Figures supplied by the Defence Department show that the number of men who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force was 416,809, of whom 329,716 embarked for abroad. Of these 92,417 had returned, and there were 25,571 on the sea returning to Australia, and 171,838 still abroad. Of the latter 80,182 are in France, 16,246 in Egypt and Palestine, 256 in India and Mesopotamia, and 49,483 in the United Kingdom.

The Acting Minister for Defence states that the regulations governing the payments to dependents of deceased soldiers have been amended. The period during which allotment money is to be received is reduced from two to one month, and in the case of missing soldiers from four to two months. If, at the end of two months, the soldier is still missing, payment will be made for an additional month.

An outbreak of pneumonic influenza has occurred at the Newcastle Hospital. The death of a patient, which took place on Sunday night, has been ascribed, as a result of a post-mortem examination, to the disease. Five nurses, who were on duty in the ward in which the patient had been, have contracted the disease, and, in addition, a wardsman who was on duty in the same ward, has developed suspicious symptoms, and is under observation.

Among the recently returned soldiers is Driver Harry Bott, the ex-West Wallsend player. Harry was one of the Blues' best forwards, being a member of the team that won the Richardson Cup (State junior championship), and the local third grade championship in 1914. He saw almost three years active service, was gassed and had pneumonic influenza, and returned owing to these causes. He is the proud possessor of the Military Medal, and is the second member of his family to win military honours, his brother having won the DCM, a fact which should make the Bott brothers' family very proud of their soldier sons. Jack Brennan (a brother of 'Nock'), and also an active member of Westy Soccer Club, returned on the same boat as his club mate, Harry Bott. Carl Knudson, the ex-Westy and interstate back, is expected home shortly. 'Nutty' will be a welcome addition to the team's back division.

Writing from North Wales to Bob Thomas, Sergeant Fred Sharman wishes to be remembered to all friends. Fred was just on the point of receiving his commission when the armistice was signed, and word was received from headquarters that no more commissions were to be granted.

Fred was very disappointed. He has been on active service for over three years, and was in every big stunt, and got through without a scratch. He hopes to be soon on his way home again.

Mrs Nichols, of Lambton Road, Waratah, has received a letter from Lieutenant-colonel White, of the 35th Battalion, referring to her late son, Sergeant Charles Henry Nichols. Lieutenant-colonel White, after offering his sympathy, states that on August 20th, Sergeant Nichols was killed by a shell. He was buried in a French cemetery, and a wooden cross, with his name erected on the grave. The officer adds, "Your son was a very brave man, and one who brought nothing but credit to his battalion and his family, who have so nobly upheld the cause of the Empire and freedom. He will always be remembered by those with whom he came in contact as a very gallant man".

Trumpeter Allan Masson, youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Masson, of the Royal Standard Hotel, Adamstown, arrived home on Monday night. He was met at Newcastle station by the Mayor, Alderman Cameron, and Mr W. Brown, town clerk and secretary of the patriotic committee, and driven to the home of his parents, where he received a cordial welcome from the Mayor and members of the patriotic committee. Trumpeter Masson thanked his friends for their welcome home. One of Mr and Mrs  Masson's five sons had returned that night, but there were three sons who would not return; they fell in fulfilment of their duty to their country. She asked those present to rise in silence as a tribute to the memory of the brave dead. Trumpeter Masson is the youngest of five brothers who went to the war. He was 15 years of age when he enlisted, and went away as trumpeter to the field artillery. He was wounded during the fighting on the Somme. He was three and a half years at the front. Two of his brothers were killed in action, and one died of illness. Trumpeter Masson enlisted from Broadmeadow, where his parents then lived, and several friends from that locality were present at his welcome home.

Mrs A.C. Wilson, of St. James Road, Adamstown, has received word that her youngest son, Lieutenant Ronald B. Wilson, of the Australian Flying Corps, who enlisted in June, 1915, is returning to Australia by the transport Lancashire, which is expected to arrive in Melbourne about the 21st instant.

Sapper A. H. Wilson, an original Anzac, another son of Mrs Wilson, arrived home eight weeks ago. Her other son, Captain Gordon C. Wilson, MC, DCM, also an original Anzac, is still on active service.

Private Richard Jordan, one of the five sons of Mr and Mrs Jordan, of Gipp Street, arrived home on Monday night, and was met upon arrival at the railway station by the Mayor of Carrington, Alderman G. Lott, the Southern Cross Girls League, and the members of the Welcome Home Committee.

The Mayor welcomed him home on behalf of the residents of Carrington. Upon his arrival at the residence of his parents, a large number of his friends and citizens accorded him a hearty welcome.

