Lot 205

Collection of approximately one hundred letters, most sent by John 'Jack' Thomas McNaughton while on active service.
1915-1919. Handwritten. Many on stationery of the NZEF, Red Cross, YMCA, Salvation Army etc. Collection includes many original envelopes. Points of origin include Trentham, boat to the Middle East, Zeitoun Camp (Egypt), Palestine, Dardenelles, Ismailia Camp (Egypt), Brockton Camp (England), Scotland etc. Jack asks after friends and family and the farm in New Zealand. His tone is predominantly upbeat and reassuring. He appears very much the stoic Kiwi. With creative spelling, he describes camp life, passes on information he has gleaned about friends and family on active service, and occasionally mentions combat, censoring for his sister (and perhaps the censor!). One letter, headed 'Deseart, 2/1/17', contains unusually extensive descriptions of a 'scrap': 'It was about 10 o'clock when we got into action after riding all night so you may be sure we were sleepy & tired but when the bullets are wizzing & michine guns cracking & rifle fire one soon forgets sleep, & when the word was sent round for us to advance we all rushed down the side of a hill which was swept by the Turks rifle & michine gun fire, it was a great sight to see a long line of us running along with fixed baynot. Australians with us, then some mounted Australians got round & cut off the enemies retreat so when they saw they were surrounded they soon put the white flag up.' Collection also includes several Active Service postcards sent by Jack, several letters sent by Robert 'Bob' James McNaughton and Alexander 'Alex' McNaughton (other brothers) while on active service during the First World War, a telegram regarding Bob's wounding in the Second World War, and several letters sent by other friends and family to Mary. An altogether fascinating and comprehensive archive. [100+].
Realised: $1,900 July 2011

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