“A Soldier’s Letter.”

Private Vereker Lloyd, writing to his mother, Mrs A Lloyd, of Leonora, from France, under date 20^th February, says: — Just a few lines letting you know I am quite well at present, and hoping you at home are all the same.

I just received a big bundle of letters from the West, I do not know how many there are, but lost count at forty. They are dated from the middle of last year up to December. I have not received the Christmas cards or any parcels you sent.

I saw Langley (a brother) a few weeks ago, I was coming out of the line late one afternoon and met him about a mile from the front line going in relieving us. He was surprised to see me and came down next day early to see me. I have seen him a couple of times since. I gave him a lot of your letters, and he was pleased to get them.

We had our Christmas two days ago, (18 February) and had a bonza time.

Our company had a lot of wins during the day. We had sports of all kinds. The last race of the day was the greasy pig one. Whoever got the pig kept it for his own Company (for eating). “B” company got the pig and we took it up to our cook house and killed it. He was a “boshta c’mpre”, I can’t talk French much. Of course, our reason for having our Christmas dinner that date was because we were in the firing line with three men to a tin of dog and six to a loaf of bread at Christmas time.

Well I could not tell you this before, only a mate of mine (Jim King) is going on leave to England and he is going to post it over there. Did you ever get the cards I sent for Christmas? They were not up to much but I could not get any good ones.

I got a couple of letters from Trena and I will write to her tomorrow. I saw Les Samken, Norman Burrows, Mick McAppion, Harry Rouley, Steve Grace, and a lot of others. They are in my battalion, I also met Ted Lugar, Alf Needham, Tom O’Leary, Jimmy Copley, Mortimer, and V. Vout of Lawlers.

Having no more news I will have to sign off for the present. With kind regards to all old friends, and with love to all at home from your loving son, Vereker Lloyd.”

 (“A Soldier’s Letter.” The Leonora Miner 18 May 1918)

LLOYD, Vereker Raymond:

Service Number – 5430

Place of Birth – Deniliquin, NSW

Place of Enlistment – Blackboy Hill, W.A.

Next of Kin – (Mother) LLOYD, Alice Stella

Occupation – Chauffer

Age on Enrolment – 21 years and 1 month.

Vereker attended the Leonora State School and his name appears on its WW1 Roll of Honour, also the Country Roads Board Honour Board and the Town Hall Honour Board. All three boards are now located in the Gwalia Museum.