Doris Saunders - letters, 1908-1926; 1936 and 1959

MLMSS 9659

fonds

1908-1926; 1936 and 1959

Textual Records, Photographs, Ephemera

1287046

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box) - manuscript

Doris (Dorrie) Saunders was born in 1896 to Ernest and Elizabeth Saunders and lived in Wongarbon, New South Wales, her father was the postmaster who also ran the general store. She corresponded with local men who lived in the district including her brother William Hilton during the war. William enlisted on the 15 October 1915 and was part of the Coo-ee March from Gilgandra to Sydney, 10 October to 12 November 1915. The march passed through Wongarbon on the 14 and 15 October. Three of the correspondents, John Gaffney, James Ransom and William Carters enlisted in Wongarbon in 1916.

References:
NSW Births, deaths and marriges
www.bdm.nsw.gov.au (accessed 20.3.2015)

Australian War Memorial
www.awm.gov.au (accessed 20.3.2015)

Macquarie Regional Library
www.mrl.nsw.gov.au (accessed 25.3.2015)

The letters are sent from Sydney and England with many postmarked from local villages close to the AIF training camps in England and date from 1916 to 1919. The collection includes some later letters sent from her brother in the 1920s; one from a friend in Wongarbon in 1936 congratulating Dorrie on her engagement, and one concerning the death of Frederick Hoinville in 1959. There are also greeting cards and 2 accounts for singing lessons. The majority of letters include their stamped envelopes and 10 stamped empty envelopes.

Folder 1

1915 to 1917

8 March 1915
Nicoll Avenue, Ryde
Signed, Bab Jones
About returning books.

13 February 1916
England
Signed, W.A. Robinson [William Ariel]
Lovely to receive her letters and photograph. Hope to meet again someday. Weather and war death toll.

24 February 1916
Military Camp Liverpool, N.S.W.
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Writes about the weather, a party he has attended at Rozelle and the people he met, an upcoming picnic in the Royal National Park, and that he is recovering from sickness caused by inoculations.

26 December 1916
Hursley Park Hospital, Winchester
Signed, W.A. Robinson [William Ariel]
Sick in hospital, nurses and staff gave them a lovely Christmas.

21 January 1917
England
Signed, Leo or possibly Des. Form of Letter/Envelope has S.W.A.K. on back
Camp is cold, big push coming, likes the nice girls, learning French.

2 February 1917
Garrison Guards, no. 1 Command Dept. Andover?
Signed, W.A. Robinson [William Ariel]
Suffering from a cold, homesick, hates the weather.

8 February 1917
Bhurthorpe Barracks, A.V.C. Tidworth England
Signed, W.A. Robinson [William Ariel]
Met a few of the Coo-ees, talks of the coal strike, would like a photo of her.

18 February 1917
Sutton Manderville, Salisbury Plains, England
Signed, Temple [Temple John Crowe]
Parades in London, seeing the King, visiting old villages.

28 February 1917
Signed, Gaff [John Patrick Gaffney]
Writes of how is looking for the Wongarbon boys and mentions many of them by name and where they are stationed, the travels he has had and that he is on his way to the trenches in France.

3 April 1917
Bhurtpore Barracks, A.V.C., Lidworth England
Signed, W.A. Robinson [William Ariel]
He has been in hospital with the mumps and classified as B Class, light duties. Complains of the snow, rain and cold.

11 June 1917
Perham Downs, England
Signed, Jim Ransom [James Alfred Ransom]
Thanks Dorris for the parcel, writes of the Wongarbon boys, mentions that he has been injured, speaks fondly of home and the local people of Wongarbon.

18 June 1917
Lark Hill
Signed, Cliff [Clifton Arnold Lovett]
Thanks Dorris for her letters, speaks of Wongarbon boys, the hot weather, and the German bombing.

1 July 1917
Lark Hill
Signed, Cliff [Clifton Arnold Lovett]
Writes that he is off to France as a signaller.

4 August 1917
Signed, Roy
Writes that he has had 13 weeks in hospital and now on 2 weeks sick leave in London. Hopes to visit Will Carters, and he has had his photo taken.

28 August 1917
Bhurtpore Barracks, A.V.C., Lidworth England
Signed, Will [William Ariel Robinson]
Mentions his health has been bad since coming back from France, but would prefer France to England because of the monotonous work. He writes of his opinion of the war and that he is “fed up”. Italians doing good work; Allies little progress and have paid dearly for it on the Western Front; Germans are pushing back the Russians; and, the gas attacks have cost many lives. No longer knows when the war will finish and probably only end through revolution as everyone is getting very tired. Sorry to hear of 2 men marked as missing and hopes that they are prisoners.

