WW1 SIGNALLER P. G. McLINTOCK. 1916.

Watchman Sydney, NSW

10 June 1915

WAR OR PEACE.

"War is hell," said General Sherman.

"Peace is more damnable," said Congressman Haines, "if in order to retain It any concessions be made curtailing our liberties, civil or religious." Free speech,” free press, free people.

SIGNALLER P. G. "Gillie" McLintock, is the Brother of Wallace H Leathem’s best man, Signaller Corporal K. G. McLintock, at his wedding to Margret Gillespie.

Watchman Sydney, NSW

28 Sept 1916

"Watchman" Boys at the Front.

LETTER FROM FRED SALDERN.

One of the most popular of the dozen or so lads connected with "The Watchman" now at the front, is "Fred" Saldern, the well-known champion bat of the P.A.F.S. Cricket Association. 

We recently had occasion to announce that he had been wounded, but are glad to say a letter arrived from him this week announcing that the injury was slight and only needed a week's attention in hospital. The mishap occurred just after the corps to which Fred is attached had captured a village "somewhere in France." 

He was engaged in what may be described as domestic duties close to the apology fora trench they had dug when a fragment of shell hit him in the back and laid him out. "A dirty, trick" Fred calls it, but it happened on July 24 and after a week in hospital and a short spell in a convalescent camp, he was fit for duty again.

The letter was evidently written in the best of spirits, and Fred talks of taking part in the next cricket competitions and of wrestling with "Watchman" copy once more as a thing of the not far distant future. He ends with the following parody of "Somewhere a Voice is calling," written in the trenches by one of the boys:--.

Night and the shells are falling

Falling like rain

Hear how the Huns are bawling

Bawling with pain.

Fritz seems to think he's bluffed us,

But there's no chance,

For while the Anzacs face them,

They'll ne'er advanced

Night and the stars are shining;

0 blessed peace!

Now we are home and dining

Since war has ceased.

We have shown Fritz, the blighter

(He must agree),

Anzacs are splendid fighters

O'er land and sea.

(Note by author-The word "fighters” may be altered to "skiters" by Anzacs only, others do so at their peril.)

A letter also came to hand from Signaller "Gill" McLintock, for years on "The Watchman" staff.

He also is "somewhere” in France and well and hearty. His brother Kenneth, was in England at date of last letter, qualifying as instructor in signalling.

All the other news of our boys at the front is good.

Watchman Sydney, NSW

12 Oct 1916.

The Honor Roll.

SIGNALLER P. G. McLINTOCK.

A few issues ago in referring to "Watchman" boys at the front, we mentioned the fact that "Gillie" McLintock was in France and expected to be in the firing line in a few days, after the date of his last letter. When the paragraph appeared the brave lad was in his' grave, having fallen in action on August 29.

Mr. McLintock years ago, when a boy fresh from school, was employed in the old "Watchman" office in Castlereagh-street, and remained in the business department for some years. He was universally popular, and after leaving the office was for years with the Singer Coy., in whose employ he rose to occupy positions of considerable importance. He was in charge of the Bondi branch when he enlisted last year.

Following the example of his brother, Signaller Corporal K. G. McLintock, the young recruit sought and obtained transfer to the Signalling Corps, and made such progress in the necessary studies that he passed near the head of his class and but a few points from the "possible." 

He sailed with the contingent leaving on March 31 last, and on arriving in Egypt was further trained in signalling work. He met his brother, Ken, who was suffering the consequences of his experiences in Gallipoli, but after a time they were separated again, and Gillie went on to Marseilles and thence to "somewhere in France," where he now lies.

No details as to his death are to hand beyond the brief "killed in action," which came by cable.

Singleton Argus NSW.

2 April 1951 

MANY old-time Singleton friends of Mr. Ken McLintock will regret to learn that he died recently in Concord military hospital. 

The late Mr. McLintock left Singleton some 12 years ago, after employment on the literary staff of the "Argus." He had been in hospital for two years.

(Signaller Corporal K. G. McLintock, Wally Leathems best man)


INDEX OF LINKS