Letters from Ernest Oswald Collett to his family, 1916-1917

Letters relating to the First World War service of 19618 Bombardier Ernest Oswald Collett, 29th Battery, 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade. The letters begin by describing life in camp at Larkhill in England. Collett describes the gas training the soldiers undertook, particularly the effect of tear gas, and writes of the snow and the rain the soldiers had to endure. His brother George had enlisted on the same day and was also in the same camp. Collett describes one occasion on which, having been left responsible for the quartermaster’s keys, he and his brother broke into the stores and took pictures of themselves wearing various pieces of uniform and equipment. He also describes the preparations for Christmas dinner and a sightseeing trip to Scotland. Eventually Collett is sent to France and promoted to the rank of bombardier. He writes of being issued with his rations, kit, uniform and protective gear. Collett expresses that he is glad to be going over to do his bit and is looking forward to the end of the war so that he may return home. From there on he describes life on the Western Front, including his friends and those “few close cobbers” with whom he is especially close. Collett was killed in action just over two weeks after his final letter home. This file contains:
Typed copy of letter from Ernest Oswald Collett to his father, Larkhill, 24 November 1916;
Letter from Ernest Oswald Collett to his mother, [Larkhill], 16 December 1916;
Letter from Ernest Oswald Collett to his sister, [Larkhill], 22 December 1916;
Letter from Ernest Oswald Collett to his mother, Larkhill, 30 December 1916;
Letter from Ernest Oswald Collett to his father, France, 24 [June] 1917;
Letter from Ernest Oswald Collett to his father, France, 10 September 1917.