Letter from Sapper Thomas ('Tommy') Thomson Caldwell to Mrs Sophie Gill, 17 December 1917

Letter from 37693 Sapper Thomas ('Tommy') Thomson Caldwell, NZ Engineers (Tunnelling Company), 1NZEF, 'Somewhere-in-France', to Mrs Sophie Gill, Palmerston North, New Zealand, dated 17 December 1917. (6 leaves plus envelope)

The text reads as follows:

"Dear Sophia

in answer to your most welcome letter of the 2/10/17 which I received here on the 14/12/17. Now Sophia I am going to give you a lecture for a start, and I hope you won't be offended with me, as I want you to take it as a advice, and you know I look on you as a sister, and it is a Brothers duty to give his sister advice. 'Well Sophia' by the tone of your letter I know you are worrying to [too] much, and I don't like to hear of that, and I hope you are not writing in the same strain to Bert, and I will tell you why I think so. 'Well Sophia' I can fully understand your feelings at Bert having to come over here, and I know it is hard for to make the sacrifice which we are asked to do and I have often wondered why so

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much has been asked of us, but I have give [given] up thinking about it. Everybody has their opinion about the sacrifice we are making for to win this war, and as the good book says 'God moves in a mesterious [mysterious] way his wonders to perform', so I have give [given] up thinking seriously and just take things as they come and try to make the best of it. Well Sophia you always want to think of the sacrifice we are making over here. We are thousands of miles away from those who are near & dear to us, and they are always uppermost in our mind, even in time of danger, I know we are always in your thoughts, but it is your duty when you write to us, to show us that you are carrying your troubles with a brave heart, and that you are as cheerful as you can, for you know if you

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write to us in so discouraging a tone it makes our troubles harder to bear. Just think of how Bert will feel if he knows you are always worrying and making your selve [self] ill, as you are sure to do if you worry so much, so Sophia take my advice & be of good cheer, and look on the bright side, and look forward to the day when we will be back again, which we all hope will be soon.

Well Sophia we are back at Headquarters again which is to us just like coming home again after roaming about as we have been doing, as we have had a bath & change and got our clothes washed. I don't suppose we will be long here as we will be sent away to work again somewhere. We are having very cold weather now, it is snowing very

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heavy to day. I was just saying it is a good few years since I seen snow fall and I hope it will be a long time before I see any more after this winter, for I don't like the cold, but there are lots of things we don't like, which we have to put up with. You were giving me a bit of advice about Susie in your letter, well Sophia what you say is quite true, and I know that, and as far as I am concerned that is all off now, which I think is all for the best, for as you say she is not my style. I got one letter from her since I came over here, and she was all apologies for not writing. I answered that and I have not heard from her since and don't want to either. I had a big mail this time I had 5 from N.Z. & 2 from Blighty. I was as

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happy as a dog with two tales [tails] when I received it. You would be surprized how we look forward to getting a mail. I had a letter from Mr Scott who has been wounded, he is in a Hospital in Woolwich, he has had a very bad time of it. He was wounded in the leg by a piece of a gass [gas] shell. He was saying that he had gone through 3 operations, and for 3 days his temperature was up to 105 so he must have been very bad but he is getting a bit better now. My Uncle & Aunty were up in Scotland for a few days on leave and spent a very enjoyable holiday. I wish it was near my turn for leave as I am wearying to see them again, my Aunt has been very good to me since I came over here, I have received some very nice

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parcels from her. I have not received your Xmas cake yet but I suppose it will come along soon, it is very good of you Sophia to send me a cake and I thank you very much for your kindness. I hear that the 30th have arrived in England so I am anxiously waiting for a letter from Bert. Well Sophia, I will have to ring of [off] now trusting you are in the very best of health & spirits as this note leaves Jack & I the same at present. Give my regards to Mum & Dot and tell them that I still think of them and give little Nancy a kiss from her (Uncle Tommy) and teach her to remember me 'Sophia' for I love the children, so 'God be with you till we all meet again. I remain your loving (Brother)

Tommy"