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LETTER FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL HOLMES, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D.
'Somewhere in France'
To T.J. Roseby, Acting Secretary, Water and Sewage Board.
1st October. 1916.
I have just heard there is a mail closing almost at once for Australia, so I will only write you a short note to say I am quite well. I am expecting to go to London on 9th, on leave for a fortnight, the first leave I have had since the War began. While in England, I am to be invested personally by the King with my C.M.G. By the way I have just been awarded a Russian decoration, the Order of St Anne of Russia. I don't know yet whether I shall have to attend an investitute at Petrograd by the Czar. That would not be too bad after the War. I don't know much about the distinction, but I am told it is a pretty swanky one granted to General Officers and is highly prized, So what with St. Micheal, St. George and St. Anne as companions, I should be pretty happy, don't you think? Where I am now I am in command of nearly 4000 yards of an important front, and have been in one month. I had the Australian High Commissioner and Colonel Bob Anderson around my line with General Birdwood last week. I took them up to the front line within a few yards of Boches, so close that we could hear them coughing. Mr. Fisher now regards himself as quite a hero.
Things look pretty good everywhere for the Allies, and Lloyd George has knocked the bottom out of Bethman Hollweg's speech, creating a good effect in America and other neutral countries. The recent victories on the Somme are splendid, I am wondering if they will send us down there again, for I believe operations will be carried well into the winter.
Basil is back from hospital in London quite cured of his malaria and has resumed command of his company. Jack Travers is well and is temporarily commanding his battalion in the line. I was pleased to be able to recommend Arnold's (of Cataract) son, who has been a Sergeant-Major with me from the start, for a commission as second lieutenant in the 6th Brigade and it has been approved. He has proved himself a real good boy and I was glad to be able to do it for his father's sake, all the same I am sorry to lose him from my own Brigade. Tell Corben Butler is quite as good as ever, I am taking him to London with me. He is a favourite with all who visit me. If anything happens to him, I am sure I shall not be able to carry on.
Winter is beginning to make its appearance and the leaves are just beginning to fall, the scarlet poppies and cornflowers are pretty well done. l cannot imagine what the field here will be like without these flowers. The fields too, are alive with partridge and pheasants – it's a sportsman's paradise. The game is profuse. What a time it will be after the war, though I expect everyone will be too busy rebuilding their towns and farm houses to have any time for sport of any kind. You can have no possible conception of the destruction. The very ancient and large town close by is so full of interest ( I cannot mention the name) has not a single house, church or cathedral that is not smashed to pieces by shell-fire some of the buildings are dated 1300 A.D. The wall around it, the ramparts and the great moat were built by the Spaniards. I wish I could tell you more, but if I did it would give the show away and that would be against orders. I shall have a lot to tell you when we meet.
Kindest regards to the President and Board Members, to my dear old friends Smail, Green, Flint, Kennedy, Parker, Harry Williams, Corben – but there I must not particularise, for I have already omitted Tom Griffiths – well, to all my brother officers, all of whom are my friends, Lastly but not least, to your dear old self and your wife.
From yours
WILLIAM HOLMES.