Edwin Maurice Little personal papers and photographs

Letter from Maurice Little, Gladstone, to his parents in Ipswich asking for their permission to enlist in the first AIF.

Item is damaged, fragile.

Letter from Maurice Little, Gladstone, to his parents in Ipswich, advising that he has passed his medical examination and expects to reach Brisbane in two days time.

Letter written over several days by Maurice Little, while at sea, to his family, in which he describes his voyage on board HMAT Ceramic en route to Egypt. Maurice has entitled it "Travels No.1"

[The letter was posted 10 February 1915]

Letter from Maurice Little, at sea on board HMAT Ceramic. As a sergeant he is giving lectures to the other men, and he has heard that Hector Dinning #1197 (AASC) is on board.

Letter from Maurice Little, at sea, to his mother Caroline in Ipswich. He writes late in the day and is preparing to go up on the Boat Deck to sleep where it is cooler.

Letter from Maurice Little, Aden, to his family in which he describes their journey on HMAT Ceramic, reaching Aden on the 19th where they were quarantined for measles. They left the harbour on the 22nd and have now reached the Suez. Maurice has entitled it "Travels No.2"

[The letter was posted 10 February 1915]

Letter from Maurice Little, Port Said to his family, in which he continues his description of their voyage from Aden to the Suez Canal on board HMAT Ceramic. Maurice has entitled it "Travels No.3"

[The letter was posted 10 February 1915]

Letter from Maurice Little, Port Said to his parents in Ipswich, in which he describes missing his friend Percy Savage, who came aboard looking for him, but hopes to write to him shortly.

[The letter was posted 10 February 1915]

Letter from Maurice Little, on board HMAT Ceramic enroute from Port Said to Heliopolis, to his family. He received several letters and cards and is very pleased to have them.

[The letter was posted 10 February 1915]

Letter from Maurice Little, Heliopolis, Egypt to his family, in which he describes life in the training camp, and his visit to the Pyramids.

Letter from Maurice Little, Heliopolis, Egypt to his family, in which he describes life in the camp and daily routines.

Letter from Maurice Little, Heliopolis, Egypt to his family, he expects to be leaving in the next few days for the front, and asks them not to worry, he is confident he shall be well.

Letter dictated by Maurice Little, now seriously wounded, he is on board the hospital ship Gascon enroute to a hospital in Alexandria.

Letter from Sister Bessie Crowther, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria to Maurice Little's mother Caroline. Written at Maurice's request informing her of his serious condition, after being wounded by a bomb at Quinn's Post, Gallipoli. 

Letter no. 2 from Sister Bessie Crowther, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria to Maurice Little's mother Caroline. Written at Maurice's request telling her of his extensive injuries sustained after being wounded by a bomb at Quinn's Post, Gallipoli. Bessie is anxious that she may not have received her earlier letter.

Letter dictated by Maurice Little to Sister Bessie Crowther, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria, to his parents in Ipswich. Maurice writes confidently of his future recovery and of the many visitors he has received.

Letter no. 3 from Sister Bessie Crowther, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria to Maurice Little's mother Caroline. Bessie describes Maurice's progress and confirms the loss of his sight.

Letter from Sister Bessie Crowther, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria to Maurice Little's father William. Bessie writes of their 'noble son' and his simple faith that is inspiring.

Letter no. 4 from Sister Bessie Crowther, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria to Maurice Little's mother Caroline. Bessie advises of Maurice's improvement and talks of his strong determination to take a happy view of life.

Letter dictated by Maurice Little, No.17 General Hospital, Palais, Ramleh, Alexandria, to his family in Ipswich, written his 22nd birthday. Maurice writes of the presents and kindness he has been shown. It includes comments by Sister Bessie Crowther.

Letter dictated by Maurice Little, No.17 General Hospital, Ramleh, Alexandria, to his parents, which includes comments by Sister Bessie Crowther. She describes his happy mood and how he has made many friends there. Maurice tells of his many visitors including Colonel Lee, Lady and General Maxwell, Lady Chatham and Lady Rochedale.

