It took two weeks and about $20 worth of Patons' 8-ply grey wool for Janet Burningham to reproduce the seamless socks from the original Grey Sock pattern. According to Janet, each sock would take about a day to knit without life interfering

Jack received at least 3 messages in his packages of socks; two from Victoria and one from New South Wales.

Joe Barlow, an 11 year old boy from Glenvale Park, Whittlesea wrote, ‘God bless you soldier boy’

Maud Schafer from Willaura in Victoria and Miss Dorothy Smith from Cudal, New South Wales wished him well and hoped he would make a ‘safe return’

Jack Pickrell, the soldier boy, kept these small notes written by strangers, his entire life. His son donated his papers, including these three notes in 2012

Twenty year old Jack Pickrell enlisted in the AIF on 18 September 1914. He served as a driver in the 26^th and 14^th Companies, 4^th Division in Egypt, Gallipoli and France.

Woollen socks were vital for soldiers serving in the war. Socks were required to be hand knitted to exact standards so they were seamless and comfortable. Soldiers in the cold and muddy trenches needed a continuous supply of clean, dry socks to protect them against the debilitating ‘trench foot’. Fresh supplies of socks were received as part of the ‘comfort boxes’ with cigarettes, food and mail.

During the harsh European winters, Jack received several packages of woollen socks from Australian knitters back home. Often knitters placed notes inside the socks with brief messages to the soldiers.