More Free Family WWI
Momentoes

One of a number Sam had made into post cards, the photo on the left has written on it: 'To all at Home with best love from Sam'.
We think it was probably taken at Perham Downs during the boys' initial training. We don't know who the soldier seated on
the right is although the fact he has a lanyard and a machine gun emblem on his sleeve suggests he may have been on Perham Down's
training staff. The soldier on the left is probably Pte (later Cpl) William David Smith who sailed with Sam and Bert from Melbourne
on the SS Port Lincoln as part of the reinforcements for 15 MG Coy. He was eventually allocated to 12 MG Coy and was
awarded the Military Medal for bravery under fire at Zonnebeke. He RTA in 1919 and, we think,
married Marjorie Olive Neyland in Melbourne the following year.

'France 28/10/17. To My Dear Mother, Just a little card to show you that I have not forgotten when your birthday is.
Well dear Mother I am back in comfortable quarters again and doing fairly well, but the worst is a cold but I suppose
it will soon be all right. Now mind whatever you do don't worry about Bert. He is only one of the noble thousands doing
their bit and if God in his mercy spares me to come back your lot will not be so bad, some have lost all you know.
Well I am well away from trouble now and doing well so will close with very best love from your affec Son Sam'.

'3 November 1917. Dear Mother, Just a few lines and a card to say I am well and out resting and will be I hope for a few weeks anyway.
I have not heard anything of Bert yet so my fears are pretty well confirmed and I got a letter today telling me of poor old Herb [see below]
Well my cold is about better. It is fairly wet and we get no work to do to mention. Aus mail must soon be due.
Well goodbye and best love from your loving son Sam'.

'Herb' was Herbert Adler who attended the same school as Sam, travelled with the Free brothers on the SS Port Lincoln as part of
reinforcements for 15 MG Coy and trained with them at Perham Downs. He was allocated to 4 MG Coy and was
killed by a shell near Zonnebeke a few days before Bert went missing at Passchendaele.

'I was in this place and there is a moat or wide ditch right around it. Towns of buildings like these and the size of Bendigo are just
one mass of ruins and not a habitable room in any one house left. The ruins of the place we went through on the road to the line
are an awful mess and there has been a lovely town there'.

'21/10/17. Wishing you the Compliments of the Season and Good Luck in the future. Writing a letter for next mail.
Kindest regards and best wishes from all, Agnes and Alice Hasty'.

'I received a letter from you last week. We are all well got letters from Will and Bert. I wish you a
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year, From Theresa. I hope your home for the next Xmas'.