From France to Buckingham Palace to Scotland and back to the front in Belgium...Reg's war drags on.
The 2022 Connecting Spirits group have crisscrossed the Somme heading north to the Ypres region in our first week on tour. The horrors of the Somme and now the Ypres Salient have been thoroughly shared with our battlefields expert Rod Bedford. And as we reflect on the parallel journey of Reginald Harrington, his narrative takes him back to dear old Blighty for his investiture at Buckingham Palace to receive his Distinguished Conduct Medal from the King. Over the last year of 1916-17 however, Reg is finding the separation from his beloved 'wifey' and little Gwen becoming harder to endure. He writes:
'9 April 1917 (FRANCE)
Since writing my letter of a few days back I have had some wonderful luck. You will remember I told you of a little incident that happened in the advance, well the higher authorities seemed fit to send my name in dispatches and the result was that your old man after 32 months of varied experiences has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. What do you think of that Mrs. Reg? Just how I would love to see your face when you get the news, it will help to make up for a lot won't it darling? If ever I get back to Blighty I shall get a little miniature brooch made of the medal so my own brave little woman shall be able to wear the honour as well....Heaps and heaps of love and kisses my sweetheart to both yourself and our darling baby from your ever loving and affect hubby
Reg.
5 June 1917 (LONDON)
I was given charge of the Australians to be decorated and marched them round to the Wellington Barracks where we were checked off and told off to different carriage buses to which we were driven through Hyde Park to the spot, there was a big crowd. At the ground we were all taken off to the chains with our numbers on them. Mine was No. 127 and we were again checked and then some big wig came along and put hooks into our tunics. By this time the crowd had got jolly dense and we were all wishing it was over. Then some more big wigs got up into the dais and then the Queen Mother arrived. The shouts were deafening but really she is wonderful woman. She had some funny old things with her and then came along the King, Queen and Princess Mary the latter a little darling , now don't be jealous my pet, I am not allowed to call. But everyone loves the Princess, dressed very quietly and just a slip of a girl she is awfully popular with the public. The Queen looked splendid, then there was all the frillies to be gone through, but the whole show was very simple.
Then the show started and one by one the fellows went up to the King along a sort of race up to him and down a race back to his seat, as you marched up to him your number, rank and name was called out and so after what seemed like ages I stood before the King saluted. He hung the medal on the hook and then said "Have you just come over from France for this?" I answered yes Sir. " I am afraid you have had some very hot work over there. Were you in the last lot of fighting?" I said yes Sir except for Bullecourt. The the King said, " I think all you Australians have done wonderfully well indeed. I congratulate you all."
Somehow dearie I can't enjoy this sort of thing it was bad enough when I was over here before and if anything worse this time. I can always see the front ahead of me ... can't get it out of my mind and shan't so long as I have to go back. On Sunday I got down to the river at Richmond but had a mad fit on me, felt utterly miserable and could not keep still for a second. I walked for miles and eventually got back to London and was wondering what was the best to do when another good old pal of my old troop in the 4th Light Horse yelled put to me and came running across.
Next day I reported and was given leave till the 13th . I booked a ticket to Inverness and tonight my very own sweetheart I leave for Bonny Scotland and a good clean country...Only one fly in the ointment wifey and that is I am on my own, I want you ever so badly, more than ever I want my wife and baby and if it was not for the hope the prayer that one day I shall get back to you darling, everything would finish for me. Some day dear girl and then please God I shall be worthy of you.
Heaps of love my sweetheart both for yourself and our darling for ever.
Your loving and affectionate husband
Reg.
15 February 1918 (BELGIUM)
Time goes on my sweetheart and there still seems no better chance of my getting back to you, for a sight of home and my lover ones is all I need to back me up again. This week I wrote out an application for leave to Australia...goodness only knows if it will receive any consideration...
Here it is cold dear at stand to at 5 o'clock this morning I tell you I nearly froze... This part is fairly quiet just now dearie: we are on the Messines Ridge.
2 March 1918 (BELGIUM)
I have headed this letter Belgium, in fact it is correct, but from where I am writing is a nice little Pill Box. You have read of them, they are part of the Bosch system and a pretty good one too they come in jolly handy to us though for one can keep warm in them no matter how cold it is outside. Today it has been raining and snowing, bitterly cold all round but I suppose it won't be long now before we have the warmer weather with us.
So far my sweetheart I have kept out of harm's way and so go on hoping. ...And now my sweet wife I must finish up ..it has been inky dark tonight but the moon will be up soon and I shall have to start work. Kiss my daughter for me my wifey and store up heaps and heaps for your own dear old self with all my love darling from
Your ever loving and affec hubby
Reg.'
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