course we never know how long we
will be here. I have not heard from dear little Hubert for ages but I am glad he is in Egypt & they will probably do patrol work for a
while yet. Eric Throssell & the Lyalls will take care of him & perhaps Charlie will be with them again very soon. Did any of those seeds
I sent home ever grow darling & did father get a parcel I sent by Jack Crampton? I also sent a parcel to you at
Christmas time two table covers & some silk hankerchiefs but I don't know yet whether you received them. I often hear from Lucy & by their
letters they seem to think Charlie is a marvel & they say they love him very much. Charlie evidently had a great time & after what he went
through he deserved it & if we are lucky we may get a trip back there yet. The riots in Ireland evidently did not spread as far as
Castlebar. I was very pleased because it would have so worried the old people. I had such a pretty little note from the Model & she said you
never write to yor little Model now. We are going into a trench mortar battery the end of this week. Claude Bob Clifton Jack Hammer & I & we
are all very pleased as everything here is very stalemate since Colonel Browne left us. Bob has not been too well lately & I hope he will be
well enough to come with us, if not I suppose he will join us later on. Bawn Castilla got leave & has gone to England for a week. He will be
back in a few days now & is going to try & see Rhita & Charlie while he is there. How is dear old Dodd, he must be getting very feeble now &
I suppose he misses Sandy a lot. I am sorry in one way that he did not come but I think he would have felt the life very hard & there are others
that ought to be ashamed of themselves for not coming. The French horses are lovely animals & they are very much like old Prince to look at. They have huge collars on
them & their vehicles are quite different to ours. They seem to be very much behind with their farming & nearly all the ploughing is done by
women with a single furrow plough. They seem to roll their crops up when they are about six inches high which is certainly a good idea. I
have met men here from all parts of Australia & yesterday I met an Infantry chap _ that I met in the mines department about 8 years ago who
came in a New South Wales lot. The German lines look very formidable but when the time comes to break through I think we will be able to do
it alright & we will let them know the fire of our Infantry. What is Quality like now, I suppose he has grown a lot since we left home. Have
you still got little Daffony at home. She must be getting very old now & it will
be very hard to get another little pony like her. Well Mother dear there is no more news to tell you as all letters are censored so will say
goodbye with fondest love to dear old father & Dodd from
Your ever loving son
George
Postcard dated 6th June 1915
My Darling Mother, I am in Troon with Rhita for a couple of days. They are both very happy & like this place in Scotland very much. Am
returning to France tomorrow. Fondest love from your loving son George Heppingstone
Letter dated 4th August 1915
My Dearest Mother & father,
Just another note before I leave again for the Dardanelles. I am going to the Dardenelles to act as a gunner as the horses may not go for
some time yet. I will be glad to see dear old Charlie again & I do hope Claude is back again from Malta by the time I arrive. He had to go
to Malta for treatment as he was suffering very badly from Diarrhea but in that bracing climate he will soon be alright. I heard
he was doing very well now so he will soon be with us again. So many have spoken in glowing terms of the bravery of Charlie & Claude &
Claude was one of the volunteers to go & spike one of the Turkish guns known as Beechy Bill but the idea was given up as they are waiting to
take it by other means now. I think when you get this letter you will find that we have the Dardanelles & I do hope so. So that we can go &
give the poor old Russians a bit of help. I will try & get some more seeds of another tree here before
I leave & send home, it is a very pretty tree but the flower is not much. I am sending Sandy a hankerchief. I think he will like it. I want
him to watch all sleeper cutters very closely & if anything should occur let Mr Wilson in Perth know & he will procecute them for me. The
Egyptian emblem is on the hankerchief but the old Union Jack is always on top. I do not think the war will last very much longer as once we
take the Dardanelles the Balkan states will then take sides & I think they will join us. I had a letter from Wonnerup by the last mail &
will try
& answer by this next mail. Hope one of our wounded leaves for Australia by this next mail. I have asked him to call see _ & he can tell you
more how we all are. Well darling there is no more news here so will say good bye with fondest love to all,
Your ever loving son,
George
P.S. Tom Mitchell and Tom Rose both went in the same boat to Malta with Claude. Fond love, George.
