Author Archives: felicityh54

A letter from an utter stranger: Flora the jeweller’s assistant

Randles Bro & Hudson Ltd. Jewellery Dept Gardiner Street Durban South Africa 13th Feb 1941   Dear Mrs Hickman No doubt you will be surprised to receive this letter from an utter stranger but I happened to serve your son … Continue reading

Posted in Letters to/ from others, organisation, The course of the war, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glasgow to Durban aboard the Nea Hellas

January 12 – February 10 1941 There are no letters from this period, although Dad mentions writing them many times in his diary.  Diary entries for this period are as follows: 12th January Sailed with the tide at dawn.  Land … Continue reading

Posted in at sea, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, gambling and drinking, organisation, pay and conditions, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Adventures in Glasgow January 1941

TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad Dear Mother Once again we are on the move whither only God and the powers that be know – but anyhow we’re moving. The last month has been one of the … Continue reading

Posted in Britain, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, leave, The course of the war, Uncategorized, unit and personal diaries | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter and the boredom of barrack room soldiering

TX 1004 Pte Max Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF 16th Dec 1940 Dear Mother Though there is precious little to write about I’ll send a few lines trusting they find you well and happy as I am at present.  Apart from … Continue reading

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I’m engaged: a letter to May

                                                11th Dec 1940 Dear May I suppose Mother has told you that I’m engaged to a … Continue reading

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Guard duty on pay day, chocolates in the mail, snooker on picket duty

TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF 8th Dec 1940 Dear Mother Once again Sunday comes round and so again I write you a resume of the week’s events.  Though I still haven’t had any mail from home – … Continue reading

Posted in guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, Posts and telegraph, Tasmanian, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Visit to the dentist, then two days’ pay for one feed

TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF 24th Nov 1940 Dear Mother I have just come back from the Dentist – a cheerful subject to start a letter however such is the condition of news – decidedly light on.  … Continue reading

Posted in Britain, Censorship, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, leave, pay and conditions, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our job is watching and waiting

          Dear Mother Even though it seems ages since I heard from you – about a month I think – I could write you quite a good letter but for the fact that the sergeant who … Continue reading

Posted in Camps and Barracks, Censorship, Posts and telegraph, Tasmanian, The course of the war, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Six days’ leave in Scotland – at last!

TX 1004 Pte M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF 10th Nov 1940 Dear Mother This should be the best letter I’ve ever written because I’ve just come back from six days’ leave in Scotland.  It was the best holiday I’ve ever … Continue reading

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Snail mail and expensive gifts: that safety pin is part of the dress

27th Oct 1940 Pte M Hickman TX 1004   Dear Mother I had an airmail letter from youngster yesterday sent via USA.  It was a very newsy and interesting letter but contained some very surprising information.  Firstly it’s almost incredible … Continue reading

Posted in Australian, Britain, Camps and Barracks, pay and conditions, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment