Echuca
30.3.1942
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
A Company C.Y.D
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Letters from Fred to Phena
New Guinea & Ambon 1942-1945
Page 1
My darling Phena, just a line hoping this finds you well as it leaves myself at present. I have been expecting a letter from you today, but better luck tomorrow. I don’t suppose you have been up the street since I left Friday. How is little Shirley and Elaine, give them a big kiss for me dear. I hope your uncle is better. I wrote to Nell but I haven’t heard from her yet about the truck, I might be able to get down to Bendigo on my day off and arrange it myself. I will try do so, there is only one or two days a week that I can get down and back in the same day.
I have found Val’s address so I will drop a line to him, I suppose he will be home on leave soon. Les Greenville is on leave tomorrow so he will be home. How is the wood I cut hanging out, I do hope that you wont have to cut any dear for it is pretty hard what is left. I will be glad to get home again for a while.
Page 2
I suppose Tom Eaddy and jack Yannah are in camp by this. Mrs Eaddy will know what it is like to stay on her own. Have you heard from Ruth about the cot and chair yet, have you heard wether she is shifting up to Daylesford. I forgot little Shirley’s photo darling so can you send it up when you get a chance. I hope you are having a little more rest and try and not worry dear. Have you heard from Gertie or your mother lately I hope they are well. I will send you the money to get your hair waved next week, next Wednesday or Thursday I think it is 1.1 pound so let me know next time you write darling. Well my dear I will have to bring this so called letter to an end. I will close now with tons of love and thousands of kisses to I remain your ever loving husband Fred.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To Mum
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Shirley and
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx little Elaine from Dad.
Write soon Darl
devastated
Caulfield 9.6.1942
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
4th Bomb disposal
Australian field Coy R.A.E
A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena, just a line in answer to your ever welcome letter I received last night and I am pleased to hear you and the kiddies are well as it leaves myself at present. I hope you are having a bit of fine weather up there darl, it is not to bad here at present. Only the trams and the trains kick up a row, it is hard to get to sleep with the noise they make and we need no alarm clock to wake us in the mornings, for they start running at about five o’clock. I haven’t been out to Ruth’s place since I came back, we can’t get out to often. We had a bit of strife yesterday and they closed the camp for home leave and night time so the boys stuck together about the leave and we got a bit better leave than we were getting, the ones that live in the country get two days home leave and two days rest leave now a month and the camp is open for two nights a week. But we are going to try and get more home leave if we can. We were nearly all charged with causing a mutiny as our section refused to do anything, but it has all settled down for the time being. I haven’t heard about getting out yet love the C.O just came back today, so it may take a while yet.
No other pages.
Melbourne: 4.7.1942
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
My darling Phena, just a line in answer to your letter I received last night, and I was very pleased to hear from you. I managed to get out to Ruth’s place last night for half an hour, we have the night off tonight and we are in at the Y.M.C.A in Melbourne now. It has been raining here all day and it is very cold, we started to camouflage our tents this morning but we had to give it up as a bad job on account of the rain. We don’t get any day off here only two nights a week.
Give Shirley and little Elaine a big kiss for me dear and tell shirl I will be home again soon. Harold Kingston called to see Ruth yesterday, I suppose it is still raining up there. I met Ted Murphy on the train coming down Jenny Sullivans husband and Ben plant, he is in the same camp as me, bill Beasley is cook up at Watsonia Camp old Max Worthy’s brother told me he is up there. Well my darling news is scarce. So I will have to bring this so called letter to an end
Well my darling I will close now with tons of love and thousands of kisses to you dear I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write Soon.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling Phena from Fred.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To little Shirley and little Elaine from Daddy.
New Guinea
Monday 3.1.1943
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present, still kicking along. Well love it has been very hot here today. I think we will have some rain before the night is out. It is a good thing to have a River handy for a swim and to wash our clothes every night. You may see Shorty Greenville if he goes back home they are on the way, we are supposed to be next, I think we have a good chance of being home very soon now love. We have our twelve months in just about now.
Page 2
We are all feeling the heat, but well get use to it in a week or too, we are in grass huts and they keep cool to a certain extent but they are a harbour for snakes. We have got two six footers the last couple of nights. Charlie shot one out of a cow nut tree by the hut on Sunday. There are a lot of native bees about they are very annoying, just as well they don’t sting like the ones at home. They are like a house fly, small and thin and crawl all over us all day in hundreds. There are not many mosquitos here but by all account we will get plenty.