Letter dated 5th August 1915
Dear Miss Heppingstone,
The day before yesterday your brother George came to tell my husband that your brother Charlie would like to see him, my husband had just
left for Cairo, so said that I should like to go & see him. Yesterday afternoon I went, his face just lit up! What delightful brothers
yours are!!! Charlie looked so nice, a little weak from his enteric. I told him that I should write to you, he seemed so pleased & gave me
your address: the hospital is a long tram ride from here: it was my first time out alone in Alexandria. I was helped all along the line:
Lieut Buckland took your parcel up to Charlie, don't worry about him, I asked him he wanted for anything & was he happy his answer was 'No,
Mrs Makeham I have everything & am as happy as Larry all are goodness in self'. I did so wish you could have been in my place & seen his
sweet face & fair golden hair, he looked so clean & solid. Oh! how I love our W.A. boys! Pray for them pray for us: I thank God daily for my
privilege in being with them. I will look after Charlie so do not worry. I only wish you could all come. Tell Miss Gilholy you have heard
from me because she inquired about him in a letter I received from her just after I had visited him, tell her he shall have her pretty PC I
shall write to her of course, but could you but see my pile of letters you would ask if I required a Secretary,
With kind regards to all inquiring friends,
very sincerely your Friend,
Rachel Makeham
Letter dated 6th August 1915
My Dear David,
I got a letter from you by the last mail & sent it on to Charlie & Claude but I found out afterwards that Claude was in the hospital at
Malta. I had a letter from him today & he is getting on alright & I keep in touch with him through our casualty office. We are having a very
rough time at Gallipoli. I think a desparate attack will soon be launched to take the Narrows so that we can give the Russians a bit of help
which they
need very badly. Germany is so organized that it is difficult to know her strength but of course she will meet her Waterloo but it will take
a lot to do it yet. I would not be surprised if the Russians brought a Japanese Army in to help them. I wish they would & beat them on that
frontier. I will be glad when they send us to France. I think they will as soon as we take the narrows. The Germans will get the roughest
handling thay have ever had yet. The Turks are great fighters David, I think they are much better then the Germans at everything except the
Artillery & Germany has specialized in that
The bombs the Turks are using a very like a big cricket ball with a handle but they cannot compare with the Japanese bombs that we use. We
fire them from a spring gun into their trenches & the Turks are very anxious to see the big Australian who throws them. In places the
Trenches are only fifteen feet apart & we have one of our guns just under the crest of the hill within two hundred yards point blank range
so when they are driven from the bottom end at Cape Helles we will give them a very bad time advancing as we have fifteen 5 inch Howitzers
on our position
now to assist us. The 10th Light Horse are on the left flank with the New Zealanders & they are the best Light Horse in the Trenches & have
done some great work. All the W.A. corps have had the worst casualties both in artillery & Infantry. We have over 40% casualties now so you
can see poor old W.A. has suffered very much. Claude says Malta is a very pretty place, & when he gets up & can walk about he will be able
to have a good look round. Roy Paterson from Pinjarrah is with him & Tom Mitchell & Tom Rose were on the same boat but they may have been
put off at Lemnos & only
Letter dated 20th August 1915
My own Darling Mother,
I am still here so do not worry & we are all well. I had a message from Charlie yesterday & he was right & Claude is doing well on Malta &
will soon be back again. Jack Crampton is back again wounded, he has a bullet in the thigh so it will not be dangerous. He is at Cairo & if
I do not go away this week I am going down to see him also Harry Russel who is wounded, you know Charlie's friends. The Light Horse have had
a very bad time of it, in fact Mother we all have had every
Australian Corp but the work accomplished is very brilliant. Do not worry Mother darling as I am sure we will be alright & soon be back home
again. I know you & father both pray for us so I am sure we will be protected. I don't know what they would have done here if it had not
been for the Australians, as they have done the brunt of the fighting & Ian Hamilton says they are incomparable. He also said it was an
honour indeed to belong to the 8th Battery. I will be so glad to be back again & would have gone before but it is so hard to get men that
understand horses. Bill Hedges & I are the first
to go now, but it is not at all certain now the day. I will be glad when we get the upper hand of the Germans as the brutes are giving the
poor Russians such an awful time & illtreating their women & little children. How glad I will be when we meet them & help to give them a bit
of their own back. I will be so glad to see Claude & Charlie again & mind do not worry at home because if anything should happen I will wire
you so if you do not get any wire you will always know all is well. An Indian Officer has been down to have dinner with us today, he gave me
his photo, I sent it to Enid so I suppose you will see it. He gave us such a vivid
account of the retreat from Mons, but the work here at Gallipoli is worse than anything at France so far. The Turks here are fighting very
fair & if it not for the German officers they would soon give in. They have been known to bandage up five of our wounded fellows & carry
them to our trench so you can see there are some very kind fellows among them. They are far ahead of the German vermin. Well Mother dear I
will not tell you any more news but I am afraid poor old W.A. will be saddened with the awful casualties. Goodbye to all at home & how I
would love to see you & hope to very soon.
