From [Joseph Henry] Ashton at Mount Torrens, South Australia, to [Lewis] Court in [Plymouth] England.
He sees from the issue of the U M magazine, which his brother sent, that Court is still in Plymouth. They trust that Court is well and that things are proceeding smoothly in the circumstances. It is terrible to think of the war. His son Jack is en route to Europe as a wireless operator on one of the transport ships. About the time they came to this circuit, Jack went to Sydney and was engaged in office work during the day and attending wireless school four evenings a week. After the outbreak of war there was such a demand for wireless operators, that he sent a wire asking if he could qualify himself and go. By the time this letter reaches Court, Jack should have arrived in England. He is on board the SS Annandale, which is transporting men and horses to the European Theatre. If Jack gets to Plymouth, he will no doubt call on Court.
He would like to thank Mrs Court for writing to him concerning Mr Knapman. He also heard later from Miss Lowie?? Perryman and after Mr Knapman's death and Mary also wrote to him. Mary is with her aunt Mrs Schafer at Strathalbyn. She was a bridesmaid at her cousin's wedding in Riverton last week.
They are very comfortable here. Ashton spent several very happy years in this circuit many years ago [1890-94]. Jack was born here, which is why he bears the name Torrens.
Mrs Ashton and Janie are well. Court will of course have heard of John Thorne's death. Ashton attended the funeral and helped carry him to his grave.
The Chief Justice [Samuel Way] was able to attend the Synod meeting for a short time. He is keeping up tremendously well, considering the circumstances.
In a postscript, he mentions that the enclosed news cutting referring to Jack is taken from The Register, one of the leading Adelaide newspapers. He does not know who sent the item in. Jack can be contacted via the following address; Findler, Anderson & Co., Agents of the Australian Steam Ship Co., Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall Street, London.
Notes .
- Joseph Henry Ashton [b.1844] entered the Australian Bible Christian ministry in 1878. He served as President of the South Australian Conference in 1898 and Secretary in 1897. In 1901 he transferred to the South Australian Methodist Church. He was the nephew of the Australian Bible Christian minister James Ashton. Source: Beckerlegge
- John Thorne (d.1914) was a son of James Thorne, one of the founders of the Bible Christian Connexion. He entered the Australian Bible Christian ministry in 1872. Thorne held many connexional positions including [British] Conference President in 1895, South Australian Conference President in 1887 and 1899 and South Australian Secretary in 1886 and 1898. Source: Beckerlegge and Bourne, p.539