As part of our online coverage in the lead-up to Anzac Day 2020 the Free Times is featuring a series of letters from World War 2 discovered in recent times by a Warwick resident tucked away in an old piece of furniture during a home ‘clean-up’.
The letters were written by a Corporal Harold Mathison of the 12 Australian Army Corps RAE (Royal Australian Engineers) to his sweetheart Elsie Matzkows in late 1943 and early 1944. Harold was at the time in Townsville while Elsie was in Warwick, staying with a Mrs F Reimers on Grafton Street.
It’s unclear where Harold may have been serving prior to writing the letters – and letters to home were censored for operational reasons – but it’s possible he had not long seen service in New Guinea, given the dates.
Harold’s letters were passed on to Warwick-based military historian – and good friend of the Free Times – Deborah Wheeler, who transposed them in the hope of perhaps discovering a little more about Harold and Elsie.
From Deborah’s research it appears the Mathison and Matzkows families both lived on Dragon Street, while Mrs Reimers’ residence may have been at the corner of Guy and Grafton Streets – if so then not far from Deborah’s own home, the Grafton Rose B&B.
Today we feature the first of Cpl Mathison’s three letters, dated Friday 3 December 1943. The letter mentions a Les Noye – who may also have been from Warwick – who was in camp with Harold at the time. If any reader can shed any more light on Harold and Elsie – and Les Noye – please feel free to contact Deborah Wheeler on 0414 852 492 or email – read@deborahcwheeler.com
FROM CPL HAROLD MATHISON – TO ELSIE…
Q104824
Cpl. H. Mathison,
12 Aust Army Cps. R.A.E.
Townsville
Friday 3rd Dec, 1943
My Darling Sweetheart,
My trip is over and I am once again sitting on my bed with a delightfully fresh sea breeze blowing through the tent; it is much cooler here than out where I was.
It was frightfully hot out there and yesterday was muggy; the perspiration was teeming off me in the phone box. I wouldn’t like to be camped there for any length of time; I was there just long enough. I found out just before leaving that Les Noye was in the camp nearby. I happened to be there a couple of times but was not fortunate enough to see him.
I had quite a good trip back for I managed to get a seat all to myself; I spread the blankets on the seat and settled down for the night. I had breakfast at the Towers and met several of the boys I know.
Darling, I had a lovely surprise when I got back for a [sic] was handed three letters from my sweetheart and three from Mum; also the papers with the shooting enquiry in them. I will read the papers later; I could not wait to read the letters for I had yours opened the minute I came into the tent.
I have just read your letters through again and now I see that one of Mum’s is missing; I’ve looked all over the tent and can’t see it.
I am thinking of Christmas this time, Pet; when I think of Xmas my minds goes back to the many happy Christmases we have spent together; we have never spent all Xmas day together so I hope it won’t be long Dearest before that happy day will come to pass.
You spoke of all the things you would make me Elsie, and then you said that they mightn’t turn out alright. I don’t agree with that for everything I have tasted of yours has been ‘Moorish’, it makes my mouth water Pet to think of all the lovely things my [unclear –Toky?] would make me.
The lights have been out for almost an hour so I have only a few minutes to finish off.
It was wonderful Darling to hear your voice yesterday; I was a very happy afterwards and I can still hear you.
I will have to close now Sweetheart or I will be in the dark; I will write a longer letter on Sunday. Best and dearest love from your very own loving Sweetheart,
Harold.
XXXXXXXXXX to the loveliest little woman in the world, and [Toky?] I love you and love you and love you.
