Julius of Talisker

Here is the letter written on a cigarette packet, signed "Julius of Talisker", to his sister, "Thel". Julius wrote this letter during the Gallipoli Campaign. He briefly describes an armistice to bury the dead Turkish soldiers, mentions the garden at Talisker and adjures his sister to take great care of their mother.

Aged 22-23 years old, Julius enlisted in the 8th Battalion AIF at the outbreak of World War I, served in Gallipoli and France and returned to Australia in January 1918, making his home at Minilya Station, Carnarvon.

Julius’s letter entwines martial thoughts, the gardens at Talisker, and care for his family. Julius makes it clear to Thel that the letter may be his last; poignantly including a “goodbye” at its end.

Letters and postcards from the front often included a clear “goodbye”, sometimes written just before the authors moved into an uncertain future on the front lines. You can read more about Julius’s exploits and those of many other W.A. soldiers, in Caroline Louise Higham’s 2016 book, On active service.

Below is a transcript of the letter

The Great War:  1914-18
From: Gallipoli Campaign. Writing materials were now available, this message written on a cigarette packet.

"man hunting and I think it is the most enjoyable sport in the world. About two weeks ago the Turks asked for an armistice to bury their dead who were beginning to be rather high so we gave them a full day and they had time to cover most of them up.
During the armistice we exchanged cigarettes and chattered with one and other accross the lines, we all long for them to charge us and then we shall chop them to bits.
(over)
"... I had a letter from her yesterday and she seems happy but misses you. I hear the garden at Talisker is kept in good order and am awfully pleased for it would break my heart to go back and find it otherwise.  Well Thel this may be my last letter to you and my last words, if it is so take great care of Mother, be a good daughter to her. Keep yourself and the old name beyond all reproach for the sake of our dear fathers memory.
Good Bye, Dear Sister, 
Love,

Julius of Talisker
(West. Australian member, First Division, Gallipoli)

Tags
This page last updated on