Page 3
It is little Elaine’s birthday on the 8th of next month love, I was going to send you some money to buy her a present for me, but I will wait until I get home and get her something then. how are they getting on love, I hope they are OK , I am looking forward to seeing you all soon. Well my darling I have got a lovely headache so will close for this time with tons of love and thousands of kisses. To you I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write Soon.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling Phena from Fred
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To little Shirley and little Elaine from Daddy
New Guinea
Sunday 30.3.1943
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena, hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present still kicking.. I don’t remember getting the news you wrote about Alan Hutchins death love, How is aunty Min going ? give her my love dear. I think there are quite a few letters that I haven’t received. That is why I want you to number them and I will know how they are going. The news is looking pretty good lately, what we see of it, but it is all for the best I hope they keep it up and get it over with. It will be good to be home again for good love and I will do my best to carry out the instructions you sent over out of the paper it was good wasn’t it. I didn’t receive my cigarette papers yet dear but I got the letter you wrote when you sent them, so they should turn up soon. I will be looking forward for the parcel you are sending love, but don’t run yourself short of anything that is rationed to send. Charlie has been pretty sick lately so he is going into the hospital tomorrow, he may catch up with Joe but I doubt it. I hope they get back here alright for it is tough getting split up after being together so long I always have some luck with my mates, I haven’t heard from Joe lately, last I heard from him, he was going off a treat about Chas and I not writing so he must be on the improve. How are little Shirl and Elaine getting on, still arguing I suppose. I hope you have gotten over the flu alright love also give the little girls a big kiss for me, tell them dad will be back soon. We have been over here six months on the 28th of this month, so the time is moving along, that will be seven months since I was home. It was exactly one month after I left home that we were on the water coming over. Have you had any more snow lately, tell Shirl to keep a snow man for me. I hope she got the letter I wrote to her, tell her to write again soon, is she still wanting to go to school, I suppose little Elaine will be wanting to go next. We are still doing a bit of steady manoeuvring plenty of mud, but it will soon be finished now I hope. It has been quite an experience over here the only things that worry us much, is home leave and that wont be long now or we hope not. Well darling space is getting scarce so I will have to bring this so called letter to an end, hoping this finds you the children well and to hear from you soon. I will close now with tons of love and thousands of kisses to you I remain you ever loving husband. Fred
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To mum Shirley and little Elaine from Dad
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
New Guinea
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My dearest phena hoping this letter finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present, still kicking. We have had a lot of thunder here this evening, and it has started to rain. But, we got the day in without getting wet for once. How are little Shirley and little Elaine getting on? I hope they are well, and they didn’t like the idea of you nursing Lucy’s baby. They must be wags. Give them a big kiss for me love, and tell them to write Dad a letter soon. It may be hard to read, but I think I will puzzle it out somehow. I suppose Val is out of the army by now, the lucky cow. Have you heard from home lately? I hope they are all well. I was going to write to them Sunday love, but we had to work, so I may have a chance Sunday coming.
Page 2
Well my darling, there is not much to write about, up these parts we are in. We are in better spirits these days waiting for the next 3 months to go, and see what it will bring forth. I hope it is for the best too. I will bring this so called letter to an end now darling. Hoping this finds you and the children well, and to hear from you again soon. I will close now with tons of love and millions of kisses.
To you I remain your ever loving husband Fred.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Write soon.
Kisses to Mum
XXXXXXXX
Shirley and little Elaine from Dad
XXXXXXX
New Guinea 21.5.1943
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
Dearest Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well, as it leaves myself at present still kicking. When you get this letter darling write strait away to the address you always use, I am longing to get a letter from you to know how you and the children are getting on, also send the photos love wont you. Charlie wishes to be remembered and said to tell you it won’t be for long. I will leave to you love to tell poor old Mar, have you seen them lately, still worrying about Aunty Min and her boys I suppose. How are little Shirley and little Elaine love, give them a big hug for me, I hope to be back before Shirl goes to school. Remember me to all up home next time you write love.
Page 2
Well my darling time is getting very short and I will have to bring this so called letter to an end, and I will write to you every second day love, so I hope you get them often. Keep your chin up darling, its hard god only knows, but it’s not for long this time my love. I will have to close for this time with tons of love and millions of kisses to you and the children. I remain your ever and always loving husband. Fred.
Write by return.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling wife and children from Daddy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
New Guinea
Wednesday 10.11.1943
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena,
Just a line in answer to your every so welcome letter I just received which you wrote on the 29th. Glad to hear you and the children are well as it leaves myself at present still plodding along. It has rained here since dinner just pouring down. We got drenched and have just had tea. It is pretty fresh so I have turned into bed to keep warm, and is not a bad place at that. No love, I never got the parcel Mar sent. I think what you say is right, but however, I am not worried over it.
Fancy little Shirley going down to Nell’s for Val to nurse her. Poor little pet. Tell her Dad will be home soon now and I will nurse her. Well my darling, there is nothing to write about in this B place, so you will have to over look the small notes. I will be glad to get home so at there will be no letter writing. It is twelve months since I have seen you and the children, and by j love, I am looking forward to getting home again.
I will have to bring this so called letter to an end now. Hoping this finds you and the children well and to hear from you again soon. I will close with tons of love and thousands of kisses to you.
I remain your every loving husband, Fred.
Kisses to Mum, Shirley and little Elaine from Dad.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Write soon
New Guinea
11.1.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you well and the children well as it leaves myself at present still kicking. It is very hot here at present, we have just had tea so I am taking the advantage of a bit of daylight to drop you a line love. I have just been having a read of the truth I got a parcel of them from Bert’s sister today. I haven’t had a letter from her for a while, I often wonder how Bert’s farther is getting on. I haven’t heard from Ruth or Mar for some time, they must have forgotten me how are they all, and Val I suppose he is busy these days. I think the Daylesford climate would suit me very well now, I don’t want to leave it again. There is plenty of thunder and lightning here tonight, it seems very much like a storm for us tonight. By the way love did you get the photos yet, I hope so, and that they are on the way by now. Well my darling there is nothing to write about in this ‘B’ place so I will have to fetch this so called letter to an end. Hoping this finds you and the children well. Hope to hear from you again soon.
