Pictorial record of Ned Dwyer's time with AN&MEF Tropical Unit Page 2

Namatanai  12-7-15. Dear Mother, How is everything now?  I am still fit.  Since that little turn at Kavieng I have not had a moment’s illness.  I hope that you are all as well at home.  We have the Father up here a lot of an evening so we do not do much writing at night.  We have to write in the daytime.  I am expecting a lot of letters when the mail comes.  I am expecting to be moved to headquarters soon as there is nothing doing here now.  I was to be appointed here but resigned.  It is too slow now.

This is a picture of a Sing Sing taken by the Methodist missioner close to Namatanai.  I borrowed the neg.  Tell Arthur that he can copy any picture that I send for himself or to send away.  I am going to send you some more films soon.  I suppose that you get them printed.  I don’t speak of my mates because we may not say anything that will give anyone a chance to know the number of men here.  As for newspapers, let ‘em all come.  I have not had a letter from May Dacey for a long time.  Is she married, too, and won’t her hubby let her write to me?  Did you get that invitation for a wedding that was sent to me at Kavieng?  There is little or no fever here now that we have exfumigated the mosquito that carries it.  We have not seen one for a long time now but we have some of the ordinary sort left still, but we don’t worry much about them. Sonny.   

12 Jul 1915 Namatanai, New Ireland. Dear Kate, This is a snap of one of the ladies belonging to the Methodist Mission not far from where I caught the two Kookeris (the cannibals).  She was having a swim with a mary when the Methodist minister snapped her as they were coming out.  She was getting a drink at a freshwater spring that runs into the sea.

How are things at home now?  I hope that you are all still well.  I hope soon to be moved to headquarters.  Things are slow on this island now.  I may get sent then to another where there is still some life.  I have resigned my job here.  There is no fun in it now.  How is Fred and Clara keeping now?  Our mail is late again.  I suppose that you have the Gazettes by this time.  I don’t think I will know Lutwyche now by all accounts.  I have not many of these cards.  I borrowed the negs from Mr Pratsek, the Methodist minister and have not been able to print many.  I meant to write a fairly long letter last night but the Father was up with us and he did not leave till late.  He often comes up here to spend the evening. Love to all, Sonny.

Namatanai 24-7-15 Dear Mother, This is a picture of a spot that was raided by the blacks.  The police boy is now one of my boys.  I would not have known him but he knew the place and tells me that it was himself.  He, with a couple of others, were left at the mission to keep the blacks away after they had been driven off.  He tells me that they killed plenty bushmen there.  They came on them just after they had killed the missionaries and were patting their bellies and smacking their lips.  They (the police boys) gave them the feed of their lives (of bullets and bayonet).

I am sending another card with this.  It was the 9th that landed at the Dardanelles and I am stuck here. (It hurts.)  Nearly all of them were of the old 9th Regiment.  That is why they were called the 9th Battalion.  I always said they would be hard to beat.  I knew them. your beloved, Sonny

Namatanai 24-7-15 Dear Clara, How are you keeping and how is the piccaninny?  This card I got from the Father this morning.  These coons are dressed in their Sunday best.  I only got Kate’s letter the other day telling me that I had a niece.  I trust that you are both doing well.  I have not had a letter from Fred for two mails now and none at all from you.  How is Fred doing now?  Is he working?  Where are you living now?  Are you at the Pine or have you got a house in Lutwyche?  How did you like the card I sent you before?  I hope to get some with yours truly on them when I get my camera up, which ought to be soon now.  Trusting all is well with you and the niece. Brother Sonny.

Photo shows three patients on the hospital verandah with Ned seated on the far right. From clues about mail deliveries it could be estimated that Ned had been in hospital for three or four weeks at least.

Namanula Hospital 3-10-15 Dear Kate, Another week and I think I will be let out.  This card is a picture of the hospital verandah.  Hope that you are all keeping well.  That pipe is a good one.  I got it the day before I was sent up here and the camera at the same time.  There is nothing to write about here.  I have had the last two mails in hospital and expect another in about a week.  I hope that mother is not worrying as there is nothing to worry about.  Do you think that I look thin on it?  Remember me to Fred and Clara and to all inquisitive friends and tell them to write long letters.  Will take a photo of myself when I put the uniform on again. Sonny.

Only this photo survives.  The five prints mentioned are no longer in existence.

Namanula Dear Mother, How is this for a sewing class?  Will send a better one later.  This was taken a couple of days after I came in.  This is a bit dark, besides not being half washed.  Hope that you are all well down there.  How is Fred and Clara getting on now?  The camera arrived too late for that last trip but not for the next.  I have taken several pictures around the hospital.  It is in a fine position.  Trusting all well as I am. Sonny. Am sending five prints with this.

Namanula Hospital 14-10-15 Dear Kate, As good as gold now, nearly ready to be sent out.  I have my boots etc. now and can walk all over the place provided I don’t over do it.  I am so restless when they keep me in.  I walk all over the hospital so they gave me my boots and I can walk about the grounds with my camera.  What do you think of this picture of my nurse in the hospital grounds?  My mate joins his ship today.  He has had a fair spell here.  I hope that I will not be much longer.  I may be home for furlough at Xmas if all I hear is true.  I hope all is going good at home with Mother and the rest of you keeping well.  You will see by the last photo that I am not too bad. Love to Mother, Clara and yourself. Sonny. A Merry Xmas in case I should not get home in time. My nurse left Brisbane the day that I came into hospital.  I am her first patient here. 

The sailor from the next bed to me (my mate here) left today and I feel lonely.  (I miss him more than I would one of my mates outside.)