Lynch, Phyllis (Miss)

Large collection of letters received by Miss Phyllis Lynch, a young woman of Pennant Hills, Sydney and Wongarbon, from friends and relations serving in the First World War. The approximately fifteen correspondents include Private Vincent M. McGarry (1st Pioneer Battalion); No. 1941 Private Leonard James (Len) Jordan (45th Battalion); No. 3709 Corporal Frederick Coram (1st Battalion and later 13 Field Ambulance); No. 5881 George Davey (2nd Battalion); No. 1092 Trooper Ernest Henry Hughes (12 Light Horse Regiment and 4th Machine Gun Squadron); No. 412 Sergeant Frederick Douglas Cuddy (36th Battalion); and Sapper Harry Clifford Gimbert (July Reinforcements, Field Company Engineers). The letters were partly responses to letters, parcels and gifts sent by Lynch and were written from troop ships, and hospitals and leave in the United Kingdom, as well as from Gallipoli, Egypt, France and Belgium. They concern personal and social interests of the circle of friends and family, as well as describing wartime experiences, including at the front line, and the wartime losses of mutual friends. The largest group of letters is from McGarry which includes detailed descriptions of his part in the battle of Ypres/Passchaendale and its aftermath, and other actions.