Pictorial record of Ned Dwyer's time in France with the AIF Page 4

Photo of a building called the Nieuwerek (Ypres) before and after the bombardment.

Belgium 17-11-17 Dear Kate, How is everything now?  Hope that Mother is all right and not worrying.  We have a marching song over here that runs (Chorus):

"What’s the use of worrying

It never was worthwhile

So pack up your troubles in your old kit bag

And smile, boys, smile."

Like you people over there we wish that Fritz would give in.  He must know that he is beaten.  He is only hanging in for spite.  He is only getting his men killed here for nothing as far as I can see.  I hope that those heads turn up.  When we left that place that we were resting at the people of the village wished us good luck and a good lot of crying was done and they all wish us back.  The cry the day before was ‘La Guerre non bon”.  I can tell you the Aussies have a good name in that village and the villages round.  I for one would like to pay it another visit.  The people are very nice and homely.  I would like to see it.  It is a quaint little place.

This place Ypres is worse now, or when we went through it, than this picture shows.  Some Scotch Regt. takes our place there and last Sunday at Mass one of the corporals and I happened to be at the late Mass.  He had his kilts on and I took him and introduced him to our friends.  He was a nice chap and he remarked on the number of R.C.’s in the Australians.  He thinks they are next to the Irish Regt. Love, Sonny.

Belgium 17-11-17 Dear Mother, Hope all well at home.  I have just got a batch of letters from you and Kate.  I am sorry that you have not got the beads yet but hope that they will have turned up by the time you get this.  I am in the best of health and in top nick, but the weather is a bit cold now and getting colder, but our lads keep wonderfully healthy and free from sickness.  There is a football match on just now and they have their minds all on it just now.  They are the gayest and happiest lot over here, these Aussies.  I have some trinkets that I was going to send before but have not yet had the chance, also a set of beads for Kate.  I spent my birthday on the march, better luck next time.  A lot of the boys get their parcels sent through T.C Beirne’s and other large firms.  I don’t think Casey has left England yet, but I believe he will soon.  Lucky cuss!  Bill is just the same as usual though the cold is telling on him more than me, still nothing serious, just colds.  Remember me to Father Walsh.  I hope that you did not worry when you heard that I was wounded, you see it was not worth while.  Love, Sonny.

Belgium 26 November 1917 Dear Mother, I got your and Kate’s letter dated Oct. 6th and 12th.  I am still in good health and waiting for the end of the war.  Hope that everything at home is going well.  You did tell me of Mr Horan’s illness and I answered the letter.  It must have got drowned.  I am glad to hear that he has improved.  Sorry to hear of Fred’s bad luck but hope that it is all right now.  It is getting cold here now and it makes us think of the sunshine at home.  I am glad too to hear that Fred’s youngsters are doing so well.  I have been away now two and a half years since the war started and would like another trip home.  It is eighteen months since I left home last time.  Time flies all right.  I am sorry that you did not get those beads.  I carried them for a long time before I got a chance to send them.  I am sorry to hear that Arthur has been ill.  Trust all well now.  I have told you, I think that I met both Jack and Willie Dacey.  Both are well.  Remember me to all. Love, Sonny 

France  7-1-18 Dear Kate, How is everything going at home?  It is very cold here now and I am not too fond of ice and snow.  Had enough!  This is the third Xmas that I have been away from Australia since the war started.  I think that it is time that Fritz threw in the towel so that we could get home again.  I have not received those views of the Islands yet, or the parcels, but they may come when the Battalion sends on my mail.  I still have Mother’s and Bill’s photo.  I think I have told you that I met both Jack and Will Dacey about a month ago.  I am as fit as usual and hope all well at home. Love, Sonny.

France 7-1-18 Dear Mother, Hope that all is well at home.  I am as fit as usual, so was Will when I saw him last.  He had just arrived back from Paris where he had been on leave.  How is Fred getting on now, also Clara and the youngsters?  It is some time since I wrote and I hope that you got the letters and the packets that I sent.  I am waiting for mail to come from the Battalion.  I am not with the Battalion just now, so expect to have to wait for my mail.  I have lost that little medal that you sent me. I missed it in hospital after I had been wounded.  Are you getting the new Allotment all right?  Let me know the date and how much you get.  When you write let me know what you think of the little packets.  The weather is very cold now, snowing and freezing the whole time. Love, Sonny.  

Two Photos of the Basilica at Albert, one before and one after the bombardment.  The location of each photo has been erased (censored).

France 2-3-18 Dear Mother, Quite well and fit.  How are you all at home?  I have not had a letter lately, so I am expecting a big mail when it does come.  How are the youngsters getting on and Fred and Clara?  Is Fred doing well?  If the writing is not too good blame the gloves.  It is too cold to write without them.  Thank heaven the winter is nearly over and was not nearly so severe as the last.  How is Kate keeping?  You have not told me yet whether you got the little parcels that I sent.  I will be sending a couple more soon if all goes well.  I have not been photographed yet but will at the first chance.  How is Cissy Shannon getting on?  You might remember me to her, also to Uncle and the rest.  I met Cissy last at the Church the Saturday night before we left.  How are they all getting on? Love, Sonny.