Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alexander George Innes' - Letters from the front;

"TWO WYNYARD BROTHERS

Private Lawrie Innes, writing to his mother at Smithton from Egypt, said he was quite well, and about to leave for the Dardanelles. So far he had had a good time. Private Alex. Innes has written to say that he reached Egypt two days after his brother had left for the front. Egypt he described as a wonderful country, and he had seen many interesting things. All he wanted was a shot at the Turks, and by the time his letter reached Tasmania he expected to be in the firing line. He added that Private Joseph Murray was ill in hospital with measles." - from the Launceston (nla.gov.au)Examiner 06 Nov 1915 (nla.gov.au) 

"LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. WELL AND HAPPY.

Alex. Innes writes to his mother at Smithton from Lemnos Island on December 12:- "We are on Lemnos Island at present. I see Laurie every day. He is camped close to me. He has been 13 weeks in the trenches, and looks well after his great experience. He had a very narrow escape from being killed, but was lucky, and got off without a scratch. We are all right and happy, with plenty to eat and drink, and plenty of clothes. Don't send any papers or parcels - only letters. I got three letters, the latest September 20. I also received one parcel of socks, cigarettes, etc. I had an exciting trip from Egypt. Laurie and I will have Christmas together. All we Circular Head boys are together. Ron Kay is also with us. We are having a real good time. Don't worry about us whatever you do." This letter has reassured Mr. and Mrs. Innes that their son Laurie is safe. There has been rumours that he was a prisoner of war." - from the Launceston (nla.gov.au)Examiner 14 Feb 1916 (nla.gov.au)

"THE NEED OF MEN. APPEAL FROM THE TRENCHES. "TELL ALL THE BOYS TO ENLIST."

Private Alex. Innes (Stanley) writes to his sister on July 28:- We are having fine weather here. France is a grand place. It reminds me of Tasmania when we go into the woods. It makes me think of days gone by when I see them getting logs, but they are not so good at the game as we used to be. They are a long way behind us in the timber line. I have been in the trenches, and am now out for a rest. I get my mail regularly now. I saw Will Casey. He was in the trenches. There are a lot of Smithton boys here. Claud Farnham is still with me, and Jim Smith is going strong; he is a machine gunner now. It is a treat to see the green crops here. We get butter and potatoes. France is a place worth fighting for. Tell mother to do all she can, and go round and get all the boys to enlist." - from the Launceston  (nla.gov.au)Examiner 26 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)

"WORTHY OF THE BOOK OF FAME.

Private Alex. Innes writes to his parents at Smithton:- "I am doing well. I have been shifted from Wandsworth Hospital to the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall. My arm is doing splendidly. The wound is nearly healed. The bone of course, is still weak, but I think it has knitted. It is wonderful, considering how it was broken. Claude Farnham is still with me, and doing well. His arm is nearly all right. I have not heard how the rest of the Circular Head boys got on, but I think they had a bad time. I suppose they have all heard at their homes who were wounded and killed. I know the boys in my company had a terribly hard fight for a trench. They were nearly all North-West Coast boys, and a good lot they were - all rough and ready from the back blocks and farms. Every man who fell that day did his bit, and did it well. They were a credit to the little place they came from, and their names should be written in the book of fame. They captured the German position. I was hit early, and never saw the end of the fight. I hope the next time I will have the luck to go right through. I am looking forward to the day when I can line up once more with my old company." - from the Launceston  (nla.gov.au)Examiner 16 Dec 1916 (nla.gov.au)

"LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. A REVIEW OF GUARDS.

Private Alex. Innes writes to his parents, Smithton:- "I am all right, and have nearly got over my wound. I am out of hospital, and having 14 days in London before returning to France. My arm feels really good. It is the same as ever. This morning I saw the King and Queen review the Life Guards, Scotch Guards, and Grenadier Guards. It was a wonderful sight - big, upstanding men with the bands and pipes playing as they marched along. I was only about five yards from the King and Queen when they drove by. I am glad I came to the war when I did, I think they will force all single men to go before it is over. It was not too good when I first got hit. It stopped my rush pretty quick, I tell you, but I must get my own back on the Germans. They got one in on me. It seems a long war, but we are on the winning side. It will take time, and the people of the British Empire must not think that Germany can be beaten in a day. Germany will fall with a crash when she starts to give way. I suppose it is summer in Smithton. We are having rain here nearly every day. It is bad for the men in the trenches. I met an old gentleman out of the Stock Exchange, who said he had been in Tasmania in peace time, and had a good time, and intended to give me the same in war time. I am looking forward to joining my company and having another go at Fritz." - from the Launceston  (nla.gov.au)Examiner 04 Jan 1917 (nla.gov.au)

"LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. A SOLID FIGHT

Private Alex. Innes writes to his parents at Railton from France, June 17:- "I am well and in good health. It is over 12 months since we landed in France. The time soon goes by, but it seems a long while since I left home, and I suppose it seems longer to you. I feel just as happy as the day I sailed from Hobart and said good-bye to Tas- mania. Since then I have seen some good times, and some bad ones. We have just come out of a pretty solid fight, and all is well. Of course, we cannot say anything about it. Wain- wright, Victor Holden, and Phil. Bugg have been wounded. Jim Smith is in the hospital ill. I have seen Jack Grey, Harold Acheson, W. McDonald, and a lot of other boys from our way. I have not heard of Claude Farnham for eight months. The weather is beautiful here, and everything is at its best. France is a wonderful place in the summer time." - from the Launceston (nla.gov.au)Examiner 27 Aug 1917 (nla.gov.au)

"Quite a gloom was cast over Smithton on Tuesday when the news came through that another of our gallant lads had made the supreme sacrifice. Private Alex. Innes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Innes, died in hospital on October 26, from poisoned shell wounds. The brave young soldier was only 19 years old, and had been on active service over two years, He had been wounded previously. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Laurie, another brother, has also been fighting over two years." - from the Launceston Examiner 08 Nov 1917 (nla.gov.au)