Letters trigger hard memories

I FOUND a letter of thanks from a soldier at Gallipoli to my aunt Rita Mynard (nee Campbell) while skimming through early editions of the Gazette as part of the Gazette’s centenary.
Rita was a 13-year-old student at Berwick State School where children worked diligently to produce hundreds of pairs of socks to be sent to the front lines for soldiers.
Many put little notes in the socks and the soldiers often responded.
The soldier said in the letter, Gazette 8 December 1915: “With the greatest of pleasure I write these few lines to acknowledge and thank you for your thoughtful gift of one pair of socks, which arrived here a week or so ago.
“They are beautiful and warm and a splendid fit, and, if it is not too much flattery, a credit to the person who knitted them.
“The lady friends of Australia are certainly doing their fair share to make us as comfortable as they possibly can, and I can assure you that the boys greatly appreciate any little thing that may be sent for their comfort.
“Possibly you wished a Victorian to receive your gift, but I am a South Australian.
“Nevertheless I appreciate it as much as any Victorian could have done.
“Again, thanking you for your kindness.
“I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
My cousins Joan, Alan, and Barbara still have the letter.
Although the soldier’s name was not recorded in the Gazette the original was signed.
He was Sergeant Alexander Bert Chinnery who served from 19 August 1914 to his return to Australia on 8 November 1918.
He won the Military Medal and Bar.
Rita also received a letter from Private Maynard Basham who was at the time serving in Egypt.
He served from 7 October 1915 to 6 April 1918 when he died of wounds.
During that time Rita’s husband to be, John (Jack) Mynard, was serving with the Australian Imperial Force in the Middle East.