Author: gilliandr

A historian and traveller.

Victor Paulin to Edith Nickells Paulin, 1917

Stockbridge

Royal Flying Corps

 

December 28, 1917

 

Dear Mother,

 

Steno, I am again just before bed scratching off a few lines, no mail has arrived from Canada yet.  I received a letter from “Ruby”enclosing a picture, of herself, which I answered immediately, she says Wilf has not written her for 12 months.  I wrote back saying I would write him a scolding letter.  I also had letters from Ben, Wilf and George.  Wilf is, at present on leave he is going up to Aberdeen, whatever for

 

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I can’t tell you, and will stay off at B’ham for a day to see Ben.  George hasn’t got anything to say in his letters at all, never mentioned being gassed at all.

 

I expect 4 days leave soon and will go and see Ben and Ruby, also Mrs Pauline in B’ham.  I am afraid I have forgotten if she has children or not, and I might make a break in showing her how ignorant I am regarding some of my relatives.  She has been to see Ben, and asked Ben about “Sid”, Ben didn’t know know of any other “Sid” but Sid Thomson so I concluded it

 

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Must be he.  But couldn’t figure out how “Sid” knew Aunty “Emmy”.  I think thats her name.  I’m only making a rough guess.  So I am going to wait until she writes me, and kind of break the ice a little.  I might get real hold of one of these days and write, “my dear aunt” but no “Emmy”.  It would be a good one on me if I wrote “my dear Aunt Emmy” and her name was “Maud” or something of that kind.

 

How is Dad?  I wrote him about a week ago.  Yes I ought to get a bunch of letters, for the letters are written, I must have scrawled off about 100.

 

I had a quiet Christmas

 

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went for a walk around the courtyards, Hants is a very pretty country.  W is had a y~~~ feed for a change, that was the only thing that made it seem the least bit like Christmas.  I ~~~ was getting better now, but when we ~~~~ here, Wow! W~~ kicked every day, they curse through with a little service.

 

Well Ma, I hope this letter is not a “fearful bore” (English for D- nuisance) it is near the end now.  Love to all, and heaps to Dad and yourself.

 

Your loving son

Victor

PS “How’s Toby” and Mrs Jones?  Don’t confuse the two!

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Victor Reginald Paulin letter home, nd

Fancy me writing a letter like this.  I am afraid I will get brain storm.

 

Letter 2 [nd]

 

While in Waterloo Station on my way back the other day, a Canadian officer came up and asked me where he could buy a paper.  I did not  know as it was Sunday, and we got talking.  He asked me where I came from, and I told him, so he asked me my name as he also came from Victoria.  I told him, and instantly we were old friends, as it was young Gonnason, he was on leave from France and was through the same show

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that Ben and George got at with Passchendale.  I told him all about Ben and we had quite a nice little talk.  So nice that I nearly missed my train.

As regards to my insurance, it is a safe investment if you pay it because I will be in a position to pay it soon.  From the first of this month I get 25 bob a day, but my allowances which make up the large portion of this sum were paid about ~~~~~ in arrears, so when they come through and my account gets “properly started” I will send you a draft.

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The last night I went to Zigg Zagg, a musical revue in London and enjoyed it very much.  Cousin Hilda, sings very nicely if she had someone to play for her.   Gracie plays a little, but not much.  Gracie is married to a returned soldier with one arm, and lives across the street from her Mother.  She is not nearly as nice as Hilda, she has picked up the same way of speaking as the people they been living amongst in Perry Bar (some place) and reminds me very  much of Aunty Polly, always acting the goat and making faces.  But there is all the differences in the world between

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the two.  Well Ma, this is about the longest letter I have ever written, and as all things must have an ending, I must break off right here, simply from lack of news and brains fag.

With all kinds of love to Dad and yourself

Your affectionate son

Vic

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WPC Leonard to George Paulin(e), 1918

Letter to George Paulin, Victoria from WPC Leonard, Chaplain to the forces

 

May 10, 1918,

No 23 Squadron, Royal Air Force

 

Dear Mr Pauline,

It is with deep sympathy that I write to you about the great loss which you have been called upon to bear in the death of your son while flying.

I can assure you that every member of the Squadron shares your sorrow to the uttermost, and feels for you sincerely in this overwhelming loss.

Your boy made many friends among us, and earned the very highest opinion and admiration as a pilot.  He was absolutely fearless, and had he been spared, I am certain would have made a great name.

The Commanding officer, Major Bryant, will probably have told you, as he told me, that he looked upon your boy as his best and stoutest hearted pilot.

