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Letters relating to the First World War service of Second Lieutenant Frank Reinhardt Fischer, 6th Battalion.
These letters were written by Fischer to his brother and sister over the period 5 August to 26 December 1917. The letters begin by detailing his embarkation from Australia and the pain at saying goodbye, introducing what becomes a common theme across all of his letters, a deep love and care towards his family. Fischer describes the troopship voyage aboard HMAT Themistocles, the first Australian transport to take the Panama Canal on its route to the United Kingdom (UK), and the several deaths during the journey, including that of Private Henry Bayley.
Having arrived in the UK, Fischer details his time in camp, first at Durrington and then Sutton Veny. He writes of the accommodation huts, food, and the struggle to keep warm, the poor weather causing many to contract pneumonia. Taking leave to London, Fischer writes of his sightseeing and catching up with his sister, an up-and-coming opera singer that went by the name Elsa Stralia. After being sent to Candahar Barracks at Tidworth, he describes his further officer training in which he scores well, learning the deadly power of machine guns and gas warfare. Fischer also reports on the deaths of friends such as Major William Twynam Mundell and Captain George Stephenson Elliott.
In late December, he is sent to the Western Front to join the 6th Battalion on the front line. Fischer describes the snow-covered landscape that confronts him, and details the power of artillery and the consequent ruin of France. He writes of leading patrols and is glad to be doing his duty in the war, remarking on the spirit and endurance of his fellow Australian soldiers.
This file contains:
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, At sea, 5-26 August 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, At sea, 16 September 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, “At anchor in harbour of Colon”, Republic of Panama, 6 September-4 October 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Durrington, 8 October 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, No. 2 Training Battalion, Sutton Veny, 11-14 October 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Sutton Veny, 21 October 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury, 28 October 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Tidworth Officers' Club, Tidworth, [Hampshire], 3 November 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Tidworth Officers' Club, Tidworth, [Hampshire], 11 November 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Tidworth, 18 November 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Tidworth Officers Club, Tidworth, [Hampshire], 25 November 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Tidworth, 29 November-1 December 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, The Australian Club, London, 12 December 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, Sutton Veny, 17 December 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, “Somewhere in France”, 23 December 1917;
Letter from Frank Reinhardt Fischer to his brother and sister, “Somewhere in France”, 26 December 1917.
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