8-page Letter
Object numberM2015/002
Title8-page Letter
DescriptionWW1 letter from Maurice Sussman to Rachael Marks, his future wife, dated 24 January 1916. Written in English by hand are 8 pages of a lined notebook paper in pencil. Maurice was serving in the AIF, Australian Imperial Forces, in Ma’adi, Egypt as a member of the Light Horse Brigade. Addressing Rachael "My dear Baby", Maurice explains why he couldn’t write more and more often lately. He describes in colourful detail the events that happened since leaving his last position and the difficulties encountering with trying to keep the horses well and in good order in the desert. He also describes the encounter with the Bedouin Arabs.
(Still To be transcribed: would make an interesting reading and provide information about soldiers serving in the WW1 AIF in the East.)
Maurice ends his letter with an expression of joy over receiving Rachael’s letter with her photo enclosed. He writes “I think Maadi is about the best camp in Egypt. We have a soldiers club run by officers wives and English ladies who wait on us and charge only nominal prices for light refreshments. It was like paradise to sit down in decent surroundings after having been leading a nomad’s life in the desert, to enjoy a nice cup of cocoa and some decent pastry and have nice English lady waiting upon you. Today I received your sunny countenance once again…… Now that I am at the Regimental base (Maadi) I get my mail regularly + several of your papers have come to hand. Several letters that followed me to the Western frontier have now been delivered so that I am getting letters with antique dates..."
This is a first-hand account of the Eastern front by Jewish soldier serving in the WW1. In the letter Maurice describes encounters with the Bedouin Arabs and provides insights into the region situation at the beginning of the 20th C, some 40 years before the establishment of the State of Israel. Maurice Sussman (1892 – 1972 Sydney) joined the 2nd Light Horse Brigade and 6th Light Horse Regiment on 16.6.1915 and his details are recorded in the Australian War Memorial under the AIF Nominal Roll’s Reg. No. 1240, ranked Private, Clerk, of residential address in Newcastle, NSW and of Jewish religion. His mother, Hannah Sussman also resided in Newcastle.
(Still To be transcribed: would make an interesting reading and provide information about soldiers serving in the WW1 AIF in the East.)
Maurice ends his letter with an expression of joy over receiving Rachael’s letter with her photo enclosed. He writes “I think Maadi is about the best camp in Egypt. We have a soldiers club run by officers wives and English ladies who wait on us and charge only nominal prices for light refreshments. It was like paradise to sit down in decent surroundings after having been leading a nomad’s life in the desert, to enjoy a nice cup of cocoa and some decent pastry and have nice English lady waiting upon you. Today I received your sunny countenance once again…… Now that I am at the Regimental base (Maadi) I get my mail regularly + several of your papers have come to hand. Several letters that followed me to the Western frontier have now been delivered so that I am getting letters with antique dates..."
This is a first-hand account of the Eastern front by Jewish soldier serving in the WW1. In the letter Maurice describes encounters with the Bedouin Arabs and provides insights into the region situation at the beginning of the 20th C, some 40 years before the establishment of the State of Israel. Maurice Sussman (1892 – 1972 Sydney) joined the 2nd Light Horse Brigade and 6th Light Horse Regiment on 16.6.1915 and his details are recorded in the Australian War Memorial under the AIF Nominal Roll’s Reg. No. 1240, ranked Private, Clerk, of residential address in Newcastle, NSW and of Jewish religion. His mother, Hannah Sussman also resided in Newcastle.
Production date 1916 - 1916
Production periodWWI
SubjectWWI, light-horsemen, Jews in military
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- width: 207.00 mm
length: 272.00 mm
Language
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Maadi Einfeld