With fondest love from
Your ever loving George
Letter dated 22nd August 1915
My own Darling Mother & father,
I have been wondering so much this week how you were & do hope you are both taking great care of yourselves. I am expecting Claude home from
Malta this week but I suppose you hear from him from there. Do not worry my darlings whatever you do as we will be alright & as you are so
loyal & realize that twere far better death than the disgrace if all should fear to take our place
& help our brave Australians who are fighting with such gameness to keep the spirit of freedom going & keep the old flag on top. I am so
glad dear little Hubert has volunteered although I will be dreadfully worried all the time. At the same time single men that will not answer
the Nations call in the hour of direct need are base cowards unless they have very strong reasons for staying. I am so glad you have little
Jan & Bip down with you. I wrote them a letter a couple of weeks ago which I hope they got alright. Had such a
sweet letter from Bonnie & hope there is another by this mail. I heard today Alvie Clifton is wounded & if I am not called away within the
next two days, I will try & locate him. Tell Sir Robert to write I do like to get a letter from him. I had a letter from Mr Clifton & I
answered it by the last mail. I do hope you get our letters regularly. Had a letter from dear little Bawnie yesterday, & if I do not go on
Saturday, he wants me to send him a couple of cotton singlets. I must try & do it as the flannels that we were issued
were far too thick for this hot weather. Give my love to Mr & Mrs Holly, also Mr & Mrs Partridge if you see them. I saw a very strange thing
here last week when we were going out with the horses. I met about six Arabs leading a big brown bear. It appeared to be fairly quiet but it
was a great size. We have nine natives now, to clean up the horse-lines & assist us as so many of our fellows are away & others are ill. I
will be glad to see the last of the horses, although I am very fond of my two
8th Battery Field Artillery 1915 Christmas Card
Postcard dated February 1916
Mrs J R Heppingstone, Frogmore, Brunswick Junction, Western Australia
Feb. Your youngest son arrived last Wednesday: he looks wonderfully well. He spent the evening with me last night & is coming again today:
we are all going to work at Frenchs. George who is quite near is looking very fine again now. I leave here March 28. So ask the friends who
send me parcels & papers to address them to my husband instead, with love, Rachel Makeham
Postcard dated 7th June 1916
My Own Darling Mother, We are just about to get on the boat to return to France. I wrote you yesterday from London & I hope you get the
letters alright, With fondest love to all,
Your ever loving son,
George
Letter dated 22nd July 1916
My own darling Enid,
I am heart broken tonight as our darling Claudie passed away today. I was with him at the Dressing Station, and he told me he knew he was
going and sent his love to you all and said 'I don't mind a bit. I am only thinking of you and I am quite happy.' He came on to a Hospital
further down where he died and he asked them there to write to Mother and to me. He said he was quite happy and the Orderly who was with him
to the last said he was quite out of pain and quite cheerful. He said he never saw anyone like him before. He was loved here by everyone and
would have had his Commission in a few days, he did such good work. He volunteered for the work where he was wounded, and I was a little way
off from them when they were bringing him along. During the last hours of his life I have never seen anyone like him, but it was simply the
outcome of his blameless life. I will never be happy again as he was more to me than life, but I know if I follow his steps I will meet him
with Cissie above. He was always talking of you all, but I cannot write any more now I am too sorrowful, so goodnight Enid dear, and will
try and tell you more about your twin laddie some other time. With fondest love to all and God grant comfort to you all at home,
Your ever loving brother,
George
Letter dated 7th January 1917
My Darling Mother & father,
Well I did not write you last week as I was so dreadfully busy. We had Friday & Saturday exams & they were very difficult in fact it is the
hardest course in Great Britain. I did very well & in another five weeks from now will have my Commission & will then get Hubert with me. I
had a letter from dear old Charlie a couple of days ago, he had had his arm broken but is doing well & may have a chance of getting home. I
got your letter father & am keeping it, it was so nice & I gave it to Rhita to read while I
was with her at Christmas time. I did not see Ted as the boat had not returned for Christmas, I suppose they had to be more careful as the
Germans may think we would be taking it easier at that time. I have seen quite a lot of snow but it is not much colder here Mother than the
south west: in fact I have felt it colder at Collie than I have ver felt it here. I was down at our base yesterday & I think our bonnie baby
will be over for a holiday very soon. He is in Divisional Hd Quarters & has a favd position away from all the mud etc. I will be so glad to
see him again & in future I will have a much easier life. I only wish our darling was with us & things can never be the same again to me but
we must go on as so many people here are brave & are all giving their best for the Great Cause of rightousness & freedom & make no mistake
about it the Germans will rue the day they commenced. I hope you got my letters & I meant to send you some photos of Edinburgh Castle & also
one of Holyrood where Mary Queen of Scots lived but forgot all about it when I left. I saw them when in Edinburgh but I was studying nearly
all the
time. I have an awfully nice fellow studying with me we do all our work together Mr Thompson from Edinburgh he is a solicitor practitioner
there. Will you tell all the others Mother that I will write to them soon but I am too tired to do it today & am now going up to have a rest
for an hour or two. We have only just finished as I commenced this letter. We go from 6.20 to 7pm. So you can see what there is to do but it
is work the hard work & we will be able to give the Germans a terrific thrashing. Well goodbye my darling litte Mother & father & fondest
love to Dodd & Sandy & heaps for yourselves, Your ever loving son,
George.
Postcard dated 3rd May 1917
My Darling Father,
I was so pleased to get your letter some little time back & answered it but so many mails have missed that you may not have got it. I am so
glad you have Charlie at home with you & I don't think the German services can stand the pressure we are putting on them much longer. Will
see Hubert within a day or so. With fondest love to all. Your ever loving son, George
Letter dated 1st December 1917
My own Darling little Mother,
Well I am down here dear staying with some awfully nice people with two other Australian Officers whom we were introduced to by the Countess
of Araby who attends the convalescence of Australian officers but I am hoping that the last fortnight I will be able to spend with them at
Rahins. I am feeling much better & will soon be alright again. I am expecting a letter from the
bonnie baby tomorrow & I am hoping very soon to be able to get him to Lords for his Commission. Won't he make a splendid officer. Our Dr
asked me to his home while I was in London & I had such a nice time & he has asked me to come & see them when I return so I hope to. His
name is Sir John Broadbent & his father was King Edwards physician. Lady Broadbent & her three charming daughters were also very nice. The
Davies were
also very kind to me & I had dinner with them twice but of course their lot is very sad now as their only son was killed but it is really
the same all over the world. I am in Surrey about an hour from London but I won't trouble it I just want a good rest. I have a butler waiting
on me dressed fit for a dance at any moment & it is the most beautiful home I have ever seen. Simply luxurious. When anyone writes tell me
all about the horse & everything I would love to see them
all. All our officers chargers were killed a few days ago before I left with a bomb & we had some beauties & the whole trouble now is they
are getting very scarce. It is Sunday morning Mother dear & I suppose we will all go to church in an hours time of course I will go with
them but I think they are Presbyterians. How is dear old father, I would love to see him & perhaps before long I will be home as everything
is moving very fast & one does not know what will happen yet, there is one thing those that left first
Letter dated 25th February 1918
My own Darling Mother
I hope to see Hubert again in a couple of days as their Div is not far away from our own. I will ride over is I do not have to remain with
the Guns. Everything is fairly quiet now & we have had a much nicer winter than the last, only this month & the next are always the wettest
although as a rule not quite so cold. You will see Rhina & Ted before long & their nice baby which they are so proud of. She is certainly a
bonnie little baby & very strong. The Model is also going with them, & they will be very lonely at Rahins without her. Ireland is seething
with discontent & the Gov are no doubt to blame for a lot of it. They should either approve of Home Rule or absolutely refuse it & order
conscription at once but instead they just play with fire the while time. I
expect the worst of your weather is over now & you will be having winter again. I think the winter on the whole is the best time in
Australia & I am certainly not very keen on the heat. I have not heard from David yet, but will write to him today, I suppose he was with
the Light Horse that captured Jericho, it is really wonderful the number of places the Australians have been in first. I often see a lot of
the Americans & they appear to be very fine fellows & I am sure will give a really good account of themselves when the time arrives & I am
glad that we have them to help. If the Russians had done their part the war would be over long before this anyway I am certain if we all
stick it out we will beat them & that is the main thing. I am so glad to hear the little Jack is so fit, he is a fine little
dog. I wonder if he will remember me. have you ever heard anything more about Sandy. I suppose he is in Sydney. Thank you so much for
offering me your colt Mother but don't keep him, sell him & make use of the money. I will be able to get the brown horse from Enid if she
does not want too high a price. We will all go for a good holiday when I get back Mother somewhere down near the Cape that father knows well.
We can get a turnont in Busselton. Fancy old Nobby being so fit, he is a fine old horse but I did not expect he would last so well. Bonzerma
should have jolly good foals also little Puggy. I wonder how many she has had. It is now raining like beggary but I am hoping it will not
last long as it is very miserable during the rainy weather but luckily as an officer I have a good time & always have someone to get my
meals & look after my bed etc & Hubert has always got a good bed so we are not badly off nowadays. Well darling one there is no news here so
will say goodbye with fondest love to all at home & heaps for my own little mother,
from your ever loving son,
George
Letter dated 22nd June 1918
My Darling Mother,
It is Sunday & we have a few hours off so I am writing to you all also Rhita who I got a letter from last week. We are still in Alexandria &
it is very hard to say when we will leave but I think three of us will be going in a few days. Charlie & Claude are both well & I am longing
to see them. I posted you the gloves that were given to me on the dear old Triumph which I hope arrive alright. Young Harry Leake is in the
hospital close here. I went up & saw him & am going up again some evening. As he came down from the trenches he met Charlie going up with
the Light Horse but of course they only had just time to look. Our Australians are the equal of any soldiers in the world Mother & if the
Gurkas the great Indian fighters see us they point us out as their brothers. They think the world of the Australians & our Artillery has
been supporting them at Cape Helles & we had some of our Infantry down there but I believe they have been brought back to Gaba Tepe now. I
left a 15 pound Turkish
shell with the officer of the S.S. Karoo to send home & I hope you get it alright. I am always longing to see you all & we will have a great
time when we get back Mara darling. When are you going to have your photo taken with Hubert. I suppose Bonnie & Sandy still beat Tothill for
his ducks. Thank Sandy very much for his message about the timber. I wish we had the little battler here to help trim the Germans up. Had a
nice letter from dear old David. I wrote him a long letter which I hope he got alright. I saw Captain Fry last week
we were on the same boat three of us going to the Dardanelles but the bunkers got on fire & all troops had to be unloaded & we may not move
for a little while yet. The 8th battery have done some very dashing work. We ran two of our guns over the skyline so that we could get the
range of a Turkish battery in action & the same day we swept another battery coming into action with good results. Tell my little brother to
write as often as he can as it is lovely to get letters from you all. I wrote to dear old father last week & ask him to drop
Letter dated 10th August 1918
My darling Mother & Father,
I have written to you all several times lately & I do hope you get my letters alright. I am down at the waggon lines for a few days but will
probably return to the guns in a couple of days again. I saw Bawnie Castilla & a lot of the old boys of the 8th Bty. I am expecting the
Sergeant up tomorrow. I have never seen anyone grow like him, David is like a boy alongside of him, he is almost as big as Dodwell & as
broad. If you saw him you would never call him Tiny again but he is such a fine good manly boy & in his brigade they think a lot of him. He
has a good clerical billet in Hd Quarters Staff & is in a good comparatively safe place which I am very thankful for. The front is fairly
quiet yet but as the weather warms up I suppose the battle will again commence. I only hope the Huns attack we will give them a rough
passage of that I am very sure.
