Category Archives: Britain

Vindication for some, vengeance for others

Posted on May 1, 1941 by

  TX 1004 Private M Hickman 2/33rd Battalion AIF Abroad 1st May 41 Dear Mother I’ve had four letters this week – all very newsy and interesting and all written around Easter – Youngsters on the 10th, yours on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Britain, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, Hierarchy, Posts and telegraph, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adventures in Glasgow January 1941

Posted on January 11, 1941 by

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

Posted on December 16, 1940 by

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 →

Posted in Britain, Camps and Barracks, organisation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’m engaged: a letter to May

Posted on December 11, 1940 by

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

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

Posted on November 24, 1940 by

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

Six days’ leave in Scotland – at last!

Posted on November 10, 1940 by

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

Posted on October 27, 1940 by

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

Moving north to winter barracks

Posted on October 14, 1940 by

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

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

Posted on September 29, 1940 by

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 →

Posted in Britain, training, Uncategorized, unit parades and church parades | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on September 11, 1940 by

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