Dear All I am researching the First AIF in the United Kingdom. I was examining a file in the Imperial War Museum containing the papers of a Reverend Hayward who was Chaplain at the United Army Board Hut at Sutton Veney from 1915 to 1919. A good deal of his correspondence refers to Australian troops and I came across a letter written to him by the mother of a serving soldier. You can delve through loads of documents and then you come across something so poignant that it brings in the reality of the what people went through. I reproduce the letter below if you are interested. I couldn't resist looking for Gunner Edgar Farleigh in the AWM Nominal Roll to see if he did get home safely but he wasn't there. His brother Victor returned to Australia with a Military medal. Is the Nominal Roll complete or might Edgar be found somewhere else? From Mrs E. W. C. Farleigh, Brasted, 131 Union St, Gregory Terrace, Brisbane 11 August 1918 Reverend Sir, Excuse the liberty I am taking in writing to you for information respecting Gunner Edgar Farleigh No. 1245 49th Battery AIF. Since my boys have gone to the 'Front' I have written them each Sabbath Evening. Edgar had his eighteenth birthday on board his ship going to the 'Front' and will be twenty-one years of age on 23rd of September next. I have not heard from him for months and cannot imagine what has occurred to prevent him writing as I have received no Official Information and as his letters are addressed to you I thought, as I feel so anxious about him that you might kindly make enquiries and let me know why he has not written. His brother Victor has been gassed and I had the usual Official Information and have had a note from him in hospital. Edgar was such a good thoughtful boy to me always, afraid to give me any anxiety and writing cheerful letters home even when wounded that I feel sure something has happened that he cannot write. Why did his mate not write?