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Australian Imperial Force. A.I.F. & WAR CHEST CLUB. Citizens “War Chest” Fund, Sydney, N.S.W. BEHIND ARMY AND NAVY STORES AND OPPOSITE A.I.F. HEADQUARTERS
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Telephone: Victoria {8391. 97, Horseferry Road, London, S.W. 1. ……………191…
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Most extraordinary efforts are made to entertain & take care of leave men & repatriated prisoners. One can join conducted touring parties & theatre parties by paying almost nothing at all & their are thousands of invitations from people anxious to give an ex-prisoner a ‘blow-out’ at a dinner party. At present I am chiefly anxious to get my kit ‘poshed’ up a bit. I am getting a tunic & a pair of breeches made to order & when that is done I can put them on & get the issue turn out made to fit a bit better. When that is done I can put my chest out & march with greater confidence to meet relations. Now I must make an end. I don’t think I ever felt more tired — not even on the there and back to Kiangheri. Tomorrow I am sending off a cable to let you know how much you all are in my thoughts & to let you know too where I have gone to. I can’t close this without saying how grateful we are for all that has been done, and is being done, for us. We know well enough that ever so many Australian women have gone without things to make things better for the Australian soldier. I am very glad you have kept my letters. They are my only records. I wrote you that after the escape of Gaffney and Websdale the Turkish authorities took all my papers & note-books, & it was only influential friends prevented them giving me another flogging. I had much pleasure in putting my dear friend Memdouk Bey in my report. I am hoping May Tomlinson will be able to get me a Christmas gift for Aunt Fanny. I seem to be rambling on all over the place. The trip through France was interesting but the poor people — widows, weeds everywhere & hardly a woman not in mourning. Many thanks for the grand letters. A Merry Merry Christmas to you all. How Mother would have been the heart & soul of it.
With love to everyone
Maurice.
