Edwin Maurice Little personal papers and photographs

Series 1: Correspondence (1914-1915)

Series number
1
Series title
Correspondence
Date
1914-1915
Scope and content

Letters referring to Maurice Little's voluntary enlistment during World War One; the voyage to Egypt on board HMAT Ceramic; service at Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 to 29 May 1915; his ten days on the hospital ship Gascon; hospitalisation in No.17 General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt from 7 June 1915 to 25 August 1915; and his marriage to Sister Bessie Crowther on 18 September 1915.

[Letters Items 1 - 12 are written by Maurice Little]
[Letters Items 13 -30 include those dictated by Maurice, and others written by friends as well as his future wife, Sister Bessie Crowther]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
33 letters (+ envelopes)
Additional format
Digital copies available for selected items
Locate
OMOSBOX Box 22488 O/S
Access restrictions
Unrestricted access
Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.

Items in this series:

Letter (1914)

Unit ID
32152/1
Item title
Letter
Date
1914
Scope and content

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

Item is damaged, fragile.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (September 1914)

Unit ID
32152/2
Item title
Letter
Date
September 1914
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter (incomplete)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (23-28 January 1915)

Unit ID
32152/3
Item title
Letter
Date
23-28 January 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
0
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (1915)

Unit ID
32152/4
Item title
Letter
Date
1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (1915)

Unit ID
32152/5
Item title
Letter
Date
1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (20 January 1915)

Unit ID
32152/6
Item title
Letter
Date
20 January 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (31 January 1915)

Unit ID
32152/7
Item title
Letter
Date
31 January 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (30 January 1915)

Unit ID
32152/8
Item title
Letter
Date
30 January 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (10 February 1915)

Unit ID
32152/9
Item title
Letter
Date
10 February 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (5 March 1915)

Unit ID
32152/10
Item title
Letter
Date
5 March 1915
Scope and content

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

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter

Letter (27 March 1915)

Unit ID
32152/11
Item title
Letter
Date
27 March 1915
Scope and content

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

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (4 April 1915)

Unit ID
32152/12
Item title
Letter
Date
4 April 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (7 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/13
Item title
Letter
Date
7 June 1915
Scope and content

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

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (7 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/14
Item title
Letter
Date
7 June 1915
Scope and content

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. 

Author / Creator
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (16 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/15
Item title
Letter
Date
16 June 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (21 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/16
Item title
Letter
Date
21 June 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (22 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/17
Item title
Letter
Date
22 June 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (24 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/18
Item title
Letter
Date
24 June 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (2 July 1915)

Unit ID
32152/19
Item title
Letter
Date
2 July 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (6 July 1915)

Unit ID
32152/20
Item title
Letter
Date
6 July 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (12 July 1915)

Unit ID
32152/21
Item title
Letter
Date
12 July 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (3 August 1915)

Unit ID
32152/22
Item title
Letter
Date
3 August 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (12 August 1915)

Unit ID
32152/23
Item title
Letter
Date
12 August 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
McMahon, Lady Mary, 1865-1957
Description
1 letter (+ envelope)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (17 August 1915)

Unit ID
32152/24
Item title
Letter
Date
17 August 1915
Scope and content

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.]

Author / Creator
Gairdner, Margaret Dundas, 1875-1957
Description
1 letter (+ envelope)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (21 August 1915)

Unit ID
32152/25
Item title
Letter
Date
21 August 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
McMahon, Lady Mary, 1865-1957
Description
1 letter (+ envelope)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (August 1915)

Unit ID
32152/26
Item title
Letter
Date
August 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Harpur, Edith Constance
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (24 August 1915)

Unit ID
32152/27
Item title
Letter
Date
24 August 1915
Scope and content

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

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 letter (very fragile)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (23 September 1915)

Unit ID
32152/28
Item title
Letter
Date
23 September 1915
Scope and content

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.]

Author / Creator
Bowell, Helen S
Description
1 letter (+ envelope)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (25 September 1915)

Unit ID
32152/29
Item title
Letter
Date
25 September 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Crowther, Lizzie 'Bessie', 1870-1958
Description
1 letter (+ envelope)
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (5 October 1915)

Unit ID
32152/30
Item title
Letter
Date
5 October 1915
Scope and content

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]

Author / Creator
Harpur, Edith Constance
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Telegram (10 June 1915)

Unit ID
32152/31
Item title
Telegram
Date
10 June 1915
Scope and content

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

Description
1 telegram
Additional format
Digital copy available

Cablegram (18 October 1915)

Unit ID
32152/32
Item title
Cablegram
Date
18 October 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1938
Description
1 cablegram
Additional format
Digital copy available

Letter (29 October 1915)

Unit ID
32152/33
Item title
Letter
Date
29 October 1915
Scope and content

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.

Author / Creator
Department of Defence, Melbourne
Description
1 letter
Additional format
Digital copy available

Envelopes (July-November 1915)

Unit ID
32152/34
Item title
Envelopes
Date
July-November 1915
Scope and content

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".

Description
3 envelopes
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(33 digital)

Series 2: Ephemera (1916)

Series number
2
Series title
Ephemera
Date
1916
Scope and content

Order of proceedings for a presentation made by the Queensland Governor, Major Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams to Maurice Little, which consisted of a sum of money, a lounge chair and a walking stick.

[Item 35]

Author / Creator
Albert Street Methodist Church
Description
1 program
Locate
OMBOX Box 22488 O/S Grey album
Access restrictions
Unrestricted access
Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.
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Series 3: Photographs (1916-1939)

Series number
3
Series title
Photographs
Date
1916-1939
Scope and content

Studio portraits of Maurice Little and his father William.

[Items 36 & 37]

Description
2 photographs
Locate
OMOSBOX Box 22488 O/S
Access restrictions
Unrestricted access
Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.

Items in this series:

Maurice Little (1916-1939)

Unit ID
32152/36
Item title
Maurice Little
Date
1916-1939
Scope and content

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

Description
1 photograph (mounted)
195 x 255 mm
Additional format
Digital copy available
Locate

Reverend William Little (undated)

Unit ID
32152/37
Item title
Reverend William Little
Date
undated
Scope and content

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

Author / Creator
Sidney Riley Studios
Description
1 photograph (mounted in cardboard folder)
155 x 235 mm
Additional format
Digital copy available
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(2 digital)

Series 4: Newspaper clippings (1915-1916)

Series number
4
Series title
Newspaper clippings
Date
1915-1916
Scope and content

Newspaper clippings and articles relating to Lieutenant E. Maurice Little and his return to Australia.

[Item 38]

Description
1 folder
Locate
OMOSBOX Box 22397 O/S
Access restrictions
Unrestricted access
Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.
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Series 5: Manuscripts (1930-1939)

Series number
5
Series title
Manuscripts
Date
1930-1939
Scope and content

Typed copy of a fictional work of written by Maurice Little, while residing in London. With 19 chapters and over 66,000 words the narrative is a mystery romance set in Egypt.

Chapters are:
1. The Lion of Seattle 2. A Chance remark 3. Aboard the 'J.P. Brandt' 4. Cantrell gets to work 5. A Discovery 6. Futros the builder 7. The Alexandria syndicate 8. The word of an Englishman 9. The Stranger 10. Rofer tightens his grip 11. Cantrell speaks his mind 12. In the Lion's den 13. A Solemn warning 14. The Fisherman's cottage 15. An Elopement 16. A Tragic end 17. An Unknown destination 18. Marie has the last word 19. Back to Cyprus.

[Item 39]

Author / Creator
Little, Edwin Maurice, 1893-1939
Description
1 manuscript
Locate
OMOSBOX Box 22397 O/S
Access restrictions
Unrestricted access
Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.
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