I will close with tons of love and kisses, to you dear I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Kisses to Mum xxxx Shirley xxxx and little Elainexxxx from Dad.
New Guinea
Sunday 30.1.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena,
Just a line in answer to your ever welcome letters I received, wrote on the 14th and 16th glad to hear you arrived back home alright love and that you are well also my little pets, how did they enjoy their holiday, they would have enjoyed the trip I bet. I think there must be some of your mail still on the track love for I never got any wrote on between the 6th and 14th but they may still turn up today for we hear there is some on the way or we are hoping to get some. You mentioned in your letters that you left a couple of pages out love so send them next time you write. I will try not to get off the bike as you say.
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New Guinea
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F New Guinea
Page 1 missing
Page 2
I am out of writing paper and stamps, I don’t know when we will get some more I think we will have to get a roll of sanitary paper to write on. I would do that sooner than be held up for paper. I have just finished mending my mosquito net it had some holes in it and they had a good feed last night and I had little sleep, so I will mask them tonight although they are giving me what for while as I am writing this. I don’t know what is wrong with the mail darling, Joe and Charlies wives are not getting their letters Either, it is a "B" to think we are over here and it takes weeks to get our letters through, your letter I got today love was posted on the 7th, so it took 8 days to get here, but that is not too bad.
Page 3
Have you heard from home lately love I hope dad is improving. I must drop him a line when I get some writing paper. The native boys have built us a big mess hut now, they make a good job of them. The roof is made out of big long broad leaves and they tie them on with cane vines split into little pieces like string. We are getting pretty good scrum and the cook boys wait on the tables, so we have no dishes to wash and no camp duties, but plenty of work otherwise the boys do our washing in the morning and it is clean and dry for us every night, so we get looked after pretty well. I am writing under difficulties dear, the mossies are in a bitting mood tonight. The trouble here is every thing that crawls, we even seen a leaf with four legs and a head walking the other day, it was the queerest thing I ever saw.
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New Guinea - 1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena, just a line hoping this finds you well as it leaves myself at present. I hope you have been getting my letters alright love for I write often enough. I hope you are feeling a lot better than you were the last time you wrote. It has been raining here all this afternoon, but not very heavy. I hope you are having some fine weather there, it should be starting to warm up down there by now and you and the kiddies colds should get better. I have got one myself now, it is better but I had to keep going to the hospital for a week with it. Give little Shirley and little Elaine a big kiss for me darling. We were on guard last night and on duty all day today so we have a day off tomorrow, so I think I will have a day in bed if I can, I just had a good drink off coffee and some cake for supper and it was pretty good. How is Harry, has he been to the doctor yet, does any of them call in to see you love, I hope they drop in sometimes. I haven’t heard anything about leave yet.
Page 2
I think you can get a small box of them as it is only in small tubes like toothpaste would you see if you can get some and send them over, we would be more than pleased to get it as they are very handy. It poured rain here last night and looks as if it will start again in any time. I wish you could get some at home. I went to the pictures last night love, Charlie Chaplin in the great dictator was on, it was a rotten show, I haven’t been for a couple of weeks well before jack left I haven’t heard from him up to this date.
Page 3
There is a chap by the name of Brownhills from Daylesford, just down the road I haven’t seen him and I don’t think I know him but he was asking one of the boys if I was here. I think N Street is still here we are only a couple of hundred yards were we are doing a job to where he is, but I haven’t sighted him up to date. How is Lucy’s nips, I hope they are better, no doubt about it she has a tough spin with them at times. Harry must be making plenty of money you forget all about that pattern love or look out you are a little
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bit of a teaser ain’t you, it is just as well you are not serious in what you say about the pictures when I get home again love wont you take your poor old man with you as I don’t see many over here, I bet you will. How are little Shirley and little Elaine getting on, I hope they are well give them a big hug for me love and tell them dad will be home again soon. I got that cutting out of the paper of the Bull Dog road love I will send it in my next letter, you may like to read it.
Well my darling I will close now with tons of love and thousands of kisses to you dear I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write Soon.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling Phena from Fred.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To little Shirley and little Elaine from Daddy.
New Guinea
Sunday 4.6.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present. Well love I haven’t heard from you for some time, so I am a bit worried I hope this finds you and the children alright, your last letter I got was on the 11th of last month I have written several but there is a lot of mail missing so I hope some turn up soon Charlie is getting his alright although he thinks there is some missing. I don’t know if I told you before love that old jack was along to see me. The other Sunday we had a great old yarn and what we wouldn’t do if we were in Melbourne again. He got a wire saying his wife had a son and the lucky cow got their movement order the following day to go out, so I suppose they are on the mainland by now. It takes about seven days I think we had eight coming over. I have no good news as yet love but we will only have a few hours notice when it does come, that cant be too soon for me. How are our little girls love I hope they are good for mum, they wont know their dad when he gets back home. Give them a big hug for me dear, I am longing too see them. I will send a wire as soon as we hit the mainland love when we do move one never knows when that will be.We are doing pretty well here, its the best food we have yet, even a bit of ham and one egg each for breakfast this morning, so things are looking up a bit. There have been quite a few write ups about the Bull dog Road in the papers, have you seen any by any chance. Charlie met one of the Dolmans from Daylesford the other day down the beach I don’t think you would know them his farther was a carpenter they live in House street. I had a letter from Val and Gert the other day Gert was worried about Alf, he wasn’t in long was he ? I am glad he is in the air force for I don’t think it is as bad as the army. I am still polishing the ornaments love there is shore a lot of work in them. My luck hasn’t been so good as of late but I still have a nice cheque for you dear I haven’t sent it yet. By the way love, Charlie has and I had the luck to get that extra five days leave I was telling you about, that makes 43 days coming to us just imaging six weeks at home it will be like heaven again wont it.
