Letter From Australia: an Emigrant Writes Home on Hearing of the Outbreak of War in 1914

Oswald Tittle (1887-1918) left Audley for Australia in 1912 and he was  proud of his new home, and his new business in Sydney. As Private 2887, 33rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, he was killed in France on the 22nd August, 1918. A good number of his letters home have survived and these are currently being transcribed.  It is hoped to publish an edition of the letters in the future.  The society is grateful to Mr & Mrs Fryer, of Audley, for making them available.

Dear Father & all

                        Just a few lines of remembrance being as every thing is so upset in this great trial of conflict between our nations  I did not write at all last week as all the shipping is held till further orders but now they have decided to send the English mails via America I think we shall be alright now.  We have hardly had a ocean liner in the Harbour this last week every thing has been very dead & (quiet?)  my word all the papers are full of war news now.  also it as affected trade a little to most of the large firms in Sydney have dropped off a few hands so we are very lucky to have a few small jobs just now  I suppose you are in the craze of war news you see we are such a long way off from England that we only get cable news so I just pen a few lines to let you know I am well & not complaining so far.  I think the war wont last to long I hope not anyway  I will write more when every thing is more settled in the mail service  I pen these few lines in the shop Friday evening so you will pardon me for short news - hoping all are well in return.  From your son,  Oswald

The War Memorial Project

The society has been gathering information on people listed on the following war memorials:

Audley (opposite the parish church)

Alsagers Bank (both in and outside the church)

Butt Lane Methodist (formerly Primitive Methodist) Chapel

Central Methodist Cemetery, Bignall End

Scot Hay Methodist Chapel

Talke Church (St Martin’s, inside the church)

In addition, we have found some information on people with local connections who are not on the memorials.  Some of these are recorded on gravestones in the churchyards at Audley and Talke. Much information has been located, often of an interesting and surprising nature, including letters, photographs and items in local newspapers.   Some of these items have been included in this journal - the articles on Joseph Prophett and Princess Tiny and the letter from Oswald Tittle - and we are grateful to those who have brought these to our attention.

In fact, we now know something about the majority of those listed, and we hope to produce a book of some description within the next year to commemorate the sacrifice of the 292 people on that list.  If you want a copy of the list of names, write to the Ian Bailey, address in the introduction.   A couple of examples of what we have are given below.  Notice that in the first case we have been given information that could not otherwise have gained; in the second we cannot even tell which of the two pieces of information fits our local person and we have found out nothing else about him.  With so many people to search for, we cannot devote the time, nor do we have the money that would be required, to find out more.

The project was started because we were interested in gathering information about the people who lost their lives as human beings, and not just as items on a list of names.  It is curious that we have received hardly any information on people who were killed in the second world war and if their lives are not recorded soon, memories,  and maybe other things like letters and photographs, will be lost for ever.

So, please, if you knew or have heard any stories about any of the people named on local war memorials, please send a note telling us what you know.  If you have any photographs or letters or any other memorabilia, again let us know.  Please note that we would prefer not to have original documents or photos as we recognise their sentimental value.  If you could have a good photocopy done that would suffice.  And don’t assume that your relatives will respond to this - send us what you know.

William Edwin Lowe

Other Information supplied by: Cynthia Mayer, Audley:

The following is the transcript of a letter to Wm Edwin’s mother, informing her of the news of his death.  On the back of the letter, in a different hand, further information is given...

2nd Canadian CCS.  BEF Oct 22/17

Dear Mrs Lowe,

                            I am so very sorry to have to write you such sad news about your son Pte WE Lowe 71869, 11th Notts & Derby.  He was admitted to this clearing station very severely wounded in the rt leg, rt thigh, left shoulder and through the back into the chest.  The chest specialist did all he could for him and removed the bit of shell from his chest and operated upon his other wounds - but he had lost so much blood and was so badly wounded that he had not a chance of recovering.

            Pte Lowe suffered very little - he was unconscious all night before he died and just slept quietly till he died at 4am Oct 21st.

            He did not leave any messages as I do not think he realised he was so ill - and he hoped, like all the other men that he would soon be getting back to England.

            Pte Lowe was buried the next day with all military honours in the Lyssenhoeck Military Cemetery, Belgium.

            His personal belongings were sent to the DAG Base and will later be forwarded to you.  I am so sorry we were unable to do more for your son.

                                                            Yours very truly,

                                                            MH Forbes

On the back:  Joined the colours 22/11/1916.  Received training at Grove Park and Brookton Camp.  Left for France 1st May.  He belonged to the Sherwood Forresters.  Age 24.  Received his education at Barthomley School.  A member of the Audley Detachment of Red Cross Workers.  The only son of Mrs Elizabeth Lowe.  Before joining the colours he was a baker in his mother’s employ.

Sentinel, 10.11.17:  Mrs Eliz. Lowe, grocer & confectioner, 4 Nantwich Rd, Audley, has received news that her only son Pte William Edwin Lowe, Notts & Derbs, has died of wounds received in action.  He was a baker at his mother’s establishment and a member of Audley Volunt.  Aid Detachment.  He was 24 years old.

Robert Moreton

Army Other Ranks:

1  Sgt, 1081052, RA, 1944

2. Rfn, 14265923, Rifle Brigade, 1944