Autograph Letter Signed from J. W. Leach in Australia to his aunt Mrs Baker in Sidcup, England, discussing his return to 'good old Sydney', the 'frightful state' of the country post-War, and the arrival of 'a great number of English Brides'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with small rust hole to second leaf affecting two words of text. He begins in the hope that she is 'quite well & Plenty of Business'. He reports the death of his mother the previous may: 'she only lasted 5 Months after I left her'. He complains that 'The Australian Military Authorities only gave me 3 days Notice to sail for Home Sydney they luged [sic] me out of a Real Sweet job At the Ministry Headquarters in the Strand London We saild out from Tilbury Dock on December 23 - 18 on the Barambah & we got to good old Sydney Town of Febuary [sic] 25th. 19.' The voyage was 'Beautifull', with 'Plenty of good Food'. He is 'fairly well', having been discharged from the Garrison Military Hospital, and has 'got a position in the New South Wales Government Railway' He reports that 'things are very flat here the Country is in a frightfull state with a Drought as soon as the Rains come things will get right its now getting Hot here it now mid Summer'. The 'corst [sic[ of living' is 'geting [sic] very high out here we carnt get Mutton Chops & Steaks at 2 1/2 a Pound now its 1/3 & 8d, there a great number of English Brides arriving here I suppose you have still got some Aussies in Sidcup, is the hospital still open'. He wonders whether 'young Jack' is still a Prisoner of War': 'I hope he as [sic] Returned home safe & sound & n the worse for we got some terrible sights Returning here'. He asks how things are 'in the old Country now all the Munition Places have Closed down is the corst of living falling'. He concludes in the hope that they are 'all O.K. & you have a Real dinkum time this Xmas I am spending my Xmas out at Kilda Beach Melbourne Victoria, it will be a Real Wealther'. Cryptic postscript: 'This Name is No more on the London market | have you Paid a Visit to Peckham since a left Beat, as never said &c'.