Well my darling space is getting pretty scarce so will have to draw this to an end I will close now with tons of love and kisses to you dear I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write Soon.
XXXXXXXXXX.. To mum Shirley and little Elaine from Dad
XXXXXXXXXX
New Guinea
Saturday 24.6.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present out of the hospital and back with the boys. I was glad to get back after 16 days away although it was a bit of a break, the first let up I have had since we arrived 17 months ago. It seems like ages love it is worse of late dear I don’t know what is wrong or what I have done to deserve it but I have had two letters in two months I have written regular as I said I would write twice a week
Page 2
But I don’t seem to get any results I am very disappointed with you for not writing often, all of your mail cant go astray love as Charlie gets his regular two or three times a week and his comes from practically the same place, so if you have any grievances, let me know by return post I am sorry if I have offended you in any way, if you hold what the others do against me love I don’t think that it is very fair, for I cant help what they do and don’t care a damn, I have written to them but one cant ignore their letters so if that is the trouble I will knock of writing to them.
Page 3
I hope you have the photos of yourself and the little ones taken, please send one soon love I have asked you that often I hate mentioning it but it is hell over here, no letters not even a photo of you and the kiddies can you get a camera and get a few snaps taken, the ones I have are invisible now they are ruined with the damp. We had a letter from Joe which he wrote on the 17th of this month he has probably been over to see you by this I hope he has he is going to write as soon as he does, I am glad he got home I couldn’t wish anybody to stay in this “B” place.
Page 4
He got forty six days leave, there was a few more of our chaps that went home lately on compassionate leave, I wish I was among them I have made up my mind - to never to come away again no matter what happens. There was mail come in this evening I received one but not the ones I want. It was from Oliver Campbell they are splitting the place up up there, and he wants to know if he can get me released - would I take a permanent job with him they sent into the manpower before and they wanted to know if they wanted
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me out for keeps he seems to think there is a chance. I have just written to him love and told him to do what he could, how would you like to live up that way again love I think you would be glad to get away from Daylesford and all of them. He has been expecting me home to have a talk to me about it, but I have given up on it love. I am very much down in the dumps and have been for the last couple of months with no mail, and we haven’t moved yet. I am glad you had Allan over with you love I bet you missed him when he went home.
Page 6
Do you still miss me as much love since I have been getting very little mail, I wonder if you do - this will probably give you a headache love it must be boring reading these all the time, and me moaning but in future I will try not to love, over look it for me this time. I am dying to see you and the little ones again, I love you more than ever love I hope you do too. I heard quite a lot of news from Jack, and learning it was old but new to me by all accounts Les Grenville had the same trouble as Harold what a welcome home it must have been.
Page 7
To think of a lot of those "B" that squabed out of it, and to break up another mans home while he is away, shooting is too good for them. It will soon be our wedding anniversary love, I hope to be with you for that. I have over forty days leave coming so keep smiling a little longer love, it will be worth waiting for. We have been here the longest now so we must get out soon. Well my darling there is not much news just now so will have to bring this to a close. Hoping this finds you and the children well. Hope to hear from you by return post.
I will close now with tons of love and kisses I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write soon.
XXXXXXXXXXX to Phena from Fred
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
To little Elaine and Shirley from Daddy
New Guinea 12.7.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well, as it leaves myself at present. .How are little Shirley and little Elaine getting on? Does Elaine like her Dad any better lately? No doubt the little pet has forgotten me, but I hope the time will soon come that she will get to know me again. Yes love, I have sent the money. I didn’t know until today whether it was going or not, but we got our pay books back today. And I see where it was sent on the 7th of this month. So I suppose you have it by now. 37 ________ there was, so that makes it an even 60___ I have sent you. Let me know if you have got it, and if you love me a little more, next time you write darling. Wont you.
Also thank Gert for sending the cake, next time you write dear for me. Is there any news from Ma about the boys ? I am going to have to knock off writing to Ma - back to once a week, and all I will write to you love is twice a week, but no others. And I won’t be able to get blamed for anything then. Well darling, there is not much to write about, so I will bring this so called letter to an end. Hoping this finds you and the little girls well, and to hear from you again soon.
I will close with tons of love and thousands of kisses.
To you I remain your ever loving husband Fred.
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To Phena for your birthday from Fred
XXXXXXX
To little Shirley and little Elaine from Dad
XXXXXXX
Brisbane
Friday 8.9.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My dearest Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present still in Brisbane. We have been here a week now, I wish I had an address so as you could write love, we are not aloud to get our mail sent to this address. I would love to get a letter from home to know how you and the children are on, although I still think I will be back for the rest of my leave very soon dear, so keep your chin up and keep smiling. I sent a wire to Ruth and got Bob's address so I went out to see him the day before yesterday. I was lucky and found him home.