2 November 1917
On board ship
Signed, Cliff [Clifton Arnold Lovett]
Everything OK, but a few days sick, he cannot say what is happening but will write soon.

Folder 2

1918

3 February 1918
King’s Heath Section, Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, England
Signed, S.R. Lowe [Samuel Roy Sofala Lowe]
Writes that he has been wounded in the leg and has been in hospital for 3 months. Does not wish to see any more of the war. Mentions his time in Wongarbon and people they used to know.

10 February 1918
c/- SMO Office, No. 1 Command Dept., Sutton Veny, Warminster
Signed, George [George Vincent Arneil]
After wounds to his feet he is not going to France again and working with medical staff in England. Writes of old friends and would like to exchange photos.

1 April 1918
Blightly
Signed, Roy
Writes that he will probably be sent to France, and that he has had a fine time in the hospitals. In his upcoming leave he is going to Scotland. He is suffering from the occasional fits.

3 May 1918
Brighton Hospital
Signed, Private Gaffney [John Patrick Gaffney]
Writes that he has been badly wounded in 8 places and had a difficult time of it. Describes the hospital. Says he saw her brother Hilton in the Somme and other men she may know of.

27 May 1918
King George Hospital, London
Signed, Will and WDC [William Dennis Henry Carters]
Writes that he has been in hospital for appendicitis and is recovering well. Described the bombing of London and how frightening and noisy it was. He said others saw fighter planes in action. Writes of men he has heard of injured or killed.

2 June 1918
Harefield
Signed, Private Gaffney [John Patrick Gaffney]
He has been moved from Brighton to an Australian Auxiliary Hospital and is recovering from all his wounds. He will be left with a scar on his face but considers himself lucky to have survived. Comments on how hard Australians have fought and that they are the greatest of them all. He writes of the horror of the war and no one can imagine it unless one has been there. How awful it is to be up to your shoulders in mud, poor clothing, very cold and likely to be killed at any moment. Describes the fear of being bombed and shelled. The villages that have been destroyed and how horrible are the sounds of bullets. Writes of men he has heard of or met.

10 August 1918
No. 1 Command Dept., Sutton Veny, Warminster, England
Signed, Gaffy [John Patrick Gaffney]
He writes that he is much better and recovering well. He has had 14 days in Scotland and enjoyed every day. Describes his travels and the places he visited. He saw several plays in London and is due to see the Medical Board. He praises the Australian soldiers and the effort they have made.

27 August 1918
No. 1 Command Dept., Sutton Veny, Warminster
Signed, Pat G. [John Patrick Gaffney]
Writes that he is improving but still having problems with head and jaw. He has a new job as a waiter in the Sergeants Mess. Writes about Wongarbon, the men he has seen and written to, the weather.

1 September 1918
Headquarters, 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott
Signed, Roy Lowe [Samuel Roy Sofala Lowe]
Delighted to receive her letters, writes of old times at school together and that he has been 12 months in England due to his wounds. Enjoys being in England and the leave he gets. Writes about Wongarbon and how he wouldn’t recognise the town if he went back.

15 September 1918
No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Warminster, England
Signed, Gaff [John Patrick Gaffney]
Describes his new job in the food controlling department and how wonderful a job they do on feeding everyone. Mentions people back home and the local gossip of couples and marriages. Comments on decorations and his disappointment on not receiving one. Writes about the number of Australian men marrying English girls and what a disaster it is and will be when the war is over.

15 September 1918
Dover, England. Pictorial letter folder.
Unsigned but probably from Hilton.
Discusses his trip to see the family of Wrenchie (see letter from Eunice Wrench dated 4 November 1919). Describes the beauty of Scotland, how lovely the Scottish girls are and how rough the London girls are.

21 September 1918
Sutton Veny
Signed, Roy
Wanted to let Doris know he is still alive, he has had some leave in London, and enjoyed himself very much. The weather is getting colder and he recently met Pat Gaffney.

27 October 1918
No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Warminster, England
Signed, Pat Gaff [John Patrick Gaffney]
Writes of not receiving letters, asks about the people of Wongarbon, the weather, catching up with other Wongarbon men in France and England, the peace talks.

