There were 11 in the family - nine boys and two girls - and five of the brothers enlisted.

The eldest, Ted, was killed in action on July 27, 1916, in Pozieres, France. There is no known grave for Private Edward Beasley but his name is listed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux.

This is a letter home to his cousin, written only a month before his death.

France

June 17th, 1916

Dear Cousin,

Just a few lines to you to let you see I have not forgotten you. You will have to forgive me this time Elsie it’s a case of better late than never.

Well Dear Cousin since I last saw you I have done quite a lot of travelling and by Jove I have seen sights which if I am lucky enough to go through this war I shall never forget.

I did not think when I left Towamba that I would ever get this far away from Home. But never the less here I am right amongst the din of shot and shell.

Just at present as I write you this letter the guns are booming away for all they are worth. The noise would nearly deafen you. You can hear the shells screaming through the air in dozens right over our heads.

The airoplanes are very busy to, fritzy is shelling them for all he is worth but I have never saw one brought down yet. Talk about brave its no name for our airman its lovely to see them up in the air. They have got fritzy properly bluffed.

By Jove Elsie when the big high explosion shells start falling around about you they do shake you up. The nearest I have been to one yet was to get mud thrown all over me. I don’t mind the mud as long as I can duck the pieces of shell.

It’s quite a dangerous place here Elsie especially at night time when we are on fatigue duty, rifle and machine gun bullets are flying every where. We have seen a fair bit of experience in the firing line but I expect it will be a mere trifle to what we will see before long if we are spared.

It would do your eyes good to see the lovely grass, it looks beautiful after being so long on the sands of Egypt. I should reckon this a very pretty country in peace time, it would make you cry to see the lovely homes that have been destroyed where the fighting has been. Some people are still living in old ruins although the shells are falling round about almost daily. They take the risk of being killed sooner than leave the dear old home. They do pretty well out of the soldiers with eggs, bread, butter, beer, wine and etc.

I have seen brother Arthur several times since we came to France. He has got very fat but I have not seen Hampden since he left Tel-el Kebir, Egypt. They wasn’t camped very far away either but then it’s hard to find anyone because there are so many. I hope the other three brothers get across safe.

I was sorry to hear that Alf had enlisted because he was such a good help to his mother. By Jove they must of missed him at home. The Towamba boys responded to the call well. I never thought they would let George Dickie go being the only son. He must of talked his mother over somehow.

Well Elsie, I hear that Lizzie beat you for first place. I wish them all good luck and prosperity on their achievement. I suppose you will be next. I don’t know if you are still at Dunblane, anyway I address it to there. If you ain’t I know you will be sure and get it.

I wrote a letter to your dear mother a few days ago, also one to Aunt Mary Targett. I asked them to be sure and remember me to all. I only hope they receive them. I would like you to remember me to one and all. I would be very pleased if you would remember me to Auntie Agnus and poor old grandmother Lis, I quite forgot them in your mother’s letter. I must drop them a few lines if I am spared.

I receive my letters pretty regularly from Bertha, sometimes a card from dear little Edna. She says that she is keeping all the kisses I send her until I come home. I would very much like one of her photos. I would give anything for one. I have one that was taken when we were out at Nungatta. I would like to see how she has been growing. Anyway I live in hopes of being able to get back again some day, you never know your luck do you Elsie.

I would of sent you a card but there ain’t any to be got just here. I have received some nice letters from the Targetts at Lochiel via Tantawanglo also some from Inda and Connie Dickie and a very nice one from Thelda Hartneady. Well Elsie I will ring off for this time,

with love from Ted. XXX. (Beasley)

Be sure and write soon - address No. 2555 Pt. E. J. Beasley, A Company. 9th Battalion, 3rd Brigade. France.