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I met Doreen his wife she is a nice sort of kid she is smaller than you love, I went to the pictures with them last night it was a good show - The Trial of Mary Dugan was on, if I am still here I will see bob again on Sunday I think he is going over to where I was soon, it wont be long before he is getting called dad in another six months don’t mention it to the others though love. We had a look about Brisbane yesterday they have a big lookout tower here on top of the Town Hall and one can see for miles. I am finding it harder to settle down this time love I suppose you are the same, I wish the damn thing war was over.
Page 3
I think little Elaine missed me love, you ought to have seen her at the gate when I was coming away, Shirl didn’t seem to mind. I hope you have settled down again dear no doubt it is hard. I hope you are having no trouble with the cow I think it will be a lot easier for you now everything is fixed up. Is the fowl still laying, tell the nips to keep dad an egg. I suppose the chicken are out by now they will be thrilled about them, wont they. Get your photo taken as soon as you can darling and send it, when I can give you my address. Have you heard from respina yet there is six of us here now the others are not due back for a while yet.
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Bill Lanner is still here a few miles out I haven’t seen him yet, they are holding them all in Townsville so things are looking pretty good, even the news in the paper - they are fighting in Germany now so it wont be long now, I hope you got the wires alright love. Send them old snaps of yourself, I left them in the old wallet.
Well my darling I have got to go out on parade now so I will bring this so called letter to an end. Hoping this finds you and the children well darling I will close now with lots of love and kisses to you.
I remain you’re ever and always loving husband Fred.
XXXXXXXX To Shirley and little Elaine
XXXXXXXX Love from Dad.
New Guinea
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Miss Elaine Wallace
Page 1
My dear little Elaine,
Just a line in answer to your ever lovely little letter that mummy helped you to write, and dad was shore happy to get it and to know that you are all well pet. No doubt you will have a job to sum this up but mum will help you out I bet you cuddle mum these cold nights I hope Shirl lets you play with her pram, mum and dad will try and get one when dad comes home again, which I hope is not very long. Dad doesn’t want to leave you anymore, I bet you don’t remember dad now, but I hope it won’t be long before we get to know each other again. Well my little pet daddy can’t write much, give mummy a big kiss and a cuddle for me also little Shirley. Tell them dad will be with them again soon. I will close now with lots of love and kisses to you from dad.
To little Elaine from dad
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A big one for Mum X
And one for Shirley X
Give Shirley a big kiss for her birthday from Dad.
Brisbane
Sunday 3.9.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
Page 1
My darling Phena, just a line to let you know that I have arrived in Brisbane yesterday. We came strait away from Melbourne we were two days and two nights getting here. There are some of the boys back here but most of the Sydney boys got their full leave, I don’t know how. Things look pretty good love I don’t think we are going back out, our company is not expected out any time so that will mean we will get the rest of our leave. We went to a picture show yesterday afternoon and was in bed with the fowls as we were pretty weary after our trip.
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I suppose you have heard love that they knew I was home. I met Ruth on the train going back to Melbourne, she was telling me they knew. I wish I had young Bob's address I would go and see him to fill in a bit of time. How are little Shirley and Elaine darl do they miss me, I bet you all do I would loved to have had another month at home, but keep you chin up darling I think it will be sooner than we both expected.
We have a days leave today but no where to go, it is pretty warm so had to do away with our heavy clothing.
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We stayed the night at Ruth’s love she asked us to do so, it was better than the hard boards. I sent a wire in Melbourne and one from here yesterday love so you will know by the time you get this love where I am. Well my darling. I can’t tell you much for this time. I will write often but you won’t be able to write back love as I have no address just yet, so cheer up sweetheart it won’t be long before I see you again. I remain your always and ever loving husband. Fred
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling Phena.
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To Shirley and little Elaine from Dad.
New Guinea
22.9.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
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My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present still kicking. It is a rotten day here today raining and pretty miserable it has rained every night since we got back. The tent we are in is not the best and I shore got a wetting the first night, my bed was full of water it’s a good thing it is not as cold as it is at home. We are in a good camp this time hot showers and plenty of good scrum that’s the main thing. My back has all cleared up love so I may be able to keep that way with hot water on.
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. I am on afternoon shift and Jack is on early morning, so I only see him as we are changing over. We still get plenty of cups of tea, the Salvation Army truck comes along the job morning afternoon and night they do a good job with a cup of tea and biscuits. I hope you have received some of my letters by this love.
I was going to write and post one at Townsville, but they would have been held there perhaps a couple of weeks so I let it go until I got back. We have been getting plenty of coconuts since we got back.
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I will get a couple and send them to you for the little ones. I don’t think you can get them at home these days, Jack had a bottle of beer the night before last needless to say he give me half it was very tasty. I will probably get my two bottles today or tomorrow. Charlie wishes to be remembered love and said to tell you he is looking after me like H. Have you heard from his wife of late I hope so I suppose they all got a shock to know I arrived back here, they all seemed to be so shore that I wouldn’t have to come over again.
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Have you heard from up home lately love, How is Ma has she any news from aunty Min about the boys? I hope they are OK. Remember me to them when you write, also to Gert and June. I think I there is a good chance of me being home for Xmas the reasons I cant tell you love, so keep your chin up and keep smiling darling and hope for the best. How are our two little girls getting on give them a big hug for me love.
Well my dear this is a letter of a sort. I will close now with tons of love and kisses to you I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write soon.