29 October 1918
Blightly
Signed, Roy
Thankful for receiving parcel from the Wongarbon Ladies Association. His health is improving.

8 November 1918
No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Warminster, England
Signed, Pat Gaff [John Patrick Gaffney]
Thanks Doris for the parcel from Wongarbon, upcoming Australian march through Paris, writes of the approaching end of the war, he hopes to be back in Australia for the next summer and to enjoy all the summer has to offer. He has heard rumours that Germany has given up. Comments that Australia is worth fighting for and if Germany ever got into Australia then Heaven help all of us as no-one knows what they are capable of. He feels bitter towards Germany and what the world has suffered. Envelope inscribed S.W.A.K. on verso.

Folder 3

1919 to 1959

Wednesday, 'Woolerbilla'
Melody Street, Coogee. No date, envelope postmarked 1919.
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Hilton writes about how his mother must come down for the wedding, going to the races, the weather, and his camera.

21 March 1919
Quarantine Camp, North Head, Sydney
Signed, Roy Lowe
So pleased to back home and it is hard being in quarantine. Mentions that he would love to come to Wongarbon and see her. Waiting for access to phone so he can call home.

16 June 1919
Nettleton, via Walgett
Signed, M. McNeill
Thanks Doris for all her cards, pleased to hear of men coming home, hoping her brother is home soon.

7 August 1919
Nettleton, via Walgett
Signed, M. McNeill
Glad to hear her brother Hilton is back home safe and well. Gives his love to all her family and hopes they are well. Asks about the weather and would love to see anyone if they are up his way.

4 November 1919
165 St. Andrews Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow
Signed, Eunice M. Wrench
Thanks Dorrie for her letter and writes of visit from Earl and Hilton. So pleased to see friends of their little brother who was killed. Would love to keep up the correspondence between them.

20 May 1923
Coolamon, N.S.W.
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Hilton has received a letter from Doris and comments about her news. Discusses the weather, crops and sheep, betting on horses, and a plague of mice.

6 December 1925
15 Randel Street, Newtown.
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Hilton writes about his new job in a warehouse working with machinery. Mentions people he has met that she may know, and he has taken Vi out to the movies.

19 December, Sunday, [1925]
15 Randel Street, Newtown
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Writes about visiting relatives, the races and betting, going to the movies, Christmas is coming, and he wants Doris and his mother to come and visit.

8 March 1926
1 L’Avenue, Newtown
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
It is the anniversary of his leaving for Egypt, he is sorry to hear his mum had been sick, congratulates Doris on her engagement to Jack. Gossips about people that they know. Vi has had a baby called Mavis, talks about the baby and Doris’s camera.

8 April 1926
1 L’Avenue, Newtown
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Wishes Doris a happy birthday, and talks about their mother.

27 April 1926
1 L’Avenue, Newtown
Signed, Hilton [William Hilton Saunders]
Hilton attends an Anzac service at the Town Hall, and says there were hundreds that could not get into the Hall, he then went to the Cathedral and hundreds were driven away. Writes about the camera and photos he has sent her, and about the baby Mavis and another baby called Lorraine. He has a sore arm with boils, but is now well.

23 November 1936
Oaklands, Wongarbon
Signed, Pender
Congratulates Dorrie on her engagement and predicts that she will remain single. The harvest is taking place, people are getting married and babies born, love affairs, betting on the dogs and getting drunk, and the hot weather.

30th, [before 1952], Headquarters, 49 Druitt Street
Signed, Fred
Envelope addressed to Mrs F.D. Hoinville (Gladys Saunders, Doris’s sister). Stamp of King George VI, who died in 1952.
Writes of his work, friends visit, the weather

22 April 1959
Box 163 Wilson Street, Bourke
Signed, Lyn
Sympathies on the death of Fred (brother-in-law).

Folder 4

Greeting Cards

Christmas card to Doris from Wills, no date
Birthday card to Doris from Hilda Lovett, no date
Christmas card to Doris from Bill, no date
Postcard to Doris from Bill, no date, Lake Cargelligo
Card Bravo to Doris, unknown sender, 1917
Christmas card to Doris from Mora, 1918

Accounts

6 September 1916
Mrs Freedman to Miss Saunders
Tuition for singing, October 10 to December 5

29 February 1917
Mrs Freedman to Miss Saunders
Tuition for singing, 29 February to 16 May

Folder 5

Stamped envelopes
11 empty envelopes, 1908-1919

Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners
Research & study copies allowed: Applies only to material in which the author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder