Pictorial record of Ned Dwyer's time in France with the AIF Page 5

CRUCIFIX CORNER

Have you passed by Crucifix Corner

As the day turns into night?

There’s a kind of creepy silence

That makes your nerve strings tight.

You hear the drivers cursing

As the convoy quickens pace,

And the wagons sway in a dangerous way 

Thro’ that shell-hole mottled space.

(Yes, they hurry at Crucifix Corner as the evening hours grow late,

For it’s hell at Crucifix Corner at the time of the “evening hate”!)

Have you passed by Crucifix Corner

At the hour of a perfect dawn,

When the balm of daylight comes again

And the eerie night has gone?

There’s a peace that speaks of Heaven,

And the ruins form a shrine

For the Figure above speaks of perfect love

And the Presence all divine.

(You may loiter at Crucifix Corner as you pass upon your way,

For there’s peace at Crucifix Corner at the hour of dawning day.)

Lance Corporal J. P. Little

France 17-3-18  Dear Kate, Glad to hear that all is well at home and that Fred, Clara and the youngsters are well.  I hope that you have the little trinkets by this time also the beads that I sent you.  The weather here is lovely just now, almost like an early summer day in Aussie.  I met a young lady at Mass today who was very much like Mary D., almost her double.  I have not seen Will since just about Xmas.  I am not with the Battalion.  At present I am on staff Aust. Corp School, late Anzac Corp School, but I get my letters sent on from Battalion all right.  He was well last time that I saw him.  I am quite well again and fit.  Remember me to all the people.  I will send a couple of small parcels home when I get a chance to buy a few small things that I want to put in it.  I have not had a letter from Daisy for a long time now. Love, Sonny.

France 17-3-18 Dear Mother, Glad that you are all well at home.  Well, I certainly would not mind a trip back home again but I think that will have to wait a while.  I have been due for English leave for some months now so expect to go at any time.  Remember me to Mr. Horan.  I am sorry to hear that he is so bad, but hope that he will eventually recover.  Remember me to Mary Q. and tell her that I am sorry that I did not get her letter.  I wish that I had.  I am quite fit and well and looking forward to my Blighty Leave.  Remember me to all. Love, Sonny.

France 26-3-18 Dear Mother, Still well and fit.  How are things going at home?  This card is a picture of the altar of the Cathedral at Amiens.  It is the most beautiful thing that I think I have ever seen.  I have not sent the little souvenirs for Kitty yet as I have not been able to get them, but better luck next time.  If I should get the things for Kitty before I leave here I will get one of the fellows to make up a parcel and send it for me.  So, you need not be startled if you get a parcel addressed in a strange hand.  How is Kate, Fred, Clara and the youngsters getting on?  All well, I hope.  Glad to hear that you had a decent Xmas.  Sorry that I was not there, but hope that we will be together next year.  Remember me to all the friends. Love, Sonny.

France 15-4-18 Dear Mother, Still well and fit.  Trust all the same at home.  I have received about 26 letters in a bunch yesterday, the last dated Jan. 18th.  I am back with the Battalion again and boxing on.  Glad to hear that the youngsters are keeping so well.  I am sending in this a couple of souvenirs that may be worth keeping.  Remember me to all.  I will write to them when I have more time than at present. Love to Kate and yourself, Sonny.

France 3-5-18 Dear Mother, I hope that you have not been worrying about not getting a letter from me for some time bit I could not help it.  We have been busy as you will have seen by the papers.  I am in good health and quite fit and hope that all is well at home.  Will is all right.  I am with the boys again.  I am glad you have the paw-paw trees growing.  I often think how good one would go over here.  Fruit is not plentiful here as at home, and paw-paws are unknown.  I got Mary Q.’s letter and the snap of Jim all right.  I got two letters from Celia.  I got a real big mail last week after waiting a long time.  Remember me to all. Love, Sonny.

France 6-5-18 Dear Kate, I am quite fit and well and hope that all at home is the same.  As you know by the papers we have had a good bit of brisk work lately and are naturally a bit tired.  I saw Bob Doherty today but did not get a chance to speak to him.  I hope that I will get a chance within a day or two.  I often wondered where he was.  He was looking well.  Have you got those little things that I sent yet?  Did I tell you that I met young Tommy Martin about a month ago?  He had a knock.  He was hit on the place he sits on.  He is in my old Battalion, the 47th.  Remember me to all. Love to Mother and yourself,    Sonny. Notice the Aussies walking up the street.