Kisses to my daring wife and family from Fred.
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Saturday 24. 9.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
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My dear Phena, just a line in answer to ever and lovely letter I received last night. I was more than pleased to get it love, it is bad to hear you and the little ones are not to well love. How I wish I were home to help you, but it is no use wishing is it however, I hope you are OK again darling. I think I know what you mean is wrong, but don’t you worry dear, for everything is alright. How are the little girls? I hope they are better. Give them a big hug for me love. I miss you and them more than I can tell, and I am looking forward to be back with you again very soon.
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I wish you could get someone to stay with you Phena. One of Eadie’s girls to go and get your messages – they would be a great help for you. If you can’t get the kids to post the letters love, give them to the baker, he wouldn’t mind doing it for you. Yes love, I was wishing I was home with you and the kiddies for my birthday. It was very quiet on my own, and nowhere much to go. I seen Bob that day, and went to the pictures in the evening. There was a picture show here last night, it wasn’t bad. I hate telling you about them love, seeing you don’t get a chance to go yourself. It makes me feel selfish.
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We were working on a barge today. It was rocking some, and the bed and tent seem as if they are on the move all the time tonight. Charlie has gone over to the Salvation Army hut for a cup of tea, so I am here on my pat writing this. I quite believe what you say about them down there dear, but never mind, every dog has their day. I hope they have theirs. I bet little Shirley and little Elaine are please with their fowls laying. Do you think tiny is alright love. I hope so, she won’t be so much trouble if she is, no doubt about some get a great spin don’t they. Lenny Zenetti was only away six months. I think I will have to get dermatitis.
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I haven’t heard anything about Oliver Campbell’s turn out as yet, but one never knows when it may turn up. I wish it would, for I have had enough love. The sooner I get back they better. It is Sunday tomorrow, but we have to work seven days a week from now on. I think one of the boys just came back from the Salvation army hut, and says there is a good brew of tea on. So I think I will hop over and get a drink when I finish this love. I have about run out for this time. I will write every other day dear. I hope you do to darl. I will close now will tons of love and millions of kisses.
To you I remain your every loving husband Fred.
P.S Don’t forget the photos soon.
Kisses XXXXXXXXXXXXX to Phena from Fred
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To little Shirley and little Elaine from Dad
New Guinea
22.11.1944
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
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My darling Phena, just a line in answer to your ever welcome letters I received last night, five in all love I am shore pleased with myself today the latest of them was writen on the 14th I am more than pleased to hear you and the children are as it leaves me at present. I also had a letter from young Ruth your sister Phena I think your dad must be improving as she was saying he had a trip down the street and back. I have been going to write to them for a while now but kept putting it off, so I will answer Ruth’s letter one day this week. If I write now it won’t go any quicker.
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It is good to know you are getting some of my letters love as I am like you darl, cant settle down since I have come back, I cant get back with you and the nips quick enough. However one just has to carry on hoping for the best. I am not as far from Bob as he thinks I know where he is in the same place as old Jack, I thought I may have bumped into them, but never had the luck. I don’t think Bob has will have the chance of seeing much, I hope not anyway. I haven’t a hope of seeing Harry Mauley unless he comes this way love, I would like to meet up with some of the boys from home.
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One of my mates and I went looking for some shells this morning as we are on afternoon shift, we got plenty of cats eyes, but I have been trying to get some nice ones for little Shirley and Elaine but never had much luck, but I will fetch some to send home to them. How are they getting on love I hope they are well, give them a big kiss for me, I bet they are little busy bodies with their fowls, chicken and pup. I am glad their carts are still together, they enjoy themselves with them. Give them a big hug for me darl, tell Shirl dad will try and make her a little glass ring, although I will have to make two of them don’t you think love.
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It was good to hear the grass seed came up it will be handy if there is enough rain to keep it growing, how are the flowers doing I hope you have a bit of luck with them. I don’t know about Doreen and her brother, but he seemed a pretty descent chap by what I seen of him. The dinner gong just went so I will have to finish this after, bully beef I can bet. Sure enough I guessed right - everyday. Well my dear I have only a few minutes to go and start work and I want this to go tonight so I will have to fetch this so called letter to an end. Hoping you have received the parcel, I am anxious to know what you think of it love and also the cash. I will close now for this time, hoping this finds you and the children well and to hear from you again soon.
Tons of love and thousands of kisses to my darling Phena, I remain you ever loving husband Fred. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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To little Shirley and Elaine from Daddy..
Camp Gable Queensland
25.5.1945
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
C Company 5.A.R.D
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
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My dearest Phena, just a line in answer to your ever welcome letter I received today which was wrote on the 22nd and I am pleased to hear that you and the children are well love as it leaves myself at present still kicking. I am sorry if I was moaning in any of the letters Phena but I just couldn’t help it and I didn’t mean to hurt you in any way so believe me when I say I am sorry love, as I didn’t mean it. I feel a lot better since I got all your letters and another one today I was shore worried some. I am pleased to hear you are getting plenty of eggs, I wish I could get a few up here the meals are pretty light, and I get pretty hungry waiting for them. There is a picture show here tonight don’t know what is on but may go up and have a look for a while.