Letter dictated by Maurice Little, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria, to his parents in Ipswich. Maurice talks of his injuries healing and his return home.

Letter from Lady McMahon, British Residency, Cairo to Maurice Little's mother Catherine, sympathising with her and the great distress she must be experiencing.

[Lady Mary McMahon (nee Bland) (1865-1957) wife of Sir Vincent Arthur Henry McMahon, British High Commissioner to Egypt 1915-1917. Lady Mary was later appointed Dame of Grace, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem]

Letter from Margaret Gairdner, 'Fairhaven' Ramleh, Alexandria, to Maurice Little's mother Catherine. Margaret who is a friend of Bessie, confirms that Maurice and Bessie are keen on marriage.

[William Temple Gairdner (1873-1928) and his wife Margaret (nee Mitchell) were contemporary British missionaries to North Africa].

['Fairhaven' was a guesthouse at Ramleh, Alexandria, which provided accommodation for Christian Missionaries and others.]

Letter from Lady McMahon, British Residency, Cairo to Maurice Little's mother Catherine, reassuring her that Bessie Crowther is a 'noble character' and will be a devoted wife.

[Lady Mary McMahon (nee Bland) (1865-1957) wife of Sir Vincent Arthur Henry McMahon, British High Commissioner to Egypt 1915-1917.  She was later appointed Dame of Grace, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem]

Letter from Edith Harpur, 'Fairhaven' Ramleh, Alexandria, to Maurice Little's mother Catherine. Edith assures her of Bessie Crowther's good character and her devotion to her son Maurice.

[Edith Harpur (nee Fiztgerald) was the wife of the Dr Francis John Harpur founder of the Menouf Hospital]

Letter dictated to a Miss Harrrison, by Maurice Little, No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria, to his parents confirming his intention to marry Bessie Crowther.

Letter from Helen Bowell, a friend of Bessie Crowther, to Maurice Little's mother, Catherine. She describes the wedding of Maurice and Bessie and the following reception held at the guesthouse 'Fairhaven' at Ramleh.

['Fairhaven' was a guesthouse which provided accommodation for Christian Missionaries. Maurice Little also stayed there are leaving hospital.]

Letter from Bessie Crowther, 'Fairhaven' Ramleh, Alexandria to Maurice Little's mother Catherine, after their wedding, hoping that she will not be a disappointment to them.

Letter from Edith Harpur, C.M.S. [Christian Missionary Society] Menouf, Menoufia, to Maurice Little's mother Catherine. Edith writes of Maurice and Bessies wedding, where her husband gave Bessie away.

[Edith Harpur (nee Fitzgerald) wife of the Dr Francis John Harpur founder of the Menouf Hospital]

Telegram from Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, addressed to Rev. W. Little advising that his son Lieutenant E.M. Little had been wounded.

Cable sent to the Little family, Ipswich from Maurice Little, Alexandria advising that he is happily married, and leaving for home on board the transport ship Kanowna.

Letter advising Rev. W. Little, Ipswich that his son Lieutenant E.M. Little is returning to Australia on board HMT Kanowna, and is due in Melbourne about the 20th November.

Three unmatched envelopes

1. Postmarked 1 July 1915 forwarded to Lieutenant E.M. Little, marked wounded, posted in Queensland

2. Postmarked 25 September 1915, posted in Sidi Gaber, Alexandria, addressed to Mrs W. Little, North Ipswich

3. Postmarked 28 July 1915, addressed to Rev. W. Little, Ipswich.
On reverse "since writing this I hear Maurice may be starting for home soon, but do not know any particulars, of course you will hear when the time comes".

Studio portrait of Edwin Maurice Little, a copy of which hangs in the Sherwood-Indooroopilly RSL club rooms. Maurice Little was Foundation President, Sherwood Sub-branch RSSILA 1919-1924

Studio portrait undated, of Reverend William Little, 1859-1940