The Mayor, Alderman Lott, proposed the toast of the health of the guest, and said that Carrington was proud of the Jordan family, and Mr and Mrs. Jordan, who were represented in the war by five of their sons. Mr J. Jordan, in reply, thanked them for the kind receptions given to his two sons who had returned. Private Jordan left in 1915. His brother, Private W. Jordan (an Anzac), arrived home about a fortnight ago, and two others are still on active service.

The youngest brother made the supreme sacrifice.

Stoker Thomas Brennan, who did war service on HMAS Melbourne, arrived home on Monday evening. As there was uncertainty concerning the time of his arrival there was no official welcome accorded him at the railway station.

On arriving at his parents' home on the Waratah Commonage he was greeted by a large gathering of relatives and friends. Refreshments were provided, and the Mayor, Alderman Charlton, extended a hearty welcome to their returned guest. He believed he was the first naval man who had been in the actual fighting to return to the district. He hoped that their guest would soon be restored to his usual health. Stoker Brennan expressed his thanks for the  welcome.

He had been on active service during the whole period of the war. He related some interesting reminiscences of the war, and of his being a witness to the handing over of the German fleet.

Sapper T. Hincks, who returned by the transport Orsova, was given a cordial welcome home by a large number of residents on Wednesday evening, at the Roll of Honour gates. Sapper Hincks acknowledged the welcome given. At the conclusion of the formal welcome, Sapper Hincks was driven to his home, where he was received by a very large number of relatives and friends.

Supper was provided, and the Mayor presided over the gathering. After the loyal toast was honoured, the Mayor proposed the health of apper T. Hincks, who, he said, left Australia with the first tunnelling corps, in March, 1915, and whom they were pleased to welcome after nearly four years' service, and hoped that he would speedily recover from the effects of trench fever, by which he had been affected. His elder brother, Private Cecil Hincks, had paid the supreme sacrifice.

Corporal W. M. Niland, who has been abroad in France for some time, in a letter to his brother, Mr J. A. Niland, of Tarro, states that he had received orders to report to administrative headquarters, and was leaving for London next day to take up duties in connection with the demobilisation scheme. He enclosed a copy of an address delivered by the Bishop of Amiens at a requiem mass for fallen officers and NCOs of the Australian forces, in which a beautiful tribute was paid to the Australian dead, as well as to the living. Mr Niland added that he was proceeding to work on the big education scheme, and had been recommended by his CO to be given the opportunity of visiting Paris, and all the leading cities in the United Kingdom, for the purpose of studying their municipal systems.

Mrs A. Manefield, of Wallsend, has been advised that her son, Captain E. T. Manefield, is returning to Australia by the transport Lancashire, which is due to arrive about March 21. 

Private Pike was entertained in the school of arts hall on Thursday evening on his return from the war. Private Pike enlisted in April, 1917, going straight front Australia to England. From there he went to France, where he sustained a concussion and wound in the shoulder at Molarde Wood on 22nd August last. He arrived home at Waratah on Tuesday evening, after having been in quarantine for seven days.

After the loyal toast, Alderman Griffiths, the Mayor, proposed the toast of the guest, and congratulated him on doing his duty and on his safe return, wishing him long life and happiness. Private Pike was then presented with a pipe as a memento of the occasion. Private Pike responded, and thanked the company for the reception they had given him.

 Private Kellaway returned home Thursday evening, and was met at the Newcastle railway station by members of the Welcome Home Committee.

Private Kellaway, who enlisted in September, 1916, was twice wounded in the battle at Passchendaele, and was also wounded in the last big push. He has had two brothers killed at the front, and another brother is still over there.

Mr R. Beck, of West Wallsend, has received a letter from Captain M’Kenzie, commanding officer on the troopship Kanowna, offering sympathy on account of the death of his son, Private G. T. Beck. Captain M’Kenzie says:

"He was carried on board the Kanowna at Southampton on the 5th January in a low condition, suffering from head wounds, and in spite of all that could be done for him he sank, and died at 1am on Tuesday, February 19. He was buried in the Indian Ocean, the funeral service being sympathetically performed by Chaplain Bath, in the presence of a large number of the poor boy's comrades. He was devotedly attended to by Captain M Kay and Major Yule, AMC, and nursed by Sister Ryan and Staff-nurse Locock."

Alderman A. F. Toll has received from the information bureau of the Red Cross Depot, a copy of a statement made by Private R. R. Hurst, of the 4th Machine Gun Company section, relating to his son, the late Private T. Toll, which reads as follows:

"We were all together working behind the lines at Brebieres, all accomodated in one hut. Toll, Webb, and McIntyre were killed at Corbehem, near Douai, by a shell, along with four others of our men. They were all buried in the one grave in a French cemetery at Corbehem, by three of our men, and one Frenchman. No cross was erected. I was not with them at the time. The men who were there told me the particulars."

Nil.