Aubrey and Harold were first cousins, his father being Walter Jeremy (sister to Florence) who had emigrated to Australia about 1897.Aubrey enlisted in 1916, eventually returning to Australia in June 1919. The piece of sandbag is still with the letter. Rob Nielsen is another Australian cousin, son of Henry Jeremy. Harold was 15, and Douglas 13 when this letter was written. Aubrey and Douglas continued to correspond until Aubrey's death.
Printed letter heading "Y.M.C.A. with the Australian Imperial Forces"
49th Battalion
Aust. Inf. Base Depot
France
12/10/18
Dear Harold,
As you will see by the above, I am down at the Base, where a slight illness has landed me. I wrote to you from a convalescent camp but being without any mails whatsoever, leaves one in the dark as to you having received the note. I do not expect to get any letters until I again join the battn, as the time spent at any one camp is not sufficiently long enough to warrant letters being sent me. So when writing please use my usual address. I hope you are all overjoyed at the good news lately, they are most encouraging aren’t they. Has Rob Nielsen been to see you again? I heard he was down at Weymouth!
How is Douglas getting on? I often think of the time he & I travelled together “apart” down to Barnehurst.
Both Uncle & Auntie I trust are in the best of health as well as little Gwen and you two “boys”.
I hope I shall be fortunate enough to be able to visit you sometime near Xmas, as there is that chance. I am enclosing you an example of the Huns ingenuity in the shape of a piece of sandbag made from ordinary brown paper twisted, which I hope will be interesting as a little souvenir. Presumably you are having the uncomfortable wet weather we are experiencing, which is not very desirable when you practically live in the open, even if you are lucky enough to have a good tent.
Life passes well here as there are cinemas, concerts, lectures etc. which all help to make the place interesting.
Well I will now close with the best love to all,
Your affec cousin
Aubrey.