The American troops are a very fine looking lot & I am sure they will acquit well when their turn arrives which may not be long now. I am
glad to see Japan is now commencing her land attack as she has a good army that will be a great help. I am longing for a good old fish
father & we will try those same pools up near _ I will be home in a few months I think as they are now letting a number of the 1st Div
return & I will put in again at once. I was so pleased to get so much news about the horses from Charlie & in the next mail & they say there
is another in now so may hear again tomorrow. You will soon have Rhita & Ted at home also the little Model & I am sure you will like Rhita's
little baby girl Claudia. I have a bit of a cold but I am feeling very fit & have a good boy looking after me to cook my food & keep my
clothes in order. Well my darling I will say goodnight with love to Dodd & heaps to you both from
your ever loving son,
George
Letter dated 15th September 1918
My own Darling Mother,
I am just on my way to Rahins & will be going on by the early train in the morning. I have quite recovered from my wound but a fortnight at
Rahins will be lovely with their little Chance. I saw dear Dick Clarke while in hospital at Wandsworth, he is blind for life, it is just too
awful altogether & I must write to him when I get to Rahins. These Irish people are awful in Dublin but as cunning as foxes as far as I can
see. Well darling Mother I will say goodbye & will write
you a long letter when I arrive at Rahins. With fondest love & every loving wish from
Your ever loving son
George
Part of a letter of unknown date
been employed in Egypt & if they are convicted of any offense against the Crown they deal very severely with them. Therefore Australia
should do the same & hunt the rotters out of the country. They seem to be able to hold their own as yet but I think they will soon be at the
end of their tethers. It will be a great thing for
the whole of civilization. Bob & I are going into Cairo in the morning on business for the battery so we will post the letters then. I am
sending you a poem that was written for our troops & I am sure father will like it. I hope little Sandy Mac will keep his eye on my timber.
Claude & I are going to have our photos taken tomorrow so if they are any good
I will send you one right away. Let Enid see this letter after you as I will not be able to write to her for a few days now but as soon as
we have a decent table fixed up I will be able to write. I am writing this on the ground inside our tent. Sir George Reid arrived in Egypt
yesterday so I suppose we will have another inspection in a
few days. I would love you to see the sheep here following the shepherds. They are hairy more like goats & at night the shepherd walks in
front & the sheep follow. You can see all the doings pictured in the whole testament here alright & they have not altered much since the days
of our Lord. Well goodbye my own darling one & best love to you all from
Your ever loving son George
Postcard unknown date
My Darling Hubert,
We are just off for the front. I have not had a line from you yet. I suppose you have written & the letters have gone astray. Well bonnie
darling I hope you are well & write whenever you get a chance Fondest love from your loving George
Postcard 20th April
Both well will write soon as possible Fondest love George
Postcard unknown date
My Dear Father,
We have been out all this week on route marchs & bivouacs & I fancy we will soon move. I will write you a letter as soon as I can but I
believe the censor is not allowing much through. Give my love to all. With fondest love, Your loving son,
George
PS How do you like the buffaloes.
Notes found amongst the letters
Bob Clifton & George H had to stay in Egypt to look after the horses. George found his way to Gallipoli but was sent back to Egypt. Jack
Crampton neighbour of Heppingstones on Brunswick River
Australian Officers on leave were invited to the Stately Homes of England
Soldier's Pay Book
Photos