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As you said love I had no luck at the hospital only got out of marching on account of my legs, for two months they ache just standing around and cant stand up to the marching, the nerves are caning them up. I am leaving here in the morning love so will have another address, I hope it is the final one this time. I am not going to the islands for a while yet but may later on, there is a lot from here going over, they have started to take atribin again so when you get that you are on the way over again, I got issued with 42 at the hospital so have to take them for the next 42 days. You will see by the different writing I have a different pen, I am blowed if I can write with an ordinary one they are not thick enough to hold. How are our two little girls love give them a big kiss for me, does Shirl want to go to school I hope she likes it and learns quick.
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Harry must have plenty of money to be buying horses for the kids to ride about.
does he sell wood these days. I hope the war is soon over and we get our own truck going. There are a lot being released love and they say there is an A1 get out for every B2 for essential industries that includes wheat, so I hope they run across the claim Oliver Campbell put in for me. I am in the Y.M.C hut writing this as it is the only place with a light and a place to write on here, they put a cup of tea on after the pictures, needless to say I am in the que up for one - probably three or four.
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It must be pretty cold down there love as it gets cold here at night and early in the mornings, I have to wear the over coat. I was in debt to the army for 19.10 pounds love and started to pay it off from the 28th of April I think. Its from when I came out of detention as I had to pay 8/6 a day for 48 days and a fine of 5 pounds so it will take me over three months before I get a full pay I have a large sum 10/- to collect on Thursday its pretty after the checks I had in the islands, again I buy a few smokes there is none left, so I will be glad when I get it squared up. Don’t think I am growling about it love, as I am more pleased than ever for having the 27 days with you and the little nips, wish I could again.
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Dawson got onto the dog did he, just as well as you say love that he didn’t get onto me with the water. I hope the sweet peas are growing. Did any of the other seeds come up the ground, must be badly in need of manure in the front. Did much grass grow around the house while the cow locked off it? Did bill send them things of mine down yet love - I wrote and asked him to send the fishing lines up as I may be able to use them one day, so if he sent them to you would you send them on love, and if you can afford it, if you get a chance to get a bit of tobacco would you send some as we get very little here 10__ a week and thirty cigarettes and some times not that much.
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Thanks a million for the 1box you sent darling I won’t ask for any more as you need all you get I will struggle along alright. Well my sweetheart there isn’t much I can write about as I wrote a nice long letter to you yesterday and finding it hard to fill this one, so I will bring this so called letter to an end now. Hoping this finds you and our little girls well and to hear from you soon.
I will close with tons of love and millions of kisses to you darling,
I remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write soon
To my darling wife from Fred.
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To little Shirley and Elaine from Daddy.
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T.O.I.L
New Guinea
Sunday 17.7.1945
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
4th Australian field Coy
8th Platoon R.A.E A.I.F
Australia
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My dearest Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present still kicking. It has rained very heavy here this morning nearly got flooded out, thank god we have had a few days of fine weather lately and has been pretty good. A couple of us went down the beach yesterday to have a look at some shells but had no luck as the tide was in so couldn’t get any so had a look around the place for a while. I went to the pictures the night before last love it was just a show The Andrew Listers was the name of it, but wasn’t so good.
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I haven’t seen Joe since he went to the hospital don’t know if he is out yet or not I went down a couple of nights ago but he wasn’t back then. I think I told you about meeting miles Hooley on the boat he is still here he is in the same Coy as Joe he got engaged to a girl in Brisbane while he was there. I came of a job at midnight last night so have been busy keeping the water out of the tent and doing some washing this morning. Have just had a cup of tea, so thought I had better write a few lines, I haven’t had a letter for a quite a while now love, they must have gone further on to the 9th army group and will be a while before I get them.
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How are you getting on at home love, kept pretty busy I suppose, how are our little girls getting on how does little Shirl like school, give them both a big hug for me dear and tell them I hope to be back with you all very soon. We are all getting better food here than the last time I was away. Plenty of fresh potatoes and onions and fresh meat now and again. Have you heard from up home lately love I hope they are all well remember me to them, they have probably wrote but I have not got them yet. I haven’t got any of the mail from 5ARD in Brisbane since I came out of the hospital there, I wish I could get into a Unit instead of being messed about like I have been.
No other pages.
New Guinea
Sunday 7.8.1945
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E - Detached 1AARD
A.I.F Australia
My dearest Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present. It was our wedding day yesterday love and how I wish I had been home for it, seven years love seem a long time but the last half seems like double the time as we have only been together for half the seven years, I wish this "B" of a war would hurry up and finish so as one could come home for good again.
I think there may be some mail in after tea, it is near that now - so I am looking forward for one from you dear, please write often love as time goes much easier if I hear from you.
I had a letter from Gert yesterday it was wrote on the 30th, it came over in six days I wish yours would come through like that. We have been down the beach all day training, it gets pretty weary some day after day.
I think I told you I was going to engineers school Phena, you could just have done it on the mainland. Joe, that is one of the old mates just opened a bottle of bear we have a bottle between us every night before tea, that’s four nights a week as we only get two bottles a week each. I was going to write last night but put it off as I was making necklaces till late, so I let it go until tonight. They are calling out the mail now but haven’t heard my name mentioned, no luck love missed out again! I would like to know what’s happened that I don’t get it, I inquired about the registered ones this morning they said for you to take the number of the letter to the PO and they will trace it from there as they can’t do much without the number from this end. How’s the little girls getting on Phena I hope they are both well give them a big kiss for me and tell them to scribble dad a letter. I have been expecting the photos Phena but they haven’t turned up yet, it don’t seem as if I am meant to get them, don’t get wild when I ask you this Phena have you or have not been writing as you promised, if not why or haven’t you been able to get up to post them as they have been few and far between for some time, one I got of late was wrote on the 8th and none until the 23rd quite a space between them isn’t there.
