making hay while the sun shines, lying back in bed between clean white sheets, and to tell you the truth, the food’s not half-bad. Better than the bully beef and stale biscuits I’ve been eating since I got to the front.
The fighting has been pretty intense and we’ve lost lots of blokes from the Battalion. I really can’t see how anyone can win this war; we are both in trenches facing each other and every now again we attack them and then it’s their turn to attack us. There is very little territory won or relinquished.
The land looks like… actually, I don’t know what it looks like. There isn’t a tree alive or a bush. There are no birds or rabbits or any wildlife. The land is pockmarked with huge shell craters and in battle the smoke hangs over the landscape like a dense fog.
Anyway I’m alive and can hardly wait to see you and little Levi really soon.
As you know, I’m not much of a letter write so I’ll sign off with much love.
Your Husband
Albert
‘George, I think Albert’s lay up in hospital in London is the way to go. A comfortable bed, pretty nurses caring for him plus heating and no Boche trying to kill him. I think I should shoot myself in the foot and join him.’
‘Don’t be stupid, Dick, they shoot soldiers for doing that.’
‘ Well maybe that’s not a bad option either. Anything would be better than what we’ve got to put up with here.’
‘I know it’s hard, mate, but I’m sure things will get better when spring arrives. No more fucking snow and freezing winds to taunt us.’
‘Yeah, just flies and lice and more rain.’
‘I don’t know what’s worse, mate; sitting around in this shit hole or fighting the bloody Germans. I think I’d prefer fighting the bloody Germans. We haven’t had any real action for months.’
George and the boys got their wish. the next full-scale engagement was The Third Battle of Ypres – Passchendaele. Be careful what you wish for!
October 28, 1916
By mid-1916, there were insufficient new volunteers to cover the AIF's massive casualties and to meet the British authorities' requests for reinforcements… or cannon fodder as General Haig regarded them.
The Prime Minister, Billy Hughes, appealed directly to all eligible men to volunteer. His plea was supported by the work of patriotic organisations, and a campaign of propaganda posters, to raise more volunteers.
When it became apparent that the recruitment targets would not be met, the government sought approval, by way of a referendum on October 1916, to require men conscripted into militia training to also undertake overseas service. The referendum of the 28th of October 1916 asked Australians:
‘Are you in favour of the Government having, in this grave emergency, the same compulsory powers over citizens in regard to requiring their military service, for the term of this war, outside the Commonwealth, as it now has in regard to military service within the Commonwealth?’
As there were 1,087,557 in favour and 1,160,033 against, the referendum failed.
‘So what do you think about the referendum not getting up mate?’ asked Sam.
‘Well, Sam, I’m pretty happy it didn’t. Here, we are up to our arses in mud and slime being shot at by people we’ve never met and being ordered to salute fucking Generals as they swan past in their nice clean uniforms in their toffy cars. And then there are the pricks that don’t want to enlist, stay in Sydney or wherever, take our girls out and have a good old time. I don’t want those pricks fighting reluctantly by my side,’ answered the recently returned Albert.
‘Yeah, I’m with you mate. Although I hate this war I’d much rather be here with me mates than being shipped back home as a mental case. Nearly happened.’
‘Yeah, it’s good to have you back, Sam.’
1917-Not Much Better
Chapter 5
After the heavy casualties at Pozières and Mouquet Farm, the First Division was withdrawn from active fighting and transported in a fleet of London buses and then transferred to trains for the remainder of the trip to Ypres.
‘Well, boys, here we are in lovely downtown Ypres; not much here is there?’ commented George.
‘You could say that, mate. The word is, we need to get to Poperinge about ten miles away. They reckon that’s where the real action is,’ suggested Sam.
Located in the West Flanders region of Belgium, near to the border with France, Poperinge was located just behind Allied lines and served as an R&R spot for Allied troops. Allied soldiers knew the town as “Pops”. Most of the British soldiers who fought on the Western Front passed through Poperinge. The town served as a major British supply base and garrison for the front.
Poperinge also became the hub for informal social life for Allied soldiers, particularly British and Australian troops, during the war. “Pops” provided soldiers with a brief reprieve from the harsh life of the trenches and the front. A thriving black market trade developed, with British military supplies being sold at inflated prices. The town also had numerous cafés, estaminets (bars or pubs) and brothels, which were frequented by the troops. Poperinge was a safe place for Allied troops and supply depots because it lay just beyond the range of German artillery.
The three Australian soldiers decided to head for Pops and see what mischief they could get up to.
On arrival, they hopped off the train and walked into the square, where they were amazed at the number of troops frequenting the cafés and hotels. They’d made the right decision.
They started up a conversation with a British Tommie in one of the pubs they had chosen for some light refreshment.
‘So this is your first time to Pops, fellas?’
‘Yeah, how about you?’
‘Been here three times now. I reckon I know this place pretty well.’
‘Any suggestions for three Aussies on first leave?’
‘Well, that depends on what you’re after. If it were peace and serenity, I’d recommend Talbot House. It’s a top place to just relax, play some cards, drink coffee or tea and partake in some good conversation.’
One of the centres of social life for soldiers in Poperinge during the First World War was Talbot House. Reverend Philip “Tubby” Clayton and Chaplain Neville Talbot established Talbot House in 1915 as a club for Allied soldiers. Talbot House was named for Chaplain Talbot’s younger brother, Lieutenant
