A letter home

ANZAC Day has prompted me to write about a letter I found amongst a pile of my grandmother's papers passed on to me. This letter still brings tears to my eyes, even after multiple readings. When I collected it from the framing shop, I had to blink rapidly as I thanked them for their work. The letter now hangs in our living room. The letter is from my great-grandfather, James Trickett, to his two sons, one of whom was my Papa (my mother's father). James wrote a long and loving five-page letter, filled with life advice for his boys. The tone is hopeful for his return and yet the instructions prepare his sons for his possible death. This is the first page: James did survive to travel to France, but according to a letter from his commanding officer, in late January, 1917, he complained of a headache, and then suffered a 'bilious attack'. He became very unwell, and eventually was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with 'spinal meningitis'. He died in early February, 1917. Here is the last page of his letter: Here is the entire letter on the wall: Lest we forget.*Just in case anyone is concerned, the letter is framed with archival matting and tape, and has maximum UV protection glass. The letter is also hung on a wall which is not touched by any direct sunlight, and which receives only muted daylight.

Listening

Small & vital details