Historical information

This is the first off 14 Cat No’s relating to the “Stone collection” of letters, and cards which involve Kenneth Reginald (Ken) & Arthur Edward Stone (Art), Robert Stanley (Bob), William Andrew (Will) & Edward Andrew Hepburn (Ed) & Ernest William Smith (Ern).They are the Soldiers throughout the collection.

The letters, cards are addressed to the following: Mr AW Stone, Mrs AW Stone, Ina Stone, Marion Stone, Ina Hepburn and Minnie Sparrow. The families are all related.

All the other Cat No’s will be referred back to this Cat No 10742.15.
One cat No 10755.3 does not relate to the above soldiers in WW1 but WW2.

These 15 Letters are from "Kenneth Reginald STONE". No. 6903A (born Woodstock, enlisted Bendigo) on13.7.1917 in the 20th Reinforcements 22nd Bn age 21 years, embark for England 21.11.1917 finally arriving after Suez on 2.2.1918, embark for France 29.4.1918, WIA 19.5.1918 GSW Left Arm, rejoin Unit12.6.1918, WIA 2nd occasion 1.9.1918 GSW Right Elbow severe, RTA 20.11.1918, discharged MU 24.1.1919.

Physical description

1. to 15.
Series of 15 envelopes with letters from "Your affect Son/ Ken" to "Dear Dad". All addressed to "Mr A.W. Stone/ Woodstock West/ via Maldon/ Victoria/ Australia.
The envelopes are a mixture of e.g. YMCA, Australian Red Cross and Standard with a variety of Postage stamps and postmark ink stamps.
The letters are a mixture of plain paper, ruled paper; some with letterheads e.g. YMCA, Soldier's Institution (CHURCH OF ENGLAND) or Australian Red Cross. Dates range from 12 Sept 1917 to 13 April 1918. Handwritten - black and blue ink pen. Letters from;
1, Broadmeadows,
2. Melbourne,
3. Victoria,
4. Melbourne,
5. Broadmeadows.
6. On Pier.
7. At Sea.
8. At Sea.
9. First letter from England.
10. Abroad.
11. England.
12. In Hospital.
13. England.
14. Fovant - England.
15. England.