It was excess of keenness and enthusiasm which really caused his death, for he was trying to do a difficult climbing turn, when the machine crashed to the ground, killing your son instantly.

We laid him to rest this afternoon in the British Cemetery near St Omer, and as soon as possible a cross made out of a propeller will be erected to his memory.  The Co. and all officers who were not on duty came to the service, in which we laid his earthly remains to rest, and commended his brave soul to the keeping of Him who also gave his life to pay the price of a purer and better world.

Out here we begin to understand that death, is not the end; it is but the gateway of a fuller and more perfect life.  One day we shall meet again in that promised land where death is swallowed up in victory.

I know that no words of mine can relieve your grief, but I hope that God will comfort you and give you pride in the greatness of the sacrifice which your boy has laid on the Altar of Patriotism.

 

In deepest sympathy, in which all ranks wish to join,

Believe me

Very Sincerely Yours

MPG Leonard,

Chaplain to the Forces.

 

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Victor Reginald Paulin to Edith Nickells Paulin, 1918

Letter to Mrs George Paulin from son Victor Paulin, France 22 April 1918

 

Dear mother,

How are things in old Victoria?  Received a letter from Victoria yesterday giving all the latest events, from Nancy Riddell, they are now living at 793 Stillside Ave, wants a snap of me, so I told her to call on you, and you would be sure to give her one.  I hope you received the postcards taken at Ayr and the 2 films taken in France while I was in the pool.

I have just returned from Baron von Richtofffen’s funeral, he was the German “star” aviator, and was brought down yesterday by one of the chaps in this wing.  He flew a red tryplane.  I also went and had a look at that this morning.  It was quite a funeral for France, a firing party of Australians, and the pall bearers were officers of the Australian Flying Corps.  During the ceremony a formation of our machines flew around the cemetery, everyone was wishing that he had been brought down alive, as he was a brave fellow.  I have had him dive on me on one occasion, and am not at all sorry he is out of it, at the same time I have every respect in the world for him, if Idid not happen to be able to dive faster than he on the occasion I mention, he would have “got me” -as the him tryplane is a very frail machine and is liable to break up at a great speed.  He couldn’t follow me, believe me, I had “gust up” when I knew that the “star”

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“him” was on my tail.

I received a letter from Aunty Nellie, also one from Ben, Ruby and Hilda, everything in the garden is rosy so far as Ruby and Ben are concerned.  It appears they have both written me, but I have not received the letters.

Say Mother, did Aunty Floss ever write me?  I have never heard from any of our relatives in Victoria, except that one letter from Aunty Doll Aunty Polly.  I must have lost a whole batch of mail.  I have written about a hundred letters for every one I receive.  Expected one from you today, it seems funny that I should receive a letter from Nancy from Victoria, and no other mail with it.  Perhaps some more is coming !!!(This letter was dated 11 March)

In case you haven’t received my other letters my address is 23 Squadron, RAF, BED France.  I received a letter from Wilf recently, he was in London for a few days.  I will get leave in about a month, and will send some more music for Dad, tell him to write a few lines once in a while.  I haven’t had a letter from him since I landed in England.  I received a Christmas card from him that is all, Well Ma must close now, hope Toby won’t be a nuisance to you, the best way would be to raffle him for the Red Cross!!  deducting your expenses.

Love to Dad and yourself, your loving son Vic

 

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Emma Jennings Paulin to Charles Wilfrid Paulin, 1941

Perry Barr

Sunday Dec. 14th [1941]

 

My Dear Wilf

 

I was a great surprise and a very nice one to receive your parcel- No need to tell you, the contents are appreciated and will be enjoyed- also thank you for the kind thought.

 

I mentioned your letter sent months ago by return post, often wondered if it reached you.  Read in the paper you had the Syrens [sic] in Victoria.

 

Please God it will end at that.  Hilda’s hubbie expected to get his leave and be home in Jan., but do not know what will happen now, after this fresh uprising- Fred is in Africa and has been very ill with Malaria.  So could do with a rest.

 

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Rene’s son is on board HMS Worcestershire, destination unknown.

 

Hilda and Grace are still hard at it, doing my little bit, by collecting paper, cardboard, rags and bones, they are greatly needed for munitions.

 

Love to your wife and boy, and also to George and wife, not forgetting ~~~~~

 

Remember me to Uncle Fred when you see him, we are not sending any Xmas cards this year- Always thinking of you

Love Auntie Emmie

 

 

 

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