| Place | Europe: United Kingdom, England, Wiltshire, Hurdcott |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL41995 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Foodstuff – dry |
| Maker |
Woolson, Francis Earl (Earle) |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England |
| Date made | March 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Hardtack biscuit letter : Private F E Woolson, 12 Training Battalion, AIF
Description
Square army biscuit pricked in a grid pattern. It is hand addressed in black ink across the front 'Miss Elsie Woolson 27 Grosvenor St. Neutral Bay Sydney Australia', and carries a postage stamp in the top right corner. It was posted on 6 March 1917. The back carries the message 'Dear Daughter, The photos take the Biscuit so here it is Love from Dad xx'.
History / Summary
Related to with the service of Private Francis Earle (misspelt Earl in his service records) Woolson who was born in Oswego, New York State, USA in 1875. He was working as a rigger when he enlisted in the AIF 19 April 1916 and stated that he had previously served for five years with the United States Naval Reserve. He is also recorded as serving as a private in D Company, Washington Infantry during the Spanish American War of 1898. Family tradition suggests that he served in the Boer War in South Africa at some time between 1899 and 1902. He, his wife and daughter, Elsie Janet (born 15 July 1905), arrived in Sydney from South Africa in 1908.
After initial training Woolson was assigned to the 20th reinforcements for the 13th Battalion, with the service number 6339 and rank of private. He sailed for overseas service aboard HMAT Euripides on 9 September and arrived in England on 20 October. He marched into 4th Training Battalion at Codford on 17 November 1916 but soon afterwards transferred to the 12th Training Battalion at Hurdcott. He remained with this unit, possibly as an instructor, until 17 October 1918 when he proceeded overseas to France, where he joined 13th Battalion on 20 October. He remained in France until 31 March 1919 when he returned to England. Woolson returned to Australia as an Extra Regimental Sergeant aboard HMAT Raranga on 8 September 1919. He was discharged from the AIF on 7 May 1920.
This hardtack biscuit letter was written and posted by Woolson on 6 March 1917 to his daughter Elsie (then aged 11). Family tradition said that the biscuit was posted from France, but Woolson's service record strongly suggests that it was posted from England.