Author Archives: felicityh54

Moving north to winter barracks

Posted on October 14, 1940 by felicityh54

14th Oct 1940 TX1004 Private M Hickman 72nd Battn 25th Brigade AIF             Dear Mother I received your very welcome letters of the 27th August and 3rd September on Thursday and today respectively and two … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian, Britain, Camps and Barracks, pay and conditions, Uncategorized, unit parades and church parades | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Soaked to the skin and cold as frogs : first issue of rum.

Posted on October 6, 1940 by felicityh54

6th Oct 1940 TX1004 Priv M Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF             Dear Mother After what seemed almost an age without mail the weekend brought forth seven letters – six and a cable – … Continue reading →

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With the Rough Carpenters…in the comfort of the YMCA Marquee

Posted on September 29, 1940 by felicityh54

29 Sept 1940 TX1004 Private M Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF Dear Mother We have just been dismissed for the day.  This morning for the first time in my life I attended a Roman Catholic church service.  There are … Continue reading →

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No such luck as a show…15 September 1940

Posted on September 15, 1940 by felicityh54

15th Sept TX1004 Private M Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF Dear Mother Being the Sabbath and having a little time to myself I cannot better employ it than in writing you and the youngster.  I wrote to May a … Continue reading →

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You blokes were only soldiers….letter to ‘Bert’

Posted on September 11, 1940 by felicityh54

11th Sept 1940 TX1004 Private M Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF Dear Bert Just a line from Blighty to let you know we’re still afloat. We had a great trip over on the Old Mary – she’s a wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in at sea, Britain, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Letters to/ from others, pay and conditions, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The importance of diplomacy and a visit from Winston Churchill

Posted on September 5, 1940 by felicityh54

5th Sept 1940 TX1004 Private M Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF 4 Dear Mother It seems that Thursday is ‘the day’ for us or at least for me – nearly all my mail has arrived on a Thursday and … Continue reading →

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Sending a wire June – August 1940

Posted on August 10, 1940 by felicityh54

Four  telegrams 1.  I assume this one was sent from the ship.  It is sent via ‘GLT’ rather than ‘EFT’ which is the method for all others.   The Hobart date stamp shows 15 June 40.  The lodgement advice shows it originated … Continue reading →

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Mail, Misdemeanours and English hospitality August 1940

Posted on August 7, 1940 by felicityh54

7th August 1940 TX1004 Private Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF United Kingdom Dear Mother I received my first Australian mail yesterday and today.  Yesterday I had a letter from youngster written from Sydney on the 6th June and today … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, pay and conditions, Posts and telegraph, unit parades and church parades | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

London leave extends to AWL

Posted on July 21, 1940 by felicityh54

TX 1004 Private ML Hickman 72nd Battalion 25th Brigade AIF United Kingdom 21st July 1940 Dear Mother I have just returned from 36 hours London leave and I think I can write you a very newsy letter of that wonderful … Continue reading →

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Birth of the 72nd Battalion Carrier Platoon 27th June 1940

Posted on June 27, 1940 by felicityh54

The first of many re-0rganisations From The Footsoldiers (p7): …”The last of the British troops were evacuated (from Dunkirk) on 18 June.  Most brought their rifles and personal equipment but transport and guns and tanks were lost.  This was the situation … Continue reading →

Posted in Carrier platoon, Letters to/ from others, organisation, training, Uncategorized, weapons, armaments, equipment | Tagged , | Leave a comment