by Anne Eastaugh
My great uncle Frank Roberts was killed in the Battle of Mont St Quentin on 1st September 1918, barely months before the war ended. His father, JG Roberts, compiled an extensive collection of manuscripts and photographs, held now in the State Library. In amongst this collection there is a photograph of a pair of soft children’s shoes, belonging to Frank’s infant daughter Nancy. His wife Ruby had sent one shoe to him in France, to be reunited with its counterpart upon Frank’s return. The story of the battle has been told by various authors, and my great grandfather’s manuscripts are freely available to view, but for me they have always been very personal stories. I have early memories of my father telling and retelling the story of Frank’s death, along with the family’s involvement in the Battle of Vinegar Hill, in Enniscorthy. It appears that family tragedy enjoys weaving itself through the generations. This is my first tune in that tapestry.
Composed in 2022.
Melbourne Tune Collection 
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