Tallong,
New South Wales

Feby 21st
1915

My Dear Brother

I have just received word of your and Martha's great loss by the death at the front of your brave boy Walter. I truly hope you won't take it to heart too much, he died a glorious death fighting for Truth and Honor under the Grand old Flag. We are all only here for a very short time and will all meet again when there will be no more sorrow or parting ---

I trust you keep in good health and spirits. I get news from Lizzie occasionally also the Scotch papers which keep me pretty well informed of home happenings ---

I am living in a fine healthy district 2000 ft above sea level on what are termed table land country engaged in mixed farming. We grow maize, fruit, oats, and all sorts of vegetables, the climate being something like that of New Zealand. I am about 100 miles from Mary and Annie and the same from Sydney. We get daily papers with all the latest news and the people round here have just the same appearance as the home folk.

We are on the edge of the Shoalhaven River Valley five minutes walk takes one in sight of the river 1800 feet right below and down there you might think yourself in a big Scotch Glen. I have two fine dogs and they are good company one of them is not unlike "Bob" your old dog only his ears stand straight up and is of the "Kelpie" breed.

We have warm days with cool or cold nights and usually put on a big log fire at night.

Occasionally I kill a snake here they are mostly 5 to 6 feet long and black in color with a salmon colored belly they are very frightened for man and are really only dangerous when tramped on or come upon suddenly. We are three miles from the main Railway and drive or ride in often to Tallong. I am quite at home horseback and often think that if one can handle a boat you soon learn how to handle a horse ---

Again assuring you and Martha of my deepest sympathy.

Believe Me Ever
Your Affte Brother
Walter S. Smith