I wish I was on the mainland I would shore be home, may try from here yet if things don’t alter. I just had tea love an extra good meal tonight, it is a 100% on our last trip, one does get a squire meal here.
I haven’t heard anything from Joe or Charlie for some time but I hope they write soon. I had a touch of malaria a couple of days ago so will probably be in the hospital again soon as it always comes on that way before I get it properly. It has just started to rain heavy here no doubt about these islands for rain, wish we could get it more regular back at home like this.
Well my darling space is getting short, so is the news - so I will close now with tons of love and kisses to you.
I will always remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write soon love.
XXXXXXX To Phena from Fred
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XXXXXXX… To little Shirley and Elaine from dad.
New Guinea
September 1945
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well, as it leaves myself at present still kicking. Well love I hope you are well again dear, also the kiddies - I worry a lot about you dear I don’t get much mail these days and wonder if you are alright, your last letter you sent was dated the 3rd of this month. What a celebration they must have had in the cities, it must have been great. The way things are here Phena its hard to realize that the war is all over, as we are still kept pretty busy, I was on guard duty again last night so have been up since four o’clock this morning. We get three days off starting from tomorrow it will be a bit of a break as we were all issued with one bottle of beer free to celebrate on today. Have you heard any news from aunty Min as yet about the boys, it must be terribly hard for her.
Well my darling I have just about run out of news for this time and I am hoping to get a letter from you very soon. I hope that we will not have to write many more love and that we are never apart again, I will be with you soon for good. Well sweet keep smiling give our little girls a big hug for me, tell them I have nearly finished the necklaces, they are very nice if I do say so myself, I hope they like them. Write often love as I just can’t express my feelings about waiting to get home. I will close now with tons of love and thousands of kisses to you I remain your always and ever loving husband. Fred
Write soon.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling wife from Fred.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx T o little Shirley and little Elaine from Daddy.
T.O.I.L
always
New Guinea
3.10.1945 - VX74662
Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
My dear Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well, as it leaves myself at present still kicking. Well love its Wednesday today. I have been up all night loading out gear and feel pretty weary just now. We are moving today - round about dinner time. We are going to Ambon. Don’t know how long the trip will take but will write as soon as we land. We are going over on the West Australia – a pretty big boat, but there is a fair mob going. There is one good thing – it will shorten our trip home as it’s not far from Darwin – about 500 miles. They say they are starting from the ones with 217 points first in the demobilising, so I will be in about the third batch, as it goes down to 195 then, so I can’t miss out on the third seeing I have 188. It is going to be pretty hot here today by the feel of it now. I have just had breakfast. Such as it was a couple of spoonfuls of stew and no bread or biscuits, There isn’t much I can tell you love, so I will have to bring this so called letter to an end. Hoping this finds you and the children well and to hear from you soon.
I will close with tons of love and millions of kisses to you darling.
To my darling Phena from Fred. I remain your ever loving husband.
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To little Shirley and Elaine from Daddy.
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Write by return
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T.O.I.L
always
Ambon 11.10.1945
VX74662 Spr Wallace Fred
9th Australian field Coy
R.A.E A.I.F Australia
My darling Phena, just a line hoping this finds you and the children well as it leaves myself at present still kicking. We arrived on Ambon last week and things have been pretty rough here love, the men that have been stationed here have had a hell of time under the Japs. I wish I was back with you all love, I am shore it can’t be long now. Tell little Elaine that there is a young baby here and she keeps us awake pretty often, I would like to bring her home, but I don’t think she would like that, do you love? How is little Shirl getting on at school. I hope she has got to like it again, give them both a big kiss for me love and tell them I love them both very much and that I will be home soon for good. I hope its for Xmas if not love I will send you all I have in my pay book so you can buy yourself and the little ones something and get little Elaine her pram, as the poor kid has been waiting a long time for it. But if you want it before then darling, let me know. They seem to think here that we will be leaving for home early next month, I hope it is right, but I won’t believe it until we are on the move. We have to wait until the British take over has allotted an island to the Japs, they have to move there and wait until they can be transported back to Japan, we have a lot of them.
I have enough points now love, so I should be home for Xmas, well my darling I think I have about run out of room for this time, such a letter as it is, but it’s the best I can do love. I am hoping that there wont be too many more anyway. So hoping this finds you and our little girls well and to hear from you soon.
I will close with tons of love and millions of kisses to you.
I will always remain your ever loving husband Fred. Write soon
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To my darling wife from Fred.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx T o little Shirley and little Elaine from Daddy.
On the 14th of December 1945, after spending 806 days overseas Fred arrived home to Australia for the last time.
He had spent the last 2 ½ months on Ambon, working on the exhumation of the 300 Australian soldiers that had been executed and buried in two mass graves at Laha Airfield. He also, worked on the exhumation of the 528 who had died and were buried at the Tan Tui prison camp.
Fred was devastated to find that his three cousins - David Eric and Fred Hutchins were among them. He was left with terrible nightmares from his time on Ambon that would return to haunt him through out his life.
